By Loyd McIntosh, For The Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — Cahaba Fire Company is ready to launch.
A new startup company based in Trussville, Cahaba Fire Company, was awarded $25,000 in non-dilutive funds during the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2023 Finale in April. An Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) program, Alabama Launchpad is an early-stage seed fund investor offering startup competitions and mentoring for entrepreneurs throughout the state.
Ben Horton and Ryan King
Cahaba Fire Company was founded in 2022 by Ben Horton, a mechanical/aerospace engineer, and Ryan King, a firefighter/paramedic with more than 14 years of experience. The company was launched to fill critical tool and equipment gaps that could mean the difference between life and death during an emergency.
“Firefighters need a way to do more with less. The industry is missing critical tools and equipment for certain emergencies and that is what we are here to change,” said King. “Cahaba Fire Company’s mission is to research and develop innovative equipment necessary for first responders to perform their job safer, faster, and more reliably.”
King and Horton learned about the Alabama Launchpad program through an economic developer in St. Clair County who felt the company would be a good candidate. Horton said they “quickly applied,” beating out 25 companies to win a slot as a finalist in the competition.
“We earned the top spot as the concept stage winners after three months of intense work and catered startup consultation in the form of seminars, multiple one-on-one Launch Advisor meetings, and presentation training,” explained Horton.
Horton said the Alabama Launchpad competition was valuable not only for the funding shot in the arm but for the hands-on mentoring that he and King received. He said the process helped them uncover and repair cracks in their foundation and has the company poised for success on a faster timetable than they could have imagined.
“The experience was literally like being launched from a launchpad and guided on a straight trajectory,” said Horton. “The Launch Advisors acted as course correction thrusters to ensure we were on a planned path to success. Their consultation is highly valued and will never be forgotten.”
“The $25,000 in non-dilutive funding has allowed us to mass produce our products and to research and develop future products faster,” Horton added. “Our future products will push the boundaries of new equipment and tech available to first responders. Not only are we developing products for the fire industry, but we have very exciting products planned for police force and SWAT units as well.”
Cahaba Fire Company is currently establishing relationships with Alabama Fire College and with fire departments throughout Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties. They also hope to begin working with fire departments in Alabama, identifying gaps in safety and equipment.
“Our big push now is to fast prototype the solutions necessary to increase first responder safety and performance, and most importantly to save lives,” said King. “As more products are developed and implemented, our collaboration with Alabama fire departments will serve an important role in ensuring proper training for users across the country.”
Among the innovative products Cahaba Fire Company has already brought to market include the FireWedge and PocketWedge, devices that allow firefighters to quickly establish a rescue effort from a structure positioned on a slope.
“If your burning house is positioned on a hill, or uneven terrain, and you have to be rescued from a window on the hillside, firefighters have to use debris or makeshift blocks of wood to stabilize the ladder,” King said. “These methods can be extremely unsafe and may squander precious life-saving minutes, but it’s the best they have available.”
“Due to the lack of or non-existent equipment, unnecessary life-changing injuries are occurring and people are dying,” added Horton. “This is unacceptable to us, and we are here to change that. Bottom line, these products keep firefighters safe, increase their performance, and help to save lives.”
In addition to the Alabama Launchpad funding, Cahaba Fire Company won a Founder’s Live competition at Hardware Park innovation hub in downtown Birmingham in March. Learn more about Cahaba Fire Company at cahabafireco.com.
