CHICAGO INNOVATION AWARDS

joni holingerAugust 19th, 2009

I give whole hearted support (and my vote) to this important invention. In prior years the description alone would have been enough to put me to sleep, however, having spent the past 10 years as a freelance photographer of fire departments I cannot tell you how many would have liked to have the HERO Pipe at their disposal. The portability is the amazing aspect to me. It not only will greatly improve the safety for firefighters but allow fires to be extinguished more quickly which will serve to save other lives and property. Well done Michael.

Tony WoodAugust 20th, 2009

Thanks for your support, Joni. Working on The HERO Pipe project taught me about the hazards facing urban firefighting - for firefighters and those living in high-rises! Hopefully The Chicago Innovation Awards can help bring public attention to this issue! We invite everyone to join our community on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hero-Pipe/112552597877

fran and wayne wallarAugust 20th, 2009

a unique and much needed life saving invention.

cheryl laniganAugust 20th, 2009

Congratulations!!! You have put so much work and effort into this project. Good luck!! I am so proud of you.

robert scott stahlAugust 20th, 2009

I have spent a great deal of my life as a police office, both in Illinois and Arizona. There are a great many high rise buildings in the major cities around the country.

As you know, Chicago is one of them. Firefighters have been frustrated for many years that they could not assist people in perilous situations with their current equipment. This product is something that would save a great many lives and is entitled to be at least in the top ten. Fire fighters always need better tools to save lives. Is it important, or not?

Carey SealsAugust 20th, 2009

The HERO Pipe has my vote. Brilliant!

sandra gavagniAugust 20th, 2009

The Hero Pipe is amazing!! This devise could have saved many lives in the 911 New York Tragedy. This devise created by a Chicago Firefighter, could have been used in the LaSalle Fire, where numerous firefighters were injured and County Bank fire where 6 people lost their lives in Chicago. Your dedication to a solution of rescuing us from high rise fires by creating this long needed life saving devise is outstanding!!!

Julie KingAugust 20th, 2009

Innovation: A product to which help urban firefighters and save lives. Wonderful idea and best of luck.

Melissa VillalovosAugust 20th, 2009

This is AMAZING Michael.. I remember when you first started promoting it... GOOD LUCK! OXOXO

joe parisiAugust 20th, 2009

Any product that can save even one life is worth all the money in the world. Thank you for all your time and devotion to saving human life. The best of luck to you.

KarenAugust 20th, 2009

Firefighters deserve any and everything that can make their job safer-this sounds great!

Peter BiondoAugust 21st, 2009

Much needed tool for High rise firefighting

Brian DirkAugust 21st, 2009

Excellent idea. I can't see how this won't be well received in the fire community as the benefits obtained are priceless.

Jackie HigginsAugust 21st, 2009

Wonderful Invention for fighting high rise fires!

Great Job Michael.

sandy Hosek and Tom HosekAugust 21st, 2009

As the wife of a retired firefighter, I whole heartily appreciate the importance of your invention. Everyday firefighters all over the country put their lives on the line. Your tenacious efforts and dedication is highly commendable.

Good Luck,

Tom and Sandy

Pam KollarAugust 21st, 2009

Excellent idea.

RyanAugust 21st, 2009

Great innovation. For all that firefighters do for the citizens of cities across the world, it is great that a tool like the Hero Pipe takes a big step towards keeping these lifesavers safer in very dangerous situations.

I hope FD's across the country will have a few of these in every station.

Good luck!

Barbara FreseAugust 21st, 2009

We have needed this for a long time!!!

Barbara FreseAugust 21st, 2009

Terrific

Barbara FreseAugust 21st, 2009

Amazing!!

lormelitaAugust 21st, 2009

EXCELLENT..... ... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BobAugust 21st, 2009

Just the thing for those impossible to reach floors!

Peter HolsteinAugust 21st, 2009

cool

Sandra HamAugust 21st, 2009

Your dedication and effort to improve fire fighter safety is commendable!! Best of luck!!

JCAugust 22nd, 2009

Great idea to save lives

ChrisAugust 23rd, 2009

Fire away with the Hero Pipe!

Sandra Barnett-WhiteAugust 24th, 2009

Wonderful!

Tom RyanAugust 24th, 2009

HighRise firefighting is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable aspects of the fire service. This invention will give firefighters another tool in our very limited High Rise arsenal. Great job Mike!

Tim StahlAugust 24th, 2009

If it weren't for innovators like you, we wouldn't have any of the modern life-saving conveniences so many people take for granted. This is an incredible invention that will revolutionize high rise fire fighting. I hope the HERO Pipe ends up in every firehouse with even one 12+ story building in its district! St. Florian must be smiling down on you! Great Job!

Rory OhseAugust 24th, 2009

This invention will save lives and protect property. It will allow firefighters to fight the fire from a safe area and do it in a timely manner. You've made a product to be proud of, congrats.

RonAugust 25th, 2009

Sounds like the product has already proven itself as a great success.

