BREAKING FIRE NEWS

NIST: Fires caused collapse of WTC building 7

National Institute of Standards and Technology's report concludes the fall of the 47-story World Trade Center building 7 (WTC 7) on 9/11 was primarily because of fires and issued recommendations to help prevent future building failures. (More "Government")

news

FDNY: Radio training needed after Deutsche Bank fire
Associated Press (August 21, 2008)

Thirtymile crew chief will avoid prison time
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News (August 21, 2008)

Tropical Storm Fay expected to hit FL a third time
Associated Press (August 21, 2008)

NM city's youngest firefighter beats cancer
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News (August 21, 2008)

PA female volunteer numbers on the rise
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News (August 21, 2008)

Tampa council to decide firefighter pay raises
Tampa Tribune, Fla. (August 21, 2008)

Man dies when bluff collapses at San Diego beach
Associated Press (August 21, 2008)

Operations get complicated at IL mill incident
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News (August 20, 2008)

Wildfire prompts evacuation order in WA
Associated Press (August 20, 2008)

CO firefighter's job safer after losing weight
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted (August 19, 2008)

AL city's fire chief to retire in October
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News (August 21, 2008)

Waste container was source of VA warehouse fire
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va. (August 20, 2008)

Flooding prompts Oklahoma City-area rescues
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted (August 19, 2008)

Firefighters probe natural gas leaks at NY campus
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted (August 19, 2008)

Flooding recedes in TX
Associated Press (August 19, 2008)

FL town to join legal battle over fire services
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted (August 19, 2008)

View All

operations

Near Miss Report: It was only supposed to be a drill

From the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System, a report dealing with heat exhaustion during live burn training.

Sanford named chief in Indianapolis

Read the statement released by the Indianapolis director of public safety on the selection of Brian Sanford as permanent chief.

Wildland fire and urban interface: Three things you can do now

The International Association of Fire Chiefs urges fire departments to take a leadership role in ensuring their communities are educated and prepared for the threat of wildland fire.

Nine firefighters killed in SC warehouse fire

Fire swept through a Charleston furniture warehouse, collapsing the building's roof and claiming the lives of nine firefighters.

Evans Center (NY) Fire Company cares for patients in wreck

A two-vehicle accident in the tow of Evans, NY, sent five people to the hospital, but could have been much worse.

From The Jumpseat: Sparking Small Revolutions

Changing the culture of a department can begin at the lowest rung on the ladder. Mark Cotter writes about making innovation infectious.

School Bus Accidents

Firefighters must keep up with the latest extrication techniques and technology in order to deal with incidents involving school buses. FDIC instructor Leigh Hollins emphasizes the importance of this training.

government

NIST: Fires caused collapse of WTC building 7

CSB investigating fatal rupture of heat exchanger at Houston plant

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board announced that it is proceeding with an investigation of the causes of a recent accident at the Goodyear rubber manufacturing facility in Houston, in which one employee was killed and approximately seven others were injured.

USFA reports on fire department preparedness for weather emergencies, natural disasters

The United States Fire Administration released a new technical report titled Fire Department Preparedness for Extreme Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters, available online.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration warns over carriers' safety

Motor coach vehicles and drivers used by Liberty Charter & Tours that are or were recently affiliated with Angel Tours Inc., Iguala Busmex Inc. and Angel De La Torre have been declared an "imminent hazard" by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

President signs provisions of the Campus Fire Safety-Right-to-Know Act into law

Provisions will mandate schools report fire safety information each year to the Secretary of Education and will be instrumental in raising the level of fire safety on campuses across the nation.

Incident Command System courses now available online

Each online course addresses a different type of incident and allows the student to assume the role of the Incident Commander on the scene.

Wildland firefighter courses now available online

The classroom portions of the two basic fire training courses needed for qualification as a wildland firefighter can now be taken online, thanks to a cooperative effort between the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy.

health & safety

Massachusetts issues notice over stretcher failures

Read the warning issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services over documented incidents of failure of ambulance cots' telescoping legs.

Near Miss Report Update: Go to the light

This week's featured report provides a vivid description of a firefighting operation that ends as a near miss event versus an injury because of one of the most important tools we carry, the handlight.

Our Commitment to Buckle Up by Chief Greg Cade, U.S. Fire Administrator

It is a tragedy when we lose a firefighter to a fire; it's a national fire service tragedy and embarrassment when we lose firefighters from vehicle ejections.

NBFAA awards children of firefighters, police $21,000 in scholarships

The NBFAA Youth Scholarship Program provides $21,000 in scholarships annually to children of firefighters and police officers

South Carolina issues proclamation for National Campus Fire Safety Month

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has signed a proclamation recognizing September as Campus Fire Safety Month, joining 11 other states around the nation.

Pennsylvania fire commish praises fire-safe cigarettes legislation

The Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner praised the passage of legislation that will require all cigarettes sold in Pennsylvania to be "fire safe."

Carolinas MED-1 serving flood-devastated Indiana hospital

Carolinas MED-1, a first of its kind prototype mobile hospital, has deployed to Columbus, Indiana, while officials work to reopen emergency services at Columbus Regional Hospital.

did you know?

$1.5 million online training grant for U.S. volunteer, combination departments

TargetSafety and the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section, a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, announced the availability of a $1.5 million training grant for volunteer and combination fire departments in the United States.

Watertown (NY) firefighters honored for saving lives at structure fire

Firefighters Keith A. Grant and David E. Johnston of the City of Watertown (NY) Fire Rescue Department have been selected as this year's winners of the International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor.

Report released on Australia, New Zealand, Japan departments' best practices

Download a free report conducted in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about international strategies for preventing fires and reducing fire injuries.

Toronto fire chief Bob Leek remembered

Read a remembrance of Chief Leek, who was died in the line of duty in a massive propane explosion on August 10, 2008.

ISFSI pays tribute to to past president Larry Davis

Noted fire service author, instructor, and former president of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors Lawrence William (Larry) Davis, Jr., passed away August 3, 2008 at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas.

New building codes in New York City

For the construction industry, it's officially time to say goodbye to the old New York codes. The 2008 New York City Codes went into effect across all five boroughs on July 1.

Help craft language for Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know regulations

Campus Firewatch is launching a new project to help develop suggested language for the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know regulations.

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