Emergency Reporting (ER), a leader in cloud-based Fire and EMS records management, has released a free, impartial e-book to assist fire chiefs, IT managers, and fire/EMS administrators who are searching for the right Records Management System (RMS) for their departments. The Fire/EMS Software Buyer’s Guide is available for download on ER’s Web site.

The free Buyer’s Guide outlines the top things to consider when purchasing new Fire and EMS RMS software (such as hardware and network requirements), as well as the key features that a high-quality RMS should include (such as a fully-integrated ePCR). The guide also includes a handy checklist to use during every stage of the process.

“Fire and EMS agencies often spend a vast amount of time searching for, comparing and selecting a high-quality records management system that will meet their needs for accurate and efficient incident reporting, data management and other station management tasks,” said Stewart Smith, Product Owner at ER. “The options can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. We created this resource to help make this often-difficult decision an easy one to make.”

Download the free Fire/EMS Software Buyer’s Guide here: http://info.emergencyreporting.com/fire-ems-rms-buyers-guide. For more information about Emergency Reporting’s Records Management System, visit www.emergencyreporting.com, or click here for a free trial: https://explore.emergencyreporting.com/get-a-free-trial/.

Cottage Grove (MN) Fire Department Fire Chief Rick Redenius (middle left) and and Cottage Grove Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief PJ McMahon (middle right) receive a Ram Air T4-MU Gear Dryer from Lance Dornn of Ram Air (far right) and Scott Bakos of Jefferson Fire (far left), Ram Air’s authorized dealer for Minnesota. The gear dryer was awarded to the Cottage Grove Fire Department as part of Ram Air’s 2017 Hometown Heroes Gear Dryer Giveaway.

Photo courtesy of RiverTown Multimedia.

Rick Redenius of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, was recently announced as the winner of Ram Air’s Hometown Heroes Gear Dryer Giveaway. Redenius was awarded a Ram Air T4-MU Gear Dryer for the Cottage Grove Fire Department—the fire department he serves in.

Sponsored by Ram Air Gear Dryer, the 2017 Hometown Heroes Gear Dryer Giveaway marks the second year Ram Air has conducted this sweepstakes. Established as a salute to the firefighters that serve our country, the Hometown Heroes Gear Dryer Giveaway was open to employees, volunteers or retirees of any fire department within the United States of Canada. The contest closed on December 31, 2017.

“As a firefighter-owned company, we have a sincere appreciation of preserving the safety of firefighters and those they serve. Our gear dryers help reduce the risks associated with dirty, wet gear and, as such, we are thrilled to give the Cottage Grove Fire Department the tools they need to ensure the safety of their firefighters,” said Lance Dornn, president of Ram Air.

Chosen from more than 2,200 entries, Redenius entered the sweepstakes online after hearing about it at an industry trade show.

 “We are very excited to be receiving such a fine gear drying unit and cannot wait to get it into service,” said Redenius, deputy director of public safety – fire chief, Cottage Grove Fire Department. “We currently wash gear after any interior fire response but due to budgeting issues have not had a gear dryer in the past.”

For more information or to find your nearest Ram Air dealer, please visit www.ramairgeardryer.com or contact us at 855-393-3379 (USA) or 888-393-3379 (Canada).

About Ram Air
A firefighter-owned company, Ram Air provides a full range of dryers made exclusively for drying personal protective equipment including bunker gear, immersion/hazmat suits, helmets, gloves, boots, face masks and SCBAs. Their patented dryers use heated or ambient air with powerful fans that push air through gear from the inside out. The large volume of air effectively dries gear in a fraction of the time—getting firefighters back to action fast. NFPA compliant, Ram Air Gear Dryers are built with the highest quality components and set standards beyond any other competitor’s products. The company strives to provide unmatched customer service and quality products that ensure personnel gear is in top operating condition—ultimately preserving the safety of firefighters and those they serve.

A fire in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle consumed a building, causing a nearby apartment complex to be evacuated. Seattle fire crews said they arrived at the 400 block of Bowdoin Place early Thursday morning and worked to put out the flames at a vacant building. Residents in a nearby apartment complex were evacuated for safety, because of the heavy smoke that came from the structure.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2018 6:49:22 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7

Firefighter Ralph A. Brown II from the Cobb County (GA) Fire and Emergency Services is the recipient of the 2018 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award. Ralph A. Brown II has been a member of the fire service since 2005 and serves with Cobb County’s Technical Rescue Team, Squad 4 on C-Shift. He joined the technical rescue team in 2011.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Fire Engineering

Some friends forget to call Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo on his birthday, but they always remember to reach out every March 15. Tragedy struck the Pittston area that day in 1993 when his brother John, 25, a Pittston firefighter, and Leonard Insalaco, 20, a West Pittston fireman, died in a ferocious blaze on North Main Street in the city.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice