The Clay City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a semi-truck that overturned.
See story on page 11
Louisville Vacant Church Goes
Firefighters responded to the scene of a three-alarm blaze at a vacant church in downtown Louisville.
See story on page 14
Henderson Has Tower Rescue Class
Firefighters learn safe climbing practices and conducted multiple victim rescues over the class.
See story on page 16
Fighting EVFires
SOPpoints to be considered when fighting electric vehicle (EV)fires.
See story on pages 18-19
Louisville Gets Accredited Agency Status…Again
The Louisville FD received Accredited Agency status with the (CFAI) for the third time.
See story on page 21
Obituary
Bowling Green’s
Stephen Thomas Hooper Rosebrook
See story on page 22
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Focus of the Month
pages 14-16
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Excavator Fire on Linzy Beane Lane
On October5, 2024, at approximately 1145, Calloway County 911 Communications Centerdispatched Calloway County Fire Rescue (CCFR) to the area of Linzy Beane Lane fora report of an excavatoron fire. CCFR responded with a pumpertruck, two tankers and a brush truck with 10 firefighters and were on scene forapproximately one hour.
- Photos courtesy of Calloway County FR
Hazard CarFire
Hazard Fire Department Station 2 was alerted to a vehicle fire at the on-ramp merging from KY Highway 15 north on to KYHighway 80 east. Engine 3 and Rescue 2 responded to find a caron the side of the highway with an engine compartment fire. HPD assisted with traffic control as HFD crews extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not involved in a wreck, the fire was due to a mechanical failure. All occupants were uninjured.
- Photo courtesy of Hazard FD
Lexington FF Challenge Team Brings Home
Some Hardware
Lexington FirefighterChallenge Team guys and gals brought home the hardware, placing in six of nine categories at the FirefighterChallenge Championship Series Nationals in Hoover, Alabama. Ourlady’s team won the relay, anotherNational Championship, with Firefighters Hensley, Lucas, Spanyer, and Sarah McGill. FirefighterMcGill remained the National Champion. Ourguys brought it, too, winning in the Over50 Relay with FirefighterBarnott, and the Hybrid Relay with FirefighterCook. Congratulations to each of you and good luck at the World Championships down in Nashville!
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Lexington Vehicle Fire
Lexington Engine 19 responded to a vehicle fire, utilizing foam to extinguish the blaze.
- Photo courtesy of Lexington FD
Louisville Apartment Complex 2-Alarmer
Recently, the Louisville Fire Department (LFD) was dispatched to a house fire reported by a driveron Interstate 65. Within minutes, crews arrived at a 12-unit multi-dwelling apartment complex with heavy fire showing through the roof. An immediate request forextra apparatus was made by command, followed by an update to a full second alarm. Apartial collapse of the second floorresulted in defensive operations
to continue fireground operations. Two occupants and one firefighter were checked out by EMS forminorinjuries. LFD officially brought the fire undercontrol in approximately 90 minutes with over50 firefighters on scene. The American Red Cross assisted with displaced occupants. Louisville Metro Arson conducted an investigation into the cause of the fire.
- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD
Vehicle Fire in Warehouse
On October 3, 2024, at approximately 0900, Calloway County 911 Communications Center dispatched Calloway County Fire Rescue (CCFR) to the 2300 block of Highway 641 south, just outside of the city of Murray, for a report of a warehouse fire. CCFR had units on scene in just under six minutes. Upon arrival, smoke was found coming from the warehouse but no fire was visible. Upon assessing the building, CCFR sent in firefighters to find the source of the fire, which was found to be a vehicle inside the building that had caught fire in the engine bay. Aprivate citizen, who was working in the warehouse at the time the fire was discovered, used a fire extinguisher which contained the fire to just the vehicle until CCFR arrived and extinguished the fire. No damage was
found to the building. CCFR assisted the owners with venting the smoke out of the building before clearing the scene. CCFR responded with a pumper, six tankers and two support trucks with 19 firefighters who were on scene for about an hour and a half.
