>> W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC. issued a product safety alert in response to isolated incidents of seam-tape separation observed in turnout gear in North America-using both Gore and non-Gore moisture barriers-that has been stored in its original packaging for three or more years before being issued and worn. Gore’s alert identifies the affected GORE® products and a course of action for proper product remediation. No seam tape separation was observed for turnout gear using GORE® moisture barriers that had been removed from its packaging before being stored. Gore investigated the issue and posted its findings at www.GoreProtectiveFabrics.com/FirefighterProductSafetyAlert.
>> EMPACT NORTHWEST, a nonprofit organization comprised of an all-volunteer force of medical and rescue professionals, sent two disaster teams to Philippines communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Team 1 spent its time working grid search and recovery missions. It also cleared two heavily damaged communities outside of Tacloban. The team worked their systematic search patterns through the community, and made many recoveries in this area. Team 2 consisted of highly trained and experienced tech rescue and medical specialists, who will also receive and distribute medical supplies and service the water system. To donate online, visit www.empactnorthwest.org.
>> ALLIED SPECIALTY VEHICLES (ASV) appointed Dan Peters as president and CEO of E-ONE, INC. Peters replaces Kent Tyler, who has been named President and CEO for the newly formed ASV Bus Division. Peters has more than 15 years of experience in the first responder industry-four years in an executive role with a fire apparatus manufacturer and 12 years with a fire industry supplier where he served as president from 1998 to 2008 and vice president of sales and marketing from 1996 to 1998. Peters has served as president of Collins Bus Corporation since early 2013. www.e-one.com. www.alliedsv.com.
>> The North Carolina Department of Labor certified SCOTT SAFETY as a participant in the Carolina Star Program. The Carolina Star is the most prestigious safety recognition given by the N.C. Department of Labor. Companies that qualify for the award have exemplary safety and health programs in the workplace. One criteria of the program is that worker injury and illness rates and lost/restricted workday rates must be at least 50 percent below the national rate for the company’s industry. Scott Safety manufacturers innovative respiratory and personal protective equipment and safety devices for emergency services and first-responders. www.scottsafety.com.
>> CARDIOVIVA™ awarded $30,000 in cash and prizes to three volunteer firefighters in the first Search for Cardioviva™ Heart Health Champions contest. The grand prize winner was Chief Peggy Smith of Coolin-Cavanaugh Bay Fire Company in Coolin, Idaho. The two first prize winners were Thomas Gulbransen of the Setauket (NY) Fire Department and William Moorhead of Duncan Chapel Fire Department in Greenville, South Carolina. Cardioviva™, the first natural probiotic clinically proven to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels in adults, teamed up with the National Volunteer Fire Council to conduct a nationwide search for three healthy firefighters who also motivate their departments and communities to live healthier lifestyles. www.mycardioviva.com. www.nvfc.org.
>> The PALERMO (ITALY) FIRE DEPARTMENT (PFD) was named “International Firefighting Team of the Year” after it won the Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award 2013 at a ceremony held at the Congress Centrun in Ulm, Germany, on November 22. The PFD will travel to New York City for four nights to visit the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), where it will get an up-close look at the FDNY’s operations. The PFD will also visit “The Rock” training academy on Randall’s Island to experience firsthand the training their American colleagues undergo. The Botosani (Romania) Fire Department placed second, and the Mooskirchen, Steinberg, Ligist (Austria) Fire Department finished third. Learn more and see event photos at www.world-of-firefighters.com.
>> The NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL (NVFC) partnered with the BALLISTIC CASE COMPANY to say “Thanks a Million” with an initiative to donate $1 million worth of protective Smartphone cases to volunteers throughout the country. Volunteer firefighters can sign up to receive free cases at Facebook.com/BallisticCases. At the site, you can also say “Thanks a Million More” by nominating a local volunteer firefighter and his station, sharing your story, or by simply leaving a thank you message. Ballistic donated cases (HC, SG, or SG Maxx) to nominees throughout the holidays. www.nvfc.org. www.goballisticcase.com.
NAMES IN THE NEWS
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>> CYNTHIA ROSS TUSTIN was named the new chief of the Essa Township (Ontario, Canada) Fire Department. Tustin took over from longtime Chief Paul Macdonald on November 18. She has more than 27 years of experience in fire and emergency management services. Tustin has served as the fire protection advisor and program specialist with the Office of the Fire Marshal, the assistant fire chief of prevention and development for the City of Barrie, deputy fire chief for the Bradford West Gwillimbury fire department, and has volunteered with the Hillsburgh and District Fire Departments. Tustin is the first female fire chief to serve in Simcoe County. |
>> MIKE WISCO was named the new chief of the Galveston (TX) Fire Department (GFD) by the city council. Wisko is a third-generation Galveston firefighter. He joined the GFD in October 1988. After working his way up through the ranks, Wisco was appointed assistant fire chief in October 2010. He is a 2012 graduate of the Texas Fire Chief Academy.
>> CRAIG MACIUBA was named as the new chief of the Palm Harbor (FL) Fire Rescue (PHFR), replacing former Chief (ret.) James Angle. Maciuba started his career with the PHFR in 1984 as a volunteer firefighter and was hired as a full-time firefighter in 1986. He rose through the ranks, most recently becoming deputy chief of operations in 2005. He has a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration from St. Petersburg College, has completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and has coauthored a firefighting textbook.
Fire Engineering Archives
