Hand2LIVE Announces the LAUNCH OF THEIR CROWDFUNDING campaign

(COPPELL, TEXAS – May 13, 2014)---Hand2Live is excited to announce the launch of a new crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for their project, The Hand2Live Challenge. This challenge asks a question that should get every parents attention, “Can your child open their bedroom window to escape a fire?”

Based on data from 2008-2010, the United States Fire Administration has reported that 92 percent of fire fatalities are due to smoke inhalation and thermal burns. Their report also stated 36 percent of the fatalities were attempting to escape but did not make it.

Fire Captain Greg Lawler contends that even as a firefighter with specially designed tools and training, obstacles hindering exit cause the greatest difficulty when attempting to escape a house fire. Hand2Live originated from Capt. Lawler discovering that his 6-year-old daughter could not open the window during a fire drill at home. Lawler has created Hand2Live as the solution for his daughter and wants to share this product with the rest of the country. Simply stated, Hand2Live is a handle that can be fully grasped by a young person or someone with less arm strength, engaging their larger muscles as well as applying more force and leverage to open the window.

The Hand2Live Challenge was developed to promote awareness of the often-overlooked problem of exiting windows during a house fire. The idea is simple, to identify any window exit issues prior to a fire event. Lawler draws a parallel with the very door that most people use every day, doesn’t it make sense for windows that require significant force in opening to have handles as well? It is noted that residences and businesses on elevated floors without viable pathways to the ground are not good candidates for this strategy. However, those with viable paths to the ground, such as a fire escape ladder, should consider the window as an equally practical escape path.

The goal of the Hand2Live Challenge is simple-- get educational information and products, such as the Hand2Live handle, into Firehouses across the country, so they, in turn, can educate their communities about the importance of fire safety and having a viable exit strategy. Crowdfunding has given Hand2Live the opportunity to spread this innovative product to those who need it. The Hand2Live Challenge asks supporters to sponsor the idea of promoting fire safety by funding the creation of Hand2Live demonstration kits for fire departments across the country to use in their communities. Visit
 https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-hand2live-challenge#home to read more information find out about our great “perks” and donate to the Hand2Live Challenge, and then ask yourself, “How did your last fire drill go? Can your child open their bedroom window to escape a fire?”

About Hand2Live
Hand2Live is the innovation of Fire Captain Greg Lawler, a 28-year veteran of the Fire Rescue Service in Texas. Capt. Lawler founded Hand2Live after his daughter came home with an assignment to design a fire escape plan and rehearse a fire drill at home. The results of the drill failed at her bedroom window. Since that time, Capt. Lawler has made identifying ways to help educate the community on ways to survive residential fires his passion. For more information about the Hand2Live challenge and Hand2Live products, visit Hand2Live.com. Hand2Live can also be found on Facebook and @Hand2Live on Twitter


Thank you for helping,

Greg

Thu, 12 Nov 2009, 08:59:59 EST
Edited by Liisa Sullivan

DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 12 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Annually, the United States Fire Administration reports that 3,000 to 5,000 people die in fires. This figure includes 800 children, nine and younger, and 1,200 seniors. One fire captain, owner of Hand2Live, has set out to alter those statistics.

Career firefighter, Captain Greg Lawler, knows that many children and the elderly often experience difficulty opening windows. And, with only three minutes to escape a flaming house fire, everyone must be prepared to quickly make the correct escape decision through viable exits.

“Know your options before fire strikes,” Lawler says.

Several years ago, Captain Lawler discovered this problem first hand. During a home fire drill, he learned that his 6-year old daughter, Olivia, could not open her bedroom window – one of two ways out.

The drill took place in the middle of the night – the most vulnerable time. They reviewed the drill once and began. The first drill was successful. Olivia rolled to the floor and was advised that conditions were acceptable for using the front door.

But, the next drill did not go as well. When told that conditions were not acceptable at the front door, Olivia was directed to use the window, but struggled. In a real-life situation, the clock ticks and the fire consumes the home with each passing second.

Lawler called to Hannah, Olivia’s older sister, to help her open the window. However, what if Hannah was not there in a real-life situation?

Most fire fatalities occur at night and victims are usually found near the front door, in a bathroom or a bedroom. And, while the window is taught as a second way out, in many situations, it may quickly become the first.

So, what was the problem? Olivia found difficulty with the locks and was unable to grasp the ledge with her small fingers. After teaching fire safety courses, Lawler soon realized that Olivia was not alone in her challenge.

After examining the problem, Lawler discovered that window manufacturers have varied maximum allowable opening forces; all windows he tried were different. In addition, other factors such as excessive moisture, dirt and grime and shifting foundations also contribute to difficult opening.

“The bottom line is that everyone should be able to open all the windows,” Lawler adds.

And so, Hand2Live was born. Named after Lawler’s daughters, Hand2Live has patented a device that attaches to the sash lift or ledge of any window. It’s a durable, non-permanent and fully-graspable aluminum handle that helps people lift the window. Handles for wood windows without a sash lift or ledge are also available.

So, with two ways out, why does America have the fifth highest reported fire death rate? Perhaps, like doors, windows should have handles too.

Captain Lawler recalls an early morning fire where a child was unable to get out and his father, in desperation, broke the window with his fist and was able to rescue his son. As a result, the child suffered burns and lacerations from being pulled through the broken window, but recovered.

“Breaking a window is dangerous, difficult and not the best option,” Lawler says.

This is on Indigogo and it needs increased awareness... https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-hand2live-challenge

For more information about Hand2Live and to view a product demo video, visit: www.Hand2Live.com.

Hahaha...it was either that or go live on a park bench!!! 
 
