JUPTIER, Fla. (Sept. 25) -- Nick Coutsouvanos never misses out on an opportunity to help out his brother firefighters.
While in Indianapolis watching a recent NHRA drag race, Coutsouvanos, a 16-year veteran firefighter and Director of Operations at World Wide Emergency Services Institute, was blown away by the sensory overload that comes with a visit to the drag strip. He also recognized an opportunity to pass along his knowledge and expertise to the local emergency service personnel who make the racetrack a safer place for drivers and fans alike.
"I was thrilled to experience NHRA drag racing for the first time," Coutsouvanos said. "There was a lot to absorb. It's everything you would expect and so much more. All of your senses are assaulted. It's quite a visceral experience.
"I also saw where we could get involved with the first responders at the racetrack to prepare them for what to do when something bad happens -- anything from a fire to a high-speed accident that requires extrication. They have to be prepared for so many things."
Coutsouvanos spent much of his time in the pits of Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Mod driver Jay Payne, who is sponsored by FireIce, a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly fire suppression gel that World Wide Emergency Services Institute utilizes in its training. He was so impressed with drag racing and the program Payne has put together with FireIce that he immediately became an associate sponsor of the team.
"Jay is taking a personal interest in FireIce because I think he realizes the good it can do in communities across the country," Coutsouvanos said. "FireIce is a going to revolutionize fire service and it's going to change how we provide those services to the community. It's going to lower equipment costs, water usage, and the manpower we use to fight fires. It'll allow us to be more effective and more efficient at our jobs. Most of all it gets firefighters out of dangerous situations faster, thereby making them safer."
A national champion in 1995 with 11 divisional crowns to his credit, including the last five Southeast Division titles in a row, Payne's 36 national event victories ranks him 24th on NHRA's all-time list, which dates back to 1951. He's had FireIce as the title sponsor of his racecars since the spring of this season.
FireIce, a subsidiary of GelTech Solutions Inc., a publically-traded corporation (OTCBB: GLTC), is a corporate partner to the Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which helps firefighters in need. GelTech CEO Michael Cordani says his company uses World Wide Emergency Services Institute as the training arm of his company.
"Nick and his staff are very professional and have done an outstanding job in educating our nation's first responders," Cordani said. "He's also done a great job of spreading the word about the benefits and safety features of FireIce. First and foremost, he's a fireman who never wants to see his brother firefighters get hurt.
"When he saw the response Jay Payne's racecar had with the large group of firefighters from the Brownsburg Fire Department we honored in Indy it really opened his eyes. He immediately realized the impact a platform like the NHRA can have in helping bring awareness to the fire industry.
"NHRA drag racing offers a very unique and powerful marketing tool. People never forget a day at the races. We're very glad to have Nick and World Wide Emergency Services Institute as part of our team."
While in Indianapolis watching a recent NHRA drag race, Coutsouvanos, a 16-year veteran firefighter and Director of Operations at World Wide Emergency Services Institute, was blown away by the sensory overload that comes with a visit to the drag strip. He also recognized an opportunity to pass along his knowledge and expertise to the local emergency service personnel who make the racetrack a safer place for drivers and fans alike.
"I was thrilled to experience NHRA drag racing for the first time," Coutsouvanos said. "There was a lot to absorb. It's everything you would expect and so much more. All of your senses are assaulted. It's quite a visceral experience.
"I also saw where we could get involved with the first responders at the racetrack to prepare them for what to do when something bad happens -- anything from a fire to a high-speed accident that requires extrication. They have to be prepared for so many things."
Coutsouvanos spent much of his time in the pits of Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Mod driver Jay Payne, who is sponsored by FireIce, a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly fire suppression gel that World Wide Emergency Services Institute utilizes in its training. He was so impressed with drag racing and the program Payne has put together with FireIce that he immediately became an associate sponsor of the team.
"Jay is taking a personal interest in FireIce because I think he realizes the good it can do in communities across the country," Coutsouvanos said. "FireIce is a going to revolutionize fire service and it's going to change how we provide those services to the community. It's going to lower equipment costs, water usage, and the manpower we use to fight fires. It'll allow us to be more effective and more efficient at our jobs. Most of all it gets firefighters out of dangerous situations faster, thereby making them safer."
A national champion in 1995 with 11 divisional crowns to his credit, including the last five Southeast Division titles in a row, Payne's 36 national event victories ranks him 24th on NHRA's all-time list, which dates back to 1951. He's had FireIce as the title sponsor of his racecars since the spring of this season.
FireIce, a subsidiary of GelTech Solutions Inc., a publically-traded corporation (OTCBB: GLTC), is a corporate partner to the Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which helps firefighters in need. GelTech CEO Michael Cordani says his company uses World Wide Emergency Services Institute as the training arm of his company.
"Nick and his staff are very professional and have done an outstanding job in educating our nation's first responders," Cordani said. "He's also done a great job of spreading the word about the benefits and safety features of FireIce. First and foremost, he's a fireman who never wants to see his brother firefighters get hurt.
"When he saw the response Jay Payne's racecar had with the large group of firefighters from the Brownsburg Fire Department we honored in Indy it really opened his eyes. He immediately realized the impact a platform like the NHRA can have in helping bring awareness to the fire industry.
"NHRA drag racing offers a very unique and powerful marketing tool. People never forget a day at the races. We're very glad to have Nick and World Wide Emergency Services Institute as part of our team."
