The Dallas Fire-Rescue and Fort Worth Fire Departments co-host an event to demonstrate new technology that enhances firefighter safety and efficiency during fires. Learn more about this innovative advancement.
MEDIA DAY
Wednesday, October 11th, 9 a.m.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Department and Fort Worth Fire Department Co-Host Event to Demo New Technology That Better Equips Crews During Fires
Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS) will improve life safety for firefighters and citizens.
WHAT: Fort Worth Fire Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue each recently received a donation of a Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS) for their training towers so local firefighters can become proficient in the use of this important new life-saving technology. FARS are now required by code in both cities in new construction of large structures like high-rise buildings and big-box structures.
The donation came from the Firefighter Air Coalition (FAC), a 501(c)4 non-profit organization that advances firefighter health and safety through the use of air management techniques, training, and technology. The FAC makes a limited number of training and equipment donations every year to forward-looking fire departments that are using technologies like FARS to keep first responders safe as buildings become higher, larger, and more complex and delivery of air re-supply becomes more challenging.
At media day, members of the media will:
AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS:
WHEN: Wednesday, October 11 – Interviews and demonstrations start at 9 a.m., followed by an opportunity for media to obtain B-roll. If you have any questions or have a specific request for your story, please contact one of the personnel listed.
WHERE: Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex, 509 W Felix St., Fort Worth, TX
BACKGROUND:
Texas is leading the country in adoption of codes requiring FARS in new construction of large buildings, including high-rises, large horizontal structures, and tunnels. Just as water standpipes provide access to water inside a building, FARS, a standpipe for air, provide access to air re-supply. FARS are designed to allow firefighters to refill their breathing air bottles in 2 minutes or less under full respiration. Fill stations are accessible throughout a building. FARS greatly reduces a firefighter's risk of exposure to the deadly effects of fire smoke, and minimizes the time and personnel that would be needed to support air re-supply. Fires in big buildings can be extinguished faster, improving life safety for firefighters and the citizens they protect.
In 2016, the City of Plano became the first in Texas to adopt a code requiring FARS in new construction. To date, more than 120 cities and Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) across Texas have followed their lead and now require FARS. The Frisco Fire Department recently used FARS to combat a fire in a 17-story residential high-rise. In 2021, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTGOG) recommended all of its 230-member governments adopt codes requiring FARS. Both Dallas and Ft. Worth have adopted codes requiring FARS in new construction of large buildings.
We also invite you to view:
A brief video providing an overview of FARS and its applications in large buildings, such as big-box retail stores, warehouses, and tunnel systems.
News coverage from a FARS training tower event in Round Rock, TX in 2021 https://aircoalition.org/blog/news/watch-local-tv-news-coverage-of-the-facs-donation-of-a-firefighter-air-replenishment-system-fars-to-the-round-rock-tx-training-facility/
