Be a part of the highly anticipated FDIC International 2024, the year’s most anticipated expo for the firefighting and emergency response community.

This year’s event is set to be a remarkable experience, featuring Ricochet Gear’s display of groundbreaking updates and fresh additions to our product line. Get ready to explore the forefront of technology, unmatched craftsmanship, and solutions tailored to enhance your journey. Swing by our booth to converse with our team, check out our newest products, and experience the exceptional quality that sets Ricochet Gear apart. 

We look forward to seeing you at the Ricochet booth, #2301, for one of four training sessions with 3M. Attendance comes with the chance to win some great prizes. No sign-up or RSVP necessary. 

Use the button to learn more about FDIC 2024, including what you can win!

In an ambitious stride towards enhancing firefighter safety and operational efficacy, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is at the forefront of standardization, adapting to the latest scientific advancements and technological innovations. The NFPA's quintennial review has led to the groundbreaking integration of key standards into the comprehensive NFPA 1970. This consolidation encompasses NFPA 1971's turnout gear, NFPA 1981's self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), NFPA 1975's station/work uniforms, and NFPA 1982's personal alert safety systems (PASS), setting a new benchmark for regulatory coherence and applicability.

The rationale behind NFPA 1970 is to streamline compliance processes, enhance product functionality, and solidify firefighter health and safety protocols through a unified regulatory framework. Anticipated to launch in August 2024, this standard mandates adherence to updated certification requirements for new products, while offering an 18-month grace period for existing products to align with the new specifications.

Crucially, NFPA 1970 addresses contemporary challenges by mandating particulate-blocking hoods and advancing regulations on harmful substances like PFAS, ensuring gear cleanability and contamination resistance. This initiative not only facilitates a seamless transition for manufacturers but significantly elevates protection standards, reinforcing the NFPA's commitment to safeguarding firefighters' well-being in an ever-evolving operational landscape.

Ricochet proudly sponsored and participated in the prestigious F.I.E.R.O. PPE Symposium held in Greenville, SC, from March 17-20, 2024. This event marked a significant milestone in the fire industry's ongoing quest for excellence, featuring a dynamic lineup of over 40 presentations. Esteemed researchers, industry veterans, union representatives, and firefighting personnel specializing in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shared their invaluable insights. The diverse range of topics covered crucial aspects such as PPE performance, contamination control, PFAs, maintenance, alternative gear options, and much more, providing a comprehensive overview of current challenges and advancements.

The symposium served as a pivotal platform for sharing knowledge and fostering discussions aimed at enhancing product performance, safety standards, and firefighters' overall well-being. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to F.I.E.R.O.'s President Robert Tutterow, Jessica Pickett, and their dedicated team for their exceptional efforts in organizing this enriching event. Their commitment to assembling a diverse group of knowledgeable speakers has significantly contributed to the discourse on PPE's future.

*F.I.E.R.O. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, organization which operates under the guidance of an all-volunteer Board of Directors comprised of members with a rich history in the fire service. F.I.E.R.O. exists to improve firefighter health and safety and accomplishes this through educational conferences and workshops and participation on research projects. In the past five years, we have partnered with the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation to study contamination control and with N.C. State University to study heat strain caused by personal protective equipment (PPE).