Command Post: Last Alarm for Retired Firefighters

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August 17, 2007	SUBSCRIBE	UNSUBSCRIBE	PREFERENCES

Study in Eastern Kentucky University's completely online programs: Bachelor of Science in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology with a concentration in Fire Administration and Certificate in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology. 1-866-277-9878 • www.firescience.eku.edu.

Table Of Contents

	Last Alarm for Retired Firefighters
	USFA Releases 2006 Firefighter Fatality Stats
	NIOSH Examines Firefighter Cardiac Deaths
	U.K., U.S. Fire Chief Groups Share Program
	Missed Opportunities
	The Slow Death of the 24-Hour Tour
	Two New Fire Chiefs Named
	Fire Chiefs on the Move
	Full Calendar at FireChief.com

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From Janet's Notebook

Last Alarm for Retired Firefighters

By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director

A few years ago, several retired firefighters from the Tucson (Ariz.) Fire Department decided that they should open a fire museum. Unfortunately, a lack of both money and a building to house the museum prohibited the idea. However, the men were determined to find a memorable project to work on, so they decided to buy an old fire truck and convert it to a hearse that could be used for retired firefighters' funerals.

The retirees formed the Last Alarm Foundation Inc., a non-profit foundation that would fund their project and allow the Tucson community to express its appreciation for retired heroes at the same time. Assisting the retirees in this project is Daniel Matlick, development director for the foundation and president of United Fire, a safety equipment distributor in Tucson.

"Since it's prohibitive to take an active fire truck out of service for funerals, having a designated and restored fire truck available would allow firefighters who did not die in the line of duty to have an honorable funeral," Matlick said. "Those are frequently the last wishes that we are trying so hard to fulfill." Click Here for More ...

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Top Story

USFA Releases 2006 Firefighter Fatality Stats

The purpose of the annual report, Firefighter Fatalities in the United States, is to identify all of the on-duty firefighter fatalities that occur in the United States and to analyze the circumstances surrounding each occurrence. The study is intended to help identify ways to reduce the number of deaths in future years. Click Here for More ...

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In the News

NIOSH Examines Firefighter Cardiac Deaths

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health incorporates findings from 131 NIOSH investigations into sudden cardiac-related deaths in a new alert titled, Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities Due to Heart Attacks and Other Sudden Cardiovascular Events.Click Here for More ...

U.K., U.S. Fire Chief Groups Share Program

The U.K.-based Institution of Fire Engineers recently reached a reciprocity agreement between the Institution and the Center for Public Safety Excellence with regard to the U.S. Chief Fire Officer Designation program. Click Here for More ...

Polycom's Grant Assistance Program (PGAP) helps fire departments find and apply for funding sources, such as the Assistance to Firefighters grant, to buy critical communications equipment for training and distance learning. Go to www.polycom.com/pgap to learn more. We provide up to $1,500 towards the cost of grant writers to help you apply.

From Mutual Aid, a FIRE CHIEF Blog

Missed Opportunities

By Azarang "Ozzie" Mirkhah
I want to bring your attention to an area that the fire service needs to focus a tad more on — the socio-economic demographics of fire. Research is weak in this area and as a result public-education efforts aren't up to par. Click Here for More ...

The Slow Death of the 24-Hour Tour

By Robert Avsec
Many U.S. fire and EMS organizations use some form of the 24-hour shift for around-the-clock staffing, but that may soon be changing for both employers and employees. Changes may stem from employee safety and decision-making capabilities while working 24-hour shifts, organizational liability for actions by employees working 24-hour shifts, and changes in worker attitudes about work schedules in general. Click Here for More ...

People News

Two New Fire Chiefs Named

Fire departments in New Hampshire and Arkansas now have new fire chiefs. John DeSilva was named to head Sandbornton (N.H.) Fire Department. Steve Sims will head the Bella Vista (Ark.) Fire Department.Click Here for More ...

Fire Chiefs on the Move

Several fire chiefs across the country have been hired or honored recently. Click Here for More ...

Do you have questions? We have answers!

FireChief.com is featuring a new service where you can ask industry professionals your questions in specific categories. Panasonic Toughbook is answering questions about Rescue Computer Technology, and Rosenbauer is answering questions about Aerials. In addition, Class 1 is currently answering questions related to Electronics, and Hale is currently answering questions related to Pumps.

If you would like to be an expert on FireChief.com you can learn more about the program here.

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar at FireChief.com

Do you have an upcoming event to share with our readers? Please send information to Lisa Allegretti, Managing Editor, at lisa@firechief.com.

AUGUST

TEEX 40-Hour NFPA 1081 Industrial Interior Fire Brigade Certification
20-24, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX Hazmat Pipeline Emergencies
20-24, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX Combined (Basic & Advanced) Marine Firefighting
20-24, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX Advanced Marine Firefighting
21-24, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

Indiana's Second Annual Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness and Anti-Terrorism Conference
27-30, Indianapolis
Contact: IDEA Training Center, 800-558-6620

TEEX 16-Hour NFPA 1081 Leadership
27-28, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX 40-Hour NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor II Certification
27-31, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

8-Hour Foam Operations & Applications
28, Beaumont, Texas
Contact: Trisha Kelly, Beaumont Emergency Services Training Complex, 409-833-2378 ext. 134; e-mail: trisha@istc.net; www.bestcomplex.com

8-Hour Interior Structural Firefighting Refresher
Call for dates, Beaumont, Texas
Contact: Trisha Kelly, Beaumont Emergency Services Training Complex, 409-833-2378 ext. 134; e-mail: trisha@istc.net; www.bestcomplex.com

SEPTEMBER

Interflam 2007
3-5, London
Contact: Interscience Communications Ltd., e-mail: intercomm@dial.pipex.com; www.intercomm.dial.pipex.com/html/events/interflam07a.htm

Continuing Challenge Hazmat Emergency Response Workshop
4-7, Sacramento, Calif.
Contact: Fran Leistikow, 530-753-6934; e-mail: info@hazmat.org; www.hazmat.org

TEEX 32-Hour Advanced Tactical Leadership
10-13, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

One-Day Vehicle Fires Course with Live Burns
8, Nacogdoches, Texas
Contact: Scene Of The Accident Inc., 713-553-679; www.sceneoftheaccident.org

TEEX 36-Hour Rope Rescue Technician 1006 Certification
10-14, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

Three-Day Accident Scene Safety Train-the-Trainer
11-13, Manhattan, Kan.
Contact: Scene Of The Accident Inc. 713-553-679; www.sceneoftheaccident.org

TEEX Basic Marine Firefighting
17-18, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX 32-Hour Confined-Space Rescue 1670 (non-certification)
17-20, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

Three-Day Accident Scene Safety Train-the-Trainer
21-23, Hamlin, N.Y.
Contact: Scene Of The Accident Inc., 713-553-679; www.sceneoftheaccident.org

TEEX Combined (Basic & Advanced) Marine Firefighting
24-28, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX Advanced Marine Firefighting
25-28, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

OCTOBER 2007

Two-Day Vechicle and Machinery Rescue Technician Certification
2-3, Houston
Contact: Scene Of The Accident Inc., 713-553-679; www.sceneoftheaccident.org

ESRI Health GIS Conference
7-10, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Contact: www.esri.com/events/health/register.html

TEEX Basic Marine Firefighting
15-16, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers Annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition
15-19, Las Vegas
Contact: spfe.org