Happy Holidays from the Staff at Fire
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Owensboro and mutual aid arrive to heavy fire and smoke, which severely damages a home.
See story on page 7
Fire crews fight back-to-back-to-back fires that are suspected to be arson. Hillville Police want your help!
See story on page 10
Pembroke Tobacco
Pembroke and mutual aid crews respond to a fully-involved-on-arrival barn fire.
The story of “Fatal Box 48” of 1891 and 1896.
146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY11713
FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher
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Editorial
Training . . .
Georgetown’s FF Mark Bennett competes in Grimpday Challenge in Belgium.
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Class 1 of the Kentucky Fire Commission’s Recruit Academy began August 22, 2022.
See story on page 14 See story on page 29
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Guess what I was greeted with on October 9, 2022? I was shocked when I entered my vehicle and found that my windshield was covered with frost. After I cleaned off my windshield with windshield washer fluid, I was on my way for morning coffee at the firehouse. The first question I asked was, “Did anyone have frost on their car windows?” It didn’t take long before I realized I was the only one who experienced one of the side effects of fall. I am sure that by the time you read this editorial, you too will experience frosty windows!
Frosty windows aren’t a big deal, but it is a sign that we are in the fall season and must think about driving safely to the firehouse. Falling leaves become wet and slippery. Throw in some adrenalin as you respond to a call and you have the mix for dangerous slippery road conditions.
Company chauffeurs, engineers, MPOs or drivers must change their response techniques. Be sure to get to the firehouse safely. That ride to the firehouse tells you a lot about what you can expect when you drive your rig to a call. Fall and winter are two times of the year that require extra thought. Think about the safety of your crew and community. Go slowly until you are sure the roads haven’t iced up. Even paid crews that are already at the firehouse could be sur-
prised when the overhead doors are raised, and you find weather conditions have changed.
All company chauffeurs need to seriously think about getting to the call safely. But it is equally important that new chauffeurs are versed in the technical operation of their vehicle. As the weather temperature dips below freezing, it is imperative that you fully understand the operation of your pumps and that you understand how cold can affect its operation. Cold can also affect you; dress warmly and wear gloves.
Looking ahead to an early snowstorm, the passengers in the front seat, namely the chauffeur and the officer, need to be aware of hydrant locations and what hydrants might be out of service. I know we have a little time, but is your crew ready to shovel out hydrants? Maybe it’s time to think about shovel placement on the rig and placement of some salt to melt the forming ice around the rig.
Use the fall season to remind your community that you need their help. An early snowstorm could block a hydrant. This is the time of the year to start a campaign that reminds the community to make sure hydrants are not blocked with snow. Get the word out so your community adopts their local hydrant and makes sure it is clear of snow.
My November editorial could be early for some areas (or late for others!), but I remember one year I had to cancel a Thanksgiving gettogether because of six or eight inches of snow that fell.
To our new Fire News editions that are in warmer climates, drive safely and feel free to share your experiences with weather related problems throughout the year. E-mail me at Li@FireNews.com. I’d love to hear from you.
- DennisHebron A-shift firefighters took on a substantial, wind-driven fire from a large barn off of Ashby Fork Road. There were significant watersupply issues, which required tankershuttle operations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Thanks to Burlington, Petersburg, and Bell-Mac forthe mutual-aid assistance.
- Photos courtesy of Hebron Fire Protection District
The Owensboro Fire Department, along with area mutual-aid, responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of McGill Street on September19, 2022, at 2138. Engines 1, 2 and 3, Ladder1, Rescue 1, and Command 95 responded to find heavy fire and
smoke. Severe damage was done to the home. Thank you to OPD, AMR, Central Dispatch, and The American Red Cross fortheir assistance.
At 0546 on July 25, 2022, Louisville Division of Fire crews were dispatched to a commercial structure fire in the 3400 block of TaylorBoulevard. Fire crews arrived on scene in two minutes to find heavy fire coming from a 9500-square-foot adult nightclub. Due to the size and condition of the building, along with the heavy volume of fire, one additional crew was dispatched to assist. It took an hourand 15 minutes for30 firefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The building sustained extensive damage. Six occupants were able to escape safely. Fire crews remained on scene foran extended period of time. The fire is thought to have started from a lightning strike. - Photo courtesy of Louisville Division of Fire
On September17, 2022, the Perryville Fire Department responded to East Fifth Street forreported smell of natural gas.
