August 29, 2011
Foxfire shines at FRI with unique illuminating products
The products improve firefighter safety by making equipment more visible, as well as illuminating the surrounding environment in dark conditions
By Ken Robinson
FireRescue1 Associate Editor
A young company shone through at Fire-Rescue International in Atlanta with its lineup of unique illuminating products for firefighting equipment.
Foxfire's photoluminescent products improve firefighter safety by turning tools, PPE and other equipment into brightly glowing sources of light in dark conditions — without using batteries or electricity.
Illuminating equipment bands can be applied to equipment like helmets and axes to both make them more visible as well as a means to brighten areas around them.
The advanced pigment needs only three minutes of direct light — of any type from sunlight to fluorescent — to produce 17 hours of afterglow.
"This isn't like the glow-in-the-dark toys you remember when you were a kid," President Zachary Green said.
"Within the first minute of use, the glow is so bright that you can read a newspaper two feet away from you."
The technology was initially developed following the first World Trade Center bombing, when the pigment was used on stairs to prevent similar incidents where people would be trapped in stairwells.
Foxfire adapted the technology for firefighter use, and all products designed for PPE are NFPA 1971 compliant, with all silicone-based products being lab tested up to 900 degrees before signs of failure.
Green, a volunteer firefighter, started the company less than a year ago when he quit his corporate job earning six figures and poured everything he had into the venture.
Aiming to improve firefighter safety with the illuminating products, he stressed three key areas that Foxfire products address when it comes to safety: visibility, accountability and disorientation.
In the past, firefighters might have to search a dark area by tapping around with equipment, but Foxfire's illuminating paint or bands can eliminate the need for an extra tool to bang around with by improving visibility.
When it comes to accountability, Foxfire can help firefighters better keep track of their tools since the equipment can produce a glow that makes it easy to locate.
"If you put your tool down to help someone with a hose line, you could have trouble finding it and it can be a life and death scenario," Green said.
Also, since one of the leading causes of firefighter deaths in fires is disorientation, Green said the products can help firefighters keep track of and locate a means of egress in dark conditions.
The equipment was put to the test in a Cincinnati fast food restaurant fire in October last year, when firefighters from the Woodlawn Fire Department were caught in a flashover.
"The helmet bands were the only way we could make sure we were heading in the right direction," said Captain Peter Hauser.
"And from an accountability standpoint, they were the only way we could see each other and make sure we were all safe."
Despite being a new company on the scene, Foxfire is thriving with a great deal of interest in products that are currently unrivaled in the fire market, Green said.
"We are the only company in the world using this technology this way," Green said. "This is the only game in town."
"Someday maybe somebody will try to produce this in China for half the price, but we are U.S.-made, U.S.-produced and firefighter-owned."
The young company has also tapped into Facebook with success to spread its message and maintain an ongoing dialogue with firefighters who have questions or feedback, gaining 5,500 "likes" for their fan page in the past three months.
Though skeptics sometimes question whether the products hold up under fire conditions or smoke, Green said he has been happy to see fans' devotion to the product on the Facebook page by giving first-hand testimony of Foxfire's performance.
Ultimately, the social media efforts have helped promote Foxfire's overall message of firefighter safety, Green said.
"We hope we can help save firefighters' lives by keeping them safer."
Foxfire is owned by Cincinatti-based MN8 Products, which develops, markets and sells revolutionary photoluminescent coatings and products that provide illumination for several hours and stay visible in complete darkness for up to 17 hours. For more information on MN8 Products, visit the company's official website.
Article Link: http://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-safety/articles/1114676-foxfire-shines-at-fri-with-unique-illuminating-products/
http://www.cincinnatichamber.com/currents.aspx?ID=15417&menu_id=150
Chamber member MN8 Products is making great strides in firefighting safety. Owner Zachary Green, a firefighter himself, has firsthand experience in the difficulties of the job and is working to use technology to develop products that help increase the safety margin for firefighters.
SBEA Emerging Business of the Year Runner-up, Zachary Green, President and Illuminating Genius of MN8, with Chamber President & CEO, Ellen van der Horst and presenter, Ray Attiyah of Definity Partners |
MN8 has developed a product line called Foxfire, a collection of self-illuminating products designed to provide significant light source in zero visibility conditions. One product is the helmet band, an elastic band firefighters place around their helmets that, using advanced photoluminescent technology, lights up their surroundings enabling them to keep track of their tools, environment, and fellow firefighters. The Foxfire line also offers a Coating Kit, making it possible for fire departments to transform ordinary hydrants, ladders, and tools into sources of visual orientation much needed for safety.
