United States of America (USA) Fire Industry News

AFSA's annual conference and exhibition now has over 100 exhibitors Over 100 companies to exhibit latest industry innovations What began in 1982 as quite a modest gathering of professionals has become the premier event providing today, and for the future, a unique business platform for the fire sprinkler industry. The American Fire Sprinkler Association's (AFSA) Annual Convention & Exhibition offers an exhibit hall packed with services and solutions - and 2009 promises...

The NFPA supports Kelvin Cochran for U.S. Fire Administrator Obama's pick for U.S. Fire Administration receives NFPA support Citing his many years of experience in the fire service and his leadership at both the local and national level, James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urged Congress to approve the appointment of Kelvin Cochran as U.S. Fire Administrator. "Kelvin Cochran has been an active member of the fire service...

Fire services concerns over the safety of high-visibility apparel were upheld New rule addresses firefighter apparel safety concerns The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has adopted as final an Interim Final Rule that amends regulations to address safety concerns raised by the fire service regarding high-visibility safety apparel. The FHWA adopted this regulation to exempt fire fighters from the requirement to use high-visibility...

The IAFF is lobbying against a health-benefits tax on behalf of firefighters IAFF campaign leads to reassessment on firefighter healthcare tax An aggressive lobbying campaign led by the IAFF has dampened enthusiasm on Capitol Hill for paying for health reform by imposing a tax on employer-provided health benefits. The IAFF has argued that such a tax would disproportionately impact the nation's firefighters and other unionized workers. The health benefits tax has been champ...

A cross at Ground Zero: the UFA wants the 9/11 memorial to highlight the sacrifice of first responders Need to properly recognise NY firefighters highlighted The IAFF recognizes the efforts of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of Greater New York Local 94 for its determination and perseverance to gain proper recognition for the sacrifice of New York City fire fighters and other first responders who perished at the World Trade Center site on September 11, 2001. "...

Crimson Fire, Inc. has announced EMC as a new dealer Crimson Fire, Inc. has welcomed EMC as a new dealer in its growing Southwestern region The Brandon, S.D.-based manufacturer said EMC will sell and service Crimson Fire's full line of custom fire trucks, aerials and rescue vehicles in the state of Arizona. EMC has nearly two decades of experience in the fire services and emergency-rescue market, as well as expertise working with hospitals, railroad companies, federal ag...

Ohio CAT's HQ: the company has joined Crimson Fire as a new dealer Experience with heavy equipment makes Ohio CAT ideally suited to supplying fire departments Ohio CAT, one of the largest distributor of construction equipment, power systems and agricultural equipment in the state of Ohio, has added fire apparatus to its heavy equipment lineup by joining Crimson Fire, Inc. as a new dealer. The Brandon, S.D.-based manufacturer said that Ohio CAT will sell and service Crimson...

Hi-Tech E.V.S, Inc. has joined Crimson Fire, Inc. as a new dealer New dealer will expand Crimson Fire's reach throughout California Hi-Tech E.V.S., Inc. has joined Crimson Fire as a new dealer. The Brandon, S.D.-based manufacturer of custom fire trucks, aerials and rescue vehicles said that Hi-Tech will serve Central and Northern California as well as Northern Nevada from its Oakdale, Calif. headquarters. The company was founded in 1987 and has grown to be a respected regi...

Competitors are needed for INTERSCHUTZ 2010 "toughest fireman in the world" challenge International event call for competitor firefighters! An absolute highlight of the supporting program and a big crowd favorite at INTERSCHUTZ involves the spectacular contest for the title of "toughest fireman in the world". In 2005 more than 20,000 spectators witnessed this four-day event which drew 140 active participants to Hannover. The individual activities demand the utmost of con...

Secretary Napolitano has announced her approval of Kelvin Cochran for US Fire Administrator DHS Secretary approves President's experienced intended choice U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano applauds President Obama's intent to nominate Kelvin Cochran - who brings decades of experience in preventing and responding to fires and emergencies - as U.S. Fire Administrator. "Kelvin will play a vital role in strengthening our fire prevention...

NFPA has awarded scholarships to four students for contributions to fire safety Students recognised for fire safety and academic, leadership prowess The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Safety Education Memorial Fund has made it a tradition to award students each year with scholarships to recognize their pursuit of careers in fire safety. This year four scholarship recipients have been selected based on their contributions to fire safety activities, as well...

Pierce's Contender is the Hillsdale Rural Fire Department's first new fire apparatus for 63 years Contender is the department's first new fire apparatus in 63 years Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, today announced it has delivered a Contender® by Pierce custom pumper to the Hillsdale Rural Fire Department in Hillsdale, Mich. With the assistance of a FEMA grant, the department purchased its first new apparatus in 63 years. Prior to this, the d...

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and wife Kim view the devastation caused by the 2009 wildfires in Oklahoma Advice for OK residents to hasten disaster assistance Oklahoma residents affected by wildfires can speed disaster assistance by understanding and preparing for on-site property inspections that determine eligibility, state and federal emergency managers said today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials...

FEMA has announced aid for Illinois to supplement recovery efforts following severe weather damage Disaster aid made available for Illinois following severe weather 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 Illinois to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes during the period of Ma...

