Dräger will help protect thousands of firefighters, first responders, and fire industry professionals with American-made N95 disposable respirators during FDIC International. FDIC International opens August 2 to 7 in Indianapolis. Thousands of firefighters and others will attend the education classes and exposition for the largest annual fire industry show.
Made by American workers in Pennsylvania, the Dräger X-plore 1750 will be distributed throughout FDIC at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium during the exposition as well as during educational classes and at large gatherings. Dräger is supplying tens of thousands of individually wrapped, fold flat N95 respirators to attendees as the official provider of N95 respirators to FDIC.
Mobile gas detection
“Dräger proudly built a U.S. manufacturing facility in less than two months during 2020 to help respond to the demand for N95 respirators and they continue to be a vital component of protective equipment in the long-term health of firefighters,” said John Wilson, Dräger Senior Vice President of sales and marketing, safety solutions.
Dräger’s air-purifying respirator products can be a cost-effective method to help protect firefighters
“Now U.S. and Canadian fire departments can order these American-made N95 respirators for one-time or regular, reliable delivery and at a very reasonable cost.” When properly worn, Dräger N95 respirators protect firefighters by filtering out 95% of particulates found on an active fire ground. When used in combination with mobile gas detection that checks for toxic gases, Dräger’s comprehensive line of air-purifying respirator products can be a cost-effective method to help protect firefighters working outside the IDLH, or immediately dangerous to life and health, area.
Meeting minimum requirements
Occupational cancer among firefighters has been rising at an alarming rate in recent years. Several studies indicated that the particulates in smoke and ash may contribute to that increased risk. FDIC attendees can stop by Dräger booth 1308 to see products appropriate for use on the fire ground including the most ergonomically comfortable SCBAs available.
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH, serves as the regulatory body that certifies air-purifying respirators like N95s, assuring these products meet minimum requirements of filtration and safety. NIOSH suggests using the term ‘respirators’ to distinguish N95s from other face coverings like cotton, surgical, or KN95 masks, which are neither tested nor certified in the U.S. to meet a standard of filtering non-oil particulates 0.3 microns or larger, 95% or better.