- Photo courtesy of Calloway County FR
APiece of the Community is Recovering
2 Injured in Georgetown MVA
Georgetown Fire Department crews worked on an MVAat Cherry Blossom Way and OuterRing Road recently afteran MVAoccurred. Two people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. - Photo courtesy of Georgetown FD
On August 13, 2024, at 2144, Superior IGA, the cornerstone of the Clay City community, was devastated by a fire. For over 20 years, it has been run by Delmar and Janet Barnett. Superior IGAhas been more than just a grocery store; it has been a gathering place where neighbors meet, catch up with friends, and feel a sense of belonging. “The loss of this beloved store has left our town heartbroken,” said a longtime resident.
However, in the face of this tragedy, the store’s owners have shown remarkable resilience. They have been hard at work and are determined to reopen Superior IGA and restore this vital piece of their community. Their commitment to rebuilding reflects the spirit of the Clay City community, which stands strong together, no matter the challenge.
In a statement by Superior IGA: “Due to the unforeseen incidents last evening, we must close our doors until further notice for necessary restoration and repairs. While we are unsure of the exact timeline, we want to assure you that we are committed to reopening and serving our community again.”
Speaking with Fire Marshal Jerry Brush, he remarked that, “There didn’t appear to be any foul play involved. “I came out smiling because this fire was handled immediately, precisely, and professionally,” he said.
Clay City, Middle Fork Fire, Stanton, Clark County, Winchester and Hargett all played crucial roles in the incident. - Submitted by Lisa Johnson
Tobacco Barns Go in Pembroke
Pembroke Fire crews (Deputy Chief Peterson, Assistant Chief Rodgers, Engine 1751; Lieutenant Gee, Tanker1760 [FirefighterScott]) and mutual aid from Fairview, Highland and Honey Grove responded to a tobacco barn fire. Upon arrival, crews found a fully engulfed tobacco barn with the fire spreading to an adjacent tobacco barn. No injuries reported but both tobacco barns were total losses. - Photos courtesy of Pembroke FD
Lots of Work, But Cat Saved
Aneighbor from out of state stopped by Lexington Fire Department’s Station 8 with an urgent request. They were transporting a cat from an elderly family member’s home to a rescue organization in Lexington when the unthinkable happened; the cat managed to escape from its carrier and wedge itself under the dashboard of their car during a stop for gas.
The situation was dire, with no repair shops open and the cat in great distress from the engine’s heat. Recognizing the urgency, Station 8 personnel quickly sent the neighbor to LFD’s department garage for assistance.
Thanks to the garage team’s quick thinking and skill, Fleet Mechanic Seth Johnson and Firefighter McKay Allen were able to remove the dashboard and carefully rescue the frightened feline. We’re happy to report that the cat was on its way to a forever home, and the car had been completely and expertly reassembled!
These actions are a true testament to our community spirit and the dedication of our fire department personnel. No call is too small when it comes to helping those in need, whether they walk on two legs or four! - Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Corbin Firefighters Free Deer
Recently, Corbin firefighters were called to an animal rescue at the high school football field. The deerwas set free without injury. - Photos courtesy of Corbin FD
MajorRoad Disruption in Clay City
On August 16, 2024, Clay City experienced intense challenges and community collaboration. At 1230, a semi-truck with a blue cab, hauling a massive 10,000-pound steel press on a flatbed trailer, took a sharp turn at the corner of Main Street and Winchester Road. The maneuver nearly caused the truck to overturn, resulting in the press slipping halfway off the trailer and onto the bridge; a critical concern for everyone involved.
The incident understandably shook the driver from Miller Transfer Rigging Company, but no one was injured. The quick response from local agencies played a crucial role in ensuring everyone’s safety. The Clay City Volunteer Fire Department responded quickly to manage the chaotic scene, directing traffic as the situation unfolded. Soon, the State Roads and Sheriff’s Department arrived. AStanton Fire member showed up to help and was immediately put to
work on an extremely hot day.
