DSPA Safetys first response fire knockdown tool, a device called the DSPA-5, is being credited with saving buildings and lives following a third floor house fire in Port Jervis, NY, on December 27th. The responding Fire Chiefs account of the fire situatio
“The DSPA-5 is designed to knock down fire and put time on a fire department’s side,” said Jorg Aaldering, spokesperson for DSPA.nl. “This holiday season, the DSPA-5 knocked down a dangerous third story fire, likely preventing a 20 lb propane tank from exploding and destroying the building.”
The DSPA-5 fire knockdown tool is an easy to use dry powder aerosol that quickly reduces heat and flame, allowing firefighters to attack a fire more effectively, more safely and with less water damage to property.
DSPA.nl is a member of the AFG Group is a leader in active and passive fire protection and innovative fire fighting products, safe and environmentally friendly fire suppression. To learn more about the DSPA-5, visit the DSPA.nl website at www.dspa.nl
CHIEF KOWAL’S STATEMENT
“On 12/27/07 at 3PM the City of Port Jervis was dispatched to a structure fire at 19 Elizabeth St. Upon arrival I found a 3-story building with a fire on the 3rd floor. I climbed fire escape to the 3rd floor with the DSPA-5, broke the window and deployed the unit. There was heavy smoke coming from the window in which I threw the unit. Within 1 minute after deployment the smoke seemed to die down. This allowed us time to stretch lines up the stairwell to the 3rd floor.
Crews found the fire in a bedroom that sustained heavy damage. The rooms adjacent to the fire room only sustained smoke & heat damage. I accredit this to the DSPA-5 which held the fire damage to the one room for approx.15 min. There was some water damage to the apartment on the 1st & 2nd floor, but it was minimal compared to other fires I have attended over the past 35 years.
After Arson Investigators finished their investigation we continued our mop-up in the closet of the fire room and found a 20lb. propane cylinder. It may be possible that the DSPA-5 saved the lives of our firefighters who were inside the building as well as those outside. A cylinder of this size would have caused a loss to the entire building, the adjacent buildings, fire apparatus, and most importantly, human lives.” Joseph J. Kowal Sr., Chief, City Of Port Jervis, N.Y.