GCAP Client Success Story: Rescue Essentials

By Donna Warren, GCAP Counselor at UNC-Wilmington

Rescue Essentials founder Phil Carey cut his teeth as a Wilderness First Responder and EMT. His first effort at providing medical supplies began in 1989 with Atwater Carey Ltd. In 2007 Phil formed a partnership with Jorian Sartorius (formerly VP at Atwater Carey Ltd.) and Sara Jensen, and launched the Rescue Essentials online store, significantly reducing costs to the end-user. Rescue Essentials charted a new course, committing to serving law enforcement, military, Fire/EMS and search and rescue communities with top-quality tactical medical products delivered in a timely manner with flat rate $4.99 shipping.

Rescue Essentials is a leading manufacturer and marketer of Individual First Aid Kits, tactical EMS supplies, and first responder trauma gear and equipment. Rescue Essentials’ products are sold to medical and law enforcement agencies throughout the world, including the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and U.S. Department of Defense. Rescue Essentials maintains a variety of products on the GSA Advantage program. In addition, some products are registered with National Stock Number (NSN). One of these products is the Slishman Traction Splint (STS).

Rescue Essentials is currently developing another version of the STS and the discussion began regarding the NSN. The question was whether to adapt the original STS NSN to the new STS Gen 2. After discussing with GCAP – Wilmington and many internal evaluations, Rescue Essentials determined to use the same NSN as the original STS with the use of the GCAP recommended Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Interactive Government & Industry Data Edit & Review (iGIRDER) application providing government contractors, manufacturers, vendors, and suppliers the ability to review and/or update product information used by Federal and Civil activities. The tool allows making the decision to request new or simply edit. If the change to the new product is massive then you will request new from the branch of service you requested the old one from, if you simply need to edit the old NSN use the iGIRDER database to process the edit. The product does perform in a very similar manner and adapting the original STS NSN number will allow us to bring the product to market more quickly for those that prefer or require an NSN to purchase.

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