DHS Systems Returns to Knickerbocker with Warming Shelters

It's cold out there. Really cold, but don't let that keep you from going to the upcoming Knickerbocker Ice Festival. DHS Systems of Orangeburg will provide the with several of its quick setup shelters to keep attendees nice and toasty warm while they enjoy the Festival’s activities.

The Sixth Annual Knickerbocker Ice Festival 2012 is Jan. 28 and 29 at Rockland Lake State Park.

For the past three years, DHS Systems provided these warming shelters to house the food vendors, event sponsors and attendees looking for respite from the cold.

“This will be the fourth year in a row that DHS Systems has helped us provide warmth and comfort to Ice Festival attendees and our various vendors and sponsors,” said Maria Rodd, CEO, Knickerbocker Ice Festival, Inc. “Their shelters often become a favorite location for people to meet, grab a plate of hot food, and then head out and view the ice sculptures and participate in other activities around the lake.”

The main shelter will feature various food vendors from around the Hudson Valley, preparing and offering winter comfort foods such as chili, soups, hot apple cider, coffee, cocoa and more.

“We are pleased to once again bring our industry-leading shelters and putting them to great use at the Knickerbocker Ice Festival,” said Willie Craig of DHS Systems. “Whether in use during the cold of Rockland Lake, to help provide relief during Katrina in New Orleans, or with the recent flooding after Hurricane Irene, our DRASH shelters are manufactured to provide the best possible working conditions under the harshest elements. We look forward to bone-chilling temperatures outside at the Ice Festival, because inside the DRASH shelters it will be abundantly warm.”

DHS Systems makes Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelters (DRASH) for military, homeland security and emergency medical situations. Among the DRASH systems being used at the festival are:

• J Series - the largest of the DRASH series of shelters, the entire system provides 1,250 square feet of usable interior space and takes less than 40 minutes to set up. At the Ice Festival, one J Series shelter  will be combined with two MX5 shelters providing over 1900 sq/ft and will be used to house the food court and provide visitors with warmth from the cold

• TMSS Medium - the DRASH SICPS TMSS Medium is equipped with a MX shelter which provides more than 442 square feet of usable space, includes a 5 Ton ECU, and allows for the use of up to 18 kW of power. The MX Shelter is comprised of one center section that measures 17 feet (5.2 meters) long, and includes two end sections that can be removed to add to the shelter length. The MX Shelter will house the festival’s Information Center and Book Store

In addition to the , portions of the three-mile paved path around Rockland Lake will showcase multiple attractions to emphasize the festival’s themes of community and sustainability.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or how to become a volunteer, contact Maria Rodd (mrodd@knickerbockericefestival.com or 845-290-1644) or Rosemarie Monaco (rmonaco@knickerbockericefestival.com or 845-535-3453 x207). 

About The Knickerbocker Ice Festival

The Knickerbocker Ice Festival, now in its sixth year, celebrates Rockland Lake’s history as the epicenter of the ice trade in the 19^th century—long before the invention of the household refrigerator. Known for its sparkling, clear water, Rockland Lake was the preferred source of ice for New York City as well as international destinations. Follow them on Twitter: @KnickIceFest.

About DHS Systems LLC

DHS Systems LLC manufactures, sells and services the Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter, or DRASH, a mobile, quick setup shelter system that integrates shelter, mobility, lighting, heating, cooling and power in one package. DHS Systems also offers a full line of emergency medical products and accessories through its Reeves EMS brand, including fully stocked emergency medical facilities, command and control shelters, decontamination systems, patient movement equipment and gear bags. In service with armed forces and civilian agencies throughout the world, DHS Systems support facilities are located across the U.S. and around the globe.