Task Force Tips FIRE FOAM

The global gathering at the three-day event is as impressive as ever, reinforced by 14 country pavilions The global significance of the Middle East’s security and safety market has been underlined by top German and US companies leading a large turnout of international exhibitors at Intersec 2016 next month. The 18th edition of Intersec, the world’s leading trade show for security, safety, and fire protection, will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors from 54 countries when it opens from 17-19 January 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Record exhibitors from US and Germany With 82 per cent of exhibitors based outside of the UAE, the global gathering at the three-day event is as impressive as ever, reinforced by 14 country pavilions from Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, USA, and for the first time, France, the Czech Republic, and India. Much of the attention will fall on leading security and fire-related solutions providers from the USA and Germany, where 145 exhibitors from the two countries will cover 2,550sqm of exhibition space.  A total of 72 German exhibitors – including 58 at the government-backed German Pavilion, and 14 stand-alone exhibitors – will be headed by big names such as CCTV providers Bosch Security Systems and Grundig; access control specialists SimonsVoss; IT security provider G-Data; fire extinguisher manufacturers Doeka and Viking; and Haix, a manufacturer of safety shoes. Grundig Security Grundig Security (ASP AG) will showcase its latest range of 4K Ultra High Definition and full HD TVI (Transport Video Interface) cameras and recorders at Intersec 2016, along with its ultra-low light performance cameras and IP (Internet Protocol) video range. The video security solutions provider has been involved in a number of Middle East projects, including the installation in 2015 of a CCTV security system at the UAE National Archives. Grundig IP cameras are also providing 24/7 surveillance for the ongoing construction of the 14.6km US$1.25 billion Eurasia Tunnel connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul under the Bosphorus Strait. Ludwig Bergschneider, CEO of Grundig Security, said: “Grundig Security offers advanced video security solutions for professional installers and integrators across a vast range of industries, from airports, oil & gas, transportation and government, to banks, retail and hospitality. “TVI and 4K technology, along with Video Management Systems (VMS) are having a big impact in the Middle East and African market, and we anticipate a significant amount of interest in our products at Intersec 2016, where we can stay in contact with our customers, understand their needs, and provide them with ideal solutions.” Increase in USA participation Meanwhile, the USA participation at Intersec 2016 has increased by 28 per cent year-on-year, with 73 exhibitors spanning 1,300sqm of exhibition space, indicating the strong interest in the Middle East by major USA commercial security and fire protection industry players. The 31 USA Pavilion exhibitors and 42 stand-alone exhibitors are spearheaded by Fire & Rescue companies Task Force Tips, Kidde Fenwal, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Code 3, a manufacturer of emergency vehicle lights and sirens, is the USA Commercial Pavilion Anchor. Greg Scott, General Manager of Code 3, said: “Intersec gives us the opportunity to meet with key decision makers from the Middle East market to discuss their needs, whether current or future. Additionally, our participation gives us one-on-one time to showcase our latest products and discuss their application to fit each agency’s needs.” Elsewhere at the USA Pavilion, the NFPA will increase awareness about its educational and technical programmes dedicated to saving lives and reducing property loss throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). “Our international offices, covering the MENA region, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Latin America, work to advance the use and adoption of NFPA codes and standards throughout their territories,” said Jim Pauley, President and CEO of the NFPA. Meeting point for public and private sectors “Intersec 2016 provides us the unique opportunity of meeting with stakeholders in both the public sector such as government officials and civil defence groups, as well as the private sector such as designers, installers, facility managers and consultants.” Intersec is organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, and focuses on the six core sections of Commercial Security; Information Security; Fire & Rescue; Safety & Health; Homeland Security & Policing; and for the first time in 2016, Smart Home & Building Automation. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO or Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Safety and security, whether at the workplace, home, in cyberspace, or where people gather for leisure and entertainment, is of high priority today, especially with regard to the ever-evolving global security scenario. The latest security products and solutions from leading international players will be on display at Intersec 2016, which can contribute to making the world a safer place for all.” New features at Intersec 2016 include a Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion at the Fire & Rescue Section, and a Jobs and Careers Pavilion, bringing thousands of safety and security professionals in touch with the right career opportunities. The annual showpiece event will also feature a dedicated series of industry conferences held in cooperation with the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence; the Occupational Health & Safety Conference will take place on 17-18 January, while the Middle East Fire Conference and the Critical Infrastructure Security Conference will both take place on 18-19 January.

