From Lieutenant Blaire W. Yakola, Barnstable Fire Department, Barnstable, MA:

"Please accept this letter as a "thank you" for a terrific product, The Bernard Easy Exit System.

In March of this year, we had the system installed on our first due pumper. The indicators were Placed on the three attack lines utilized first in a fire situation. In the latter part of March we responded to a reported building fire in a residential home. The home was fully charged with smoke on arrival, and visibility was non-existent. We entered the building and found a small fire in a room off the kitchen, about 20 to 30 feet in the building. When we exited the building, the first thing we became aware of was the indicators on our hose line! While we did not have far to retreat, we knew exactly what direction to go in. It was such a small thing to notice, but such a relief to know the indicators were there.

As a career officer I have seen many tragedies. It is reassuring to know that companies such as yours have taken the interest and time to concern themselves with safety issues. I commend your product and your dedication to fire service safety. We all hope that products such as yours will become a standard in the field.

Again my sincerest thanks to you all for a 'life-saving' product."

From Chief Ed Miller, Jr., Lower Milford Township Fire Company No. 1, Limeport, PA:

"We just wanted to let you know how we feel about the directional arrows we are currently using on our attack lines.

The idea was long over due! The extra measure of safety is greatly appreciated by our firefighters and officers alike!"

From Assistant Chief Peter Shed, Bernardston Fire Department, Bernardston, MA:

"We would like to take this opportunity to let you know how pleased we are with the "Bernard Easy Exit" device that you installed on all our 1 3/4 " hose lines on our fire attack pumpers. From the time you installed the device until this last Easter we had only been able to use it during drills. On Easter Morning of this year we had our first chance to use the "Bernard Easy Exit" during actual fire conditions during a structure fire in a private residence. As part of the first hose crew on scene we had to extend an attack line inside the building, up a flight of stairs to the second floor, through an attic shuttle, and across the ceiling joists to the fire area.

Even with all the corners and other possible obstructions we encountered while extending the line, the marker devices on the hose line did not impede the extension of this attack line and as the hose crew changed during the fire the out going crews used the device to lead them out of the attic and they all stated that it gave them a extra feeling of security and well being.

We are extremely pleased with the "Barnard Easy Exit" device and have recommended its usage to all the area fire departments. We at the Bernardston Fire Department would also like to add our support to the legislation to equip all the fire departments in the State of Massachusetts with the "Barnard Easy Exit" device. We feel that by doing so will in the years to come save the lives of many fellow firefighters."

From Chief Bill Gathers, Sligo Volunteer Fire Department, Sligo, PA:

"I feel that the invention of this product will prove to be a very important device.

This product will play an important part in fire safety. The design of the Safety Arrow is to provide a way for my firemen to find their way safely out of a fire if they were to become confused or disoriented in a burning building.

I feel that all fire departments should invest in this product so that their firemen could use them to prevent a tragedy in an emergency situation."

From Chief Robert R. Reiss, Emmaus Fire Department, Emmaus, PA:

"Please accept my sincere Thank You to you and your company for allowing the Emmaus Fire Department to use and test the Bernard Easy Exit System.

It is certainly obvious that it will provide the firefighters with a clear identifiable means of a quick exit from the hostile environment (burning building) that we get involved in as a fire fighter.

It is a known fact that normal people consider firefiqhters to be on the crazy side as most people exit the building when it is burning, we go into the burning building. As Murphy's Law sometimes prevails, things do go wrong and go from bad to worse, the potential of flashover has increased tremendously and in the event of a potential flashover occurring it is a tested fact that on the average you have 12 seconds to exit the building and at that time you sure do not want to go the wrong way.

Your product provides a sure absolute direction, the other unique feature is that it does not obstruct the flow of water and does not provide any additional obstacles or hang ups in advancing the preconnected 1-1/2" - 1-3/4" hose lines.

The product has proved its durability as in the case of our neighbor in the City of Allentown who disintegrated their 1-3/4" attack line with the arrows showing very little effect from the fire.

The problem that I have is how long will it take the fire service to wake up. I cannot even begin to understand why people would not use your product, especially In Pennsylvania when the auditor generals office who controls the use of our firemen's relief funds for purchasing Items that provide for the safety and well being of the Pennsylvania fire fighter. The Bernard Easy Exit has been approved for purchase with relief funds.

The life of one fire fighter is worth more than all the arrows on all the hose in the United States.

