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Mission Statement

The objectives of this Division shall be to further enhance the education of all Fire Service Administrative Support by conducting workshops and seminars; to increase the proficiency of Fire Administrative Support by establishing a network sharing of information systems through various channels of communication; and to faciliate a statewide standardization wherever possible in all phases and aspects of the Fire Administrative Support field for the benefit of the Fire Service.

Recent Fire Administrative Support News

Posted: Oct 26, 2016
Comments: 0

Hi Everyone,

The WFAS Section now has a Facebook group for our members! Be sure to check it out and add yourself to the group and help us spread the word!

Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wafireadmin/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

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Posted: Aug 17, 2016
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Thank you to everyone that completed our recent WFAS Survey on the 2016 Conference. We use that information to make each year's conference better than the last! 

Congrats to Cari Ross-Koler from Stevens 1 Fire Rescue as the survey drawing winner!

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Posted: Jun 15, 2016
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If you have pictures from the 2016 Conference in Leavenworth, we would love for you to share them on our website!

Once logged in, click on Photo Gallery and scroll to the bottom of the page. There is an easy-to-use photo uploader for you to send us your pictures!

A tutorial has also been uploaded to our Documents, Website Tutorials folder.

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Posted: Jun 14, 2016
Comments: 0

Thank you to all our WFAS members that were able to attend this past year's conference in Leavenworth! For those of you that missed out, a few highlights included lessons learned from a number of local Fire Chiefs on recent Washington State disasters we have encountered, tips for adapting to change, {WOODY}, and the highly popular casino night!

Your 2016 WFAS Board is already hard at work planning for the 2017, 2018 and even 2019 conferences! We will be meeting this friday in Cle Elem to gather our ideas and put our heads together. 

We have put together a survey for all members, to gather feedback on the recent conference, as well as overall suggestions. If you have not already, please follow this link to fill it out: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V3LBDJ. The deadline is this Friday, June 17th to be entered in the drawing for WFAS merch for filling out the survey. 

If you missed out in Leavenworth, don't forget to Save the Date and put the 2017 WFAS Annual Conference on your calendars for May 8-10 in Olympia.

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Posted: Apr 9, 2015
Comments: 0

2015 NOMINATIONS/POSITIONS

Do you want to get involved? Do you seek out opportunities to impact change? WFAS has many ways to get involved and each year we have Board positions that are vacated.  Click to find out more!
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Posted: Mar 10, 2015
Comments: 0

WFC Fire Administrative Support (WFAS) recognizes that some departments do not have the budget available for their administrative staff to attend section functions.  Knowing the benefits of continuing education, increasing workplace proficiency and the value of network sharing, we have created a scholarship fund to assist these individuals. Money collected from the raffle at our annual conference each year funds this program.  The scholarship is designed to cover, or assist with, registration fees and/or travel & lodging costs for the recipients to attend section functions.

The following is a guideline for disbursement of these funds:

  1. Interested WFAS members shall fill out the application and forward it to the Scholarship Chair.
  2. The application shall include a written summary as to the reason for the request.
  3. Priority for funds usage will be toward registration; if scholarship funds are still available after grants are made, funds will be applied to other conference costs, ie. lodging, travel expenses, etc, dependent upon need and availability. 
  4. The Chair will appoint a committee to review all applications and select an applicant(s) to receive scholarship funds.
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Posted: Jul 1, 2014
Comments: 2
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Firefighters Recount Tornado Damage at Little Rock (AR) Fire Station No. 9

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Firefighters Recount Tornado Damage at Little Rock (AR) Fire Station No. 9

Firefighters whose west Little Rock station was damaged following Friday’s tornado are operating out of a different location as cleanup efforts continued Monday, arkansasonline.com reported

A Little Rock Fire Department official said the move was temporary, but that it was too soon to tell when the firefighters would be able to return to work at their station, the report said.

Fire Station No. 9, 1324 North Shackleford Road, was heavily damaged when the tornado swept through Central Arkansas, cutting a six-and-a-half mile trail of destruction in the city before continuing north through North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville, according to the report.

A fire official said the station firefighters had been preparing their apparatus and tools Friday when the tornado struck, the report said. 

