Friday, November 20, 2009
Chicago Unveils Mobile Hazmat Lab
By Mary Rose Roberts
The Chicago FD recently retrofitted a semi-trailer for use as a mobile laboratory to test and identify hazardous materials, said Chief Daniel O'Connell, who oversees the CFD's hazmat operations....
DOE Criticizes Los Alamos County
By Mary Rose Roberts
A report released this month by the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General tongue-lashed the Los Alamos County (N.M.) Fire Department for inadequately training its firefighters after the agency paid 100% of the county fire department's $135 million operations under a cooperative agreement. ...
Ohio County Issues Safety Alert after Hazmat Suicide
By Janet Wilmoth
Following the death of a 29-year-old man found in his car, the Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office issued a safety bulletin regarding a “detergent suicide,” named so for the mixture of ingredients that produces deadly hydrogen sulfide gas. The detergent recipe is available on the Internet and uses chemicals that are available readily. ...
Q&A with USFA's Gaines About National Preparedness Month
By Mary Rose Roberts
September is National Preparedness Month. Glenn Gaines, the U.S. Fire Administration's deputy assistant director, and Chuck Burkell, training specialist for the USFA's executive development program, share core lessons learned about recent disasters to hit U.S. soil....
Help is a Call Away
By Frank Reiner
A nationwide program offers assistance for chlorine-accident response....
Are We There Yet?
By Donny Jackson
Public-safety communications infrastructure has improved greatly since 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. But questions persist as to whether the policies and plans currently in place are adequate for another event of that magnitude....
Knowledge is Power
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
Better-designed and -equipped vehicles make hazmat response safer and more effective....
WHO Declares Swine Flu Pandemic
The World Health Organization this morning raised the H1N1 virus pandemic alert level to Phase 6, its highest level, making the swine flu the first declared global flu epidemic in 41 years....
Readiness is All
By Jerome M. Hauer
Preparation by local authorities for a nerve-agent accident or attack is essential to managing risk....
Unfinished Business
By Charles Rodes, Ph.D.
Exposure monitoring for first responders must become a higher priority. ...
Economic Crisis Hinders Fire Department Funding, Survey Says
By Mary Rose Roberts
The Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. collaborated with Ipsos Public Affairs on a comprehensive national survey of nearly 9,500 fire departments or 30% of U.S. fire departments....
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Unveils ONESuit Pro
By Mary Rose Roberts
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics unveiled the ONESuit Pro, a Level A, single-skin hazmat suit certified to two NFPA protective ensemble standards...
Voice of Experience
By Janet Wilmoth
As he moves into retirement, former FEMA head David Paulison shares some advice for his successor and his ideas on transparency....
Fire Departments Ready for Swine Flu Outbreaks
By Janet Wilmoth
With nearly 100 cases of swine flu in the United States confirmed through Thursday morning, fire departments are preparing for possible outbreaks in their areas....
Long-Arm Tactics
By Ed Ballam
Departments have found less-than-traditional uses for their aerial units' extended reach....
Canadian Government Invests in Safety
The Canadian government is investing more than $35 million for 24 new research projects to enhance security. These projects will strengthen the country's ability to deal with potential chemical, biological, radiological-nuclear and explosives threats....
Can-Do Decon
By James Careless
Departments demand top performance from their decontamination facilities and chemical-identification devices....
Laundry List
By Carrie Cleaveland
NFPA revises the laundry requirements in its standard on controlling infectious diseases. ...
Weather Report
By James Careless
Portable monitoring devices and software applications provide vital intelligence for fires and hazmat threats....
Smart Specs
By Chris Cavette
Modern industrial fire departments match their apparatus and equipment to the specific hazards within each plant....
Chemical Preparation
By Jerome Hauer
Success in fire and emergency services starts with a person who understands the business of being chief....
Come Together
By Chris Cavette
No one department can handle all hazards. Regional response teams with specialized equipment may be the solution. ...
Explosion Safety Video Released
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has released a safety video on the massive explosion in Danver, Mass., on November 22, 2006, after 18 months of investigation....
That Demon Alcohol
By Greg Hayes
Battling ethanol’s hidden hazards requires preparation. ...
Monitor the Situation
By Chris Cavette
New monitor designs allow firefighters to make faster, safer and more effective attacks with a minimum number of people. ...
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