Our Inspiration

POWTI creator Frank Miller was inspired to develop the device after the tragic death of a first-responder colleague and friend. Paramedic Joshua Weissman, a seven-year veteran of the Alexandria Fire Department, was a man of incredible compassion, always focused on helping others. Selflessness and caring were woven deep into his character, which was why he chose to become a paramedic.

Weissman was responding to a car on fire on a Northern Virginia highway. Two cement barriers separated the highway lanes, with a three-foot gap between them. While climbing over the cement barrier to reach the scene, Weissman fell into the gap, falling three stories down into the creek below. He sustained major head injuries in the fall and was unable to help himself. His colleagues searched through the darkness for him, but they couldn’t find him fast enough. Joshua Weissman succumbed to his injuries. 

He was just 33 years old.

The POWTI device was created in attempt to prevent any traumatic injury or situation, such as this, from happening again.