Water

Each engine/water tender shall carry, in a marked compartment, a portable water tank. This will help firefighters extinguish the fire and provide hydration. In addition, wildland firefighters carry gear bags with water, food, a sleeping bag, and various hand tools which we will touch on later.

First Aid Support

In addition to water, firefighters also bring along a first aid kit that includes bandage materials,  alcohol swabs, and other useful supplies. Different tools that wildland firefighters use may include pain medications and an emergency medical bag.

A backpack is used to carry all of the supplies that the firefighter needs while on duty. The pain medications help to keep the firefighter comfortable and functioning while on the job. And the emergency medical bag is used to provide medical support if needed.

Communications

Smart devices that can handle the heat are necessary for firefighters. That’s why Sonim smart devices are heat-resistant and useful for firefighters.

Firefighters need smart devices that can take a beating and still function. For example, the Sonim XP7 is a great choice because it’s built to military standards and is heat-resistant up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a super-tough outer casing that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

The XP7 is the perfect device for firefighters because it’s also waterproof and has LTE connectivity, which is crucial for staying in touch with the command center. With the XP7, firefighters can stay connected no matter where they are.

Wildland Firefighting Tools

Other than standard gear bags that all firefighters carry (water, first aid, etc.), wildland firefighters have specialized hand tools that they use to battle the flames. These tools include a Pulaski (a tool that combines an ax and an adze), fire rakes, fire swatters, and McCleod tools.

Personal Protective Equipment

Last but not least, they need specialized clothing that is flame resistant. This includes a brush shirt, pants, overalls, boots, gloves, and helmet. Wildland firefighters also need eye protection, earplugs, and a fire shelter. The fire shelter is an emergency shelter that can protect from heat and flames in the event of an emergency.

As wildland firefighters, individuals must always be prepared for anything. That means carrying a lot of heavy, differentiated equipment at all times. This includes tools to help clear the way, such as a fire ax, pulaski, and shovel. There are also gears to protect them from heat and flames, like asbestos gloves and boots. Be sure to bookmark this post and refer back to our full list of equipment and tools that firefighters carry to be fully prepared for the next firefighting shift.

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Social Distancing Starts At The Door

Social distancing starts even before the customers even enter the restaurant. You want to create signage for the main entry telling customers to socially distance themselves from one another. You can use a sidewalk sign or place a sign on the door itself. Set expectations about mask use, the appropriate social distance between people, and movement policies within the space.

Mark Spaces 

People can be bad at judging distances. That is why you need to give them guidance. Use floor sticker signage to mark the right distances in places for them to stand. This can include the entry point, the cash wrap, and the hostess stand. Measure out the placement of signs and floor sticks to make sure they are placed about 6 feet apart or more. 

Safety Shields And Protective Barriers

One of the main physical changes in restaurants is the use of protective barriers and safety shields. This is a difficult decision to make and there is little guidance on what is needed and what is deemed acceptable by the inspection authorities. A safety shield should be a non-permeable barrier placed between the employee and customers. This can be placed at the hostess station or cash wrap. You can use plexiglass or other material for that. 

Having a barrier in place reduces the likelihood of any airborne droplets exchanging in either direction, thereby keeping your staff and customers safe. Safety shields can come in various shapes and configurations. They are usually made out of plexiglass but there are many ways they can be installed. Some are hung from the ceiling while there are those that can be mounted. There are also some that are self-standing and can be placed right on the counter-top to create a barrier. 

A protective barrier is also a non-permeable barrier. The difference is that protective barriers are usually placed between groups of seated customers to enforce social distancing. The protective barriers are usually made of plexiglass as well. However, some of these barriers are made using PVC material. This material is similar to a heavy-duty shower curtain. In those cases, these barriers have to be hung from a specially designed frame or from the ceiling. 

These are some of the essential steps you can take to implement social distancing in your restaurant. Both your staff and customers will be glad that you have taken these tips to ensure social distancing is maintained. 

Anchor Industries, Inc. provides Durable Dining Dividers for Restaurants

What better way to create social distance than to supply personal protective equipment for your restaurant patrons? Not to worry, Anchor Industries, Inc. has you covered. With our Dining Divider®, we can assist restaurants in separating consumers from one another, reducing the possibility of infections spreading and giving your patrons and staff more peace of mind. When you deal with us, you are working with one of the industry’s most experienced teams, which has been consistently exceeding our clients’ expectations since 1892. Contact us today to learn more!

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What Is A Wildland Fire Shelter?

