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14 S T U F F • 2 0 2 1 • StuffMadeinMA.com provide immediate detection and response. Modern suppression systems can detect a spark within milliseconds and disburse suppression agents to put out the fire, said Brian. New video flame detectors also utilize algorithms to detect smoke and fire and initiate a prevention response. FEI's manufacturing partners include some of the most well-known fire safety companies: Kidde Fire Systems, Ansul, Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell, Xtralis, The Protectowire Co. Inc., and many others. Each FEI design is specifically engineered to suit a company's specific environment and potential safety hazards meaning that no two systems are alike. The goal is to provide unique solutions for clients. "Nothing is bought off the shelf. Everything is designed," Brian said. Auburn Fire Department While changing fire technology has yielded many safety benefits, the transition to more computerized systems can present challenges for fire departments, said Auburn Fire Chief Stephen Coleman. "When you look at technology in fire service, most of it is driven by safety," he said. In the 30 years Coleman has been in the field, he has seen great technological advances in the equipment used by firefighters. For example, firefighting air packs used to simply be air tanks with a one way valve and a mask that tightened on your face. There were no electronics in the device and even the low-air alarm was powered by the air intake. Today, air packs feature high-end electronics with lights in the mask's peripheral vision to keep real-time updates on air suppy and regulators that vibrate in alarm when the air supply is low. The Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire that started on Dec. 3, 1999, and led to the deaths of six firefighters, inspired a new wave of fire prevention and fire service technologies, said Coleman. "If you had told me 30 years ago, I would be using computers as a firefighter, I never would have believed you," Coleman said. Coleman said in the past you could fix the mechanics of the engines with a wrench or even a coat hanger, but now when there is an issue with the truck, laptops are used to run diagnostics and codes operate the truck. The technology gives the firefighters many advances, but the downside is that there is no mechanical quick fix the firefighters can do themselves if the electronics go out in the field. As a town with many commercial and industrial buildings, the Auburn Fire Continued from page 13 39% Increase in the average annual salary of a Massachusetts manufacturing employee from 2008 to 2020 P H O T O | K E N W I R F Palmer firefighters respond to a fire near the town's center. $138,680 Average annual salary of a Massachusetts computer hardware engineer, the highest- paying manufacturing job in the state