The Pierce Contender: 29 Contenders and 2 Velocity HAZMAT vehicles have been purchased by the U.S. Navy Order includes 29 Contender by Pierce custom pumpers and two Velocity HAZMAT units Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, today announced a new order from the United States Navy for 29 Contender® by Pierce custom pumper fire trucks. This is in addition to a recent separate order for two Pierce® Velocity® HAZMAT vehicles. The 31 vehicles will be...

Both programs are available on theNational Hazardous Materials FusionCenter website To ensure the nation's first responders are prepared to handle incidents involving alternative fuels, the IAFC has created two new training packages:Ethanol: Response Consideration focuses on responding to ethanol incidents and was created in partnership with the USFA and the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This training package has b...

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill doubling funding for SAFER grants Bill approved will increase funding for EMS staffing The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a Homeland Security Appropriation bill that doubles funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The bill calls for spending $420 million on the program, which provides grants to help communities hire fire fighters. The bill also provides funding fo...

Olympic hopeful Jonathan Jackson, who was blinded in one eye by a firework, speaks at the conference U.S. Olympic hopeful shares story of fireworks injury The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and its Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks hosted a press conference today with the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's office to warn against the use of consumer fireworks. The event featured Jonathan Jackson, a victim of a childhood fireworks injury that left him blind in...

Forty of Motorola's TETRA Base Stations are now live across Denmark's SINE public safety network Robust, environmentally-friendly TETRA solution backed up by fuel cell technology Motorola, Inc. today announced that a total of forty Motorola TETRA Base Stations with fuel cell back-up are now live across Denmark's SINE public safety network, with approximately 50 planned and commissioned for installation throughout the remainder of the year. The environmentally friend...

Vermont has now adopted NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 codes statewide Vermont adopts NFPA 1 and 101 statewide The state of Vermont has updated its statewide adoption of the National Fire Protection Association certifications NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™, and NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® to the 2006 edition of the codes. The adoption became effective on June 15, 2009. "Setting statewide minimum requirements for life safety is an essential step in offering the best protect...

Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District to usestate-of-the-art simulation lab Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District (WRFD), organized in 1926 and located in the Denver-Metro area of Jefferson County, CO, joined the FLAME-SIM family in early June 2009. Wheat Ridge is a volunteer based fire protection service that currently uses a combination of pragmatic learning and hands on training in their training division. Jason Brewer who heads the department's Training Division sha...

On the outside looking in: San Leon VFD is using OnSite ERT to track firefighter status during operations OnSite ERT answers age-old question: "Who's inside?" It's a scene all too familiar for San Leon firefighters, as well as others across the country: emergency responders enter a burning building, but before the flames are put out, the roof collapses and they dash out. The commander on scene is suddenly left wondering if any crew members are still inside. What do the...

INTERSCHUTZ 2010 will focus on new approaches to firefighting Disaster relief and firefighting will face new hurdles Emergency relief organizations are confronted by some major new challenges, forcing them to consider a fundamental realignment. The changed framework not only necessitates new, transnational thinking, but above all increased investment in equipment and training. According to the German Firefighters Association (DFV), German municipalities have estimated the p...

Students at the FDNY Fire and Life Safety high school graduating Fifty-seven students graduated from the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety on June 25 With the Fire Academy as a colorful backdrop, 57 students from the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety graduated on June 25. "What you accomplished to get this far is a huge first step for you," said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. "You are truly an example for the other kids at your school and your...

NFSA has won a public relations award for its Fire Sprinkler Design Technician Recruitment video Recruitment video addresses need for fire sprinkler technicians The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., announces it won a Public Relations Society of America New Jersey Chapter "Pyramid Award" for its Fire Sprinkler Design Technician Recruitment Video, targeting entry-level workers to join the fire sp...

More funding for the FIRE grant program On Tuesday night, the House Rules Committee passed a closed rule for the Fiscal Year 2010 DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 2892) that would not allow Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Steve Austria (R-OH), Peter King (R-NY) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) to offer their amendment on the House floor yesterday. The House Rules Committee writes the rules for the consideration of each bill before it goes to the House Floor.  However,...

President Obama has approved new rules on the use of SAFER grants In an economic crisis, changes will allow fire departments to use SAFER grants to retain fire fighters President Obama today approved new rules that govern how fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, an important change during an economic crisis that is responsible for widespread layoffs of fire fighters throughout the country. The ne...

Elkhart Brass has appointed Robert Dornseif as its new Mideast Regional Sales Manager New sales appointee will serve Mideast region Elkhart Brass is pleased to announce Robert Dornseif (Rob) has accepted the position of Regional Sales Manager for our mideast region, which includes: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.  Rob comes to us with over fifteen years of sales experience, including more than seven years with 5 Alarm Fire and Safety. Rob has als...

Firefighters demonstrating their rescue skills at INTERSCHUTZ 2005 Exhibitors present innovative products - live teams demonstrate them in action Conflagrations, flooding, earthquakes and drought - on the one hand, Mother Nature is constantly confronting humanity with new challenges. But on the other, we also need to be able to deal with manmade problems like acts of terror, severe traffic accidents or explosions. In all of these cases, fast relief is of the essence. Cur...

More than 1,200 US businesses and organizations have joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month Coalition Over 1,200 US businesses and organizations have supported the 2009 NPM Coalition The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on June 19 that more than 1,200 national, regional, tribal, state and local businesses and organizations, including the National Volunteer Fire Council, have pledged their support and joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month (NPM)...