Drger Safety Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Acquire Swede Survival Systems and Fire Training Systems

April 28, 2004 – – Pittsburgh, PA – – Drger Safety AG & Co. KGaA based in Lbeck, Germany with NAFTA region headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, signed a memorandum of understanding with Swede Survival Systems, Inc. of Encinitas, CA and Fire Training Systems, Ltd, (FTS),
located in Napanee, ON, Canada on the acquisition of the shares of both parties. Working together for years to provide specialized training products, Swede Survival Systems, FTS and Drger Safety have developed a strategic partnering relationship.

We are looking forward to offering the complete safety solution to our customers worldwide. Swede Survival, FTS and Draeger Safety are focused on the same goal and that is firefighter safety. The mobile training units we currently offer together with our technical training as well as the systems from Swede Survival and FTS help us to sustain our goal. said Wes Kenneweg, President and CEO of Draeger Safety, Inc.

The Swede Survival System offers firefighters the opportunity to observe fire behavior within a steel trailer. Through repetitive observation they learn the signs that lead to the flashover phenomenon in a controlled setting. By recognizing the warning signs, fire department personnel learn the skills needed to take aggressive action and deal with these dangerous situations.

According to John Hunter, President of Swede Survival, Inc. One of the reasons we united to join forces with Drger, is that Drger has developed the training gallery systems for confined space entry and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) confidence building. I think our programs fit within the Drger concept of not only providing the breathing apparatus, but also the training to save firefighters lives.

Also from our perspective, Drger is a much larger company and will be able to provide more marketing muscle than what we have traditionally done in the past. We have a great future together, there is no doubt. he added.

Using gases such as butane, propane and artificial smoke under fully controlled conditions, Fire Training Systems offers the fire fighting community the training needed to hone various skills for
coordinated attacks when extinguishing fires. These systems may be retrofitted to items such as aircrafts, cars or existing concrete structures.

Bob Giguere, President of FTS said We like being a part of Drger because we know it is a quality company and we are well known for our quality systems. It is a good fit for our corporate mentality and our customers.

These concepts match perfectly into the Drger Safety philosophy of breathing apparatus training. Drgers Mobile Training Centers also consist of a similar container or truck trailer design that holds within it a series of caged mazes, helping firefighters become more comfortable and confident in their breathing apparatus and safe in their dangerous work.

The Swede company will remain in Encinitas, CA and FTS, Ltd. will remain in ON, Canada but will both be a division of the Drger Safety group of companies. These acquisitions will further strengthen Drgers customer support network throughout North America and will provide a profound advantage over Drgers competitors.