Advanced Technology Donated to Chicago Fire Department Training Center

Today, the Chicago Fire Department recognized Siemens and the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Fire Prevention Engineers (SFPE) for donating a new, state of the art, fire alarm panel to the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy. The new system will be used to train the city’s fire fighters on advanced fire alarm technology so they can quickly and safely assess and navigate incidents.

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Brian Cullen from Siemens demonstrates the new FireFinder XLS system that was donated to Chicago's Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy. (Photo: Business Wire)

Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago commented, “The key to saving lives and suppressing fires in high-rise buildings is information and communication. This donation allows our members to train in real time on the type of equipment they will see when responding to an active event. We greatly appreciate the addition to our academy.”

Siemens, with its Building Technologies North American business headquartered in Chicagoland, has provided one if its flagship FireFinder® XLS addressable fire alarm system and is training the city’s fire chiefs and those who teach at the training facility. The fire alarm panels in buildings and campuses within Chicago have been transitioning to more modern, addressable control panels. The in-depth training will help to give the Chicago Fire Department the knowledge and ability to properly respond and operate the newer more technologically advanced fire alarm and voice systems.

“We are proud to work with the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers to donate our technology and help train the Chicago Fire Department on the latest fire alarm technology,” said Dave Hopping, President of Siemens’ North American-based Building Technologies Division. “This training will help ensure that the Chicago Fire Department can address the shift in technology that is being implemented in many facilities in the area.”

The Siemens FireFinder XLS systems’ advanced technology allows building owners and operators to ensure occupant safety. If a fire is detected, the command-and-control station is instantly alerted and emergency control operations are engaged, including fire door closure, elevator capture, and air handler shut-off. When first responders arrive, the FireFinder XLS displays the critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions, courtesy of an industry-leading 6-inch, full-color LCD that provides crystal-clear, easy-to-read text on screens color-coded by event type. Floor plans, hazmat icons and available actions are also accessible via intuitive on-screen menus. Additionally, the XLS voice system has the advanced intelligent technology to deliver integrated digital voice command that can make all the difference for faster and easier building evacuation. The voice system is equipped with prerecorded messages and can provide first responder live capabilities to facilitate emergency evacuation.

Siemens in Chicagoland

Siemens employs approximately 3,000 people in Chicagoland, including over 200 veteran employees. The North American Headquarters of the Siemens Building Technologies Division is located in Buffalo Grove, and Siemens has a state-of-the-art office located in downtown Chicago. The company also has key Healthcare, Digital Factory, and Process & Drives Division sites are also in the area. Siemens is a founding partner and the sole Tier I supplier of product lifecycle management (PLM) software to UI LABS’ Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), as part of President Obama’s efforts to reinvigorate U.S. manufacturing. It is also part of UI LABS’ City Digital program, a consortium that develops and tests urban infrastructure solutions to help transform cities across the globe.

About Siemens

The Siemens Building Technologies Division (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) is the North American market leader for safe and secure, energy-efficient and environment-friendly buildings and infrastructures. As a technology partner, service provider, system integrator and product vendor, Building Technologies has offerings for fire protection, life safety and security as well as building automation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management.

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 348,000 employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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