After a local firefighters’ union filed an “unsafe work environment” complaint with the state, claiming the Camas-Washougal Fire Department’s low staffing levels place firefighters at risk of not being able to save lives and fight fires, the city of Camas issued a statement explaining the fire department’s staffing levels, policies and protocol.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2018 1:03:39 PM - SOURCE: Camas-Washougal Post-Record

A fire has destroyed a family's mobile home at 2590 Canada View Drive, according to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue. The fire was reported at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. "The flames were all the way across the roof upon our arrival," Division Chief Henry Hollander said of the older mobile home. A couple and their four children lived there, but they were not home at the time, Hollander said.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2018 9:48:05 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald

Columbia Southern University (CSU), an online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama, will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2018.

Over the last 25 years, CSU has had more than 60,000 degree conferrals. Its degree programs have been recognized by leading national industry organizations including the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM). The online education pioneer, which now employs 1,000 faculty and staff, has posted steady growth while contributing to the economy of Baldwin County, Alabama. Maintaining a long tradition of giving, CSU is actively involved in supporting more than 35 nonprofits annually through blood drives, food drives, Relay for Life, raffles and other fund-raising efforts.

“Since its inception in 1993, CSU has strived to excel in all its endeavors,” said Eric McHaney, chief marketing officer for CSU. “From pioneering the online education industry to building a family-oriented culture where students are always first, CSU prides itself on leading the charge for change while maintaining a reputation for integrity and expertise for 25 years.”

In addition to marking its silver anniversary, CSU will be launching a rebrand on April 5, 2018. CSU’s new strategy–a fresh take on its current logo and branding–captures CSU’s exceptional academic tradition and innovative spirit.

“CSU has a rich history as a leader in the online education arena while welcoming change through innovation, creativity and progress. This new logo is a great illustration of where those two ideals collide,” added McHaney. “We are thrilled about these upcoming changes and for what’s next for CSU.”

The university will also commemorate its anniversary during the 2018 commencement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. To learn more about Columbia Southern University, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu.

RECENT CSU WEBCASTS FOR THE FIRE SERVICE

Truck Company Operations Without the Truck

Dealing with Difficult People and Their Organizational Impacts

Effecting the Rescue Through Aggressive Tactics

Lead from the Front: Fireground Tactics and Leadership

Fire Service UAS Implementation for Safe, Successful, and Sustainable Operations

Workrite Uniform Company, a manufacturer of flame-resistant (FR) and chemical-splash protective (CP) clothing, achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management systems. This accomplishment demonstrates that the company uses effective quality management practices to enhance customer satisfaction and consistently deliver quality products.

ISO is an independent international organization that brings together experts to develop standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. Its standards are implemented by more than a million organizations in over 175 countries. The ISO 9001:2015 standard focuses on requirements for establishing and maintaining optimal quality management systems.

Workrite Uniform received certification by documenting its quality objectives, procedures, and work processes; ensuring this documented system is consistently implemented; performing regular internal audits; and proactively identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. The company’s certified quality management processes encompass protective clothing design, manufacturing, garment preparation, inspections, shipping, training, customer service, and beyond.

To guarantee each of its products delivers the highest possible quality, Workrite Uniform only uses materials from the industry’s most reputable suppliers and has a team of experts dedicated to quality assurance that supervise all aspects of production. Each garment is inspected at multiple points throughout the manufacturing process, and any defects are thoroughly assessed so corrective measures can be implemented to prevent future issues.

“When it comes to protective clothing, poor quality can have devastating safety consequences,” said Victor Gonzalez, Workrite Uniform’s quality assurance manager. “Our ISO 9001:2015 certification allows us to support our promise of consistent quality with procedures that meet internationally recognized standards, offering our customers additional peace of mind.”

Prior to achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification, Workrite Uniform’s quality management systems were ISO 9001:2008 certified. While ISO 9001:2008 certification is valid until September 2018, the company’s new certification shows it is able to meet the updated requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard.

For more information about Workrite Uniform and its products, visit http://www.workrite.com. To learn more about ISO 9001:2015 certification, visit http://www.iso.org.