Casualties of life no longer have to be a part of the aftermath of natural disasters.
(NewsUSA) - Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and forest fires. These are some of the most devastating and deadly natural disasters that Americans are confronted with every year. With the unpredictability that mother nature provides, seconds can be the difference between life and death. But most of the time, critical information is not received until after the destruction.
TechRadium, Inc. solves this problem with a service they call the Immediate Response Information System. Otherwise known as IRIS, this mass notification system sends emergency, priority and routine messages to various clients, including organizations and individuals in seconds.
TechRadium first created a mass notification system in 2001 following the events of Sept. 11, and now it is a widely used system that continues to grow.
With a quick phone call or e-mail from a client, IRIS begins sending a uniform message to all of the client’s contacts almost simultaneously with digital speed.
Although it can be used by anyone who needs to contact a large number of people at once, some of the people who use IRIS include building managers, government officials, utility companies and school principals and administrators.
In addition to the clients, the system can send messages to emergency responders, parents, employees and more. These messages can be sent through devices like phones, fax machines, PDAs and e-mail. If someone does not answer their phone, they continue to call until there is an answer.
The American Red Cross and the State of Florida Department of Education are just a couple of examples of organizations that use the IRIS system.
Clients are not required to install any software to use the IRIS service and can use a phone or any computer with an Internet connection to tell an IRIS message advisor to deliver a message. Since IRIS does not require a client to use any specific hardware or software, it uses redundant servers across the United States to store its database. This means that if one server goes down, the information is protected.
For more information about IRIS and its creator, TechRadium, visit www.useiris.com or www.techradium.com. They can also conduct a needs analysis and cost quote for potential clients.
(NewsUSA) - Firefighting technology evolves constantly. New climate-control suits and vital-signs monitors help firefighters stay safe.
But what aids firefighters can also help homeowners, especially when new technologies reduce property damage caused by firefighting equipment.
In 2005, home fires caused $6.7 billion in damages. Most of that damage wasn’t caused by the fires, but by the high-pressure water hoses used to extinguish them. Water damage accounts for as much as 70 percent of damage to houses during a fire.
Fighting structure fires -; fires in closed spaces, like homes -; can be dangerous for firefighters. In a room or basement, fires can reach high temperatures quickly. Firefighters might find only one way into or out of a fire.
But firefighters now use new tools to reduce their risk. One company, ARA Safety, has developed the innovative Fire Interruption Technology-5 (FIT-5). The handheld FIT-5 works like an anti-fire hand grenade.
Firefighters pull a rip cord at the top of the 9 pound unit, then throw the FIT-5 into a burning structure. Within 10 seconds, the FIT-5 sprays a non-toxic aerosol powder in all directions.
Oxygen levels are not affected. Indoor temperatures can drop from1,000 to 300 degrees, giving firefighters a safer environment in which to enter a structure, fight the remaining fire and rescue victims.
Using the FIT-5 knocks down fires quickly without relying on pressured water. What helps make firefighting safer can also reduce property damage and insurance claims.
In Port Jervis, New York, firefighters used a FIT-5 to enter a house fire. After dousing the fire with the FIT-5, firefighters later found a propane tank nearby. If the propane tank had exploded, the entire home might have been destroyed.
The FIT-5 extinguishes contained fires in spaces up to 1,700 cubic feet, so it can work in rooms, boats and vehicles. It also slows fires in larger rooms.
Insurance companies realize the FIT-5’s usefulness, and many insurance policies will pay to replace used FIT-5s.
ARA Safety is currently developing a version of the FIT-5 for homeowners. Soon, homeowners will not only benefit from firefighters’ new technology, they will also be able to use state-of-the-art fire safety equipment at home.
(ARA) – If a fire started in your home, would your child know what to do? Every parent wants to make sure the answer is “Yes” and now there’s a place they can turn for help getting the job done.
The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) recently launched a new animated interactive Web site called “Sprinkler Smarts” to teach children about fire safety in general, and to provide them with detailed information about how fire sprinklers work. The site, which can be found at www.SprinklerSmarts.org, hosts a unique set of fire safety games and activities for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The youngest children will find “Fire Safety Scout” a fun introduction to fire safety basics and a helpful way to learn to identify smoke alarms and fire sprinklers. Older children can play more challenging “Monkey See, Monkey Tell” games that also reinforce the importance of treating fire sprinklers as tools, not toys.
