THERMO GASTECH is the new name for GAS TECH, INC. The change reflects the firm’s connection to its parent, THERMO ELECTRON, which is involved in the health care, environmental quality and detection markets. The Newark, California-based company produces portable and fixed gas detection systems.
IDEX CORPORATION, the parent company of HALE PRODUCTS, INC., has purchased Class 1, of Ocala, Florida, a leading producer of custom electronic instrumentation, controls, wiring harnesses, and plumbing components for emergency vehicles. Hale, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, manufactures fire apparatus pumps.
FLIR SYSTEMS, INC., has formed a strategic alliance with SCOTT HEALTH AND SAFETY to distribute the FireFLIRTM thermal imaging system and develop new thermal imaging products for the firefighting market. Scott manufactures SCBA, gas detectors, and thermal imaging equipment. Flir will be responsible for new product research, development, and manufacturing; Scott will sell and distribute the new line of thermal imaging cameras.
UNITED PLASTIC FABRICATING, INC. (UPF) has opened a 24,000-square-foot production facility in Dayton, Nevada. The facility will reduce the high cost of freight for western shipments and enable the tank manufacturer to provide more responsive service to western U.S. customers. In December 2000, UPF delivered its 30,000th Poly-TankT.
GLOBE FIREFIGHTERS SUITS appointed Chris Moelker regional sales manager for Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin and David Strohecker regional sales manager for California and Nevada.
The SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY (CA) SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT announced the successful operation of its new TriTech VisiCAD Command graphical computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. The department’s dispatchers are responsible for 40,000 law enforcement, 650 fire emergency, and 19,000 emergency medical service calls annually. The system enables dispatchers to obtain information from the local area warrant system, the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the National Criminal Information System. The system also interfaces with Plant Technologies Vesta E-911 system, alphanumeric paging, and the county’s current record management system.
WELDON TECHNOLOGIES, INC., has appointed product line managers (PLMs) for specific business areas: Joseph Williams, fire apparatus; Nile Ray, ambulances; and Sheri Quinn, bus and commercial vehicle markets. Each PLM will support customers while overseeing development and program investments for the vehicle lighting manufacturer. The organizational changes are intended to better align Weldon’s business structures to respond to market opportunities.
FIRE-DEX, INC., which manufactures firefighter and emergency response clothing, has received a certificate of registration that conforms with ISO 9001. The compliance certificate covers the company’s complete line of turnout gear, airport and emergency garments, hoods, gloves, and accessories.
KME FIRE APPARATUS announced the opening of a 10,000-square-foot service facility in Assonet, Massachusetts, serving the New England area. Services offered include factory direct sales; on-site fabricating, machining, and welding; service work on KME and other apparatus; direct parts sales; and on-site KME apparatus warranty administration. Contact: (877) 644-2707.
KME opened a similar facility in Ontario, California. The 24,000-square-foot facility provides factory direct sales; paint and collision repair; fabricating, machining, and welding; service work on KME and other fire apparatus; on-site pump testing and certification; direct parts; and on-site warranty administration. Contact: (800) 328-1033.
CUMMINS, INC. and NATIONAL TRUCK PROTECTION COMPANY, INC. (NTP), have an-nounced the new NTP Encore protection plans for preowned trucks. The plans are available for medium-duty trucks with Cummins B5.9, C8.3. ISB, and ISC diesel engines regardless of model, make, mileage, or year of truck. Coverage starts once NTP conducts a standard prepurchase inspection. For more information, contact NTP at (800) 950-3377.
Over the course of nine months, Bullard has fulfilled its contract with the state of New Jersey by shipping about 900 thermal imaging cameras (TICs) for use in fire departments across the state. The first 587 units equipped every department in the state, making New Jersey the first in the nation to provide border-to-border coverage. Remaining units funded by the state appropriation were shipped to departments eligible for multiple units, based on population and geographic requirements established by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.
Bill Kramer, deputy director of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, explained the major benefit of equipping all New Jersey departments with the same brand of TIC: “Because of reduced resources, fire departments throughout New Jersey rely heavily on mutual aid. When every department has like equipment, everyone knows how to operate the equipment when they arrive on scene. And this improves the efficiency and effectiveness of mutual aid efforts.”
Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman and the New Jersey legislature took a national lead in fire safety by appropriating $7.5 million for the purchase of the TICs in October 1999. Bullard was selected from among vendors who participated in a bid process that ended in March 2000.