First Responders, firefighters, police, and all other rescue workers frequently work in rotten circumstances. This brings forth a vexing challenge for first responders; carrying awkward and heavy gear to protect themselves, making their work operations more problematic. The recent study of emergency response workers by Raud, supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, reveals major concerns among first responders regarding protective gear and communication equipment problems.
In fact, the situation has been made worse with the Pandemic, where firefighters' health is now at stake due to poor measures. According to Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), a union that represents 12,000 first responders, reveals that nearly 100 locals that include 6,000 first responders in the Commonwealth agree that inadequate protective equipment is the reason behind shutting their departments and downgrading their response to emergency calls. Mark Sallada, an American fight fighter and the Founder of 911 Rapid Response, emphasizes the need for apt equipment as the need of the hour.
Mark Sallada belonging to a family associated with volunteering at the fire department for decades, is enthusiastic about empowering the first responders with all his heart. Joining the fire department at the mere of 16, as a teenage boy, Sallada has worked in different positions spanning from Fire Police Lieutenant, Caption, Assistant Engineer, QRS member, and Driver of the apparatus. Having hands-on experience responding to an emergency call, Sallada understands the pressure a firefighter has to go through while responding to an emergency call.
Later, after undergoing extensive local police academy training, Sallada also served as Officer at Lower Sawatara Police Department and was also positioned as the ‘in charge’ of the vehicle fleet. Based on his experience around emergencies both as a firefighter and Police officer, Sallada was enthusiastic about protecting first responders' lives; after all, they are humans with a family too. Therefore, in 2016 he launched 911 Rapid Response, a new public safety facility, and expanding it to launch an online store with everything for ‘First Responders.’ “I desired to safeguard the precious lives of ‘First Responders’ who are risking their lives for the sake of humanity. Providing a one-stop-shop solution for them with quality gears and equipment including Uniforms, Firearms, Supplies, and much more, 911 Rapid Response has emerged as one trustworthy merchandise in such a short span,” says Mark Sallada.
Sallada shares that his primary purpose behind launching ‘911 Rapid Response’ was to empower our heroes with the right equipment. “911 Rapid Respond strives to proffer public safety equipment that never compromises on the quality, helping the ‘First Responders’ to remain safe while responding and on scene at emergency calls. Our showroom is home to emergency, police gear, EMS supplies, traffic safety supplies, and much more,” he says. 911 Rapid Response building comprises 30,000 square feet with an expanded showroom of 10,000 square feet.
Being the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2010, Mark Sallada is filled with enthusiasm to the brim to prioritize the safety of the local first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, who stands ready to respond to calls immediately.