Intelagard, Inc.

Wildfires are a persistent threat in many parts of the world, and the ability to suppress them quickly and effectively is crucial for protecting lives and property. While water has long been the primary tool used for fighting fires, advances in technology have led to the development of superior firefighting tools, such as the Intelagard compressed air foam system (CAFS). Enviroshield technology Intelagard manufactures equipment that uses compressed air to create a foam that is more effective at extinguishing fires than water alone. Every Intelagard system comes with the proprietary Enviroshield® technology.  Enviroshield technology is highly effective because it creates a foam that adheres to surfaces and creates a barrier to smother flames, reducing the risk of re-ignition. Features  Wildland firefighters choose the Intelagard compressed air foam system (CAFS) for several reasons: Efficient Use of Resources: The Intelagard CAF systems use less water than traditional firefighting methods, which is especially important in areas where water resources are limited. By using less water, firefighters can conserve resources and ensure that water is available for other critical needs.  On average, the Intelagard CAF systems have a 35:1 expansion ratio.  Insulating Properties: The foam created by Intelagard CAF systems provides exceptional insulation for treated surfaces, maintaining low temperatures that act to minimize fuel ignition. Smaller Footprint: The Intelagard CAF systems are compact systems that can be easily transported and used in tight spaces. This allows firefighters to bring the system quickly and easily to the fire, even if the fire is located in a remote or difficult-to-reach area. With man-portable and ATV units these are perfect tools for wildland firefighters. Faster Knockdown: The foam produced by the Intelagard CAFS can quickly knock down fires, allowing firefighters to work more efficiently and safely. Versatility: The Intelagard CAFS can be used in a variety of settings, including wildland fires, structural fires, and even vehicle fires. Overall, the Intelagard CAF systems can be a valuable tool for wildland firefighters, offering improved effectiveness, water conservation, faster knockdown, enhanced safety, and versatility.

In 2021, 58,985 wildfires burned over 7.12 million acres in the USA, compared to just 18,229 wildfires and 1.32 million acres lost in 1983, when official record-keeping began (as per data from the National Interagency Fire Center - NIFC). An unimaginable amount of water is used every day for mitigation and response solutions. Over the past years, drought conditions have substantially increased and continue to do so, making water even more scarce. The use of only water to suppress fires must be reevaluated, before this precious commodity is gone. This is where foam comes in. Compressed air foam (CAF) delivery systems Compressed air foam (CAF) delivery systems are an extremely valuable resource and solution for wildfire suppression Compressed air foam (CAF) delivery systems are an extremely valuable resource and solution for wildfire suppression. This is not with regards to integrated CAF systems that re traditionally found on pumper trucks –the kind that spits out a milky looking substance.  A tried-and-true independent CAF delivery system using Enviroshield technology to mimic the polymeric membrane and create a true foam blanket (think shaving cream), without the use of hazardous chemicals. There may be many CAF systems to choose from, but none compare to CAF equipment manufactured by Intelagard. Macaw - Intelagard’s flagship CAF system Intelagard’s compressed air foam (CAF) systems have been used in the fire suppression and protection industry for over 30 years, with the Macaw (Intelagard’s flagship system) being selected as the man-portable fire suppression tool of choice for the US Army. Intelagard’s proprietary Enviroshield technology creates a foam like no other. This patented process mixes firefighting solutions with water to produce a tiny, uniform bubble structure that covers the target to smother and cool fuels. Intelagard CAFS can expand water resources up to 35 times. For example, the Intelagard Macaw backpack system can use 5 gallons of water mixed with 3 ounces of firefighting solution, in order to produce 175 gallons of firefighting foam.  H1 Intercept, Intelagard’s 300-gallon skid unit Over the years, Intelagard has developed several variants of its compressed air foam (CAF) equipment On a larger scale, the H1 Intercept, Intelagard’s 300-gallon skid unit that can be placed in the back of a pickup truck or on a SXS vehicle, can produce up to 10,500 gallons of fire suppression foam. Expansion of water resources is the way of the present and future, and there is no better way to do this than with an Intelagard CAFS. Over the years, Intelagard has developed several variants of its compressed air foam (CAF) equipment. These systems range from backpack units, ATV/UTV mounted systems, truck mounted slip-on skid units, and wheeled handcart devices, and can shoot foam from 30 – 90 feet, depending on the unit.  Optional spray bar can be added for perimeter control An optional spray bar can be added to produce a 4-foot or longer wet line for perimeter control and burn back. Most units have drafting capabilities of up to 20-foot vertical lift, thereby allowing the user to refill the tank with water from a river, ocean, hot tub, pool, etc.  Intelagard CAFS can handle debris up to ¼ inch in size, without effecting performance of or damaging the pump. All these features combine to make unparalleled systems that expand the water resources. Intelagard has invested over thirty years into the research, design, and manufacturing of innovative, military-grade Compressed Air Foam Systems for firefighters and first responders, who are working in the toughest conditions.

