Sterling Rope Company of Biddeford has created two new kits built to the demanding standards and specifications of the Fire Department of New York firefighters.
According to a press release from the company, Sterling Rope is expanding its product line and will now offer fire departments and public safety organizations a new Roof Rescue Kit and a FDNY Search Kit to assist crews during emergency situations.
Sterling’s Roof Rsecue Kit offers a top-down rescue option for firefighters or civilians who may be stranded at a window during a structure fire. Its FDNY Search Kit is designed to assist firefighters working in large-area search and rescue operations.
Founded in 1992, the Sterling Rope Company is no stranger to innovative products designed to assist firefighters.
It was the American company to produce a line of abrasion and heat-resistant ropes for firefighters and assisted in the creation of FDNY’s first rescue escape kit.
The new FDNY Search Kit includes 200 feet of Sterling SearchLite™ heat-resistant rope with a reflective tracer for visibility with a flashlight; heat-resistant conical distance indicators permanently affixed to the rope every 25 feet to indicate distance and direction to the exit; a locking double-action aluminum swivel snaphook for easy attachment to a stationary object while wearing gloves; and a vinyl search bag with a quick-release buckle to obtain rope easily and is lightweight for firefighters.
During typical search situations, a search rope involves many uses as it helps maintain search team integrity while performing searches for fire victims and it’s also a tool for firefighters to find their way out in heat and smoke conditions in large open areas or locate other firefightrers in need of assistance.
The new Roof Rescue Kit includes 125 feet of 100 percent Technora® H3 Tech125™rope offering superior heat and abrasion resistance with two sewn eyes and markers every meter; a Kevlar shock pack sewn to one end which limits impact force to rescuer and anchor; a SafeGuard™rope protector which offers protection against damage at the parapet; a D5 descender for easy control of one-person or two-person loads; and a unique double-ended rope bag.
Roof rescues from a burning building are among the toughest situations a firefighter can encounter, as a rope could be exposed to fire and heat and could melt or break before a rescue operation has been completed.
Based at 26 Morin St. in Biddeford, Sterling is credited as the first company in America to develop a 100 percent polyester static rope, and also to use heat resistant fibers in the production of fire escape ropes. It’s engineers, technologists and craftsmen build on advanced research and development, customer needs analysis, innovative manufacturing and stringent testing to produce versatile and highly-rated equipment.
Carolyn Brodsky is president of Sterling Rope Company, which celebrated its 25th year in business last fall.
— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.
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