- Photo courtesy of Perryville FD
On September1, 2022, at 1050, the Henderson Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in the area of the 2300 block of Adams Lane. The fire was quickly extinguished by crews without incident and no injuries were reported.
On September22, 2022 at 2206, Louisville Fire Department crews were dispatched to a fire in the 2200 block of Magazine Street. Companies arrived to find heavy fire coming from a vacant two-story dwelling, with vacant homes closely located on both sides. Firefighters quickly made entry, searched the buildings, and began an interiorattack. Outside crews deployed exposure lines to protect neighboring property. It took approximately 30 minutes forfirefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The main fire building sustained extensive damage. The adjacent structures sustained only minordamage. LFD Arson Investigators are working to determine the cause.
- Fire News photo courtesy of Louisville Division of Fire
Shortly aftermidnight on September12, 2022, Zoneton firefighters, with mutual aid from Fairdale, Okolona and Shepherdsville, responded to back-to-back-to-back structure fires. One on North Williams Lane, the second on Blue Lick Road at Bucky Burton, and the last was on Velva Drive off Blue Lick Road. Investigators had excellent reasons to believe foul play was involved. Anyone having information is asked to contact Detective Scott Barrow with the
Hillview Police Department at 502-955-6808. Anyone living in the area is asked to review any security system video ordoorbell cameras between the hours of 2300 Sunday and 0500 Monday. If you see something that “just doesn’t look right,”, please save the footage and contact Detective Barrow. Just the smallest pieces of information have been known to solve the biggest of mysteries.
- Photos courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District
Zoneton crews, along with area mutual-aid responded to a barn fire recently. Lots of hay bales were on the premises and Coral Ridge and West Blue Lick, Shepherdsville, Fairdale and Nichols responded on mutual aid. No injuries were reported.
- Photo courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District
Lexington fire crews were dispatched to the 2300 block of Lake Park Road, forthe report of a dog that had fallen into an uncovered manhole. Upon arrival, firefighters found “Charlie” approximately 15 feet down inside the storm sewer. Firefighters monitored the airquality for hazards before setting up the Arizona vortex fora high directional confined space rescue. Using a 3:1 rope system, one firefighterwas lowered into the storm drain and was able to tie a harness around Charlie in orderto safely hoist him back to the surface. Thankfully, Charlie only suffered minorabrasions and is happy to be back in his owner’s arms. - Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Recently, Pembroke crews — Chief Belair, Deputy Chief Peterson, Assistant Chief Hogge, Engine 1751 crewed by FirefighterMurray, Tanker1760 crewed by Firefighter Scott, Mini Pumper1752 crewed by FirefighterLuttrull — and mutual aid from Highland, Honey Grove and Fairview responded to a structure fire. The tobacco barn was fully involved upon arrival and was a total loss.
- Photos courtesy of Pembroke FD
Pembroke Fire Department firefighters (Mini Pumper1752 crewed by Captain Stealy) responded to a two-carMVArecently.
Photos courtesy of Pembroke
The decade of the 1880s ended on a tragic note when five firemen lost their lives on September 15, 1889. Captain Edward Early, John Monohan, Patrick Foley, Lawrence Steigleiter and Thomas Whalen were crus hed to death as the rear wall of the six-story Bamberger, Bloom and Co. on 6th and West Main Street collapsed on top of them, during the devastati ng fire. A sixth fireman, Dennis McGrath, died on June 19, 1891, from injuries he received at this fire. Aseventh fireman, Frank Best, was severe ly injured and never fully recovered from his injuries. The fire caused over $1.5 million worth of damage (nearly $50 million today!). The building was constructed as a fireproof structure yet it burned from the basement through six floors and through the roof, ultimately collapsing into the street. This fire left city officials keenly aware of the importance for regulating materials u sed in building construction and the need for fire escapes on the exterior of buildings. Awareness was raised on the hazards of the “chimney effect” during a fire in large buildings with open stairways and non-partitioned corridors. Firemen were summoned to this inferno from Box 48 located at 6th and Main Streets. Less than three years earlier, on November 13, 1886, Box 48 was struck calling firemen to the Robinson Bros. and Company located at 6th and West Main Street. As firemen were connecting their engines to a water supply, a natural gas explosion in a cistern killed fireman James Connell of Engine Company 5 and nearly fatally burned Captain Charles Obst of Engine Company 9. Fifteen months later, 41-year-old firefighter Dennis Hamilton died from injuries he suffered at the cistern explosion. This Box became known as “Fatal Box 48” due to the tragic circumstances that often accompanied a response to fires at a 6th and Main Street address.
