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The FIT-5 is gaining recognition as a supplementary tool in aiding firefighters in challenging interior fires, including basement fires. This is thethird FIT-5 deployment over the last seven months in the New York/New Jerseyregion.
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In December 2007, the FIT-5 was credited with saving buildings and livesfollowing a third floor house fire in Port Jervis, New York; and in May 2008,a fire department in West Milford, New Jersey, put out a basement fire byusing the FIT-5. Currently, 23 fire departments on the East Coast are equippedto use the FIT-5 to extinguish structure fires, similar to the Shelter Islandbasement fire.
"Basement fires are uniquely difficult and dangerous to fight. This can befurther amplified in areas like Shelter Island where there is limited accessto water," said Michael Gardiner, ARA Safety Director of Marketing. "ARASafety's FIT-5 can be an especially important tool in the toolbox in thesecircumstances."
At the Shelter Island fire, First Assistant Fire Chief Rowland kicked downthe basement door and activated the FIT-5 which emitted a non-toxic aerosolpowder that quickly suppressed the basement fire -- which originated in anelectrical panel -- and decreased the amount of water required to fight thefire.
"As the first to respond, I had limited resources and time to extinguishthe fire," said Rowland. "The FIT-5 knocked down the fire prevented itsspread, and bought five minutes until 32 volunteers from my department arrivedat the scene."
Rowland and his volunteers remained at the scene for 1.5 hours and usedonly 250 gallons of water to fully extinguish the fire as opposed to750 - 1000 gallons that would have normally been used.
"Without the FIT-5, we would have required at least three more hours tofully extinguish the fire. The FIT-5 saved the home and made interior attacksafe," said Rowland.
Brian Lynch, owner of US Fire Tech Corp., the ARA Authorized Dealer thatprovided the unit to Shelter Island Fire Department said that he is proud tohave played a role in protecting a home.
About ARA Safety
ARA Safety is a world leader in innovative fire and life safetytechnology. ARA Safety's revolutionary Fire Interruption Technology (FIT) fireknock down tool is saving lives and reducing property loss in cities and townsacross North America.
ARA Safety's fire and life safety technologies also include the ZeroCombustion line of fire proof sprays, paints and coatings, and its worldleading line of Photoluminescent products. ARA Safety's technologies have beenused by NASA, the Pentagon, the United States Military and are featuredprominently on the Vancouver Shangri-La. ARA Safety Inc. is based inVancouver, Canada. To learn more about ARA Safety visit,http://www.arasafety.com.For editorial information: Michael Gardiner ARA Safety [email protected] (778) 836-2108 For editorial information: Tina Janczura GolinHarris [email protected] (312) 729-4349
SOURCE ARA Safety
