Fire fighting device donated by local insurance company
Posted: Thursday, Jan 21st, 2010

FRANKLIN GROVE — Bradford Victor-Adams Mutual Insurance Company of Franklin Grove recently donated a DSPA (dry sprinkler powder aerosol) to the Franklin Grove and Ashton fire departments. 

This is the same device that the Oregon fire department used during a recent house fire. The technology helped to significantly drop the temperature at a house fire they were battling, which allowed firefighters to enter the building sooner and more safely, thereby reducing the amount of property damage to the home. Statistics show that using as DSPA can reduce the amount of property damage at an average of $80,000.

Pictured above, Kelly Reagan, manager of Bradford Victor-Adams Mutual Insurance Company, of Franklin Grove presents Franklin Grove Fire Chief Pat Hilliker, with an DSPA unit.  (Photo submitted)

“Having the DSPA will allow the fire department to enter the building sooner, call for mutual aid and to save the structure with minimal water damage,” said Ashton firefighter and independent insurance agent Ryan Baylor. “The Ashton Fire Department appreciates the donation and we hope we never have to use it.”

These units are a one-time-use-only piece of equipment, costing approximately $1,000 each.  They have a shelf life of approximately 15 years. Bradford Victor-Adams Mutual hopes that the insurance company covering a home where this new technology is deployed, will cover the cost to replace the unit so it can be on hand for fighting future fires. The company, which has been in business for 140 years, hopes to donate one of these each year to several fire departments in their coverage area.