Featured Stories
Featured
Firefighting presents complex challenges to firefighters as each situation is unique, and first responders almost always face different scenarios on every call. Research from the National Fire Protection Association shows that as recently as 2022, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in the U.S. that resulted in 3,790 civilian deaths, 13,250 reported injuries, and $18 billion in property damage.
It is estimated that each year, over 356,000 cardiac arrest events occur outside of hospital settings across the U.S. – and nearly 90% of them prove to be fatal. To address this critical issue and improve preparedness in schools and communities, advocates from across the state of Texas gathered earlier this year in the capitol to discuss the need to have Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in place throughout all schools in the state.
On Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, members of the first responder community gathered for Equipped's Mid-Atlantic Technology Summit at the World Trade Center in Baltimore, Maryland. This one-day conference, generously supported by ASSUREd Safe, Tekniam, and Red Hat, focused on enhancing practical field knowledge for emergency response professionals.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to break new ground with new applications across a wide spectrum of services. This article looks into how a new two-way audio translation technology being launched by Preparedis set to revolutionize EMS communications.
It goes without saying that firefighters are some of the most valuable members of communities big and small across the country, and their role as first responders to the scenes of fires, accidents and other catastrophes is vital to saving countless lives each year. But this occupation is not only fraught with the obvious physical hazards that come with the job – firefighters are also exposed to many other dangers that go unseen, often leading to the development of cancer.
Extreme heat driven by climate change is fueling raging wildfires across not just the western region but in many other states in the U.S. and Canada at unprecedented rates. Firefighters are increasingly observing unusual fire behavior that defies past experiences, and the 2024 fire season started earlier than usual and is showing no signs of abating any time soon.
On July 19, 2024, close to a hundred attendees, including the current cadet classes from DC Fire and EMS and the Metropolitan Police Department, gathered at the Inova Center for Personalized Health for the Prepared Together Summit hosted by Equipped in partnership with Food on the Stove.
At the recent National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference & Expo in Orlando, MSA Safety, Inc.showcased the MSA General Monitors® FL5000 Multi-Spectrum Flame Detector, an innovation set to transform facility safety. This detector, notable for its Bluetooth® connectivity, simplifies integration and diagnostics, markedly improving how facilities manage fire risks.
As record-breaking temperatures sweep the nation, Arizona’s Maricopa County, in partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor, has launched a crucial billboard campaign to combat heat-related illnesses. This initiative aims to provide life-saving information directly to those at risk by using digital billboards to display local heat relief resources.
CrossCountry Mortgage has launched a new benefit program aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by the families of first responders who lose their lives in the line of duty. This unique initiative provides a Line of Duty Death Benefit that cancels outstanding mortgage balances of up to $525,000 on home loans serviced by CrossCountry Mortgage for eligible federal, state, county, or municipal agency law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs.
Sandra Sokol's first introduction to fire service came via the 1970s TV Show "Emergency." Told as a child that "girls could not be firefighters," Sokol's journey through motherhood, a career, and even a divorce didn't deter her from shattering those early stereotypes.
As drones become increasingly integral to law enforcement operations, public safety agencies are leveraging these advanced tools for a variety of mission-critical tasks. According to police1.com, today's drones feature enhanced performance, extended range, and longer flight times.
An effort to add a layer of protection against school systems is under consideration by the Colorado General Assembly.
The measure would establish the firearm detection system, which the Office of School Safety would fund. House Bill 24-1123, Funding for School Safety Firearm Detection Systems, was introduced in January 2024 by Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-39th District.
The Justice Department announces the availability of grant funding for 2024, inviting community-based organizations to apply for funding from more than 200 grant programs, administered by its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Office of Justice Programs, and the Office on Violence Against Women.
Communities face a wide array of emergency situations, from active shooters to mass demonstrations. Law enforcement agencies nationwide now have access to valuable resources through the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC), a program launched by the U.S. Justice Department in 2022.
In response to deadly home fires in recent months, the National Fire Protection Association reminds the public of the increased risk of home fires during winter and gives simple ways to prevent them and stay safe.
A national survey of first responders shows major concerns with cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and information-technology resilience, according to Mark43, a leading cloud-native public safety software company.
The global disaster preparedness system market size is projected to exceed $308 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent, according to a new report recently released by Research and Markets.
Integration of technology and a skilled labor shortage are among top concerns for employees, according to the 2024 National Fire Protection Association Industry Trends Survey.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco has announced a new nationwide public safety agenda, including $334 million in grants to state and local law enforcement agencies, school districts, and local governments.
Each year, firefighters respond to an average of 160 home structure fires that started with ignition of a Christmas tree. The American Christmas Tree Association encourages consumers to keep fire safety top-of-mind this holiday season.
The law enforcement profession faces an employee crisis, as agencies struggle to recruit, hire, and retain police officers. In response, the U.S. Justice Department recently released “Recruiting and Retention for the Modern Law Enforcement Agency,” the result of input from law enforcement and community leaders from across the country.
Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program in Abilene recently unveiled the first complete ambulance simulator in North America, which students use to get hands-on experience. Echo Healthcare partnered with the college and SimLeader to deliver the converted Ford F350 ambulance.
In the face of an ongoing global road safety crisis, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Road Safety have started a collaboration aimed at strengthening the role of law enforcement in enhancing global road safety.
Norfolk Southern Corp. broke ground in late September on its First Responder Training Center in East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a massive train derailment in February 2023. The center will provide ongoing, free training for first responders from Ohio and the surrounding region.
Prior to 2019, Naperville, Ill., had a cardiac arrest survival rate of about 9 percent. Last year, it was 21 percent, one of the highest of any fire department in the country, according to the Naperville Fire Department. In those interim years, NFD introduced a special cardiac protocol called Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation.
September marks Suicide Prevention Month. FirstNet’s Health & Wellness Coalition is an initiative that bridges the treatment gap among first responders, who experience a multitude of stressors throughout their careers.
24 years after the first International Firefighters’ Day, DC nonprofit Food on the Stove is introducing International Firefighters’ Weekend, a series of events that will take place May 4-7 in the nation’s capital. The weekend will kick off with a dynamic health and training seminar.
An extensive research project conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology details what police, fire, emergency medical and 911 dispatch responders think about the communications technology they use on a regular basis and how they would like it to be improved.
MovementForward, Inc., in partnership with Stand Together Trust, recently announced the launch of the Law Enforcement Community-Engagement Network. The first LECEN cohort convened in January, with 20 member agencies represented.