DuPont to Sponsor World Police and Fire Games in Support of First Responders
Second largest international sporting event attracts 10,000 participants from 60 countries
WILMINGTON, Del. and QUEBEC CITY, Quebec, June 16, 2005 — DuPont, the pioneer of high-performance personal protection materials made with DuPont™ Kevlar® and Nomex® brand fibers, and DuPont™ Tychem® fabric, today announced that it will serve as a sponsor of the upcoming World Police and Fire Games. The World Police and Fire Games – the second largest international sporting event after the Summer Olympics – is held once every two years and attracts 10,000 participants from 60 countries to compete in police and firefighting themed events. The Games will be held June 26 – July 5 in Quebec City.
"DuPont's innovative materials help protect the everyday heroes around the world who put their lives on the line each day – law enforcement professionals, firefighters and other first responders," said DuPont Advanced Fibers Systems Vice President & General Manager William J. Harvey. "We are pleased to support them through our sponsorship of the World Police and Fire Games. Because threats are dynamic and ever-changing, we are continuing to put our science to work – developing new innovations to help protect first responders and assist them in performing their jobs more effectively."
"Sponsors like DuPont play an important role in helping make the World Police and Fire Games a premier international event," said P. Michel Bouchard, president of the 2005 World Police and Fire Games. "On behalf of the event organizer and this year's participants, I want to extend my appreciation to DuPont for the company's support of the police officers and firefighters who help make our world a safer place."
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the discovery of Kevlar®, which has been protecting law enforcement professionals throughout the world for more than 30 years from threats such as bullets, knives and explosives. The IACP/DuPont™ Kevlar Survivors' Club®, jointly sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and DuPont, recognizes and honors law enforcement and corrections officers who have survived potentially fatal or disabling injuries by wearing personal protective body armor. To date, there have been more than 2,900 documented cases in which law enforcement officers were saved by their personal body armor.
In addition, DuPont™ Kevlar® and Nomex® are used in turnout gear worn by firefighters. The thermal and flame-resistant properties of Kevlar® and Nomex® are engineered into the fiber and cannot be worn off or washed out, helping them retain their protective properties for the life of the garment. Nomex® provides superior thermal protection against intense heat and flame, while providing the comfort, breathability and mobility firefighters require in turnout gear, stationwear and flame-resistant EMT apparel. The versatile family of DuPont™ Tychem® garments helps protect first responder and HAZMAT teams against a broad range of chemical hazards including liquid, gas, radioactive particles, many industrial chemicals and even warfare agents.
While Kevlar®, Nomex®, and Tychem® materials provide first responders with a range of protection that meets the highest industry standards, DuPont continues to develop new products, many that have been introduced in the last 12 months. For example, Kevlar® Comfort XLT™ technology allows protective vests to be 25 percent lighter than current all-aramid designs, while maintaining the same levels of ballistic performance. Additionally, the new DuPont™ Tychem® ThermoPro suit combines the proven protection of Tychem® and Nomex® and offers both chem./bio and flashfire protection in a single layer garment. Ideal for HAZMAT and law enforcement professionals, DuPont™ Tychem® ThermoPro avoids the bulk and cost of wearing two separate protective garments. Most recently, DuPont introduced a new line of RelyOn® antiseptic and disinfectant products, proven to be effective against all three types of hepatitis, as well as other dangerous pathogens including HIV, TB and influenza, helping ensure that emergency responders don't put their own lives in danger while saving others.
DuPont personal protection materials are part of the DuPont Safety & Protection platform. The DuPont Safety & Protection platform is focused on finding solutions to help protect people, property, operations and the environment. The platform seeks to leverage and expand over 200 years of DuPont experience as one of the safest companies in the world with recognized excellence in science and technology and in-depth knowledge of key markets.
DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
# # #
06/16/05
The DuPont Oval, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Kevlar® Comfort XLT™, Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tychem® ThermoPro and RelyOn® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.