Hiller Systems Receives Training Recognition

By:  Mark Herzog

On May 8th, 2011, Hiller Systems was awarded a commemorative plaque, recognizing 20 years of commitment to the Robert E. Rumans Hampton Roads Firefighting Symposium. Hiller has been involved in the Marine Firefighting Symposium since its inception in 1991. Hiller’s contribution involves an overview of fixed firefighting systems and equipment, including function and emergency operational procedures. Our trailer-mounted Fixed Carbon Dioxide System discharge is a perennial favorite of the class attendees who hail from both coasts of North America, South America, Panama, Singapore and Europe. Originally, Mark Herzog was the instructor, with those duties being handed over to Dave Faller many years ago. Hiller Systems is proud to be a part of one of the only Marine Firefighting courses of its kind. The Symposium was named posthumously for Robert E. Rumens, who was one of the original founders of this valuable training course.

The Robert E. Rumens Hampton Roads Firefighting Symposium was sponsored by:

• Virginia Port Authority/MIRT (Marine incident Response Team)

• Virginia Department of Fire Programs

• Virginia Maritime Association

• Ft. Eustis Fire Department

• Maritime Administration

• Norfolk Fire Rescue

• U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Hampton Roads

• U.S. Navy Fleet Training Center Fire School, Norfolk, VA

• Military Sealift Command

• Tri-State Maritime Safety Association

• Hampton Roads Fire Chiefs Association

This course is designed to familiarize land-based firefighters and Maritime personnel on procedures necessary to handle a marine incident within a port or waterway. This course meets NFPA 1005 standards, is ProBoard and IFSAC certified.

Course Topics included:

• Vessel Construction

• Vessel Safety

• Firefighting Tactics

• Incident Management Procedures

• Vessel and Terminal Operations

• Vessel Firefighting Systems

• Legal Issues

• Live Firefighting Evolutions

• Waterborne Exercise

• Practical Workstations

• Vessel Tours

• Review of Past Incidents

• Contingency Planning

• WMD/Hazmat Incidents

For more informaiton about this or other marine fire fighting applications, contact us today at

Securiplex Receives USCG Water Mist Certification for 3000m3 System

Securiplex, LLC, a United States based manufacturer of Water Mist Fire Protection Systems (an earth friendly [green] alternative more traditional fire protection systems such as CO₂, FM200 or Novec 1230), with headquarters located in Mobile, Ala. recently was awarded ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) and  United States Coast Guard certification for the high pressure Water Mist fire protection systems to protect spaces up to 3000 m3.  Securiplex had previously received certification for SOLAS which is required for all Local Application Systems.  Securiplex fire protection systems have been installed on a number of United States commercial and Naval vessels.  All Secruiplex systems are completely and totally designed and manufactured in the United States.

The Securiplex FIRE-SCOPE® 5000 Water mist fire protection system can solve your fire protection needs across a number of platforms spanning the industrial, commercial, mining, marine, chemical, and other markets. If you would like an alternative to CO2, FM200, sprinklers or even Novec 1230, water mist offers
advantages than no other fire suppression system can offer! 
 
With the oldest reputation for water mist fire protection in North America, Securiplex has set the standard against which all other manufacturers in the industry are measured. We achieved the first FM approved water mist fire protection system in North America. Our water mist system tested at US government laboratories has shown that we surpass all other major manufacturers in extinguishment times by several orders of magnitude in many cases. 
 
Learn more about Securiplex, LLC or learn more about this specific application here.
 
Hiller Systems is a proud authorized distributor of Securiplex products.  Contact your Hiller Systems Sales Representative today to learn more about this eco-friendly fire protection solution.

Hiller Systems & Extreme Makeover: Home Addition

Businesses all over Hampton Roads pitched in and donated time, food and resources to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that was filmed recently in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Hiller Systems was no different.  Our employee's donated a total of 108 lbs. of food and one of our employee's even participated in the week long build of the new house for Beverly Hill, Fred Burdette and their six adopted daughters.

