Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Apparel
Face Pieces Need Far Greater Scrutiny
By John Buckman
Recent NIST tests have demonstrated that catastrophic failure of the face piece is a real concern. Fire chiefs, safety officers and firefighters need to be trained on what to look for....
The Importance of Dressing Well
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
More departments are opting for NFPA-compliant stationwear; meanwhile garments are becoming roomier and more utilitarian....
Scope of NFPA 1975, Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services
Chief Uses FIRE Grant to Procure NFPA-Compliant, FR Stationwear
By Mary Rose Roberts
Fayette County used an Assistance of Firefighters Grant award to purchase Workrite’s Nomex stationwear....
FIERO to Host PPE Symposium
By Janet Wilmoth
The Fire Industry Equipment Research Organization’s second Fire PPE Symposium will be held on May 2–4 in Charlotte, N.C. The biennial event is designed to educate anyone involved with providing personal protective equipment for firefighters and first responders....
Evolution, Not Revolution, in New Helmet Standard
By Rick Markley
NFPA 1971 committee member Mike McKenna said not to expect radical changes to the standard governing fire helmets....
Looks Do Matter
By Rick Markley
The European style of helmet has its advantages — it also has virtually no chance of widespread acceptance in the U.S....
What to Wear
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
Stationwear fibers and fabrics meet ever-changing firefighter needs....
In Fabrics, Safety Still Comes First
By Dr. Rich Young, DuPont Personal Protection
Fire-resistant materials are necessary when firefighters are on the job, but the importance of stationwear often can be overlooked....
A Mixed Bag
By Jim Barthold
When it comes to accountability systems, there's truly something for everyone....
IAFF, MSA Partner on SCBA Prototype
By Mary Rose Roberts
The result of the research is a new, flat-pack technology that uses a high-temperature lining instead of the conventional aluminum liners used in SCBA cylinders....
Beneath The Surface
By Glenn Bischoff (glenn.bischoff@penton.com)
Clean gear is never about looking good. Rather, it's about keeping personnel healthy and getting the best return on investment from expensive protective wear....
NIST Tests PASS Device
By Mary Rose Roberts
The tests will determine its wireless reliability in fire environments....
2010 Decade Forecast: Sighs of the Times
Compiled by Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
FIRE CHIEF asked leading experts to predict how the next decade will unfold for American fire and emergency services. The responses were as unique as the respondents, but one thing is clear: there will be no shortage of challenges....
2010 Decade Forecast: Emerging Economy
By Rob Brown, Chief, Stafford County (Va.) Fire Department
While the economy gave us the best of times and the worst of times over the past decade, one truth remained constant — the American fire service is every community's all-hazards solution....
SuperCritical Air Pack Lightens Firefighters' Load
By Mary Rose Roberts
Colorado State University researchers will use an existing device from Niwot Technologies that can cool firefighters as they work....
NIST to Determine Face-Mask Weaknesses
By Mary Rose Roberts
The U.S. Fire Administration and NIST have begun researching the potential weaknesses in the thermal performance of SCBA face pieces....
Chicago Firefighter Wins Suit Against Morning Pride
By Mary Rose Roberts
A retired Chicago firefighter won a defamation lawsuit against Morning Pride, a manufacturer of protective ensembles. The lawsuit accused a Morning Pride executive of publicly stating that the firefighter took a bribe from a competitor during a bunker-gear bid selection process....
Dress to Protect
By Donna Brehm
The process of donning turnout gear is simple — the technology and principles behind it aren't....
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Unveils ONESuit Pro
By Mary Rose Roberts
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics unveiled the ONESuit Pro, a Level A, single-skin hazmat suit certified to two NFPA protective ensemble standards...
T-PACC Tests Fabrics, Creates Stored Heat Burn Protocol
By Mary Rose Roberts
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed and evaluated a set of protocols that test turnout gear's resilience to stored heat energy...
NIOSH Finds Uniform Pants to be Safe
FireWear, which is used by many uniform manufacturers, is a blend of cotton and modacrylic fibers that use antimon compounds for fire retarding....
NIOSH Studies Firefighting Boots
Scientists at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are researching the physiological and biomechanical effects of boot weight on male and female firefighters....
PASSing Concerns
By James Careless
NFPA 1982 has done much to improve the quality of personal alert systems. But more changes are needed....
Laundry List
By Carrie Cleaveland
NFPA revises the laundry requirements in its standard on controlling infectious diseases. ...
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Mutual Aid is a blog of news and views from FIRE CHIEF staff and industry experts — a virtual conversation about the issues important to you as a fire service leader. |
In Service provides information on fleet management, apparatus specifying and maintenance. Keep abreast of new trends and changes to emergency vehicle apparatus. |
Station Style focuses on the architectural design and needs of fire and emergency stations today. See the latest in design trends and learn about the Fire Station Design Awards. |
