Staff
Editor THOMAS F. BRENNAN Associate Editors JACKIE COX AUDREY PAVEY Art Director R. NELSON CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
FE Volume 138 Issue 12
The Latest
Firefighter line-of-duty death rate rose slightly in 1984
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the number of United States firefighter deaths occurring in the line of duty increased slightly in 1984, after a period of steady decline. According to the NFPA report, there were 117 firefighter deaths (47 career; 70 volunteer) in the line of duty in 1984, up from 110 in 1983.
COURSES/COMING EVENTS
January 14-17,1986 — MECHANIC'S SEMINAR, a four-day course held in Waterous Company's South St. Paul, MN, plant, will cover operation, maintenance, and repair of Waterous pumps and accessories. There is no tuition fee for the class or for the instruction manual, but transportation, meals, and lodging are the responsibility of the attendees. Classes are limited to 18 people. Contact: Waterous Company, 300 John E. Carroll Avenue East, South St. Paul, MN 55075. Telephone: (612)450-5000.
CAD systems guide developed by NBS
GUIDE TO COMPUTERAIDED DISPATCH SYSTEMS, a users' guide for agencies interested in buying or improving their CAD systems, has been developed by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory.
More FE Volume 138 Issue 12
The SCBA Problem
There is a myriad of information available on self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In most cases, this information is ignored. A look at national fire service publications, television news, or even some of the newest fire training films, slides, and videotapes proves it!
COMPANY NEWS
The Hale Fire Pump Company has opened four authorized service centers in the northeast to better serve customers of its fire and irrigation pump lines, according to Vice-President/Marketing Robert L. Blackburn. These service centers are: the Fire Equipment Sales Company in Factoryville, PA; Har-Rob Fire Apparatus in Syracuse, NY; Nuttal Equipment Company in Sherman, NY; and Greenwood Fire Apparatus in North Attleboro, MA.
Safety system for jails
The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) has developed a Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) for Detention and Correctional Facilities. This system will be used to determine if the fire safety level of a prison or jail is equal to one that meets the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code.
A Christmas Past, A Fire Service Present
As yet another year draws all too quickly to a close, we tend to find ourselves reminiscing about past events and ruminating future decisions. And for some of us, the memories of 1985 may not be pleasant ones. As a whole, the fire service was hard hit with an extraordinary number of fires on both the west and the east coasts. We've also suffered several black eyes in the public opinion arena. Two from a populace who, rightly so, feels that life and property take precedence over the payment of fire protection fees; and another from civilians who mistakenly believe that donning turnout gear renders firefighters impervious to flying bullets.
EQUIPMENT DIGEST
Seton Name Plate Corporation has just released an expanded catalog of Identification Products for 1985. Included in the 72page color catalog are thousands of products to aid in efficiency and safety. Seton offers property identification tags, labels, traffic signs, custom worded decals, pipe markers, parking control labels, symbol of access signs, and other frequently needed identification products.
FEMA financial aid offsets the costs of firefighting
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will partially reimburse the State of Washington for costs expended to fight the Barker Mountain fire in the northeastern part of the state. The decision to provide federal assistance came after FEMA's forest fire advisors flew over the area.
Lighting the Fireground
Each year, the number of firefighters injured in the line of duty increases. Safety of personnel at the fire scene, during both extinguishment and overhaul, is a growing concern. One common sense, and often overlooked, solution to this problem is using adequate lighting for the area in question so that operations can be performed more safely.
APPARATUS DELIVERIES
The South Queensbury, NY, Volunteer Fire Company has received this pumper by Quality Manufacturing Inc. It has a 1985 Mack CF chassis, a 350-hp engine, and Allison HT-740 automatic transmission. It also has a 1,750-gpm Waterous pump, a 1,250-gallon fiberglass tank, a top pump console, two speedlays, and three crosslays. Circle No. 88 on Reader Service Card The Boston, MA, Fire Department has taken delivery of this new tower unit.