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Information Package
The Citizens Committee for Fire Protection has prepared an information package for those wishing to learn more about legislative proposals on fire-safe cigarettes. CCFP’s information package contains a fact sheet summarizing the major issues relating to this laboratory report on fire-safe cigarettes, samples of state legislation, examples of legislative testimony for and against it, state attorney generals’ opinions addressing arguments commonly made by the tobacco industry, and a list of major organizations endorsing the proposal. For more information contact Michael Morris, Citizens Committee for Fire Protection, 2000 P St., N.W., Washington, D C. 20036.
Dallas Goes Red
The Dallas Fire Department will, once again, respond to the flames in red apparatus. The department is planning to purchase a large number of new apparatus in the next two years and have decided to return to their traditional colors. Almost a decade ago, the department began purchasing lime-yellow apparatus with a white top instead of all-red vehicles. The decision was based on published studies indicating the lime-yelow color would enhance the visibility of fire apparatus for on-coming drivers significant y enough to reduce accidents. Despite the research, red remained the most-used fire apparatus color across the country.
What was significant in the decision to switch back to red was the negative aspects of lime-yellow: Lime-yellow paint fades much more readily than red; life expectancy of lime-yellow paint on an apparatus is about five years, compared with eight to ten years for red; appearance of a lime-yellow apparatus is more difficult to maintain, as a chip or scratch shows up more dramatically; lime-yellow apparatus are more difficult to touch up, as the paint does not blend in as easily.
Grain Elevator Inspections
In our May issue we ran an article on grain elevator explosions (see “An Overview: Grain Dust Explosions”, May 1983). The article covered facts and methods for dealing with the dust fires. OSHA has announced that they are now placing special emphasis on grain storage elevator inspections. Since no standard has yet been developed for inspection of the elevators, inspectors will check for grain dust levels, housekeeping procedures, dust collection systems, dust accumulation, explosion hazards and electrical standards.
Man of the Year
Dr. Douglas Drysdale, a professor of fire safety engineering at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, has been named Man of the Year by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). The award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to fire protection.
Drysdale was involved in developing the world’s first graduate program in fire protection engineering at the University of Edinburgh and at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He also wrote the first fire dynamics textbook ever published which relates the basics of chemistry, physics and thermodynamics to the ignition and spread of fire. It will be used as a basic text at WPI.
Founded in 1950, SFPE has a membership of 3300 practicing fire protection engineers, with chapters in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Volunteer Fire District
The Rural Fire Protection District of San Diego County has been formed by the County Board of Supervisors. This consolidation of 13 fire companies is the largest volunteer fire district in the state of California. It will provide fire protection, rescue and emergency medical care for nearly 12,000 people living in a 696 square mile area, with 220 volunteer fire fighters including 35 women and 100 EMTs. The district operates 38 pieces of apparatus out of 17 stations located within the 13 communities served.
