November 7, 1996 - Pala Indian Reservation Fire Suppression and Demonstrations
FIRECAT successfully completes fire suppression tests and demonstrations on Pala Indian Reservation near San Diego, CA
Pala, CA. FAV, Inc., announces that its prototype Fire Attack Vehicle (FAV), undergoing field trials at the Pala Indian Reservation located in northern San Diego County, successfully extinguished two (2) (controlled-burn) brush fires this morning without the use of water or chemicals.
Employing a totally new fire suppression method, the fire-proofed FAV attacks an active fire line flank. It slashes a path while simultaneously employing high pressure air to blow heat (and fine combustible particles necessary for the fire to propagate) back into the already-burned area. Thus deprived of heat and new fuel, the advancing fire is extinguished in a continuous process without water or chemicals. To operate in smoke and night conditions, the FAV employs a heat sensitive infrared camera and on-board monitors. A very wide fire break is the only evidence of the FIRECAT's path.
FAV announces that it has negotiated an Emergency Equipment Rental Agreement with the U.S. Forestry Service for active fire line suppression employing FAV's prototype Fire Attack Vehicle. FAV, Inc., is also negotiating a rental agreement with the California Division of Forestry to deploy the prototype FAV, dubbed FIRECAT during the development stage, to suppress fire lines and cut pre-suppression fire breaks during test burns in the coming weeks.
FAV also announces that it has begun actively searching for a local fire department for a joint venture to train Fire Attack Vehicle operators for the coming fire season. Trainee operators will be profitably utilized by FAV for cutting pre-suppression fire breaks. The environmentally friendly Fire Attack Vehicle cuts fire breaks without dozing the ground surface by slashing away brush and chaparral a few inches above the ground. Native plant root structures are left intact, thus eliminating future erosion and re-seeding expense.
FAV is also working with the SBA, under the Furmanian Business Institute, Point Loma Nazarene College, utilizing senior business students to undertake a search for government grant development funds for the Fire Attack Vehicle project, which up to now, has been privately funded. The FAV will be featured on an up-coming "Beyond 2000" television show, a science and technology program which airs on the Discovery Channel. Filming for the segment was completed during the last week of September at the Pala Indian Reservation in San Diego County. The Popular Mechanics program Invention and the program The Next Step, have both requested permission to feature FAV company video of the experimental Fire Attack Vehicle in action on future programs. Both air on the Discovery Channel.
FAV, Inc., is a privately traded, two (2) year-old Nevada corporation formed specifically to develop the Fire Attack Vehicle. Nineteen U.S. patents will issue Dec. 16, 1996. CEO is Rick W. White. Video and photographs are available. Contact FAV Marketing, Inc. Phone: (954) 600-3826 or e-mail: royhamilton@thefirecat.com