FC_Command Post_: The Last Rung

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July 25, 2008	SUBSCRIBE	UNSUBSCRIBE	PREFERENCES

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Table Of Contents

	The Last Rung
	States Need New Response to Economic Decline, Report Shows
	Department Weaknesses Responsible for Firefighters' Deaths
	Federal Fire Vacancies Jeopardize Security
	Gender Lawsuit Moves Forward
	Calif. Adopts First Statewide Green Building Code
	Fresno Apparatus get Police Escort
	Fire Protection Engineers in High Demand
	Wis. Chief Dies in Accident
	Federal Signal to Sell E-One
	Near-Miss Reporting System Receives Grant
	Universally Good Idea
	Call from the Wild
	Otis Ready
	Unfriendly Skies
	Full Calendar at FireChief.com

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From Janet's Notebook

The Last Rung

By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director

The fire service takes ladders for granted — until one fails. Boyd Cole saw too many aerial ladder problems as a volunteer firefighter. Consequently, he spent his career raising industry awareness and advocating safer ladders for firefighters to climb and crawl on.

Firefighters lost a good friend this week when Boyd died in Lincoln, Calif., after a brief but tough fight with acute myelogenous leukemia. He was 75.

In the early '60s, Boyd was a fire equipment salesman and volunteer firefighter in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Wearing both hats, he saw the need for safer ladders and standardized testing for those ladders. Boyd started National Testing in 1978 and went on to work for Underwriters Laboratories from 1981 until he retired in 1996.

During his time with UL, Cole tirelessly worked for research and standardized testing of ladders. He traveled extensively to investigate and improve ladders and aerials for the fire service. Boyd also was a popular presenter on ladder technology and testing, speaking at hundreds of seminars and workshops across North America. Click Here for More ...

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Top Story

States Need New Response to Economic Decline, Report Shows

American City and County

As the economy continues to decline, states may begin to make budget cuts that could affect local government funding. However, a new report from the Washington-based National League of Cities suggests a new approach may be in order. Click Here for More ...

NEW From READY RACK

Groves incorporated, manufacturers of the READY RACK announces NEW SCBA/ Rescue bags. SCBA Bags hold 2 cylinders, Rescue bags hold 3 mini lifting bags, 1 SCBA cylinder, Controller & Regulator and 3, 50’ coils of hose.

Also available: Sling-link Multiple Application Service Tool (MAST). Sling-Link products meet NFPA 1983 (06 ED) as a Personal Use or General Use Auxiliary Harness.

http://www.readyrack.com 800-991-2120

In the News

Department Weaknesses Responsible for Firefighters' Deaths

An investigation into the deaths of two California firefighters last year revealed weaknesses in the fire department. Click Here for More ...

Federal Fire Vacancies Jeopardize Security

Federal fire departments at the Washington Navy Yard, the Naval Research Lab and Bolling Air Force Base are short at least 14 firefighters, but Naval District of Washington Regional Fire Chief Edward Stillwell said that 12 of those positions will not be filled because of high overtime costs. Click Here for More ...

Gender Lawsuit Moves Forward

An appeals court decision allows three female firefighters in Ohio to take their gender-discrimination case to trial. Click Here for More ...

Calif. Adopts First Statewide Green Building Code

The code will require builders to include energy efficiency and water conservation elements in every project well beyond current building standards. Click Here for More ...

Fresno Apparatus get Police Escort

By Carrie Cleaveland, Assistant Editor

On June 20, the Fresno, Calif., fire and police departments increased enforcement of the law requiring motorist to pull to the right for emergency vehicles. Click Here for More ...

Fire Protection Engineers in High Demand

A recent survey by Society of Fire Protection Engineers of the largest employers of fire protection engineers showed that a majority currently have difficulty recruiting enough qualified engineers. "Those surveyed believe this imbalance in demand will continue at least five years into the future," said Chris Jelenewicz a fire protection engineer with SFPE. Click Here for More ...

Wis. Chief Dies in Accident

Pulaski (Wis.) Tri-County Fire Chief Frank Wichlacz died July 23 after an out-of-control pickup pinned him between a garage door and a parked water tanker at the station. Click Here for More ...

Federal Signal to Sell E-One

Federal Signal Corp. will sell E-One to American Industrial Partners for approximately $20 million. Click Here for More ...

Near-Miss Reporting System Receives Grant

The International Association of Fire Chiefs received a $989,068 FIRE Act grant. Click Here for More ...

The 5th Annual FEMSA Fire Service survey is online now! Please click here to participate. Sign up to have your department be entered into a drawing to win $5000 worth of gear from any FEMSA member company!

From Mutual Aid, a FIRE CHIEF Blog

Universally Good Idea

By Glenn Bischoff

Brian Fontes, the new CEO of the National Emergency Number Association, told Urgent Communications Senior Writer Donny Jackson that creating a universal service fund could solve the funding woes that long have plagued the public safety answering point sector. It's a great idea, and long overdue. Click Here for More ...

Have an exceptional project that deserves national recognition? Want to showcase your best work to the largest audience? FIRE CHIEF's Station Style Awards gives your project more national exposure than any other station design competition.

As Seen in FIRE CHIEF

Call from the Wild

By Harry Paviour

Zoos and farms mean large-animal rescue. The U.K. Fire Services can help get you ready. Click Here for More ...

Otis Ready

By Brett Kilgore

As elevator technology advances, officers must ensure rescuers have a specific knowledge base. Click Here for More ...

Unfriendly Skies

By Nancy Gier

This Illinois department gears up for the challenge of small airport protection with potential for big problems. Click Here for More ...

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.

JULY

8-Hour Pre-Emergency Planning for Industrial Facilities
29, Beaumont, Texas
Contact: Industrial Safety Training Council, Trisha Kelley, 409-833-2378 ext. 1134 or Jim Philp, 409-833-2378 ext. 1108; www.bestcomplex.com

15th Annual NFPA Americas' Fire & Security Expo 2008
29-31, Miami Beach, Fla.
Contact: National Fire Protection Association

AUGUST

8-Hour Industrial Fire Training
11, Beaumont, Texas
Contact: Industrial Safety Training Council, Trisha Kelley, 409-833-2378 ext. 1134 or Jim Philp, 409-833-2378 ext. 1108; www.bestcomplex.com

Third Annual Indiana WMD Preparedness and Anti-Terrorism Conference Comprehensive Intergrated Training Exercise
11-15, Indianapolis
Contact: Gary Ashenfelter, Training Director, IDEA, 800-558-6620; training@indianadea.com

8-Hour Foam Operations
12, Beaumont, Texas
Contact: Industrial Safety Training Council, Trisha Kelley, 409-833-2378 ext. 1134 or Jim Philp, 409-833-2378 ext. 1108; www.bestcomplex.com

Annual Confined-Space Refresher
12-14, Baton Rouge, La.
Contact: Roco Rescue, 800-647-7626; www.rocorescue.com

Fire-Rescue International
14-16, Denver
Contact: International Association of Fire Chiefs, 800-934-1957; www.iafc.org

Fast-Track 80 Confined-Space Rescue Certification
19-22 and 25-28, Baton Rouge, La.
Contact: Roco Rescue, 800-647-7626; www.rocorescue.com

8-Hour Firefighter Survival Skills-Flashover
22, Beaumont, Texas
Contact: Industrial Safety Training Council, Trisha Kelley, 409-833-2378 ext. 1134 or Jim Philp, 409-833-2378 ext. 1108; www.bestcomplex.com

Fire & Rescue 2008
27-29, Liverpool, England
Contact: Fire & Security Portfolio

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