After the tornado passed, they examined the station for damage and shut off the water and gas, according to the report. A 40-foot beam had traveled roughly 60 yards from a neighboring church and struck “halfway through the station,” the report said. 

One of the facility’s engine bay doors flew about 80 yards to the west, damaging another building, the report said.

Despite the damage to the facility, its vehicles — two engines, a ladder truck, an SUV and the battalion chief’s pickup — are operational, the report said.

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Niles (IL) Re-Purchases 1941 Fire Engine Used in the Village Decades Ago for Parades, Events

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Niles (IL) Re-Purchases 1941 Fire Engine Used in the Village Decades Ago for Parades, Events

Caroline Kubzansky
Chicago Tribune
(TNS)

A 1941 fire engine has returned to Niles after a long sojourn in Wisconsin, village officials announced March 28.

The vehicle, which Fire Chief Marty Feld told village trustees was the second fire engine ever used in Niles, had been in Birchwood (WI) as part of a private collection.

The collection owner contacted the village and asked if officials would be interested in purchasing it, spokesperson Mitch Johnson told Pioneer Press.

“Fire Department staff spent time determining if it was ours, eventually finding a Village document with the original vehicle’s [identification] number,” Johnson wrote in an email to Pioneer Press. “We compared it to the vehicle for sale and it matched.”

The village paid $5,000 for the engine and another $500 in fuel costs to Lin-Mar Towing to bring the engine back to Niles, Johnson said.

The vehicle is in “excellent” condition, Johnson said, and will be part of future parades and special events in the village.

According to information posted on the village website, the first “fire wagon” in the village was a hand-drawn apparatus known as “Blue Boy.” It now resides at Fire Station #2 at the intersection of Dempster Street and Cumberland Avenue, the website states.

Information in the village’s 1999 Centennial History book states that the fire department partially retired Blue Boy to part-time service in 1910 following the purchase of a horse-drawn pumper.

Around the time that the 1941 Pirsch would have been in use in Niles, the Niles Fire Department was raising money for an ambulance, eventually purchased for $6,000.

Niles established a full-time fire department in 1953, according to the centennial history. It had hired its first full-time firefighters in 1947, establishing their salaries at $225/month in 1948 for a combination of firefighting and custodial work.

Neighboring Park Ridge also has its own vintage fire engine from 1934. Also a Pirsch, the truck returned to the city in 2020 following decades with the Memphis, Tenn. fire department. To return it here, the Park Ridge Historical Society purchased it for $20,000. That truck was taken out of service in 1955, according to prior reporting.

©2023 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Manufacturer’s Profile | David Clark Company

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Manufacturer’s Profile | David Clark Company

By

Q&A with Bob Daigle

Systems Manager, David Clark Company

 

 

FA: Please provide a short overview of David Clark Company.

BD: David Clark Company is an American manufacturing company founded in 1935. The company designs and manufactures a wide variety of noise-attenuating communication headsets and headset systems for clear communication in high-noise environments.

David Clark Company offers a broad line of aviation headsets for private, commercial, and military pilots. The company is also a leading manufacturer of aerospace and industrial protective equipment, including air-space space suit systems and anti-G suits for high-altitude flight.

David Clark also designs and manufactures wired, wireless, and digital headset communication systems for the fire/rescue, marine (workboats/patrol boats), and airline/airport market for ground support crews.

 

 

FA: How did David Clark Signal evolve to include the fire and EMS markets?

BD: The first David Clark Company wired headset intercom systems for the fire/rescue market were introduced in the early 1980s. Since that time, David Clark has also introduced the Series 9900 Wireless and Series 9100 Digital systems to promote clear communication and safety while also providing mobility for crew members without being tethered to apparatus or equipment, as well as offering much-needed hearing protection for firefighters, both en route and at the scene.

 

 

FA: Describe the attributes of your products and the problems they’re designed to solve.

BD: David Clark Company headset systems are designed to provide firefighters with clear communication both en route and at the scene. While en route, all firefighters—from the front seats to the rear jump seats—are able to hear commands and instructions from dispatch and other mobile units on the way to the scene, above the din of road noise and blaring sirens. Firefighters are better prepared and gain a tactical advantage on arrival. Once at the scene, fireground communication is greatly enhanced, particularly for pump operators, who are able to hear and communicate clearly, even when loud engines are fully engaged.

