Fundraiser set for Feb. 17 to benefit OTC fire departments
News | Published on February 13, 2024 at 4:13pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0Fundraiser to be held at NYM Ballroom
Tucker Henderson
Reporter
The Perham Masonic Lodge #157 AF & AM is hosting a fundraiser to provide Fire Suppression Tools to all emergency responders within Otter Tail County. The fundraiser will be held on Feb. 17 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom.
A Fire Suppression Tool (FST) is a unique device that has the capability to slow the progression of a fire, allow would-be fire victims time to escape a burning building, provide firefighters critical minutes and seconds to respond and even extinguishing the fire in question.
The tool, created by Fire Suppression Solutions, LLC, is portable and easily storable in an emergency responder’s vehicle. The devices are easy to use and require little training to effectively utilize. Responders need only pull the two pins on the device before throwing it threw a window, door, open area and the aerosol fire suppression solution will deploy within eight seconds to aid in fighting potentially deadly fires.
As law enforcement are oftentimes the first to respond to a fire, this tool would give them the ability to potentially help suppress a fire, which could save time, money and most important, people’s lives.
According to Fire Suppression Solutions, LLC, “approximately 8 seconds after activation a powdered aerosol is generated, which expands volumetrically, flooding the space (up to 5300 cubic feet) for approximately 35 seconds, interrupting the bond between the heat and oxygen molecules thus suppressing the flames.”
The powdered aerosol is safe to breathe, providing a perfect escape route for those boxed in a burning building. Trusted by first responders and military personnel, the FST is being used throughout public and private industries from marine fleets to farm owners and everything in between. Each FST comes with a 15 year shelf life and a 15 year battery guarantee.
“The FST is a highly effective tool which suppresses fire still contained within a structure,” according to Fire Suppression Solutions, LLC. “The FST significantly reduces temperatures (up to 1000 degrees within 35 seconds), preventing flash-overs and back-drafts without oxygen depletion.”
The Perham Masonic Lodge will be raising these funds to purchase ten FSTs for the use of Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department employees. While they are aiming to purchase 10 units, anything raised beyond that amount will go towards additional FST devices.
A free-will donation supper featuring barbecue pork sandwiches, potato salad and beans will be available. The NY Mills Lions Club will also be serving beer during the fundraiser.