The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2008 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance. The application period is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applications for these grants must be received by March 6, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The grants are competitive, and their primary goal is to target high-risk populations. Grant awards are made in order to mitigate high incidences of death and injury and to carry out research for improving firefighter safety. Examples of the types of fire prevention projects that are supported by FP&S include smoke alarm installation, fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs. Organizations that are eligible to apply under the research activity should consult the Program Guidance for detailed information on priorities and areas of emphasis.

An applicant tutorial for the fire prevention activity will be available on February 2nd. The tutorial will provide readers with valuable grant information and will walk them through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the fire prevention funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

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Pelican Products Inc. has acquired Hardigg Industries. This marks it as the largest acquisition in the history of the protective case industry. The deal also bolsters Pelican’s product line and expands service offerings.

Los Angeles, CA, January 15, 2009 –(PR.com)– Acquisition is the Largest in the History of the Protective Case Industry

Deal Bolsters Pelican’s Product Line and Expands Service Offerings

The world’s leading manufacturer of plastic injection molded protective cases, Pelican™ Products, Inc., today announced the acquisition of long-time competitor, Hardigg Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of roto molded protective cases, based in South Deerfield, Mass. The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million, is believed to be the largest acquisition in the history of the protective case industry. Pelican Products was supported in the acquisition by the New York and San Francisco based private equity group Behrman Capital.

“Despite the current economic downturn, Pelican Products has continued to grow its position as a global leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced lighting systems and virtually indestructible injection molded cases,” said Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO, Pelican Products, Inc. “The acquisition of Hardigg is testament to Pelican’s commitment in driving growth of the company and its pledge to leading innovation in the industry. I am extremely excited to conclude this acquisition and to put two global organizations together combining their respective strengths.”

Collectively the new entity will employ more than 1,500 employees. Pelican Products will operate in 12 countries, have 22 offices globally and maintain six manufacturing locations throughout Europe and North America. It is well capitalized for future growth and will drive to a half billion dollars of revenue over the next few years.

The Hardigg brand name will continue to identify the company’s high-end roto molded shipping cases, leveraging the brand recognition of Hardigg.

Hardigg Industries is the world’s largest manufacturer of roto molded shipping cases used by the military, consumers, public safety officers, the industrial sector, and other professionals. As the first company to manufacture an airtight, watertight and virtually indestructible protective container, Hardigg has been a leader in the design and manufacturing of roto molded protective transport cases since its founding in 1954 by James S. Hardigg. Hardigg also produces the Storm Case® line of injection molded protective cases.

“The reputation of the Hardigg brand and quality of its products, people and processes make it an ideal partner,” added Faulkner. “By bringing together the world’s largest roto molded case manufacturer with the world’s largest injection molded case manufacturer, the greatest beneficiary is the customer. As a result of our new partnership, Pelican will offer customers an unrivaled product range, all from a single source.”

General Peter Pace USMC (Ret.), chairman of Pelican, commented, “The manufacturing strengths of Pelican and Hardigg create a strong combined selling model and market synergy. The acquisition enables us to enhance offerings to our core customers, including the military, while continuing to expand our footprint with other important customer segments.”

Jamie Hardigg, chairman of Hardigg Industries, commented, “By joining the Pelican family we can offer more opportunities to employees, expand our product line and enhance our global reputation. We’re excited that the combination of our companies creates a global industry leader well poised for continued growth.”

Jamie Hardigg plans to cease his day-to-day management responsibilities, but will serve as a member of the Board of Directors for Pelican Products.

John Padian will continue to manage the Pelican organization as COO of Pelican Products and Bill Hamer will continue as COO of Hardigg Industries. Both will report to Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO of the Pelican Corporation.

About Pelican Products, Inc.
Pelican™ Products, Inc. is the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced lighting systems and virtually indestructible cases for protecting valuable equipment with sales offices in Barcelona, Spain - Edmonton, Canada - Tokyo, Japan - Shanghai, China - Florida, USA (for Latin America) – Bourg en Bresse, France – Ras Al-Kaimah, UAE and Sydney, Australia. The company was acquired in 2004 by private equity firm Behrman Capital. For more information visit www.Pelican.com or www.behrmancap.com.

About Hardigg Industries
Hardigg Cases designs, develops, and manufactures plastic molded cases, shipping containers, custom molded products, and SKID-MATE® cushion products for government, commercial industries, and consumers. Millions of Hardigg containers have been produced to meet a wide variety of applications—including stringent military requirements—for over 50 years. Their high quality rotational- and injection-molded products cushion and preserve delicate equipment from the effects of mechanical shock and vibration, thermal environments—even exposure to chemical agents and decontamination solutions. For more information visit www.hardigg.com.

Media Contacts:
Pelican Products, Inc.
Sharon Ward, Marketing Manager
310-326-4700 ext. 1434
sward@pelican.com

Ketchum
Adrianna Hosford/Kevin Oates
310-584-8343
adrianna.hosford@ketchum.com

Official Pelican Products Press Release

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Official Press Release:

Peanut Corporation of America Expands Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter

Company Announces the Voluntary Recall of Peanut Paste Produced in Georgia Plant

Contact:
Peanut Corporation of America
1-877-564-7080

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Lynchburg, Va. (January 18, 2009) — Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), is expanding the recall of peanut butter and voluntarily recalling peanut paste made at its Blakely, Georgia facility because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled peanut butter and peanut paste were distributed to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies in 24 states, the province of Saskatchewan in Canada, Korea and Haiti. The U.S. states are the following: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In addition, affected product was used as an ingredient in other products that may have been distributed in other states.

None of the peanut butter being recalled is sold directly to consumers through retail stores by PCA.

The recalled peanut butter in the expanded recall is sold by PCA in bulk packaging in containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to tanker containers. The lot numbers for all recalled products are at the end of this news release. All of the peanut butter and peanut paste in the expanded recall was made on or after July 1, 2008, and only at the Georgia facility.
The potential for contamination was noted after a small number of samples from unopened containers and environmental samples from the Blakely, Georgia facility tested positive for Salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation is “very active and dynamic,” and PCA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they continue their investigation into the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella.

The Blakely, Georgia facility has currently stopped producing all products as the FDA and CDC continue their investigation, but some PCA staff remain to assist in the on-going investigation.

PCA is notifying customers that may have received the recalled product by phone and/or in writing. Customers should segregate and hold the product and call PCA at 1-877-564-7080 for further instructions. “We deeply regret that this product recall has expanded, and our first priority is to protect the health of our customers,” said Stewart Parnell, President of Peanut Corporation of America.

View the FDA Press Release and a list of all the products affected by the original recall and the amended recall

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There are a lot of different types of stethoscopes on the market such as the Sprague Rappaport Type stethoscope, electronic stethoscope, cardiology stethoscope, etc. Then of course the brands, 3M Littmann stethoscopes, Mabis stethoscopes, ADC stethoscopes, etc. As an EMT or Paramedic how do you know which one is best suited for you? Check out this short YouTube video that sums up the basics to help you choose the best stethoscope for you.

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