Month: May 2026

Our colleagues at Airtech Vacuum in Rutherford, New Jersey hosted a Job Readiness Workshop for 25 high school students from Great Oaks Legacy Charter School and Covenant House this month, in partnership with Jersey Cares.

The workshop was designed to help young adults and teens preparing to enter the workforce, connect with industry professionals, strengthen their resumes, participate in mock interviews, and explore career opportunities within manufacturing.

Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of Airtech employees representing diverse career paths and professional backgrounds. These conversations offered valuable insight into real world career journeys and the many possibilities within our industry.

Students toured our factory, a first-time experience for many, allowing them to see how manufacturing facilities operate and how everyday products are made and brought to market.

Some of the students are from Covenant House, which provides food, shelter, crisis care, and other supportive services to young people experiencing homelessness and who are survivors of human trafficking. Prior to this event, Airtech organized a separate initiative last December called “First Night Kits,” supported by an IDEX Foundation grant. During that effort, Airtech employees assembled kits filled with toiletries, blankets, and other essential personal hygiene items designed to help young people get through their first night without a home. Many of the students are still using those First Night Kits today.

Overall, this month’s workshop was another successful example of Airtech’s commitment to corporate responsibility and to preparing and educating the next generation of the workforce. These students may very well become our colleagues in the years ahead.

A sincere thank you to all the volunteers who shared their career insights, helped students build their resumes, and supported them in preparing for future interviews. Special recognition goes to the Airtech Engagement Committee for making this event possible.

Across 15 different departments, nearly 20 employees at Gast, a unit of IDEX, gathered to pack 400 backpacks for kids participating in a Girls on the Run event.

Girls on the Run offers programs designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life. 

Backpacks contained items such as socks, hats, hair ties, fanny packs, bracelets and personal hygiene items. The team applied manufacturing concepts to get the job done in just one hour, forming an assembly line for maximum efficiency.

The annual girls’ event is held in Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S.A., with support from the United Way Southwest Michigan. The full cost of the backpacks and their contents was covered through a generous donation from the IDEX Foundation and in accordance with National Volunteer Week from April 19–25.

If you are interested in learning more about Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan, check out their website here: Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan

IDEX Fire & Safety used the stage at FDIC International 2026, the most important fire service gathering of the year, to highlight how it is advancing intelligence, interoperability and performance across the modern fireground. 

Across its portfolio, IDEX Fire & Safety introduced new solutions that reflect a clear focus on intelligence, interoperability and performance.

“FDIC is where first responders come to see what’s next,” IDEX Fire & Safety President Brian Houk said. “These announcements reflect how IDEX Fire & Safety is focused on delivering intelligence, connectivity and real‑world performance, helping departments get more from the equipment they rely on today while preparing for what’s ahead.”

AI Comes to Equipment Service

At the center of IDEX Fire & Safety’s presence was the launch of Captium™ IQ, an industry‑first AI Technician from HURST Jaws of Life^®. Built to support service and equipment readiness, Captium IQ brings AI‑assisted diagnostics and guided support directly to technicians, helping accelerate troubleshooting, standardize service workflows and improve equipment uptime.

• Puts technical guidance in technicians’ hands at the point of service
• Helps diagnose issues faster and identifies likely issues based on past usage patterns
• Promotes more consistent, documented maintenance to support fleet readiness

Available through a mobile app starting in May 2026, Captium IQ is designed to reduce service complexity while strengthening long‑term aftermarket and support capabilities across the Captium platform. Over time, these AI‑enabled insights can help departments and service teams make more informed maintenance decisions and keep critical rescue tools in service.

“Captium IQ is designed to make servicing HURST Jaws of Life tools more efficient, consistent, and accessible,” said Phil Griffin, Director of Product Management with HURST Jaws of Life. “By combining guided diagnostics, clear repair workflows, and AI-powered support, Captium IQ helps departments and service partners improve uptime and maintain confidence in their equipment.”

Turning Apparatus Data Into Fireground Insight

IDEX Fire & Safety also announced expanded Captium integrations, enabling departments to stream data from existing apparatus into trusted third‑party platforms, without new trucks or data plans.

By acting as a secure data hub, Captium helps deliver real‑time pump, water and response intelligence directly to command staff and firefighters, unlocking more value from equipment already in service and reinforcing IDEX Fire & Safety’s commitment to interoperability.

Expanding Water Control Options

Akron Brass introduced the Flat Out™ Assault Ring Kit, a field‑installable upgrade that adds a flat disperse discharge pattern to select Assault nozzles. Designed for exterior attack, wildland and wind‑driven conditions, the new pattern delivers controlled, linear surface coverage while retaining straight stream and power cone functionality.

The kit integrates with SAM™ and SAM BOOST™ and installs quickly with no permanent modification.

Previewing the Future of Fire Pumps

Rounding out the announcements, Hale previewed the next‑generation QMAX‑APX Fire Pump at FDIC. Building on the legacy of the widely specified QMAX platform, QMAX‑APX introduces a more modular, future‑ready design intended to simplify apparatus engineering, accommodate evolving emissions systems and support expanded connectivity through Captium.