Lion Apparel FIREFIGHTER UNIFORM ACCESSORIES

The acquisition consolidates Ballyclare’s position as provider of firefighter protection in the UK Ballyclare Limited is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Lion firefighter business in the UK from the LHD Group. Ballyclare is owned by David Ross, the entrepreneur who made his name with the success of Carphone Warehouse. Speaking of Ballyclare’s latest move, Mr Ross said: “This is an important move for Ballyclare. It consolidates our position as a leading provider of firefighter protection in the UK and gives us an excellent base to build a broader protective clothing business”. Speaking of his plans for merging Lion and Ballyclare Carlton Greener, Managing Director of Ballyclare, said: “Ballyclare and Lion are both well-known brands with a high reputation for service and product quality. Our objective will be to combine the best of both businesses to create a new and stronger Ballyclare”. Lion was established in the UK 15 years ago by Lion Apparel from Dayton Ohio. Ownership was later transferred to the German LHD Group, before being acquired by Ballyclare. Ballyclare was acquired by David Ross in March 2013.

New York fire department is set to face all hazards equipped with the new protective suit from Lion Apparel  The protective suit advancements will significantly improve safety and decrease the physical impact on New York's Fire Department  first responders. Fire departments around the world are evaluating their operational readiness to respond to hazmat incidents. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) city, the largest fire department in the United States, has taken the lead in upgrading its response protocol by improving its ability to respond against chemical, biological and WMD incidents. The advancements will significantly improve safety and decrease the physical impact on FDNY's first responders. As part of the upgrade to its chemical protective clothing program, the FDNY has selected Lion's MT94 CBRN protective ensemble to fit its mission-specific needs and increase its response capabilities for technical rescue, patient rescue, decontamination and air monitoring. The revamped program provides FDNY's hazmat response teams with a more functional alternative than wearing traditional Level A suits to respond to such incidents. Lion's MT94 is a one-piece ensemble designed to protect against some of the world's deadliest chemical and biological threats. It combines rugged GORE® CHEMPAK® Ultra Barrier Fabric laminated to a tough Nomex® outer textile to offer lightweight and comfortable multi-wear, multi-threat protection. The MT94 is certified to NFPA 1994, Class 2 and NFPA 1992. Providing the highest level of protection in a Class 2 suit, the MT94 helps block out high levels of CBRN agents that may be encountered in the "hot zone."

The IFRM has sent donated firefighter gear to a Papua New Guinea fire dept. IFRM sends equipment donated by fire departments across US In late June, the International Fire Relief Mission (IFRM) sent one pallet of donated fire and EMS equipment to the Ukarumpa Fire Department in Papua New Guinea. Later this year, IFRM will send a team of fire and EMS professionals to train members of the fire department on the safe and proper use of the equipment. IFRM is a nonprofit organization that collects used fire and EMS equipment and delivers it to needy fire departments in developing nations.The equipment was generously donated by fire departments across the United States, with most of it coming from fire departments in Minnesota and the U.S. Air Force base in Duluth, Iowa. The majority of the equipment shipped was turnout gear, aircraft rescue and firefighting gear, and SCBA air packs and masks. IFRM also sent first-responder equipment such as AED units and CPR training dummies. "In their letter to us, Ukarumpa's fire chief said the department was operating without any SCBA, boots, helmets or gloves," said Ron Gruening, IFRM president. Gruening is a retired paramedic and an active volunteer firefighter. "When a department asks us for help, we assess its greatest needs and fill those to the best of our ability. We sometimes take for granted how good we have it here in the United States. But often, fire and EMS equipment that no longer meets U.S. regulatory requirements is a profound upgrade to what many firefighters in developing nations are using today. This equipment immediately makes the firefighters' jobs safer and improves their chances of saving civilian lives. What may seem like a simple act of recycling to us dramatically changes their lives."Later this year, Gruening and his team will spend two weeks in Papua New Guinea teaching the Ukarumpa firefighters how to safely and effectively use the newly donated gear. IFRM is preparing other shipments to Roatan, Peru, and Bolivia. Those shipments also will be accompanied by on-the-ground training. "This global recession has made the need for fire and EMS gear greater than ever," Gruening said. "But through the generous support of American fire departments and our corporate partners like Rosenbauer, FRC, Lion Apparel, and GearGrid, we've been able to help those who risk their lives helping others."