 

 

 Pump panel operators can hear and communicate clearly at the scene over loud, engaged engines. (Photos courtesy of David Clark.)

 

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Fire Apparatus of the Day: April 4, 2023

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Fire Apparatus of the Day: April 4, 2023

Alexis—Washington Township Fire Department, Arcadia, OH, flatbed brush truck. Ford F-550 Crew Cab and chassis; 7.3L V8 350-hp gas engine; Darley 375-gpm @ 25-psi 2BE 21H direct-drive, skid-mount pump with Honda 20-hp gas engine; 300-gallon skid water tank; 10-gallon foam cell; Scotty through-the-pump foam eductor and mixer; Akron 3463 front bumper turret. Dealer: Jeff Huber, 911 Fleet & Fire Equipment, Florence, KY.


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Video Shows Car Racing in Circles, Blocking Orange County (FL) Fire Apparatus

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Video Shows Car Racing in Circles, Blocking Orange County (FL) Fire Apparatus

A video circulating online shows a car racing in circles around an Orange County fire apparatus with lights and sirens on, wesh.com reported.

According to Orange County Fire Rescue, it happened over the weekend near Sand Lake and Winegard as they responded to a car fire.

When they arrived, they say the crew “encountered large crowds” and cars “involved in street racing,” the report said.

When the fire apparatus found no car fire and attempted to leave the scene that’s when the trouble started, according to the report.

Orange County Fire Rescue said as the apparatus tried to leave, someone driving recklessly around it prevented the apparatus from returning to service, the report said. They said once sheriff’s deputies arrived, the cars left, the report said.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said they’re aware of the video and is working to identify everyone involved, the report said.

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Oswego (IL) Fire Protection District Asking Voters to Approve 10-year $17M bond Sale Tuesday

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Oswego (IL) Fire Protection District Asking Voters to Approve 10-year $17M bond Sale Tuesday

Oswego Fire Protection District officials are trying a new approach to gain passage of a referendum to help the agency pay for its rising operational costs, shawlocal.com reported.

The agency’s Board of Trustees has placed a referendum on the April 4 ballot that, if approved, would allow the district to sell up to $17 million in general obligation bonds to pay for what district officials describe as its “critical needs,” the report said.

A fire official said the fire district would, in turn, use the proceeds from the bond sale over next 10 years to buy new vehicles and equipment, fund the construction of an additional fire station and retire a portion for the district’s current debt, according to the report.

Among the items in the capital improvement plan targeted for funding with bond proceeds, the fire official said, are the purchase of three new fire engines, the replacement of two ambulances, the rechassieing of three other ambulances and the purchase of an additional ambulance, five staff cars, rescue tools and cardiac monitors, the report said.

The fire official said one of the fire engines the agency is seeking to replace dates to 1998, while the oldest ambulance was acquired in 2006, according to the report.

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Gallatin (TN) Plans to Save on Gas by Trading a Fire Truck for a Tahoe

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Gallatin (TN) Plans to Save on Gas by Trading a Fire Truck for a Tahoe

A full-size fire engine costs approximately $4 per mile to operate when diesel fuel, upkeep and repairs are totaled, according to Gallatin Fire Chief Jeff Beaman, tennessean.com reported.

An SUV can cost around 30 cents per mile, Beaman estimates.

That’s why Gallatin is developing plans to utilize a Chevrolet Tahoe to run certain medical calls that have been handled by a full-time fire truck, the report said.

Gallatin is implementing the “alternative response vehicle” program with a Chevrolet Tahoe that has been used by each shift commander when they are on-duty, the report said. The city has purchased a new vehicle for shift commanders and the used Tahoe will be equipped and wrapped with a white over red concept to make it identifiable with the fire department.

The alternative response vehicle will be used at Station 1, which is the department’s busiest station, according to the report. Data will be gathered with hopes to expand to other stations.

The Tahoe will have medical equipment and will generally carry two crew members instead of four that are typically on a fire truck, the report said.

