SPERIAN FIRE announced that it is donating a combined $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation to increase awareness and support for these foundations. It is the largest charitable donation in Sperian Fire’s history. The donation will be made in the names of all U.S. and Canadian firefighters who sign the donation registry at Sperian’s Web site. Registrants can write words of encouragement or make their donations in memory of individual fallen comrades. Continuing through June 30, Sperian will then present the final donation checks to the two organizations in July. www.sperianfire.com.
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THE CORAL SPRINGS (FL) FIRE DEPARTMENT won MSA’s 2009 FireSlayer® of the Year award. Each year, MSA honors firefighters performing exceptional acts of bravery by honoring them with the FireSlayer of the Year award. This year, the Coral Springs Fire Department was selected. Awardees were Lieutenant Scott Nathanson, lead paramedic Alden Prince, driver/engineer Daniel Doherty, firefighter/paramedic John Barry, and firefighter/paramedic David Tyrrell for their rescue actions during an apartment fire. MSA also donated $5,000 to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Burn Foundation. www.msafire.com. (800) MSA-2222.
This summer, limited-edition bottles of JIM BEAM will help generate much-needed support for America’s military, firefighters, and their families. Wrapped with custom labels in support of Operation Homefront and the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, the specialty bottles will be available starting May 25, Memorial Day, through July 4. Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and morale assistance to troops, their families, and the wounded, while the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund assists firefighters and their families with educational, medical and equipment needs. www.operationhomefront.net. www.terryfarrellfund.org.
ALLIANZ LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA presented a $9,000 grant to the Chanhassen (MN) Fire Department to purchase critical SCBA equipment. The fire department will use the donation to purchase nine air bottles for SCBA to safely enter environments contaminated by smoke, hazardous chemicals, or other elements that inhibit breathing. The department was nominated as part of the Allianz Bucket Brigade, an employee-driven program to support the fire service. The company makes $50,000 available each quarter for Bucket Brigade grants. www.allianz.com.
ROAD RESCUE showcased more than 40 improvements on its line of Ultramedic®, Promedic®, and Duramedic® ambulances at FDIC 2009. Road Rescue’s new ambulance offers significant module improvements, including a new crash-rail fender ring system that is more impact absorbent; a redesigned roof-radius extrusion with triple-wall construction; and new exterior doors featuring a double-box, pan-formed composite construction with a hidden hinge. The composite construction improves vehicle insulation and reduces road noise. Vehicle system improvements include a refined central air system and new chrome handles, flanges, crash rails, trim, and housing. Hardware upgrades enhance ease of cleaning, restocking, and overall functionality. www.roadrescue.com.
PIERCE MANUFACTURING introduces its Pierce Master Technician Program as part of their aftermarket “Service Brigade” initiative. The program is a comprehensive certification program where dealer service technicians can demonstrate their knowledge and expertise on servicing Pierce apparatus and be recognized as a Pierce Master Technician. It consists of maintenance classes in chassis electrical systems, Command Zone II advanced electronics, aerial apparatus systems, and Husky and compressed air foam systems. To achieve Pierce Master Technician status, a service technician must, on completing each class, pass an exam pertaining to that particular subject. A final cumulative exam will be administered once students have successfully completed all classes. www.piercemfg.com.
FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS, INC. has launched a newly redesigned Web site. Some of the features on the new site include interactive slide shows, recommended preventative maintenance schedules for the Inferno and Igniter chassis, apparatus safety features, and Ferrara’s available stock chassis. The site also details many of the features of Ferrara’s famous heavy duty cab and body construction. www.ferrarafire.com.
The CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS’ (CDP) three-day WMD Emergency Medical Services (EMS) course is one of several healthcare-related classes that prepare the response community for accidental and man-made emergency events involving chemical and biological agentsincluding radiation and explosives injuries. Successful completion of the training includes 2.4 continuing education units. Most CDP courses last three days and, on occasion, a fourth day is added to EMS that includes training at the Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, and Radiological Training Facility. Students can reinforce the EMS course triage and decontamination procedures while in a genuine toxic nerve agent environment. www.cdp.dhs.gov. (866) 213-9553.