MN8, launched only 9 months ago, has been recognized by the Iron Firemen online blog for its excellent products, and has been featured in Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment magazine as well as other trade publications. MN8 was also recently named the runner-up in the Emerging Business of the Year category at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’sSmall Business Excellence Awards.
MN8 is not only making great progress in their quest to innovate fire safety but is using their Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber membership to full advantage to help grow their business and, as CEO Zachary Green says, “light the world up.”
Visit the MN8 website
From Firerescue1.com:
Foxfire Demos Live at Baltimore, MD. Firehouse Expo
COATESVILLE, PA — TheFireStore.com, a division of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company, has teamed with MN8 Products, a developer of revolutionary photoluminescent products to introduce Foxfire® Illuminating Fire Safety products to area firefighters. Foxfire will be demonstrated during the Firehouse Expo at Booth 844, held in Baltimore, MD, July 21-23, 2011 .
Foxfire products are changing the field of firefighting in keeping firefighters safe. To help firefighters face the top danger of disorientation, the product line utilizes an advanced photoluminescent technology that absorbs and stores light and then releases it as a bright luminance in the dark. Unlike high visibility colors and reflective striping that require an external light to be seen, Foxfire products act as their own light emitter. This is especially important considering that firefighters typically operate in very dark environments.
“I’ve been a firefighter for a long time, and I’ve been selling public safety gear for almost 20 years, said Jim Witmer, Founder and CEO of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. “I haven’t seen many products with so much potential to make firefighters safer, and our gear so much easier to track. We’re really excited to be a partner with MN8 Products in introducing Foxfire.”
When fully charged (by any light source), Foxfire products can glow for up to 17 hours. The Foxfire product line contains illuminating helmet bands; equipment bands; colored grip wrap for tools and epoxy paint kits for axes, ladders and other tools.
“One of the main dangers a firefighter faces is disorientation in dark and smoky environments,” says Zach Green, President of MN8 Products, the company behind Foxfire. “With Foxfire, firefighters can reduce the danger of disorientation as well as keep track of their crews and equipment in dark environments.”
“This incredible new photo-illuminating technology is going to change the way firefighters see their gear, find their way around, and see each other in the darkest, smokiest environments,” said Witmer. “Foxfire products don’t just glow in the dark, they get so bright they actually light up the area around them. It has the potential to make us all safer. And we’re very excited to partner with MN8 Products to bring this cutting edge technology to our customers.”
Foxfire products are available through TheFireStore’s team of Direct Salesmen serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. Products may also be purchased online at www.thefirestore.com.
To arrange a demonstration or to purchase Foxfire products, contact TheFireStore at (800) 852-6088 or go online to TheFireStore.com.
About TheFireStore.com and Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc.
TheFireStore.com, a division of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., offers product lines from more than 400 manufacturers. Distribution channels include two globally recognized e-commerce sites, TheFireStore.com and OfficerStore.com, four retail locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, plus a large regional direct sales force made up primarily of experienced firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Witmer Public Safety Group's motto is Equipping Heroes™ and this continues as they extend their commitment to provide the industry's best equipment and supplies to the professional men and women who serve to ensure the public's safety. For additional information, please call (800) 852-6088 or visit www.TheFireStore.com.
About Foxfire
Foxfire® is a flagship brand of MN8 Products, a firefighter owned company offering energy efficient and eco-friendly products utilizing breakthrough advanced illumination technology. Foxfire product offerings, developed for the fire safety industry, have earned a reputation for safety, high quality and performance-proven. This is readily apparent in Foxfire’s photoluminescent helmet bands, coating kits, grip wrap and other products. The company is headquartered in Loveland, Ohio, located in the northeastern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit www.mn8products.com.
Link: http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/emergency-lighting/press-releases/1081573-Foxfire-Demos-Live-at-Baltimore-MD-Firehouse-Expo/
TheFireStore® Introduces Foxfire® Illuminating Fire Safety Products at Firehouse Expo, Booth 844
Posted: Wed, 07/20/2011 - 10:40pm
Updated: Wed, 07/20/2011 - 10:40pm
..COATESVILLE, PA, July 20, 2011—TheFireStore.com, a division of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company, has teamed with MN8 Products, a developer of revolutionary photoluminescent products to introduce Foxfire® illuminating fire safety products to area firefighters. Foxfire will be demonstrated during the Firehouse Expo being held in Baltimore, MD July 21-23, 2011.
