VFIS announced the launch of ResponderHelp.com, an emergency responder’s one-stop free resource. ResponderHelp.com was developed and administered by VFIS but offers content sourced from a broad variety of leading industry specialists.

The website was developed to serve as a gift to the emergency service community in celebration of VFIS’ 50th anniversary – and, as is customary of a true gift, using ResponderHelp.com is free!

There is no other known system that contains such a vast array of emergency service-related content available in today’s marketplace. VFIS saw this as an opportunity to create a tool that would have a positive and meaningful impact on a group of people who help others and serve their communities every day.

ResponderHelp.com currently houses 2,000+ free resources for emergency service organizations, including standard operating guidelines, technical bulletins, training materials, articles, checklists and videos – and new content is being added weekly. While most of the website’s resources will be free to everyone, select materials will either be available for free to VFIS clients or available for purchase to non-clients.

Responders can browse topics based on what’s new, what’s trending or what’s on their mind. The resources on ResponderHelp.com will provide answers and insight, and there will also be the opportunity to create a free account and ask subject matter experts additional questions, as well as to read questions that have been asked by other users. Those who register will also have the ability to build personal resource libraries, which could be especially useful for leaders/trainers who are building training and educational programs for their members.

To provide the most comprehensive resource library, ResponderHelp.com offers content from not only VFIS, but the United States Fire Administration, Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association/Emergency Responder Safety Institute, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section, Drexel University and selected National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer applied research papers.

“We are honored to be in a position where we can give back to an industry that welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to serve alongside them over the years. In return, we wanted to create a truly state-of-the-art resource that would assist them in their efforts to serve their communities,” said Troy Markel, President of VFIS. “Our mission to serve as true partners to emergency responders has remained consistent and true over the last 50 years and will continue for 50 more and beyond.”

ResponderHelp.com was officially unveiled at the Fire-Rescue International (FRI) conference in Atlanta on August 8, 2019. A reception was held for industry leaders and media personnel where they learned how the site works and received hands-on demonstrations.

A recent survey found four fire stations are among the 13 busiest in the country, with D.C.’s Fire Station 30 answering the fourth most calls in the nation, reports WTOP.

According to the 2018 National Run Survey, the station went on 22,319 runs last year. Fire stations in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Nashville and Baltimore ranked higher.

"We’re really proud of the members of the DC Fire and EMS Department who run these amazing number of calls on a daily basis, and provide the kind of service that they do to the citizens," a spokesman for D.C. Fire and EMS, said.

A Boulder Fire Department donated fire equipment to Puerto Vallarta, reports PVDN.

The donation consisted of 50 fire suits and nozzles to regulate the water jets.

The intention is to establish a relationship and continue to donate equipment to Puerto Valarta.