The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/456562
16 Winter 2015 A fpe Last Call's First Priorty WPI receives $75,000 grant to develop fre-resistant hose for frefghters W π From left, David Cyganski, Kathy Crosby-Bell, and Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn at a Sept. 26 grant award ceremony held at Engine 33/Ladder 15 Firehouse in Boston's Back Bay mong the challenges facing frefghters in the 2014 house fre that took the lives of two Boston frefghters was an attack hose that burned through during the nine-alarm blaze. In response to this tragedy, WPI researchers are working to develop a fre-resistant hose. FPE faculty members Kathy Notarianni and research engineer Raymond Ranellone will serve as co-principal investigators on Phase 1 of the project. The team will assess current fre hose standards and performance and investi- gate materials used in high-temperature envi- ronments. The goal is to lay the groundwork for the future production and widespread adoption of a fre-resistant attack hose that is fexible, lightweight, and rugged enough to withstand abrasion and high water pressure. Funding for the project comes from the Last Call Foundation, a nonproft established in memory of fallen frefghter Michael Kennedy. His mother, Kathy Crosby-Bell, founder and president of the Boston-based organization, says, "The Last Call Foundation is committed to providing seed and bridge funding for gifted scientists and their graduate fellows who are the emerging leaders in the feld of Fire Protec- tion Engineering. WPI engineers and scientists work tirelessly to advance the feld of fre safety, and we look forward to supporting them in their work." WPI is the frst recipient of a re- search grant from the foundation. Other Last Call initiatives will fund a comfort and canteen truck for emergency responders and industrial washers and dryers to remove carcinogenic compounds released by smoke from the fre- fghters' gear.