Customer Testimonials

Thank you for your email. Just to update you, Halton Region EMS has introduced AirMation since 2009 with the construction of our Brant St stn and have added 2 more stns since then. We certainly support the use of AirMation vs our use of a hose type system.

John B. Pereira,
Deputy Chief, Logistics
Halton Region EMS
Oakville, Ontario

The Lamont Fire Department has been using the AirMATION system now for about 5 years and it works very good. It has made a big difference in the quality of air in the station as all our vehicles are diesel operated.

John Helton,
Fire Chief
Lamont Fire Department
Lamont, Alberta

Air Filtration and Dispersion versus Hose Exhaust Extraction Systems

As a paramedic and a supervisor with Toronto Emergency Medical Services from 1974 through 2006 I played a significant role in the improvement of the health and safety of the staff who worked with me.

In my early days 1974 to the mid eighties we used the old "open the garage door system". With the addition of diesel fueled vehicles it became readily apparent that this was not effective. I can remember when we moved into our new facility at 4330 Dufferin Street our diesel emergency buses would spew vast amounts of toxic smoke into the garage.

To overcome this, a then state of the art extraction system was installed in each bay. However, in order for it to work we had to retrofit all of our buses and trucks with a stack that the driver would carefully back into the garage so as to lock the stack into the track which would vent the fumes outside. To be honest I can't remember how many times we broke the system because the stack missed the vee shaped opening or when the unit pulled out it stuck.

A few years later we went to a hose system. The driver was supposed to hook up the unit prior to backing into the garage and then slowly and carefully back in. It was a big improvement on the stack system but when the bus or truck pulled out you had to be very aware that the hose was going to fly back and if you were in the way it was going to hurt.

As we switched over to diesel ambulances it became obvious that we had to expand our exhaust collection to all of our stations. As there were 41 stations the installation expense was very large but, it was also mandatory.

We soon learned of the extra costs not advertised by the manufacturers of the hose systems. The gasses and particulates were only picked up at the hose connection. Secondary causes of pollution from hot engines and leaks were not affected. If the crew did not use the system it was useless. If the crew got a hot call and exceeded the manufacturers warning to drive out slowly then there was a good chance they could rip the hose off before it automatically detached from the vehicle. This was a very expensive repair and usually took 2-3 weeks to get it fixed.

From personal experience there is nothing more embarrassing than driving out of the station with 20 feet of hose attached to your exhaust.

In 2002 I was at a conference in Philadelphia where I saw a new system that had no hose connections and apparently was more effective. I spoke to the owner of the company and then drove an hour to Atlantic City where the system had been installed in an ambulance station. The crew was kind enough to give me a tour and I was impressed with two things. First of all the walls were clean as was the ceiling. If you work with diesel units you expect a certain amount of grime and staining. More important there was no smell of diesel fumes. At our own stations in Toronto you knew a diesel was in the station whether it was running or shut down.

Another strong selling point was the actual working of the system. Because it used very fine particle filtration to N95 standards this system could offer some protection to myself and the people who worked with me in the event of an industrial or terrorist inspired disaster. We specified this system for our new location near Chemical Court. An area in the city where large chemical companies had built plants that used highly volatile compounds and a propensity to catch fire in spectacular ways.

With the co-operation of our senior management it was decided to trial one location to see if it would work. My site (the Northeast Hub) had 4 units installed. We used the Hub as a service and equipment location for the Northeast area. At any one time there were 4 ambulances and 2 gasoline powered supervisor vehicles located there.

After the units were installed I could not believe the difference. Every Monday morning I had arrived at the hub and noted a strong smell of a combination of diesel, gas and cleaning products. The first Monday after the system was installed the smell was gone.

Later that year we had Corporate Services send an environmental air quality team over to test the effectiveness of the system. We were so pleased with the performance and after 3 months of zero maintenance we were considering installing the same system throughout the service. The inspector set up her testing equipment on the back bumper of the test vehicle about 18 inches from the exhaust. We closed the garage and started the unit up. It ran for 15 minutes and to no one's surprise particulates jumped as did the CO level. The unit was turned off and the garage was left closed and the air purifier system was turned on. In very short order the particulates were reduced to near zero and CO levels were not recordable.

The same ambulance was again fired up this time with the air purifier running. After 15 minutes the CO level was well below levels that could pose a risk to any staff. More important the level of particulates too low to record on their air monitors.

The decision was made to begin the installation of AirMATION systems at all new sites. In addition we had several locations where, due to the low ceiling height and space restrictions, hose systems could not be installed. We were very pleased with the company selling us this system. Because of the design of the system we were able to configure and install the units to take advantage of the system in some non standard applications.

In one of our downtown core stations due the low ceiling height and all concrete structure we were unable to hang the unit from the ceiling. Our supplier, Air Technology Solutions came up with anti vibration dampers that allowed us to affix the units to the back wall.

I retired from Toronto EMS 3 years later in 2006 and as of that time we had still done zero maintenance to the air purification units.

Chris Dixon
Retired Supervisor/Paramedic
Toronto Emergency Medical Services
Toronto, Ontario

Today's fire station is so much more than just a storage facility for a few trucks. Ours, like most, is a community facility that hosts many events throughout the year—from our recent flu shot clinic to candidate forums. And diesel fumes and dust were always a big concern.

DOVFD was fortunate to receive a FEMA Fire Act Grant in 2006. We shopped for the ideal system to clean the air and the whole facility from kitchen to classroom. From our visits to other fire stations, we weren't impressed the with “hose” systems, they only work half the time at best. Many stations never even connect the hose.

We found the AirMATION system to be exactly what we needed. Once installed in our ceilings the system is almost invisible, yet works every time the doors are raised. We noticed right away that the air was cleaner, and better yet, we no longer have black soot on the white tables in our classroom.

We're happy with our AirMATION system and would recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and affordable means of cleaning station air for your firefighters and citizens.

Russell Mabra
Fire Chief
Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department
Texas

I am pleased that our department is having your AirMation exhaust filtering system installed in our 3 fire stations. I know from my experience as a fire chief in a neighboring municipality that it works effectively and efficiently in a fire station environment. In the late ‘90’s I worked for a department that had a name brand hose system for diesel exhaust that turned out to be very unreliable and not user friendly. Exposing firefighters directly to the exhaust of a fire truck by placing the hose onto the exhaust pipe proved to be a disaster and a safety issue in the opinion of many. The AirMation system with its super quick activation and filtering capabilities is exactly what we need. As a matter of fact I was recently informed that the fire department in question is now budgeting for the complete removal of their hose systems and replacing them with your system. Our firefighters are looking forward to having the latest technology installed in our stations.

Bob Myles
Deputy Fire Chief
Emergency Services Department
DES, Fire & Emergency Services
Town of East Gwillimbury, Ontario

The AirMATION exhaust system has been up and running for a couple months now at the USAG Daegu Camp Walker, Camp Henry and Camp Carroll. No more hoses, relatively quiet, and does the job it was designed to do. Installation was expertly completed and technicians were knowledgeable and fast. We expected them here three days, and all three systems were installed, the technicians trained our firefighters and left for the airport by the end of the second day. No mess with the filters, no modifications to the trucks. Very simple, clean, and works like a charm. All I need is my 4th station done. Would recommend the AirMATION to any department.

Lloyd C. Fox
Fire Chief
USAG Daegu
DES, Fire & Emergency Services
Camp Walker, Korea

It has been more than one year since the AirMATION units have been installed in our maintenance shop. The results are appreciable enough that I felt I must express my satisfaction to you. Not only has the air quality improved considerably, especially in the welder's area, but the walls which were painted just previous to the installation have not been discolored by diesel or welding smoke. I consider this purchase one of our better moves and a rewarding investment.

Joseph Giordano
Superintendent
Department of Public Works
Township of Morris, New Jersey

We at Unified Fire Authority have now had one of your AirMATION systems installed at one of our fire stations for over a year. We have had a very good experience with this product. The system has lived up to our expectations in the removal of vehicle exhaust, odors and smoke.

