“It really stands out in your bunker pocket so it’s easy to find and easy to distinguish in your bunker pants.  It’s a really good concept. After very little training, it’s easy to set up. I believe it would be very easy to write a set of SOG Standard Operating Guidelines/Procedures) with the equipment to make it easy to use on the fireground.”
John King, Gore Fire Department

 

“I love the job…but it can get dangerous.  We’ve got some really crazy buildings here and it’s easy to get disoriented.  I’ve got three kids and to have a piece of equipment that can save my life is worth it using. 
Mark Moritz, Navy Region Fire & Emergency Services Mid-Atlantic

 

“The compass functioned well.  It was easy to remove from my pocket.”
Test subject A

 

“It’s so simple; I wonder how it hasn’t been thought about until now.  The potential is there to save lives.  It gives you a step in the right direction.  It’s another tool and it’s relatively inexpensive.  You can’t put a price on life.” 
Ed Phillips, Chief, Allen V F D, Inc.

“When you're looking at this product in your hand, a few things stand out, but it’s not until we used it under fire and heavy smoke conditions did we see the value. The size is perfect. You can easily distinguish which sides up and read or setup the compass, lighting is great.” 
John King, Gore Fire Department

 

“It had a good feel for retrieving it due to the large presence in the pocket.  It was easy to find once inside my pocket.”
Test Subject A

 

“The FireGround Compass is easy to use.  During the intense operations, crews don't have a lot of time to set-up equipment to use.  The compass expedited fireground safety operations.”
Todd Szakacs, Holland Fire Dept.

 

“I believe the concept and design is very valuable.  Being in situations where orientation is compromised, it is priceless to have the means in the palm of your hand to get out.”
Mark Moritz, Navy Region Fire & Emergency Services Mid-Atlantic

 

“When we originally opened it and took it out of the box we thought, ‘man this looks like a kid’s toy.’ But, it’s the color it is for a reason. Once we got serious with it, we critiqued the positives and negatives and then used it under fire and smoke conditions.  Then we critiqued it again, that’s when we realized the value of the product. You can't get a feel for it or appreciate it without actually using it outside the classroom.”
John King, Gore Fire Department

 

“It was very easy to stow.  Once you pull it out, it is very large so you can hold it with your hand.  It was very easy to carry and use.”
Test Subject B

 

“I've found an alternate application for your product.  As a forensic fire investigator, my partner and I have already used it at several fire scenes to orient the room of fire origin as well as orient all of the photographs taken during the investigations.  I’m usually pretty good with my sense of direction.  However, with this durable compass, I’m able to better describe and verify the accuracy of my location.   I can anticipate that when we’re involved with larger buildings and working by flashlight the internal illumination feature comes in handy. In addition, when I am investigating "out-of-town" in urban areas, on occasion "north" is not always evident.  Your product is durable, visible , and not easily left behind at the scene.
Bill Hayden, Forensic Fire Investigator / Fire Marshall, (location)

 

“This type of product can reduce the chance of firefighter disorientation within a structure, thus reducing line of duty death.”
Vance Duncan, City of Erie – Bureau of Fire

 

“Everyone should have one. Every Group Supervisor or company officer that’s leading a task force or a Strike Team should be using one in order to better orient themselves on the incident. Command needs to have one so he can stay in tune with the rest of the emergency scene and the operating Team Leaders. If utilized correctly and used as group, this is an irreplaceable RIT tool.” 
John King, Gore Fire Department

 

“It was very easy to use.  It gives you a direct shot to the door which makes you got out a lot quicker than having to follow the wall the whole way out, which would take longer.”
Test Subject B