The vividly illustrated program features the whimsical music of Captain Splash and the Drop-lettes, whose jaunty tunes may help children remember the important messages. For example, the recurring myth that all sprinklers go off at once is the most common of several misconceptions about home fire sprinklers. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will operate, controlling or extinguishing a fire while the fire department responds.
“The games help children living in a sprinklered home understand why sprinklers are important and to avoid doing anything that might affect how they operate,” says HFSC Board Member Meri-K Appy, who represents the Home Safety Council.
The program isn’t just for home use. It also includes activities and presentation guidance to help teachers and fire safety educators incorporate sprinkler education into their outreach to children.
“Up to now the sprinkler message has been largely focused on adults only,” says HFSC Chair Gary Keith. “But children need to be trained at an early age to identify fire sprinklers and to understand the very basics of their operation. To do that most effectively, HFSC opted to design interactive, Web-based games to make learning fun and memorable for children.”
With this comprehensive approach, HFSC expects to reach a large number of families. To check out the site for yourself, log on to www.SprinklerSmarts.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
RALEIGH, N.C. - Wake Tech’s new Public Safety Training Center opened to serve the growing needs of area law enforcement and other public service agencies. The Center, at 321 Chapanoke Road in Raleigh, will train law enforcement officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and emergency medical service providers. It is the first centralized facility for training of this kind in Wake County.
“Safety is paramount,” said President Scott, “a concern for every individual, every family, and the whole community. Our Public Safety Training Center will train and prepare the safety professionals we depend on and will need even more as our region keeps growing.”
Wake Tech currently provides in-service training to more than 4,500 law enforcement and fire safety personnel each year. Enrollment in law enforcement classes alone has more than doubled in just the past five years - from 7,100 to 14,400. (These figures include personnel who return to Wake Tech for repeat training in a variety of areas.) Until now that training, for local police departments, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the State Highway Patrol, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the N.C. Department of Corrections, has taken place at 16 locations around Wake County.
The training of fire and rescue personnel is also on the rise. Enrollment in these classes has grown 33 percent over the past five years - from 8,600 to 11,500. Due to the nature of the training, much of it will continue to be offered on site at fire department facilities across the county.
Right now, the Public Safety Training Center occupies just 18,520 square feet of the Chapanoke Road facility’s total 100,666 square feet. Wake Tech purchased the building and completed Phase I renovations - offices, classrooms, and a weight training facility - with approximately $5 million in funds from the 2004 county bond referendum.
Design on Phase II renovations will begin next year, with completion planned for 2010. Wake Tech plans to make the Center a model regional training facility with the addition of a mock courtroom and jail, a booking center, and additional classrooms for forensics and other instruction. Emergency Medical Training will be added as well. Nearly $14 million in bond funds, approved in October of this year, will support these renovations.
“Our officers and instructors have waited a long time for a facility like this,” said Anthony Caison, Wake Tech’s Dean of Public Safety Training. “It will offer the latest technologies and high quality training they need - all under one roof.”
The Public Safety Training Center will begin with courses offerings such as Crime Scene Investigation, DWI Detection, and Field Training Officer instruction.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
ARA) – Worn tires are blamed for the death of an Irving, Texas, police officer killed in a crash on his way to a call this past April; and in Greenville, S.C., two ambulance workers were recently injured and a patient killed when their vehicle flipped after the rear tire tread came off .
First responders put their lives on the line every day to help others; never expecting to run into problems with their equipment, but it happens. In an effort to show appreciation for the work firefighters and EMS personnel do, Michelin North America is encouraging individuals and communities to nominate a first responder to win a new set of tires, ensuring that safe and reliable tires will be on the community’s emergency response vehicle. This year, 50 winners will be awarded a set of new tires, double last year’s prize. To nominate a local hero, visit www.MichelinMan.com and either e-mail a nomination prior to November 23, or print and mail the form postmarked by November 15.
