High Rise Escape Systems (HRES), with a Legacy of Wins in the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Six Consecutive Years, is pleased to announce the company’s Guardian Self Evacuation & Rescue System, has been Nominated to Compete in the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
Ryan Alles, the Founder of HRES, spent over a decade in U.S. emergency services as an EMT and professional Firefighter.
Frustrated and angered by the events of September 11, 2001, which proved once again how slow evacuations from high-rise structures can have fatal consequences, he worked to create solutions that the average citizen could afford.
Did you know that ninety-nine percent of the world’s fire ladder trucks cannot reach above the 7th floor?
(High Rise Escape Systems, Inc. was asked to contribute to Daily Planet’s 10th Anniversary Special on 9/11 on the Discovery Channel. We were proud to help get the word out about advances in Supplemental Evacuation since the events of September 11th, 2001. Courtesy of the Discovery Channel, Ryan Alles and YouTube.)
HRES has a passion for helping others.
Made up of emergency service professionals, EMTs, and professional firefighters, HRES believes that in today’s complex environment, it is irresponsible to believe that in times of danger, emergency services will be obtainable, timely, and equipped to provide rescue from multi-story buildings, air traffic control towers (ATC), or other critical infrastructure environments.
The Guardian Escape System provides simple, reliable, and inexpensive solutions for self-evacuation and rescue so that people can truly plan two ways out.
(The future of fire escapes is here! Personal Evacuation Systems for buildings up to 100 floors. Protect your family and co-workers with our fixed-mounted or portable units. Inexpensive and easy to set up. Courtesy of HRES and YouTube.)
Step by Step – How it Works
The Guardian Escape System works by using a combination of several simple, low-tech devices that require no power, are inexpensive, have a long shelf-life, and are easy to use.
HRES Escape Systems can be installed as either permanent or portable solutions for easy attachment to a structure.
Each system incorporates a Controlled Descent Device (CDD), which works like a pulley. Each CDD incorporates a poly-steel cable with a neoprene inner lining and a braided polyester jacket to protect it against abrasion, moisture, and heat.
Cable lengths are currently available up to 1000 feet (305 meters) or about 100 floors. Other options are available for locations exceeding these heights.
In operation, a user slides an Escape Harness over themselves, climbs over their balcony or window, and the CDD slowly lowers them automatically at the rate of 3 ft per second, comparable to a slow elevator’s descent.
As they descend, the opposite end of the cable automatically retracts and reloads the CDD for the next evacuee.
Then the process repeats.
Everyone gets out.
Escape harnesses are permanently attached at each cable end, and full fire-resistant evacuation suits are also available.
The Guardian Escape System is a simple, reliable, and cost-friendly solution for emergency response – so that you and those you are responsible for always have two ways out.
HRES also offers heat-resistant evacuation suits to complement HRES systems and may be used in place of other harnesses for rescuers as they are oversized and simple to put on either yourself or other.
HRES harnesses and Fire Resistant Evacuation Suits are attached to a harness with heavy-duty Kevlar thread and connect to the CDD with a high-strength carabineer.
Designed with senior citizens, the mobility impaired, and the disabled communities in mind, they can also accommodate an adult and child together. They are made up of an Aluminized, Kevlar-style material that repels 95% of radiant heat.
HRES Fire Resistant Evacuation Suits are especially effective for assisted evacuation & rescue solutions for hospitals, facilities for disabled persons, child care facilities, and nursing homes.
Evacuation Suits offer:
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Fire Protection
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Abrasion Protection
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Reduced fear of height for the victim
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Can be put on much faster with less confusion
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Doesn’t get tangled like other harnesses
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Can be used with traditional rope rescue methods
The award-winning Guardian Escape System is an ideal solution for self-evacuation & rescue solutions for anyone living or working above the 2nd floor, and are widely utilized in government buildings, embassies, barracks, and air traffic control centers.
The Guardian Escape System is also an excellent solution for self-evacuation, assisted evacuation & rescue solutions for apartments, condominiums, hotels, theme parks, cranes, oil platforms, and ships.
The United States military has been utilizing Guardian Escape Systems on air traffic control towers such as Edwards AFB, Tinker AFB, Maxwell AFB, and Patrick AFB, as well as Army and Air National Guard installations such as Alpena CRTC and Grayling Air Gunnery Range.
With your support, HRES is proud to protect those who protect us all!
(The 7th Operation Support Squadron air traffic control tower demonstrates their new fire escape system from High Rise Escape Systems, which uses a swing arm and a pulley system to safely lower personnel to the ground in case of an emergency. This device is much safer than taking the stairs or the elevator. Courtesy of Dyess AFB and YouTube.)
Alles was appointed to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Building Code/Safety to Life Technical Committee on which he still serves.
He is also a founding member of the Safe Evacuation Coalition, and participating member on the American Society of Testing and Material (ASTM) E06.77 committee on Supplemental Evacuation Devices.
Alles is also a member of the International Counter-Terrorism Officers Association (IACSP).
