Industry News
Westnet attends many industry trade shows to keep abreast of current trends involving the firefighting and EMS industries. Our focus is on reducing firefighter stress, which can contribute to both cardiac and cancer events. We are involved with the changes in fire station design, which can also affect the lives of firefighters personally. It is imperative that we become experts in understanding what affects the lives of every firefighter and do whatever possible to improve their safety and longevity.
Fire Industry News
- LODD: R.I. firefighter dies of apparent heart attack hours after structure fire January 27, 2023Robert “Bob” Thomas Gardner, Jr. had served as a deputy chief for the Richmond-Carolina Fire District
- Photos: CAL FIRE opens $2M satellite station January 27, 2023The Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit location has things the old station lacked — a restroom, an office and two bays instead of one for fire engines and equipment
- Study: Smoke particles from human-set fires cause more than 80% of smoke-related deaths January 27, 2023New research from MIT suggests that smoke pollution is rising, leading to more illnesses and premature deaths
- From ‘span of control’ and ‘chain of command’ to ‘span of information’ and ‘chain of communication’ January 27, 2023Applying new concepts to accepted communication models could heighten fireground efficiency and effectivenessJim Spell
- 3 ways firefighters can use ChatGPT on the job January 27, 2023From social posts, to ingredient-based recipes and training content, learn how this in-demand chatbot can be incorporated into day-to-day public safety tasksRachel Engel
- Powerful winds topple SoCal trees, big rigs January 27, 2023In San Diego, first responders freed and transported people trapped or injured by fallen trees
- Colo. lawmakers look to AI to detect wildfires earlier January 26, 2023A proposal would create a $2 million pilot program to mount cameras on mountaintops in high-risk areas
- Non-profit offers scholarships to assist families of fallen or disabled first responders January 26, 2023The Folds of Honor scholarships are awarded yearly to the spouse and/or dependents of a responder who has fallen or been catastrophically wounded
- Ariz. FF-medic sees driver having medical emergency, positions FD truck to be crashed into January 26, 2023"She was possibly going to go off the road, hit another car, another person, or worse," said Josh Milne with Gilbert Fire and Rescue
- Lithium-ion battery construction: Firefighters should know the differences January 26, 2023From chemical make-up to cell construction, not all lithium-ion batteries are the samePatrick Durham
- N.Y. firefighter indicted for impersonating NYPD officer January 26, 2023The Suffolk County DA said the now-former volunteer with the Wading River Fire Department arrived for work wearing what appeared to be a police uniform
- January rear-view: Hamlin ‘takes,’ tattoo controversy, giving life beyond death January 26, 2023The big stories, hot takes and moments that moved us from the month
- 18 kids injured, 1 critically, in fire sparked by lithium-ion battery at NYC daycare January 26, 2023FDNY crewmembers removed all of the children and found heavy fire in the basement
- Ohio firefighter and ex-chief dies from injuries sustained in 2022 apparatus rollover crash January 26, 2023Kevin Dailey was a longtime member of the Middleport and Richland Township fire departments
- The new 'War Years': When mass shootings become commonplace January 25, 2023Reviewing NFPA 3000, the current state of active-shooter event training, plus unique approaches to ASE programs
- Lawmakers in 4 states introduce firefighter cancer compensation bills January 25, 2023Virginia, Nebraska, Connecticut and Mississippi could change how the benefits are paid or which diagnoses are covered
- W.Va. chief charged with falsifying accounts for FD fundraiser proceeds January 25, 2023According to police, Wellsburg Chief Scott Kins said he had been responsible for more than 20 drawings and bingos since he took on the role of chief in 2021
- Video: Mass. responders use drone camera, ATV to rescue hiker January 25, 2023Upton police, fire and EMS members and mutual aid partners carried the man out of a wooded area and transported him to a hospital
- Kan. firefighter sues, says he was subjected to racism, hostile work environment, retaliation January 25, 2023Veteran Kansas City Kansas Firefighter Leejamahl A. Washington says his co-workers wore Nazi memorabilia, and he found a noose in front of his locker
- ‘I used to be a good company officer’ January 25, 2023Coming to terms with what changes – and why – through the course of promotions and increased responsibilitiesDrew Neal