Saturday, November 21, 2009

Platform Integration 

By Russ Johnson

The spatial analysis and visualization offered by GIS deliver a new level of preparedness. By Russ Johnson ...

Chicago Fire Department Goes on YouTube 

The Chicago Fire Department has posted videos to YouTube to promote fire safety programs to a younger generation. The instructional videos discuss saving lives in dormitories and commercial and residential high-rises. ...

Map Quest 

By Michael St. John

As departments find more ways to use GIS programs, firefighters are better informed than ever to make effective decisions. ...

Calculated Risk 

By Josh McDaniel

In late July 2006, firefighting resources were stretched thin across the West, and more fires seemed to be starting every day. On July 23 and 24, the...

Wilson Uses Tech Ahead of the Curve 

Wilson (N.C.) Fire/Rescue Services' Fire Prevention Bureau inspections are done by five full-time fire inspectors. The bureau conducts all inspection...

The MICAS Touch 

By Chris Couper

Midday on a hot August afternoon in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento, a welding accident at a remote industrial site ignited a small grass...

New Tsunami GPS Use Makes Waves 

By Douglas Page

University researchers are using GPS to almost instantly determine whether an earthquake is big enough to generate an oceanwide tsunami. ...

Communications Learn A New Click 

By Douglas Page

Instant messaging is emerging as an emergency communications tool. The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, for instance, is providing first responders...

Tunnel Fire Protection Remains Hot Topic 

By Douglas Page

Concerns about tunnel fire safety existed long before terrorism exposed the vulnerability of roadway, railroad and subway tunnels. Increased numbers of...

WTC Sim Backs NIST Report 

By Douglas Page

Five years after the real thing, researchers at Purdue University in Indiana have simulated what likely happened inside the North Tower of the World Trade...

Time-Savers 

Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director

Who doesn't want more time? It's interesting that Americans have more gadgets, appliances and services to save time, but what are we doing with all this extra time...

NFA Online Training to Move to New Site 

The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy has announced that changes related to online access to the NFA training courses ("Q" courses) are planned for this fall, when a new system will be put in place....

USFA Launches Wildland Fire Training Web Site 

The U.S. Fire Administration has announced a new Web site with training information for firefighters who may be involved in wildland or wildland-urban interface firefighting....

Learned Behavior 

By Mike Chiaramonte

One-on-one mentoring has moved from the station to the Internet in the continuing drive to standardize education and increase safety....

Inspector Gadget 

By Jim Moore

The Denver Fire Department went from cumbersome paperwork to electronic efficiency in one easy step with rugged handheld computers....

Tactics Trade 

By Bob Galvin

Sharing the critical information contained in preplans can go a long way toward fire and police cooperation....

GPS Locators 

By Mark Skummer

Beyond the obvious bearing clear communication has on safety, new technological developments can provide an additional level of protection for firefighters....

Virtual Aide 

By Roger C. Huder

The days when every department could afford a fireground aide are ending, but software can be a good substitute.?...

Mansion Simulation Now Available on USFA’s Virtual Campus 

The Q326 Mansion simulation course presents the user with a very large, multi-story, single-family dwelling presenting fire spread and ventilation issues and a more complex rescue scenario. ...

ATF, IAAI Launch Web-Based Training 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the International Association of Arson Investigators announced the launch of CFITrainer.net at the IAAI's...

VR Fire Inspection Training Moves Ahead 

The Commission on Fire Accreditation International is accepting prequalifying forms for fire departments interested in receiving a new virtual-reality...

Shared Grant to Develop VR Training 

A U.S. Fire Administration grant will be used to fund a continuation and expansion of a computer simulation training program for fire inspectors. The...

Paperwork Grounded 

By Fred Itule

Peterson Air Force Base has a history of leadership in implementing and managing new technologies. In 1982, Air Force officials activated Air Force Space...

Researchers Find Hot Spot with Simulation 

By Douglas Page

A hot spot in fire research has broken out in the development of simulators designed to anticipate the previously unpredictable behavior of wildfires....

OREIS 6.0 Released, Effort to Install Rural Departments Begins 

Pat West, Senior Editor