Anna M AguilarAugust 26th, 2009

G R E A T....

Connie McCorkleAugust 26th, 2009

And yet another GREAT invention!!

jay mccallumAugust 26th, 2009

necessity is the mother of invention, in this case this invention can do nothing but keep firemen out of harms way. truly a stroke of genius.

Anthony BattagliaAugust 27th, 2009

Great Idea will help save lives

Joe DormanAugust 28th, 2009

This will be a great service to fire protection. I'm going to ask the Oklahoma State Fire Marshall to look into this for the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Fire Departments. Great job!

Mike GlickAugust 28th, 2009

how can you not vote for something that will save lives?

susanAugust 28th, 2009

awesome idea! good luck!

James P. McMahonAugust 28th, 2009

Great idea Mike.

Todd WilliamsAugust 28th, 2009

Great idea, Mike. Good luck!

TOM WIELGATAugust 28th, 2009

HERO PIPE, the name says it all..

Bill RadekAugust 29th, 2009

OUTSTANDING !

BOB SAUSERAugust 29th, 2009

A great invention from one of chicago finest, great job Mike and good luck.

Larry AnomanAugust 30th, 2009

Great jobMike I know you worked very hard on this product and it has great advantages for high rise fires. We need all the help we can get on those kind of fires . Keep up the good work This is a winner hands down

Ren ClarkAugust 31st, 2009

I see how it could save lives at both ends of the pump.

Glad to know that "innovation" lives beyond Twitter.

Murray FincherAugust 31st, 2009

Congratulations for this amazing, innovative product. The key is the fact that it will save lives! It deserves

full support. Best wishes to all involved.

joseAugust 31st, 2009

This product WILL save lives!

frances parkerSeptember 1st, 2009

not only is this amazing, it can save lives!

Joyce MeltonSeptember 1st, 2009

Sandra Gavagni told me about this. Thank you for inventing this life saving device!

Kenneth WojteckiSeptember 2nd, 2009

Combating Hi-Rise fires is one of the most difficult types of incidents that challenges emergency responders. This device has the potential to save both the lives of the public and emergency personnel. It allows the Incident Commander another option that previously was not avaiable.

Victor MegaroSeptember 2nd, 2009

Nice Job Mike. Good luck.

David W DeckerSeptember 2nd, 2009

We need to keep our heroes safe! What a great product!

P HennemanSeptember 2nd, 2009

Great Innovation Mike.

Patrick BakerSeptember 2nd, 2009

Good job mike. I think it's a winner.

Chris MuchaSeptember 2nd, 2009

I'm all for any products that can help out firefighters to do the difficult job that they do.

Kelly CriscitielloSeptember 3rd, 2009

Buena suerte!

Mary Beth WilliamsSeptember 4th, 2009

I live in a high rise and appreciate this innovation that will create safety for all. Thank you!

Evan GambleSeptember 6th, 2009

I JUST VOTED FOR THE HERO PIPE! WAY TO GO COUSIN!

LEE HOOPERSeptember 9th, 2009

Great tool should help firefighting tactics in high rises all over the country.

Cathy Nolan-RicherSeptember 10th, 2009

Just coming back from living in London, there was a case where two families died because the firefighters could not reach the high situated apartments. Something like the hero pipe would have saved their lives. Way to go, cuz!

Brian HickeySeptember 11th, 2009

Today is great day to remember all that firefighters do for us. Anything that makes their job safer gets my vote!

sabernatairn snigpotSeptember 13th, 2009

If it saves one life or protects one fireman, it's a wonderful thing. Best of luck !

Jason MayoskiSeptember 14th, 2009

Great Job, Mike! This is what the Fire Department needs. Good Luck!

Robin PenkwitzSeptember 14th, 2009

Michael ~ Wonderful job at putting such an effort into making your life-saving dream a reality! We are lucky to have believers like you in this world. xo Robin

thomas johnsonSeptember 14th, 2009

I have worked in emergency management and this can protect civilian and firefighter lives - very inventive

Lynn DoyleSeptember 14th, 2009

Way to go Michael - your dream has become reality. Good Luck!

Lynn McGowanSeptember 14th, 2009

Congratulations - you did it!

patricia mccollomSeptember 14th, 2009

Fantastic concept, so needed in high rise situations, great job!!!

Kunle ApampaSeptember 14th, 2009

For a greater cause!

Crystal MacleanSeptember 14th, 2009

Great idea.

Tammy BruceSeptember 15th, 2009

Michael,

It's great to know that you are doing as much as you can to save and protect our men & women fire fighters. Thank you so much & good luck ;o)

Nicholas LenoSeptember 20th, 2009

As a firefighter that was on the roof of the Lasalle Street fire, I seen the fire up close. We were fortunate to have the configuration of the buiding, an the quick thinking of Engine 8 for our leadout. The HERO pipe is what we needed that night. I feel I could speak for ever firefighter that crawled down that hallway that night, it was a no win battle. This will save life and property. Good Job Mike