chileThe São Paulo Fire Department has chosen to expand its contract with PBI Max to help its firefighters protect one of the largest and most populous cities in the western hemisphere.

One of the worlds’ most progressive fire brigades, the São Paulo Fire Department requires materials in their turnout gear composite that comply to NFPA 1971 for the best protection and performance for the 44 million residents they serve.

São Paulo firefighters started wearing 6 oz PBI Max after their initial purchase of approximately 1,000 sets of gear delivered in June of 2015. This purchase was followed by an additional 2,000 sets of 6 oz PBI Max that will be delivered at the end of 2015 and into early 2016. The garments will be designed and manufactured locally by Ansell Hércules.

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The PBI Max outer shell is said to offer firefighters "the best combination of break open and thermal protection—in the strongest and most durable PBI outer shell fabric the world has ever seen". Engineered with Filament Twill Technology™, PBI Max provides up to four times greater trap tear strength compared to fabrics made from conventisonal rip-stop technology.

Joey Underwood, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Safety Components, said: "We are proud to be selected as the fabric supplier to the São Paulo Fire Department, and to provide enhanced personal protection to these brave firefighters. We support their long and proud history of protecting their citizens.

"At Safety Components, we are committed to leading the way in the design and manufacture of industry leading personal protective fabrics for firefighting professionals. Providing these fabrics to countries such as Chile and Brazil is integral in driving our success now and in the future in Latin America as well as the world over."

In early July, Spartan Motors also completed the delivery of 21 custom truck pumpers to the city of São Paulo. Water scarcity and low water pressure concerns in the Brazilian metropolis, home to 44 million people, led to the design of a foam-based fire suppression system for the truck that reduces the amount of water needed to put out a blaze.

Find out more: Chile chooses new high performance fabric to protect firefighters