ONSPOT OF NORTH AMERICA has shipped its 50,000th set of automatic tire chains to Klam America of Denver, Colorado, which received a surprise “no charge” invoice with the delivery along with a “Thank You” note for its business. Onspot’s product allows the operator to engage and disengage tire chains at the flip of a switch to enhance traction and braking in forward and reverse on snow and ice.
PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. received the 2006 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, winning the Grand Award for excellence in the category of businesses with 1,000 or more employees. Pierce, which employs 1,700 personnel in the state, was recognized for overall outstanding achievement and its exemplary contribution to manufacturing in Wisconsin. In 2006, Pierce opened an $18 million, 130,000-square-foot production facility expansion at its Grand Chute facility near Appleton, spurred by strong growth in the fire, rescue, and homeland security apparatus industry.
The Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department used ADASHI FIRST RESPONSE software to assist in providing security for the 79th Annual Academy Awards, held at the Kodak Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland Entertainment Complex in Los Angeles. The software was used for real-time weather acquisition and plume prediction in an emergency. ADASHI First Response has been certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an Approved Product for Homeland Security and designated as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT). ADASHI First Response provides hazardous agent response guidance, intelligent discovery of potential hazards, and suggested actions for mitigation displayed on a street-level map. In an emergency, the software can be used to support incident command and control based on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The current operational picture can be instantly shared with the local emergency operations center and other vital agencies.
QUALA-TEL COMMUNICATIONS, a San Diego-based provider of communication solutions for emergency apparatus, confined space rescue, and on scene command, has added the SAVOX line of intrinsically safe radio interface systems.
E-ONE announced that it will market a new electronic stability control system, G4TM. G4 is the next generation stability control technology that builds on the previous roll stability control by adding independent brake application to all four corners of the apparatus, which provides directional control for the apparatus in slippery conditions.
ANSUL has named George Kanugh business development manager for the company’s Magnum Rapid Intervention Vehicles. He will be responsible for leading and managing sales and marketing, developing new products, and enhancing domestic and international sales.
FIRE-DEX®, LLC has agreed to be an associate sponsor of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet driven by J.J. Yeley for the entire 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule. The logo of Fire-Dex, a protective firefighting/emergency response apparel manufacturer, will be featured on the B post of Yeley’s car, as well as on Yeley’s driver uniform, the No. 18 team transporter, and the No. 18 team pit box. This is the second year of Fire-Dex’s involvement with a Nextel Cup team.
DUPONTTM NOMEX®, the heat-resistant fiber used firefighter protective apparel, marks its 40th anniversary this year. The inherently flame-resistant, high-temperature fiber does not melt, drip or support combustion in air, and resists a broad range of chemicals. A critical component in protective apparel, now more than three million firefighters around the world are protected by turnout gear, stationwear, and accessories made of Nomex® because of its combination of flame protection, durability, and mobility.
AVON RUBBER PLC has integrated INTERNATIONAL SAFETY INSTRUMENTS (ISI) into the AVON Protection Systems division. AVON acquired ISI, a respiratory protection equipment manufacturer, in 2005. ISI will combine all operations and products into AVON Protection Systems. The integration incorporates ISI’s respiratory protection equipment and thermal imaging cameras for the firefighting, law enforcement, and industrial markets with AVON Protection’s design and manufacture of a wide range of respirators for the military and law enforcement markets.
As of March 1, 2007, the NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (NFAAA) has surpassed the 19,000-member mark. Founded in 1998, the organization continues with the assistance of Pennwell Publishing, a grant from Cresleigh Bankcorp of Indiana, and the continued financial support of Thomson-Delmar Publishers. In its first year, the NFAAA had gained 4,400 members. The association’s mission is to increase fire service educational opportunities by supporting the National Fire Academy, the United States Fire Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security through timely information exchange and membership involvement; to provide a clearinghouse for fire service educational opportunities and exchange of ideas; and to improve firefighter safety and effectiveness through enhanced fire service training and education. The NFAAA has purchased AEDs and computers for the NFA campus, provided scholarships for first-time volunteer attendees, and assisted at the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Membership in the NFAAA is free and anyone who has taken an NFA course on-line, on campus, or through local delivery is eligible for membership. To join, visit www.nfaalumni.org.
The CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTITUTE awarded Garry Briese the 2007 CFSI/Motorola J. Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The award recognizes the individual who has been proactive at the state, local, or federal government level in raising awareness and support for the fire/emergency services and life safety issues. Briese served as executive director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) for 22 years. During his tenure, he was credited with providing strong leadership to the IAFC membership and promoting awareness of fire/emergency services workers and their needs nationwide.
The WATERTOWN (NY) FIRE DEPARTMENT’s HAZ-MAT TEAM has received the 2007 Warren E. Isman Grant from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which will allow five members to attend the 2007 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Haz-Mat Conference in Hunt Valley, Maryland, May 31-June 3. The $5,000 grant is available to any established incident response team from a fire department, police department, or other public-funded program. Qualified applicants are evaluated on leadership qualities, communication abilities, and must have been trained in accordance with NFPA 472, Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents, and NFPA 473, Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents. For more information on the application process, visit the NFPA Web site at www.nfpa.org, or contact Christine Ellis at (617) 984-7244 or by e-mail at cellis@nfpa.org.
THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION (CVVFA) received the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Safety Leadership Award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Named after retired Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a strong advocate of American fire and rescue personnel during his 36 years in Congress, the award recognizes organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety. State Farm Insurance and VFIS are corporate supporters of the award.
Nine years ago, CVVFA established the Emergency Responder Safety Institute to educate and inform first responders about the hazards of roadway operations. It promotes best practices, policies, and procedures to minimize injuries and death to first responders. Since then, the association has spearheaded the development of best practices and national standards covering all phases of safety for emergency responders at roadway incidents.
The Pennsylvania State Fire Commission has recognized the ABINGTON TOWNSHIP (PA) FIRE DEPARTMENT (ATFD) as a participant in the Pennsylvania Fire Service Certification Program. To receive such recognition, a fire department must certify that at least 50 percent of its members meet national professional qualifications standards. Of the ATFD’S volunteer firefighters, 126 (80 percent) are so certified; it is one of 48 department in the state that have met the 75-percent certification level. The program identifies and recognizes emergency service personnel whose training and education meets or exceeds nationally recognized standards.
THE BETHPAGE (NY) FIRE DISTRICT received a $147,825 Assistance to Firefighters grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funds will be used to acquire three thermal imaging cameras, an air compressor for filling SCBA, turnout coats, and UHF radio pagers. The district had submitted applications for five years before receiving the current grant.
