Friday, May 9, 2008
Computers & Software
Multi-Use Mapping
By Donald Oliver
Fire departments can play a key role in planning and developing a community’s enterprise GIS database....
Necessary Expense
By Rich Elliott
Strict adherence to state regulations and insurance requirements is essential for reimbursement. Selecting the right EMS billing software can make the difference....
Data Wish List
By Michael St. John
Planning for data use before stepping into the GIS-enabled world helps fire departments get the best system....
Platform Integration
By Russ Johnson
The spatial analysis and visualization offered by GIS deliver a new level of preparedness. By Russ Johnson ...
Chicago Fire Department Goes on YouTube
The Chicago Fire Department has posted videos to YouTube to promote fire safety programs to a younger generation. The instructional videos discuss saving lives in dormitories and commercial and residential high-rises. ...
Map Quest
By Michael St. John
As departments find more ways to use GIS programs, firefighters are better informed than ever to make effective decisions. ...
Calculated Risk
By Josh McDaniel
In late July 2006, firefighting resources were stretched thin across the West, and more fires seemed to be starting every day. On July 23 and 24, the...
The MICAS Touch
By Chris Couper
Midday on a hot August afternoon in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento, a welding accident at a remote industrial site ignited a small grass...
Wilson Uses Tech Ahead of the Curve
Wilson (N.C.) Fire/Rescue Services' Fire Prevention Bureau inspections are done by five full-time fire inspectors. The bureau conducts all inspection...
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...
WTC Sim Backs NIST Report
By Douglas Page
Five years after the real thing, researchers at Purdue University in Indiana have simulated what likely happened inside the North Tower of the World Trade...
New Tsunami GPS Use Makes Waves
By Douglas Page
University researchers are using GPS to almost instantly determine whether an earthquake is big enough to generate an oceanwide tsunami. ...
Communications Learn A New Click
By Douglas Page
Instant messaging is emerging as an emergency communications tool. The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, for instance, is providing first responders...
Time-Savers
Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
Who doesn't want more time? It's interesting that Americans have more gadgets, appliances and services to save time, but what are we doing with all this extra time...
NFA Online Training to Move to New Site
The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy has announced that changes related to online access to the NFA training courses ("Q" courses) are planned for this fall, when a new system will be put in place....
USFA Launches Wildland Fire Training Web Site
The U.S. Fire Administration has announced a new Web site with training information for firefighters who may be involved in wildland or wildland-urban interface firefighting....
Learned Behavior
By Mike Chiaramonte
One-on-one mentoring has moved from the station to the Internet in the continuing drive to standardize education and increase safety....
Tactics Trade
By Bob Galvin
Sharing the critical information contained in preplans can go a long way toward fire and police cooperation....
GPS Locators
By Mark Skummer
Beyond the obvious bearing clear communication has on safety, new technological developments can provide an additional level of protection for firefighters....
Inspector Gadget
By Jim Moore
The Denver Fire Department went from cumbersome paperwork to electronic efficiency in one easy step with rugged handheld computers....
Virtual Aide
By Roger C. Huder
The days when every department could afford a fireground aide are ending, but software can be a good substitute.?...
Mansion Simulation Now Available on USFA’s Virtual Campus
The Q326 Mansion simulation course presents the user with a very large, multi-story, single-family dwelling presenting fire spread and ventilation issues and a more complex rescue scenario. ...
VR Fire Inspection Training Moves Ahead
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International is accepting prequalifying forms for fire departments interested in receiving a new virtual-reality...
ATF, IAAI Launch Web-Based Training
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the International Association of Arson Investigators announced the launch of CFITrainer.net at the IAAI's...
Shared Grant to Develop VR Training
A U.S. Fire Administration grant will be used to fund a continuation and expansion of a computer simulation training program for fire inspectors. The...
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