TRAINING AIDS
Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, in La Crosse, Wisc., is a post-secondary institution that provides vocational, technical, and adult education in more than 60 programs. Through its fire service program, WWTI offers courses and fire training to 60 fire departments within an 11-county district. WWTI uses eight certified, part-time instructors to teach 50 courses from basic firefighting through Level 2 State Firefighter Certification. The program also serves industry, hospitals, and nursing homes and offers fire safety training.
Factory Mutual’s 1987 Loss Control Resource Catalog? describes the books, pamphlets, posters, films, lesson kits, learning kits, and tags available to help you maintain and expand your facility’s property conservation program.
Items are categorized under headings representing the qualities of a well-protected facility. There’s a separate section that contains information on the variety of resources you may use to find out more about the Factory Mutual System. Call Factory Mutual Order Processing at (617) 762-4300, extension 2152.
National Draeger Inc. announces the availability of a new book titled Toxic Air Exposure-Detection and Protection. The book focuses on worker exposure to toxic gases and vapors and cross-references various products that can be used for monitoring, detecting, and protecting human exposure to toxic chemicals.
The book includes a chemical directory that lists a variety of chemicals that can be detected by using Draeger tubes, along with respiratory protection equipment and instrumentation used to avoid toxic exposure. Contact National Draeger Inc., P.O. Box 120, Pittsburgh, PA 15230; telephone (412) 787-8383.
“Large-Diameter Hose System Training & Maintenance” is a 20-minute, color videotape from Snap-tite Hose Inc. The tape looks at the advantages of large-diameter hose over the traditional, smaller hose. Included in the program is instructional information on the proper manner in which to lay the hose, how to use a hydrassist valve, the use of LDH for water rescue, how to connect hose to a fire hydrant, the correct way to recouple and put hose back in service, and an easy method to patch a slightly damaged piece of hose.
Care and maintenance pointers are supplied, as well as insight on hose testing procedures. There are also tips on how to choose the right large-diameter hose equipment for your department. Contact Snaptite Hose Inc., 217 Titusville Rd., Union City, PA 16438; telephone (814) 438-7616.
The U.S. Fire Administration has released Public Fire Education Today: Fire Service Programs from Across America—a twopart, 214-page manual that describes successful and innovative fire department public education programs developed by departments across the United States and in foreign countries. The publication highlights programs from urban, suburban, and rural fire departments.
Part 1 discusses education programs implemented by fire departments. Part 2 contains concise summaries of 77 fire departments’ and five state and county public education programs. Contact USFA’s Office of Fire Prevention and Arson Control, Emmitsburg, MD 21727; telephone (301)447-6771.
Burning—A Guide to Fire Investigation, a new book from Aetna Life & Casualty, provides step-by-step techniques on fire investigation. The book is written specifically for fire investigators and insurance claims adjusters and takes the reader from the beginning to the end of a fire investigation. It provides detailed techniques for identifying evidence and gives insight into the mind of arsonists—includng tips on interviewing suspects and reading body language. Contact Fire & Fraud Investigation Section, Aetna Life & Casualty, 151 Farmington Ave. (EA 19), Hartford, CT 06156.
“DAN—The Divers Safety Net” is a new 16-mm film from Divers Alert Network. Underwater footage of Cozumel, Grand Canyon, and the Red Sea shot on DAN Doppler-bubble-detection research trips is intertwined with explanations of the silent bubble formation phenomenon and the Doppler detection procedure.
The film also shows diving research as well as DAN leaders discussing issues on improving diving safety. Contact DAN Video, Box 3823 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710; telephone (919) 684-2948.
“Teamwork—Safe Handling of a Hazardous Materials Incident” is a videotape training program for first responders to hazmat incidents. It stresses the need for preplanning for an incident, establishing who is in charge, and defining various roles of responders.
The tape is a sequal to one titled “First on the Scene,” which helps first responders reduce injury and environmental damage and ensures they know where to call for assistance in handling haz-mat incidents.
Both videos are produced by the emergency response division of the National Chemical Response and Information Center, a public service of the Chemical Manufacturers Association, 2501 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 887-1224.
