Saving Fire and Rescue Crews from Excess Labor

UTV skid unit manufacturer relies on Hannay to perform in both urban and rural emergency situations

Posted on 06/17/2022

Thanks to his time spent as a fire chief and volunteer EMT, KIMTEK Corporations’ founder and president Kimball Johnson understands the importance of using high-quality components in the fire industry. When he first set out to develop, test, manufacture, and sell fire/rescue units for UTV side-by-side applications, he decided that all add-on component devices used on KIMTEK’s products would have to be the best and highest regarded in the fire industry. This includes components like pumps, foam systems and of course, reels. KIMTEK realizes that first responders not only require, but deserve, the best. When it came to hose reels, there was only one choice: Hannay Reels.

Regarding his initial decision to outfit his skid units with Hannay reels, Mr. Johnson said, “After a lot of exposure to both career and volunteer departments, I knew that if there was a good reel out there, it was always a Hannay reel. Literally thousands of phone calls and quotes and orders since, I don’t think myself  or my team has ever, EVER been questioned on the Hannay reel. It’s a given that that’s the reel, and that’s the name.” The high quality and sturdiness of a Hannay reel, coupled with excellent customer support, immediately proved to be a wise choice for KIMTEK. They know the fire service is well-acquainted with Hannay reels, which have offered years of trouble-free service.

After more than a decade of working with Hannay, KIMTEK is closing in on nearly 3,000 FIRELITE® Transport fire/rescue skid units sold. The FIRELITE Transport series are UTV-based skid units that carry water, a pump, and a reel, and are also capable of carrying a patient for transport out of remote sites. Additionally, KIMTEK offers compact fire skid units for small and medium-sized trucks, all of which carry Hannay reels on them. KIMTEK works with a standard configuration that calls for the Hannay 4000 Series reels offered in manual or electric rewind. The reels are designed to hold 100 feet of 3⁄4" or 50 feet of 1" booster hose. KIMTEK also occasionally makes use of the stainless steel offerings put forth by Hannay. To ensure exceptional quality, all of the skid units are built in KIMTEK’s own production facility.

KIMTEK’s UTV skid units work as labor savers, allowing extensive amounts of work to be done by fewer people. Though the units are best known for their wildland, off-road capabilities, they are also ideal for urban settings, events with large crowds, or pretty much anywhere that a large apparatus could not make it through efficiently. In fact, the FIRELITE Transport series UTV skid units have been put to work at events as large as championship football games, and in areas as crowded as New York City.

KIMTEK Corporation celebrates their 38th anniversary in 2022. They plan on offering Hannay reels as their “go-to” solution for the rugged conditions their FIRELITE Transport units must endure year in and year out.

FIRELITE is a registered trademark of KIMTEK Corporation.

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Industries: | Fire/Rescue

Applications: | Booster Hose (Fire Protection)

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