NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Columbus GA will soon have a new computerized tracking system for its police cars. The same system is produced by a Canadian firm for fire, EMS, and other public safety units of government.

In earlier NEEDA Newsletter items 1999-2000, NEEDA has reported on the growth of vehicle tracking, GPS and 911 improvements based on new computer technology. We expect more governments to take these steps in the 2001-2002 period.

ADVICE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS APPLYING BY MAY FOR SHARE OF $100 MILLION MATCHING FIRE ACT MONEY
Originally Posted: March 29, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

May 2 is the deadline for Fire Departments applying for the matching Fire Act funding Conress approved late last fall. The Bush Administration recently reversed itself and OKd spending the money this year.Future funding must be appropriated by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. Many thanks to Ken Bostwick, Sales Manager, Actin Training Systems for sharing his advice and to FEMSA and Karen Burnham for so thoughtfully distributing this advice. We all share in the goal of making the first year of the Fire Act successful for everyone in the emergency response profession.

BILL TOP RESTRAIN THE FEDERAL PRISION INDUSTRIES TO BE INTRODUCED SOON
Originally Posted: March 29, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Prison Industries reform legislation, which NEEDA supports, has not been introduced but will be soon. All House members are being asked to cosponsor the bill to give it the best chances of getting considered by the House this year. The legislation has the support of the US Chamber and a coalition of associations.

NEW NATURAL DISASTER CENTER BEING BUILT IN TAMPA FL
Originally Posted: March 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Tampa will be the home of the new National Center for Natural Disaster Safety. The center will featureinteractive exhibits on earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, hail and wildfires. The center will include a school.

CA POWER BLACKOUTS COULD HURT FIRE AND DISASTER REPONSE: NON-STOP ELECTRICITY FOR WATER COS SOUGHT
Originally Posted: March 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

The rolling power blackouts hit every facility in each affected community: electricity is turned off. But, electricty or the water pressure generated by electricty is is needed in emergencies at which first responders are responsible. California leaders debate giving water companies an exemption from power cutoffs.

OSHKOSH TRUCK PROJECTS LOWER EARNINGS, BIZ DROPOFF
Originally Posted: March 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Oshkosh (WI) Truck Co. projects a drop of in earlings and business for year, following a drop off in second quarter earnings from $.70 per share a year ago. Annual earnings per share are now projected to drop from $3.45 (estimated previously) to the $2.80 - $3.00 range. Even though Oshkosh has just bought out Temco -- which has ceased producing concrete mixers and parts -- the concrete truck biz is a major contributor to the downturn as construction industry delayed capital buying hits the market. The fire and emergency biz will "ramain strong, helping balance performance for the remainder of fiscal 2001," the company says.

ATTORNEY ISSUES ADVISORY ON US LEG IMPACT ON EMS BIZ
Originally Posted: March 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Current legislation pending before the US Congress affects the ambulance services, according to Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC an ambulance and medical transportation law firm. The firm's advisory is copyrighted but may be copied in its entirety. NEEDA follows and works on legislation affecting the emergency equipment and EMS businesses.

PENSION REFORM BILL INTRODUCED IN US CONGRESS
Originally Posted: March 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

One possibility in the new Congress is pension reform. Key bills affecting 401k and 403b plans have many Republican and Democrat supporters and made headway through the House last year. However, the bill is not part of the Bush tax-cut plan.

FIRE SERVICE LEADER SEEKS HELP IN COMPOSING HISTORY OF THE FIRE SERVICE
Originally Posted: March 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

FRANK LIVINGSTON asks NEEDA Members what you know about the history of the fire service. He poses such Qs ad:

Does anyone have anything factual to support this or was the fire

service started in New York as indicated by this article? Wasn't there a .3

stamp developed in 1948 to honor 300-years of American volunteer fire

service?

Frank Livingston, EFO

TOP ASSISTANT

224 Pinedo Drive

Titusville, FL 32780

321 264-3472

FrankLivingston@TopAssistant.com

The history of the fire service in the United States begins in New Amsterdam

(later New York), when Director-General Peter Stuyvesant appointed four fire

wardens in 1648. Similar legislation followed in Boston in 1653, and this

city purchased its first fire engine in 1654. Philadelphia secured an engine

in 1719, and New York in 1731.