- Photos courtesy Louisville Division of Fire
Pembroke crews trained on vehicle fires with neighboring Oak Grove VolunteerFire Department.
- Photo courtesy of Pembroke FD
At a recent Lexington rescue training, crews worked on towerand high-angle rescue techniques. Dangling from rope 150 feet in the air, they worked to improve theirconfidence and become more proficient in theirskills. Specifically, this training is used when people experience medical emergencies ormechanical failures when working on towers. More broadly, this training prepares the technical rescue team forhigh-angle rope rescues such as rooftop orbridge emergencies. Since firefighters don’t make these runs every day, it is essential that they train on them frequently.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Members of Madisonville Fire Department A-Shift spent time at All American Towing recently forsome vehicle extrication training. Crews focused on vehicle stabilization, breaking glass, removing doors, removing the hood, and rolling the dash, all while utilizing propertools and safety procedures. Thank you to All American Towing forproviding the vehicles and location forthis training opportunity!
- Photo courtesy of Madisonville FD
Henderson Fire conducted a dive training exercise along with some of the dive team from Evansville Fire. Crews trained on “hooking” submerged vehicles. Divers often do this so tow trucks are able to remove vehicles, as well as familiarizing each of the departments with the dive operations of the other. Thanks to Tri-State/Rideout’s Wrecker Service forplacing the vehicle in the waterforthe crews.
- Photo courtesy of Henderson FD
The Lexington Fire Department participated in the annual CSEPP(Chemical Stockplie Emergency Preparedness Program) exercise. The exercise allows firefighters to prepare and train fora chemical release at the Bluegrass Army Depot, which stores and destroys chemical munitions. During the mock scenario, 46 firefighters were dispatched to Jacobson Park to set up and conduct decontamination and medical triage. Although the threat of an actual chemical release is slight, firefighters are prepared foran emergency today and every day until the chemical stockpile no longerexists.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Georgetown firefighters worked on Trench Rescue and Aerial Operations training recently.
- Photos courtesy of Georgetown FD
September11, 2001, was a solemn day ingrained into every firefighterthroughout the country. On that day 343 firefighters lost their lives performing the largest rescue in history. To honorthe lives of those who perished that day, recruits climbed 110 flights of stairs, symbolizing the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Each recruit carried the name and photo of each individual firefighterwho made the ultimate sacrifice that day, until every one of them were placed at the top.
- Photos courtesy of the National Responder Preparedness Center (KY)
On June 2, 2022, Southeast Bullitt Lieutenant Terrell Bryant and his wife, Rehab memberChristina, were involved in a fiery automobile accident. Southeast Bullitt Fire Department, with assistance from Shepherdsville Fire Depar tment, were dispatched to the scene. Terrell and Christina made it out of the vehicle with significant burns to theirbodies. They were transported to University of Louisville Medical Centervia Bullitt County EMS. Sadly, Christina passed away from herinjuries on June 9, 2022. Terrell was in a coma fornearly one-and-a-half months. He was released from the hospital on July 13. The head doctorof the burn unit said he was a walking miracle. The community support has been awesome. Just keep praying for Terrell and his kids.
- Submitted by Erik Butler
The Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs has named Hopkinsville Fire Department’s Chief Steve Futrell as their 2022 Kentucky Career Fire Chief of the Year.
The Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs is a professional organization composed of volunteer and career fire chiefs throughout the State of Kentucky. Each year, the association requests nominations for this prestigious award. Following a record number of submittals, the association ultimately selected Chief Futrell to receive this year’s award. He was nominated by Hopkinsville Fire’s Deputy Chief Bill Pyle, Deputy Chief Phillip Ferguson, Assistant Chief Chad Sivills, and Lieutenant/PIO Payton Rogers. In their nomination letter, Deputy Chief Bill Pyle had this to say about Chief Futrell: “Chief Futrell has shown great leadership throughout his career and journey to Fire Chief. He has proven himself through vision, persistence, and dedication to make the Hopkinsville Fire Department a better department.”
Chief Futrell started his career at Hopkinsville in 1999, ascen ding the ranks within the department, and eventually achieving the rank of Fire Chief in 2019. In addition to his role as Chief, he is also the EMS Director for the agency’s EMS Division.
Hebron Fire takes great pride in getting out to visit those in theircommunity, whetherit’s an educational opportunity at a local school orhelping out anotherNKYdepartment with a fundraiserevent!
- Photos courtesy of Hebron Fire Protection District
- Submitted by Danny Castle
The Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs has named Kuttawa Fire Chief Bill Compton as their 2022 Kentucky Volunteer Chief of the Year. The announcement came at the Association's annual Leadership Conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Each year, the Fire Chiefs Association request nominations for this prestigious award. Chief Compton was nominated for the award by Kuttawa Mayor Barbara Campbell. In her letter of recommendation, Mayor Campbell applauded Chief Compton on his years of service to the citizens of Kuttawa and Lyon County not only in his position of Fire Chief, but in the many hats he oftentimes has to wear within the county. “Bill Compton, Kuttawa Fire Chief and Volunteer Firefighter recently received the Royal Lyon Award for his 37 years of service to the Kuttawa community and Lyon County. This man's dedication to his job and community is truly markable,” said Mayor Campbell.
Fire Chief Bill Compton has been Kuttawa Fire Chief since 2004. He has been employed with the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s Office since 1996 and serves as a Deputy Fire Marshal in the Hazardous Materials Section.
- Submitted by Danny Castle
Emergencies are unpredictable. During these critical moments, public safety needs reliable, interoperable communications. Tha t’s why our approach to 5G for public safety is unlike anything else.
It’s not the typical approach to 5G you’ve seen in television commercials. That’s because 5G on FirstNet® — America's public safety network — is a one-of-a-kind experience. It gives our nation’s first responders the early benefits of this next-generation connectivity while continuing to use LTE, the current gold standard for reliable mobile broadband, for their mission-critical needs. First responders maintain voice communications with always-on priority and preem ption on LTE, while the FirstNet network determines the best rou te for data traffic, whether that’s 5G or LTE spectrum.
In April 2021, we upgraded the dedicated FirstNet network core to enable reliable 5G connectivity and opened access to AT&Thigh-band 5G+ spectrum. Later that year, we expanded access to the AT&Tlow-band 5G. And now, we’re giving this vital community access to the “sweet spot” of 5G - AT&T mid-band 5G+. All public safety needs to access 5G on FirstNet is a FirstNet Ready® 5G device.
What is 5Gforfirst responders like today?
We’re delivering 5G on FirstNet using AT&Tspectrum bands. Public safety in about 100 markets across the country have access to at least 1 of the 3 flavors of 5G. And we’re continuing to roll out additional 5G connectivity for FirstNet in more communities nationw ide:
• High-Band 5G+: Public safety agencies and organizations in parts of more than 45 cities and 45+ venues get super-fast speeds and unprecedented performances in these high traffic areas. This includes places like Los Angeles International Airport and Raym ond James Stadium in Tampa where crowds gather for the amazing concerts or major sporting events like the “Big Game” (but what is really a massive public safety event).
• Mid-Band 5G+: Now, this vital community has access to the “sweet spot” of 5G spectrum in more than 40 cities from coast to coast, including Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Seattle and St. Louis. Mid-band 5G+ spectrum fills the gap between our other bands and provides a great combination of ultrafast speeds and wide geographic coverage.
