United States of America (USA) Fire Industry News

Craig Fugate promised to support the Gulf Coast, devastated by Hurricane Katrina five years ago The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Craig Fugate, issued the following statement on the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. “Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated communities all across the Gulf Coast. Like all Americans, my thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, and those whose lives were changed by...

Craig Fugate toured Biloxi Lighthouse   one of the recently completed recovery projects Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met with the state and local officials to tour Mississippi’s two recently completed recovery projects. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met with state and local officials in Mississippi and toured two recently completed recovery projects, the Bay St. Louis Firehouse a...

Highly trained Riverside County volunteer firefighting force misdirected due to lack of training The debut of Riverside County Fire's Reverse 911 Alert System led to the misdirection of highly trained volunteer firefighting force due to the procedural missteps. The debut of Riverside County Fire's Reverse 911 Alert System was fraught with procedural missteps, when they decided to use the untested capability on an actual volunteer firefighter callout. It was determined t...

Spacious Gladiator with 600 HP and certifed Cummins ISX diesel  engine Spartan Motors, Inc showcased its cutting-edge line of emergency-response cabs and chassis at Fire-Rescue International conference and Exhibition in Chicago. Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc., showcased its cutting-edge line of 2010 emergency-response cabs and chassis as the Fire-Rescue International (FRI) Conference and Exhibition gets underwa...

Three member assessment team led by Johnnie Banks from CSB CSB Conducting Assessment of Ammonia Release at Millard Refrigerated Services South of Mobile, Alabama. A three-member assessment team led by Mr. Johnnie Banks from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of Monday’s anhydrous ammonia release at the Millard Refrigerated Services, a warehouse and distribution center in Theodore, Alabama, 15 miles south of Mobile. According to media report...

FEMA shall pay 75 percent of the state's firefighting costs to combat Hurd fire in Valley County The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help the State of Idaho fight the Hurd fire burning in Valley County. FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy said the state’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire was threatening 558 hom...

NFPA offers an opportunity to be first to preview NEC 2011 edition at no cost The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is offering visitors to necplus an opportunity to be the first to preview the 2011 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) at no cost. Visitors selecting a one-day preview from NECplus will have first access to the 2011 edition of the NEC.  “The release of the 2011 edition of the NEC is high...

Electric vehicle safety training for first responder to deal with emergeny situation involving electric vehicle NFPA announced collaboration with Chevrolet and Onstar at IAFC’s FRI conference in Chicago as NFPA offers electric vehicle safety training for first responders. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced a joint effort with Chevrolet and OnStar as NFPA provides electric vehicle safety training for first responders to the scene of an accident. Th...

Portland's new building codes will make the installation of fire sprinklers in homes mandatory  Portland has approved building code changes emphasizing installation of fire sprinkler systems in all new homes, effective  September 15. The city of Portland, has approved building code changes that will require all new one- and two-family homes and town houses built in the city to be equipped with life-saving fire sprinkler systems. These new codes will take effect on S...

Pennsylvania court has made the installation of fire sprinkler systems in homes compulsory The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., applauds the decision made by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S. applauds the decision made by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania that determines t...

IAFC's International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award is the highest bravery award for firefighters International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) co-sponsored by the IAFC and the Motorola Solutions business of Motorola, Inc.At Fire-Rescue International in Chicago, Captain Charles J. Metivier, Rescue Operator Kalani Abreu and Rescue Specialists Roy Constantino and Francisco Garcia of F...

FEMA provides funds to reimburse non-profit organizations FEMA officials and GAR staff held meeting related to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grants Program. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials and Puerto Rico Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) staff held an Applicants’ Briefing meeting related to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grants Program (HMGP) for the 10 designated municipalities, state agencies and some private non-profit organizations. T...

PA program provides federal funds to reimburse a minimum of 75% of the costs to restore disaster damages FEMA’s PA program restores disaster-damaged infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions. Federal assistance may be available to help Nebraska communities rebuild infrastructure to higher, more disaster-resistant standards and state officials are encouraging local governments to take advantage of that funding. The assistance is part of the aid that becomes available fo...

FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California fight the post fire in Kern County. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire...

The enhanced program is for emergency responders to make their job safer and easier USFA and the International Association of Fire Fighters developed best practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), announced the release of Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety, which highlights the results of a U.S. Department...

CSB found that inadequate fire protection and safety arrangements led to the fire accident in the water tunnel  US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) report found that company and its contractor failed to adequately prepare for hazardous work inside confined space of hydroelectric plant Tunnel, and also; Xcel had no technically qualified responders on duty.The tragic accident that took the lives of five industrial painting contractors deep inside an Xcel Energy hydroel...

Weak physical risk management enhances the risk of fire accidents by twenty times A new FM Report shows that businesses with stronger risk management practices than their peers enjoy more stable financial performance. Over the long term, it includes much lower earnings volatility, according to the findings of a new study of more than 500 large multinational companies. Commissioned by FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers, and conducted by O...