The Stanton Fire Department provided additional support, and a couple came to the scene to help. The task at hand was monumental, requiring the assistance of Roberts Towing and a crane to remove the steel press and stabilize the truck safely. The bridge had to be closed from 1230 on August 16, 2024, until 1228 the next day, a nearly 24-hour shutdown that tested the resilience and endurance of all involved.
Throughout this ordeal, Kevin Babcock from ECO stood by our side and never left. Thank you to Mi Hacienda VII Mexican restaurant for the community spirit that makes Clay City unique. They provided free drinks to the fireman. Special thanks to the state for their gracious assistance. This allowed the team to leave at 1900 after the job was done.
- Submitted by Lisa Johnson
Louisville Vacant Church Goes
Lexington Special Ops Team
More than 60 firefighters responded to the scene of a three-alarm blaze at a vacant church in downtown Louisville, recently. The fire was in the 200 block of East Pin Alley off East Broadway, not farfrom South Hancock Street. Conditions of the stubborn fire forced crews to go into defensive operations. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation by officials.
- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD
TRAINING
The Lexington Fire Department held training on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) tactics. The training focused on skills forlocating and extracting victims from collapsed structures and
using specialized equipment to perform those tasks. Recently, three members of LFD’s special operations team were deployed with Urban Search and Rescue Ohio Task Force 1 to assist in response efforts related to Hurricane Helene. The Lexington Fire Department remains dedicated to maintaining readiness to serve ourcommunity and assist where needed.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Hopkinsville Trains with Atmos Energy
Hopkinsville Fire Department (HFD) crews participated in training with theirlocal gas utility, Atmos Energy. To date, HFD has responded to over30 gas incidents this yearalone. It’s important forthe firefighters and EMS personnel to be well versed in how to safely mitigate these types of incidents. Big thank you to Atmos for holding three days of training and providing lunch to duty crews.
- Photo courtesy of Hopkinsville FD
Henderson Trains for Hi-Rise Scenarios
Henderson Fire’s Blue Shift put in some training on high-rise fire scenarios. In these exercises, there were occupants trapped in the building on multiple floors. Firefighters practiced techniques to rescue the occupants, extinguish the fire, conduct searches, and train fora firefighter Mayday with RITdeployment.
- Photos courtesy of Henderson FD
Kentucky Fire Commission Employees Inducted into Hall of Fame
The Kentucky Fire Commission would like to acknowledge Training Records Specialist Mary Adams and Fire Academy of Kentucky CoordinatorPat Thompson on theirinduction to the Kentucky Firefighters Association (KFA) Hall of Fame. The mission of the KFAHall of Fame is defined as, “To recognize and honorindividuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the formation and continued success of the Kentucky Firefighters Association.” We appreciate the hard work both Mary and Pat put forth to assist firefighters across the Commonwealth. Congratulations to both of them on this welldeserved honor!
- Submitted by Erika Cole
Giving Recruits a Taste in Owensboro
Owensboro firefighters Aaron James and Todd Napierstepped up this week to develop and delivera two-day SAR program foroureight academy recruits. They trained on all aspects of primary search at a vacant structure in town. This included victim removal utilizing a coordinated team effort. The training took place undersimulated smoke conditions putting the recruits newly acquired skills to the test.
- Photos courtesy of Owensboro FD
Henderson Has TowerRescue Class
The Henderson Fire Department hosted a towerrescue class taught by Jeremy and Mike of Elevated Safety, LLC. Firefighters from Henderson, Owensboro, Daviess County and Ohio Township learned safe climbing practices and conducted multiple victim rescues overthe class. We appreciate Allstate and Pittsburgh Tank and Towerforallowing us to use theirfacility forthis class. We also commend the students who took part in the physically and mentally challenging class in hopes of providing the best possible service to Henderson and surrounding communities.
