Brian Cullen from Siemens demonstrates the new FireFinder XLS system that was donated to Chicago’s Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy. (Photo: Business Wire)
CHICAGO — The Chicago Fire Department recognized Siemens and the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Fire Prevention Engineers (SFPE) for donating a new, state of the art, fire alarm panel to the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy. The new system will be used to train the city’s fire fighters on advanced fire alarm technology so they can quickly and safely assess and navigate incidents.
Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago commented, “The key to saving lives and suppressing fires in high-rise buildings is information and communication. This donation allows our members to train in real time on the type of equipment they will see when responding to an active event. We greatly appreciate the addition to our academy.”
Siemens, with its Building Technologies North American business headquartered in Chicagoland, has provided one if its flagship FireFinder® XLS addressable fire alarm system and is training the city’s fire chiefs and those who teach at the training facility. The fire alarm panels in buildings and campuses within Chicago have been transitioning to more modern, addressable control panels. The in-depth training will help to give the Chicago Fire Department the knowledge and ability to properly respond and operate the newer more technologically advanced fire alarm and voice systems.
“We are proud to work with the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers to donate our technology and help train the Chicago Fire Department on the latest fire alarm technology,” said Dave Hopping, President of Siemens’ North American-based Building Technologies Division. “This training will help ensure that the Chicago Fire Department can address the shift in technology that is being implemented in many facilities in the area.”
The Siemens FireFinder XLS systems’ advanced technology allows building owners and operators to ensure occupant safety. If a fire is detected, the command-and-control station is instantly alerted and emergency control operations are engaged, including fire door closure, elevator capture, and air handler shut-off. When first responders arrive, the FireFinder XLS displays the critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions, courtesy of an industry-leading 6-inch, full-color LCD that provides crystal-clear, easy-to-read text on screens color-coded by event type. Floor plans, hazmat icons and available actions are also accessible via intuitive on-screen menus. Additionally, the XLS voice system has the advanced intelligent technology to deliver integrated digital voice command that can make all the difference for faster and easier building evacuation. The voice system is equipped with prerecorded messages and can provide first responder live capabilities to facilitate emergency evacuation.
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