Safe Fleet Fire, EMS and Industrial (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce and welcome the addition of Kurtis Rood as a member of the North American sales team. In his new role, Kurtis will be responsible for supporting Midwestern OEM customers and dealers while expanding use of our portfolio of safety products. He joins Safe Fleet from TTI (Milwaukee Tool) where he was a territory rep in charge of generating new growth opportunities. Prior to TTI, Kurtis completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas where he graduated with a double major in Management and Marketing. His office will be based out of the Chicago, Illinois area.

Please feel free to contact Kurtis at:

Phone: 815-762-4712
Email: kurtis.rood@safefleet.net

Following its split from Ramsey and recent inaugural page, the Nowthen (MN) Fire Department is commissioned to serve, reports StarTribune.com.

Nowthen became a city 13 years ago and contracted with neighboring Ramsey for fire services, but costs and needs in the two cities led to separate departments. Upwards of 15 Ramsey firefighters will now serve Nowthen.

As Nowthen leaves its arrangement with Ramsey, it will take with it a fire engine, tanker, rescue rig, hoses, air packs, and other equipment. Nowthen also gains the fire station at 19888 NW. Nowthen Boulevard.

Y-12 National Security Complex (TN) recently broke ground on two new buildings to replace their 1940’s-era predecessors, reports msn.com.

A new fire station is expected to be completed by December 2022, which will replace the current station, which was built in 1947.

In addition, Y-12 is currently working on a new emergency operations center building—expected to be ready in early 2023—to replace the current one built during World War II.

Vector Solutions, the leading provider of computer-based training and operational management applications for public safety agencies, is teaming up with the IAFC’s Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) for the eighth year in a row to deliver the 2021 Training Officer Recognition Award.

For the last seven years, Vector Solutions, formerly known as TargetSolutions, has worked with the VCOS to provide this prestigious annual award to an exceptional training officer who shows an extraordinary commitment to firefighter safety and training innovation. However, this eighth year is unlike any other, as agencies have been forced to think even more outside the box to maintain safety protocols while still achieving training goals during the pandemic.

“This award recognizes creativity in training and over the last year, there has certainly been a need for innovation in how agencies go about completing their vital training assignments and exercises,” said Vector Solutions Executive Vice President Alex Berry. “It’s our mission at Vector Solutions to help fire departments train personnel, so they are safer and more effective. It’s an honor for us to once again partner with the IAFC’s VCOS, which shares the same mission as we do, to present this special award.”

The award, which is now open for nominations, acknowledges exemplary conduct by a training officer for their innovation and effectiveness when delivering training. Nominees should be chiefs, training officers, or others well-acquainted with training. Additionally, they must be an IAFC member or come from a department where the department or the chief is an active IAFC member.

“Well trained firefighters are critical to providing the level of service expected by the public; based on past submissions for the Training Officer Recognition Award, the fire service is not only working to meet those expectations, but to exceed them,” said Asst. Chief Ken Sedlak of the Avon Volunteer (CT) Fire Department. “This past year has been challenging, yet training officers are ensuring that their members are receiving the training necessary to continue providing a high level of service.  Vector Solutions and VCOS are once again thrilled to work together to recognize the work done by training officers, and subsequently, all of the members of the fire service.

The winner will be recognized at Fire-Rescue International, scheduled for July 28-30. Last year’s winner, Karl Neubecker of Ellington (CT) Fire Department, is expected to be recognized after the IAFC canceled 2020’s in-person FRI conference due to COVID.

Applications for the award are being accepted now through June 4. Please click here to submit an online nomination.

About the IAFC’s VCOS
VCOS provides chiefs and chief officers who manage volunteers within a volunteer or combination fire, rescue or EMS delivery system with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism. The VCOS mission is to provide chiefs a

A Highland Park (IL) house that was once a fire station serving the now-decommissioned Fort Sheridan military base has sold for $1.2 million, reports ChicagoTribune.com.

The five-bedroom, 5,400-square-foot vintage brick house was built around 1893 and designed by the Holabird & Roche architectural firm. It was converted from a station to a single-family home after the military base closed in 1993, then it was completely renovated and expanded in 2004.

Public records did not identify the buyers.