New fire engine coming

The city of Gallatin has received its first rendering of a new fire engine in production that was ordered in December of 2021 for $635,000, the city said in a press release. The water-pumping engine will replace the primary fire apparatus currently being used at either at Fire Station 3 (860 Red River Road) or Fire Station 4 (315 Big Station Camp Boulevard). The Gallatin Fire Department will conduct an evaluation of the operating costs for each of these sites to determine which station this new fire engine will be assigned to.

The fire engine to be replaced will continue to be used for an additional five to seven years as a reserve apparatus when a front-line fire engine is down for repairs or maintenance. Generally, a fire engine has a service life of 15 years in front-line service and approximately five to seven additional years as a reserve.

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Princeton (MN) Approves Purchasing New Tender for $372K

Posted: Apr 4, 2023

Princeton (MN) Approves Purchasing New Tender for $372K

The Princeton City Council approved the purchase of a new tender March 23 to replace Tender Two at Wyanett Station, hometownsource.com reported.

Tender Two will then be sold with funds returning to the truck replacement reserve fund. This purchase is part of the overall truck replacement plan approved in 2019, the report said.

The cost of the new tender is $372,563. The truck replacement reserve fund currently has just under $343,000 in it. The remaining funds will be taken from the fire equipment reserve fund, according to the report.

The budget forecast for continued replacement of fire trucks includes a predicted $1 million expenditure in 2028 for the replacement of Engine Eight, the report said.

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TX Firefighter Suffers Severe Whiplash in Rollover Accident

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

TX Firefighter Suffers Severe Whiplash in Rollover Accident

According to a report from ABC7, the second of two Stinnett (TX) Fire Department (SFD) firefighters who was hurt in a rollover crash Friday received slightly better news about his neck injury today.

Although the SFD initially reported that the firefighter may have suffered two hairline fractures in his neck, they are now saying the injury was actually “severe whiplash.” He is expected to be released from the hospital Monday after consulting with a physical therapist.

The crash occurred while the members were responding to a wildfire in the Canadian River bottom FM 2277. The two firefighters were transported to Golden Plains Community Hospital in Borger.

One member was treated and released, while the other was transferred to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo.

The SFD thanked The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle and Panhandle Firemen’s & Fire Marshals’ Association for their support.

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City of Lancaster (PA) Dedicates New Fire Station 3

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

City of Lancaster (PA) Dedicates New Fire Station 3

The city of Lancaster dedicated the new Fire Station 3 Saturday, wgal.com reported. The Bureau of Fire also celebrated its 141st birthday.

The completed renovation of Fire Station 3 marks a total investment of $13.6 million in Fire Bureau facilities since 2020, the report said.

Saturday’s open house featured demonstrations, a restored 1936 Mack Fire Truck Cab (Ladder A), self-guided tours, kids’ activities, food, and the opening of a time capsule.

April 1 is also the first day of the Fire Bureau’s open application period for potential firefighters.

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Enter to Win An MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Enter to Win An MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet

New technology is constantly emerging to help keep first responders healthier and safer. To give more volunteer firefighters access to this innovative equipment, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with MSA Safety to award three NVFC members a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet in 2023.

The jet-style design of the Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module. Plus, the soft goods are removable, washable, and replaceable, helping firefighters align with cancer awareness programs as written by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Approvals include NFPA 1971-2018 Structural Firefighting and NFPA 1951-2020 Rescue and Recovery.

NVFC members will have a total of three opportunities to enter to win an XF1 helmet in 2023. One recipient will be randomly selected after each entry period. To be eligible to enter, applicants must be an active U.S. volunteer firefighter and a member of the NVFC.

The first entry period is now open until April 30. Learn more and enter to win at www.nvfc.org/helmet.

###

About MSA

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products and software that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, software, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The Company’s comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including fire service, the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, construction, industrial manufacturing applications, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, utilities, mining and the military. MSA’s core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices. With 2022 revenues of $1.5 billion, MSA employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide. The Company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America. For more information visit MSA’s web site at www.msasafety.com/.

About the NVFC

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical

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OH Fire Station Knocked Out by Fire; Generator Likely Cause

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

OH Fire Station Knocked Out by Fire; Generator Likely Cause

Firefighters in North Jackson Township are working to get their firehouse back online after fire broke out at the facility on Saturday.

