Emergency Response


USFA Releases Large Loss Building Fires Report

From 2007 to 2009, an estimated 900 large loss building fires were reported by U.S. fire departments annually. These fires caused an estimated 35 deaths, 100 injuries, and $2.8 billion dollars in property damage.

AHA: Shorter Pause in CPR Before Defibrillator Use Improves Cardiac Arrest Survival

Based on previous studies, American Heart Association resuscitation guidelines advise minimizing interruptions to chest compressions to 10 seconds or less.

Session Spotlights AED Maintenance, New Technology

If workplaces installed AEDs more than five years ago, the devices need to be checked and possibly replaced.

Fire department needs have declined the most in the areas of PPE and firefighting equipment, according to the third NFPA assessment.

Fire Service Grants' Impact Measured

NFPA's latest needs assessment found equipment and training shortages remain, but in fewer departments, because of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant programs.

Lighting Expert Receives 2011 John Jenkins Award

CSA Standards has recognized Alex Milne for his work on lighting standards, electrical safety standards, and the Canadian Electrical Code Parts I and II.

This ballistic body armor is Galls by Point Blank SE Body Armor Threat Level IIIA.

Workshops Announced on Helmet, Body Armor Standards

The standards that are being revised cover two types of protective equipment for law enforcement.

NFPA: Number of On-Duty Firefighter Deaths Lowest in 34 Years

This is a sharp drop from the 105 on-duty deaths in 2008 and 82 in 2009 and it is the lowest annual total since the NFPA began conducting this annual study in 1977.

Low Rate of Lung Function Decline in World Trade Center Responders: Study

Decreased lung function was more likely for officers with respiratory symptoms, those who were present when the towers collapsed, and those who worked long hours at the WTC site.



First Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned

On Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern time, the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will take place, lasting up to three and a half minutes.

"The lack of information about components of a pipeline system can put emergency responders at greater risk and reduce the effectiveness of the response," NTSB said June 8.

NTSB's PG&E Inquiry Sparks Three Recommendations

The board said its investigation of the September 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion has revealed emergency responders nationwide may not have the information they need to react effectively to a leak or rupture.

Leaders of the two-year effort say its recommendations can chart a new course for U.S. policy on chemicals.

National Conversation's Agenda: Shift Chemicals Policy to Prevention

Two years in the making, the action agenda lists 48 recommendations in seven broad areas. The theme is to redirect U.S. chemicals policy to prevent exposures and to use inherently safer chemicals.

Four Victims of Refinery Blast Identified, Fifth Critical

Chevron and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating to find the cause of the June 2 explosion at the Pembroke Refinery in southern Wales.

FHWA Tool Reports Freight Traffic Shifts During Hurricane Season

The tool works by removing the closed or damaged highway from the networks, and recommending alternate available routes.

USFA Releases Residential Building Fire Reports

Cooking is the leading cause of both one- and two-family and multifamily residential buildings fires, followed by heating.

Safety 2011's Best Monday Sessions

A look at the behavioral lessons of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Dr. E. Scott Geller's "People-Powered Safety" session, and a report by some of the ASSE delegates who visited China in November 2010 are among the highlights on June 13.

Public Access Defibrillators and Your Brand

Here's why your brand should figure into whether to deploy publicly accessible defibrillators.

Join the Conversation

Our first Twitter conversation was a modest success. Send me your ideas for our next one.

This photo shows the front of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor.

DOJ Accepting Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Nominations

The nomination period for 2010-2011 began May 31 and will close July 31. This is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer.

Emergency responders are learning how to extract someone from a wrecked plug-in Chevy Volt.

Second EV Safety Summit Announced

The first one held last year identified three areas in need of action plans. One of them was training for emergency responders, and that is well under way.

Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted

The six-month 2011 hurricane season begins June 1. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has predicted three to six major hurricanes will form during it.

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