Columbia Southern University has teamed up with the National Volunteer Fire Council to offer scholarships Columbia Southern University (CSU) has teamed up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to offer two two-year scholarships to members of the NVFC to attend CSU. This is the second year that CSU has offered scholarships to NVFC members. One scholarship will be awarded towards a Bachelor’s Degree and the other for an Associate’s Degree. "We thank...

NLB Corp. is a global leader in high-pressure and ultra-high pressure water jet technology NLB Corp. President Forrest Shook has said that patent infringement allegations by StoneAge, Inc. of Durango, Col. are warrantless, and that NLB would seek damages. “Our Typhoon™ series nozzles do not infringe on any StoneAge patent,” he said. “They follow the same rotating water jet technology path that NLB has used for nearly 40 years, with enhancements tha...

Second deadliest fire for firefighters in U.S. history has 100th anniversary The Great Fire of 1910 ranks second on the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) list of deadliest incidents in the U.S. During the summer of 1910, forest fires burned an estimated 3 million acres in Idaho and Montana. The incident, known as The Great Fire of 1910, killed 78 firefighters on August 20 of that year and ranks second on the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA...

NVFC has always been committed to the emergency medical and rescue services The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has launched a new EMS/Rescue (EMS/R) Section to provide volunteers in an EMS or rescue delivery system with information, education, services, and representation to enhance their professionalism. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has launched a new EMS/Rescue (EMS/R) Section to provide volunteers in an EMS or rescue delivery system with information, e...

DHS and FEMA are hosting a NationalDialogue on Preparedness National Dialogue on Preparedness open through September 10 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are hosting a National Dialogue on Preparedness to supplement the mission and recommendations of the Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Preparedness Task Force. Through the National Dialogue, the Task Force is seeking input from stakeholders on what works, what needs...

Elimination of Riverside county volunteer firefighters brought by fire department is continuing to unravel It appears the case for the elimination of Riverside County Volunteer Firefighters brought by the Fire Department is continuing to unravel. Two official Proclamations from the County Board of Supervisors have surfaced which directly contradict allegations contained in the August 10th proposal submitted by Fire Chief John Hawkins. The Board's "Volunteer Firefighter Week"...

To improve alarm management practices SIAC works closely with law enforcement agencies The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is stepping up its efforts to reach law enforcement, citizens and companies in the security industry by adopting several new social media tools. As part of its outreach program, SIAC is now plugged into three social networking tools – Twitter, LinkedIn and WordPress. Short messages will be frequently delivered via Twitter. LinkedIn will con...

Streamlight is the leading producer of high performance fire lighting equipments Streamlight® Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performance flashlights, announced the promotion of Ray Sharrah from Chief Operating Officer to President and Chief Executive Officer. He replaced C. Bradford Penney, who recently retired. The company also announced the promotion of George Collier to Executive Vice President. He will retain his current title of Chief Financial Officer.Sh...

DRIFIRE's wares are to appear on Inside Business Review, hosted bySenator Fred Thompson  DRIFIRE, manufacturer of comfortable flame resistant (FR) clothing for U.S. military and commercial markets, will be featured on Inside Business Review, a TV program hosted by actor and U.S. Senator, Fred Thompson, that features the most innovative and groundbreaking companies driving the global economy. The first national airing on Fox Business News is scheduled for August 22nd&...

NFSA releases the second edition of its most popular book on Fire Sprinkler Systems  The NFSA announces the publication of the 2nd Edition of its popular textbook: Layout, Detailing and Calculation of Fire Sprinkler Systems. This text remains the most complete book ever written for the fire sprinkler engineering technician. This newly revised textbook has been updated to reference the 2007 and 2010 editions of NFPA 13 with more examples, student exercises, new chapt...

Fire Corps evaluation including a set of surveys proves their volunteer program successful Overall, the evaluation found that Fire Corps teams are helping departments in a variety of ways, that volunteers find their time spent with Fire Corps is rewarding and that many departments began using citizen volunteers because of the Fire Corps program.Fire Corps launched in December 2004 with the mission to increase the capacity of volunteer, career, and combination departments throu...

Fire Corps state advocates shall assist the implementation of Fire Corps programs through emails now  Official Fire Corps emails have been created to help facilitate communication between programs and State Advocates. The purpose of the Fire Corps State Advocate Network is to harness the energy of the Fire Corps program at the state and local level.   The Fire Corps State Advocate Network assists local fire/EMS departments who are establishing or im...

PSA is a joint venture of Delaware City Fire Company and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association A national Public Service Announcement (PSA) urging motorists to “slow down and move over” premiered yesterday at the Delaware City (DE) Fire Company. The PSA is a joint venture between the Delaware City Fire Company and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) to educate the public about dangers associated with passing responder...