The fire started in the area near the station’s emergency generator at about 1:50 p.m., WKBN reports. At that same time, the region was suffering from a power outage.

The department says it will stay in service while it makes repairs to the station.

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The Motorola APX NEXT XN Smart Radio and XVN500 Remote Speaker Microphone

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

The Motorola APX NEXT XN Smart Radio and XVN500 Remote Speaker Microphone

By Raul Angulo

Radio communications are probably the least exciting component of fireground strategy and tactics, yet without them we cannot operate efficiently and safely.

In fact, in a modern society, without radio communications it is unlikely that we could perform any emergency operations at all. Radio communications are used extensively in size-up, making assignments, reporting progress or delays in carrying out those assignments, reporting changing fireground conditions, and maintaining firefighter accountability.

Most importantly, radio communications are our invisible lifeline to safety, especially when a Mayday is called for a trapped or down firefighter. This is when your life literally depends on the reliability of your portable radio.

Another area that heavily depends on the reliability of portable radio communications is in high-rise firefighting. Depending on how much concrete and steel is used in a building of Type I fire-resistive construction, firefighters may lose the ability to communicate when operating deep inside the building or in below-grade levels. An 800 MHz signal from a repeater can effectively be blocked. A “bonk” tone occurs when the transmit button is depressed, preventing all communications from being sent or received. Task assignments can be missed; situation updates can’t be reported; and, most importantly, you cannot call a Mayday for help. You are on your own.

Our current solution is to switch to a simplex channel (radio-to-radio) or physically move to a perimeter window within the high-rise building to establish line-of-sight communications with the command post or move to where the portable radio can once again connect to the repeater and reestablish normal communications. However, this solution is not always reliable or possible.

A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Well, these problems have been mitigated by Motorola Solutions with the introduction of the APX NEXT XN portable radio and XVN500 Remote Speaker Microphone (RSM). Launched in December 2022, it is Motorola Solutions most rugged portable radio for the fire service to date.

This smart radio is an all-band radio. It can be used with 800 MHz, 700 MHz, UHF, VHF, broadband, and Wi-Fi networks. It has voice-roam LTE (Long-Term Evolution) capability with FirstNet AT&T and Verizon networks as well as Bell Mobility in Canada. LTE is a standard for wireless data transmissions and is sometimes referred to as 4G LTE. Equipped with Smart Connect, the radio detects when a land mobile radio signal is low or lost and automatically switches to LTE connectivity, ensuring the continuity of voice communications.

For example, the 800 MHz system or whatever designated fire frequency normally is used always takes priority, and the ability to switch to a simplex channel remains a viable option. But if the 800 MHz signal is weak, intermittent, or lost completely, as in a dead zone, the smart radio will roam to the agency’s carrier network (FirstNet AT&T, Verizon, or in Canada Bell Mobility) and will automatically switch over without the firefighter having to manually change channels or manipulate the radio.

The smart radio can also roam to a Wi-Fi network and continue to transmit and receive messages if provisioned on the network or connected to a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. The quality of communication remains the same. The radio indicates that SoundConnect is active by showing blue bars on the top display panel as well as on the larger touch screen on the front of the radio. It also uses a different talk-permit tone, which alerts the firefighter that the radio has switched to an alternative network. Again, it’s done automatically and seamlessly without the firefighter doing anything.

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Fire Apparatus of the Day: April 3, 2023

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Fire Apparatus of the Day: April 3, 2023

Spartan Emergency Response—Ward No. 4 Fire Protection District, Jonesboro, LA, top-controls pumper. Freightliner M2 106 SBA 2-door cab and chassis; Cummins L9 350-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; One Touch CAFS 150-cfm system; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A single-agent foam system; Smart Power 6-kW generator. Dealer: Matt LeCamus, Delta Fire & Safety, Eunice, LA.