Ryan Sutter, reality television star from “The Bachelorette” and full-time firefighter for Vail Fire and Emergency Services is working with Michelin to raise awareness of the importance of tire safety for first responders.
“Tire maintenance is essential to emergency responder vehicles and many fire departments and EMS units struggle to maintain their vehicles,” says Sutter. “Through this Michelin program, communities have the opportunity to recognize the brave efforts of local first responders and help them maintain vehicle safety by nominating them for new tires.”
Last year Linda Embry of Marietta, S.C., submitted her nomination, husband David Embry, as the community’s hero and he became the first winner to receive a new set of Michelin tires for his vehicle.
“My husband David works selflessly to help the people of our community. People know they can call him at home at anytime and he will drop what he is doing and get to them. Right now he is at the church “Trunk or Treat,” operating a borrowed smoke house to teach children fire safety,” Embry wrote in her nomination. “I know he’s my husband, but I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of being recognized as a local hero. And I can’t imagine anything making him any happier than winning a new set of Michelin tires for his beloved fire department.”
Many local fire departments are under funded and sponsor chili cook-offs or hold pancake breakfasts to raise money for vehicle maintenance and repairs. New tires are a necessity that many departments cannot afford. Take the time to nominate an individual or team and help ensure the safety of the people who generously and selflessly keep their communities safe.
Remember, tire safety is important for the safety of emergency responders, but also for individuals too. Here are some things to think about for all vehicles:
* Air Pressure
Keeping tires properly inflated is essential for the maximum performance and longevity of the tire, as well as the ride quality and safety of the vehicle. Tires carry the entire weight of the vehicle and when under inflated or over inflated, they cannot do their job properly. Check pressure once a month.
* Tread
Looking at the wear and tear of the tread of a tire can tell its history. Tread is important to help the vehicle properly grip the road. Wear in the middle of the tire indicates over inflation for a significant amount of time, as wear on both outer edges indicates under inflation.
* Rotation
Regular rotation extends the life of the tires, saving both time and money in the long run. For rotation, each tire and wheel is removed from the vehicle and replaced in a different position. This ensures that all of the tires wear evenly and last longer.
*Alignment
Alignment generally refers to the adjustment of a vehicle’s front and rear suspension parts. Proper alignment not only ensures that the vehicle handles correctly but it will also help increase the life and performance of the tires. Check alignment after hitting an object, when wear patterns develop on the shoulders of the tires or if there is a difference in vehicle handling.
For more information visit www.MichelinMan.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
The Town of Garner is required by State Law to inspect all businesses to determine compliance with the North Carolina State Fire and Building Codes. This service is provided to you at no cost. However, not complying with or not correcting items by the date specified in the inspection report can result in re-inspection fees, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution. Work performed to correct violations may require a permit. This checklist is to aid you, the owner/manager, to some of the items the Fire Inspector will be checking for.
General Requirements:
1. Do you have a current privilege / business license from the Town of Garner?
2. Have you had any construction work performed in your business since your last inspection?
3. Do you have emergency numbers posted?
4. Do you have an evacuation plan posted if applicable?
5. If you are classified as an Assembly occupancy, do you have your Occupant Capacity posted in public view?
6. Is there a fire department Knox Box? (hazardous materials, fire alarm system, sprinkler system). Are the correct
keys in the Knox Box?
7. Are handicapped signs installed in accordance with State Code?
Street Address:
Is your street address number / suite number plainly visible and legible from the street? Street numbers should be a minimum of 12 inches in height, and the suite number should be not less than 6 inches in height. The numbers shall be in a contrasting color with it’s’ background and on the outermost surface of the building.
Emergency Lights / Exit Signs:
1. Are all emergency lights and Exit lights operational and unobstructed?
2. Is emergency lighting provided at all exits, corridors and stairwells?
3. Battery or emergency backup power is required for Exit and emergency lighting.
4. Do you have an emergency generator? Is it tested monthly including an annual full load test?
5. Provide records for all testing and maintenance of emergency generator, emergency lights, and exit lights.
Means of Egress and Fire Separations:
1. Are there any holes in the walls separating you from adjacent tenants, especially above any drop ceiling?
2. Are fire doors operational and not blocked or secured in place?
3. Are stairwell handrails secure?
4. Is access to exits and exit doors clear of obstructions?
5. Are Exit doors operable without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort?
6. All locking devices shall be of the approved type.
7. Panic hardware is required for certain businesses.
Portable Fire Extinguishers:
1. Are there portable multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguishers (minimum rating of 2A:10B:C) available on each
floor? One extinguisher is required for every 3,000 square feet of floor space and within a 75 foot travel distance.
