NEW CASTLE, PA, Sep 08, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- On August 30, Neshannock, Pa. Township Police Patrolman Matt Seamans and Fire Captain David Congini arrived on scene as smoke billowed from the front and side doors of a New Castle, Pa. home. Using ARA Safety's FIT-5, the men were able to work together and take immediate action to control the basement fire until additional members from the Neshannock Fire Department arrived.

Knowing that basement fires are the most dangerous for firefighters to control, Seamans and Congini -- thinking on their feet -- recalled that the fire department recently purchased the FIT-5, a new handheld fire interruption device in their first response toolkit. Seamans grabbed the device from the truck and quickly handed it to Captain Congini, who deployed it through the basement stairwell.

Two minutes later, nine firefighters from the Neshannock Fire Department arrived and entered the home with a thermal imaging camera to find that the FIT-5 had brought the room temperature down to less than 130 degrees and smothered the flames (according to the U.S. Fire Administration, the average home fire burns at temperatures upwards of 600 degrees). The crew then extinguished one small remaining fire in a basement closet with only one gallon of water, which is less than 500 - 1000 times the amount that would have been needed without the use of the FIT-5.

"First responders on scene have to act fast, so when we got there and realized we had this new tool we thought 'hey, let's give this thing a shot'," Captain Congini said of the deployment. "We're very impressed with the results and have already ordered a replacement for the one we used this weekend."

The FIT-5 deployment in New Castle is the fifth in the U.S. since its debut in late 2007. Currently, 37 fire departments across the country are equipped to use the device to extinguish structure fires. The powerful new technology is gaining national recognition as a valuable tool that helps firefighters suppress fires safely and efficiently.

"We're seeing communities across the country embrace this technology and each is equally impressed with the human and financial impacts it can provide," said Michael Gardiner, director of marketing, ARA Safety. "We look forward to more successful deployments where the FIT-5 will continue to help firefighters save lives and reduce property loss."

About ARA Safety

ARA Safety is a world leader in innovative fire and life safety technology. ARA Safety's revolutionary Fire Interruption Technology (FIT) fire knock down tool is saving lives and reducing property loss in cities and towns across North America.

ARA Safety's fire and life safety technologies also include the Zero Combustion line of fire proof sprays, paints and coatings, and its world leading line of Photoluminescent products. ARA Safety's technologies have been used by NASA, the Pentagon, the United States Military and are featured prominently on the Vancouver Shangri-La. ARA Safety Inc. is based in Vancouver, Canada. To learn more about ARA Safety visit, www.arasafety.com

SOURCE: ARA Safety