A device that uses science to save lives is being added to first responders’ toolkits in the run up to the Republican National Convention. Leslie Thiel, director of training for Fire Suppression Solutions, spoke to WISN 12 News on Tuesday about preparing Milwaukee Police to deploy fire suppression tools if a fire breaks out during the Republican National Convention. “We did a training session last week for Milwaukee Police on fire suppression tools, and they’re using it in 2020, so if a fire breaks out during the Republican National Convention, they can use this tool, and it’s a product that can buy firefighters time to get to the scene,” Thiel said. The Wisconsin-based company has been equipping first responders with fire suppression tools (FSTs) for years. When thrown into a fire, the high-tech device releases chemicals that help put out the flames within seconds, often putting out the fire before firefighters arrive. Thiel, a former Milwaukee Police Deputy Chief, said the Milwaukee Police Tactical Unit is equipped with these devices. Milwaukee police used FSTs in December 2020, when looters set fire to a Walgreens at Dr. King and Locust streets amid ongoing riots, according to Thiel. “If we ever get to a point where a fire spreads to a store or a vehicle, they could use that,” Thiel said of the device used at the Republican National Convention. Some area police departments, including Milwaukee Police, also use Wisconsin-based company’s Stay Safe product, which is a handheld extinguisher that can be carried on a tactical belt. “Having an additional tool that officers can have at their fingertips when there are lots of people and closures and things like that, it will help them and the public,” Thiel said. Milwaukee Police did not comment on how many FSTs or Stay Safe extinguishers it has. Fire Suppression Solutions said several area police departments, including the FBI, use the device.
A device that uses science to save lives will be added to the toolkit of emergency responders at the Republican National Convention.
Leslie Teal, training director for Fire Suppression Solutions, spoke to WISN 12 News on Tuesday about preparing Milwaukee Police officers to deploy fire suppression tools in case a fire breaks out during the Republican National Convention.
“We did a training session last week for the Milwaukee Police Department on fire extinguishing tools. They’ve used this tool in 2020, so if a fire breaks out during the Republican National Convention, they’ll be able to use this tool and it will allow time for firefighters to get on scene,” Thiel said.
The Wisconsin-based company has been equipping firefighters for years with its Fire Suppression Tools (FSTs), high-tech devices that, when thrown into a fire, release chemicals that help put out the blaze within seconds, often putting out the blaze before firefighters can arrive.
Thiel, a former Milwaukee police deputy chief, said the Milwaukee Police Department’s tactical units are equipped with the devices.
Thiel said MPD used FST during riots in December 2020 when looters set fire to a Walgreens at Dr. King and Locust streets.
“If there was an event where a store or vehicle caught fire, that could be used,” Thiel said of the device used at the Republican National Convention.
Some local police departments, including MPD, also have access to a Wisconsin-based company’s Stay Safe product, which is a handheld fire extinguisher that can be carried on a tactical belt.
“Given the volume of resources and closures and things like that, having additional tools at the officers’ fingertips would be helpful for both the officers themselves and the public,” Thiel said.
Milwaukee Police would not comment on how many FST (StaySafe) extinguishers it has, but Fire Suppression Solutions said several area police departments, including the FBI, use the extinguishers.
