FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Northampton Fire Department has recently taken delivery of three ultra-violet light emitters to help increase the safety of their personnel and improving the quality of service provided to the community. This equipment is the smallest yet most powerful commercial grade ultraviolet room sanitizer on the market. Due to its size, it is ideal for sanitizing ambulances, fire apparatus, office areas, bathrooms, lockers, garages, restroom stalls, kitchens, small offices, showers, closets, and much more.
This equipment is light weight but has a significant positive impact killing bacteria, virus and mold. This ultraviolet light technology is also fully remote controlled for added ease and safety of our personnel.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) transmissions continue to be occurring in fire stations, according to a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can lead to severe infections and is associated with approximately 19,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Community-acquired (CA) MRSA infections are on the rise, and outbreaks of such infections have occurred among previously healthy individuals on school and professional sports teams, in day care centers, jails, and the military. Risk factors for CA-MRSA include shared personal care products, frequent skin-to-skin contact, skin abrasions and crowded living conditions. Fire personnel interact with both hospital and community population as part of their job and thus have the potential for exposure to MRSA from both sources
The Ultraviolet technology packages a versatile, hand-held device designed for rapid and thorough decontamination of surfaces. The user slowly passes the device closely over the contaminated surface area, allowing the energy from the very high output UVC Emitter to rapidly decontaminate all types of surfaces in as little as 3 seconds. An aluminum safety shield prevents direct exposure to the ultraviolet light energy, while also adding reflectance that increases the light’s effectiveness. The Department has two standing units that can be placed in any rooms or apparatus for use in addition to one hand held unit to capture areas that may be remote and not accessible by other means.
This equipment may be used in any type of residential, commercial, industrial or institutional building to provide a fast-acting, portable method of decontaminating tabletops, walls, countertops, public seating, beds railings and all other surfaces rapidly destroying C. difficile spores, MRSA, Klebsiella, VRE, Norovirus, Acinetobacter, Salmonella, E.coli and all other microbes, fungus and mold in just seconds.
Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Marchand researched this equipment and concept and brought it forward to the Administration for consideration and implementation. This technology is the first of its kind in the area for the fire service and pre-hospital EMS services. The Northampton Fire Department is thankful and proud of Firefighter/Paramedic Marchand for this innovative idea to help improve the quality and level of service to all our personnel and the community.
Media Contact: Deputy Chief Norris Release Date: 01/07/2015