American Security Today May 2017 Digital Magazine American Security Today May 2017 Digital Magazine | Page 40

Volume 12
May 2017 Edition
The final challenge which proved to be the hard-
est, according to Captain Tony Trim, Hazardous
Materials Bureau of MDFRD. tion and heat diffusion.
“To find an appropriate garment that would be
able to handle the abuse of working in a not so
friendly environment such as that found in the
ship cargo holds, cargo containers, and engine
rooms, and still provide the user with the best
chemical protection.” diation Shield Technologies.
“The Demron ICE CBRN suit is a game changer,”
says Ronald DeMeo, MD MBA, the CEO of Ra-
“The Demron ICE PPE is the only self-cooling
suit that can be used in prolonged tactical opera-
tions, while providing uncompromised protection
against Chemical Biological Radiological and
Nuclear Protection,”
Once the suit was developed it was put through
rigorous testing during the joint exercise at Port-
Miami to ensure it would hold up to the demands
of a Maritime Response.
Both exercises were designed to test the capa-
bilities of MDFRD’s potential response to the re-
lease of a Hazardous Material release onboard a
vessel.
During each exercise the Demron ICE suit was
worn by six members of the HazMat team for a
period of approximately 105 minutes without any
interruptions or without any need to break the
seal.
Average temperatures during both events was
approximately 82°+Fahrenheit. Where other PPE
suits would not have been suitable or as effective
A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier with the 329th Chemical Com-
pany based in Orlando, Fla., dons on his Level A personal
protective equipment (Image Credit: Master Sgt. Mark Bell,
Army Reserve)
Working together with the suit manufacturer, Ra-
diation Shield Technologies, the garment was up-
graded to meet the demands for abrasion protec-
as the ICE suit for these missions, the ICE suit
performed well and showed its adaptability and
durability as a rugged, yet flexible protective gar-
ment.
The suit has now been incorporated into the re-
sponse plan of MDFRD as the preferred level of
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