First-response gearConcrete-breaching rescue tool available via GSA schedule

Raytheon's CIRT in testing // Source: sclick.net

Raytheon rapid concrete-breaching tool has been added to the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule of products and services available to federal organizations.

The company says its Controlled Impact Rescue Tool (CIRT) is a portable unit designed to aid fire departments, local and federal rescue agencies, and the military services. The tool sends pulverizing shock waves that enable rescuers to breach concrete structures faster than with existing techniques such as drilling, chipping or sawing. Developed under the rapid-technology application program of the DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), CIRT can penetrate concrete walls and barriers quickly, facilitating personnel rescue after disasters. It is a two-person portable tool, actuated by standard powder cartridges, and is capable of breaching a targeted reinforced concrete wall up to four times faster than with traditional methods. Additionally, the force generated by CIRT is concentrated in a localized area on the concrete barrier, minimizing collateral damage and potential destabilization of the surrounding structure.

The company said it has completed a series of CIRT training demonstrations with the Hawaii National Guard and the Virginia National Guard CERF-P Breaching and Breaking Platoons. The tests were, respectively, part of the Makani Pahili 2011 exercise at Bellows Air Force Station on 31 May and a training demonstration at the Virginia Beach, Virginia., TF-2 Fire and Rescue training facility on 16 May. Makani Pahili is an annual statewide joint exercise involving the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii and the State of Hawaii to test and evaluate preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season. During the demonstrations, CIRT breached reinforced concrete panels in less than six minutes and required minimal effort from the training crews.

“We conducted the demonstrations to show that CIRT is an easy, rapid and effective solution to breaching concrete and other barriers,” said Luis Giraldo, program manager for Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems business. “This technology will help improve efforts of urban search and rescue teams by providing new and faster capabilities to help save lives in disaster situations.”

The Yonkers, New York, Fire Department also recently added CIRT to its capability tool kit. The department is expanding the tool’s application beyond fighting fires to include emergency medical care, control of hazardous materials incidents, technical rescue and fire safety education. CIRT will help the department improve its ability to respond to structural collapse events.