Rescue Products International, Inc

What Rescue Products International, Inc does

Rescue Products International, Inc. (RPI) is a US-based manufacturer of life-safety equipment for the fire service, founded in 2006 by CEO Chris Botti following the January 2005 Black Sunday fire in the Bronx. The company's core products are firefighter personal escape systems — including the original RPI System, the Phoenix Escape System (PX40/PX50/PXSO), the RPI 1/23 Hook, and the Defender FR Harness — alongside the Lil Buddy backup safety system, escape webbing, lumbar and hip pouches, a standpipe training simulator, and a 75-foot swift-water rescue throw bag. Differentiated technical features include a 7075-T6 aluminum anchor hook, Technora-core webbing, and a convertible Class II/III harness design; the company holds six US patents and is UL/SEI certified to NFPA 2500 and NFPA 1983, while also being ISO 9001:2012 certified. RPI's production is conducted in Pine Island, NY by off-duty firefighters, former military, and retired fire-service members, with headquarters in Sparta, NJ.

RPI monetizes through two primary streams: (1) hardware sales of proprietary rescue systems and complementary gear, distributed via a direct, quote-based sales model to fire departments, tactical/law enforcement units, and training academies, and (2) professional training services delivered since 2007, covering personal escape systems, bailout training, confined space rescue, HAZMAT, moving water, ice, vehicle, rope, and standpipe operations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled per quote, consistent with municipal and enterprise procurement norms. Customer relationships are anchored in the fire-service community — FDNY is explicitly referenced as both inspiration and reference customer — and RPI maintains partnerships with manufacturers including Sterling Rope, 3M Capital Safety, Bally Ribbon Mills, and Omega Pacific (whose carabiner assets RPI co-acquired with Colinear Machine and Design in 2020 to form the Skyworx joint venture). The company distributes domestically and internationally, operates with approximately 7 employees, and remains privately held and founder-owned without disclosed external funding.

Name

Rescue Products International, Inc

Legal name

Rescue Products International, Inc.

Website

https://rescueproinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Rescue Products International (RPI) is a US manufacturer of patented, NFPA-certified firefighter personal escape systems, harnesses, hooks, and rescue gear, plus related professional training, selling direct to fire departments and tactical customers domestically and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Firefighter Safety Equipment

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Gloves, Masks/Respirators, Gowns, Face Shields) (HLAHANAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Firefighter escape systems
• Personal escape equipment
• Fire rescue harnesses
• Bailout systems
• Technical rescue gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Sparta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Life Safety Equipment Sales: Sale of proprietary firefighter escape systems, harnesses, hooks, webbing, and rescue gear. Products include Phoenix Escape System, RPI 1/23 Hook, Defender FR Harness, Lil Buddy backup safety system, pouches, and throw bags.
2. Professional Training Services: Industry-leading firefighter training since 2007 including Personal Escape System Training, bailout training, confined space rescue, HAZMAT programs, moving water rescue, ice rescue, vehicle rescue, standpipe operations, rope rescue, and safety/survival programs. Offers open enrollment courses and department-specific training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

RPI manufactures and sells NFPA-certified firefighter personal escape systems, harnesses, hooks, webbing, pouches, throw bags, and related life safety hardware, including the proprietary Phoenix Escape System and original RPI Escape System. The company also delivers professional firefighter training services covering personal escape systems, bailout techniques, confined space rescue, HAZMAT, swift water, ice, vehicle, standpipe, and rope rescue. Products are made in the United States by a production staff of off-duty firefighters, former military, and retired fire service members, and sold via quote-based direct sales.

Product overview

Rescue Products International (RPI) is a manufacturer of life safety equipment primarily serving the fire service, offering a portfolio of personal escape systems, rescue harnesses, hooks, pouches, and training equipment. The core product line centers on the Phoenix Escape System and original RPI Escape System for firefighter bailout situations, supported by complementary products including the Defender FR Harness (manufactured with 3M Capital Safety), the Lil' Buddy backup safety system, various pouch configurations (lumbar and hip), escape webbing, and standpipe training simulators. The company also provides professional training services and distributes related products from partner manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phoenix Escape System