Task Force Tips new world headquarters in Valparaiso, Indiana New world headquarters inspired by firefighting history Distribution partners and firefighters are invited to join Task Force Tips on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 9 am when the doors of the company's new world headquarters will officially open for business. The building (at 2351 Industrial Drive,Valparaiso, Indiana, 46383-9511) has been years in the planning - as well as over a year of construction. The new headquarters more than doubles the work area for the Midwestern firefighting equipment manufacturer. "It's long been our dream to have our entire company housed under a single roof," said Rod Carringer, vice president of sales and marketing. "This is the third time in our company's history that we've expanded into a newer, larger facility. Since we've planned enough space to basically double our size from what we are now, we expect to stay here for some time - and, unlike before, we've allowed ourselves a lot of room right here where we can build and grow." The opening day celebration kicks off at 9 am, with plant tours beginning in the building's new firefighting museum. A hot dog and hamburger luncheon will be served from 11 am to 1 pm. Tours and product demonstrations will continue throughout the afternoon (outside, as well as in the building's new training room). The day will finish off with a pig roast dinner from 5 to 7 pm. The new facility adds 98,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 20,000 square feet of office space to the existing 50,000 square feet Industrial Drive location. Larson-Danielson Construction Company, Inc, LaPorte, Indiana, brought CEO Stewart McMillan's dream and blueprints to life. Aside from creating a central spot where customers the world over will be able to congregate, this expansion helped to create some 170 construction related jobs locally, and bolstered Porter County, Indiana's economy with a multi-million dollar investment. Few who drive up to the building's entrance will even think about it housing the world's most innovative manufacturer of firefighting equipment. Rather, TFT's two-story, red-bricked firehouse facade - complete with twin bright red fire station doors and hand cut regional white limestone - will more likely remind visitors of the fire stations of childhood memories and dreams. Guests coming through the front doors enter immediately into a world of memorabilia and treasures - TFT's very own firefighting museum. This two story showplace traces the company from its very beginnings in the fall of 1971 (in the basement of the McMillan home on Michigan Avenue in Hobart, Indiana). Clyde McMillan's design for the world's first automatic nozzle On one wall, guests will see the single cocktail napkin (measuring 4 by 4 inches) upon which the late Clyde McMillan sketched out plans for the world's first automatic nozzle. The revolutionary design, sketched with red felt tipped pen in 1968, has since become an industry standard. This unique idea allowed the nozzle to automatically open or close while maintaining the same pressure, much like a person putting his or her thumb on the end of a garden hose to regulate and produce a steady stream. "What you'll see when you walk in probably depends on what day you've come, and what friends have sent us for display," explained Carringer. "I know that (TFT CEO) Stewart (McMillan) drove 8 hours to borrow a 1890s steamer from a group of volunteers in Clintonville, Wisconsin. That, itself, is an amazing bit of firefighting history." The receptionist's desk, located opposite the entrance, is the actual front end of a fire truck, complete with lights and siren ("and the siren, unfortunately, works exceptionally well," Carringer explained.) The giant red fire boots, mint condition firefighter's pinball game, regulation fire pole (from Gary, Indiana), and meticulously restored vintage Valparaiso fire truck are other crowd-pleasing parts of the ever changing museum. To date, TFT has received 37 patents and has 2 pending. Its first computerized machinery, installed in 1980, opened the door to an operation that embraces technology and empowers workers to more efficiently produce a better product. TFT's new location will also allow a central base for TFT University - an ongoing program that enhances participant's job skills through product and operational awareness activities and discussions. The program's incredible growth both on campus and on the road are the result of hands-on demonstrations, coupled with hand-tailored targeted workshops. TFT University's activities are not limited to the U.S./Canadian borders, though. As TFT's market expands, so does the university's outreach. Two groups of Latin American business partners are scheduled to visit TFT's world headquarters for university sessions this fall, and similar plans are being made for Asian business parntners as well. "Visitors should never be surprised about who they run into at TFT," Carringer explained. "We have the opportunity of working with some amazing people. This open house will hopefully give them a chance to get to know a little about each other." Those who will be attending the open house are asked to RSVP to: openhouse@tft.com. Instructions to the new location can be found on the company's website.

