NEW YORK, NEW YORK, Dec 28 (MARKET WIRE) --
ARA Safety's new first response fire knockdown tool, a device called the
FIT-5, is being credited with saving buildings and lives following a
third floor house fire in Port Jervis, NY, yesterday. The responding Fire
Chief's account of the fire situation is appended below.
"The FIT-5 is designed to knock down fire and put time on a fire
department's side," said Michael Gardiner, spokesperson for ARA Safety.
"Yesterday, the FIT-5 knocked down a dangerous third story fire, likely
preventing a 20 lb. propane tank from exploding."
The FIT-5 fire knockdown tool is an easy to use dry powder aerosol that
quickly reduces heat and flame, allowing firefighters to attack a fire
more effectively, more safely and with less water damage to property.
ARA Safety is a world leader in life safety innovations, providing
powerful, safe and environmentally friendly fire suppression and
life-safety products. To learn more about the FIT-5, visit the ARA Safety
website at arasafety.com or call 1-888-955-8883.
Video of the device can be viewed at http://video.lunaplast.com. For
television quality video, please phone 778-836-2108.
"On 12/27/07 at 3PM the City of Port Jervis was dispatched to a structure
fire at 19 Elizabeth Street. Upon arrival I found a 3-story building with
a fire on the 3rd floor. I climbed the fire escape to the 3rd floor with
the FIT-5, broke the window and deployed the unit. There was heavy smoke
coming from the window in which I threw the unit. Within a minute after
deployment the smoke seemed to die down. This allowed us time to stretch
lines up the stairwell to the 3rd floor. Crews found the fire in a
bedroom that sustained heavy damage. The rooms adjacent to the fire room
only sustained smoke and heat damage. I accredit this to the FIT-5 that
held the fire damage to the one room for approximately 15 minutes. There
was some water damage to the apartment on the 1st and 2nd floors, but it
was minimal compared to other fires I have attended over the past 35
years. After arson investigators finished their investigation we
continued our mop-up in the closet of the fire room and found a 20 lb.
propane cylinder. It is possible that the FIT-5 saved the lives of our
firefighters who were inside the building as well as those outside. A
cylinder of this size would have caused a loss to the entire building,
the adjacent buildings, fire apparatus, and most importantly, human
lives." Joseph J. Kowal Sr., Chief, City Of Port Jervis, N.Y.
City of Port Jervis Fire Chief, Joseph J. Kowal Sr., can be reached for
comment at 845-591-7301.
Contacts:
ARA Safety Inc.
Joe McCormick
(917) 743-1119
ARA Safety Inc.
Michael Gardiner
(778) 836-2108
Website: www.arasafety.com
Copyright 2007, Market Wire, All rights reserved.
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