REDDING, CA - The City of Redding is setting the tone for wildfire detection and mitigation strategies in California with new advanced 24/7 fire surveillance cameras.

“With our Wildland Urban Interface that we have here in Northern California,” stated Shawn Avery, initiative lead at the Redding Electric Utility (REU), “it’s essential that we have eyes in the sky looking out for fires during our elongated fire seasons.”

A collaboration among City departments, including IT, fire and the REU, as well as private partners, such as Climatec, Redding’s IQ Fire Watch cameras recognize early signs of wildfires through an innovative application of artificial intelligence for smoke detection. The cameras run morning and night across Redding and surrounding areas, providing a detection range of up to 40 miles in clear conditions, which is superior to comparable technology on the market. The cameras differentiate types of smoke by combining advanced sensors and software. Once the system detects smoke, it automatically sounds off alarms and alerts staff, triggering efforts to hedge against the wildfires, and ultimately, protect the entire community.

A recent study from the University of California, Davis found that wildfire smoke may have a larger impact on public health than originally thought, particularly in children. While wildfire smoke contributes to air pollution that could impact respiratory function, the new study, conducted on monkeys that were exposed to wildfires in 2008, finds that early smoke exposure may also impact immune response and neural development over time. As UC Davis conducts follow-up studies to further understand the long term consequences of smoke exposure on pregnant women and children, mitigating the ignition and spread of wildfires is critical.

Utility infrastructure continues to be a primary cause of wildfires in California. The State and California Public Utilities Commission continue making concerted efforts to prevent wildfires with bills, such as SB 901, which requires electric utilities to take steps to adequately maintain their equipment and safeguard the communities they serve.

REU built IQ Fire Watch cameras into its 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan to save lives and protect property in the face of wildfire events. With the cameras in place, Redding can also keep the REU’s critical utility services online in confidence all year, including on high fire risk days.

Dan Beans, REU’s initiative lead, discovered IQ Fire Watch at a conference and used his relationship with Climatec, a turnkey infrastructure solutions provider approved for purchasing and implementing IQ Fire Watch cameras, to secure the technology. He added: “For this community, public safety is the number one issue, and as an electric utility, we have to contribute to that in a positive way. We don’t want to be the ones creating public safety issues, we want to be the ones solving public safety issues.”

Contact
Courtney Moolenaar, Marketing Manager
Climatec | 602.906.1740 | courtneym@climatec.com
Climatec.com

PHOENIX – December 3, 2021 – Climatec, LLC, a leading provider of building technology solutions and energy services, has expanded its New York and New Jersey operations with the acquisition of RGBS Enterprises, Inc., an expert in building automation and system integration services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2000, RGBS provides energy management solutions for the commercial, institutional and industrial building sectors. The company's deep expertise in building automation systems provides further opportunities to expand Climatec's customer reach and delivery throughout the greater New York City market. RGBS' associates and management team will continue in their respective roles, including RGBS' principals, Russ Giambrone and Brian Simpson.

"The employee and customer-focused values of RGBS were apparent from our earliest meetings – and perfectly aligned with Climatec's mission and culture" said Mauro Lima Vaz, president, Climatec, LLC. "In addition, RGBS adds real momentum to our common business partnerships and key strategic supplier relationships." "The cultural and technical alignment of our companies coupled with Climatec's financial strength creates a great opportunity for the growth and advancement of our business," said Russ Giambrone. "Our team is motivated and excited about the benefits this acquisition brings to all our
employees and customers," added Brian Simpson.

Climatec is a leading provider of building technologies in the U.S., serving as a single-source integrator of energy services, building automation and security systems. The company provides consulting, planning, implementation and remote management of comprehensive comfort, security, safety and efficiency solutions. Climatec has been part of the Bosch portfolio since 2015 and serves major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The company employs over 900 associates across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

Contact
Courtney Moolenaar, Marketing Manager
Climatec | 602.906.1740 | courtneym@climatec.com
Climatec.com

San Benito, CA ​– To celebrate San Benito High School District’s (SBHSD) energy infrastructure update coming to a close, SBHSD invites our school community to flip the switch on San Benito High School’s (SBHS) brand new solar PV system from 11:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 4. The ceremony will take place at the SBHS Baler Alley parking lot, located at 1220 Monterey St. in Hollister, CA.

The solar arrays, approved for grid connection on Friday, Sept. 13, were the last piece of the districtwide energy infrastructure project. They are projected to generate 1,096,578 kWh throughout their lifespan. Combined with other recent facility upgrades, SBHSD will save approximately $13.3 million–the environmental savings equivalent of 220 cars off the road, 157 Hollister homes powered and 31,348 trees preserved.

“We are proud to implement energy-efficient and renewable technologies so our students can enjoy day-to-day learning,” said SBHSD Superintendent Shawn Tennenbaum. “These solutions will maximize long-term benefits to our District, ensuring optimal learning and working environments for our students and staff to continue to succeed.”

SBHSD engaged Climatec, a provider of building technologies and energy solutions with six offices in California, for $6.3 million worth of energy infrastructure updates, spanning the installation of the solar PV system, LED light modernizations; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) units and building automation systems throughout campus. With the help of Climatec, SBHSD identified and leveraged Proposition 39 grants and Clean Renewable Energy Bonds for funding.

“The work we’ve accomplished through our partnership with Climatec has already had a huge impact on our school,” said SBHS Principal Adrian Ramirez. “We couldn’t have predicted the feeling our administration is experiencing now that the project is done. We’re proud to offer our students and staff modernized technology that reaps environmental and financial savings.”
SBHSD’s Board of Trustees approved the project in June of 2017.

“San Benito High School administration decided on upgrades that would improve the student learning environment and the school’s financial reserves,” said Robert Reading, SBHSD project manager at Climatec. “As partners, they contributed to the visioning that has resulted in an enhanced campus that will continue to add value over time. At Climatec, we’re always moved by our clients’ interest in innovating for a healthier world–San Benito High School is no exception.”

About San Benito High School

Based in Hollister, CA, San Benito High School serves as the main high school for Hollister City residents, as well as many residents of Hollister county. It serves approximately 3,000 students between 9th and 12th grades with 250 faculty and staff members. The school was founded in 1875.​ ​Visit the SBHS website​ to learn more.