Industry Insights
Texas College Unveils First Complete Ambulance Simulator in North America
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.
IACP, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Road Safety Partner to Reduce Road Deaths
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 Builds on Efforts to Train, Equip First Responders Following Train Derailment
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.
Quick Response, Citizen Engagement Improve Cardiac Outcomes by Fire Departments
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.
FirstNet Offers Suicide Prevention Program for First Responders
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.
Food on the Stove to Host International Firefighters’ Weekend in Washington, DC
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.
Survey Reveals First Responder Wish List for Communications Tech
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.
Organizations Launch LEO Network to Help Improve Community Relations
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.
IAFF Members Join USAR Earthquake Rescue Effort
When earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters responded as part of three Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams in search of survivors.
Tennessee DAs Partner with the Jason Foundation to Help Prevent Youth Suicide
In December 2022, the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference kicked off a partnership with The Jason Foundation, Inc. to further highlight suicide prevention. This new partnership will allow for the information, tools and resources provided by The Jason Foundation to reach even more Tennessee communities.
Research Aims to Reduce Cancer Risks Among Arizona Firefighters
With a $4 million grant from the Arizona Board of Regents, the University of Arizona will lead a study enrolling 1,500 Arizona firefighters to test the effectiveness of whether blood or plasma donations lower cancer-causing “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) levels.
FEMA’s National Preparedness Report Underscores Threat Of Climate Change
The report indicates climate change continues to affect communities and worsen existing vulnerabilities. In 2021, 92 percent of communities identified at least one natural hazard associated with climate change as being stressful to emergency management capabilities.