Legislation that would prevent the T-Band spectrum – a public safety radio network intended to ease communication among first responders in 11 metropolitan areas – from being auctioned to other users has garnered support from International Association of Fire Chiefs President and Board Chair Gary Ludwig and International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger. - PUB DATE: 3/19/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Safety+Health Magazine
The ambulances at the West Metro Fire Department have been turned into isolation rooms on wheels. The countertops have been cleared, the EKG machines have been bagged, and the back of each ambulance has been sealed off from the cab. This is just part of the fire department’s plan to battle COVID-19.
Fire departments across the state, including Denver, Aurora, Arvada and Fort Lupton, changed the way they do business as the coronavirus spreads. - PUB DATE: 3/19/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Denver Post
Several boxes and hand sanitizers have been delivered to a fire department in Tennessee after two brothers who tried to capitalize on the coronavirus outbreak by stockpiling nearly 18,000 bottles with the intent to resell the goods had their stash cleaned out.
The Chattanooga Fire Department said on Facebook it received a donation of sanitizing products after a "viral story" about individuals who "purchased thousands of those items. - PUB DATE: 3/19/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FOX News
Kentucky firefighters, police and other public safety workers say the Friday closure of most child care centers could hurt staffing, hamper public safety and impede the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
To stop the spread of the respiratory illness, Gov. Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky child care centers closed by Friday. - PUB DATE: 3/19/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Lexington Herald Leader
New York City could soon be placed under a “shelter-in-place” order to contain the coronavirus — here’s what it would mean for the Big Apple’s 8.6 million residents.
Under the strict public health measure, all non-essential businesses would be shut down. That means only police and fire departments, hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies and perhaps gas stations, banks and laundromats would remain open. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Post
The head of a local union is concerned that not enough is being done to protect firefighters and the public during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ralph Sicuro, president of the International Association of Firefighters Pittsburgh Local 1, says they are already seeing how fast the virus can spread.
Sicuro tells KDKA additional protective gear was given out like masks and gowns, but the firefighters do not feel it is enough protection. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KDKA-TV CBS 2 Pittsburgh
VIDEO: The novel coronavirus is changing the way first responders with the Orange County Fire Authority respond to calls.
Crews demonstrated what it will look like in a mock call Tuesday.
If it doesn't put a life at risk, dispatchers will screen callers. For patients showing symptoms of novel coronavirus, crews will wear their personal protective equipment. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles
The death of Cowlitz 2 battalion chief Mickel Zainfeld has prompted local agencies and grassroots groups to boost efforts to help firefighters, police and other first responders cope with the emotional trauma of their jobs.
And one way may be for both them and the public to tone down the superhero image they bear. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Daily News
Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, Old Fourth Distillery has been distributing make-shift bottles of hand sanitizer.
Starting today they are shifting their efforts and giving back to those on the front lines.
Co-Owner of Old Fourth Distillery Jeff Moore has been making hand sanitizer with their own in-house alcohol. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WGCL-TV CBS 46 Atlanta
VIDEO: “Three, two, one,” counted down a researcher with N.C. State University’s Wilson College of Textiles. With a click, flames ignited and scorched a firefighter’s helmet, protective hood and turn out gear.
It’s how the state is fighting cancer with fire power.
Data gathered from the mannequin, which is armed with sensors and better known at N. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS-TV ABC 13 Asheville
Leaders of several Cleveland suburbs are making plans that could see them share police officers and firefighters in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in their departments.
Officials from Lyndhurst, Richmond Heights, Highland Heights, Mayfield Heights and Mayfield Village met Friday in Lyndhurst for a preliminary discussion about sharing resources if a coronavirus outbreak impacts them. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cleveland.com
After the first case of covid-19, the disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus, was announced in the United States, reports of further infections trickled in slowly. Two months later, that trickle has turned into a steady current.
This so-called exponential curve has experts worried. If the number of cases were to continue to double every three days, there would be about a hundred million cases in the United States by May. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Washington Post - Metered Site
The quarantining of three firefighters who responded to Alaska’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus came out of caution, not because of a lapse, Anchorage’s fire chief said Monday.
The firefighters, who responded to a 911 call about the case last week, took standard measures to protect against infectious disease, said Chief Jodie Hettrick. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alaska Public Media News
Even in cities with big hospitals, the novel coronavirus is testing the limits of the modern health care system. But fighting the virus in rural Alaska presents additional challenges: Some of Alaska’s remote villages can be 100 miles from the nearest hospital, and many are disconnected from the road system and only reachable by plane. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alaska Public Media News
A South Florida elected official is facing some backlash from emergency workers after he appeared to propose exposing firefighters to the new coronavirus as a way of ensuring there are more people with immunity to help fight the spread of the disease.
Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola on Friday at an emergency city meeting asked if there were doctors in the audience. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: South Florida Sun Sentinel - Metered Site
The IAFC is continuing to monitor the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) inside the United States. As your agency likely is preparing to care for potential patients and protect firefighters and EMS personnel from exposures, please know that the IAFC stands with you and is ready to help.
In addition to continuously updating the Coronavirus resources page, the IAFC Coronavirus Task Force held their first meeting last week. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IAFC.org
When the call came across the pagers, there was something in the dispatcher’s voice that signaled it was serious.
“Her voice sounded distressed.”
“I knew I had to put on real clothes for this one.”
“You could tell the panic in the page.”
“We could hear it, the seriousness, but the average person probably wouldn’t. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alexandria Echo Press
Concerned about the effects of coming into contact with the coronavirus, unions representing firefighters, paramedics, nurses and hospital workers are asking lawmakers to act on their behalf.
As workers on the front lines of the epidemic, the unions said they want assurances — perhaps requiring additional legislation — that their benefits won’t be exhausted if they contract COVID-19 or miss work because they’re under quarantine after coming into contact with people with coronavirus. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Fighting fires is no easy task. The work is often intense and physical. But that's not stopping about 10,000 women from joining their male counterparts on the front lines. Except, there is one big difference: their gear.
With every zip, pull of a boot, and tug of a coat, the volunteer firefighters of Chaires and Capitola prepare themselves for the toughest of fires. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCTV CBS 6 Thomasville
Ed Parkinson today was named by the FirstNet Authority Board as executive director—operationally, the chief executive officer (CEO)—for the FirstNet Authority, becoming the organization’s third full-time staff leader and its first in more than 17 months.
FirstNet Authority Board Chair Ed Horowitz said that Parkinson was selected at the conclusion of a “comprehensive and thorough search” to lead the FirstNet Authority staff. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Urgent Communications
