Agustawestland fire and rescue flies ahead with Draeger BA

Following a three month trial with breathing apparatus (BA) from three different manufacturers, the AgustaWestland Fire and Rescue Service at Yeovil has chosen the new Draeger PSS 7000 BA complete with PSS Bodyguard II electronic monitoring capabilities.

The sets, which went live in November after just one week of training, were selected for their ease of maintenance, future system expandability and proven brand reliability.
 
Paul Smith, Station Commander at the AgustaWestland Fire Service explains, Not only have we become the first non-local authority fire service to use the new system in the UK, but our firefighters are now benefiting from the very latest BA technology from Draeger.

Modular in design, the set can also be easily enhanced in the future to bring us data storage capabilities as well as electronic monitoring and telemetry.  This is particularly important to our management team who are keen to ensure that we continue to offer the best levels of safety to our firefighters within this busy aerodrome environment.
 
He adds, Having used Draeger PA94 BA sets for the last 13 years, we knew that they were reliable and liked by our crew and, even though the PSS 7000 is totally new, the ergonomics of the design meant that it still felt like a Draeger set as soon as it was put on.

Fitted with 9 litre, 300 bar composite cylinders, the sets have also been supplied with the F2 mask which offered a fuller field of vision and which was something that was of prime importance to us.
 
It is still early days, he concludes, but our firefighters are very pleased with the new sets and have quickly grown accustomed to the automatic operational features of the Bodyguard II.  We are also looking into the possibility of adapting other parts of our kit and will be obtaining Bodyguard software to allow us to download vital information.
 
Forming part of a revolutionary, complete system solution from Draeger Safety, the new Draeger PSS 7000 BA has been specifically designed with the needs of firefighters in mind.

Developed by professionals for use in even the most hostile of environments, this innovative set can be easily and quickly configured to suit different operational requirements and provides seamless integration with facemasks, head protection and communications equipment.

In addition, the Draeger PSS 7000 combines a wide range of features to maximise comfort and minimise both stress and fatigue, and is ideal for use with personal monitoring and/or telemetry systems.
 
The PSS Bodyguard II electronic monitoring unit is the result of extensive user consultation and combines the benefits of the original Bodyguard with a number of additional product innovations.

Offering a host of previously separate warning and monitoring devices within a single instrument, it utilises simple push-button controls to provide fast access to essential information. 
 
For example, an integral LCD display provides accurate and continuously updated data in an easy-to-read pictogram format. This includes time to whistle, which is calculated on current air consumption and is refreshed every second, digital pressure reading in bar, a simulated analogue gauge and temperature indication.

In addition, every time Bodyguard II is activated it automatically carries out a series of self-tests which can include a high pressure leak test.
 
Draeger Safety division offers products, services and system solutions for all encompassing Risk Management such as personal and facility protection. Customised system solutions include workshops, training and breathing gas management systems, diving, rescue and high temperature training systems, and tunnel rescue trains.

Further information is available from Gary Turnbull, Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG.  Tel: 01670 352891.  Fax: 01670 356266