Fire Safety


Salaries Remain Strong for Fire Protection Engineers

The median total compensation for fire protection engineers in the United States is now $110,500, a 12.5 percent increase since the previous survey was conducted in 2007.

ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Downtown Delaware, Ohio, Fire

The National Response Team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with agents from the ATF Columbus Field Division have been activated by request from the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal to investigate a fire involving multiple structures in downtown Delaware.

CVS Pharmacy Fined $89,000 for Hazards in Connecticut

A single citation for obstructed exit routes alone amounted to $70,000 because the company was cited for similar conditions at other locations three years ago, making it a recurring hazard.

Dollar Tree Stores Hit with $56K Fine

The OSHA area director urged the company to evaluate all of its store locations for hazards after this latest filing.

Seattle-Area Cardiac Arrest Survival Rate at 46 Percent

The EMS 2010 report, released Sept. 2, says the King County survival rate for witnessed cases of ventricular fibrillation of 46 percent makes it a national leader in that area.

The seminar will focus mainly on using NFPA 654 to manage dust explosion hazards.

October Events Focus on Preventing Dust Explosions

An Oct. 19 seminar and Oct. 20-21 symposium are in Kansas City, Mo., sponsored by the NFPA and its affiliated Fire Protection Research Foundation, will include a case study by Imperial Sugar's vice president of Manufacturing & Engineering.

Emergency Mass Notification and Fire Alarm Systems for All

Both the hearing and those who are hearing impaired must receive the same message, and it must be specific, consistent, certain, clear, and accurate.

2011 Chevy Volt

NFPA Partners with Chevrolet, OnStar to Promote Electric Vehicle Safety

“This collaboration gives us an opportunity to extend our electric vehicle training and education program giving our nation’s first responders a platform to learn more about this new era of automotive transportation,” said Chevrolet Safety Director Gay Kent.



USFA Releases Fatal Fires in Residential Buildings Report

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report examining the characteristics of fatal fires in residential buildings. According to the report, an estimated 1,800 fatal residential building fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of 2,635 deaths, 725 injuries, and $196 million in property loss.

Asphalt Paving Firm Penalized Following 'Willful' Tractor Incident

According to OSHA, an employee operating a tractor struck and hospitalized another worker who was digging a shallow ditch.

Event Rental Co. Fined for Combustible Residues, Electrical Hazards, More

In addition to 18 serious citations, the company received four repeat citations, in part for failing to develop an energy control program, develop and implement a written hazard communication program, and train workers on chemical hazards in their work area.

CSB Issues Final Report on Fatal Flash Fire in Xcel Plant Tunnel

The board also released a 15-minute safety video titled "No Escape: Dangers of Confined Spaces," which includes a detailed animation depicting the tragedy that unfolded at Xcel's Cabin Creek plant on Oct. 2, 2007, taking the lives of five contractors.

Fire-Safe Cigarette Pioneer Being Honored at FRI 2010

New York Deputy State Fire Administrator John Mueller is receiving the 2010 Excellence in Fire & Life Safety Award this week at the conference in Chicago.

Grant recipients must commit to retaining the SAFER-funded firefighter who fills these boots for a full year after the two-year period of performance ends.

Race Under Way for 2010 SAFER Grants

The emphasis in this year's grants is on hiring career firefighters and recruiting retaining volunteer firefighters.

K-12 School Equipment Safety Standard in the Works

The standard covers electrical and fire safety, VOC emissions, materials safety, and stability and load performance, and it includes requirements for desks, chairs, tables, visual communication products, audio-visual equipment, seating equipment, flooring, lab equipment, and more.

Scott Health & Safety Receives 2-Million Hour Safety Award

The North Carolina Department of Labor presented it in recognition of that achievement at the company's Monroe, N.C., manufacturing facility.

Livestock Feed Manufacturer Cited for Anhydrous Ammonia Hazards

The 24 alleged serious violations that resulted from a site-specific targeting program investigation included a failure to have at least two suitable gas masks available and accessible; lack of developed confined space procedures; and grinding wheel, compressed air, and electrical shock hazards.

Ultrafine Particles Could Increase Coronary Risk in Firefighters

Coronary events are a major health issue in firefighters, causing nearly half of all deaths on duty. Exposure to ultrafine particles could contribute to coronary disease in firefighters—not only as a long-term health risk, but also as a cause of coronary events while responding to fires.

This U.S. Chemical Safety Board photo shows the destruction left by the explosion at the Texas City, Texas, BP refinery.

BP to Pay $50.6 Million Fine for Failures at Refinery

The company also agreed to spend at least $500 million on safety measures at its Texas City plant. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis today said "The size of the penalty rightly reflects BP's disregard for workplace safety."

Through July 31, 2010, 48 firefighters had died in the line of duty, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Mining, Firefighter Deaths at High Levels

Total mining deaths through July 30 stood at 53, the highest number since 2007, and 48 U.S. firefighters had died in the line of duty as of July 31.

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