March 2005 Industry News

Medtec Ambulance Corporation (www.medtecambulance.com), a leading North American manufacturer of custom ambulance vehicles, announced that Pro-Fire Equipment LLC (Pro-Fire) has accepted dealer sales and service responsibility for the states of Tennessee and Alabama for Medtec ambulances and Pierce and Contender fire apparatus, in addition to its current responsibility for Arkansas and Mississippi. Pro-Fire has been a Medtec and Pierce dealer since 2000, offering 24/7 service for the fire and emergency services with facilities in Olive Branch, MS, and Memphis, TN. New sales and service centers are planned for Birmingham, AL, and eastern Tennessee. Pro-Fire can be reached at 866/477-6347 or www.pro-fire.com…

Through an existing relationship with the Feed the Children organization, Best Manufacturing, a manufacturer of medical and industrial gloves (www.bestglove.com), is doing its part to support those affected by the deadly tsunami in Southeast Asia with a donation of almost two million gloves to rescue workers in desperate need of both disposable medical exam gloves and general purpose work gloves. At publication time, Best has delivered 1,947,180 pairs of disposable nitrile exam gloves, as well as a variety of high-performance chemical and cut-resistant work gloves in two truckloads to Feed the Children’s distribution center in Nashville, TN. Best pledges to continue to support clean-up and rebuilding efforts for as long as necessary…FSI North America, a division of Fire Safety International, Inc., announced a February move into new manufacturing, warehousing and office facilities, expandable to 100,000 sq. ft. over the next five years. FSI manufactures and distributes a complete range of EMS supplies, rescue rafts, gear bags, firefighting equipment, etc., including WMD/decon/hazmat shelter and shower systems and accessories for mobile, fixed and portable (both air-inflatable and pop-up/rigid frame) units. FSI says the move to 311 Abbe Road, Sheffield Lake, OH, 44054 increases their capability to meet dramatic growth demands for all products, both domestically and in the world export markets. For more information, please visit www.fsinorth.com or call 440/949-2400…

Philips Medical Systems is working closely with its authorized distributors to assist Access Cardiosystems customers, left unsupported in the wake of that company’s abrupt closure, through discounts, trade-in offers and deferred financing. Demo equipment may also be available for purchase. Philips will help Access customers transition their early defibrillation programs to Philips HeartStart Defibrillators with a variety of products and services to ensure they are in place and ready to go when needed. (Not available for HeartStart Home Defibrillator.) Call 800/453-6860, ext. 3023, for more…

American LaFrance announces the debut of Eagles Landing, a website offering nearly 50 items of American LaFrance merchandise for purchase, giving the public access to apparel and other items featuring the authentic fire brand. Eagles Landing launched in December at www.americanlafrance.com, followed by a catalog in January. Products include men’s and women’s clothing and gift items, mostly ranging from $1–$50, including a 2005 American LaFrance calendar, which features vehicles produced for fire stations throughout the U.S. Phone orders are also accepted at 800/735-3920.