Restaurants and Industrial businesses may require additional specific types of fire extinguishers.
2. Have the fire extinguishers been inspected within the past 12 months, and tagged?
3. Are fire extinguishers properly charged and mounted on the wall no more than 48 inches above the floor, and
readily visible and accessible?
Sprinkler / Fire Suppression Systems:
1. Is your building sprinkled?
2. Has the sprinkler system been inspected and tested within the past year? Submit copy of test report by licensed
contractor.
3. Do you have a fire pump? Submit copy of annual inspection test report by licensed contractor.
4. Are the sprinkler system risers accessible?
5. Is storage at least 18 inches below sprinkler heads?
6. Is the fire department connection unobstructed and caps in place?
7. Are on site fire hydrants unobstructed?
8. If you are a restaurant, have you had your cooking equipment fire suppression system serviced semi-annually?
Submit copy of test report.
Fire Alarm System:
1. Do you have a fire alarm system?
2. Who is it monitored by? ______________________
3. Has the fire alarm system been inspected and tested within the past year? Submit copy of test report.
4. Is the fire alarm panel accessible?
5. Are horns and strobes unobstructed?
6. Do you have a key to the fire alarm control panel and pull stations?
Electrical Safety:
1. Maintain 36 inches of clear space in front of and around electric panels.
2. Ensure panel box and breakers are labeled for correct use.
3. Extension cords, flexible cords, and multi-tap adapters are not permitted.
4. All electrical devices shall have faceplates installed.
5. Maintain clearance around water heaters and other heat producing appliances, such as a furnace, pedestal
transformer, etc.
House Keeping:
1. Rubbish and trash build-up shall be maintained at a minimal level and removed at least daily.
2. Storage under stairs is prohibited unless the stair is protected from the bottom by a fire rated enclosure.
3. The storage of combustible or flammable materials is prohibited without written permission of the Town of Garner.
4. If flammable, combustible, or hazardous material is used or stored, by permission, Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) shall be available on site.
5. Pressurized cylinders or tanks of any kind (i.e. helium, CO 2, propane, etc.) shall be properly stored and secured
at all times.
This is a general checklist and may not include all the items that your business will be required to comply with. For additional assistance, you may call the Town of Garner fire inspectors at (919) 772-4688
EQ accepts fine for Apex violations
State officials and the company whose Apex hazardous waste site erupted in a ball of fire and displaced thousands last October reached an agreement that will void the company’s permit to operate in North Carolina.
Environmental Quality has agreed to pay $441,944 for five violations of state hazardous waste regulations discovered in the investigation of the explosion. EQ also agreed to give up its right to store hazardous waste in the state, said Cathy Akroyd, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
A state investigation found that the company had not reported incidents involving chemical reactions, fires and waste releases. The fine is lower than the $553,225 fine the state initially imposed on EQ in March.
“We are pleased that we were able to reach a negotiated and mutually agreed upon settlement with DENR,” EQ Vice President Scott Maris said in a news release. In addition to the state fine, EQ has paid $200,000 to the town of Apex to cover expenses there.
Read More:News & Observer
Somewhere in Allan Cain’s desk, there is a letter from a woman whose life was saved by the Cary Fire Department’s automated defibrillator.Cain and the town of Cary are hoping for even more happy endings.
Cary began installing automated external defibrillators Friday at its public facilities in the hope of saving employees’ and citizens’ lives. Each device cost Cary $1,295.
Automated defibrillators are not a new technology. Cain, Cary’s fire chief, said his church has one, as does every school in Wake County.
The defibrillators are smaller than a briefcase and are about as heavy as a laptop. But the real beauty of the device is that anyone can use it.
