- The NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA), the NATIONAL PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION (NPGA), and the PROPANE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COUNCIL (PERC) offer the new Fire Safety Analysis Manual, available as a free download from the sponsoring organizations’ Web sites. The FSA Manual provides forms and a step-by-step method for completing a written FSA as required in the 2001 edition of NFPA 58, LP-Gas Code. The manual is also a useful reference for enforcement officials, especially those who may be unfamiliar with LP-gas facilities and recent improvements in product control features. The manual is available at the following organizations’ Web sites: NFPA: www.nfpa.org; NPGA: www.npga.org; and PERC: www.propanecouncil.org.
- RAYDAN MANUFACTURING, INC. announced that FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS will offer Raydan’s Air Link™ air ride walking beam suspension as standard equipment on its 100-foot and longer tandem-axle aerial fire trucks. The Air Link™ is also offered as standard equipment by Emergency One, Inc., Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Sutphen Corp., and Spartan Chassis, Inc. It’s available as an option from KME Fire Apparatus, Aerialscope Inc., American LaFrance, and Saulsbury Fire Rescue.
- XYBERNAUT CORPORATION and FIRST RESPONDER SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY (FIRST) announced a joint strategic initiative to deliver mobile/wearable computers with embedded mobile GIS, data, and resource management solutions to the nation’s first responders.
The companies will host educational seminars at key national and regional public safety events to assist first responder agencies in researching and understanding how mobile computer technology combined with geographic information and data sharing systems can directly improve response times, provide rapid on-scene information, and ultimately assist in saving lives. The solution combines Xybernaut lightweight AtigoT T wireless mobile computers with FiRST’s RespondWare™ GIS, navigation, data, and resource management software.
- E-ONE was awarded a contract to supply the United States Air Force (USAF) with an additional 14 explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) vehicles, slated for delivery by summer 2005. The USAF’s fleet already includes 11 E-ONE EOD vehicles. Each vehicle has a custom 21-foot body designed to meet EOD teams’ requirements; the vehicle’s design facilitates storage, deployment, and remote operation of bomb-handling robots. Additional features include 20,000-watt generators, recessed (underfloor) robot deployment ramp storage, 30-foot rear-mount video surveillance systems, and custom tool and equipment cabinetry. Units are built on an International 7400 series four-door chassis, with seating for five.
- SCOTT HEALTH & SAFETY has reintegrated the Scott Instruments line of portable and fixed gas detection instrumentation into its full product line. Customers can now order a complete line of safety products from detection to protection. Scott Instruments manufactures a complete line of portable and fixed detection instruments including toxic and combustible gas monitors and detectors, controllers, and flame detectors. In 1997, Scott purchased Bacharach Instruments of Exton, Pennsylvania, and moved the instruments operation to that facility as a new division.
Names In The News
- Noted EMS advocate, fire chief, and IAFC member JIM PAGE has passed away. Page served as a firefighter, technical advisor and writer for the television show “Emergency,” attorney, state EMS director, Journal of Emergency Medical Services magazine founder and chief executive officer, and fire chief. In addition, he wrote numerous articles and lectured across the country in favor of quality EMS. In 2000, he was named one of the 50 most influential fire chiefs of the twentieth century by Fire Chief magazine.
- Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) Director STEVEN T. EDWARDS received the International Fire Service Training Association’s (IFSTA) Everett E. Hudiburg award for significant contributions to firefighter training. Edwards, chair of the Congressional Fire Services Institute National Advisory Committee (NAC), served 25 years in the Prince George’s County (MD) Fire Department, retiring as chief. He was unanimously elected chair of the NAC in 2004.
