The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released a free, engaging online training program to help more than 29,000 fire departments in the United States improve existing public safety drone programs and establish new drone initiatives.

Small-unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), or drones, have made a rapid transition from hobbyist toys to serious life-saving tools in recent years. Recognizing that drones can support public safety preparedness efforts and supplement emergency response tactics, fire departments across the country are expanding their use of viable drone technology. The transformation underway will likely improve public safety outcomes, while presenting new challenges for both fire service drone program administrators and the fire personnel charged with operating such aerial technologies.

“Drones offer the fire service increased situational awareness advantages during structural and wildland firefighting attack, search and rescue missions, HAZMAT assessments, and natural disaster response. And they can effectively augment public safety planning efforts, as well,” said Christian Dubay, P.E., NFPA vice president and chief engineer. “But in order to be safe and successful, it is important for fire department drone programs to be built in accordance with FAA regulations, regional rules, and the guidance found within NFPA 2400, Standard for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Used for Public Safety Operations.”

The new NFPA online learning is designed to provide recommendations and best practices so that fire departments can take their drone programs to a higher level.

The four-hour, self-paced modules with interactive videos, immersive virtual reality tools, and other dynamic components are designed to help first responders grasp and remember important drone safety information.

The new training and related content, which has been curated to assist fire service administrators and operators create, manage, and maintain drone programs that are in sync with proper public safety protocols, can be found at nfpa.org/drones. Development of the training was made possible by a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.

This latest online training offering for the fire service was spearheaded by the NFPA emerging technology team who has produced other beneficial virtual education solutions in recent years on potential emergency response hazards such as energy storage systems (ESS), alternative/electric vehicles (AFV/EV), and flammable refrigerants.

Visit nfpa.org/drones for free online training for fire service drone administrators and operators.

For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room at <

Rescue 22, a new state-of-the-art emergency vehicle was welcome by El Paso (TX) firefighters at a wet-down ceremony on Thursday (Oct. 21), according to a report published by CBS4 News.

The wet down ceremony dates back into the 1800s we crews washed the apparatus, hand-dried them and then pushed them back into the station, by hand, the television station reported.

The new truck will replace a 10-year-old apparatus with 315,000 miles on it, the station reported.

The Monroe County (GA) Fire Department is set to purchase 12 new fire trucks at a cost of $6 million, as County officials recently approved borrowing the money for the purchase.

The deal includes 10-year financing at a 2.15% interest rate and a 6-year comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The money will also go toward the purchase of hoses, nozzles, and other equipment, valued at about $30,000 per engine.

Officials say the first six trucks are expected to arrive within two months, and the next six within six months.

A tire blow out on a Harrington (DE) fire truck caused it to wreck on Route 1 on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 23) as it returned from a big parade in Wilmington, according to a report published by WDEL.com, adding there were no injuries

According to the report, the truck was returning from the Wilmington Fire Department Centennial parade, traveling southbound on zRoute 1 in the center lane when the tire failure occurred, causing the rig to fishtail and sending it into the wire safety median. The truck ending up partially in the northbound left lane.

A pickup truck in the northbound lanes, didn’t hit the fire truck, but was hit by debris, the station reported, adding that no injuries were reported.