Foxfire products are changing the field of firefighting in keeping firefighters safe. To help firefighters face the top danger of disorientation, the product line utilizes an advanced photoluminescent technology that absorbs and stores light and then releases it as a bright luminance in the dark. Unlike high visibility colors and reflective striping that require an external light to be seen, Foxfire products act as their own light emitter. This is especially important considering that firefighters typically operate in very dark environments.
"I've been a firefighter for a long time, and I've been selling public safety gear for almost 20 years, said Jim Witmer, Founder and CEO of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. "I haven't seen many products with so much potential to make firefighters safer, and our gear so much easier to track. We're really excited to be a partner with MN8 Products in introducing Foxfire."
When fully charged (by any light source), Foxfire products can glow for up to 17 hours. The Foxfire product line contains illuminating helmet bands; equipment bands; colored grip wrap for tools and epoxy paint kits for axes, ladders and other tools.
"One of the main dangers a firefighter faces is disorientation in dark and smoky environments," says Zach Green, President of MN8 Products, the company behind Foxfire. "With Foxfire, firefighters can reduce the danger of disorientation as well as keep track of their crews and equipment in dark environments."
"This incredible new photo-illuminating technology is going to change the way firefighters see their gear, find their way around, and see each other in the darkest, smokiest environments," said Witmer. "Foxfire products don't just glow in the dark, they get so bright they actually light up the area around them. It has the potential to make us all safer. And we're very excited to partner with MN8 Products to bring this cutting edge technology to our customers"
Foxfire products are available through TheFireStore's team of Direct Salesmen serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. Products may also be purchased online at www.thefirestore.com.
To arrange a demonstration or to purchase Foxfire products, contact TheFireStore at (800) 852-6088 or go online to TheFireStore.com.
About TheFireStore.com and Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc.
TheFireStore.com, a division of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., offers product lines from more than 400 manufacturers. Distribution channels include two globally recognized e-commerce sites, TheFireStore.com and OfficerStore.com, four retail locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, plus a large regional direct sales force made up primarily of experienced firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Witmer Public Safety Group's motto is Equipping Heroes™ and this continues as they extend their commitment to provide the industry's best equipment and supplies to the professional men and women who serve to ensure the public's safety. For additional information, please call (800) 852-6088 or visit www.TheFireStore.com.
About Foxfire
Foxfire® is a flagship brand of MN8 Products, a firefighter owned company offering energy efficient and eco-friendly products utilizing breakthrough advanced illumination technology. Foxfire product offerings, developed for the fire safety industry, have earned a reputation for safety, high quality and performance-proven. This is readily apparent in Foxfire's photoluminescent helmet bands, coating kits, grip wrap and other products. The company is headquartered in Loveland, Ohio, located in the northeastern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit www.mn8products.com.
http://www.firehouse.com/news/industry-wire/thefirestore-introduces-foxfire-illuminating-fire-safety-products-firehouse-expo-
Foxfire offers products in multiple illuminating colors
MN8 Products, a leading developer and distributor of high performance glow-in-the-dark products for the fire safety industry, introduces color technology to its Foxfire® product line, with the launch of its photoluminescent grip wrap in multiple daytime and “glow” colors.
“The ability to have multiple colors in both the light and dark is one of the most significant developments in the photoluminescent field,” said Zachary Green, president of MN8 Products. “This capability provides considerable value to firefighters by allowing them to differentiate between tools; crews; roles and responsibilities; and identify primary versus secondary searched sectors.”
For more information visit www.mn8products.com.
Article Link:
http://www.carolinafirejournal.com/articles/article-detail/articleid/1614/fire-news-receive-college-credit-for-your-fire-service-certifications-or-pro-board-certifications.aspx
The Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal reviewed Foxfire's helmet and equipment bands in the June 2011 issue. Story link and summary is below:
http://www.carolinafirejournal.com/articles/article-detail/articleid/1600/product-review-foxfire-illuminating-firefighting-helmet-scba.aspx
Product Review: Foxfire illuminating firefighting helmet and SCBA bands
By David Hesselmeyer
07/05/2011 -
| Recently I was contacted by a representative from MN8 Products. She asked if I would be willing to review their illuminating helmet band and their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus band. I was intrigued to find out more so I agreed. |
|
Research
First, I had to find out about the name of the company. So I figured MN8 was a play on words for emanate. So off to the dictionary I went. I found that emanate is a verb and is defined as “to emit or send out.” So needless to say I was even more intrigued at this point.
