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The annual preparedness grants will go towards preparation for meeting disasters and emergencies The critical infrastructure and preparedness grants announced include specific steps undertaken by DHS to improve the ability of grant applicants to maximize funding and also incorporate inputs. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the fiscal year 2010 Preparedness Grants for nine federal programs including critical infrastructure-related gran...

Setcom Corporation has launhced an events and conferences calendar for the fire industry By providing a comprehensive calendar of events, Setcom makes it easy for fire rescue and safety professionals to find and choose events happening close to them.   Setcom Corporation (www.Setcomcorp.com), an industry leader in wireless communications equipment and accessories for public safety vehicles, including fire apparatus and police motorcycles, has rel...

Phil Jhonston emerged as the winner of Customer Solutions Rodeo Developed by Navistar's dealer education group, the Customer Solutions Rodeo enjoyed outstanding participation from the dealer channel.Six International brand truck dealer sales representatives went head-to-head last week to highlight their expertise and working knowledge of International brand commercial trucks, as well as OnCommand by Navistar, the company's newly branded suite of customer service offerings. Th...

Online assistance from FEMA has increased the number of flood survivor applications FEMA’s robust online and social media efforts have been very effective in educating flood survivors about disaster assistance. Registering online for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is becoming a popular method for New Jersey flooding survivors who have access to the Internet. As of April 28, 7,523 flood survivors in the 12 designated New Jersey counties re...

FEMA has advised recipients to use disaster grants for intended purposes only.  Photo: Bdelisle Nearly $9 million in recovery assistance has been approved for disaster affected areas. State and federal disaster assistance payments are bringing needed financial help to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damages in the severe storms and flooding of mid-March. However, those payments come with some words of advice from the Federal Emergency Manag...

Follow simple emergency measures to protect against volcanic eruptions. Photo: Mark A. Wilson Potentially active volcanoes in the U.S. exist mainly in Hawaii, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. With the recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, it is important to remember that the United States also has the potential for volcanic activity.  When pressure builds up within a volcano's molten rock, it has the potential to erupt, sending forth lava...

Transformer pumper features improved handling and maneuverability The Transformer frees up more than 130 cubic feet of pass-through compartment space for mounting equipment, storing equipment and other departmental needs. The Transformer was dislayed at FDIC 2010.  Crimson Fire, Inc. introduced a new pumper designed to meet fire departments' dual needs to respond to emergencies and fight fires at the fire-rescue industry's biggest trade show. Crimson Fire, a subsid...

The site of the fire and explosion lacked warning signs CSB investigators determined that a lit cigarette or lighter was the likely ignition source for explosion.A fiery explosion that took the life of a 21-year-old member of the public in Weeletka, Oklahoma, on April 14 occurred at an unattended oil and gas production site that was unsecured and likely lacked fire or explosion warning signs, CSB investigators have determined following a four-day field assessment. Investiga...

The optical beam smoke detector detected the fire in the unmanned  factory Fireray 5000, manufactured by Fire Fighting Enterprises Ltd., is an advanced optical beam smoke detector. Acetone in a production area of a factory in west Hull caught fire, however no-one was injured and the building escaped intact. A recently-installed Fireray 5000 optical beam smoke detector sounded the alarm at 8.45 am, when the area had been temporarily unmanned. When workers had left the...

The new green building code is meant for traditional and high performance buildings The International Code Council (ICC) recently unveiled the IGCC Public Version 1.0 at its Washington, D.C., world headquarters office with participants from the fire safety community in attendance. In an answer to the public demand for more energy-efficient and renewable technologies in schools, hospitals, and worksites of all types, the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is...

Andrew Velasquez brings his work experience in emergency management to the new post Andrew Velasquez III brings extensive experience in emergency management at the state and local level. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded President Obama's appointment of Andrew Velasquez III as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region V, which encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. "Regional Administrators...

The programme will analyse policy options and examine the responsibilities of leadership The fellowship programme for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA, IFSTA, IAFC, NFPA, and Harvard. Kelvin J. Cochran, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), announced that six senior fire officials have been selected for fellowships to attend the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Governm...

Volunteer emergency responders would benefit from the new act Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 3136), would extend income tax exemptions on property tax benefits and up to $360 per year of other benefits. On March 18, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) along with original co-sponsor Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 3136), which would extend income tax exemptions on property t...

Draeger webinar will discuss impact of gases like HCN and CO on fire fighters Two experienced firefighters will conduct the webinar. Captain Rick Rochford is a 26-year veteran of the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, and Anthony Toro is a veteran firefighter involved in an HCN/CO exposure case. Modern technology and the increasing use of synthetic materials has changed the way that fire burns, making it more toxic, much hotter and with faster flashovers. As a result...

Along with products Draeger will also offer its training courses Draeger's extensive range of personal escape systems, portable gas detection equipment and diagnostic equipment for non-invasive drug and alcohol testing will be on display at the Fire Rescue International 2010.   New firefighting helmets, self-contained breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras and chemical protection suits will be unveiled by Draeger at this year's show. As well...

