| The Iselin Chemical Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Department District 11 just commissioned the use of the Gemtor Harness and the Petzl EXO Personal Safety System (PSS).
Chief Christopher Wertz and the Officers of District 11 began researching some of the different personal escape devices back in 2006. After much consideration, they were leaning toward the Petzl EXO PSS. In September 2007, at the NJ State Firefighters Convention in Wildwood, NJ, the Officers and some of the Firefighters watched a demonstration of the Petzl EXO that was given by Fire Ground Technologies. At that point, they were sold on the system. The Officers then went back to the District 11 Board of Fire Commissioners to give their recommendations on the Petzl EXO system.
In November 2007, Larry Cohen of Fire Ground Technologies went to Iselin Fire Headquarters to give a demonstration to the Commissioners and Fire Officers. The Commissioners were very impressed with the quality and simplicity of the system. They met briefly after the demonstration and decided to purchase the system.
Chief David Mellett and Captain Jerry Comi worked with Fire Ground Technologies to line up the training in February. Firefighter Glen Bordas of Topsham Fire Department in Maine and Captain Jack Lopez of the Bayonne Fire Department joined District 11 for the training.
The lecture portion was held at the District 11 Fire Headquarters on February 21st. Larry Cohen spoke to the Firefighters about the Gemtor Harnesses and the Petzl EXO PSS. During the lecture, they learned the following: (1) the history of the system, (2) how the system was developed with the help of the FDNY, (3) the Gemtor harnesses, and its different uses and (4) the Petzl EXO, and how it works. Larry demonstrated to the men how the system is deployed and played a video showing the device being used in a simulated real life situation.
The physical portion of the training was held at Somerset County Fire Academy in Hillsborough, NJ on February 23rd. Larry was joined by three members of his staff. They passed out the Gemtor harnesses, the safety harnesses (used for training purposes only) and the Petzl EXO PSS. They assisted the Firefighters in the proper way to don the devices. After showing the Firefighters how to tie the knots; it was time to start the "slides". The slides are the actual bailing out of the window and descending to safety. All members were required to successfully perform ten slides in order to get certified.
For the first couple slides, the Firefighter remote anchors across the room and bails out the window. For the next couple slides, the Firefighter remote anchors and bails out with a SCBA pack on. Next, the Firefighter remote anchors and bails out with SCBA and his Nomex hood on backwards, to simulate bailing out with zero visibility. After completing those slides, the Firefighter must complete the same slides, but anchoring with just the hook on the window opening.
Chief Mellett and all of the Firefighters that participated in the training were very impressed with the Gemtor Harnesses and the Petzl EXO PSS. The Fire Ground Technologies instructors were extremely knowledgeable and experienced with this system. They made learning the system very easy.
Anyone that needs any information on the Gemtor Harness and the Petzl EXO Personal Safety System can contact the Fire Officers of Iselin District 11 at officers@iselinfire.org or Fire Ground Technologies at (201) 206-9387. They can also be contacted through their website http://www.firegroundtech.com . |
