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Posted February 21, 2006 EST
NY Thwarts Escape Device Praised In Isreal
United States (New York) -
The idea emerged after Jonathan ``Yoni'' Shimshoni and a team of aspiring inventors in Israel watched a television documentary detailing the heart-wrenching plight of victims trapped on the upper floors of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Shimshoni recalled seeing the towering inferno and thinking, ``This is nuts. This shouldn't have to happen.''
The team came up with a potentially lifesaving solution: a $1 million escape device with expandable cabins that could be lowered like lifeboats outside a high-rise in distress. A prototype tested in Tel Aviv won praise from politicians, public safety experts and the landlord of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper who offered his property for a pilot program.
That was before Shimshoni received a discouraging letter dated Feb. 6 from the city's Office of Emergency Management. In short, he was told the project was unworthy of the necessary building permits.
Shimshoni recalled seeing the towering inferno and thinking, ``This is nuts. This shouldn't have to happen.''
The team came up with a potentially lifesaving solution: a $1 million escape device with expandable cabins that could be lowered like lifeboats outside a high-rise in distress. A prototype tested in Tel Aviv won praise from politicians, public safety experts and the landlord of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper who offered his property for a pilot program.
That was before Shimshoni received a discouraging letter dated Feb. 6 from the city's Office of Emergency Management. In short, he was told the project was unworthy of the necessary building permits.
Written by Staff Writer
Courtesy of
Escape Rescue Systems Web Site
