Device Helps Safe Escape From A Fire: ‘Exit Traveler’ Unveiled At Montco Fire Academy
Report of a public demonstration at the Montgomery County Fire Academy in Plymouth Township, Pa., described as the first time in the United States the device had been demonstrated.
What it says
- Demonstrated by RAW Rescue Products Inc. before two dozen firefighters; the article says the product was made in the Netherlands, where it was originally manufactured (U.S. production in Ambler came later, per Rick Denzien), and had been available in Europe for several years.
- Company president Rick Denzien made about five of the dozen descents from the fourth floor of the school’s fire tower and described them as “basically like walking backward down the wall.”
- Available in four-, seven- and 12-story models; lowers people at a rate of 1.64 feet per second.
A printout (March 22, 2010) of the article as it appeared in the Morning Call’s online archive; the page also shows advertising from that day, which is part of the scan.
Transcript
Device Helps Safe Escape From A Fire ‘Exit Traveler’ Unveiled At Montco Fire Academy
November 20, 1987 | The Morning Call
A device that allows people to escape burning buildings by walking backward down the outside wall was demonstrated for the first time in the United States yesterday at the Montgomery County Fire Academy.
The Exit Traveler, a compact lowering device, was demonstrated by RAW Rescue Products Inc. before two dozen firefighters at the school in Plymouth Township. RAW Rescue of Ambler is sole distributor of the product made in the Netherlands and available in Europe for several years.
Company President Rick Denzien, who made about five of the dozen descents from the fourth floor of the school’s fire tower, said the descents were extremely slow, “basically like walking backward down the wall.” Several others, including Jack Houser of Quakertown, who recently purchased an Exit Traveler, also descended from the tower, Denzien said.
The purpose of the daylong demonstration was to educate fire instructors and professionals about the product in the event prospective buyers ask them for recommendations, Denzien said.
The device is available in four-, seven- and 12-story models. It allows people trapped in tall buildings to escape by hooking a stainless steel cable to a heavy object and strapping the harness around themselves. The device lowers people at a rate of 1.64 feet per second.
Transcribed for accessibility and search; the scan above is the document of record.
Permanent file address (unchanged since the original Exit Traveler website): /images/1987-11-20 MorningCall-Allentow PA-ArticleDeviceHelpsSafeEscapeFire.pdf