New Training Sites for Firefighters & First Responders

NFPA NEWS RELEASE:

NFPA and Chevrolet launch virtual electric vehicle training for firefighters and first responders

April 27, 2011 — The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Chevrolet andOnStar today announced the launch of its virtual electric vehicle safety training for first responders. The online training — which is hosted by NFPA and can be accessed athttp://evsafetytraining.org/training – features an inside look at the newest technology and safety systems on the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Volt, an electric vehicle with extended-range capabilities that hit the roads last fall.

The collaboration with Chevrolet and OnStar stems from NFPA’s electric vehicle safety training initiative, a result of a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which supports the growing number of electric vehicles in the United States.

NFPA and Chevrolet/OnStar began collaboration last fall with a national tour that included a series of live training sessions featuring the Chevrolet Volt. The launch of the virtual training is a result of months of research and development between Chevrolet and OnStar training specialists, engineers, firefighters and subject matter experts associated with NFPA. Firefighters and first responders who use the online training will have access to an interactive training session including videos, virtual trainers and a variety of downloadable resources about the technology and inner workings of the Chevrolet Volt.

“We are excited to launch this invaluable training resource with Chevrolet and OnStar,” said Andrew Klock, NFPA’s senior project manager for the program. “With electric vehicles hitting the road across the country, this interactive training gives firefighters and first responders easy access to resources and materials necessary when it comes to the new Chevrolet Volt. This virtual training is an important part of our overall electric vehicle education program, which provides training to firefighters and first responders in a variety of formats to ensure that it’s accessible to all.”

“The launch of this training and our partnership with the NFPA is an important part in reaching firefighters and first responders with information about the Chevrolet Volt,” said Gay Kent, GM director of vehicle safety for Chevrolet. “Our objective with the training is for firefighters and first responders to be as comfortable working around electric vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt, as they are today with conventional vehicles.”

NFPA is currently conducting its own live pilot training courses in a handful of locations across the country and trainings for all firefighters and first responders will be available nationwide this summer.

For more information and resources about NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training, visit the website.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

About NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training Project NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training project is a nationwide program to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States. The NFPA project, funded by a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, provides first responders with information they need to most effectively deal with potential emergency situations involving electric vehicles.

About Chevrolet Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Happy 2nd Birthday TFPFP!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Tioga Fire Protection & Fire Prevention!

This second year of blogging just flew by it seems. Though this last year of blogging amounted to only 57 blog articles posted as compared to the 95 blog articles I did my first year of blogging, I feel that I'm settled into doing the blogging thing here on the internet. They say content is king when it comes to blogging and the over all idea here on Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention is to provide content that is knowledge as well as information to keep one safe from fire. I do think that useful information is being provided from the fact that there's been over 9000 visitors to TFPFP since April 2009. The visitor count far exceeded what I would have thought it would be at this point when I first stated. It may not seem like a lot to those larger blog pages out there but it is to me. It should only continue as long as the enjoyment and learning process of blogging keeps me moving forward. I do have to say thank you to all who visit here, it really means a lot.

I stated last year on TFPFP first birthday that blogging isn't for everyone because some are or may be afraid they may not have much to say. I sort of felt like that when first starting out blogging but having a 2nd year under the belt, that has changed. Sometimes I may have to much to say or write something that may not get the point across that I want. Thus the add ins one can add to ones blog to help get the point across for a particular blog post. Not just limited to posting a picture but adding a YouTube or two and even a Audioboo can make the blogging process fun. It has for me!

Here's the "Happy 2nd Birthday" audioboo I recorded this morning...

As I blog I will always remember something Chris Pirillo, who host

The Lockergnome Blog site, once said...

"Your blog is alive. It will grow as you grow."

The Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention Blog is my connection point to the internet.

I'm not perfect as a blogger, and won't use that as an excuse for not blogging. I have the outlook that I can only get better as a blogger by staying the course. Again, I'm not or shall I ever be perfect as a blogger. To some I will even suck, but if I keep having fun, learn while on the journey I can get better and will.

Well, here's to the next year here at TFPFP as the journey continues...

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

USAF Firefighters Assist Community Battling Wildland Fires

Wildland fires are sweeping accross the North Texas area, and these types of fires are the most devistating types of fire a firefighter can face because they can affect a larger area both populated and unpopulated. This fire in the Wichita Falls, Texas area has forced hundreds to evacuated to include an entire town, and destroying 30 homes.

