HURST JAWS OF LIFE® will provide instructors for the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC’s) First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE™) events this year. The initiative gives first responders hands-on training on late-model cars, whose advanced high-strength steels and new technology can make extrications challenging. HURST rescue specialists will provide training tips and techniques and will bring their tools, including their battery-powered eDRAULIC® tools, allowing first responders to train on equipment built for the high-strength steel of today’s and tomorrow’s automobiles. NABC’s FREE program is offered to first responders at no charge as a community service and hosted at NABC repair shop facilities. For more information or to sign up to host a FREE event, visit NationalAutoBodyCouncil.org. www.jawsoflife.com.
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. announced Kurt Beyer as its new vice president of aftermarket, which includes functions such as aftermarket parts sales and support, training, customer service and support, warranty provision and application, factory and dealer service, and vehicle refurbishment—across product verticals. Beyer has also been appointed to the Spartan Leadership Team. Beyer brings more than 20 years of aftermarket and continuous improvement experience to the organization. Having most recently overhauled the customer service and support functions for EMT International, Beyer brings expertise to the areas of call center management, technical product support, field service, and escalation procedure management to avoid downtime for customers. www.spartanmotors.com.
LEXIPOL introduced its Fire Policies and Training solution for Idaho fire departments. The new service includes policy and procedural content, management, and related training delivered through an online platform and mobile app. Lexipol helps public safety agencies reduce risk, liability, and costs associated with out-of-date or incomplete policies. Developed by fire service professionals and public safety attorneys, the Lexipol Idaho Fire Policy Manual includes more than 165 policies and 25 procedures for high-risk operations that are continuously updated to meet changes in laws and best practices. The subscription-based service also includes short, scenario-based training bulletins to reinforce policy content and accountability reporting. www.lexipol.com.
HOWARD COUNTY (MD) DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES (HCDFRS) was awarded the American Heart Association’s “Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award” for the second straight year. HCDFRS was selected for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. HCDFRS was the first department in Maryland to receive this award in 2017. Annually, more than 250,000 people experience a type of heart attack, known as a ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart. https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Fire-and-Rescue.
TARGETSOLUTIONS and the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEF’s (IAFC’s) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) awarded Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department (LSFD) Deputy Chief Josh Blum with the 2018 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award. Blum received this honor, which aims to honor exemplary conduct befitting of a training officer, for his outstanding work since joining the LSFD nine years ago. Blum was nominated by LSFD’s Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, who also serves as the IAFC’s international director of the Safety, Health and Survival section. In addition to enhancing LSFD’s training curriculum by connecting learning content to hands-on components, Blum developed plans and managed the construction of a Class A training facility. TargetSolutions.com. www.iafc.org.
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) announced Russell B. Leavitt, executive chairman of Telgian Holdings, Inc., as its second vice-chairman. As second vice-chairman, Leavitt will work with the NFPA as it delivers information and knowledge nationwide through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy. In addition to this position, Leavitt also serves on several NFPA Technical Committees and is the Chair of the Technical Committee on Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria (NFPA 13). He is a long-time NFPA seminar presenter at national events such as the Retail Construction Expo, PRSM, TPE, and AFSA and has served as a senior instructor for NFPA’s Professional Development Series. www.nfpa.org. www.telgian.com.
