United States of America (USA) Fire Industry News

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...

Flood damage in Cedar Rapids, summer 2008. Photography bySusie Shapira/FEMA The general public is invited to view the floodplain maps and assess the risks of flooding. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), will host , 120 N. 4th Street in Hennepin.Newly released preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps will be displayed so residents can lea...

The life-saving technology of fire sprinklers has been around for more than 100 years The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) has announced the availability of a new, online resource toolbox to provide community leaders with the latest available assets and information to assist with planning issues at the local level. The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., has announced the availabili...

NFPA and DRI have joined forces to offer an interactive 4.5 day certification program The program deals with both existing and emerging requirements in the industry. NFPA and the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI), the leading certification and education body in business continuity planning, have joined forces to offer an interactive 4.5 day certification program that provides training, tools, and hands-on experience. Course materials delve into existing...

NFPA 1600 and 14 other NFPA first responder codes and standards have received DHS's QATT designation  This is the first block of standards to receive this “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology” designation by the DHS. NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs and 14 other NFPA codes and standards have been designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as "Qualified Anti-Terrorism Tec...

The NFA's Fiscal Year 2010 second semester application period is open now through December 15 The National Fire Academy's Fiscal Year 2010 second semester application period is open until December 15.  The second semester includes classes running from April 1 through September 30, 2010.  Interested applicants can submit their completed FEMA Form 75-5, General Admissions Application right away. For complete application information and course schedule i...

North Kent firefighters recently took part in a training exercise to learn tackling fires in high rise buildings North Kent firefighters have been back to college for a training exercise to tackle blazes in high rise buildings. Around 25 staff and four appliances were involved in the drill which simulated a fire and required the rescue of people trapped on the sixth floor of a special tower at Dartford's North West Kent College. The practice is part of ongoing training tak...

NFPA Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving others The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is celebrating the milestone achievement of surpassing 500 communities participating in its national Firewise Communities Program. The program is an interagency effort designed to encourage wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others at the local le...

  Kochek Company has appointed Kurt Voland to the newly created position of Director of Sales and Marketing   Kochek Co has appointed Kurt Voland to the newly created position of Director of Sales and Marketing. In his new position Voland will provide a single point of contact between the field sales force and the factory and increase coordination with the management team and company goals. Voland has degrees from Norwich University and Western State College...

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate addressed students and faculty at Savannah State University The event was sponsored by the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Student Organization (HSEMSO). FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate addressed students and faculty at Savannah State University, in Savannah, Georgia. The FEMA Administrator praised students for choosing to study emergency management and recognized the administration of Savannah State, a Historical...

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano. Photograph by Manuel Broussard, FEMA Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has unveiled a new website for veterans. The new website has been designed to provide a one-stop location for veterans and veterans organizations to learn about DHS' many veteran outreach initiatives and hiring and contracting opportunities. "This new website reflects the shared commitment across th...