Kovenex® to Serve as Thermal Barrier for Two Glove Models

RICHMOND, Va. (April 17, 2009) – Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC (Waubridge) today announced it has partnered with Southcombe Brothers (Southcombe) to provide its patented Kovenex as the thermal barrier for Southcombe’s Firemaster® Ultra and Firemaster IV. Combining Kovenex’s inherent flame-, tear- and cut-resistant properties with Southcombe’s patented water- and chemical-resistant PYROHIDE® will maintain the gloves’ NFPA 1971-2007 certification and EN659 rating, as well as increase the gloves’ dexterity and performance, and most importantly, the user’s safety.

According to Matt Smith, business development director at Waubridge, Southcombe will begin mass sales of the new gloves featuring Kovenex in June 2009, but will have a limited number of the gloves available during FDIC at booth # 1335. Kovenex representatives will be available at booth # 1332.

“Safety and performance are paramount for first response and rescue personnel, and we constantly strive to create partnerships that yield the optimal level for both,” said Smith. “By combining the safety and performance attributes on which Kovenex users depend with Southcombe Brothers’ extensive history of manufacturing premium gloves for various types of first responders, we’re certain that this customer-driven partnership will further enable Kovenex to deliver the best personal protective equipment (PPE) in the industry.”

David Southcombe, managing director at Southcombe, said he is excited about enhancing his company’s PPE product offerings with Kovenex to better serve the first response community.

“For more than 160 years, we’ve engineered some of the finest gloves in the world for all types of occasions and purposes,” said Southcombe. “Our craftsmanship and sophisticated, proprietary technologies, matched with Kovenex’s unrivaled safety attributes, will provide an unparalleled level of durability, performance and safety.”

Kovenex has been used by firefighters and other first responders for years in a number of products, including the Kovenex Rapid Response Blanket. In addition, Waubridge offers the Kovenex Occupational Safety Blanket, designed specifically for use in industrial workplaces such as plants, foundries, mills and other facilities in which fire-related incidents could occur.

About Kovenex
Kovenex, manufactured and marketed by Chester, Va.-based Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC, is a high-performance engineered fabric blend with inherent flame-, heat- and tear-resistant properties. For more information please visit www.kovenex.com or call 866.861.7976.

About Southcombe
Based in the beautiful Somerset countryside in the UK, Southcombe Brothers have been making and supplying gloves since 1847. One of Europe’s oldest and largest glove suppliers, Southcombe Brothers continue to lead the industry in terms of design, performance and customer service. With a unique blend of traditional craft skills and specialised high-tech materials, together with an ISO 9001 certified tannery and manufacturing units, Southcombe Brothers oversee the development of gloves from first designs to the finished pair. For more information please visit www.southcombe.com or call 011 44 1935 823567.

February 28th is the final day to order your copy of the 150th Anniversary Book. The book is being written for the 15oth Anniversary of what is believed to be the 6th oldest Professional Fire Department in the United States of America. The book orders are due by the 28th.

Please click on the below link for the .pdf document with all of the information.

richmdbookfinal

Book sales also benefit families of Firefighters and Paramedics killed in the line of duty

At the upcoming Horry County (SC) School Board meeting, on the agenda is County Fireman and Paramedic David Elliott. He wrote and self-published among the very first books ever to document the history of emergency medical services. He hopes to inspire teens to consider a career in the fire service or in EMS. In order to influence this, he has chosen to donate a copy of his book to every high school and specialty institution in the Horry County School System. Mr. Elliott was 14 when he began to gain experience over 20 years ago.

Portions of each book sold benefit the Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National EMS Memorial.

The book may be purchased with free shipping at www.bluerampublishing.com If you’re interested in purchasing an autographed copy for your local school, library, fire station or rescue squad you may do so at a reduced cost by contacting the author directly.

Repels Water-, Petroleum-Based Fluids

RICHMOND, Va. (December 15, 2008) – Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC (Waubridge) today unveiled a liquid repellent finish for its line of Kovenex thermal liners. With this additional protective quality, Kovenex maintains its inherent flame-, tear- and cut-resistant properties and NFPA 1971-2007 standards for vertical flammability, but also enables rescue workers and others to perform more safely and effectively in wet conditions stemming from water and petroleum.

