Command Post: Honor Thy Patriots

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September 7, 2007	SUBSCRIBE	UNSUBSCRIBE	PREFERENCES

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Table Of Contents

	Honor Thy Patriots
	Congress to Work on DHS Spending Bill
	IAFC Offers Improvements for NIOSH Program
	IAFC Suggests 9/11 Remembrance Ideas
	USFA Releases School Fires Report
	Canadians Color-Coding Fire Hydrants
	3M Gives Money to Fallen Firefighters
	What's Our Responsibility?
	On the EMS Horizon
	Driving Safety
	Supply Chain
	Necessary Expense
	Full Calendar at FireChief.com

WHP Trainingtowers: Customized Training Towers and Burn Rooms

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From Janet's Notebook

Honor Thy Patriots

By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director

This week, I watched as the Lisle-Woodridge (Ill.) Fire District led Rolling Thunder, a group of motorcycle riders, while it escorted the American Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall into my hometown. The traveling wall is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. It is 378 feet long and has 58,245 names listed on it. This includes the names of fallen soldiers from both Gulf wars and the names of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

As the fire department raised its two aerial ladders to form an arch to welcome the Memorial Wall to Main Street, I couldn't help but think how fire departments add honor and dignity to their communities.

Honor also was the subject of a forwarded e-mail I received this week. I'm not sure where the e-mail originated, so I can't give credit to the author, but I received it from Mike Petroff, a member of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association's Board of Directors.

The e-mail suggested that this Tuesday, Patriot Day, "... an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office and store in the United States." The reminder to display a flag is a good one. If every school-aged child put a small flag on the lawn of their school, that would make quite a statement. Perhaps every fire truck and ambulance could display an American flag as well. Click Here for More ...

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Top Story

Congress to Work on DHS Spending Bill

The Congressional Fire Services Institute reports that the Senate passed H.R. 2638, the FY 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations bill by a vote of 89-4 before its August recess. The House passed a similar version of the spending measure in June. While both bills increase funding for critical programs for the nation's fire and emergency services, they contain differences that will have to be resolved in a conference committee when both chambers return from recess.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.

In the News

IAFC Offers Improvements for NIOSH Program

At its August board meeting, the International Association of Fire Chiefs' board of directors approved the Safety, Health and Survival Section's task force recommendations to improve the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. Click Here for More ...

IAFC Suggests 9/11 Remembrance Ideas

For those U.S. fire departments wishing to commemorate Sept. 11, 2001, the International Association of Fire Chiefs has recommended a protocol. The ceremony is a proposed format only; it does not constitute a national day of recognition. Participation is entirely voluntary and should be considered on a community-by-community basis with the input of local law enforcement and municipal leadership. Click Here for More ...

USFA Releases School Fires Report

The report, School Fires, developed by the National Fire Data Center, is part of the Topical Fire Research Series and is based on 2003–2005 National Fire Incident Reporting System data. The report looks at all school fires, including those occurring outdoors on school property and compares such characteristics with those of school structure fires. Click Here for More ...

Canadians Color-Coding Fire Hydrants

Some municipalities in Ontario, including Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston and Hamilton, are now color-coding their fire hydrants to indicate low–water flow areas. Click Here for More ...

3M Gives Money to Fallen Firefighters

The company donated $30,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at Fire-Rescue International. The donation was presented on behalf of 3M's Visibility and Insulation Solutions business, as part of an ongoing firefighter appreciation program. Click Here for More ...

From Mutual Aid, a FIRE CHIEF Blog

What's Our Responsibility?

By Robert Avsec

Is it to create employment for career employees or to provide a social organization for volunteer members? Is it to provide a work schedule that enables employees to work other jobs or own their own businesses? Or is it to provide the necessary emergency services to prevent the unnecessary loss of life or property from fires, medical emergencies, accidents and the other calamities of daily life? 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.

As Seen in FIRE CHIEF

On the EMS Horizon

By Bruce Evans
The rate at which the world is changing is dramatic. People, governments and maps are changing almost overnight. There have been several changes in EMS over the years, and decade by decade the profession has improved. Yet the job's basics remain the same as they were 10 or 20 years ago. It is about getting patients to the hospital, providing care and compassion, and occasionally providing a technical intervention that buys a person precious time. Click Here for More ...

Driving Safety

By Les Becker
The response and transport phases of EMS care often fails to receive appropriate attention. That is, until a crash occurs. However, there's a new strategy for reducing injuries and fatalities in ambulance accidents. Click Here for More ...

Supply Chain

By Mike McDonough
Effective emergency services leaders have learned that one of the key elements of successfully handling a potential large-scale mass-casualty incident is the preparedness phase. With a nod to the obvious need for MCI response training at all levels, providing the necessary materials and supplies for the emergency responders is paramount for overall success at the event. Months or perhaps years before the event occurs, the amount and type of materials to handle a MCI event must be part of the disaster planning. Click Here for More ...

Necessary Expense

By Rich Elliott
The truth of the matter is that software can be the source of many problems, but most are avoidable if you take the time to research, purchase, implement and practice with the software. Recently I participated in the EMS billing software purchasing process and learned some valuable lessons. Click Here for More ...

Attention Wildland Fire Management Professionals
Wildfire Magazine is the resource chief and wildland managers use in their efforts against urban-interface and wildland fires. Each issue of Wildfire focuses on the demands of leaders responsible for managing and controlling wildland fires. Wildfire addresses issues at the local, state and federal levels and provides a unique international perspective.
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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.

SEPTEMBER

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

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

TEEX Combined (Basic & Advanced) Marine Firefighting
22-26, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire
23-25, Fort Collins, Colo.
Contact: Mikel Robinson, e-mail: mikel.robinson@umontana.edu; www.umt.edu/ce/cps/HumanDimensionsofWildlandFire.htm

Three-Day Accident Scene Safety Train-the-Trainer<
23-25, Forsyth, GA.
Contact: Scene Of The Accident Inc. 713-553-679; www.sceneoftheaccident.org

TEEX Advanced Marine Firefighting
23-26, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

NOVEMBER 2007

TEEX Basic Marine Firefighting
5-6, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX Combined (Basic & Advanced) Marine Firefighting
12-16, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX Advanced Marine Firefighting
13-16, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX 40-Hour NFPA 1081 Industrial Interior Fire Brigade Certification
12-16, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

TEEX 40-Hour NFPA 1081 Industrial Exterior Fire Brigade Certification
26-30, College Station, Texas
Contact: TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, 866-878-8900; www.teex.org/fire

DoD Personal Protective Equipment Conference
28-30, Fort. Lauderdale, Fla.
Contact: www.tswg.gov