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Firefighter Suffers Cut to Head, Concussion When Tree Limb Falls on Fire Truck During Windstorm

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Firefighter Suffers Cut to Head, Concussion When Tree Limb Falls on Fire Truck During Windstorm

PRESS RELEASE

The Colson (KY) Volunteer Fire Department made the following post on Facebook April 1:

The Colson Fire Department received several calls April 1 for service due to the high wind storm surge that we have experienced the last 24 hours. While responding from one call to another, Firefighter/Captain Ricky Simmons was responding to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 7N at approximately 1500Hrs (3pm). While responding CPT. Simmons was operating CFD Engine-1 when a tree fell off the side of the hill and struck the apparatus. CPT. Simmons went to the ER for his injuries sustained in accident. CPT. Simmons suffered an abrasion to his head and a concussion but thankfully he is OK and back home, the accident could have been much worse. This just shows what first responders are willing to sacrifice every time a call comes out.

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Overland Park (KS) Breaks Ground on Reconstruction of Fire Station 41

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Overland Park (KS) Breaks Ground on Reconstruction of Fire Station 41

PRESS RELEASE

The reconstruction of Fire Station 41 is officially underway. The city of Overland Park broke ground at the site of the new fire station on Wednesday, March 29. The new facility will be built on the same site as the recently-demolished fire station located at 7550 W. 75th Street. 

Mayor Curt Skoog spoke to event attendees about the significance of the new fire station. He and City Manager Lori Curtis Luther participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking alongside Fire Chief Bryan Dehner and Overland Park Fire Department staff as well as city and county officials.

With an emphasis on sanitation and the safety of staff, the design of the new Fire Station 41 will prevent contamination by including new decontamination areas and providing additional space and facilities between equipment and living spaces.

Fire Station 41 will also address new design best practices for equipment and personnel, including individual, gender inclusive living quarters and restrooms. An extended driveway along with two back-in truck bays and two drive-through truck bays will allow fire trucks to easily return to the station with minimal impact to drivers on 75th Street. 

Prior to the demolition of the original fire station, the City renovated the decommissioned Marty Pool House to use as a temporary fire station during construction. This allows fire crews to provide the same level of responsiveness to emergency calls within the district. 

The new facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. 

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Harrisburg (AR)’s New $1.2M Fire Station Wastes No Time Getting Up And Running

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Harrisburg (AR)’s New $1.2M Fire Station Wastes No Time Getting Up And Running

After six months, construction is complete on a new state-of-the-art fire station in Harrisburg, kait8.com reported.

The project, which started in Sept. 2022, cost about $1.2 million, none of which was funded by grants, according to the report. The station will lower the ISO rating of Harrisburg, the report said.

The department is finishing up the kitchen and hopes to have all its gear moved in by the end of April. However, it will also keep its current station open for operation, according to the report.

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Ocean City (MD) Fire Department Breaks Ground on New $10.6M Midtown Station

Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Ocean City (MD) Fire Department Breaks Ground on New $10.6M Midtown Station

PRESS RELEASE

The Ocean City Fire Department officially broke ground on the new Midtown Fire Station 3 on Monday, March 27.

The 23,504 square-foot, two-story facility carries a $10.6 million price tag, should take 12 months to complete, and will be paid for with bonds issued last year, oceancitytoday.com reported.

One of the key features of the new facility is the independently ventilated turnout gear storage and multi-tier decontamination suite. These elements are crucial in preventing cancer in firefighters, as exposure to toxic chemicals and smoke can increase the risk of developing cancer. The new station’s design demonstrates the city’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its firefighters.

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone for the Ocean City Fire Department,” said Fire Chief Richie Bowers. “We are excited to have a state-of-the-art facility that will allow us to better serve the community and provide our firefighters with the necessary tools and resources to keep them safe.”

The building was designed by MW Studios, a Maryland-based architectural firm with extensive experience in designing fire stations and other public safety facilities. The contractor selected for the project is Delmarva Veteran Builders (DVB), a company founded by Navy veteran Chris Eccleston in 2013. DVB’s goal is to provide quality construction while maintaining a 50% veteran, guard, and reservist workforce.

The new station will replace the existing Station 3, located at 74th Street and Coastal Highway. The first floor includes four double deep, drive-through apparatus bays, independently ventilated turnout gear storage, and a multi-tier decontamination suite. Three independent mezzanines provide auxiliary storage, host various in-station high angle training exercises, and a dedicated fully enclosed fitness area.

The front and rear egress stairs are designed in a manner that allows them to be utilized for training, providing vital space for EMT’s and firefighters to hone their skills. The building was also designed with the coastal environment in mind, ensuring it can withstand whatever inclement weather is thrown at it.