- Photos courtesy of Henderson FD
Louisville’s History: Fatal Box 48 Looking Back
The decade of the 1880s ended on a tragic note when five firefighters lost their lives on September 15, 1889, in Louisville. Firefighters were summoned to an inferno from Box 48 located at 6th and Main Streets. Captain Edward Early, John Monohan, Patrick Foley, Lawrence Steigleiter and Thomas Whalen were crushed to death as the rear wall of the six-story Bamberger, Bloom and Company building at 640650 West Main Street collapsed on top of them during the devastating fire. Asixth firefighter, Dennis McGrath, died on June 19, 1891, from injuries he received at this fire. Aseventh firefighter, Frank Best, was severely injured and never fully recovered from his injuries.
The fire caused over $1.5 million worth of damage. The building was constructed as a fireproof structure yet it burned from the basement through six floors and through the roof, ultimately collapsing into the street. This fire left city officials keenly aware of the importance of regulating materials used in building construction and the need for fire escapes on the exterior of buildings. Awareness was raised on the hazards of the “chimney effect” during a fire in large buildings with open stairways and non-partitioned corridors.
Less than three years earlier on November 13, 1886, Box 48 was struck calling fire crews to the Robinson Bros. and Company, located at 609 West Main Street. As firefighters were connecting their engines to a water supply, a natural gas explosion in a cistern killed firefighter James Connell of Engine Company 5 and nearly fatally burned Captain Charles Obst of Engine Company No. 9. Fifteen months later, 41-year-old firefighter Dennis Hamilton died from
injuries he suffered at the cistern explosion. This box became known as “Fatal Box 48” due to the tragic circumstances that often accompanied a fire response to fires to a 6th and Main Street address.
- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD
Being Prepared forEVFires
By Matthew Pruitt EVGoat01@gmail.com
Firefighters are no strangers to new technologies. In fact, most of us pride ourselves on being able to improve our tactics and strategies using the most up-to-date, state-ofthe-art equipment. It’s really no different in any other industry. Since the late 90s, car manufacturers around the world have been working tirelessly to bring consumers an engine that is safe, energy efficient, and great for our environment. The internal combustion engine evolution from the Model T, to the Prius and now to fully electric vehicles has created a need in the fire service to be prepared for some of the most dangerous, albeit somewhat low frequency, fires we’ve ever encountered. The infrequency and increased risk of electric vehicle fires makes it impossible to ignore and necessary to train for.
Extinguishing the typical, traditional car fire is pretty straightforward. We pull a bumper line, and go to work. Electric vehicle fires are vastly different, as you will read in this article. Extrication of a patient trapped inside an electric vehicle is delicate, for sure. You have to be extremely careful when cutting on an electric vehicle. The orange cables may be charged if the car’s safety mechanism has failed. Also the top of the battery tray, which is basically the entire floorpan of the car, could be charged. And, in my experience, thermal runaway can begin as soon as an external source - the accident or your extrication equipment - damages the battery, so you have to consider how long it has been since the accident happened. In addition, when fighting EV fires, it seems that the more water we put on them, the longer they burn. That’s true actually because the water only cools the battery cells, and will simply slow down the fire, causing it to last for hours and hours because, when burning, lithium-ion batteries create their own oxygen. Just like a fish is able to “breathe” underwater, so is a lithium-ion battery. You can’t drown either one of them.
lably hot and propagates to the next cell, eventually spreading to all the cells in the module. Even at the point of ignition, there may be no way to know where, exactly, the problem starts.
Also, unlike traditional car fires, when an EVis in thermal runaway, the motor (s) lock down. As you may know, an electric car’s battery weighs at least 1,000 pounds by itself. When added to the regular weight of a car, you’re looking at a paper weight that weighs up to 9,000 pounds. This excessive weight of a car with locked wheels presents a plethora of difficulties, to say the least.
So, what do we do? How do we fight an EVfire? What are the safest and most effective tactics?