The forecast for wildland fire potential issued on February 1, 2022, by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) predicts that over the next four months, the potential for wildfires will be higher than average in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, parts of New Mexico and Arizona, and the central and southern plains, in the United States of America (USA). Over the last decade alone, fire ‘seasons’ in the USA have increased in length by two and a half months. In addition, the average area scorched by fires in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) has doubled in the last three decades, now encompassing nearly seven million acres per year. This figure is only expected to grow. Wildland firefighting is unpredictable, dangerous, and physically exhausting. Need for fire suppression systems to be modernized Since wildfires are not going away and will only intensify in the future, fire suppression systems must be modernized Since wildfires are not going away and will only intensify in the future, fire suppression systems must be modernized, in order to meet this increasing and dangerous demand. Fires can no longer be effectively fought using the same outdated methods, which were used in the past. Solutions that boost firefighting response and effectiveness, while significantly reducing maintenance and manpower are not only a good idea, but a critical necessity.  All WUI communities play a crucial role in protecting the surrounding ecosystem and can aid in doing so by making the decision to equip their fire departments with tools that are dependable, easy to operate, and costs less than the traditional firefighting equipment. With Intelagard Suppression Systems: Stretch water resources. One gallon of water and foam concentrate can create up to 35 gallons of firefighting foam. Get closer to live fuels. Pretreat poles and fencing from unwanted burning. Create visible wet lines. Draft from alternate water sources (i.e., river, pool, ocean, hot tub, etc.) with a 6-to-19-foot vertical lift. Powerful wildland firefighting in a compact package The SwiftCAF ATV/UTV is a small-to-medium scale, Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) that is perfectly suited for rapid incident attack in restricted emergency access areas, such as cross country, off-road and rugged terrain environments. Its (optional) terrain spray bar, when combined with foam solution from the 14-gallon tank can apply a 4-foot, half mile long wet line, before needing to refill. Once the unit runs dry, it can be refilled from a stream, creek, pond, pool, or lake in a snap (even dirty and brackish water with debris up to 1/4 inch can be used).  Macaw Backpack Compressed Air Foam System The Macaw Backpack is a CAFS that combines reliability with impressive fire extinguishing properties The Macaw Backpack is a CAFS that combines reliability with impressive fire extinguishing properties in a compact package. This system is a game-changer and a must-have in your firefighting arsenal. The Macaw Backpack converts 5 gallons of water and firefighting foam, up to 175 gallons of finished foam, utilizing Intelagard’s patented Enviroshield technology. It deploys a tight and structured uniform stream of bubbles, in order to disrupt the thermal layer and suffocate fire vapors, during a direct attack The Intelagard Advantage Intelagard has invested over thirty years into research, design, and manufacturing of innovative, military-grade Compressed Air Foam Systems for firefighters and first responders, working in the toughest conditions. Intelagard CAFS are ideal systems for indirect attacks and mop-up. Lay down wet lines, control backburn and wet the duff with precision and ease. Applied ahead of a fire it can be used to form a moist fire break in brush or grass, or it can be applied to pretreat structures from the ignition, as a fire passes over. The insulation properties of Intelagard expanded foams keep the intense heat of fires from penetrating fuels. Enviroshield Technology creates insulating layer of foam The Intelagard Systems have been proven to be exceptionally effective in protecting exposed structures and vegetation, in parts of the WUI, where water supply can be critically limited. The Enviroshield Technology creates an insulating layer of foam that will adhere to vertical and horizontal surfaces, such as walls and roofs, to create a durable moist barrier.