High Rise Escape Systems‘ current qualifications include the following:
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National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Textbook example of Supplemental Evacuation Equipment – Life Safety Code Handbook
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The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has approved these products for their Tailored Logistics Support Program (TLS) to support our warfighters
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U.S. DHS / Safety Act – Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology designation in 2007 to Present
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NFPA Building & Life Safety Code / Means of Egress Section
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DHS/Responder Knowledge Base – Registered Participant
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Safe Evacuation Coalition – Founder & Member Est. 2006
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International Counter-Terrorism Officers Association Member
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ASTM E2484 Multi-Story Building External Evacuation Controlled Descent Devices–Member/Participant
Over the last decade, High Rise Escape Systems have evolved into an international team dedicated to creating solutions adaptable to your individual needs and expectations.
The company prides itself on providing confidential installations. Many of our clients utilize these technologies as part of their family’s personal security rather than a secondary means of fire escape.
To Learn More, please visit https://www.highriseescapesystems.com/ and ensure you and your associates always have two ways out.
High Rise Escape Systems Nominated to Compete in Seventh ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Eighth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
High Rise Escape Systems
Best Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Recovery System
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Guardian Evacuation System
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The Guardian Evacuation System developed a fixed and/or portable escape system to attach to a structure, designed to mitigate means of egress for anyone living or working above the 2nd floor, including: government buildings, embassies, barracks, hospitals, air traffic control towers, apartments, condominiums, hotels, industrial and job sites, theme parks, cranes, oil platforms, ships and more.
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High Rise Escape Systems (HRES) accomplished this in a combination of several simple, low-tech devices that require no power, are inexpensive, have a long shelf-life and are easy to use.
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Using a Controlled Descent Device (CDD) which works like a pulley, a user slides a one of two permanently attached escape harnesses over them, exits off of a balcony/roof structure or out of a window and the CDD slowly lowers them automatically at the rate of 3 feet per second.
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As the first user descends, the opposite end of the cable automatically retracts and reloads the CDD with the remaining escape harness for the next evacuee.
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Then the process repeats. Everyone gets out.
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The United States Military has been utilizing High Rise Escape Systems Guardian Escape Systems on Air Traffic Control Towers for years, which includes the Ellsworth AFB, Dyess AFB, Vandenburg AFB, Edwards AFB, Tinker AFB, Maxwell AFB and Patrick AFB as well as Army and Air National Guard installations such as Alpena CRTC, Grayling Air Gunnery Range & Selfridge ANG.
(See the HRES device in action as designed for the Dyess AFB ACT Tower which is much safer than taking the stairs or the elevator. Courtesy of Dyess AFB & YouTube.)
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*HRES has now been recognized as an ‘ASTORS’ Award Champion in its Sixth Consecutive Homeland Awards Program, respectively.
The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will highlight the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2023 and the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. Because #MentorshipMatters.
So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2023 in New York City!
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | COVID Innovations |
| Workforce Management | Government Security Programs | And Many Others to Choose From! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher, at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.
These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.
Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.
The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event, in the heart of New York City.
The 2022 exclusive sold-out ‘ASTORS’ luncheon featured representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders who came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for generations to come.
Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which came out in force to discuss comprehensive collaborations between private and public sectors that have led to the development of intelligence and technologies which serve to protect our nation.
The keynote address was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane Sabatino, who described the changes to CBP through the tragedy of 9/11 and the relentless commitment to its mission and ongoing investment in the latest technologies and innovations to protect our borders and Homeland.
The resounding theme of the DEAC’s remarks was her pride in the women and men of the CBP and their families who support them.
AST was also joined by Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton, who spoke about his love for the City of New York, the Profession of law enforcement to which he has dedicated his life, and for which he continues to drive thought leadership and innovation.
New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Department Kenneth Corey, came out to address Luncheon attendees and shared some of his experiences and the changes in policing he’s witnessed over his more than three decades of service.
FDNY Chief Joseph Jardin honored the men and women of the FDNY, not only those who currently serve but all of those who have selflessly served, with special recognition of those lost on 9/11.
Chief Jardin spoke about the continuing health battle of many following 9/11 with cancer and respiratory disease, yet now knowing the full consequences, would not have made a different decision to respond.
As Chief Jardin noted, mission-driven service is the lifeblood of every firefighter, volunteer, and sworn member, and has been so throughout the history of the Fire Service.
Former head of the FBI’s active shooter program, Katherine Schweit joined AST to sign complimentary copies of her book, ‘STOP THE KILLING: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis, thanks to the generosity of our 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Sponsors.
The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by NEC National Security Systems (NSS), ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America, guardDog AI, Fortior Solutions, IPVideo Corporation, Rajant Corporation, RX Global, and SIMS Software!
We were pleased to welcome the esteemed New York City Fire Department (FDNY); the New York City Police Department (NYPD); and the NYC Hospital Police, as well as Executive Management from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and many other DHS agencies, Federal law enforcement agencies, and private/public partnerships such as the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the 30×30 Initiative, a coalition of professionals advancing the representation of women in policing; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) (rail safety advocates).
The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
In 2022 over 240 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields.
Each year, to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government, and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands at ISC East, the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo (NDEM EXPO), and the ASIS NYC Expo.
ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, hosted in collaboration with sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.
Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their Legacy of Wins, include:
Advanced Detection Technologies, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Cellbusters, CornellCookson, CyberArk Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, High Rise Escape Systems, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Select Engineering Services LLC, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and West Virginia American Access Control Systems, just to name a few!
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more, please see the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2022 ‘A Year in Review.’
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition reviews ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
The 2022 CHAMPIONS serves as your Go-To Source through the year for ‘The Best of 2022 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today – and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also features guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders and recognized firms in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