After having the opportunity to train on live EVfires in controlled environments, and having responded to multiple EVrelated incidents, we have been able to test some strategies. Some have worked better than others. I’d like to share with you some of the most impactful takeaways from my experiences.
(this is only the latest measurement of an EV fire temp, it could be hotter).
First and foremost, you will need to always make sure to wear your gear when approach-
“The heat of a Li-Ion battery fire is a threat, but an equally dangerous threat is the toxic emissions from the fire”
The heat of a Li-Ion battery fire is a threat, but an equally dangerous threat is the toxic emissions from the fire. You need to be aware that Li-Ion batteries in thermal runaway can give off hydrogen fluoride gas. When we apply water to the gas, it becomes hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is a colorless, odorless liquid that is acutely dangerous. It can damage your eyes, your lungs and your skin. The danger is that hydrofluoric acid is slow burning. You may not have symptoms of exposure for several hours.
Another difference is that getting water to the origin of the fire is nearly impossible. The composition of an electric vehicle battery tray looks something like this: thousands of battery cells are put together in water-tight sets called modules, the modules are placed into a battery tray which is encapsulated in a watertight shell. There are vents in the tray to allow smoke and gases to escape, but the vents will not allow water or foam inside the tray. Think of a battery failure inside the tray like a winddriven fire. One damaged cell gets uncontrol-
ing a wrecked electric vehicle, even if you don’t see fire or smoke. I have witnessed an electric vehicle go from not burning, to fully involved, within minutes. On the other hand, I have also seen this progression take several hours. Time starts the instant that the battery is damaged, not when you learn about the incident. When you respond to an EVemergency, you have to be dispatched, get out of the station and make it to the scene. You may not know the exact timeline, so it’s always best practice to be safe and wear your gear. It is also important to consider how hot an EV fire actually is. An electric vehicle that is in thermal runaway can burn as hot as 2700°F
Now, you’re on scene, have your gear on, and you’re ready to put some water on the fire. What’s best? In my experience, I have found the use of an EVblanket to be vitally important. The EVblanket is designed to limit the oxygen available to the fire, but the burning batteries create their own oxygen so the blanket itself will not extinguish the fire. Before deploying the blanket, you must knock down the fire on the inside of the vehicle just like you would on a traditional car fire. This step immediately begins cooling the car so that it will be less likely to burn through the blanket. Once the car is extinguished, throw the blanket over the vehicle. Make sure to throw the blanket high so that it is not damaged by sharp edges or parts of the vehicle that may be protruding. EV blankets, depending on the brand (Continued on next page)
Being Prepared for EVFires...continued
and type, come in a variety of sizes. Depending on the brand of blanket that your department uses, your team may need to open up the blanket before use to mark the front, rear and center. Some brands of EVblankets have already marked the front and rear of the blanket for you, which would save you a step. Sometimes EV blankets are rectangular, rather than square, which can cause difficulty on scene if you have not previously marked them. Once the blanket is deployed and covering the car, tuck it under the vehicle to keep it from blowing up so that it will continue to limit the oxygen that the fire can use. It is very important to keep the blanket cool. The best way to do that is with the line you used to knock down the fire initially.
I also recommend, and have had great success with, an EVnozzle placed under the car with a second line. Again, you are not trying to put out the fire, you can’t. The fire has to burn itself out. The purpose of the EVnozzle is to cool the battery tray. Cooling the tray will not extinguish the fire, but it will make the scene safer and more manageable. You do not really want to cool the battery too much because it will only prolong the incident. I recommend using an EVnozzle with low gallonage because it cools the battery while still allowing it to burn safely.
