This prestigious competition recognizes architects and fire departments for their achievements in public-safety facility design and construction. Awards are given out in seven categories. Deadline is Aug. 24....More
The patented system exceeds all established permissible exposure limits set by NIOSH and OSHA, and can be retrofitted to apparatus within 48 hours, according to the manufacturer...More
Four adjustable stickmen are invertible for drying special ops gear upside down; each optional boot tree dries four pairs of boots in 90 minutes; and 12 drying ports quickly dry gloves, helmets and balaclavas....More
The decision to renovate a 70-year-old facility into a state-of-the-art fire headquarters was not made lightly. But it was a decision that resulted in a 2012 Station Style gold award in the renovation category from the Niskayuna (N.Y.) Fire District No. 1/Grand Boulevard Fire Company....More
The modern fire station is a very specialized facility, not just a garage in which to keep big trucks. And a specialized facility requires a designer who specializes in that building type. Departments will benefit greatly by including an architect with extensive expertise in station design on the project team. This realization has resulted in a category of station designers who can provide the entire design package for your project, or who can assist the local design team that may lack this type of experience....More
VFIS's Ryan Pietzsch said that many agencies do not consider safety and security during the fire station design phase. Instead, they wait until after construction is completed and accidents or losses begin to occur....More
Christopher Kehde of LeMay Erickson Willcox discusses the benefits of using building information modeling, which helps architects and their fire station design clients plan, collaborate, and predict performance before breaking ground....More
Steven Harms of Fire Facilities discusses where chiefs should locate training facilities, what materials they should use, and what grants and financing are available to pay for them....More
While the fire chief ultimately is responsible for his or her department’s image, a PIO or external-affairs officer can help develop relationships and more open communications with local media and the community at large....More
This week the Tampa Bay Times published a list of the 50 worst charities in America, ranked according to money blown on soliciting costs over the past decade. There are four charities related to firefighters: the Firefighters Charitable Foundation, the Association for Firefighters and Paramedics, the Firefighters Assistance Fund and Firefighters Burn Fund....More
By Harold A. Schaitberger -- While researchers at MSU might think and hope that fire and police consolidation could be the next big thing in public safety, the concept is in fact old, tired and dangerous....More
By Martha Ellis -- Common-sense legislation governing the use of fireworks seems to be in direct conflict with municipalities that are looking for promises of large revenue streams and hefty sales tax projections....More
Each fire department is encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activity during Safety and Health Week and focus on safety and health training and education, allowing each shift and personnel to participate. To support these efforts, the NVFC is offering a series of webinars on emotional and health-related topics....More