NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Dan Rather will feature a devastating fire of December 3, 1999,which took firefighter lives, in a Friday, November 2 broadcast of 48 Hours 8-9 PM Eastern Time. Six firefighters died; the nation was shocked; firefighters and public safety officials from all over the country came to the funeral.

OSHKOSH/PIERCE COMPLETE BUY OF MEDTEC AMBULANCE CORPORATION; ACQUISITION PREDICTED BY NEEDA
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

As predicted in an earlier NEEDA Newsletter story, Oshkosh has completed the purchae of Medtec Ambulance Corporation. It will take one year to complete all details of the acquisition. The acquisition strengthens Pierce Manufacturing whose fire and emergency apparatus is well known among dealers and fire departments.

CONGRESS GETS INDUSTRY PRAISE FOR DEFIBRILLATOR BILL AND RURAL FUNDING PROVISION
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Survivalink Corporation praises Congress for adopting the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (HR 2498) which recommends placement of defibrillators in Federal buildings, relieves from liability those who use voluntarily use the defibrillators to save lives, and authorizes $25 million for rural to buy and train for the use of defibrillators.

CONGRESS GETS INDUSTRY PRAISE FOR DEFIBRILLATOR BILL AND RURAL FUNDING PROVISION
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

SUPERIOR FINANCIAL REPORT ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND FOR SHAREHOLDERS
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Florida Public safety uniform manufacturer, Superior Uniform, is making enough money to pay the regular quarterly cash dividend.

COURT SAYS OK FOR BUSINESSES TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Businesses in Montana were successful this fall in winning the support of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which found unconstitutional infringement of free speech (First Amendment of the US Constitution)laws which prohibit companies from contributions or expenditures in ballot issue campaigns.

YOU KNEW THIS: THE IRS IS WRONG 46 PERCENT OF THE TIME!
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

If you were a teacher, what grade would you give a student who
got only slightly over half of the answers right? A U.S. Treasury
Department study reveals that the IRS answers provided through
its web-based Tax Law Assistance program were right only 54
percent of the time.

GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH SUPPORTS HEALTH INSURANCE OFFERED BY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

What if NEEDA were to offer all emergency equipment dealers a health care policy for you and your employees? Yes, we could do it but the current rules and insurance personal examination requirements make such policies unattractive. With changes in the law, NEEDA and other associations could help their members with reasonable health care coverage for their companies. Governor George W. Bush supports changes in the law which will help small businesses in such associations as NEEDA.

SHOULD YOUR ASSOCIATION PAY TAXES ON ITS USE OF THE INTERNET?
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

The IRS has launched an expected but timeconsuming and painful review of the use of the internet by tax-exempt organizations such as the trade association(s) you belong to. The national debate over whether or not to tax the use of the internet is partially aimed at trade associations which are increasingly using the internet to reach members. The IRS has begun a study which will continue throughout 2001 of the subject. At the end of the study, the IRS may recommend taxing various internet activities of associations.

NEEDA is not keen on taxing the association's use of the internet. As long as the use of the internet serves the basic intent and goals of the association, and is not being used as a commercial enterprise desguised as an association, the internet should be left free from government interference. Taxing the routine services of associations, just because we chose to use the internet to deliver these services, doesn't make a lot of sense. But, the drum beat in Washington to tax the internet is intense, and is driven by those who sell within specific geographic confines and wish to see their catalogue, e-commerce competitors taxed the same way local companies are taxed. The catalogue or e-commerce issue cuts both ways for dealers: many dealers offer their products via the internet and would not want that share of their business taxed but when it comes to the very competitive local market, they'd like to see their out-of-state competitors pay some fees or taxes to equalize the marketplace so someone can't get a competitive edge when competing in the specific geographic marketplace you have built up and supported for many decades.

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO RELEASE MANY NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS AFTER THE ELECTION
Originally Posted: October 31, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

New Federal regulations which have been in the works for months and years are being readied for release in the Federal Register once the national election is over. Top executive branch leaders are pressing staff to finish up work so new ideas and new initiatives can be published while the Clinton-Gore Administration is still in office.

CONGRESS PASSES CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL ACT: DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL FEDERAL BUILDINGS
Originally Posted: October 30, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

As Congress tried to end the current session, it passed the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act which will fund defibrillators in all federal buildings where one million US employees work and millions of Americans and foreign visitors must go to do business with the American government. NEEDA has reported on other Federal, state and local measures designed to increase the availability of these life-saving devices in public areas.

$6.67 MILLION IN GRANTS GIVEN TO SOUTHWEST PA VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE COMPANIES
Originally Posted: October 30, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Grants Go to Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Butler, Cambria, Greene, Fayette, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. Money can be used by 708 fire and ambulance companies to buy apparatus, equipment or pay down debt. NEEDA reported on this grant program when Act 66 was adopted by the legislature. Last week we reported on the first batch of grants being released.

CONGRESS STILL HAS NOT APPROPRIATED FUNDING FOR FIRE SERVICES
Originally Posted: October 30, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Even as Congress tries to end its two year session and get back home for last minute campaigning, no funds have been appropriated for the new fire service grant program. Up to $100 million has been authorized, but it takes an appropriations bill be OK spending of any of the money. Any appropriations bill would have to be signed by President Clinton. But, President Clinton is trying to get Congress to cut out billions in overspending which beaks previously set budget ceilings.

WILDFIRES CAN BE REDUCED WITH THINNING, SCIENTISTS SAY
Originally Posted: October 30, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Reducing the number of small trees in overcrowded forests helps protect them, and nearby communities, from wildfires. During the 2000 Fire Season, thinned forest areas also survived, while overcrowded, unthinned forest areas severely burned, during the Clear Creek Fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho and during the Valley Complex Fires on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana.

