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Posted: Jul 16, 2019

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute Launches Close Before You Doze Video Contest

July 16, 2019 (Columbia, MD) –UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) launched today a nationwide contest aimed at spreading the Close Before You Doze fire safety message. This public safety campaign encourages everyone to close all the doors in their homes each night before bed as research conducted by UL FSRI shows that in a home fire, a closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames. Now, UL FSRI is looking for the public’s help to share this message via videos that educate viewers on the importance of closing bedroom doors. The creative interpretations of this life-saving message will raise awareness and promote fire safety, and UL FSRI has committed to donating funds to the winners’ local fire department, or department of their choosing, to put toward fire safety education.

The contest is open now through Aug. 31, 2019. All qualifying submissions will be published on CloseYourDoor.org/contest, and the public will vote to determine the top eight finalists. The public voting period will run Sept. 3-15, 2019, and a panel of UL representatives will select the top contestants from the eight finalists. The winners, who will be announced in Oct. ahead of Fire Prevention Week, will receive a donation in their name to their local fire department, or fire department of their choosing, with a grand prize donation of $25,000. The runner-up and second runner-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, and five additional winners will be recognized with a $5,000 donation and honorable mention.

“We want this video contest to inspire passionate, creative minds across the country to develop fresh, innovative and memorable ways to deliver the Close Before You Doze message,” said Zoe Susice, director of strategy and marketing at UL FSRI. “We’re open to all creative interpretations – if you are a singer, write a song about fire safety and film your performance; if you have graphic design skills, make an animated short; or if you are pet-obsessed, your animal can be the star and tell people to Close Before You Doze.”

Brad Tanner, aka Brad the Dad, created a Close Before Your Doze music video which will be released today at 7 p.m. ET to inspire contest entrants. A member of the fire service community, Tanner took a creative spin on sharing this critical message.

“We were surprised and impressed by Brad’s informative, edgy and catchy song,” continued Susice. “We’re excited to see what others come up with over the course of the contest.”

For more information about the contest and to submit a video, please visit CloseYourDoor.org/contest.

About UL FSRI:

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire research knowledge and develops cutting edge, practical fire service education aimed at helping firefighters stay safe while more effectively protecting people and property. Guided by a global advisory board comprised of fire service personnel, UL FSRI investigates residential, commercial, and industrial fires through full-scale testing, field-testing, and modeling to replicate actual fires faced by firefighters. Research results are shared through interactive training courses that have reached hundreds of thousands of firefighters globally. To learn more, visit ULFirefighterSafety.org. Follow UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute on Read more

Posted: Jul 16, 2019

Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019

Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019


It’s never easy to put into words what the FDIC International experience is. This year, I have to say I would sum up my experience with one word: traffic.

During the course of three days’ worth of exhibits, I find myself traversing the show floor many, many times. According to my fitness tracker, my average number of steps on the exhibit days was 18,814. And, for all of them I found myself stuck in traffic. I’ve been doing this routine for a while now, and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes to get from place to place. But, every time I went to make my way to another location, the number of people in the aisles slowed me down more than normal this year—which is a great thing.

No doubt this year saw even more products than last year designed with reducing firefighter exposure to carcinogens in mind. Whether wipes, clean cabs, particulate-blocking personal protective equipment (PPE), or others, there is a concerted effort industrywide to help firefighters reduce their exposure to harmful contaminants or decon themselves after exiting a contaminated atmosphere.

 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)

1 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)

The exhibits continued to perfectly complement the hands-on training and classroom instruction firefighters received all week. After using and discussing many of the products on the floor, firefighters got to see them up close and personal during the exhibits and got to talk to, many times, the product managers who helped develop the products.

In terms of my own observations, technology continues to be a focal point of the industry, making our fire apparatus smarter and improving the quality of technology we carry with us to help locate victims or our own crews. PPE manufacturers continue to enhance their product offerings for comfort and protection—which is not an easy combination to master while maintaining maximum breathability.

 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)

2 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)

I did notice a lot of “buzz” around aerial products this year, as many manufacturers worked to enhance existing product lines as well create new ones. More and more, fire apparatus builders are working with their vendors to help end users build rigs that m

Read more
Posted: Jul 16, 2019

Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019

Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019


It’s never easy to put into words what the FDIC International experience is. This year, I have to say I would sum up my experience with one word: traffic.

During the course of three days’ worth of exhibits, I find myself traversing the show floor many, many times. According to my fitness tracker, my average number of steps on the exhibit days was 18,814. And, for all of them I found myself stuck in traffic. I’ve been doing this routine for a while now, and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes to get from place to place. But, every time I went to make my way to another location, the number of people in the aisles slowed me down more than normal this year—which is a great thing.

No doubt this year saw even more products than last year designed with reducing firefighter exposure to carcinogens in mind. Whether wipes, clean cabs, particulate-blocking personal protective equipment (PPE), or others, there is a concerted effort industrywide to help firefighters reduce their exposure to harmful contaminants or decon themselves after exiting a contaminated atmosphere.

 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)

1 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)

The exhibits continued to perfectly complement the hands-on training and classroom instruction firefighters received all week. After using and discussing many of the products on the floor, firefighters got to see them up close and personal during the exhibits and got to talk to, many times, the product managers who helped develop the products.

In terms of my own observations, technology continues to be a focal point of the industry, making our fire apparatus smarter and improving the quality of technology we carry with us to help locate victims or our own crews. PPE manufacturers continue to enhance their product offerings for comfort and protection—which is not an easy combination to master while maintaining maximum breathability.

 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)

2 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)

I did notice a lot of “buzz” around aerial products this year, as many manufacturers worked to enhance existing product lines as well create new ones. More and more, fire apparatus builders are working with their vendors to help end users build rigs that m

Read more
Posted: Jul 16, 2019

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue responds to house fire

On the morning of Friday, July 12, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue crews responded to a 911 call reporting a residential fire in the area of Westcott Bay on San Juan Island. Upon arrival, firefighters found the home to have smoke emanating from vents under the home. The owner of the home had evacuated with his pets and there were no injuries.
- PUB DATE: 7/16/2019 1:42:25 AM - SOURCE: Journal of the San Juans
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Posted: Jul 16, 2019

Thurston County Firefighters Save Century-Old Family Barn in Bald Hills Area

A nearly century-old barn owned by a family in the Bald Hills area is still standing after hay within the structure spontaneously combusted Thursday evening, charring and damaging support beams inside. Firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 13847 148th Ave. SE at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11.
- PUB DATE: 7/16/2019 1:42:23 AM - SOURCE: Nisqually Valley News
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