Responding to Ethanol Incidents - Belgrade; November 21st

Central Valley Fire in Belgrade has coordinated and is hosting an IAFC and VCOS sponsored class on responding to ethanol incidents. The Fire Services Training School is assisting Central Valley by taking registrations for the course. If you would like to register, please contact FSTS at 406-761-7885 or online under the registration link. For questions regarding the course, please contact Central Valley Fire at 406-388-4480.

Information about the class: Participants will learn about ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels including its use, chemical and physical characteristics, transportation, transfer, and the hazards responders and others should be aware of with its production, distribution and consumption. This session is based on a training package created through partnerships between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and its Volunteer & Combination Officers Section, the U.S. Fire Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation – Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Instructors: Steve Hergenreter & James Rist

Illinois Fire Service Institute (FSI) Report

The Illinois Fire Service Institute has released a report on Firefighter Fatalitites and Injuries entitled The Role of Heat Stress and PPE. You may view the article here.

NFA 6-day off campus delivery in Helena January 24-30

The National Fire Academy will be offering Fire Protection for Emergency Operations in Helena on January 24-30. To register, students need to fill out the NFA long form 75-5 and submit directly to the Office of Admissions at NETC in Emmitsburg, MD. The form may be downloaded here NFA 75-5

NIOSH Safety Advisory

Manual Adjustment of AUtomatic Slack Adjusters May Contribute to Unexpected Brake Failure on Automotive Fire Apparatus details

1956 American LaFrance Fire Truck in Conrad

Conrad has a rare antique 1956 American Lafrance Fire Engine for sale. It is an open cab, has a 6-cylinder continental engine, manual transmission, 200 gallon tank, and is 25ft long 8ft wide. In excellent condition, runs and drives great, and the pump works. For more information contact Mayor John Shelvin at cityconrad@yahoo.com.

Ethanol Response Training

The Complete Training Guide for Ethanol Emergency Response has been released by the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition. The guide is now available on the EERC website

USFA Internship Program

The U.S. Fire Administration internship program allows students to assist in devloping and maintaining courses and curriculum as well as reviewing and editing training materials. The internship is at the National Fire Academy in Maryland. More information

DHS Fire Station Grant

The Department of Homeland Security has released the Guidance for the Fire Station Construction Grant Program totalling $210 million. An overview and the grant guidance & application can be viewed here: http://www.firegrantsupport.com/afscg/

Montana Mutual Aid Field Operations Guide (March 2009)

The March 2009 MMA FOG is now available for download. download

Akron Brass Manual Cord Reels Recall

Akron Brass (formerly GFE Manufacturing) Manual / Portable Cord Reels (part number preceded with ECR-) manufactured prior to October 17, 2008 have a remote potential for an electrical shock hazard due to an ungrounded metal frame. Units made after October 17, 2008 are grounded and are not affected by this recall. more info

Possible Manifold Defect

Possibly defective 5" X 2 1/2" gated Wye. SB 09-002 Possible Manifold Defect

Chinook Extrication Equipment

Pictures of Chinooks new setup are avaiable here.
(This page is not recommended for slow internet connections.)

CDC Field Triage Guide

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report with guidelines to ensure that trauma patients with more severe injuries are taken to trauma centers designed to handle those injuries. These recommendations attempt to standardize decision-making at an emergency scene as well as provide some guidance on new technologies like vehicle crash notification systems. Other revisions to the guide include: * Recommendations for the right place and right time to best use crucial emergency care resources. * Vehicle crash damage criteria which can help determine which patients may require care at a trauma center. Field Triage Guide