The DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES announced the reappointment of DR. JOHN HOWARD as director of the NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH and as the nation’s 9/11 health coordinator. Howard was put in charge of federal 9/11 health programs in February 2006 and remained at the post until July 2008. In a letter sent earlier this year, Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, and 11 of their colleagues in the New York delegation encouraged President Obama to reappoint Dr. Howard as 9/11 health coordinator. www.hhs.gov., www.cdc.gov/niosh.
BULLEX DIGITAL SAFETYreceived a federal General Services Administration (GSA) contract for its HazMat Training Tools, which include the BullEx GasTrainer and the BullEx HazardTank. Firefighters and safety personnel use these tools to conduct hands-on hazardous materials response training. BullEx worked closely with GSA to negotiate discounted package pricing for federal government agencies. Two specific packages are available under this contract, a GSA GasTrainer Package and a GSA HazMat Training Tools Package. For multiple unit purchases, an additional discount was negotiated. www.bullexsafety.com. (888) 4BULLEX.
HOME SAFETY COUNCILreceived a 2008 Fire Prevention and Safety grant from the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant will fund the creation and implementation of the new Expert Network Academy, a free online training program designed to improve the knowledge base and skills that has served more than 6,000 fire and life safety educators since 2003. Expert Network members will have access to online interaction with their peers, a wide range of home injury prevention education material, and public education professional development opportunities, all at no charge. www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork.
SPERIAN FIRE donated $60,000 to the NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION, the largest donation in Sperian Fire’s history. Made as part of a program promoting the honor, sacrifice, and memory of firefighters who have perished in the line of duty, it supported collecting and documenting the appreciation and memories in the Web-based Memorial Book for Fallen Firefighters at Sperian’s Web site. The donation was made by Sperian Fire in the names of all the firefighters who signed the Memorial Book. As a part of the same program, Sperian Fire will also donate $50,000 (Canadian) to the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Foundation. www.sperianfire.com.
ONSPOT of North America announces that it has received approval from Underwriters Laboratory—Canada (ULC) for its automatic tire chains. ULC is the recognized approval source for all fire trucks operating in Canada. www.onspot.com. (800) 766-7768.