After 40 years in the fire service it certainly is obvious we are our own worst enemy, we are slow to change and do not buck tradition. Well it It's time to wake up and get with it, to provide the safety measures that all fire fighters deserve either paid or volunteer.

I would like to again thank you for our relationship, it has been rewarding to say the least. If nothing else I can assure you with my contacts with the Pennsylvania Fire service that I will continue to make them aware of your product and do what ever is necessary to save that fire fighters life.

Please do not lose patience, we can not afford to let the fire service continue in its traditional way and continue to kill its fire fighters. If I can ever be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me."

From Chief William D. Tripp, Westport Fire Department, Westport, MA:

"I would like to personally thank you for the development of the "Bernard Easy Exit System."

As a Fire Chief it gives me a greater feeling of confidence to know that my officers and firefighters now have a better chance of escaping injury (or worse - death), because of your concern for the safety of firefighters.

Although we 'have yet to experience a need for the system, we have experienced no problems and my personnel feel a greater sense of security.

As you are aware, change does come hard in the fire service, however this is a change that has been warmly received."

From Lieutenant John G. Frantz, Greenwalds Fire Company, Allentown, PA:

"Our Station received the invitation from Chief Reiss of the Emmaus Fire Department to install you product on our equipment. We installed your arrows on a 150 foot, 1 3/4 inch preconnect on our first out engine. As of this date, we have not used this particular preconnect for interior firefighting operations.

It is my belief that your product is a benefit to the safety of interior firefighters.

A firefighter in Pennsylvania recently perished in a fire in which he lost his way and could not escape. Had you product been employed by his fire department, that firefighter may still be alive today.

Thankfully, situations where your product is needed are very few. But, in the event of a firefighter losing his or her way, your product may provide the difference between life and death."

From Chief Clifford Reed, Ringgold Area Volunteer Fire Department, Ringgold, PA:

"This letter Is in response to your new product, The Bernard EASY EXIT. I'm a member of an all Volunteer rural fire department. We have 20 to 25 active members, on a lot of daytime fires we may have eight to ten men turnout, and not always the same ones. So any edge you can find on safety's side you grab at it. My assistants and myself feel Your product Is simple, but very effective. In a day when the most up to date equipment is not always financially possible, your product is one that suits our needs."

From Lieutenant James Clark, New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford, MA:

"As a Lieutenant of an Engine Co., one thing I can say, without reservation, is that the the Bernard Easy Exit sleaves have bolstered the confidence of my crew in just knowing that our interior fire attack lines are fitted with these life-saving devices.

Although we haven't had to rely on them since we were fitted, it's nice to know that they are there in case we should need them.

The recommended technique for fitting them on our fire hose went very smoothly without any problems at all.

Finally, I know that all the members of Engine Co. One are happy with the Bernard Easy Exit sleeves and that somebody out there is thinking of firefighter safety."

From Chief Brian P. Duggan, Northborough Fire Department, Northborough, MA:

"The Northborough Fire Department has utilized the Bernard Easy Exit System over the last year. During that time, it has proved to be an effective safety tool for assisting firefighters to safely exit from a burning structure."

From Deputy Chief Training, Allentown Fire Department, Allentown, PA:

"At your request, I field tested "Bernard Easy Exit Arrows" on our 1-3/4" attack lines for the past three (3) months. We crossed two criteria in testing your product: the first was during our recruit training, the second was on actual fire scenes. During recruit training the product worked flawlessly, the only comments were by seasoned firefighters, their concerns being: (a) the possibility of hose lines catching on door jambs, (b) furniture or other household appliances, or (c) in confined spaces such as storage or attics. All of these concerns were quickly satisfied when used in actual building fires, the Bernard Easy Exit Arrows performed exactly as advertised.

Unfortunately, due to fire, two hose lines were heavily damaged; however, your product remained in tact. I feel the "Bernard Easy Exit Arrows" will be an asset for identifying a easily accessible escape route from a hostile environment."

From Chief David F. Viera, Seekonk Fire Department, Seekonk, MA:

"Approximately nine months have passed [since the installation of the Bernard Easy Exit system] and we have had the opportunity to utilize the Bernard System devices on several different occasions. I, as chief of this department, can honestly say that the personnel of this department are in full agreement of the Bernard Easy Exit System concept, and its resulting lifesaving potential. The consensus is that the system is indeed a 'plus' and may at some time save a firefighter's life. The Bernard Easy Exit System has my recommendation."