United States of America (USA) Fire Industry News

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of Region VI FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of FEMA Region VI at the regional headquarters in Denton, Texas. "Regional Administrators are one of the most important positions in our agency, connecting our headquarters to the states and citizens we serve," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Tony is an experienced emergency manage...

NVFC is introducing additional awards to honour a junior firefighter and an exemplary junior firefighter program Each year, the NVFC honors one firefighter who has provided a lifetime of service to the volunteer fire service, as well as one volunteer firefighter whose accomplishments exemplify the philosophy of fire prevention. New in 2010, the NVFC is introducing two additional awards to honor an outstanding junior firefighter and an exemplary junior firefighte...

Over one-quarter of residential fires result from improper maintenance of equipment Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment. Carbon monoxide...

The virtual event will offer attendees the unique opportunity to interact with world-class leaders of the fire service This free and virtual event offers attendees the unique opportunity to interact with world-class leaders of the fire service. FDIC Online will host 7 educational opportunities, an interactive exhibit floor, a networking lounge and more. This is the perfect opportunity for those of you who cannot attend the live event in Indianapolis. For those of you w...

ICC and the NVFC will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes To further the relationship and their joint efforts, the two Councils signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the ICC's Annual Conference and Code Hearings in Baltimore in October. The International Code Council (ICC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes,...

The Board of Directors of MSA today declared a first quarter dividend of 24 cents per share on common stock The Board of Directors of MSA  today declared a first quarter dividend of 24 cents per share on common stock, payable March 10, 2010 to shareholders of record on February 16, 2010. The Board also declared a dividend of 56-1/4 cents per share on preferred stock, payable March 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on February 16, 2010.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoPhotograph: Elissa Jun/FEMA Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released a statement describing ongoing US relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake."The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake - a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the F...

CSB publishes voting records of the Board and copies of Board orders that govern agency operations Washington, DC, January 8, 2010 - As part of an ongoing effort to increase transparency and promote public understanding of the agency's work, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today began publishing voting records of the Board and copies of Board orders that govern agency operations. The CSB released board voting records dating from November 10, 2009, to the present and po...

Recycled fabrics lead to aneco-appopriate range  Perfection Uniforms, which has pioneered the field of eco-friendly uniforms has introduced the PinnacleEcoSeries series of uniforms. While safety, fit, form and function are all prerequisites for creating the perfect public safety uniform, now departments have the option of making their uniforms also environment-friendly. Perfection Uniforms, which has pioneered the field of eco-friendly uniforms has introduced...

The IAFF has worked for years to end the use of the flame retardant decabromine Rep. Pingree's bill - H.R 4394, the Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 2009 - coincides with an announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a scheduled withdrawal of decabromine from the domestic marketplace. The International Association of Fire Fighters has applauded Chellie Pingree (DME) for introducing a bill to ban decabromine, a dangerous flame retardant....

Green firefighting clothing fromPerfect Uniforms is a major change  If it’s true that change makes the world go round, Perfection Uniforms has tilted the uniform world on its axis. If it’s true that change makes the world go round, Perfection Uniforms has tilted the uniform world on its axis. In spring of 2009, the uniform company unveiled an unprecedented concept to their highly traditional industry: eco-responsible uniforms. Perfection also issued a sta...

  Kimtek Corporation is to supply FIRELITE units for service with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan   Kimtek Corporation has announced a significant order of their FIRELITE units for service with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The company manufactured and shipped ten of their top of the line FIRELITE Transport FDH-09 skid units to fit Military Polaris and John Deere Gator 6x6 UTVs. Built from aluminum diamond plate, aluminum tubing, and stainless steel, these rugge...

FLAME-SIM allows AFD firefighters to understand and follow SOGs and safety procedures on the fireground With budgets tightening and the number of fires decreasing, more departments are turning to the benefits brought about by simulation software.  Allen Fire Department, in Allen, Texas, has been working with FLAME-SIM since October 2008. They have seen the cutting edge simulation software positively impact their training program, as well as their budget. Th...

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the State of Louisiana to supplement state and local recovery...