• Low-Band 5G: First responders in more than 30 cities across the United States — including Austin, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona and Knoxville, Tennessee — can connect using low-band 5G spectrum. It can travel farther, as well as penetrate through buildings and infrastructure better than high-band 5G+.
Many might ask, “why can’t you deploy 5G on FirstNet like it is
on commercial networks?” Simply put, when public safety is responding and lives are on the line, reliability is key. And many of the standards that protect public safety’s crucial communicatio ns from network congestion have not yet been implemented for 5G by the industry.
So, while we’re bringing this community specialized features an d capabilities they’ve never had before, we also have an eye to t he future. It isn’t going to happen overnight. But we’re working to develop the necessary standards and vendor support to create a 5G environment that aligns with public safety’s mission.
Our strategy for 5G on FirstNet takes advantage of the true evolution from 4G to 5G. FirstNet will continue to be a fast follower on 5G while driving innovation of and integration in tested and established mission-critical services on 4G for public safety operations today. That means first responders on FirstNet have the assurance that 4G public safety services are keeping them reliably connected for their lifesaving work, while the commercial side addresses initial start-up challenges of 5G. You know, places where viral videos and live-streaming your favorite football team’s games rule the day — not a place where a call can make all the difference in helping save someone.
On FirstNet, 5G connectivity will be ideal for IoTand video intelligence solutions. Imagine being able to deploy cameras during parades and other celebrations to help identify suspicious bags or packages. Or using 5G in an ambulance to transmit patient data back to the emergency room. That’s just a few ways 5G on FirstNet could help public safety achieve their life-saving missions in the fu ture.
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and AT&Tare committed to advancing FirstNet for all of public safet y. And doing it right. We recognize that uniting the unmatched benefits of FirstNet with the future promises of 5G can unlock a whole new world of public safety potential. As new technologies become available, we understand what’s most important is taking a first respondercentric view in their deployment. That applies to 5G, augmente d reality, edge computing and others. It’s our job as America’s public safety wireless communications provider.
We’re not building 5G on FirstNet for the bottom line. We’re building it for public safety’s unique mission needs. That means making sound decisions and being good stewards of public safety’s network — all to ensure we do 5G right for public safety.
Individual verified first responders not already on FirstNet ca n go to https://www.firstnet.com/signup/ or go to the more than 5,000 AT&Tretail stores across the country.
Georgetown Fire Department’s FirefighterMark Bennett, who, along with his wife and son, traveled to Namur, Belgium, where FirefighterBennett competed in Grimpday. This international challenge brings togethersearch and rescue teams from around the world who compete against each otherthrough exercises involving the unique elements related to search and rescue in hazardous environments.
- Photos courtesy of Georgetown FD
The Lexington Fire Department has been awarded a $4.2 million grant that will allow it to hire 21 additional firefighters.
“Public safety is my top priority,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “This grant will make our community safer.”
The goal of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant is to provide funding directly to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, front-line firefighters available in their communities. “We want to ensure all response units — like fire engines, ladders and ambulances — are kept on duty at all times in order to meet our department’s mission of protecting lives and property,” Fire Chief Jason Wells said. The funds will cover the cost of the additional firefighters for three years.
The additional firefighters will also make the Lexington Fire Department a safer place to work. “Ultimately, a safe work envi ronment is a vital condition of employment,” Wells said. “Labor, manage ment, and the city have worked together to ensure our firefighters remain as safe as possible. This funding will have an immediate impact on reducing risk to both firefighters, and the community.”
Lexington Fire’s authorized strength will grow from 599 to 620 firefighters as a result of this funding.
Lexington Fire Department currently has 50 vacancies due to attrition, with 32 recruits expected to complete their academy training in mid-October. The positions funded by SAFER will help ensure that the Department is maintaining operational safety standards, minimizing firefighter burnout, and reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses due to the fatigue that results from longer shifts.
The addition of 21 firefighters will allow the Department's preventative services, such as community paramedicine, community risk reduction, fire inspections, and fire investigations, to continue as intended.
“The ability to improve and expand our staffing is immensely beneficial to the Department a nd to the community we serve,” Wells said. “We are confident that the enhanced staffing will help us respond more effectively to emer gencies, reduce response time, and provide appropriate numbers of trained personnel at incident scenes,” Wells said.
