Take a Bow, Bowring™!

Disclaimer: This article is NOT an endorsement of the product that is mentioned throughout the article. I am suggesting that it should be given a closer look and make your own decisions based upon your personal experience with the Bowring™. I have not been compensated in any way for my comments.

Whenever I go to a trade show or conference, I will hit the exhibitors’ booths and look for that ONE tool that might have an impact on how firefighters do their jobs.

FDIC is just around the corner.

In this “super-bowl” of fire service conferences, registrants can participate in the HOT programs, classroom programs and cruise the exhibits in the Exhibition Hall and at Lucas Oil Stadium.

In short; FDIC presents a golden opportunity for firefighters to train, hang out with like-minded people, and take a look at fire equipment; some new /some not-so-new.

If you’re lucky, you will get to see and to talk to some of the brightest stars in the nation’s fire service in one of our country’s shining cities-Indianapolis.

This year, much to my dismay, I will go on Friday and come home on Friday, because of a prior commitment.

If I have any time left, I want to hit the exhibits to look for the tool that I think will be a “game-changer” for firefighters.

Last year, as I walked the exhibits and hung out with the likes of Erik Estrada, I came upon the Paul Conway booth, where I saw the most amazing hand tool-the Bowring™. This multi-purpose tool immediately caught my attention and as I listened to Tony Mack describe its many uses, I was completely blown away. It was also an honor and pleasure to meet and to talk to THE Paul Conway.

Then, Tony called Clint Bowring over. Clint was this tool’s inventor. To hear their excitement as they talked about this tool was infectious. You can get the story of the Bowring™ from their website at www.thebowring.com.

You are probably asking yourselves, “Why would I bring up a tool that I saw at LAST year’s FDIC”?

Because, as I watched Clint Bowring, Tony Mack, Evan Fenton and Ryan Lujan literally GIVE their tool away to firefighters to try, I thought that I would at some point see an article written by one of my blogger friends who assured this group that they would try it and report on it.

But, to date, I have not seen ONE blog written on the Bowring™.

I want to be clear that this tool does not replace firefighters, but it does allow a short staff to do more by simply reaching into their pocket for this tool. It will definitely save trips to the truck or at the very least will eliminate the need to carry several tools in addition to a charged hose line.

When I think about it, I would have to put this tool right up there with the Halligan bar. Note that I didn’t stutter.

I watched video footage of firefighters using this tool and I shook my head in amazement. A tool that could fit into pockets on turnout gear; rescuing a down firefighter, taking out a windshield, shutting off gas, forcing entry and so much more was mind-boggling!

Finally, I looked at Ryan Lujan and said, “Basically, only your imagination limits the number of uses for this tool”.

He said, “Exactly”.

These are Oklahoma City firefighters who clearly believe in their tool. Hopefully, they will be at FDIC again this year. I would be curious to know if business has been good for them.

If seeing is believing, then I believe that the Bowring™ is going to find a wide audience.

Go to www.thebowring.com and check out the videos and the testimonials. It can also be found at www.paulconwayshields.com.

I will be on the floor at FDIC 2012 in search of the next revolutionary tool.

See you there.

TCSS.

The opinions and views expressed are those of the article’s author, Art Goodrich, who also writes as ChiefReason. They do not reflect the opinions and views of www.fireengineering.com, Fire Engineering Magazine, PennWell Corporation or his dog, Chopper. All articles by the author are protected by federal copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without expressed permission.