The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) in cooperation with Darley and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA), is pleased to announce the dates of the 2021 Virtual Fire Apparatus Conference. On May 18 and 19, 2021, 11:00AM – 3:00PM EST, the only conference dedicated to providing a better understanding to emergency vehicle technicians of fire apparatus and ambulances will be held virtually for the first time.

Presentations will be given from leading apparatus and equipment manufacturers to help emergency vehicle technicians stay on top of trends and industry changes despite the restrictions on travel and department budgets. Vendor sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Eric Valliere, chairman of the FDSOA board of directors said, “Our team has spent countless hours developing a program that will bring you the most relevant and authentic training.”

Registration for the online conference is $50.00. To take advantage of this opportunity, please visit www.fdsoa.org.

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) was established in 1989 as a non-profit association, incorporated in Massachusetts. In 2013, the offices moved to Michigan. Its mission is to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue and emergency services community. The association is led by a volunteer board of directors and has a small staff to handle the day-to-day operations. The association is dedicated to the issues that affect the critical role of the safety officer in protecting and promoting the safety and health responsibilities of fire departments, communities and first responders. FDSOA works to helps fire departments achieve proficiency and promote the recognition of training, skills and a secure future. In May 2016, FDSOA won the Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for its work over 28 years, “as an organization fully dedicated to the health and safety of the nation’s firefighters.”

FDSOA can be found on the web at www.fdsoa.org. Please follow FDSOA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Orlando, FL – Have you ever wondered if the product you are buying really does what it claims? In the fire service, this can mean a difference of life or death. Jason A. Ramos, the owner of Product Research Gear, understands this. He has spent more than three decades in the fire service, including serving as an elite smokejumper.
Jason started Product Research Gear to independently test and evaluate gear, including items designed specifically for the fire service. From consultation and evaluation to product design with leading companies, Jason has been working with gear for over three decades. His company calls on the experiences and insights of true professionals in some of the most rigorous fields and tough, real-world conditions. PRg does not accept ANY money for any evaluations, nor are any of the PRg cadre paid anything for their time and efforts in evaluating products and gear.
PRg conducts a three-phased analysis that takes a minimum of a full year. This exhaustive evaluation starts with analyzing the prospective company, where the product is manufactured, the company’s mission and core principles, customer service, and product reputation. If a company meets PRg’s standards, the gear/product is brought in for the second phase – physical review for beta testing with the PRg cadre. The final phase puts the gear into live evaluation. If it passes the comprehensive and lengthy evaluation, it is included in Product Research Gear’s “Circle of Trust.”
PRg has been evaluating various wipes for 10 years, desperately looking for one that would stand up to their rigorous assessment. Nothing met their standards until they were introduced to Responder Wipes. After a thorough review and field testing of Responder Wipes, they have been included in the “Circle of Trust.”
“We were excited that Product Research Gear was interested in evaluating our wipes,” says Tonya Herbert, president of Responder Wipes. “We recognized and appreciated that the process that PRg put gear and products through was to ensure that it would meet the demands of the fire service. We were confident our product would pass muster and are excited to be included in the ‘Circle of Trust.’”
Mr. Ramos states, “My first experience with this type of product dates back to the early 2000’s with a ‘shower in a bag’. Since then, I have seen and evaluated various types of products in this arena. Some were ok, and some unsatisfactory. The main issue I was finding is that I couldn’t find a company that really did their homework for a top-tier solution. Factors include ingredients, durability, scent – but most of all, it has to work. Wildland firefighters can go many days without a shower and when you do use a wipe-type product you want it to work, not leave you sticky or smelling so bad you can’t even handle it. We have evaluated Responder Wipes for over a year in all types of uses and across the U.S. I’m happy we have finally found a product we can recommend and even use on a daily basis if need

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According to a report from Discover Humboldt, the Watrous Fire Department (WFD) in Saskatchewan, Canada, has upgraded its fleet to now include a new Brush 5 Wildland Operations Vehicle. This new unit will replace the WFD’s 1976 dodge, also known as Engine 2.

The truck was purchased through Rural Municipalities within the WFD’s response zone. At just over $300,000, the F-550 Cabin Chassis offers a number of features including several storage compartments for equipment and the ability to accommodate five firefighters.

In addition, one of the exterior seats has a roll cage to prevent injury. Lastly, water nozzles adorn the front bumper to spray the perimeter of any grass fire.

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According to a report from Lake & McHenry County Scanner, the Waukegan (IL) Fire Department (WFD) has taken receipt of a new aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) truck to respond to the Waukegan Airport. The vehicle replaces the WFD’s current 30-year-old truck.

On Friday afternoon, the WFD held a dedication ceremony was held Friday afternoon at the Waukegan National Airport on 3530 North McAree Road.

The ceremony began with WFD Chief George Bridges, Jr. addressing attendees and members of the media.

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, Waukegan Port District Chairman Grant Farrell, and Waukegan National Airport General Manager Skip Goss also spoke at the event. Following their remarks, the WFD presented the new Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 ARFF truck.

The vehicle cost approximately $750,000 and replaced the WFD’s current ARFF truck, which was 30 years old and beyond economic repair. The truck was funded by the Waukegan Airport tenants and Waukegan Port District.

Following the ceremony, firefighters pushed the apparatus into the WFD Station #5, which is located on the airport property.

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