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Colinear Machine and DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2020Joint venture partnership with Colinear Machine and Design to purchase Omega Pacific's equipment, tooling, designs, and machinery to continue producing Omega Pacific's Steel and select Aluminum Carabiner lines. Formed Skyworx company in Northern New Jersey to maintain and redevelop Omega product lines. RPI and Colinear have worked together for eight years developing hardware for Phoenix Firefighter Escape System. Colinear is AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified with 17,000 sq ft facility and 40+ machining centers.
• Sterling RopecoreTechnology or IntegrationKey supplier providing XTec Technora rope for Phoenix Escape System. Sterling Rope provides 6mm XTec rope that exceeds elevated temperature test of 600 degrees C for 45 seconds.
• 3M Capital SafetycoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturing partner for Defender FR Harness. Also provides Rollgliss R520 Rescue and Descent Device (Lil Buddy) used in training safety systems.
• Omega PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPI purchased Omega Pacific's carabiner equipment, tooling, designs, and machinery after Omega Pacific announced wind-down in January 2020. RPI and Colinear acquired these assets to continue production of Omega Pacific carabiner lines. RPI has used Omega Pacific carabiners in their escape systems for 13 years.
• Bally Ribbon MillssupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturing partner supplying materials and components for RPI products.
• Minerva CleanerssupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturing partner in the RPI supplier network.
• Mustang SurvivalsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing ice and water rescue products. RPI recommends Mustang Survival products alongside their own gear.
• NRS RescuesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing swift water rescue products. RPI recommends NRS Rescue products alongside their own gear.
• MARSARSsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company providing rescue products. RPI recommends MARSARS products alongside their own gear.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CMC Rescue: US-based manufacturer of technical rescue equipment, harnesses, descent devices, and rope-access hardware used by fire departments, rescue teams, and the military. Highly comparable to RPI across product category (Class II/III harnesses, escape/rescue hardware) and target customer.
• Pigeon Mountain Industries (PMI): Manufacturer of life safety rope, rescue equipment, and harnesses for fire, technical rescue, and work-at-height markets. Closely comparable to RPI in product mix (certified rope, harnesses, rescue hardware) and in selling to fire/rescue professionals.
• Petzl: Global manufacturer of headlamps, harnesses, descenders, and rescue devices for vertical, tactical, and fire-service users. Comparable to RPI in escape/rescue hardware and in serving professional rescue and tactical communities, though at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Sterling Rope: Manufacturer of life safety rope and cordage, including NFPA-certified escape rope, used in fire service and rescue applications. Sterling is directly comparable to RPI and also a supplier of XTec Technora rope into the Phoenix Escape System, making it both a peer and a partner.
• Elk River: Manufacturer of fall protection, rope access, and rescue equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, and descent devices for industrial and fire/rescue markets. Comparable to RPI in certified rescue hardware and overlapping customer base in fire and tactical.

Broad incumbents

• Capital Safety (3M): Global safety equipment manufacturer offering the DBI-SALA and Protecta lines of fall protection, harnesses, and rescue devices. Comparable to RPI in rescue and descent hardware and is already a partner (manufactures the Defender FR Harness and Lil Buddy Rollgliss R520 used by RPI), but operates as a broad safety incumbent rather than a niche fire-service specialist.
• MSA Safety: Large diversified safety equipment manufacturer with deep fire service credentials (SCBA, thermal imaging, head protection). Overlaps with RPI in supplying certified safety gear to fire departments, but MSA's portfolio, scale, and R&D budget are several orders of magnitude larger than RPI's.
• Bullard: Established manufacturer of firefighter PPE, thermal imaging, and head protection serving US fire departments. Comparable to RPI as a fire-service-focused safety equipment maker, though Bullard is broader in scope and significantly larger than RPI.
• Dräger: Global safety and medical technology company supplying SCBA, protective clothing, and rescue equipment to fire services worldwide. Comparable to RPI in fire service safety gear, though Dräger operates at much larger scale and across both industrial and emergency response markets.
• Honeywell Safety: Diversified safety manufacturer providing PPE, fall protection, and respiratory protection for industrial and first responder markets. Comparable to RPI in serving safety-equipment buyers and certified gear, but as a broad incumbent rather than a fire-service specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Rescue-Products-International-Inc

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rescue Products International, Inc