16 Apr 2008

Wolfpack Gear's Low Profile Hydration Pack, NFPA 1977, 2005 Edition compliant pack

CAL FIRE receives the first 1,500 NFPA 1977 certified packs

Wolfpack Gear, Inc. recently introduced the first fire line hydration pack system to meet the stringent specifications of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting (1977, 2005 edition). Wolfpack Gear developed a line of fire line packs that set the standard for safety and subsequently became the first to be certified by Underwriters Laboratories as meeting NFPA 1977, 2005 edition. A generous donation from State Farm Insurance Companies in cooperation with the California Fire Safe Council, following the 2007 firestorms in Southern California paved the way for the first 1,500 NFPA compliant Wolfpack Gear Low Profile Hydration Packs leaving the assembly line to be delivered directly to CAL FIRE.

Previous incidents led to an investigation that identified the previous nylon web gear worn by the firefighters melted and contributed to firefighter injuries. In 2003 Wolfpack Gear sufficiently demonstrated to the CAL FIRE Safety Officer the advances made in the safety of its equipment subsequently becoming the first commercial web gear allowed to be worn by CAL FIRE firefighters. Following the success of the Low Profile Hydration pack it is naturally the next step to release a revision that meets internationally recognized standards for safety and is independently tested to meet those standards.

"We are very proud to work with State Farm Insurance, the California Fire Safe Council and CAL FIRE to increase firefighter safety," said Mike Oberndorfer, President of Wolfpack Gear, Inc. "The Low Profile Hydration Pack contains the proper testing and certifications that allow CAL FIRE and other firefighting organizations the ability to clearly understand and identify a safe product. "I feel privileged that CAL FIRE be the first to receive the product."

The Low Profile Hydration Pack is the only pack in the world to be marketed as an NFPA 1977, 2005 edition compliant pack that also allows the firefighter to carry 102 oz. of drinking water that further increases safety by reducing the deadly effects of dehydration and heat stress.