The National Volunteer Fire Council, in conjunction with Fire Doc Services, is now offering a respiratory protection program with a 10% discount to members. The manual is a complete program that meets the osha 29 cfr 1910.134 mandate to "establish and implement a written respiratory protection program."

The 100-page manual is customized with the name of your fire department and includes an introduction to 29 cfr 1910.134 program and procedures, a medical questionnaire form, firefighter training records, monthly inspection form, tuberculosis overview and general guidelines, and more.

For ordering information, visit or call 888-ask-nvfc.

Recently the Black Chief Officers Committee held its annual conference in Birmingham, Ala. Attendees came from 21 states and included African American men and women from all chief officer ranks within the fire service.

Chaired and hosted by Chief Raymond Brooks, bcoc president, the conference offered two distinct venues:

* A business meeting component that allowed the opportunity to address the critical issues involving African-Americans in today's professional service.

* An extensive training component that offered members access to valuable leading-edge information.

After greetings by Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid and a host of dignitaries, attendees were treated to a variety of workshops, including Effective Media Relations, Records Management Concepts, Legal Updates, Current eeoc Issues, Customer Service Essentials, and Leadership and Ethics.

Coordinated by the Birmingham Fire Department, this year's conference was sponsored by Scott Health & Safety, Emergency One Inc., Medtronic/Physio-Control Corp., Quality Manufacturing Inc., Wheeled Coach Industries Inc. and Performigence Corp.

Albuquerque, N.M.; Jackson, Miss.; and Oakland, Calif., were selected as future conference sites.

The California Fire Mechanics Academy Inc., Colorado Fire Mechanics Academy and Washington Fire Mechanics Academy have formed a curriculum consortium to standardize training for emergency vehicle technicians. The group recently met in Reno, Nev., to revise, update and create over 60 course outlines that will be offered at their academies.

evts will have the opportunity to attend the program in California in the spring, Colorado in the summer and Washington in the fall. The winter courses will be at Firetech Reno in November.

Many of the classes are hands-on and include a 36-hour course on fire pumps and accessories, as well as lessons on diesel engine service, aerials, electrical systems and chassis components.

The formation of the consortium helps further professionalize the emergency vehicle technician field. The curriculum is accredited by the California Community College System.