Public Safety Content
Report looks at the consequences of widespread obesity among firefighters
The rate of firefighter obesity outpaces the national average with about 73% to 88% cases in the fire service, so found a National Volunteer Fire Council and U.S. Fire Administration–funded obesity report. HOPE Health Research Institute conducted the report on behalf of the NFVC and USFA to document the causes of obesity in the fire service and provide action steps to reverse the potentially life-threatening trend....
Alabama community gets digital radio system
The Montgomery Metro Communications Cooperative District in Montgomery County, Ala., has awarded Harris Public Safety & Professional Communications with a $7.3 million public safety communications contract....
For firefighter safety, cities must tear down abandoned structures
Cities are starting to place stronger focus on the threat abandoned buildings pose to firefighters. This emphasis comes at least in part due to lawsuits like the one filed by the family of Chicago Firefighter Edward Stringer, who died in 2010 while searching for possible squatters in a vacated dry-cleaning business. ...
Job-stress ranking puts firefighting at No. 2 in stress
A new job-stress report by CareerCast.com found that firefighters have the second most-stressful job in the country, exceeded only by those enrolled in the military. ...
Army installation to get energy-saving makeover
The U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss will get a solar energy installation and other energy efficiency improvements that are expected to save the post $39 million in energy costs over the next 24 years. Johnson Controls won the federal contract for the Fort Bliss work. ...
Texas fire station gets rebuilt, thanks to ABC’s ‘Extreme Makeover’
ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is building a new home for volunteer firefighter Mizzy Zdroj, who lost her home in the massive Bastrop Fire in September, as well as improving one of her fire department's stations....
Laptops boost efficiency of deputies in Los Angeles County (with related video)
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) vehicles are now equipped with mobile data computer systems (MDCS) from Raytheon Co. LASD patrol cars, motorcycles, prisoner transport units, command vehicles and SUVs have been outfitted with the Raytheon-integrated computer systems. The $19.9 million technology upgrade replaces the 1987-era mobile digital technology previously used by the sheriff’s department....
App speeds extrication at MVA scene
Widespread smartphone and tablet adoption continues to drive the demand for mobile applications, for both consumers and first responders in the field who must perform myriad tasks. What’s exciting about the development for the fire service is that firefighters often are the inventors of many apps now available on the market for all-hazards response....
Federal safety agency making progress as it analyzes firefighter exposure to toxins (with related video)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has provided a status update on its long-term firefighter cancer study, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Cancer Institute. The goal of the study is to determine whether firefighters have a higher risk of cancer and other illness due to on-the-job toxin exposure....
Survey measures current needs and resources of fire departments in each state
The National Fire Protection Association released a state-by-state fire service needs assessment based on findings from its "Third Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service," a study that looked at the current needs of U.S. fire departments compared to the findings of its 2001 and 2005 studies. ...
As Veterans Day approaches, some reasons to contract with veteran-owned businesses and some help for veteran entrepreneurs
There are a couple of reasons why governments should offer more support to veterans who choose entrepreneurship upon their return to civilian life, says Don Gonneville, owner of Gonneville Inc., a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise. ...
Versatile truck will appeal to police and other government agencies
Starting this month, Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Ram Truck will be offering the Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 Special Service package for law enforcement and other emergency agencies through Chrysler Group Fleet sales. The Ram model features several pieces of severe-duty-adapted equipment....
Electronic sensor alerts motorists to highway wildlife hazards
The Colorado Department of Transportation is testing a system that may one day replace highway warning signs that inform drivers of potential wildlife. The system, called OmniTrax from Senstar, informs motorists of the real and immediate presence of animals on the road....
Android app provides firefighters with GPS-based driving directions to an emergency
Firefighters continue to develop technologies for the fire service, this time with the FirefighterLog app available for download to Android devices. The app converts text dispatch data into Google navigator and provides firefighter-engineers with GPS-based driving directions to an incident, said Patrick Jackson, the app’s developer and a career fire engineer with the Rocky Mount (N.C.) Fire Department. ...
It’s good business for governments to support veteran-owned businesses with contracts, says NaVOBA
There are several reasons why governments should issue supply contracts to qualified veteran-owned businesses (VOBs), says Matthew Pavelek, director of communications at the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)....
Cell phone that detects life-threatening chemical exposures gets tryout
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate demonstrated in front of invited media and webcast guests the first-ever cell phone capable of detecting life-threatening chemical exposures, dubbed the Cell-All. The S&T worked with commercial vendors to miniaturize environmental sensors and embed them in commercial devices. ...
Volunteer network helps military families get through winter
THE BOSS Snowplow organization is underwriting a second year of Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops program and urging snow removal professionals to join the movement and double the volunteer base in year two....
We Remember: Govpro looks back at our 9/11 coverage through the years
Here are links to a few of the 9/11 articles from Govpro.com over the past 10 years that address a variety of security, preparedness and health topics....
A look back: Firefighters and emergency crews remember 9/11
Members of the fire service look back at 9/11 and observe changes that have taken place as a result of the events that day....
Location tracker for firefighters will deliver in 2012
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate announced that a firefighter location-tracking technology has graduated from research and development and is ready for market after nearly a decade of extensive testing by engineers and fire departments....
Heat-index app aims to prevent heat-related illnesses
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is making available a free application for mobile devices that will enable workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites. With the information from the app, work crews can avoid and prevent heat-related illnesses. ...
Mayday software tool tracks firefighter’s location in emergencies
After a 90-day field test and more than one year in research and development, the New York City Fire Department has installed the Electronic Fireground Accountability System (EFAS), a citywide, data-based accountability mayday system that more effectively pinpoints the location of firefighters and reduces radio ID confusion....
Governments rely on GIS for disaster planning and response
States and local governments are using geographic information systems (GIS) in novel ways for disaster preparedness and response. Officials say the technology's flexibility lets them create tailor-made tools to deal with calamities....
Summer safety tips to help government staffers beat the heat
June is National Safety Month, and Grainger, the distributor of more than 1 million products, including safety gear, has put together a list of five tips to help workers stay cool this summer. ...
Huge tornado rips Missouri counties; federal aid on its way
Jasper and Newton counties in Missouri, which include the city of Joplin, have been declared federal disaster zones following a powerful tornado that tore through the area on Sunday night. The storm killed more than 100 people a little less than one month after similarly powerful storms ravaged Alabama and other parts of the South....
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