The CAP program is intended for software application developers The IPAWS CAP Profile Conformity Assessment Program will provide an independent, objective analysis of qualified products to ensure they adhere to the IPAWS CAP Profile.FEMA will ultimately publish a list of vendors whose products conform to the CAP IPAWS v1.2 Profile so that purchasers may be assured that their equipment complies with the FCC's and FEMA's requirements. Our guest will be Mark A. Luc...

Earth Day will bring issues like energy saving, greenhouse emissions and recycling on the global front Environmentally beneficial steps can save your department money in the long-run by lowering energy costs and reducing waste. April 22 marks the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day, and first responders can do their part to promote a healthy, sustainable environment by taking simple steps to "go green" in your department. The following Earth-friendly chang...

The FIA seminar was attended by people from across the fire service industry The seminar was given by Martin Duggan, General Manager of the FIA, and was well attended by representatives from many different sectors of the fire protection industry. Despite risk assessment being the fundamental platform on which fire safety measures are based under the Fire Safety Order, to date there has been no definition as to what constitutes a ‘suitable and sufficient' fire risk...

The topics at FIA/BAFSA seminar will include legal obligations, responsible person and fire risk assessments The free seminar, entitled ‘Fire Safety in Warehouses', will take place at Tranmere Rovers Football Club, Birkenhead on Wednesday 19 May. It is designed to provide all the latest information for the responsible persons: owners, operators, health & safety managers, building designers and consultants of such facilities along with those who use third party w...

Wyoming fire service is glad to hear the passing of Fire Safe Cigarette Legislation Wyoming is the 50th state to pass legislation aimed at reducing the number of cigarette fires and fire fatalities. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal recently signed legislation requiring all cigarettes sold in Wyoming to meet a specific fire safety standard as of July, 2011. This marks the 50th state to pass legislation aimed at reducing the number of cigarette fires and fire fatalitie...

Arson fire in Lebanon, in February of 2009. Photo Credit: Jonathan Paul, Fire Inspector Lebanon Fire Department The focus of Arson Awareness Week will be on the horrific crime of arson, and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and places of worship. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces this year's Arson Awareness Week (AAW) theme Community Arson Prevention. The USFA will partner w...

Campus Fire Safety Education is of utmost importance in today's educational infrastructure Over the course of Hill Day, groups of advocates met with dozens of House and Senate offices to promote several pieces of legislation that are vitally important to campus fire safety. On March 23, National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) staff participated in Campus Fire Safety Hill Day, along with a number of individuals and representatives of other fire service organizations. Over the...

International Truck and Engine Corporation is a Navistar company which manufactures world-class trucks Proper image building is related to maintenance and presentation of trucks, which is of utmost importance to International Truck and Engine Corporation. No matter what industry you're in, the image your trucks project have a big impact on your success. "Image is a complex thing," explains Jim Heckmann, the head of the Iowa Small Business Development Center. "It's not...

Bendix ESP stability system will enhance overall safety measures of vehicles An estimated 28.6 percent of commercial vehicle accidents are caused by a 'loss of control factor'. International® DuraStar®, WorkStar®, and TranStar® vehicles can now be purchased with the Bendix® ESP® Full Stability System, designed to reduce the chance of rollovers and loss-of-control situations on dry, wet, snow and ice-covered roadways. According to the Federal Mo...

PROTECT 2010 promotes enhanced preparedness, response, rescue and recovery mechanisms for firms Starting with an update on the latest issues on terrorism, Protect 2010 will devote significant attention to disaster risk reduction and management from both natural and man-made disasters.In the light of expected increase in frequency and degree of natural disasters arising from climate change, lifeline institutions such as local governments, schools, hospitals, housing, commerci...

Preparedness to save lives and swift response to disasters are essential business continuity tools The forum Protect 2010 is the fifth in the annual series organised by the Anti-Terrorism Council.The killer earthquakes in Haiti and Chile are reminders to the business community that preparedness to save lives and protect critical infrastructures and data against natural and man-made disasters, swift response and quick recovery are necessary tools to assure business continuity...

Constraining aerial firefighting costs through effective operations was one of the key themes of the conference Vancouver played host to the fourth Tangent Link Aerial Firefighting Conference recently. A report from the Conference Chairman.The fourth northern hemisphere Tangent Link Aerial Firefighting Conference, held at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in the Winter Olympic city of Vancouver, proved an attractive venue for North American Firefighters. Delegates attended a...

USFA says there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property due to home fires Electrical fires at homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords. The United States Fire Adm...

FEMA brings out awareness campaign related to safety and fire emergency The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the March 14 time change for Daylight Savings as a reminder to ensure their families are prepared for a possible emergency. A few simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together can go a long way toward keeping families safe. "No matte...

The NFFF Full Throttle Support campaign will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Sweepstakes drawing for employees and dealers featured as part of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation "Full Throttle Support" program. Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced the winner of the Pierce employee and dealer sweepstakes drawing as part of an in-house NFFF Full Throttle Support initiative to benefit the National Fallen Fire...