Practical preparedness

Dennis Smagac, President of Intelagard, argues why multi-hazard response systems and equipment should be a part of every emergency response plan.

“Compressed air foam, especially in fire situations, has been found to be more effective than water in knocking down fire”
-Dennis Smagac

Threats to society have been in existence for as long as civilisation itself. So has the need to effectively respond and remediate them. As threats became more varied and complex, attempting to keep pace with effective response and remediation equipment became a serious budget issue. Single hazard response systems no longer make sense and multi-hazard equipment is becoming the new norm.

Multi-hazard equipment provides responders with tools to address a wide range of incidents. The ability to use a single unit to respond to a CBRN incident as well as suppress fire reduces the need to buy multiple pieces of equipment and enhances the responder's ability to provide an effective response in a situation where multiple hazards may concurrently exist. 

Consider an intentionally set fire intended to cover up an anthrax attack. While responders fight the fire, they may be exposed and spread the contaminant. If responders had multiple hazard equipment, they would have the flexibility to respond to the multiple hazards at the scene. Using the same scenario, a responder could use a single piece of equipment to contain the contaminant and begin the decontamination process, rinse the unit's tank, refill it with a different formulation and use that same unit to suppress the fire. Consider the lives and money that could be saved. Such equipment and formulations are currently available.     

Intelagard offers advanced Compressed Air Foam (CAF) systems. These systems are an excellent choice for initial response applications for a number of important reasons; their ability to expand on-board resources in the form of expanded foam allows for maximum effectiveness per size and weight, with a corresponding significant reduction in logistical support requirements, whether used for fire, decontamination or other emergency response. The unique foam bubble structure generated through Intelagard systems allows the foam to adhere to vertical and inverted surfaces, and the durable foam blanket maintains required wet contact time between the chemical, biological agent or virus and the decontaminant.

Depending on the situation encountered, the systems will deploy fire suppression foams, chemical/biological decontamination foams, and hazmat remediation foams. Compressed air foam, especially in fire situations, has been found to be more effective than water in knocking down fire. Less time and less resource are required. When performing decontamination operations, Intelagard systems are capable of applying compressed air foam, air aspirated foam and liquid with simple control adjustments, in order to quickly and effectively switch operational modes to match specific needs.

Intelagard's portable CAF systems include the man-portable Macaw backpack, Merlin handcart, and SwiftCAF All Terrain Vehicle ATV systems. The Macaw is powered by an on-board air cylinder, or by a direct hose feed from an air compressor. The system is capable of applying virtually any liquid-based material through an array of accessory nozzles, and can expand foaming solutions up to 70 times. Macaw units are fully portable, comfortable to carry and are currently deployed by the US military.

The Merlin is a twin-tank, cart-mounted unit that can expand solutions up to 70 times. The equipment case quickly detaches from cart to be used as a hand carried drafting system for limited access sites. Federally funded US Urban Search and Rescue teams use the Merlin for a umber of applications.

Turn your all terrain vehicles into response units using the SwiftCAF ATV system. Do not let damaged infrastructure or abandoned cars prevent your ability to respond. As with all Intelagard systems, the units may be used for decontamination, fire suppression and hazmat remediation.

Large-scale systems are also available including the Falcon Fixed Site Decontamination System (FSDS).  Deployed worldwide by the military, the Falcon FSDS is a large-scale truck and trailer system capable of transporting and dispersing decontamination formulas as well as standard fire suppression foams.

Make multi-hazard response systems a part of your response plan - it is practical, economical and efficient.