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Posted: Aug 14, 2017

Harvard Researchers Examine Firehouse Cancer Threat

Harvard researchers have teamed up with local fire departments to tackle a health care mystery: How does the firehouse itself increase cancer risk among firefighters? Led by postdoctoral fellow Emily Sparer, researchers including students from Harvard and MIT tested air quality in three older Boston firehouses and examined the results against air quality in a newer Arlington station, renovated roughly a decade ago to minimize transfer of pollutants from the truck bay to living quarters.
Compared with conditions inside a burning building, firehouses may seem benign places. But because firefighters spend so much time in the firehouse, even low-level exposure might be hazardous, said Professor Glorian Sorensen, director of the Harvard Chan School’s Center for Work, Health, and Well-Being and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Center for Community-Based Research, who has overseen the research.

Diesel exhaust, for example, is a carcinogen, and in older firehouses — Boston’s date from the 1800s to 1980s — the truck bays are near the living quarters. Also, the design of the buildings is such that air flows easily through doorways and the hole in the floor for the fire pole, Sparer said.

"[Fighting fires] is very important, however, a lot of firefighters actually don’t spend the majority of their shifts fighting fires," Sparer said. "They respond to car accidents or are at the fire station, where there might be other kinds of exposures that haven’t been looked at."

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Posted: Aug 14, 2017

Georgia Couple will Unveil 'Tiny Firehouse' on HGTV Show

One Central Georgia couple will soon be featured on a national television show after their decision to downsize. John and Fin Kernohan live in a tiny house, which is a home only a few hundred square feet in size.
The so-called tiny house movement has gained more attention in recent years, thanks to television shows on channels like HGTV or the DIY Network.

One of those shows called “Tiny House Big Living” will feature the couple’s latest housing project—a tiny firehouse.

The couple says their unconventional lifestyle helps them give back.

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Posted: Aug 14, 2017

New Fire Apparatus Dedicated In Bridgehampton (NY)

Fire departments from Southampton, Sag Harbor and Springs brought their ladder trucks to Bridgehampton on Sunday for the official "wet down" of several new vehicles added to the Bridgehampton Fire Department fleet.
Added to the fleet were the Bridgehampton department’s first ladder truck, a 77-foot quint that holds 750 gallons of water and 30 gallons of foam. It is known as 7-2-1.

Also added were two new ambulances, a new first responder vehicle for the department’s paid paramedic program and a new chief’s vehicle.

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Posted: Aug 14, 2017

CAL FIRE Awards $10 Million Fire Truck Contract to Boise Mobile Equipment

Sacramento, CA -  The State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, best known as CAL FIRE, has awarded roughly $10 million to Boise Mobile Equipment (BME) for production of over thirty Type-III wildland firefighting apparatuses. “Tag-on” opportunities are available to California fire departments, which allow them to save time, money and effort in purchasing fire equipment and machinery. 

“Tagging-on” is a common method used by fire departments during the purchasing process. Rather than undergo the traditional bidding process, which can often take up to a year, fire departments are able to “tag-on” to another department’s purchase order, allowing them to add their own purchases to the existing order. By tagging on to BME’s purchase order, fire departments are able to get their fire apparatus in a fast, efficient and cost-effective way. 

Boise Mobile Equipment is a fire truck manufacturer located in Boise, Idaho who has been servicing the nation’s fire, police, and emergency response professionals since 1990. BME fire apparatuses are manufactured to perform in rough terrain and extreme firefighting conditions.   BME is dedicated to providing departments with custom design options, superior craftsmanship, and rugged durability. BME offers various types of emergency vehicles including pumpers, tenders, rescues, Wildland Type 3’s, 4’s and 6’s, and a variety of command vehicles. In addition, BME provides equipment and services to law enforcement with its command vehicles, complete up-fitting, and K-9 units.

Aside from its work with CAL FIRE, BME has manufactured fire apparatus for the US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS) and multiple municipal and county fire departments throughout the United States.

For more information on Boise Mobile Equipment and its fire apparatuses, visit bmefire.com

If your department is interested in tagging on, contact sales@bmefire.com or call 800-445-8342 to be connected with a factory sales representative.

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Posted: Aug 14, 2017

2017 FIRE MECHANICS FALL CONFERENCE IMPORTANT LODGING INFORMATION

Thank you, to all that have registered for the upcoming conference! Our room block is starting to fill at the Coast Wenatchee.  You have until August 17th to reserve your room reservations at the discounted conference price.  If you haven't made your reservation yet, please call  (509) 662-1234 & ask for the "Washington Fire Mechanics" room block to receive the special rates.

 

All full up when you call?  We have you covered!  Discounted rates are also available at the Red Lion in Wenatchee.  Call (509) 663-0711and askfor the "Washington Fire Mechanics" room block.


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