“We are proud to invest in our fire and emergency medical services with the construction of this new facility,” said City Manager Terry McGean. “The new station will not only enhance our ability to serve the community but also provide a safer and more efficient work environment for our firefighters and EMS clinicians.”

Construction on the new station is expected to be completed by late Summer of 2024.

Become Part of History

All supporters of the Ocean City Fire Department are encouraged to purchase a brick paver to become a permanent part of our distinct entranceway. This is an excellent opportunity to show your support for our firefighters and EMS providers while becoming a part of the Ocean City Fire Department for the rest of your life.

Your donation will help fund furniture, fixtures, and equipment, enabling us to provide the best service possible to our community. Whether you purchase a brick with your name, the name of a loved one, or in honor of a firefighter or veteran

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Reconfiguring a Dangerous Intersection in St. Augustine (FL) Could Mean Moving a Fire Station

Posted: Apr 2, 2023

Reconfiguring a Dangerous Intersection in St. Augustine (FL) Could Mean Moving a Fire Station

The spot where A1A (Anastasia Boulevard) hits Red Cox Drive has had a history of crashes, some of them deadly, firstcoastnews.com reported.

The Florida Department of Transportation has paid for traffic studies in the area, the report said.

The studies propose plans to reconfigure the intersection. One option is loosely called the “peanut” and another option was nicknamed the “dog bone.” And the option the city of St. Augustine and the state are considering the most seems to be a third option – a roundabout, according to the report.

However, it means the St. Augustine fire station at that intersection would have to relocate. The latest idea being floated is to build a new fire station about a half a mile away in a wooded area immediately across from the St. Augustine Amphitheater, the report said.

A flyer about the plan from the city of St. Augustine states the current fire station was built in 1995 and “is painfully undersized and underequipped at 2,700 square feet.”

To schedule a meeting or provide input, email CityFire@CityStAug.com.

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FDNY Chief Who Oversaw Fireboat Unit Involved in Fatal Crash Forced to Retire: Lawsuit

Posted: Apr 2, 2023

FDNY Chief Who Oversaw Fireboat Unit Involved in Fatal Crash Forced to Retire: Lawsuit

Thomas Tracy
New York Daily News
(TNS)

Chief Richard Blatus during an FDNY promotions ceremony on June 1, 2017. (Todd Maisel)

An FDNY chief who oversaw the department’s firefighting boats — including one involved in a fatal East River crash last year — has been forced to turn in his retirement papers, court papers reveal.

Chief Richard Blatus was FDNY’s acting chief of operations at the time of the June 17, 2022 incident that took the life of Johnny Beernaert, a Belgian firefighter aboard the fireboat Marine 1 Bravo on a tour in the East River.

A month after the crash, Blatus was moved to another position. He eventually put in papers for his retirement, which sources said took formal effect Thursday.

A lawsuit filed by a group of FDNY chiefs and Daily News sources say Blatus, 63, was browbeaten into retirement by the Fire Department.

Jim Walden, a lawyer who says he represents Blatus as well as the chiefs who sued Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, called Blatus’ demotion an example of the commissioner’s “terrible decision making,” carried out “without cause” and “illegally.”

Walden said he and his clients “look forward to deposing the commissioner, to explore the reasons she violated standard operating procedure” in Blatus’ case.

A call to Blatus for comment was not immediately returned.

Blatus is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit by high-ranking chiefs who claim they were harassed, maligned and ultimately demoted because they were too old in Kavanagh’s eyes. But his retirement highlights tactics used to get older FDNY chiefs to retire, say sources and legal papers.

The lawsuit, filed March 23, also alleges that the nighttime fireboat joyride that took Beernaert’s life was initiated by a retired FDNY captain who “activated FDNY’s Marine 1 Bravo and took civilians on a ride without authorization.” The captain had retired from the department before the crash, sources said.

A source with knowledge of the case confirmed that the retired captain cajoled an active FDNY member to pilot the boat, but never asked anyone of a higher rank for permission to take the vessel out.

Beernaert, his wife, the retired FDNY captain and the captain’s wife were on a nighttime ride on the East River aboard Marine 1 Bravo when the fireboat coll

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