Trademark Construction of Chesapeake Virginia took the lead on the build and took the family's modest home, pictured here:

and turned it into this spacious and comfortable home for the family:

Beverly Hill is known in Hampton Roads to have a heart of gold. She has been sharing her love for over 15 years and has helped raise 35 foster children, according to a press release from Extreme Makeover. A friend of the family nominated the family last year after the TV show announced it was looking for a deserving family in southeastern Virginia.

"Giving back to the community that helped build our business is only right.  I am very proud of the Hiller Systems employee's who donated their time, food and energy to this project.  It truly exemplifies what Hiller Systems stands for", said Mark Herzog, Vice President and General Manager of the Hiller Systems Inc. Chesapeake, VA branch.

Hiller Systems was very proud to participate in this event.  The episode will air in a few weeks and we look forward to watching the week come together and see how we helped a most deserving family benefit from the kindness of strangers the way others have benefited from their kindness and goodwill.

Hiller Systems Supports Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Emergency Management Fair

Hiller Systems, your premier Fire Protection and Security Solutions provider, presents: "Hiller Systems Supports Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Emergency Management Fair". - Article written and submitted by Mike Glover and Teresa Rosen.

Recently, DePaul Medical Center of Bon Secours, conducted an Emergency Management Fair to better prepare the Bon Secours employees and their families for disasters in the Hampton Roads area.  Hiller Systems was invited by Michael Craig, Director of Safety, Security and Emergency Management to assist in putting this fair on.    

Pictured here:  Teresa Rosen and Michael Craig

The fair was a great success.  The employee's of Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center learned a lot about how to prepare and react to natural and man made disasters here in Hampton Roads.  Hiller Systems was proud to be a contributing member of this worth while cause.

If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about having a display at your Health care event or facility, please contact Teresa Rosen with the following contact information:

Hiller Systems Attends the Annual Towing Vessel Safety Seminar

Hiller Systems, your premier Fire Protection & Security Solutions provider, presents: "Hiller Systems Attends the Annual Towing Vessel Safety Seminar". - Article written and submitted by Dan Clift.

Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads and the Virginia Maritime Association sponsored the 11th Annual Towing Safety Seminar.  Hiller Systems was invited to demonstrate the operation of high pressure CO2 fire suppression systems at the seminar. The United States Coast Guard and the Virginia Maritime Association host this seminar to provide specialized training for towing vessels and tugboat crews/professionals to stay up on the latest safety and fire protection techniques available.  Dan C. and Joe G., representing Hiller Systems attended the seminar to demonstrate the operation of a high pressure CO2 fire suppression system.  During and after the high pressure CO2 fire suppression system demonstration, Hiller Systems personnel provided an in depth look at what a typical CO2 system would look like and what safety inspectors should be looking for when reviewing a system.  

By bringing a fully operational high pressure CO2 fire suppression system mock-up to this Towing Vessel Safety Seminar, Hiller Systems easily demonstrated proper operation, safety features and inspection techniques the crews would need on board their vessels.  In addition, the crews were also introduced to FM-200 clean agent fire suppression systems.  This type of training is extremely beneficial to the United States Coast Guard and the Tugboat industries.

Also provided for display were several different styles and sizes of portable fire extinguishers for display. These extinguishers provided the Coast Guard and the tugboat industry personnel an opportunity to see different types of portable fire extinguishers.  They were able to see the differences between a CO2, ABC, PKP and Water portable fire extinguishers.  These portable fire extinguishers are important because these are the first line of defense in firefighting on a vessel, often times, the portable fire extinguisher will be used before the activation of the high pressure CO2 fire suppression system or an FM-200 clean agent fire suppression system.

