More than 100 area firefighters as well as firefighting equipment manufacturers are expected to attend a presentation by Penn State Beaver engineering students at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Pine Run Volunteer Fire Department, Station 59, 1691 Ninth Street Extension, in Freedom, Pa.
The students are members of the Engineering Design course taught by James A. Hendrickson, instructor in engineering at Beaver campus. Working in teams throughout the fall semester, students interviewed 57 Beaver County fire departments and firefighting equipment manufacturers to conduct research on improving and enhancing firefighters’ safety and equipment, including equipment for the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).
In November, Jessika Murray, a sophomore engineering student and team leader, gave a campus-wide presentation on the project, "Design of a RIT Pack for Firefighter Rescue," as part of the Penn State Beaver Fall Faculty Speakers Series. At the presentation, Hendrickson spoke about the value of student teamwork in conducting research.
Fire chiefs and firefighters from across the county, as well as representatives from the Mine Safety Appliances Company and Scott Health and Safety, will attend Thursday’s presentation. Both companies are leading global producers of innovative, enhanced firefighting equipment.
For more information about the event or the students’ project, contact Hendrickson at jah64@psu.edu or 724-773-3859.