When it comes to fighting fires, not all hose is created equal. In a demanding industry that relies on equipment that can perform under pressure in harsh environments, hose that can withstand the literal and proverbial heat is a necessity. Enter Snap-tite’s Warrior™, the industry’s most resilient and heat-resistant hose. In fact, it’s the industry’s only UL-19 Type 1 fire hose.
Warrior™ was born out of tragedy. When the Last Call Foundation (LCF) called on hose manufacturers to improve the heat resistance of their hoses, Snap-tite Hose responded with the Warrior™.
Learn more about the Last Call Foundation, what makes the Warrior™ so reliable, and how we’re partnering with LCF today.
What is the Last Call Foundation?
In 2014, a Boston fire turned fatal, claiming the lives of two firefighters: Michael Kennedy and Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh. The heat of the structure fire they responded to was so intense it burned through their hose before they even got water.
Kennedy’s mother, Kathy Crosby-Bell, founded the Last Call Foundation in response to the tragedy, vowing to help protect firefighters through education, advocacy and innovation. The non-profit’s mission is to enhance the ability of firefighting professionals to effectively and safely fight fires and protect the public.
Over the past 10+ years, LCF’s dedication and commitment to their mission has helped make a difference for firefighters and first responders across the country. Just some of their more recent accomplishments include:
- Funding to purchase new equipment including firefighting gear, equipment, hose and tools to under-funded fire departments.
- New legislation banning the use of PFAS in manufacturing firefighter’s protective gear (contributing to occupational cancer risk), to be implemented by 2027.
- A grant to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network for portable on-site equipment to conduct skin cancer screenings at events for first responders.
- A grant to a non-profit dedicated to firefighter and first responder mental health providing a 24-hour help line and connects users to professional health.
- Funding to a Colorado fire district to help with the implementation of a multi-year Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
LCF’s advocacy and mission to improve firefighter safety has touched lives across our country. Their call for fire hoses that can better withstand high temperatures helped inspire the development of Snap-tite’s premier heat-resistant hose, the Warrior™.
How the Warrior™ Helps Protect Firefighters
Any improvements to firefighter safety are a win, but fire hose you can rely on ranks high on the list. Today’s fires are burning hotter and faster, and the industry continues to make advancements to keep up.
The Warrior™ represents a significant advancement in fire hose technology, offering superior durability and heat resistance. Designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, the Warrior™ is a testament to the ongoing innovation within the industry and honors the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters nationwide.
What makes the Warrior™ so special? A proprietary double jacketed hose with best-in-class heat resistance. Add in kink resistance, ease of handling and exceptional water flow and we’ve got a hose in a class of its own.
With modern materials, advanced construction techniques, and rigorous third-party testing standards, Snap-tite’s team created a hose capable of withstanding extreme heat conditions.
The Only Type 1 Fire Hose in the Industry
Ensuring fire hoses can withstand extreme temperatures is critical to firefighter safety and performance. In February of 2025, the UL-19 industry standard, governing the safety and performance of fire hoses, was updated requiring hoses three inches in diameter and smaller to receive a heat resistance type.
Key changes to the UL-19 standard include:
- Improved durability standards demonstrating enhanced resistance to degradation when exposed to high temperatures.
- Increased safety assurance providing clearer distinctions between hose types.
- Enhanced heat resistance classification providing new temperature thresholds and testing protocols for hose three inches and smaller to assess performance under extreme heat.
These updates have the dual purpose of helping fire departments understand the overall lifespan and operational reliability of their fire hose, which in turn helps them better choose hose to fit their needs.
Snap-tite’s Warrior™ is the only Type 1 classified fire hose in the industry. This means it can withstand 15 minutes of extreme heat exposure with no leakage or degradation. No other fire hose matches its resilience under harsh conditions.
“When Michael died, I was told his hose never got water in that awful fire,” said Kathy Crosby-Bell. “At Michael’s gravesite, I swore to him that I would fix it. Snap-tite’s Warrior™ has done that. It’s the hose they should have had in the first place.”
A Shared Vision
Snap-tite Hose and the Last Call Foundation share a commitment to firefighter safety, advocacy and advancing products that perform under harsh and extreme conditions.
As a result, Snap-tite is committing to a corporate sponsorship with LCF in 2026.
Snap-tite’s 2026 investment will support several cornerstone Last Call Foundation initiatives, including its highly visible Boston Marathon program, a premiere event surrounding the release of Burning Down the House, a documentary focused on firefighter safety and innovation, and a large-scale community event designed to bring together families, first responders, and supporters in a shared commitment to advancing firefighter health and safety.
Together, these initiatives raise critical funding, elevate national awareness, and foster collaboration across the fire service and broader community.
“Firefighter safety is our responsibility,” said Snap-tite CEO James Novinsky. “The Warrior™ story is directly connected to the mission of the Last Call Foundation. Supporting their work is not only aligned with our values, it’s personal.”