The Clark County Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners has chosen John Nohr, Division Chief at Portland Fire and Rescue and a 27-year Clark County resident, as the agency’s new chief administrator. Commissioners extended a conditional offer of employment to Nohr last week, CCFR interim administrator Ron Oliver said.
- PUB DATE: 3/17/2016 2:14:18 AM - SOURCE: The Reflector.com

Minneapolis city officials are launching a paid emergency medical services training program in an effort to diversify its fire department and open a path into the medical field for people of color. The city's fire department is 71 percent white and 88 percent male. "We want to reduce barriers," said city spokeswoman Erica Prosser.
- PUB DATE: 3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Star Tribune

Staff at Travis County’s air rescue outfit will likely have to come to grips with the possibility that they will never know exactly what caused one of their colleagues to fall to her death during a patient rescue nearly a year ago, their leader said Wednesday. With no evidence of any equipment failure, the federal agency tasked with investigating the death of STAR Flight rescuer Kristin McLain, 46, determined that she was likely not properly attached to the helicopter’s hoist when she fell about 100 feet during a rescue in the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
- PUB DATE: 3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: statesman

According to BusinessInsurance.com, the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is contemplating new regulations aimed specifically at firefighters. Published last week, the article lists several areas that OSHA is looking at, including mandatory medical examinations to help address the cardiac risk and banning sliding poles due to injuries.
- PUB DATE: 3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firelawblog.com

Tucson Fire Chief Jim Critchley is proposing to cut $4.7 million from the department budget — which includes possible job demotions — in a belt-tightening measure to help the city’s budget woes. The proposal was released in a memo from the chief to all employees. Some of the changes may begin before July.
- PUB DATE: 3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tucson Arizona Daily Star