- Fire News story provided
Assistant Chief Adam Jones and Assistant Chief David Howser presented State Representative Mark Hart with the Legislatorof the Yearaward at the Kentucky Fire Chiefs Leadership Conference. - Submitted by Danny Castle
Zoneton Fire will be donating a surplus fire engine to the Wolf Coal Fire Department in eastern Kentucky. This department suffered terrible losses in the recent floods. Since Zoneton is having a new apparatus built, an old unit is declared surplus. There isn’t much of a market forold fire apparatus. The options are typically, selling them forscrap, purchase by a collectorordonation to a museum somewhere. We have the opportunity to put this 15-year-old engine to great use by donating it to Wolf Coal, so instead of it sitting and rusting, it can continue to help save lives and property.
- Photos courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District
The Corydon Civil Defense Fire & Rescue (Corydon, Henderson County), received a $315,650 AFGgrant from the 2019 grant cycle to replace a 1977 tanker. Due to delays caused by Covid the new tankerwas finally put into service in April 16, 2022, aftera dedication and blessing of the truck ceremony. The department replaced a 1977 International tanker. The 2022 Freightlinertanker, has a 1250gpm pump, and holds 3000 gallons of water. The new truck also has more storage, and can fill the role of an engine if one of the primary engines goes out of service. p - Submitted by Bryan Coghill
Ashland Fire Department is a proud recipient of a $7,500 grant from Marathon Petroleum. The department purchased a new SONAR system with the award. The SONAR, live scope technology, increases precision and illustrates real-time movement. On its first time out on Marine 1, the system located a vehicle submerged in the Ohio Riveroff the Port of Ashland. The dive team was able to locate the vehicle within 20 minutes. The vehicle was raised to the surface by McGuire’s Towing. No bodies were found inside the car. - Submitted by Ashland FD
Nineteen members of the Lexington Fire Department graduated from an intensive twoweek Structural Collapse Specialist course taught by Spec Rescue International and LFD Instructors. Thirty firefighters from Lexington, Georgetown, Sc ott County, Campbellsville, Winchester, Nicholasville, Jessamine County, and Versailles fire departments participated in the course. They learned skills in breaki ng and breaching concrete, rigging and lifting, crane operations and shoring. All members who participated in this class will take these skills back to theirrespective department s and utilize them eitherin theirown communities orthroughout the Commonwealth as part of the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team (BERT). This type of training is often used in the event of a catastrophic failure, natural disaster, orterrorist incident. The class was funded by a Department of Homeland Security grant. - Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Class 1 of the Kentucky Fire Commission's Kentucky Firefighter Recruit Academy began August 22, 2022, at the National Responder Preparedness Center (NRPC) in Greenville. The academy welcomed 27 students from right departments across the Commonwealth for this pilot program. Recruits will spend 13 weeks training from the ground up at the NRPC and upon successful completion will conclude their tim e at the academy with over 400 hours of training, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress certifications in Hazmat Awareness, Hazm at Operations, Firefighter I and II, Driver Operator-Pumper and Mobile Water Supply, along with the skills and knowledge to perform these important job duties for their communities.
The Fire Commission, State Fire Rescue Training and the NRPC would like to thank everyone who has supported this venture and for all of the SFRTinstructors and NRPC training staff who diligently worked to plan and prepare for this Academy. We are looking forward to a great 13 weeks of learning and watching these recruits evolve into firefighters!
- Fire News photos courtesy of Ericka Adams Cole, Kentucky Fire Commission, State Fire Rescue Training
The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 Health and Safety Conference. It will be held in conjunction with the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE) Health and Wellness Symposium on January 17-20, 2023, at the Tradewinds Island Grand in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida. Pre-conference programs will be held January 15-16. Registration for the Apparatus Conference, held January 8-10, 2023, at the Gilbert Fire Academy in Gilbert, Arizona, will be available soon.
The FRCE has held successful cancer and behavioral health symposia over the last five years and aims to take a more holistic approach with this year’s event. Combining the two events provides for a more robust group of speakers and allows participants to attend both conferences for one great price.
