SE Ohio Fire Chiefs Hear from Grace Technology

April 13, 2005
Company's evacuation systems and incident management software package presented to fire chiefs association

The South Eastern Ohio Chiefs Association (SEOCA) recently invited Finley Fire Equipment to their meeting to evaluate and discuss the application of the Grace Industries' T-PASS 3 Evacuate System and their integrated FDOnScene Incident Management software package. Over 20 fire chiefs were present for the new technology demonstration presented by Larry Shifflett of Grace Sales, Inc. and Doug Cincurak of Finley Fire Equipment.

"The Grace T-PASS 3 Evacuate System is invaluable from a life safety perspective because it essentially gives us constant accountability for every firefighter. As I consider the safety of men and women under my command, I have confidence in this evacuation system. If we combine the T-PASS 3 with Field Soft, Inc.'s FDOnScene software technology, we have a complete record, in real time, of an entire incident. So from a liability standpoint, we are well protected," said Chief Brent Gates of the New Concord Fire Department.

The T-PASS 3 Evacuate is a high performance two-way radio signaling PASS device that exceeds NFPA standards and is intrinsically safe to UL 913 standards, according to Shifflett. The system has Auto-On Activation using a proprietary tethered Accountability Key and the alarm responds to a man down, lack of motion and high temperatures. "With the ability to monitor 1100 fire fighters, the T-PASS 3 Evacuate is fast becoming the accountability system of choice for departments looking for mutual aid and interoperability," said Shifflett.

The T-PASS 3 transmits distress signals to and receives evacuation signals from the Command Base which is user friendly, portable and incorporates a menu driven control panel and display that provides real time status of up to 1,100 firefighters on scene. It continually monitors and displays the status of each firefighter on scene by name. If an evacuation is required, individuals, groups or all firefighters can be immediately signaled from the LCD Command Base to their T-PASS.

"When we integrate Field Soft's FDOnScene Software into the Grace T-PASS 3 Evacuate System, we have a remarkable accountability and incident command system in place," said Doug Cincurak of Finley Fire Equipment in McConnelsville, Ohio; a distributor of Grace products. "The FDOnScene Software incorporates touch screen technology in a laptop which makes it very convenient on scene", said Cincurak.

With assistance from Grace Sales, Inc., many of the fire chiefs said they would use DHS Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) or direct funding to purchase the equipment. Grace Industries' products are also available through the GSA Multiple Awards Schedule Contract #GS-07F-5727P.

For further information contact Cindy Blackistone at Grace Sales, Inc. at 1-800-204-7277 or [email protected].