FEMA is excited to announce the second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series FEMA's second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series begins December 14. The webinar series provides up-to-date information on community preparedness topics and resources available to citizens, community organizations, and Citizen Corps Councils. This LIVE webinar is scheduled for Monday, December 14th at 2pm EST and will provide information on the Resolve to Be...

FEMA has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared This year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared. Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencie...

CSB today issued urgent safety recommendations calling on CITGO to improve its emergency water The U.S. Chemical Safety Board  (CSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations calling on CITGO to immediately improve its emergency water mitigation system.The recommendation comes in the event of another release of potentially deadly hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor, as occurred following an explosion and fire July 19, 2009, at CITGO's Corpus Christi refinery. The...

National Fire Academy Course application period closes December 15 Take advantage of an opportunity - there has never been a better time to apply to the National Fire Academy. Due to the current economic conditions, many governments are invoking "no travel" policies. Even though the National Fire Academy reimburses the cost of travel to and from the campus and provides the training and a dorm room at no cost, some governments are not making any exceptions. No travel means "...

Secretary Napolitano Unveils "Virtual USA" Information-Sharing Initiative Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today officially launched Virtual USA, an innovative information-sharing initiative-developed in collaboration with the emergency response community and state and local governments across the nation-that helps federal, state, local and tribal first responders communicate during emergencies. "Our first responders need interoperable tools...

Secretary Napolitano announces grant guidance for more than $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2010 grant programs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7 billion-funds. The funds are meant for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen USA's ability to prevent, prot...

Navistar acquired Continental Mfg. Company, Inc., the largest mixer manufacturer in North America Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) has announced it has acquired Continental Mfg. Company, Inc., the largest privately-held mixer manufacturer in North America. "This deal is another example of how Navistar is growing the business by leveraging what we have and what others have built," said Jack Allen, president of Navistar's North American truck group. "Adding...

Navistar school buses are compliant with the 2010 diesel emission requirements In a ceremony held earlier at the Columbus, Mississippi Municipal School District, Navistar delivered the first school buses certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be compliant with 2010 diesel emissions requirements. The 28 IC Bus™ CE Series school buses were purchased by the Columbus Municipal School District with funding received earlier in the year from...

CMAS is one of many projects within IPAWS to send alerts and warnings to the public of United States The standards will enable wireless carriers to provide its customers with timely and accurate emergency alerts and warnings via their cell phones and other mobile devices.As part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), the nation's next generation of emergency alert and warning networks, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Age...

  Navistar International Corporation has acquired Continental Mfg. Company, Inc. Navistar International Corporation has announced it has acquired Continental Mfg. Company, Inc., the largest privately-held mixer manufacturer in North America. "This deal is another example of how Navistar is growing the business by leveraging what we have and what others have built," said Jack Allen, president of Navistar's North American truck group. "Adding Continental gives us ano...

The webinar series will feature new community preparedness topics several times each month The first LIVE webinar is scheduled for Monday, December 7 at 2 pm EST and will provide information on the newly created Citizen Corps Volunteer Liability Guide. FEMA's Community Preparedness Division has announced the Community Preparedness Webinar Series. This webinar series will provide up-to-date information on community preparedness topics and resources available to...

Flood damage inspection in ArkansasPhoto by Patsy Lynch/FEMA The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Arkansas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on October 29, 2009, and continuing. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain priv...

Our mission is to assist states in rapidly connecting restoring victims to  a pre-disaster level of self-sufficiency  This agreement is a component of FEMA's interim two-phase disaster case management model.To better assist individuals recover from disasters the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Children and Families (ACF) and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have signed an interagency ag...

FEMA has extended the comment period on standards selected for the Voluntary PS-Prep Program New deadline for comments is January 15.NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs has been designated for adoption under the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of DHS has extended the comment...

Secretary Napolitano will meet with leaders from real estate, professional sports, financial and media industries(Photograph by M. Broussard, FEMA)  Secretary Napolitano will discuss protection of critical infrastructure among other things. "Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will travel to New York City on Dec. 2-4 to meet with private sector leaders in the real estate, professional sports, financial and media industries to discuss t...

FEMA will host a flood risk information open house for Calhoun County residents Those interested may drop in at any time during the event to discuss mapping issues with MDEQ representatives. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, will host a flood risk information open house for Calhoun County residents on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, f...