UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES FIREFIGHTER SAFETY RESEARCH INSTITUTE released the research report, “Analysis of the Coordination of Suppression and Ventilation in Single-Family Homes” based on the first series of experiments conducted as part of the “Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures.” The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to increase fire service knowledge of fire dynamics and the impact of firefighting tactics to better understand how suppression and ventilation are coordinated on the fireground in acquired residential structures. See the report at https://ulfirefightersafety.org/posts/report-release-coordinated-attack-single-family-experiments.html.
MOBILE LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES, the largest emergency medical provider in the Hudson Valley, New York, area, participated in National Wear Red Day on February 7, 2020. This annual kickoff initiative celebrated on the first Friday of February encourages people across the country to wear red to raise awareness about heart disease. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes. Lifestyle changes such as refraining from smoking, eating heart-healthy foods, and engaging in regular exercise can reduce an individual’s risk of heart disease. To register for a cardiopulmonary resuscitation class, please visit www.mobilelife.com/education.
ROSENBAUER AMERICA has partnered with Specialty Vehicles, Inc. (SVI) in Plainville, Massachusetts, as the authorized sales and service dealer of Rosenbauer fire apparatus for the entire New England region, which includes Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Founded by 25-year Wrentham, Massachusetts, fire/emergency medical services veteran Al Hooper, SVI recently moved into a new state-of-the-art facility, further enhancing its service capabilities. With five drive-through service bays; a dedicated detail bay; and an in-ground, 20,000-gallon concrete test pit, this new facility is prepared to serve all Rosenbauer inquiries. www.rosenbaueramerica.com. www.svine.com.
names in the news
JIM TOPOLESKI was named the new chief of the Redlands (CA) Fire Department (RFD) on March 9. He takes over the job from Interim Chief Rich Sessler, who replaced Nathan Cook after Cook resigned in December 2019. Topoleski has been with the RFD since 1986 after previously working for Cal Fire. Topoleski most recently served as a RFD battalion chief. Outside of work, he is involved in community organizations Redlands Baseball for Youth and Redlands Benchwarmers.
CHASE BROWNING was awarded the 2019 Bringing Safety Home Award by the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC). Browning is the deputy fire marshal for the city of Medford, Oregon, as well as the chair of the Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition. He participated in HFSC’s Fire Sprinkler Developer Incentives program and in the code adoption process with Oregon’s Building Codes Division (BCD). Browning was also instrumental in building two fire sprinkler burn trailers—one from a $10,000 Bringing Safety Home grant and one in conjunction with the Ashland (OR) Fire Department through a FEMA grant.
MIKE PIPER was sworn in as the new chief of the Arvada (CO) Fire Protection District (AFPD). Piper replaces previous chief Jon Greer, who retired in 2019. Piper is a 29-year member of the AFPD. He served eight years as a volunteer firefighter at AFPD while employed by the Fairmount Fire Protection District and South Metro Fire Rescue. With the AFPD, he’s served as a captain, a lieutenant, and an EMT, and was AFPD deputy chief for 12 years. Piper was selected as interim chief in August 2019.