“Quite frankly, you don’t have to have training … as long as you can open the case,” Cain said.
The device has a mix of voice and text instructions. The electrode paddles have drawings to show the user where to position them on the victim’s chest.
Once on the victim, the device monitors the heartbeat. It analyzes the beat and if necessary, shocks the victim.
The device also gives voice instructions on how to perform CPR.
Usability was a major factor in Cary’s purchase of the Powerheart AED G3 Automatic, Cain said. The unit also does daily, weekly and monthly diagnostic tests on itself.
Cary purchased 28 units, which are being installed in 24 high-traffic locations. Cain said the devices should be installed in a “couple of business days.”
Cary had to pick areas where the chances of heart attacks are higher — in other words, where more people will be. Cary’s town hall, public library and Koka Booth Amphitheatre will get the devices, as will Cary parks
SOURCE:NEWS & OBSERVER
(ARA) – From quenching forest fires and homes set ablaze to assisting in personal injuries and beloved pets stuck in trees, emergency responders are an important part of the community. In fact, according to the California Performance Review, the United States 911 system handles 500,000 calls daily or about 183 million annually. These first responders, the majority volunteers, often risk their own lives to help others in need. They make individuals feel safe in times of crisis and deserve thanks and recognition.
Michelin North America is encouraging individuals and communities to show their appreciation for firefighters and EMS personnel by nominating a first responder to win a new set of tires, ensuring that safe and reliable tires will be on the community’s emergency response vehicle. This year, 50 winners will be awarded a set of new tires, double last year’s prize.
Ryan Sutter, reality television star from “The Bachelorette” and full-time firefighter for Vail Fire and Emergency Services is working with Michelin to raise awareness of the importance of tire safety for first responders.
“Tire maintenance is essential to emergency responder vehicles and many fire departments and EMS units struggle to maintain their vehicles,” says Sutter. “Through this Michelin program, communities have the opportunity to recognize the brave efforts of local first responders and help them maintain vehicle safety by nominating them for new tires.”
To nominate a local hero, visit www.MichelinMan.com and either e-mail a nomination prior to November 23, or print and mail the form postmarked by November 15. Last year Linda Embry of Marietta, S.C., submitted her nomination, husband David Embry, as the community’s hero and he became the first winner to receive a new set of Michelin tires for his vehicle.
“My husband David works selflessly to help the people of our community. People know they can call him at home at anytime and he will drop what he is doing and get to them. Right now he is at the church “Trunk or Treat,” operating a borrowed smoke house to teach children fire safety,” Embry wrote in her nomination. “I know he’s my husband, but I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of being recognized as a local hero. And I can’t imagine anything making him any happier than winning a new set of Michelin tires for his beloved fire department.”
Many local fire departments are under funded and sponsor chili cook-offs or hold pancake breakfasts to raise money for vehicle maintenance and repairs. New tires are a necessity that many departments cannot afford. Take the time to nominate an individual or team and help ensure the safety of the people who generously and selflessly keep their communities safe.
Remember, tire safety is important for the safety of emergency responders, but also for individuals too. Here are some things to think about for all vehicles:
* Air Pressure
Keeping tires properly inflated is essential for the maximum performance and longevity of the tire, as well as the ride quality and safety of the vehicle. Tires carry the entire weight of the vehicle and when under inflated or over inflated, they cannot do their job properly. Check pressure once a month.
* Tread
Looking at the wear and tear of the tread of a tire can tell its history. Tread is important to help the vehicle properly grip the road. Wear in the middle of the tire indicates over inflation for a significant amount of time, as wear on both outer edges indicates under inflation.
* Rotation
Regular rotation extends the life of the tires, saving both time and money in the long run. For rotation, each tire and wheel is removed from the vehicle and replaced in a different position. This ensures that all of the tires wear evenly and last longer.
*Alignment
Alignment generally refers to the adjustment of a vehicle’s front and rear suspension parts. Proper alignment not only ensures that the vehicle handles correctly but it will also help increase the life and performance of the tires. Check alignment after hitting an object, when wear patterns develop on the shoulders of the tires or if there is a difference in vehicle handling.
For more information visit www.MichelinMan.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