Next, I had to look at their Web site, www.mn8products.com., to learn more. I found that they make various products that use a photoluminescence to provide long lasting illumination. They claimed that their products charge from any light source and can stay charged up to 17 hours. They also claim that their products can recharge indefinitely.
The Package
I received the package and found the helmet band and the SCBA band as promised. The bands felt stretchy such as rubber bands would feel. However, the greenish color was very bright just by looking at it straight from the box. Both bands were plain except for the FoxFire name and emblem. Also it was explained in their paperwork that the SCBA band could be used on other equipment such as fire extinguishers.
General Impressions
The first thing I decided to do with both bands was to expose them to about one hour worth of light from inside a building. After that I cut them off from any lights. After approximately 10 hours without charging from any light source I returned to find that both bands were still illuminated well.
Helmet Band
At that point I installed the helmet band onto my Cairns 1044. I replaced my rubber helmet band with this FoxFire helmet band. I experienced no trouble in using this band on this helmet. I also tried it onto a Cairns 1010 and did not have any problems. The helmet band did allow for me to put my helmet light and a couple plastic wedges without major stretching or damage.
I took the helmet to several locations in the light and in the dark and noticed that the band did illuminate the area well. This included when the helmet was still somewhat exposed to outside light. The helmet already had an illuminating shine. In the dark it was very bright and illuminated the area very well.
SCBA Band
I also placed the SCBA band on a newer Scott 2216 bottle in a pack on Engine 1 at my firehouse. Unfortunately for this review we did not have any structure-related fires during this period. However, during this period I did do standard tests such as taking the SCBA into dark rooms and found that it was just as illuminating as the helmet band.
The Scott air bottles have a reflective stripe on them already. With a couple fires under their belt the reflective area was somewhat darkened. The FoxFire SCBA band was brighter than the factory reflective band on the bottle. Additional review would have to be done to determine how the band on the SCBA would react after being exposed to several fires as the bottle had been.
Overall
I have come to like the helmet and SCBA bands from FoxFire (MN8 Products). The helmet band seemed to be easily inputted without any hassle. The SCBA band worked well but would like to see additional time pass with exposure to several fires and see the difference between the bottle reflection and the FoxFire band.
If you are interested in these products I encourage you or your department to go to their Web site and contact MN8 Products to find out more and see if these products are right for you and your fire department.
David Hesselmeyer has over 11 years experience in fire and EMS. Hesselmeyer works for the Public Health Regional Surveillance (PHRST) Team 3 out of Cumberland County as a Regional Emergency Management Planner. He can be reached at
dhesselmeyer@yahoo.com
Summary of profile that appeared in Soapb!x Cincinnati:
Foxfire helps firefighters with smoke vision
Former Eli Lilly sales manager and volunteer firefighter Zachary Green started
MN8 Products, which makes Foxfire high intensity photo luminescent (glow in the dark) coatings and products for firefighters, in 2010.
Green, a Marine Corps veteran, worked in the corporate world for 18 years, first for SAP and then later for Eli Lilly. He had been at Lilly for eight years when the economic recession hit. His choice: move to Indianapolis or take a corporate buyout during one of the worst recessions in history.
"I'm not the type of guy that's meant to be in a cube," says Green.
As a volunteer firefighter, Green saw an opportunity to use the glow technology to coat equipment that firefighters use in the dark. "I had put the coating on my helmet and then used it in a fire," he says. "The other firefighters were amazed at how effective it was and wanted to use it on their helmets. I knew we were on to something."
Three of the top risks faced by firefighters are visibility, accountability and disorientation. Foxfire illumination helps firefighters keep track of their tools and each other in a dark, smoky fire. The turning point for Green was the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, the largest conference and tradeshow for firefighters, which welcomes 34,000 firefighters every year.
"We were the busiest booth in the tradeshow," Green says. "We ran out of product samples three times and had to send people back to Cincinnati to get more." That month, the company received over $85,000 in orders, beginning a trend that hasn't stopped.
The new challenge is managing a startup that is growing really quickly – and keeping enough cash in hand to turn around orders. Green has self-financed his company and has used a line of credit to manage the time between manufacturing product and getting payments from customers.
"My training from the Marine Corps taught me to always plan for the worst case scenario, so I had contingency plans for how to manage large, unexpected orders," Green says.
Despite the anxiety that comes with starting a new company in a down economy, Green has no regrets. "I'm having the time of my life."
By Elizabeth Edwards
http://www.soapboxmedia.com/startupnews/071211foxfire.aspx