Basically, a wildland fire shelter is a portable and quickly deployable shelter that wildland firefighters can jump into during critical situations as the final resort for protection against heat and smoke. This improves the chance of survival for firefighters. Fire shelters are made out of an aluminized cloth that is laminated to fiberglass silica. It is shaped like a half-cylinder that comes with rounded ends. They resemble a burrito or a huge sleeping bag covered with tinfoil when it is seen from above. When it is deployed the right way, fire shelters can effectively block radiant heat and trap breathable air. However, they are not able to protect wildland firefighters from continued contact with flames. Because of their life-saving abilities, all wildland firefighters are required to carry a wildland fire shelter while they are on duty. 

The History Of The Wildland Fire Shelter

The first development of a fire shelter happened in Australia back in the 1950s. The unique cone-shaped design started to be used by the United States Forest Service which later led to the development of a longer and lower A-frame style shelter. This was intended to make the user get on the ground in the prone position. This shelter was required in 1977 after a few firefighters perished in the Battlement Creek Fire in Colorado. In 2003, a new generation of fire shelters was released after developments in the 1990s. Many agencies have been cooperating to further improve the fire shelter design. All these will help many firefighters to do their job well and preserve their lives in cases of emergencies. 

When To Use A Wildland Fire Shelter

A wildland firefighter should only use a fire shelter in extreme situations when they have tried all other ways of escape. Even then, fire shelters will need some space to reduce direct contact with flame as they cannot protect against prolonged contact with direct flames. Distance has to be kept from large fuels. Boulders, rocks, and scree can let in heated, toxic air through the gaps. Small vegetation and grass need to be cleared before the firefighter gets inside. If you are in an entrapment, protect your airway and lungs at all costs. Most firefighters die from the heat that harms their airways and not from burns.

These fire shelters have saved many lives of wildland firefighters, however, it is not recommended to use them as an alternative option to safe firefighting procedures and practices. 

Anchor Industries, Inc.’s Fire Shelters are Trusted by Professionals

When lives are at stake, there can be no compromises on quality. For over 30 years, Anchor Industries Inc. has been producing government-approved fire shelters, putting our products at the forefront of the markets we serve. With our ISO 9001 certified production procedures, you can be confident that the utmost care and safeguards are used to build the finest quality Fire Shelter for your needs. Contact us today to find out more!

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COVID-19 safety barriers for food processing offer improved safety measures to guard not only the public, but the employees as well. But first, let’s see what can be done initially to fit the virus.

Handwashing

The way we wash our hands, the length of time for which we wash them, and what we use to wash our hands was immediately proven to be an important part of the fight against the coronavirus – and it still is. Particularly in the food industry, handwashing is crucial – all the way from fast food joints to fine food restaurants and even processing plants.

Food safety plan needs must be met by appropriate hand soap choices, as well as them being fragrance free. If possible, CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) and other compounds can be used to kill bacteria.

Always have appropriate supplies on hand (i.e. clean paper towels, the appropriate hand soap, etc.), and constantly remind employees regarding correct hand washing procedures. To encourage handwashing at every given opportunity, increased handwashing locations/stations should be provided throughout the plant.

Whenever possible, hand sanitizer should also be offered throughout any and every facility.

Facility Wide Protection

At all times, food safety guidelines should be followed and completely understood by production employees. However, administrative roles play a big part, as well. To help minimize virus spread and guard the health of everyone concerned, best practices should be known and communicated by management.

Guidelines are available through HHS (United States Department of Health and Human Resources) the CDC (Center for Disease Control), OSHA, and more.

Confirmed Infection

What if, within your facility, it is confirmed that one or more individuals have contracted the virus? The suggestion by the Department of Health dictates that, in the case the virus is confirmed within your facility, for a deep cleaning, shutting down for 72 hours is recommended. The most effective products possible should be used for cleanup. Disinfectants and sanitizers are regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), who have offered a list of effective, antimicrobial products.

In the case of an infected employee, do the following:

• Encourage the infected employee to initially call, rather than personally visit, their healthcare provider.
• Tell the infected employee to stay home.
• Identify anyone that the infected employee may have closely contacted.
• Thoroughly clean any workstation and other surfaces that the infected employee came into contact with.

Providing Better Protection During a Pandemic

Anchor Industries Inc. is a highly aware of the effect the pandemic has had on the entire world. For that reason (and more), we have put great effort into coming up with ways to assist industries with social distancing and better protection of both employee and consumer health.

A number of barriers have been manufactured, since the inception of the coronavirus, for the precise purpose of protecting employees and consumers. Currently, we feature the Porta-Shield® Connect and Porta-Shields to help social distance your workplace.

At Anchor Industries Inc., we also manufacture high quality fabric and frame products for numerous market segments. Included among our specialty products are those which meet highly specialized

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