E-ONE award a Tradition ES pumper to Powesville, NC fire dept during FDIC E-ONE prize awarded at FDIC The seven anxious finalists stood at the front of the stage facing a large crowd of onlookers Friday afternoon in the E-ONE booth during FDIC 2009. After three weeks of canvassing for votes for E-ONE's ‘Tell Us Your Story' competition, the moment they had been waiting for had finally arrived. These seven finalists were chosen from more than 650 fire departments throughout the nation who entered the competition for a chance at winning a new E-ONE Tradition ES pumper, valued at over $170,000. Fire Chief David Powell's eyes swelled with tears as his department, Powesville Volunteer Fire Department in Powellsville, NC, was announced as the winner of E-ONE's 2009 ‘Tell Us Your Story' fire truck give away contest. "Winning this truck is a big relief for the guys in our department. A huge financial burden has been lifted off our shoulders and we can now focus on purchasing safety equipment like an extrication tool and turn out gear that our department cannot be without," said Chief David Powell. "E-ONE's ‘Tell Us Your Story' contest has done so much more than just given a fire truck to a department in need, E-ONE and its sponsors have raised awareness of the hardships of volunteer fire departments across the country." E-ONE launched the competition in January, after returning to private ownership in August 2008 through a management buyout and wanted its employees and the fire service to be a part of something momentous. "Not only did we want to give back to the industry in a big way, but we also wanted our employees to be a part of something meaningful," said Peter Guile, CEO of E-ONE. "Our employees are the driving force behind the success of the Tradition ES product line, we couldn't think of a better way to pay it forward than by offering our Tradition ES pumper as a prize to a fire department in need." While Powellsville VFD was clearly the winner with more than 7000 of the 16,000 votes, there were six other departments on the stage who were equally deserving: Hines VFD in Hines, Oregon; Gallatin Sunnyside VFD in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; Oneida Volunteer Fire Department in Clay County, Kentucky; Weaverville Fire Department in Weaverville, California; Butte Falls Volunteer Fire Department in Jackson County, Oregon; and Five Points Volunteer Fire Department in Washington County, Florida. With more than 650 entries, it's clear that these seven departments along with many others throughout the nation are in dire need of updated apparatus and equipment. In his presentation to the winner, Guile appealed to members of the fire service by asking them to assist the six runners up or a department in need in their area. "Hopefully this competition will raise awareness of the plight of many volunteer fire departments throughout the nation," said Guile. "We ask that you join us in paying it forward, by considering donations for these departments with any surplus apparatus, hoses, air packs, turnout gear and anything else that might be helpful." So far, departments throughout North Carolina and the nation have done just that. Departments in Indiana, Wisconsin and several departments in North Carolina are offering to donate various lose equipment ranging from hoses, nozzles and air packs to go along with Powellsville's new Tradition ES. Other offers of equipment continue to be been made for the other finalists, from across the US. Not wanting the other six finalists to leave empty handed, Havis-Shields donated tripod scene lights to the Hines Volunteer Fire Department of Hines, OR, and Gallatin Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Department of Allegheny County, PA, who came in second and third respectively, and TFT donated air packs to all six of the runners up. E-ONE would again like to thank the generous sponsors, without whom this contest would not have been possible: International, Maudlin International, Hale, Class 1, Akron Brass, R.O.M., Federal Signal Safety and Security Systems, UPF, O-Fab, RealWheels, TFT and Havis-Shields.