No actually it was to continue a family tradition of the Volunteer fire service.  My father was an assistant Chief at a fire company and all while growing up I loved how when the siren sent off he got into his car...Put the rotating lights on and went down the street...I wanted to be apart of that.  I am an adrenalin junkie and I plan NOT getting sober anytime soon!!
 
I joined the fire company when I was 12 years old, wasn't allowed to answer fire calls til i was 14.  I am now 48 years old and still am active in the volunteer fire and emergency medical services.  My beginnings started out humbly in a company that responded to about 48 calls a year being nestled between a large township and the city of Philadelphia.  My first fire helmet was metal, my coat rubber and i wore thigh boots. Now i belong to a fire company that answers 300 calls a year,  and a stand alone EMS ambulance corps that answers 2400 calls a year.  I have somewhat strayed from the fire service in the last 10 years, and am more active in EMS but do indeed plan on getting more involved in the fire service once again.
 
Since there is no monetary rewards with being a volunteer one has to seek out the rewards individually.  Plain and simple i love being able to drive expeditiously to emergencies, getting my truck, ambulance and crew there safely and handling a situation that has become uncontrollable by those that need our help...All problEMS end in EMS!!! 
 
Robert A. Bozzelli II, Firefighter / EMT, Manoa Fire Company, Delaware County, Pa.
Robert A. Bozzelli II, EMS Lieutenant, Springfield Ambulance Corps, Delaware County, Pa.

1. What is your current title & your previous experience?
Currently I am Full–time Professor at a Community College, my previous experience in the Emergency Services, I was a volunteer firefighter, 911 dispatcher, moved into full time, became a First Class F, Firefighter (duties during my career were Rescue Truck, Pumper, Tanker, Ariel Truck,) after I retired that is when I conceptualized and brought the first Fire fighting training to our community college, creating partnerships with numerous with Local and Large Municipalities Fire departments, along with the Provincial Government as well as Federal Military and International Airport Firefighting and since trained hundreds of which I am very pleased are now full time firefighters, in addition supporting local departments with their volunteer fire training.

2. What is your favorite part of working for your department?
One of the areas that I reflect back upon is the feeling of pride in wearing the uniform, team environment and being able to be in a position to help others.

 3. How do you define success?
I believe success can be defined in a variety of different ways, a lot of people define success as monetary, but for me success is to have a
dream or a vision and the determination to follow it through, continue to pursue this, gaining little steps as you progress, engage all the diversity and criticism as a learning tool whether good or bad, but continue on, until you have reached the plateau level you were striving
for.

4. What have you learned over your lifetime that you'd like to share with the younger generation?
As a college professor I actually do this on a regular basis, because my students for the most are of the younger generation, one of the most important factors I try to relate to them is how important they are, and how proud I am of them because they have made it this far in their educational success.  Learn to embrace the past, learn from it, expand on it, and continue to move forward and to enjoy
life, respect themselves as well as others and finally using the cliché “when one door shuts another one opens”, so do not despair when someone says no because they will, look at it as an opportunity for improvement.

5. What is your favorite hobby? 
I love to fish, but I really love to play my guitar, sing  and create music.

6. Who has had the greatest influence on you?
There have been so many over the years from family members, friends to the great Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Merle Haggard in the music side of things to outstanding Heads of State in my mind such as President Kennedy. I like people that are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, these are the people that I have learned from the most.

7. What will be your legacy? Is the world better because of you/your work/your influence?
I would very much like to believe like so many other Emergency Services Workers, Military Personnel, that due to being on the job at the right time in their lives that I had made a difference, and to all the students over the years saying something like “if it wasn’t for Don I would not of had the opportunity”.

8. What's the funniest work story/ event you remember?
There were so many, but one that stands out, we had this Rookie first time on the floor, we were on night shift, as you know up here in Canada our winters get a little nasty, so before we went to bed “yes sometimes we did” I opened all the windows, it was freezing in the room but nobody could get any rest but we pretended to, because I told the rookie the Captain liked lots of fresh air when he is sleeping, so under our blankets we laughed our heads off especially when snow was coming in the windows, the poor guy was shivering all night.  He stayed with it, he is a Platoon Chief today.

 9. Is there anything I haven't asked about that you would care to comment on?
Just a little on the song we wrote “don’t call me a hero” PSTD was not a common phrase when this happened to me, I am so glad the Industry for the most part has agreed upon the importance of dealing with this, verses our old days when our treatment was going our favorite bar and drowning the memoires for another night.

10. What is your favorite dinner & what do you drink with it?
My favorite dinner is a good old BBQ Steak, although my wife is for chicken or fish, and lots of green stuff she says is good for me, back in
the day a few beers would go good and the wife would enjoy her wine, now since we are as pure as the white driven snow lols, pop, and
coffee.

Mr. Donald Thomas Murdock, M.B.,  Medal of Bravery
Date of Instrument: September 29, 1986
Date of Presentation: December 5, 1986
Firefighter Donald Roy Ferguson, M.B.
Firefighter Donald Thomas Murdoch, M.B.
 
Shortly after midnight on 29 March 1985, the Whitby, Ontario, Fire Department was informed that two
children were trapped in a house fire. Within minutes, Firefighters Ferguson and Murdoch entered the burning building and, in zero visibility and intense heat, went in search of its occupants. When Firefighter Ferguson heard a child's cries
for help, he guided his steps through the long smoke-filled corridor by placing his hands on the wall. Concentrating on the young victim's voice, he located the ten-year-old girl in her bed. As he left the bedroom with the child, he met Firefighter Murdoch an proceeded towards the exit. The trio was crossing the kitchen area when a ball of flames suddenly knocked Firefighter Ferguson and the little girl to the floor. Firefighter Murdoch seized the child and carried her outside while Firefighter Ferguson exited on his own. Despite severely burned
hands, Firefighter Ferguson re-entered the house, found the other child in her crib and carried her out of the inferno.