There are other significant additions to the Health and Safety Conference in three co-sponsors. F.I.E.R.O., Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) and the Science Alliance, a new community of scientists and fire service professionals dedicated to im proving the health and safety of first responders, have all signed on as sponsors of the event to participate in some way and expand the reach of the conference.
As firefighter health and safety has become a topic at the fore front of the fire service, including these organizations expands our pool of subject matter experts.
Pre-conference events include Health and Safety Officer (HSO) and Incident Safety Officer (ISO) two-day academies, Response to Battery Emergencies, Infectious Control, Accident Investigation , a F.I.E.R.O PPE Workshop and The 5 Reads.
Schedules are now available at https://www.eventsquid.com/ event.cfm?id=17130, an assemblage of notable and highly-skilled instructors. General session speakers include Dr. Richard Gasaway, founder of Situational Awareness Matters!; Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, US Fire Administrator; and Chief Dennis Compton, Mesa, Arizona (Ret.).
Registration is available for these great classes and events. A10-percent discount applies to all registrations until October31, 2022. We look forward to seeing you at one of these great conferences!
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’Association (FAMA) awarded its 2022 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to University of New Haven student Andrew Tivadar.
Lou Milanovich, FAMAEducation Committee Chair, stated, “Not only is Andrew an active volunteer firefighter, he is also a very driven and passionate student at the University of New Haven. He plans to graduate next May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering with a minor in Civil Engineering. As Andrew successfully balances being a full-time student, while s erving as a volunteer firefighter and working two jobs, he is well deserving of the Phillip L. Turner Scholarship.”
Dedicated to protecting the citizens of his hometown, Tivadar i s an active member of the Long Hill Fire Department in Trumbull, CT. Tivadar joined the department in December 2017 and holds the following certifications: Fire I, Fire II, Aerial Operator, and Hazmat Awareness and Operations. He is a Driver/Engineer for the engine and the rescue truck at his station. Recently, Tivadar received the Chief’s Award for Outstanding Dedication to the department and currently serves on their Board of Directors. To pay for his education, Tivadar currently works as both a small engine mechanic a nd as a fire protection consultant while maintaining his position on the Dean’s List. As a fire protection consultant, Tivadar analyzes drawings and performs building surveys to evaluate the condition and code compliance of buildings, fire alarms and fire protection sys-
tems and designs. He witnesses the testing of fire alarms and fire protection systems and assists in the preparation of construction documents and specifications for fire alarm and fire protection designs.
The Phillip L. Turner Scholarship is awarded annually by FAMAand has been sponsored by the Akron Brass Company since 2009. Akron Brass is a worldwide marketer and manufacturer of high-performance life safety, firefighting, and emergency rescue equipment. Hale Products joined Akron Brass in 2021 to support the highly desirable scholarship. Hale builds high-quality firefighting equipment and is known for its exceptional quality and advanced technology. Akron Brass and Hale Products are IDEX Fire & Safety brands and are FAMAmembers.
“As leaders in innovative fire suppression products for more than 100 years, we value the importance of education and its role in leading the next generation in shaping the future of the fire and rescue service,” said Brian Houk, Vice President, IDEX Fire & Safety.
“Akron Brass and Hale Products are honored to continue our partnership with FAMAand the Phillip LTurner scholarship. We are thrilled to recognize Andrew Tivadar as this year’s recipient. ”
Invest in yourself! The National Fire Academy (NFA) has the courses to help you meet your professional development goals and reduce all-hazards risks in your community. The courses you take through the NFAcan be considered for college credit. NFAresident courses are free of charge and for those selected to attend the NFAwill reimburse your travel, provide lodging, offer a world-class professional development opportunity, and you will be in a class with your peers from around the country. Your cost is your time and buying meals on campus.
The application period is open for National Fire Academy classes scheduled on the Emmitsburg, Maryland, campus from April to September 2023.
Please apply between October 15 and December 15 (2022) for on-campus courses scheduled from April to September 2023.
The process is all on-line and easy to use https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/admissions/how-to-apply.html
We look forward to seeing you at the NFA!