FireWatch
FireWatch is a service that provides links to news stories from the fire community that have attracted our attention.
New roof anchor may make firefighting safer
A Massachusetts firefighter has designed a new roof anchor that provides a secure and stable working platform for firefighters as they use chainsaws and other tools to cut into roofs....
Drones could help fight forest fires
Thunder Bay professor and students to test programming drones for smoke and fire detection. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/story/2013/05/24/tby-fire-smoke-detecting-drones-research-lakehead-university-thunder-bay.html
Slave Lake wildfire probe ends without charges
The arson investigation into the massive wildfires in Slave Lake two years ago is over and no charges will be laid. The 12 police officers who worked full time on the case exhausted all leads and say no more work will be done unless additional tips come in....
5 ways to calm ‘feedback fires’
What we can learn from celebrity meltdowns. This has nothing to do with firefighting but lots to do with leadership. http://www.forbes.com/sites/joefolkman/2013/05/27/5-ways-to-calm-feedback-fires-what-we-can-learn-from-celebrity-meltdowns/
Phoenix firefighter dies after being crushed between engine and ambulance
A firefighter was crushed between an engine and an ambulance as the vehicles were being repositioned at a fire scene. http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22290866/2013/05/19/firefighter-injured-while-fighting-mulch-fire
Mall owner sues Slave Lake and its fire department
The company that owns the Slave Lake Shopping Centre is suing the Province, the town of Slave Lake and its fire department for $3 million in damages caused by fire crews battling the wildfire that ripped through the community in May of 2011. The company claims...
Police and fire services to work together on prevention issues
Could joint police/fire efforts work for your community? Activities will include joint home fire safety and crime prevention visits and promotion of joint safety campaigns....
Changing severity of house fires related to building configuration and flammability issues
Last year the U.S. Fire Administration organized a workshop to explore how changing building construction methods, materials and building contents are affecting the way residential fires grow. The result was a recommended eight-point action plan....
Firemark launched to combat rental fires
Fires are seven times more likely to occur in rented accommodations than in accommodations occupied by the owner. To improve the education available for landlords the fire service is introducing an education program called "Firemark". The program is designed to...
Last summer for Mars water bomber as province cuts contract
This could be the last fire season for the Martin Mars four-engine cargo transport seaplane that has the largest payload capacity of water bombers in the world, carrying 27,276 litres and fire-suppressing foam....
National First Responders’ Day?
Oakville FD opens training ground to the media as part of a campaign by the Canadian Fire Service to create a national day that recognizes first responders for their sacrifices, contributions and commitment to public service.
The effects of beetles on wildfires
Dr. Dominik Kulakowski conducted research on insect outbreaks and wildland fires in Rocky Mountain forests for fifteen years. He found catastrophic fire is not an inevitable outcome of bark beetle outbreaks but that climate is more important to a fire risk and insect...
Ontario requires sprinklers in retirement homes
Ontario has become the first province in the country to make it mandatory for all retirement homes and long-term care facilities to have automatic water sprinkler systems....
NIOSH LOD Report- Fire Fighter/Driver Operator Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death
NIOSH recommendations call for annual medical evaluations, stress tests, medical clearance to wear SCBC, mandatory fitness program and annual physical fitness evaluation. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201229.html
Goosestep in around the fire hall
Scientists call her Branta Canadensis, but the locals call her Burnice, an expecting Canada Goose who made herself at home in a planter in front of Sherwood Parks Fire Station #1....
Wanted: Volunteers to fight fires in Brandon Manitoba
This is the kind of article that may help recruit volunteers. http://www.brandoninfo.com/article/20130424/NEWS/130424006/1001
Newer, bigger, faster planes to fight forest fires
The US Forest Service will have access to several models of aircraft, including a converted DC-10 jumbo jet, which can carry about five times as much flame-resistant liquid as any aircraft in regular use. Each of the planes can carry more than 3,000 gallons of...
L.A. fire chief under pressure for shifting firefighters from engines to ambulances
The changes are designed to address an increase in medical calls. This may be a new trend to deal with first responder call volumes. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lafd-cummings-ambulance-20130503,0,1812096.story
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Movers & Shakers
Greater Napanee Fire promotes Shawn Armstrong to Fire Chief- Appleton Fire Department Captain Jeffrey “Nelly” Nelessen retires after 29 years of service
- Glendale Fire Department Fire Chief Greg Fish announces retirement after 33 years of service
- Waynesville names a long-time loyal firefighter, Chris Mehaffey, as interim Fire Chief