FAA TO REVIEW AIR FACILITY FIRE AND RESCUE
Originally Posted: March 26, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing fire and rescue at airport facilities. NEEDA has raised concern about this issue at Congressional Fire Service Institute Advisory Committee meetings: Many airports which handle considerable commercial activity but not passengers do not have fire and rescue personnel available to help in an emergency. Planes which crash or have a safety crisis at these sites rely on local fire departments; but often the response is too slow for the aviation-type disaster. The Federal government will be looking at this and related safety matters. If you have suggestions, let NEEDA know: 8421 Frost Way, Annandale VA 22003 703 280 4622.

Oshkosh TruckChr$(34);s Subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing, Receives $2.4 Million Contract to Refurbis
Originally Posted: March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Oshkosh Truck Corporation's subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing Inc., will refurbish 23 M2500L fire trucks @ $2.4 million for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command.

PA OFFERS EXTENSIVE FIREFIGHTING PROGRAM TO YOUTH 16 AND OVER: 240 HOURS PLUS 2000 ON THE JOB HOURS
Originally Posted: March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

New PA Youth Firefighter Apprentice Program Trains Volunteer Firefighters Starting at Age 16

VIKING SELLS NEW SOFTWARE FOR FIRE AND EMS REPORTING
Originally Posted: March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Viking Technology offers new report management software to fire and EMS market. The company says: The Fire/EMS Enterprise Information System will eliminate redundancy, reduce input errors, provide unlimited user-defined reports on data captured by the system, and will save data entry time through an easy-to-use pop-down list that also ensures conformity of data.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS CONVENTION IN WASHINGTON DC
Originally Posted: March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Top Congressional leaders spoke to the IAFC at its convention in Washington DC, including Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD). The IAFC had been the first org to endorse former VP Al Gore. A key topic during the convention is the new Fire Act grant program which initially provides $100 million. President Bush provides no funds for the future of this program.

GSAChr$(34);s ANTI-DEALER CAMPAIGN CONTINUES IN 2001: WILL A BUSH ADMINISTRATOR SAY NO?
Originally Posted: March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

While GSA still awaits President Bush's nomination for new GSA Administrator, the advocates for Federal centralized cooperative purchasing are pushing ahead to take away the local government market from emergency equipment and fire dealers and distributors. One element in the GSA campaign is a trade show to which they are inviting local fire departments. The only vendors who can exhibit are those chosen by GSA, who give GSA special prices and terms, and who sell the products offered factory direct thus cutting out dealers.

BUSH OKs $100 MILLION FIRE BILL SPENDING
Originally Posted: March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

According to a copyrighted story by the Associated Press, President Bush has told firefighters he would ok spending the $100 million already approved by Congress and signed into law by former Pres. Clinton. He is restoring some of the administrative money needed by the Fire Administration to process the grants.

NEW INFO ON HOW TO GET FEDERAL FIRE FUNDS FOR APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
Originally Posted: March 19, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

There will be a seminar for those seeking more info on how to get Federal grants for fire apparatus, equipment and training: April 25 in Washington DC. The seminar preceeds the Congressional Fire Service Dinner at the Washington Hilton. Dealers are welcome and a NEEDA table is reserved for dealers on the evening of the 25th. To attend, send $300 per person to NEEDA, 8421 Frost Way, Annandale VA 22003.

SPARTAN MOTORS OFFERS NEW CHASSIS FOR EMS VEHICLES
Originally Posted: March 6, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Spartan says as private ambulance companies leave market local fire and rescue departments want ambulances and EMS rescue vehicles which given more flexibility to the professionals on board. New Spartan vehicles eliminate the engine tunnel giving a flat workspace.

AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE HAS NEW CEO: HEADS AMBULANCE SERVICES COMPANY
Originally Posted: March 6, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Jack P. Edwards, with the company since 1996, has been appointed president and CEo of American Medical Response, Inc.