Thursday, February 28, 2008
sponsored by Maple Ridge

Chatham Fire Department to Train Community on Fire Extinguisher Usage With Newly Acquired Equipment

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[February 28, 2008]  CHATHAM -- BullEx Digital Safety announced Tuesday the delivery of a HotShot fire extinguisher training system to the Chatham Fire Department to be used to train members of the community in fire extinguisher operation.

Estimates indicate that only 1 percent of the U.S. population has been trained on the proper use of a fire extinguisher; however, trained individuals are 250 percent more effective when using an extinguisher, according to research by the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors. The fire department anticipates training between 200 and 700 people each year, including employees at local companies and schools, as well as homeowners and senior citizens.

Chatham's new training simulator will replace the old way of conducting fire extinguisher training. Previously, due to regulations limiting the use of live fire, the fire department's training was comprised of explaining how to use the fire extinguisher, as opposed to a hands-on learning experience for the trainees. Now, with the purchase of the HotShot, trainees will be able to get a realistic, first-person lesson.

The newly acquired BullEx HotShot training simulator will enable the fire department to provide clean, safe and more cost-effective training to the community. The HotShot uses realistic, self-generating digital flames that respond automatically to a specialized training extinguisher, discharging only compressed air and water. The simulator is designed to provide realistic hands-on training with a lessened environmental impact. Because the training extinguishers are recharged with only compressed air and water, there are no recharge or cleanup costs associated with the training.

Chief Philip Schumer noted that the purchase of the training system would not have been possible without support from the community. State Farm Insurance donated $5,000, and the fire department's local insurance agent, Steve Bedford, donated an additional $200.

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"By providing hands-on training, the Chatham Fire Department will be able to significantly improve trainee proficiency in putting out a wide variety of fires," said Ryan O'Donnell, BullEx's chief executive officer. "Fire extinguisher training is a vital component of any organization's overall approach to employee and workplace safety, be it a fire department, school, senior housing facility or manufacturing operation."

Any party interested in scheduling a fire extinguisher training session with the Chatham Fire Department can call them at 217-483-2121.

Thousands of corporations, universities, hospitals, fire departments and government agencies are currently using BullEx simulators, which include the Intelligent Training System, Intelligent Training System Xtreme, BullsEye and HotShot. For additional information on BullEx Digital Safety or any of the company's products and services, please call 1-888-4BULLEX or 518-689-2023, or visit www.bullexsafety.com.

About BullEx Digital Safety -- BullEx Digital Safety is an innovative technology company that uses patented smart technology to develop lifesaving products for the global work force. BullEx serves a diverse customer base from its corporate and manufacturing headquarters near Albany, N.Y. For more information, visit www.bullexsafety.com.

[Text from file received from Sawchuck Brown Associates on behalf of BullEx Digital Safety]

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