Company/Association News

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  FIRE TRAINING STRUCTURES (FTS) has selected B2W Estimate to streamline the company’s bidding process. FTS assists fire service professionals’ training needs by fabricating customized training structures for its domestic and international customer base of firefighters. B2W Estimate is helping the FTS reduce manual data entry steps in the bidding process while enabling the company to complete estimates faster and be more responsive to customers. B2W Estimate has allowed FTS to create a unified resource database that stores common bid items such as materials and tasks used in its estimates. Those up-to-date items can then be pulled into a new bid instantly, saving the company significant time. B2W Software is a premier provider of enterprise-class construction software, services, and solutions.
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  AVON PROTECTION SYSTEMS acquired the thermal imaging camera business argus, a subsidiary of e2v technologies plc. Based in Chelmsford, United Kingdom, argus is a leading designer and manufacturer of thermal imaging cameras for first responder and fire markets. Avon Protection is a world leader in CBRN personal protective equipment and respiratory protection, providing complete solutions for air-, land-, and sea-based personnel in military, law enforcement, first responder, firefighting, and industrial sectors worldwide. It is the primary supplier of CBRN personal respiratory equipment to the United States Department of Defense, providing respiratory equipment to the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces. www.argusdirect.com.
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  PAUL CONWAY FIRE announced that its new sales representative, Eric Hiatt, will support the states of Indiana and Michigan, providing customer service and education on fire safety equipment and gear. Hiatt is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a driver assigned to Engine 1 with the Mishawaka (IN) Fire Department, where he has served for 14 years. Hiatt has also served on the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 360 Executive Board for four years as treasurer and president. He also has 11 years of experience in on-site CPR Training. Fire.paulconwayshields.com.
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  STIHL INC. donated $67,000 to the Resurrecting Lives Foundation (RLF), a nonprofit focused on raising money to assist Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participating STIHL dealers raised money through stock purchases of American-made RLF shirts and caps through the www.resurrectinglives.org.
• The INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTORS (ISFSI) released the second phase of training videos for the Principles of Modern Fire Attack. The ISFSI has built a series of training videos to assist departments in educating their professionals in the initial attack sequence, incorporating the fire dynamics research from the National Institute of Standards & Technology and Underwriters Laboratory. The next four videos in this series break down the SLICE-RS acronym and provide expanded knowledge for today’s fire service. When used in conjunction with the full-length Principles of Modern Fire Attack, SLICE-RS is a complete training package provided free of charge for the fire service community. View the series of videos at www.youtube.com/user/TheISFSI“>https://www.youtube.com/user/TheISFSI.
• The AMERICAN RED CROSS presented its Everyday Heroes Awards to Las Vegas Local 1285 Firefighter Ron Kline and Henderson Local 1883 Firefighter Robert Uszynski for their actions in the southern Nevada community. Kline received this year’s firefighter award for his work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Each year, Kline helps organize the annual “Fill the Boot” drive with fellow firefighters, raising more than $800,000 for the MDA. Uszynski received this year’s aquatic award after he and lifeguard Taylor Thompson saved the life of a three-year-old girl who was found unconscious at a Henderson public pool. Uszynski was off-duty at the pool when he noticed Thompson blow his whistle and dive into the water. After Thompson retrieved the child from the water, Uszynski performed mouth-to-mouth, resuscitating her.
• The PLYMOVENT Grant Assistance Program is now available online. Plymovent vehicle exhaust removal systems protect firefighters and emergency medical services personnel from diesel engine exhaust. Apply for a grant to get a Plymovent vehicle exhaust removal system with the help of independent grant writing services that provide personalized grant assistance for vehicle exhaust extraction systems under “Modification to Facilities.” Receive one-on-one service from a qualified grant consultant who provides free customized research, reviews grants prior to submission, and even offers grant writing services at exceptional rates.

Names in the News

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  LONNY OWENS was named the new chief of the Lenexa (KS) Fire Department (LFD). Owens is a 28-year LFD veteran who has served as the deputy chief for the last few years. Owens replaces former Chief Dan Rhodus, who retired during the summer.
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  JIM STYERS was appointed chief of the Fairbanks (AK) Fire Department (FFD). He began his tenure on December 1, 2015. Styers was previously the battalion chief at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Fire Department. He replaces Warren Cummings, who retired. Styer’s first goal as chief is to improve communication, build a management team within the staff, and develop a working mission statement. Styers began his firefighting career in 1983 with the North Star Volunteer Fire Department in North Pole, Alaska, before joining the student firefighting program at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, where he received an associate degree in fire science.
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  RYAN ASHE took over as the new chief of the James City (VA) County Fire Department (JCCFD), replacing retired chief Tal Luton. Ashe will lead a department that includes 110 uniformed emergency responders who respond to more than 9,800 calls for emergency service each year. He has been with the JCCFD since 2003. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of science in degree fire protection and safety technology, Ashe is certified as an executive fire officer with the National Fire Academy and as a paramedic with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.