Thursday, August 7, 2008
Arson Numbers Rising
Current economic downtown coupled with the national housing market and mortgage crisis have led to many more people intentionally setting home ablaze to collect insurance money....
Feinstein Seeks Emergency Fire Funds
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will seek $910 million in emergency federal funding for fire suppression, hazardous fuels reduction and rehabilitation projects across the United States....
No Water? No Problem
By Chris Cavette
A variety of above- and in-ground, temporary and portable solutions can provide water when Mother Nature doesn’t. ...
To Enter or Not to Enter, That is the Question
[ Mike Chiaramonte ]
Leaders must be able to evaluate change objectively and must be willing to promote and implement that change if it’s beneficial to their departments, even if the idea might not be very popular. ...
USFA Adopts Official Position on Residential Fire Sprinklers
U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade announced his organization's official position that all homes should be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers. The position was announced in the "Chief's Corner" section of the USFA Web site last week....
NFPA Names Suppression, Detection Award Winners
The Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association, announced the winners of the William M. Carey Award....
Heat Stress
By Holger de Vries
In 2005, Germany had its first line-of-duty-deaths while using foam; here’s what they learned....
Class Act
Were the fire department and the city lulled into thinking that a “first class” department was the epitome of excellence? ...
TFT Announces Monitor Incentive
Departments in the process of specifying a new apparatus can qualify for a free monitor upgrade worth $2,500 from Task Force Tips....
IAWF Takes Stance on Climate Change
The International Association of Wildland Fire Board of Directors has issued a position paper on climate change in recognition of recent assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The board considers the potential effects of climate change on wildland fire to be a significant scientific and management focus....
Canadian Firefighters Brassard, Ellis Win MSA Fireslayer Award
By Rick Markley, Editor
For the first time in its seven years, the MSA Fireslayer of the Year Award went to Canadian firefighters. Andrew Brassard and Steve Ellis of the Milton...
CPSE Grows Accreditations, Partnership
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International recognized 10 fire agencies at its spring meeting, bringing the total number of accredited agencies...
IAWF: Firefighters May Decline Wildland Duties
A survey of 3,362 firefighters conducted by the International Association of Wildland Fire showed that 36% of the full-time wildland firefighters surveyed will make themselves less available to be assigned to wildland fires as a direct result of recently filed manslaughter charges against a firefighter in Washington state. ...
Tunnel Fire Protection Remains Hot Topic
By Douglas Page
Concerns about tunnel fire safety existed long before terrorism exposed the vulnerability of roadway, railroad and subway tunnels. Increased numbers of...
NIMS Seeks Comment on Fire, Hazmat Credentials
FEMA’s National Incident Management System’s Integration Center has released initial minimum criteria for fire and hazmat personnel to be deployed using a national credentialing system....
Agency Investigates Combustible Dust Hazards
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board will convene a public meeting Nov. 9 related to its investigation of combustible dust hazards at industrial facilities. The board will be considering the findings and proposed recommendations of a draft report. ...
NFPA Hosts Urban Fire Forum
Nineteen fire chiefs from around the world and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director R. David Paulison have places at the table for the National Fire Protection Association’s Urban Fire Forum in Boston....
Structure Fires, Civilian Fire Deaths Decline Slightly
According to a new report published in the NFPA Journal, there were an estimated 511,000 structure fires in 2005, a decrease of 3% from 2004 and the lowest number since 2000. Civilian fire deaths also declined in 2005 and were down 5.8% compared to 2004....
Prepare for Wave of Equity Emigration
[ Ronny J. Coleman ]
Ellis Island is where many people arrived from their country of birth for the chance to become American citizens. Many of the individuals who chose to...
Belgian Ride-Along
By Paul Vanlook
Learning how another department does its job — even across an ocean — benefits all involved....
Smoke Alarms May Be Less Effective for Older Adults
While the use of smoke alarms and signaling systems is associated with a reduction in fire fatalities in the general population, reducing the chances of dying in a fire by up to 50% when present, a recent study suggests that adults ages 65 and older may not fully benefit from conventional smoke alarm systems, particularly during sleeping hours. ...
OSHA Releases Fire Protection Design Manual
Information contained in a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration manual may help increase the safety of building occupants and emergency responders, according to its publisher. Fire Service Features of Building and Fire Protection Systems is designed to help streamline fire service interaction with building features and fire protection systems....
Functional Alarms Found in 1 of 4 Fatal Fires
The U.S. Fire Administration has released a special report regarding fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms. The report reveals alarms operated in 34% of fatal apartment fires and in 12% of fatal one- and two-family dwelling fires....
3,675 Die in U.S. Fires in 2005
Results of a National Fire Protection Association study released Aug. 1 show an estimated 3,675 people died in fires in the United States in 2005. That number represents a decrease of nearly 6% compared to 2004 fire fatalities, despite a more than 3% increase in the total number of fires occurring....
Candles Responsible for 23,600 Fires, 165 Deaths Annually
The U.S. Fire Administration has released findings of a study of fires caused by candles in structural residences. The report estimates candles are responsible for 23,600 residential structure fires each year and cause 1,525 civilian injuries, 165 fatalities and $390 million in direct property loss....
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