In fact, when the automatic feature included with the system is used it is real easy for us to enjoy and use since it is hands free. The system is on when we need it and off when the air is clean. The filters do their job, collecting contaminants, just as we were told it would. Our walls and ceilings are kept clean and odors do not migrate into our living areas. We have previously tried two other brands of hose systems and another filtration system. We were not satisfied with any of these and so looked for another solution. We are now planning to have two more AirMATION systems installed in two new fire stations.

Don R. Berry, Chief A
Unified Fire Authority
Utah

After one year of the use of your air purification system that was installed in our garage, we have found them to help in many ways. In the morning all the mechanics have said the garage is not full of smoke. There is less dust and we have found that the mechanics have taken less sick time.

We feel the system was a fair price. The City of Bridgeton Department of Public Works would like to thank you for the outstanding help you have given us during the year.

Wilbert E. Turpin, Director
Department of Public Works
City of Bridgeton, New Jersey

Recently, Calvary Cemetery purchased an AirMATION and Microcon CD Air Purification unit for our vehicle maintenance garage. In the short time since installation, these observations have been noticed by our mechanics:

The overall amount of dust in the vehicle maintenance shop has decreased dramatically. The quality of the air inside the shop is noticeably cleaner. While running a vehicle indoors, there are no odors of exhaust and gas fumes. The system also filters out all grass and vegetation odors.

As Superintendent of Calvary Cemetery, I am very pleased with the results in such a short time. I am very happy that we purchased these units.

Joseph Giulietti
Superintendent
Calvary Cemetery
New York

We have been monitoring the environments at each station and the consensus of our firefighters and officers is that the AirMation units are making a real difference in the air quality at each station. And, the difference is not just when the rigs are running. The air in the station is cleaner because the off gassing from our turnouts and other gas fueled equipment exhaust is filtered through the units. It really is a "holistic" system.

FEMA performed a follow-up audit of our grant and found that everything was in good order. I believed we made the right choice when we chose Air Technology Solutions as the vendor for our exhaust capture project. And, today I am sure it was the best decision for our department. Thanks for all your help and the help of your staff. You all have been great to deal with.

Jim Vest
Fire Chief
City of West Bend Fire Department
Wisconsin

It has been almost two years since the installation of our AirMation Industrial Air Cleaner and in my opinion; the system has already proven itself. Most notable are the lack of staining on the walls (both on the bay floors as well as inside the station) and the lack of diesel smell on the turn-out gear. It should also be noted that our fire station was originally built in 1963 and the lack of space had us concerned but your units fit our apparatus floor without any interference to our vehicles. But, what I appreciate the most about you and your company is the continued service we receive. I can always expect a periodic phone call just to see how the units are performing or if there is anything we may need, something rarely seen these days. To date our air cleaners have worked flawlessly and performed as promised by you and your company.

Chief Mark Ashworth
City of Clayton Fire Department
Ohio

The Arizona City Fire District purchased six Air Technology Solutions air filter units for our bay area at our fire station. We looked at many different types of air filters for our bays. We liked the idea that there were not hoses to connect to the apparatus and worries about dragging a hose behind us to a fire or other incident. We have some older trucks and exhaust fumes in the bays were bad when the apparatus was left running indoors for more than a few minutes. Now we can run six apparatus and never have to worry about exhaust fumes being a problem for our personnel. Even when the apparatus are parked outside on the drives with the doors open we can start the filters to clear any exhaust that enters the building from the parked area.

The scheduling and installation was great. The units were shipped to our location and once on site I made a call to schedule the installation. The crew hung all six units in one day and had them operating before they left our station. We have had these units for a year and a half and have had no problem at all with the air filters. We have not required any maintenance on the units since we have installed them. I feel very confident that my personnel are breathing clean air and not exhaust fumes from the apparatus.

I would highly recommend the Air Technology Solutions air filters for any fire department. You may contact me if you have any further questions about the units.

Sincerely,

Paul M. Sabel, Fire Chief
Arizona City Fire District
Arizona