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Posted: Jan 10, 2018

London Fire Brigade Is Buying Aerial Ladders That Could Have Reached Grenfell Tower's Upper Floors

“In March 2017 the brigade announced plans to upgrade and replace its existing fleet of 15 aerial appliances. In July, as part of a review into the brigade’s resources requested by the Mayor, the Commissioner said it would be beneficial to incorporate up to five extended height aerial appliances into that fleet of 15,” a spokesperson said. 

“Exactly which aerial appliance the brigade would benefit from is still being reviewed. The final decision will take into account the range of crucial tasks aerial ladders perform at incidents which include providing high level lighting, for use as observation platforms and as a way of delivering water from height onto a fire. It should be noted that fires in high rise buildings are usually fought internally which is why the building’s fire safety measures are so crucial and why the longest ladders available are rarely the most effective way of responding. Rescues from fires in high rise premises are almost always undertaken by firefighters working within the building.”

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Posted: Jan 10, 2018

Alabaster approves funding for new fire truck | Shelby County Reporter

The amount came in lower than the city originally anticipated. In late November, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the three-year lease-purchase of a new Sutphen Heavy Duty Custom Pumper Truck for the AFD at a cost not to exceed $496,025 “plus any associated costs for leasing the equipment.”

The lease payments are already included in the 2018 fiscal year budget, council members said previously, and the Fire Department will own the truck after the $483,521 amount is paid off.

Alabaster Fire Chief Jim Golden said the new truck will replace aging AFD equipment and likely will be delivered by mid-summer of 2018 after it is built to the AFD’s specifications.

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Posted: Jan 10, 2018

Spokane City Council to reconsider firefighting equipment funding

While it's still too early to know what caused the contamination, Spokane Councilwoman Lori Kinnear, chair of the Public Safety Committee, promised to take proactive steps to support the fire department. 

December 4, the city council denied $192,000 expenditure request to replace two of the Spokane Fire Department compressors. Kinnear said they "didn't have all the information" they needed at that time.

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Posted: Jan 10, 2018

'My whole body was on fire:' Man set on fire in Seattle speaks out for the first time

A man who was set on fire in Seattle and left to die last fall spoke out for the first time on Tuesday. "My whole body was on fire," said Kasey Busch. "When it happened, like I knew I was dead, there was no doubt in my mind." Busch said he never expected to survive the attack. His burns are so severe, doctors told him only five percent of people ever survive them.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 11:51:10 AM - SOURCE: KOMO News
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Posted: Jan 10, 2018

High Water 2018 Floodwater Rescue Conference Open to First Responders Across the U.S.

Responders in swiftwater rescue

High Water 2018, a three-day floodwater rescue conference for firefighters, EMS, and other first responders will be April 6-8, 2018, at Oklahoma City’s RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater center in downtown Oklahoma City. 

During this three-day event, first responders will learn both new and proven water rescue skills, refresh basic skills, and have the opportunity to hear nationally recognized presenters. Classroom sessions will cover topics such as high-water vehicle use, search dog use in floodwater, GPS and floodwater searching, hydrology review and more. A variety of water-based courses will take place on RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater channels.

RIVERSPORT Rapids is a $45 million man-made whitewater course featuring Class II-IV rapids. It is one of only two courses in the country, and it is the only one in an urban setting. Six pumps circulate 8 million gallons of water for recreational rafting and kayaking as well as swiftwater rescue training.

“Holding a course on an urban whitewater course like RIVERSPORT Rapids gives instructors and participants a level of control you can’t find anywhere else,” explained Mid America Rescue Company Owner and Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Brian Weatherford. “Offering training like this has the potential to save lives in communities across the country.”

“It’s vital that first responders are trained to safely respond to floodwater emergencies,” Weatherford said. “Our goal is to provide for the safety of the first responder as well as the victim. We hope communities around the country will send their first responders so they can learn how to keep themselves and their communities safer.”

RELATED: Are You Ready for Highwater/Swiftwater Season?Planning & Preparation for Swiftwater Operations | Effectively Managing Risk at a Swiftwater Rescue Incident

In addition to classroom and hands-on training, attendees will have the opportunity to see new rescue equipment from leading industry vendors and view onsite demonstrations.

This conference is available to all rescuers regardless of prior training or current skill set, and discounts are available for groups of two or more.

Register before February 1, 2018 to take advantage of early bird pricing. Interested participants can register online at http://www.riversportokc.org/events/high-water/.

Early Registration (by Feb 1):  
$200 per person 
$300 for 2 
$125 per person for groups of 10+ 

Registration (After Feb 1):  
$250 per person 
$400 for 2 
$175 per person for groups of 10+ 

You can find more information on High Water 2018 at http://www.riversportokc.org/events/high-w

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