Firefighters across the country are battling intense flames using fire hoses made in Pennsylvania, writes Christie Ileto for 6abc.
Snap-tite Hose, with factories in Erie and Union City, has been making fire fighting hoses for over half a century. The company’s products are used throughout the nation, including in the Philadelphia region.
Before shipment, the hoses undergo rigorous testing, including a “burst test,” in which pressurized water is pumped through each hose to ensure it meets or exceeds safety standards.
“So it again is another way that we ensure that the quality going out of our warehouse is second to none,” said Snap-tite CEO Jim Novinsky.
The first major department in the country to equip all of its engines with Snap-tite’s firefighting hose was the Philadelphia Fire Department.
According to Lieutenant Ryan Tredenick, the protective outer layer is crucial.
He noted that is allows them to have direct flame contact on the hose without it burning through.
“Sometimes these fires, these temperatures can range up to 2000 degrees,” added Captain Corey Hullings. “It’s providing us greater safety capability and ultimate confidence…that it’s not going to fail us when we’re in there doing our job.”
Click through to 6abc to see how a Pennsylvania-made product is playing a life-saving role on the front lines of firefighting across the country.
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