Fire Service Today

Talking to reporters about wildfire

Tis the season for things to burn -- in Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and many other states this spring. Recent coverage of wildfire activity in some of these states focuses on the danger, the dry conditions, and fire response. What's missing is information on why some homes burn and others don't, and how homeowners can take proactive steps before the fire starts to protect their homes. You guessed it, reporters need to hear about Firewise! Check the Firewise Newsroom here for tips for media reporting on wildfire and preparedness. Also check out the excellent b-roll footage and PSAs that local stations can use. Homes CAN survive wildfires - help your local reporters find out how. 

--Michele Steinberg

Carl Peterson's Views on the Apparatus Project

I recently had the opportunity to interview Carl Peterson and talk about his 42 year career with the NFPA. During the course of that interview I asked him to identify the project he felt most associated with, and no surprise to those who know him - he said the apparatus project.

I have included a portion of the interview as the April podcast. A big thank you to  Carl for tolerating my questioning!!!!

Curt Varone

Here's the link to the podcast

Here's the mp3

NFPA Launches New Web Design

On March 21, 2009, the NFPA launched its new web design. The new design is much more streamlined and user friendly. The new design was more than a year in the making, and is the first web redesign in over four years.

The menu choices and buttons on the new web site are the result of research into how visitors were using the old site - with the most commonly used links being featured more prominently and some of the lesser used links being phased out.

If you haven't visited the NFPA's web site at www.nfpa.org - by all means please come for a visit.

Curt Varone

In Search of USFA Administrator Article on Firehouse.com

 Ozzie has posted a new month article titled “In Search Of.” The article is about the importance of having the next USFA Administrator to be a strong advocate for public education and fire prevention. As usual there is a Paul Comb’s cartoon associated with the article.  A survey is also included, please take the time to do the one question online survey.  

http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/In-the-Community/In-Search-Of/9$63082

 

Steven Sawyer

 

New Federal EPA Emission Standards will Limit Engine Options

Beginning in 2010 new federal EPA regulations will go into effect limiting the availability of diesel engines for fire apparatus.  Fire departments will have a choice of two methods used by engine manufacturers to meet the new limits — exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), which has been part of the U.S. automotive industry for decades, and a newer system, widely used in Europe, called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).   For fire departments planning to specify new apparatus, the availability of some manufacturers may not be an option and the cost of compliance is uncertain. What is certain is that engine choices are going to be limited because some diesel engine manufacturers have made the decision to stop producing product for fire apparatus manufacturers.  For more details on which manufacturers are in and who is out of the running check out this Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Magazine article.

Larry Stewart

Proposed new legislation may require DHS to review Fire Department compliance to voluntary Safety Standards

New legislation to promote firefighter safety and better compliance with industry standards was filed Monday.

New legislation aims to promote firefighter safety

 

 

 

Frank Florence

Firefighters, EMTs, HazMat Responders, and Horse Whisperers

Fire departments are called upon to assist in any number of emergencies, and the public is always grateful for their help. From fires, to medical problems, to car accidents, to lost kids and even panicky horses.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that in the Atlanta area (Fulton County, to be exact), fire fighters are now learning how to handle horses when they’re sacred or hurt. In special cases, horses can pose big problems to rescuers, because they are, first, big, and they tend to get into situations that cause them to panic, get nervous or pose a threat to smaller creatures like me, for example. More importantly, they pose hazards to themselves and to traffic when they get out of their stalls and wander into roadways.  

Fifty-three firefighters came for special training in “horses” from urban areas around Atlanta, but semi-rural Milton GA is populated with over a hundred horse farms. They learn how to handle panicky horses by using earplugs made from baby socks, giving them peppermints candy, and putting blinders on them (you’ll have to read the article to find what they use for blinders!). The fire department team has already been called on several times to assist with a single horse to as many as six that broke free. All in all, it’s a good fit for the department and the community. Safety is always to the number one concern, regardless of the emergency.  – Jim Smalley

Where’d you learn how to do that?

Last fall I attended a conference and received a certificate that stated “In Recognition of Outstanding Attendance.” Wow! I got a piece of paper for just being there. I guess less than outstanding would have included sleeping during the presentations.

Anyway, a colleague drew my attention to a newspaper article about a pilot program to demonstrate that structural fire fighters wanting to qualify for wildland duties actually do learn about fire fighting in ways other sitting in prescribed classes. Up until now the number of hours sitting in a class with “outstanding attendance” was the first measure; actually demonstrating the procedure came later. Now the order seems to the changing thanks to the Bureau of Land Management and the IAFC for recognizing that some people can learn outside a structured classroom setting or by sitting through a course that measures little more than seat time. The program is working with fire departments in Texas, Georgia, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, California, Washington and North Carolina. Click here to read the article about the pilot in Jacksonville Florida, and don't be caught sleeping during presentations. -  Jim Smalley

More Evidence that Firefighters are at Risk for Heart Disease

A FEMA-sponsored study of firefighters conducted by an Atlanta based hospital just concluded that firefighters have a three hundred percent (300%) increased risk for cardiac disease as compared to other segments of the population.

"Preliminary findings show that 1/3 of firefighters had heart disease that is unrelated to traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol," says Dr. Superko. "Those results are astounding and point at job duties and environment as the primary determinants for early death in our country's first responders."

Click here for the details

The following web sites have additional information on heart disease and firefighters:
http://www.healthy-firefighter.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-133/
http://www.iaff.org/hs/index.htm
http://www.iafcsafety.org/

Curt Varone

NIOSH Completes Antimony Investigation for Station Uniforms

NIOSH just completed an investigation into the possible exposure of firefighters to antimony in the state of Florida, concluding that station uniforms were not cause. Concerns had been raised that possibly station uniforms had caused some members to test high for the metal that has been used as a flame retardant.

NIOSH concluded that station uniforms made from from FireWear® fabric were not associated with high levels of antimony, and that the the uniforms were safe to wear.

Click here to view the preliminary NIOSH information on the antimony exposure. The final report will be issued at this link in the near future.

Curt Varone