from previous page
Using these tactics have been successful for us in the past. I am often asked about the time frame between extinguishing the fire and moving the car from the scene. Although there is no good way to determine with absolute certainty that it is completely safe to move the damaged vehicle, I do have a few tips and tricks that might help. The first, and most obvious, is that there is no visible sign of fire, including no evidence of smoke or off-gassing. Make sure, too, that you no longer hear the sounds of cells popping (sounds like popcorn in the microwave). In addition, it may be helpful to monitor the temperature reduction of the battery using a Thermal Imaging Camera. Although nothing is for certain, in my experience, my crew and I have been able to safely transport a damaged vehicle after a couple of hours. This may seem like a long, drawn-out event, but this method is much quicker than submerging the vehicle into a large, watertight container - a separate method of EVfirefighting that can take several days to weeks before the vehicle is safe and is not necessarily feasi-
ble in a crowded city or on the side of the interstate.
“The fire has to burn itself out. The purpose of the EVnozzle is to cool the battery tray. Cooling the tray will not extinguish the fire, but it will make the scene safer and more manageable.”
Still, if you move too quickly then the threat of reignition is very great due to the stranded energy in the batteries. Stranded energy is when the batteries have not expelled all of their energy. Since the cells are already damaged, stranded energy in them creates a greater threat of reignition. This threat is why it is important that you escort the tow. If the car reignites while being towed, disconnect it from the tow truck so you don’t have two car fires. Knock down the fire and then continue the tow, Make sure to tell the tow yard management that the car you’re leaving with them is an electric vehicle.
Ultimately, the decisions you make on a fire scene belong to you and your department. These suggestions have worked for my department. We have had great successes when dealing with EVincidents using these strategies and tactics. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at EVGoat01@gmail.com.
Honoring Lexington’s Retirees
It was a fantastic evening celebrating the incredible careers of ourLexington Fire Department retirees. The dinnerwas a heartwarming tribute to theiryears of dedicated service and bravery. We also recognized the support and sacrifices made by the families of retirees. Thank you to LexLive forhosting this annual event. It was a pleasure to come togetheras a community and honorourheroes.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Off-Duty Southeast Bullitt FirefighterSaves Mans Life
Two weeks after his release from the hospital, Clifton Vaught was well enough to stop by the Southeast Bullitt Firehouse. Just moments after arriving, it proved emotional. Vaught heard a young firefighter tell him, “I was just doing my job,” while they embraced.
“He’s my savior. I think God sent down an angel at that time. I think that’s him,” Vaught said.
Scharrer was actually still on his dirt bike when he noticed a commotion coming from the crowd. When he reached Vaught just moments later, he had stopped breathing and did not have a pulse. That’s when his instincts kicked in, and the firefighter immediately began chest compressions.
“In my head, ‘I’m going to pump until I
can’t pump no more, and if EMS decides to call it, that’s their decision.’But I wasn’t going to stop. I felt like he had a lot of fight in him, and I wasn’t giving up,” Scharrer said. It turned out he was right. Rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Vaught came home eight days later. “They said he had three clogged arteries, one of them was the widow maker [a full blockage in the heart’s biggest artery], and it was a miracle he was still here,” his wife Wanda said.
It’s all thanks to an off-duty firefighter, just 20 years old, who rushed to help.
“I’m here. I’m sitting up. I can walk, I can talk. What can I say? I’m blessed,” Vaught said.
The chief and others at the Southeast Bullitt
Fire Department did not even know of Scharrer’s actions until they received a letter of commendation from police in Shelby County. Extremely humble, Scharrer, they said, kept quiet. - Submitted by Erik Butler
Louisville Gets Accredited Agency Status…Again
On August 6, 2024, the Louisville Fire Department received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) forthe third time formeeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. The Louisville Fire Department is one of more than 300 agencies to achieve Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the CenterforPublic Safety Excellence, (CPSE). Additionally, they are one of only 124 departments worldwide that hold both Accredited Agency status as well as a Class 1 ISO rating. This means the department is not only committed to continuous improvement, it also means residents and business owners enjoy the lowest possible insurance rates due to the ISO rating. Great work by the LFD Accreditation team, all department members, and partneragencies who made this accomplishment possible!
- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD
Bowling Green’s Stephen Thomas Hooper Rosebrook
Stephen Thomas Hooper ‘Rosie’Rosebrook, a dedicated firefighter who collapsed after running the Bowling Green 10K on September 14, 2024, died on September 26, 2024, at Tri-Star Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Stephen was born on November 29, 1994, in Anaheim, California, to Tom and Betsy Hooper-Rosebrook. He attended Saint Mark’s Episcopal School, and was a 2013 graduate of Temple City High School.
Stephen graduated with Verdugo Fire Academy Class 18 in 2015 and served as an EMTin Los Angeles County, CA. He began his career with the Bowling Green Fire Department in 2017 and was promoted to Engineer in 2021. He was enrolled in Eastern Kentucky University Paramedic Science Degree Program. He also served as a Paramedic with the Medical Center EMS. In his spare time, Stephen enjoyed traveling, history, sailing, reading, home improvement, and gardening; he proudly cheered for the LADodgers, and was known for being a dog whisperer and trivia master.
Stephen was deeply committed to his community, always willing to lend a hand to his fellow firefighters, find ways to improve emergency services, and to advocate for others. He delighted in asking challenging questions and pranking his crewmates. His passion for service and his generous spirit has left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Stephen leaves behind his loving parents; his brother, Andrew Rosebrook, who he always found time for even with miles between them; his fiancee Suzanne Moore; and his daughter, Eleanor Rosebrook.
His passing has created a tremendous void, and he will be dearly missed. Stephen was the person you wanted with you on your worst day. Acomforting and supportive presence even with no words spoken. The first to volunteer and the last to go home. Even after his death, Stephen’s body was accepted by the Tennessee Donor Services and he was further able to give to those who needed it, just as he did before his passing.
- Submitted by Katie McKee
RapidSOS Aquires eDispatches
Move Aims to Provide the Critical Situational Awareness Needed in an Emergency.
RapidSOS, the intelligent safety company, announced the acquisition of eDispatches, an industry leader in providing communication services to emergency responders. This strategic move aims to provide the critical situational awareness needed in an emergency by leveraging RapidSOS’intelligent safety platform and eDispatches’ communications technology to field responders in an emergency.
Through this acquisition, RapidSOS further advances its emergency response ecosystem to provide public safety agencies throughout the US with contextual data that extends to field responders responding to an emergency. The acquisition of eDispatches joins RapidSOS’2022 purchase of IamResponding, expanding the reach of life-saving emergency data to field responders available through RapidSOS. It puts mission-critical information in the hands of the responders who need it the most to make more informed decisions when seconds matter.
The collaboration between RapidSOS and eDispatches marks a significant milestone in the evolution of first-response technology. eDispatches has been dedicated to providing value-driven, secondary notification services to the emergency responder community. By joining forces, RapidSOS and eDispatches are poised to deliver nextgeneration communication solutions that can improve emergency response times and outcomes on a broader scale, benefiting more communities and individuals in need.
For the past decade, thousands of public safety agencies have shaped RapidSOS’technology roadmap. Over a quarter billion dollars in research and development later, those initial insights from public safety now support over 21,000 911 and first responder agencies in six countries with 3.3 billion data payloads.
eDispatches addresses limitations in traditional two-tone paging systems often used by emergency responders, which can be hindered by range or topography.
“One of the critical benefits of this acquisition is the expansion of intelligent safety data to field responders. By providing additional context in an emergency, first responders will have the information they need to facilitate more efficient and effective responses,” said Michael Martin, CEO and co-founder of RapidSOS. “This expanded reach to additional field response agencies ensures that first responders are equipped with the context and information necessary to handle emergencies with greater precision and speed.”
“eDispatches is committed to enhancing emergency response capabilities by providing reliable and efficient secondary notification services. We are thrilled to join forces with RapidSOS and bring our value-driven, customer-focused solutions to a broader audience,” said Tom Stearn, President of eDispatches.
