Washington’s wildfire seasons are arriving earlier, and that’s probably not good news for anyone hoping to avoid a repeat of the sun-choking smoke that has afflicted Seattle and much of the rest of the state for the last couple of summers. So what’s being done to prepare for and contain the blazes? On Episode 107 of The Overcast, The Seattle Times news and politics podcast, we put those questions to state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, the elected official who manages state forestland and wildfire-fighting efforts.
- PUB DATE: 5/14/2019 1:51:25 PM - SOURCE: Wenatchee World

The Fire Department Safety Officer Association (FDSOA) announced Royal P. Mortenson, Director, Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) will be the keynote speaker for the 2020 Health and Safety Forum to be held in January 13-16, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mortenson has served as the Director for the IFSI since September 2012. He sets direction for all activities and training of the institute. In addition, he is also a sitting member of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), supporting the Director of IEMA and the all-hazard state-wide disaster response capability. Mortenson represents the Illinois fire service, the University of Illinois, and IFSI in Springfield and Washington, D.C.

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Colonel Mortenson studies include the National War College (2004-05), National Defense University, in Washington DC where he earned a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies; Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting (1998-2000) earning a Masters Degree in Military Studies and the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School (1990-91). Colonel Mortenson also holds a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Mortenson’s keynote will focus on leadership and is titled Leadership Maxims for the Individual: 12 Maxims that Define Who You Are as a Leader and he will describe the foundation of good leadership and of being a good leader thru 12 maxims (rules to live by) that are essential for successful leadership.  Mortenson will also offer a program during the Apparatus Maintenance & Specification Symposium, January 13^th to 15^th.

FDSOA Chairman, Eric Valliere, added “As your Chairman, I am thrilled that Colonel Mortenson has agreed to be our keynote speaker at the January 2020 conference in beautiful Scottsdale Arizona. He brings a diverse background and knowledge base as a leader that he is excited to share. As you know, leadership is a fundamental need in the Fire Service at all levels and a necessity to be a respected Safety Officer.”

The FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium will be held Monday, January 13^th to Wednesday, January 15th. Concurrently the FDSOA Safety Forum will offer the two-day Incident Safety Officer Academy and the Health & Safety Officer Academy on January 13-15th. The 5 Reads class will be offered Monday, January 13^th and a Sets and Reps training will be held off-site on Tuesday, January 14^th, 2020.

For more information visit: www.fdsoa.org

Clark County Fire & Rescue recognized multiple community heroes on Thursday, May 9 at Fire Station 21. Local citizen Suzanne Koller, CRESA Dispatch Supervisor Julie Walker and Ridgefield police officers Tyler King and Andrew Marvitz all received the Fire Chief’s Life Saving award for providing critical life-saving care to Suzanne’s mother in law during a heart attack.
- PUB DATE: 5/14/2019 7:21:10 AM - SOURCE: The Reflector.com

Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) announces its line of safety webbing and tapes, ideal for demanding fire and rescue applications.

BRM’s safety webbing and tapes are ideal for applications requiring flame and heat resistance high tenacity, and abrasion resistance. The fibers that are available are Nylon, Nomex^®, Kevlar^®, Vectran^®, PBI^®, Nextel^®, and other specialty fiber solutions. BRM’s Safety webbing and tapes can be used for shoulder straps, harness webbing, and chin straps, as well as helmet suspension, binding tapes, lap belts, and shock absorbing webbing.

BRM’s safety webbing and tapes line includes performance materials that meet United States (NFPA) requirements for fire fighters’ protective clothing and equipment:

• Protective Clothing and Ensembles for Proximity Fire Fighting – Component (NFPA 1971-2018)
• Protective Garments, Hoods and Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting – Component (NFPA 1971-2018)
• Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting – Component (NPFA 1977-2016)

BRM’s American-made safety webbing and tapes offer conductivity, dimensional stability and strength, and can help to minimize weight and size. They are excellent choices for controlled elongation applications as well as those requiring chemical resistance in specific environments.

For more information about BRM safety webbings and tapes, visit www.ballyribbon.com/safety-webbing.