According to Matt Smith, business development director at Waubridge, the new liquid repellant Kovenex line is tested to and passes AATCC-22 and AATCC-35 testing standards for water repellency. In addition, Kovenex products that have the liquid repellent finish maintain breathability and have Moisture Vapor Transmission Rates above 500 g/m2/24hr after treatment.

“At Waubridge, the voice of the customer is invaluable, and for years firefighters and other rescue workers with whom we have closely worked have praised Kovenex for the qualities that protect them against flames, heat and sharps,” said Smith. “However, according to some, the one element that Kovenex was lacking was the ability to repel water- and petroleum-based fluids. With the addition of this finish to Kovenex fabrics, we are pleased to offer this added level of safety and protection.”

Kovenex has been used by firefighters and other first responders for years in a number of products, including the Kovenex Rapid Response Blanket, and in the Dragon Fire Alpha structural firefighting, extrication and mechanics gloves by Fireman’s Shield, wherein Kovenex serves as a heat-blocking thermal barrier and will now make donning and doffing much easier. In addition, Waubridge offers the Kovenex Occupational Safety Blanket, designed specifically for use in industrial workplaces such as plants, foundries, mills and other facilities in which fire-related incidents could occur.

About Kovenex

Kovenex, manufactured and marketed by Chester, Va.-based Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC, is a high-performance engineered fabric blend with inherent flame-, heat- and tear-resistant properties. For more information please visit www.kovenex.com or call 866.861.7976.

New book documenting the history of Rescue and EMS to also benefit Fallen Firefighters and EMT’s

Portions of sales to go directly to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and National EMS Memorial

Myrtle Beach resident and veteran fire-rescue provider David Elliott completes a book entitled “The Illustrated History of Rescue and EMS” detailing the dramatic advancements in emergency medical care in just over two decades. Highlighted is the fact that many adults clearly recall a time when the local funeral home transported the sick to hospitals, and often with no care. Now, of course, highly trained paramedics provide life-saving procedures and medications on scene and en-route to emergency rooms.

Though the book includes a great deal of local historical pictures and information, it is a broad topic and the book will be marketed nationwide. Pre-sale orders are now being accepted by contacting the author directly at cdavidelliott@yahoo.com or www.bluerampublishing.com

David Elliott began his exposure to EMS as the child of a Chapel Hill Fireman. Beyond this, he became a Junior Member of the Williamston (NC) Rescue Squad at the age of 14, at 18 he became a volunteer EMT with the Orange County Rescue Squad and a volunteer fireman and EMT with the Parkwood Fire Department in Durham, NC. Since then his career includes having advanced to EMT-Intermediate, Paramedic, and Fire Driver with Parkwood and Lebanon Fire Departments in Durham, NC and Murrell’s Inlet-Garden City Fire in South Carolina. He is now a Firefighter-Paramedic with Horry County.

Throughout his career, David has been a volunteer Lieutenant with the Parkwood Fire Department and advanced through the ranks to Chief of the Orange County Rescue Squad in NC while simultaneously serving as the paid Assistant Chief of the neighboring South Orange Rescue Squad. He’s also worked with private ambulance companies, hospital-based and county government-based EMS agencies, which contributes to his expertise in the field. Awards include being voted Officer of the Year by the Membership of the Orange County Rescue Squad in 1997 and achieving the President of the United States’ Call to Service Award in 2005 for his volunteer service to the community.

The Perfect Gift For All Occasions

Have you seen the NEW Nitrile Glove for EMS/Fire and Police Departments?

It’s the OmniTrust #212 Nitrile Glove! OmniTrustT Uniquely Patented Comfort Formulation (Low Modulus) 100% Nitrile Examination Glove, contains no natural rubber latex and no Carbamates, Thiurams or Mercaptobenzothiozole. These are common accelerators found in most gloves that may possibly cause hand irritation. Featuring the strength, static resistance and chemical resistance of Nitrile, this glove has excellent donning characteristics and textured fingers for enhanced grip control. Available in sizes Small through Extra Large.

For samples and a distributor near you, call OMNI at 888-999-6664 or e-mail to News@OmniGloves.com

View Omni Gloves online at OmniGloves.com.