Cutting edge solutions: Weber Rescue Systems showcases smart rescue equipment

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The slogan “Let’s create future” has been WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS’ motto for quite some time. With the presentation of the new battery tool series at Interschutz 2022, the slogan has at last been realised. The innovative rescue equipment manufacturer demonstrates how digitalisation and networking – the leading theme of the trade fair – are also making their way into the fire department.

Just in time for the firefighting international trade fair, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is presenting the new SMART-FORCE tool series, which marks a milestone in rescue tool technology. Revolutionary cutting technologies, high-performance batteries from Milwaukee and the use of smart additional functions will make accident rescue significantly faster and more efficient in the future. In addition to digitalisation, underwater use, service and training are also taken into consideration with the new product series.

Intelligent rescue

With the introduction of the new device series, smart functions are integrated into the rescue device itself for the first time. The SMART-FORCE devices enable communication via WLAN/UMTS connection and offer numerous additional functions for device control and management within their own app, including a pressure display, a training and theft mode, and the ability to analyse the current device status.

“Visitors to Interschutz can look forward to a wealth of new possibilities here, which we will be demonstrating live at our booth,” says Patrick Allinger, Product Manager responsible for the smart features of the new rescue equipment.

In recent years, battery-powered devices have become the standard in firefighting technology, proving over time that they are in no way inferior to hose-bound devices. By switching to the Milwaukee M18 High-Output battery technology, this offers a major advantage for rescue forces as one battery can be used for all operations currently across the range of 17 SMART-FORCE rescue tools from WEBER RESCUE and over 200 compatible Milwaukee tools.

Additionally, thanks to a robust, waterproof and dustproof housing, the new devices are submersible regardless of whether it is fresh, salt or dirty water, thanks to the IP 68 design. This enables work even under extreme conditions, such as high water or vehicle recovery under water.

Smooth Cut technology

In addition to the SMART-FORCE devices, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is presenting a new cutter series with innovative cutting technology at Interschutz.

“The new SMOOTH CUT technology represents a quantum leap in cutting performance,” explains Product Manager Hannes Buchner. It allows us to ensure quiet, low-stress and therefore safe cutting performance with low weight.” The new technology has now also enabled the device capable of cutting through the strongest standard material F7 according to the American NFPA 1936 standard.

The new shape of the blade inserts means that only one roll pin needs to be changed. “This saves time and money. The Plus blade inserts can be changed by anyone in one minute directly at the point of use, and immediately resume working,” Buchner points out.

WEBER RESCUE continues to rely on forged blades that can withstand extreme loads. The forging process pre-shapes the material in the direction of the load, meaning the risk of blade breakage is greatly reduced even under extreme stress.

The new extreme U-shape makes it possible to grip the vehicle pillar even better, featuring an acute angle making them even sharper with two continuous teeth bite into the material and hold it at the pivot point during cutting.

Systemised crashing

The crash system presented as part of this year’s roadshow, the WEBER RESCUE Experience Tour, will also be presented to an international audience for the first time at Interschutz.

In co-operation with the S-GARD SAFETY TOUR, practice vehicles will be crashed live on the outdoor exhibition area. The crash system can be used to realistically recreate various scenarios for exercises. In addition to frontal, side and rear impacts on passenger cars, accident patterns on larger vehicles such vans and truck cabs can also be simulated. This is designed to make the exercises more realistic and optimally prepares firefighters for accidents like those that happen every day on our roads.

Flexible applications

Other product highlights from WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS at the show include the Handvario RIT-Tool, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS’ recently developed hand-operated combination tool for rapid intervention teams (RIT) which functions completely independent of a power supply with hose or battery, enabling flexibility. The interchangeable tips and a wide range of accessories make it suitable for use in a variety of situations, from opening doors to pulling loads or pushing away obstacles.

The device can also be used under water up to a depth of 25 meters and its small size makes it easy to stow away and quick to deploy. Optimum cutting performance is ensured via high strength, forged lightweight blades. For user-friendly operation, the headpiece can be rotated 360-degrees.

The company is also promoting its compact battery-powered unit with an XL-sized hydraulic oil tank, which features a usable volume of five litres and allows the operation of any equipment combination. In Eco mode, the unit can run for up to ten hours and a connection to the external continuous power supply is also available.

Digital solutions

Digitalisation has long been a core topic for WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS. To drive development in this area, a separate subsidiary was founded – RESCUE DIGITAL SYSTEMS GmbH. The company develops individual and easy-to-use apps and software applications in the areas of: alerting, administration, training, accident prevention, rescue and many more.

The new product configurator for the RIT tool makes it possible to configure necessary accessories such as battery and tips as well as additional gadgets online. From this, a pdf document is automatically created, which can be sent to WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS as a request with one click.

With WEBER RESCUE System’s seismographic measurement via app, RETTERSeismo, vibrations and movements are detected via smartphone, enabling an early acoustic warning of the emergency forces in the event of uncontrolled changes in the situation. In addition, the data can also be evaluated for training purposes. The app’s multimode makes it possible to network up to 16 sensors that are attached to the object and track the operation or exercise in detail using mobile, providing data for handling the patient during the rescue of persons from buildings or accident vehicles and is a valuable support for the training of aid organisations.

Remote learning

Coronavirus and social distancing have shown that e-learning is an ideal complement to the training of rescue workers. WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS offers two platforms that are also available as an app: RETTERAcademy and WEBER RESCUE Academy

RETTERAcademy, the individual e-learning platform, allows organisations to create their own e-learning platform. In addition to creating their own learning content, the layout can also be customised to suit the organisation in question, with customisable colours or logos able to be selected to ensure a unique appearance. In the backend, organisation’s own courses, videos, knowledge tests and certificates can be stored. The courses and videos can be completed independently of time.

WEBER RESCUE Academy, the learning platform, provides courses, expert videos and materials on various WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS topics. This content can be purchased via the WEBER RESCUE online store and accessed in the individuals own account. A certificate of participation is issued upon completion of a course. WEBER RESCUE Academy and RETTERAcademy are also available as APP.

On WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS RETTER AR application, training takes place in a virtual environment. Exercises and scenarios such as a head-on car collision, a rear-end collision or a house fire can be projected into the real environment and trained without any risk. In addition, technical data on the respective equipment used can be called up. With the Pro version, it will soon also be possible to connect to multiple devices.

Raising the alarm

Finally, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is showcasing its RETTERAlarm offers a perfect supplement to alerting via radio detectors or the siren. RETTERAlarm makes it possible to alert emergency forces individually, in groups, or even subsequently again in a targeted manner, via either push notification, e-mail, SMS or voice call as appropriate to each emergency worker. It also offers other practical tools such as calendar for events or training services, readiness query, chat function, integration of smart home, alarm monitors for the fire station.

As an extension of RETTERAlarm, ZEUS offers even more efficient, comprehensive and detailed mission management. The display of situation maps as well as the display of deployment plans is possible. ZEUS offers the possibility to make an operation documentation, which can be used afterwards for the operation report. 

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

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