Company/Association News

• STREETWISE CADLINK announced a partnership with Pierce Manufacturing. StreetWise was selected as the navigation and scene management software that will now be available directly on the new Pierce® Command Zone™ advanced electronics system. The new Command Zone system offers expanded capabilities to benefit the driver, officer, and maintenance teams and features technologies such as integrated GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity. With Streetwise, the officer and scene commanders are provided enhanced situational awareness through a wide range of at-their-fingertips data specific to a department’s geography, including the location of fire hydrants, way points, and other responding apparatus. www.streetwisecadlink.com.
• Armor AP and Glide, the high-performance fabric brands of SAFETY COMPONENTS, INC., were selected as the fabrics of choice to protect firefighters in The Republic of Chile, which is served by approximately 40,000 volunteer firefighters. The central government will assist in the funding to provide firefighters with these personal protective garments. Around 6,000 Chilean firefighters will don this new turnout gear over the next three years. The garments will be designed and manufactured by Lion Apparel. The ensemble will combine an Armor AP outer shell, offering improved flexibility and enhanced heat and thermal protection with a Glide Thermal liner, for a cooler and more comfortable feel.
• The COMMISSION ON FIRE ACCREDITATION INTERNATIONAL recognized the Yocha Dehe Fire Department (YDFD). The YDFD first earned accreditation in 2010; it is the only Native American fire department to do so. Since its first accreditation, YDFD has continued to work aggressively to improve its training, capabilities, and services such as partnering with other regional agencies on the development and deployment of a computer auto dispatch system; constructing and opening a multidiscipline, live-fire training tower for use by YDFD and partner firefighters; and achieving significant reductions in ambulance response times in the region. www.yochadehe.org/tribal-government/yocha-dehe-fire-department.
• Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Fire Alarm Building, built in 1931 and which originally served as the central communication center for the Tulsa Fire Department (TFD), will house the upcoming TULSA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM. TFD firefighters started a fundraising campaign in January to purchase the building from the American Lung Association of the Southwest. The Tulsa Firefighters Museum will be of multipurpose use and will also be available as a private party venue space later this year. The displays, a unique gift shop, and a children’s area are set to open early 2017.
• LION completed construction of its new state-of-the-art training center, LION University. Housed in LION’s corporate office, the facility provides advanced education on the complex and technical nature of firefighter personal protective equipment. Each course, designed to challenge and engage participants, is supported with a comprehensive curriculum with instruction from leading industry professionals. Marking the official opening with a ribbon cutting, LION University’s inaugural professional development program launched on September 21. LION University keeps LION dealer sales representatives current on requirements of first responders and technical advancements across the marketplace. www.lionprotects.com.
• The INTERNATIONAL FIRE SERVICE TRAINING ASSOCIATION presented Kevin Roche with the 2015 Everett E. Hudiburg Memorial Award For Outstanding Achievement in Fire Service Training. Roche was the assistant to the fire chief (ret.) with the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department and is a managing partner with FACETS Consulting, LLC. He was recognized for his 35+-year fire service career, during which he made significant contributions to the development of many National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards that impact firefighter safety, most notably NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, and NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. https://shop.ifsta.org.
• KME and Goodman Specialized Vehicles received an order for a custom pumper, a 79-foot AerialCat™ ladder, and a 55-foot Firestix™ from the City of Petersburg, Virginia. All three units feature a 100-foot KME Predator™ Severe Service cab and chassis with cab EMS compartments with internal and external access, RollTek occupant rollover protection, and SKF-Vogel lube systems. The pumpers include seating for four 1,500-gpm single-stage pumps, a 500-gallon water tank, and 3⁄16-inch aluminum body with a 29-inch deep full-height/split-depth compartmentation and body roof compartments. All units were purchased through KME’s HGAC contract, which strives to make the governmental procurement process more efficient by establishing competitively priced contracts for goods and services. www.kovatch.com.

names in the news

• CHARLES GORDON was appointed as the new chief of the Birmingham (AL) Fire Department (BFD). Gordon, who was previously assistant chief, replaces Ivor Brooks, who died in May. Gordon started working with the BFD in 1989. He says he plans to carry out Ivor’s plan for more community involvement and also plans to improve the fire department’s emergency health services. He is also a nationally registered EMT/paramedic, receiving his certification from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Gordon has received numerous awards and commendations for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the service of the Birmingham community.
• JIM WALTERS was appointed as chief of the Skokie (IL) Fire Department (SFD) after nearly 30 years of service, which includes 10 years as SFD’s deputy chief. He succeeds Chief Ralph Czerwinski, who resigned to accept the village administrator job in neighboring Morton Grove. Walters began his career as a firefighter and trained as a paramedic before ascending the ranks. He is one of a few firefighters who created SFD’s technical rescue team. Walters also served as bureau captain for a few years before being promoted to deputy chief in 2005. He is an Illinois state certified fire officer II and instructor II.
• KEVIN MCALLISTER was named the new chief of the Windsor (VT) Fire Department (WFD). McAllister joined the WFD in 2005 as an emergency medical technician (EMT). He has been the WFD’s assistant chief since 2013. McAllister takes over for Mark Kirko, who will become the deputy chief a department in Washington state. To take over the WFD, McAllister left his post as a lieutenant in the West Hartford (CT) Fire Department.