The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Purchases CR1 Garment Protection System to Enhance its CBRN Capability
19 April 2007 16:13
The groundbreaking CR1 Frontliner ensemble, currently used in the British Police service to protect trained officers during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incident, has now been purchased by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to enhance its CBRN capability.
Representing an entirely new concept of protection to traditional garments, the 'semi-permeable' CR1 Frontliner combines activated-carbon technology with a breathable barrier membrane to provide outstanding threat-protection with a high degree of breathability. Unlike gas-tight suits, the CR1 offers integrated respiratory, face, hand and foot protection which allows the wearer to function with the minimum physiological burden, permitting trained officers to operate for prolonged periods in contaminated environments.
Group commander Maurice Rafferty, of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, commented: "Traditionally we have used Gas Tight Chemical PPE (CPPE) as a 'one size fits all' response to traditional hazmat risks. However, the new rescue capability required of the modern FRS and the emergent threat of a deliberate CBRN release has questioned this methodology.
"Just as the FRS as a whole is moving away from one set of PPE for firefighting and rescue in non-hazmat environments into structural and non-structural protection, the time was right for a similar analysis of how we equipped and protected our specialist teams in contaminated environments. As part of our CPPE assessment we rightly identified a shortfall in the provision of adequate CPPE for the USAR environment. As a consequence, [the] NIFRS trialed and procured Remploy Frontline's CR1. This procurement has afforded us the opportunity to protect our specialist personnel in environments unsuitable for traditional CPPE."
The CR1 Frontliner is designed and manufactured in the UK by the British benchmark CBRN protection specialist, Remploy Frontline. Sales and marketing Manager, Nia Humphreys, stated: "We are very proud that [the] NIFRS have examined the CR1 and recognised its features and benefits over and above existing traditional CBRN protection. Whilst there are roles for different garment protection options, the CR1 does offer new rescue-capability options for trained fire officers because it provides the freedom to operate for longer periods.
"As the CBRN threat continues to evolve, so must we, and we are delighted that a number of other fire services are currently trialling the CR1, to judge for themselves whether it can enhance their capability. We welcome these enquiries."
For more information on this company:
Remploy Textile Unit - CBRN Protection Suits
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