If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about having this display at your event or facility, please contact Dan Clift with the following contact information:

Hiller Systems Supports AGC and American Red Cross

Hiller Systems, your premier Fire Protection & Security Solutions provider, presents:  "Hiller Systems Supports the Associated General Contractors of Virginia and the American Red Cross.  Article written and submitted by Belinda Arthur.

On November 11th, 2010, in honor of Veteran’s Day, Hiller Systems hosted a blood drive for AGC (Associated General Contractors of Virginia) and the American Red Cross.  Hiller Systems employees and valued customers and vendors donated 59 pints of blood that day in honor and in memory of the men and women who serve our country. The Vice President and General Manager of Hiller Systems personally served a free lunch to all donors that day. In addition, each donor was presented with a certificate for a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich compliments of Chick-Fil-A on Battlefield Boulevard. This was the second drive in less than a month as Hiller Systems employees also hosted a Blood Drive at the Greenbrier Mall on October 30 where they were able to obtain 44 pints of blood. Free Chick-Fil-A nugget certificates were given to all donors at that drive compliments of Chi-Fil-A at Greenbrier Circle Mall.  Hiller Systems support of the Red Cross is an annual event coinciding with the AGC Annual Blood Drive. 

Donating blood is something that just about everyone can do to give back to the community! 97% of us will either need blood or know someone who will need blood in our lifetime. With that said, only 5% of the eligible population that can donate does so. That leaves 95% of us that can, but aren’t.  There are many myths about not being able to donate. You CAN donate despite having a tattoo as long as it was done at a licensed facility. You CAN donate while being on most medications. Very few medications will actually defer you.

Did you know…

• that every 2 seconds someone in the US needs blood?
• that YOUR single donation of blood will help save lives?
• that ALL blood types are needed; Type O is the most requested blood type for hospitals?
• that you can donate every 56 days?
• that blood cannot be manufactured? Volunteer donations are our the only means of keeping an adequate community blood supply.

If this blog inspired you to donate blood and you don’t know where you can do it, go to http://www.weneedblood.org/ to find a local blood drive near you!

Belinda Arthur, Director of Sales & Marketing for Hiller Systems is the chairperson for the AGC Blood Drive. She proudly announced that the local chapter membership of AGC successfully collected over 400 pints of blood this year as part of the annual drive.  As you can see, we are VERY proud of Belinda and all she has accomplished with this endeavor.

How the USCG Inspection Teams Learn About Shipboard Fire Fighting Systems...

Hiller Systems, your premier Fire Protection & Security Solutions provider, presents:  Training the Inspectors, How the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Inspection Teams learn about shipboard fire fighting systems.  Article written and submitted by David Faller and Mike Glover.


Hiller Systems, located in Chesapeake Virginia, has been conducting training for the USCG Inspection Teams since 2004.  This annual course serves as an indoctrination for all newly assigned USCG inspectors and any experienced inspectors that require a refresher course.  During their 1 or 2 day course, inspectors are exposed to every type of shipboard fire fighting system they may encounter on vessels and cover basic components of each system such as time delays, manual release mechanisms and basic system operation and maintenance.  The inspectors also learn everything they need to know to properly inspect each system.  How often the systems require inspection, what type of inspections are required for each system and how to test each system.


"This course has been extremely beneficial to the USCG Inspection Teams in training newly assigned inspectors as well as seasoned inspectors.  Giving the inspectors the tools they need to properly inspect these systems and make sure everyone is safe while inspecting the systems and after the inspection....that's why we do this." - Dave Faller, Senior Instructor, Hiller Systems.


"Hiller Systems helps get our teams up to speed much faster then just relying on [on the job training].  Even our more experienced inspectors learn something new when they attend this course.  We truly appreciate everything that Hiller Systems does for the USCG in this effort." - USCG Inspection Teams.

Hiller Systems can help you no matter how large or complicated your fire protection problem is!  Be sure to contact us for more information or to schedule a hazard analysis.  See our line card for more information on the manufacturers we represent and the systems and services we provide.