Lyons, SD (June 24, 2008) - As part of a county-wide training exercise, Rosenbauer America, the fire apparatus manufacturer located in Lyons, SD, allowed nearly 120 of the county's fire fighters to set its grain elevator ablaze in order to make more room for future expansions.
The grain elevator had been a landmark high in the sky over Lyons for six decades. However, its demise was not in vain. The controlled burn was used as a county-wide training exercise for 13 towns in Minnehaha County and three from Iowa.
"We wanted to help build fire protection practices and provide a live training experience for our fire fighters to teach them how to handle these situations," said Harold Boer, Lyons Fire Chief and CEO of Rosenbauer America. "It was also a great opportunity to see how well the trucks we build perform."
Nearby homes and trees were well protected by a new fire protection gel application system developed by DakotaFire Systems out of Rapid City, SD. The gel consists of roughly 97% water and has super absorbent polymers that hold the water so that it can withstand an intense passing fire front and repel radiant heat for several hours. The gel was 100% effective leaving the surrounding homes and trees that were close to the fire unharmed.
The trucks worked just as they should and the burn went smoothly. Everyone was able to get the hands-on training they needed and Rosenbauer America was able to clear the way for parking and building expansion.
Rosenbauer is the world's leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. In North America, Rosenbauer incorporates the international strength and innovation of a global company with top American manufacturing firms. For more information, please visit the company's website - www.rosenbaueramerica.com.
-30-
Contact:
Donley Frederickson
National Sales Manager
Rosenbauer America
(605) 543-5591
dfrederickson@rosenbaueramerica.com
"We wanted to help build fire protection practices and provide a live training experience for our fire fighters to teach them how to handle these situations," said Harold Boer, Lyons Fire Chief and CEO of Rosenbauer America. "It was also a great opportunity to see how well the trucks we build perform."
Nearby homes and trees were well protected by a new fire protection gel application system developed by DakotaFire Systems out of Rapid City, SD. The gel consists of roughly 97% water and has super absorbent polymers that hold the water so that it can withstand an intense passing fire front and repel radiant heat for several hours. The gel was 100% effective leaving the surrounding homes and trees that were close to the fire unharmed.
The trucks worked just as they should and the burn went smoothly. Everyone was able to get the hands-on training they needed and Rosenbauer America was able to clear the way for parking and building expansion.
Rosenbauer is the world's leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. In North America, Rosenbauer incorporates the international strength and innovation of a global company with top American manufacturing firms. For more information, please visit the company's website - www.rosenbaueramerica.com.
-30-
Contact:
Donley Frederickson
National Sales Manager
Rosenbauer America
(605) 543-5591
dfrederickson@rosenbaueramerica.com
