BFFD receives VIKING gear
-- Photo by SARAH JENKINS Chief Warkentin presents the Phenix and VIKING representatives with BFFD gear in appreciation for their award.
—Photo by SARAH JENKINS Chief Warkentin, Grant Grinstead of VIKING and Angel Sanchez, Jr. of Phenix Fire Helmets enjoy a conversation over dinner.
-- Photo by SARAH JENKINS Cake decorated by Mrs. Matt Solt to recognize each sponsor's contribution to the award.
—Photo by SARAH JENKINS VIKING and the Bonners Ferry Fire Department enjoyed tossing out the new uniforms.
—Photo by SARAH JENKINS Time to try on the new uniforms.
—Photo by SARAH JENKINS Matt Solt inspects the new suit designed to “shake off” any contaminated particles from a fire. The outer shell of the turnout is intended to come off at the scene to enable the the firefighter and vehicle to remain uncontaminated.
—Photo by SARAH JENKINS Phenix Fire Helmets representative, Angel Sanchez Jr. demonstrates how the new helmets differ from traditional helmets.
—Photo by SARAH JENKINS Phenix representative, Angel Sanchez and VIKING representative, Grant Grinstead with the BFFD in their new Shake it off gear.
BONNERS FERRY — The men who volunteer to protect the homes and businesses are not only dedicated to this community — they can also dance.
On April 1, they entered Viking’s Shake it Off Challenge which consisted of producing a two-minute or less dance video in length to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”. The competition was open to any U..S fire department. The winner was announced at the Indy on Fire, April 22.
“Only the bravest of the brave showed up to dance,” said Chief Pat Warkentin when asked who showed up for the challenge.
The One Day Wonders took approximately 15 minutes practicing their choreographed dance. With help from Ilona Rosengrant with choreography, Andre Rosengrant with editing, John Savage with video, and Julie Colson with video, the department’s entry was ready to send by the April 1 deadline.
Bonners Ferry Fire Department team, calling themselves “the One Day Wonders,” shook their way to first place.
The BFFD was awarded $52,000 worth of turnout equipment, enough to outfit 10 firefighters. According to the Viking site, extraordinary prize consisted of 10 brand new MACS suits that are complete with Phenix fire helmets, Black Diamond boots, Majestic Fire Apparel hoods and gloves, and the glove straps made by Leatherhead Concepts. The 10 MACS suits are the top of the line in fire fighting equipment.
What is a MACS? A MACS is a multi attachment configuration system VIKING produces, which enables emergency personnel to personalize. According to the VIKING website, the military-inspired system allows for performance enhancing accessories, for example loops, to assist the firefighter to perform at their best without their gear interfering.
The configuration of the the new gear allows for the firefighter to focus on the fire, not battle with their gear. Detachable internal knee pads and ergonomic pre-bent elbows and knees are just some of the features of the state of the art gear. Along with the flexible design, VIKING has reinforced any key areas -- shoulders, elbow and cuffs with Kevlar. Kevlar is used as a reinforcement because it contains many inter-chain bonds that allows this synthetic fiber to be extremely strong.
VIKING is a worldwide company that was founded in 1960 that has 56 years of leadership and innovation in maritime and offshore safety. Their headquarters are in Denmark, although they employ over 2,000 people in over 30 countries. According to their website, they have saved 4,000 lives, 71 branch offices with 260 certified servicing stations.
Monday, Sept. 12 during the department’s weekly fire training, VIKING representative, Grant Grinstead and Phenix Fire Helmets representative, Angel Sanchez, Jr. were present to award the BFFD with their turnout gear.
When asked if the department would try it again, the answer was quick and simple.
“Oh, yeah,” said Warkentin.