Thinning is needed, some experts say, because in many parts of the west, ponderosa pine forests now have ten times as many trees per acre as they had 100 years ago due to historic natural resource extraction practices combined with wildfire suppression. Thinning helps forests and communities survive wildfires because it keeps the flames on the ground from leaping into the tops of trees. Once fires get into the tops of trees, they are extremely difficult to control.

WHAT CONGRESS DID NOT DO THIS YEAR
Originally Posted: October 30, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Congress did not pass almost four dozen bills during the past two years which affect the fire, emergency, rescue, and public safety field. Some would affect the industry, including dealers. But, the main accomplishment, noted in this NEEDA Newsletter elsewhere, is the new authorization contained in the Defense Authorization bill.

TRI-ANIM HIRES BRISTOL TO DIRECT SALES
Originally Posted: October 24, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Todd G. Bristol is the new Director of Sales -- EMS at Tri-anim which sells EMS products from 215 manufacturers. He heads a team of 110 sales and customer service professionals.

OSHKOSH/PIERCE BUYS AMBULANCE MANUFACTURER
Originally Posted: October 24, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Medtec sells $22 million worth of ambulances and is now going to be part of the Pierce division of Oshkosh Truck, a 1.165 billion company which is heavy in the fire, emergency and rescue vehicle business.

PA GIVES $3.45 MILLION IN GRANTS TO 364 VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE COMPANIES
Originally Posted: October 24, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Ridge Administration Announces First Volunteer Fire And Ambulance Company Grant Recipients in South central Pennsylvania. This grant program was reported by NEEDA on this website earlier this year when it was adopted by the Pennsylvania legislature.

LUMILEDS LIGHTING SELLS LED LIGNTING TO 911EP FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Originally Posted: October 23, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Emergency vehicle lighting will be provided by LumiLeds in a multimillion dollar order from 911EP. 911EP serves police, fire, ambulance, and service vehicle markets.

MEDICAL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTOR TURNS TO E-BUSINESS MARKET
Originally Posted: October 23, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

In a CEOcast broadcast interview with Linda Autore, CEO of Moore Medical Corp, said they are not going away from offline sales but are bridging to online e-business. EMS is one third of market for website sales last year.

COMPANY MAKES PUBLIC SAFETY UNIFORMS ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS
Originally Posted: October 20, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Superior Uniform Group has $1.68 million net on $42.49 million in sales. The Company makes unforms for the career apparel, healthcare uniform, and public safety markets. Net income for nine months was $4.98 million down from $6.1 million in 1999.

COMPANY GETS GSA MULTIPLE AWARDS CONTRACT TO SELL TO FEDERAL AGENCIES
Originally Posted: October 20, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

A communications company has a new GSA Multiple-Awards Contract which allows it to sell to Federal agencies without going through the bid process. Transcrypt International Inc.'s EFJohnson Company communications and wireless phone subsidiary says after a near of negotiations, GSA has ok'd their being on the multiple awards list. Companies on the GSA Multiple Awards list are not guaranteed business, but can sell direct and need not use dealers or distributors.

NEW BOOK ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Originally Posted: October 20, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

The American Society of Safety Engineers has released a new book and CD on hazardous material spills.

RURAL/METRO MAKES PROGRESS ON FINANCES
Originally Posted: October 18, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Rural/Metro, still working on its finances, got some encouraging news from lenders as cash payments are deferred until a long term revolving credit line is established.

US CAPITOL BEGINS FIRE PROTECTION CONSTRUCTION
Originally Posted: October 18, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Earlier this year, NEEDA reported that the US Capitol is not safe from fires. Congressional hearings this year focused on the failure to install reasonable protection for the building and its occupants. This month, construction began which eventually will result in improved fire safety for this beautiful old building,

PACKER WANTS CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR
Originally Posted: October 17, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Packer Engineering, Illinois, is looking for a certified fire investigator (CFI)

HOUSTON FIRE CHIEF LESTER TYRA ACCUSED OF SERIOUS ISSUES OF MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP
Originally Posted: October 17, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Fire chief Lester Tyra was forced to resign from one of the top three fire departments in the US by Mayor Lee P. Brown. A consultant's report by TriData of Virginia was used to justify the firing.

PRODUCT TO REDUCE CHEMICAL, SPARK, AND RAILCAR LEAKS
Originally Posted: October 16, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

21ST Centuries Industry of Ft. Worth TX has a new product called ProMag, for use by HAZMAT responders to reduce cemical and spark incidents when dealing with railcars in train accidents.

CONGRESS OKs FIRE FIGHTING FUNDING
Originally Posted: October 16, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Some fire funding may be available if Congress appropriates the authorization approved 382-33 in the Defense Authorization bill for fire departments. News that Congress has released this money is premature as a specific appropriation is needed to fund the amounts "authorized." NEEDA is among the many supporters of assistance for Fire Departments.

Fire Prevention Week
Originally Posted: October 6, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Fire Prevention Week in PA is focus of Governor. The Great Escape, a program to alert citizens to the need for escape plans in event of fire, is featured.

FEDERAL PRISONS URGED TO STOP EXPANSION
Originally Posted: October 6, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Congressional committee hears about expansion of the Federal prison industries which take away jobs from law abiding workers in the US. UNICOR threatens to close small businesses by taking contracts away.

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF NEEDED IN PEORIA AZ: DEADLINE OCT 31
Originally Posted: October 4, 2000 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Arizona city seeks deputy fire chief with salary up to $84,883. Deadline Oct. 31, 2000.