It's when large wildland fires such as these, that the Community works together and helps out as best they can. Years back when I was still an active USAF firefighter we did just that outside McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. It was on February 18, 1994 that a devastating fire engulfed over 2000 acres around the Adover Kansas area. The70 plus persons from the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron provided additional fire suppression and moral support to the fighting a massive fire fueled by gusting 40-mile per hour wind. The quick action taken by all fighting this wildland fire saved 48 homes without loss to human life.

These massive fire fueled wildland fires are hard to fight because flames are whip by strong winds engulfing large areas where resources are thin to extinguish. In the Wichita Falls, Texas area there are neighborhoods around the Sheppard Air Force Base that were in need of help to fight wildland fires that endangered neighborhoods.

Such was the case where Community works together and helps out for those in need. The Sheppard Air Force Base sent firefighters to assist other Wichita Falls area fire departments in fighting fires in the surrounding areas.

Sheppard Air Force Base firefighters responded to fight these fires in the Wichita Falls community. The Texas drought and high winds, up to 60 mph, contributed to a fast moving wildfire that threatened and destroyed homes. Fire department's tanker and engine crews prevented flames from reach many homes for seven hours.

The Sheppard Air Force Base Emergency Services responded two Striker Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting trucks that are credited with preventing additional spread of fire outside the air base where they responded to. Seven houses were destroyed over a three street area , with many more damaged.

We all want to keep all in the North Texas area in our thoughts and prayers of being safe as these wildfires are being battled and extinguished by the firefighters.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

New York Airport Ground Emergency : Two Jets Collide On Tarmac

On Monday evening (11 April 2011), around 8 p.m., a Air France Airbus A380 superjumbo jet (F-HPJD) clipped the tail of a smaller jet plane Comair Delta Connection CRJ-700 (N641CA) while taxiing at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Here's the radio audio/transmissions from JFK Air Traffic Control, the Air France Airbus pilot and Comair Delta Connection CRJ-700 pilot involved in a fender bender at New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport...

A "Ground Emergency" is declared when the pilot of the Comair Delta Connection CRJ-700 (N641CA) stated...

“Roll emergency trucks. We’ve been hit by – ugh – Air France.”

Video of the incident shows an Air France A380 passing behind a much smaller Delta regional plane. The superjumbo jet's left wing clipped the Comair Delta Connection's tail, turning the smaller plane counter clockwise. There were no reported injuries and both jet planes appeared to have damage from the ground incident.

It’s reported the Comair Delta Connection CRJ-700 (N641CA) has damage to its tail as well as damage to the undercarriage as it was spun around by the larger Air France superjumbo jet. The Air France A380 end portion of its wing may have to be removed and replaced.

For Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) a ground emergency is an emergency that occurs on the ground at an airport, such as an aircraft leaking fuel during a refueling operation. Ground emergencies can also include aircraft hitting vehicles, other aircraft or any other emergency that can happen on the ground.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

USFA Announces the 2011 Arson Awareness Week Theme

U.S. Fire Administration Press Release:

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is pleased to partner with the International Association of Arson Investigators; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; USAonWatch; National Association of State Fire Marshals; National Volunteer Fire Council; and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control to announce the theme for the 2011 Arson Awareness Week: Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson. USFA and its partners will use the week of May 1st to the 7th to focus public attention on the value of a collaborative effort with law enforcement, fire and emergency service departments, and the community to battle serial arsonists.

The goal for this year’s Arson Awareness Week (AAW) is to focus attention on serial arsonists and provide law enforcement, the fire service, and communities with tools and tactics to prevent arson in their city and towns. “A serial arsonist can paralyze a community with fear,” said Glenn Gaines, Deputy United States Fire Administrator. “Each fire feels like a personal assault. Banding together as partners strengthens our resolve and can bring law enforcement, the fire service, and the public together to more effectively fight the crime of arson.”

Many communities across the country are experiencing a rash of serial arson-related fires. Serial arson is defined as an offense committed by fire setters who set three or more fires with a significant cooling off period between the fires. These types of fires are plaguing many rural and urban communities causing significant loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage, adding to the suffering already caused by the current economic climate.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that from 2009 – 2010 there were 88 reported serial arson incidents with an aggregate monetary loss of $4.8 million. Arson in residential dwellings accounted for 49 percent of these incidents. The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2007, three firefighters died and 6,100 were injured during response to intentionally set fires.

According to the USFA’s National Fire Incident Report­ing System (NFIRS) data, from 2004 to 2006 an estimated 210,300 intentionally set fires occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 13 percent of fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation. These fires resulted in an average of approximately 375 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.06 billion in property loss each year.

For more information regarding the 2011 Arson Awareness Week, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/.

For more information regarding the Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation curriculum, or any of the other courses offered at the National Fire Academy, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)