Thursday, July 3, 2008
MSA Earns OSHA Status
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration certified Mine Safety Appliances' facility in Cranberry, Pa. at the highest level, in its prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs....
Air Pollution
By Donald Adams
Putting firefighters in their face masks before suppression operations can impair their performances. ...
Lurking Danger
By Rick Markley
New research shows MRSA can thrive in some unexpected environments. ...
The Naked Chief
Janet Wilmoth janet@firechief.com
Nine firefighters died believing their officers would direct efforts to save them. Clothed in arrogance, their naked fire chief said afterward that was how they fight fires in Charleston. ...
A Look Back at Steps to Move Forward
[ Brian A. Crawford ]
It is the hope and sincere desire of the Charleston team that other fire departments make the critical changes in their own organizations … as a result of the Phase II report and not after they lose a firefighter needlessly. ...
NFFF, IAFC, IAFF Collaborate for Survival Week
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Everyone Goes Home Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters are partners in the IAFC/IAFF 2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week....
Drivers' Ed
By Michael Dallessandro
It seems like a minor comparison, but the differences between those who simply drive apparatus and skillful operators are major. ...
Firefighter Safety Bill Introduced in Senate
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced legislation that would promote compliance with consensus safety standards to reduce the number of firefighter fatalities. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is the bill's cosponsor....
Volunteer Health and Safety Report Out
The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Volunteer Fire Council has completed "Emerging Health and Safety Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service."...
House Introduces Firefighter Safety Bill
On April 2, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) joined with 17 original co-sponsors from both parties to introduce H.R. 5686, the Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2008....
IAFC Announces Safety Week Theme
The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters have announced "Committed to Long-Term Results" as the theme for the 2008 Safety, Health and Survival Week, scheduled for June 22–28....
Rapid Responsiblity
By Jeffrey Pindelski
An RIT officer often is too burdened during a mayday to handle more tasks. A dedicated operations chief alleviates some problems. ...
USFA has New Rehab Manual
The U.S. Fire Administration, working with the International Association of Fire Fighters, has issued an updated version of the manual "Emergency Incident Rehabilitation." ...
Fire Safety Summit Scheduled
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Everyone Goes Home program is holding an advocates summit at the National Fire Academy from March 14 to 16....
Departments Needed for Research Project
Researchers from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences have been funded by the American Heart Association to study the culture of the fire service as it relates to health and wellness. The project will include conducting focus groups and key informant interviews with career and volunteer firefighters and fire chiefs across the country. Participating departments are needed....
Study Lists Best Practices for LODD Elimination
Oklahoma State University has completed a study to find ways to reduce firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries. The goal of the research, which has evolved over the past two years, was to find ways to reduce firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries....
OSHA Seeks Advisory Committee Members
The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is accepting nominations to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health....
Drying Out
By Rick Markley
Getting turnout gear dry is a safety factor; here are a few approaches to getting wet gear back in service....
Fireman's Fund Donates $6.4 Million in 2007
Initial data collected in early January show that Fireman's Fund Heritage distributed an estimated 429 grants in 2007, for an estimated total of $6.4 million. ...
The Year Ahead
Janet Wilmoth janet@firechief.com
It’s not Big Brother watching you — it’s every citizen with a camera phone or recording device. Fire and emergency services personnel are under constant scrutiny....
LETTERS
Readers weigh in on safety as a system and breathing-air use....
IAFC Issues Vehicle Safety Reminder
The International Association of Fire Chiefs urges fire departments to review their vehicle operations policies and safety procedures in response to the increasing number of critical vehicle crashes involving fire and EMS response vehicles in the past several weeks....
Braced for Attack
By Phil Causer
United Kingdom emergency-response agencies drew up a CBRN plan, then put it to the test....
IAFC Introduces Fire/EMS Safety Support System
The Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, formerly known as the Safety Stand Down, is now one of three components of the new comprehensive Fire/EMS Safety Support System, developed this year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Safety, Health and Survival Section. ...
DOJ to Fix PSOB Claims
The Department of Justice unveiled a new strategy to streamline the claim review process and address the backlog issue related to the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act....
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