NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Superior Uniform Group reports from Florida that sales have been modestly up in its most recent quarter. Among the markets served by Superior: public safety. The company reports an economic downturn in the nation.

1,929 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR FIRE GRANTS
Originally Posted: April 27, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Ken Burris, US Fire Administration, expects more grant applications as the May 2 deadline approaches. He said the funds must be committed for expenditure before September 30, 2001, the last day of the Federal fiscal year.

TWO BIG EMS DISTRIBUTORS COMBINE INTO BOUND TREE PARR
Originally Posted: April 26, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Two successful distributors of emergency medical services equipment and supplies have merged into a single large distributor called Bound Tree Parr.

Dave Currier of Bound Tree (NH) is founder of the national assocition of EMS distributors which is part of the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA). He is Chairman of the new company.

IAFC STAFFER & FIREMAN SELECTED TO HEAD EAST AND WEST COAST FIRE SHOWS
Originally Posted: April 18, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

NEEDA President Pat Griffin welcomed the appointment of Karl Fippinger as trade show manager for Firehouse. "We know him as an excellent fireman, captain, association executive, and friend of the dealer distribution system. He will do a terrific job," Giriffin said.

HOUSE BILL HELPS PRISON INDUSTRIES GROW: IS OPPOSED BY SMALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: April 17, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Congress is considering HR 1535 by Rep. Frank Wolf (R VA) which is opposed by businesses because it pits the Federal prison industries against private American firms. The bill opens up for the first time opportunities for prisoners to sell their goods to the private sector in competition with small local firms. It also allows the prisons to expand into competition with local firms in such areas as the refurbishing of fire and emergency vehicles owned by state and local governments.

JON HANSEN TO HEAD US FIRE ADMINISTRATION; REPORTS TO DIRECTOR OF FEMA
Originally Posted: April 13, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

Oklahoma City Assistant Fire Chief is President Bush's new nomination to direct the US Fire Administration. He will be supervised by the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The USFA administrator coordinates the efforts of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC), National Fire Data Center, National Fire Academy and the nation's fire programs.

SAN FRANCISCO 911 7-YEAR ELECTRICAL PROJECT IS COMPLETE: BUT SERVED BY FINANCIALLY TROUBLED PG&E
Originally Posted: April 11, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

San Francisco's new 911 center electrical project is complete after seven years, which included adapting the center to reduce heat, improve security, decrease the chance of fire, protect against earthquakes, and respond to California's current electrical shortage . The only problem seems to be that the power for the center comes from PG and E which, according to news reports, is experiencing serious financial problems amidst the California power crisis. The center requires continuous electrical power. But, if cut off it can survive three days thanks to a new generator.

NURSE SHORTAGE WORSENING SAYS PA REPORT
Originally Posted: April 11, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

A new report on nurse staffing shows continued shortages of nurses. The report cites as reasons: "declining enrollments in-and graduations from-nursing schools, an existing workforce that is aging, and an older and sicker patient population." The report includes many recommendations, including considerable increases in funding for nurses training and support and full Federal and insurance compensation to hospitals for the work nurses do for patients.

TEST SHOWS E-911 SYSTEM LOCATES CELL PHONE EMERGENCY CALLERS
Originally Posted: April 10, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

US Wireless Corp has completed a nine day test of an E-911 system to meet the standards of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The system meets "Phase II" requirements of the Federal Communications Commission which pinpoint the location of cell phone callers who contact 911 with an emergency.

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC SAFETY: FIRST TIME ALL DEPTS TALK TO EACH OTHER THRU MOTOROLA SYSTEM
Originally Posted: April 4, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

San Francisco is using the Motorola 800 MHz SmartZone communications to enable fire, rescue, and police to communicate during multi-agency response. The city handles over 3000 911 calls a day. The shared communications system will improve the response to these and other emergencies, San Francisco officials say. The $40 million deal includes XTS 3000 portable radios for the San Francisco Fire Department.

MANUFACTURERS DUCK HUGE COSTS AS LA SUPREME COURT SAYS NO TO SENDING URBAN CRIME BILL TO GUN MAKERS
Originally Posted: April 4, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

The Louisiana Supreme Court has said no to sending gun manufacturers the bill for urban crime. The 5-2 decision is the biggest product liability legal issue since the tobacco settlement. Manufacturers have been following this closely because had the gun manufacturers been found liable for urban crime, almost any industry could be blamed for any related social problem. The court reversed a lower court decision. New Orleans had sued the gun manufacturers in 1998 to require them to ante up millions the city spends to fight crime. The Louisiana legislature in its 1999 Products Liability Act said no to suits against gun makers. The mayor of New Orleans is asking for a rehearing and eventually the case is expected to go to the US Supreme Court.

Product liability has been a major problem for businesses during the 80s and 90s, with many states passing legislation to restrain the explosion of litigation. Litigants often site dealers as well as manufacturers. The tobacco and gun industries are among many which have sunk millions into litigation and legilslation to limit product liability exposure. The Congress has attempted to pass comprehensive product liability legislation for over twenty years, but has been thwarted by he trial lawyers who contend that citizens have the right to file lawsuits claiming huge damages for the past alleged mistakes of companies.

ANOTHER ENTRY IN THE E911 BIZ: HOW TO LOCATE THE CELL PHONE USER WHO MAKES A 911 CALL?
Originally Posted: April 4, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

NEEDA has reported several stories in the last year about the development of the E911 business -- a system for locating a cell phone user who is calling an emergency on a 911 line. Some callers don't know their location, or because of a crisis or accident can't relay the vital info public safety responders need. Being able to automatically locate the caller, just like we can locate callers who call on common wire phone systems from their homes or offices, will be an improvement in public emergency response.

New World Systems has issued an interesting white paper on the subject for public safety agencies. To get a free copy, call Vice President Mark Morton, 248/269-1000.

HOUSE VOTES ON ENDING ESTATE TAX: SENATE SUPPORT IS UNCLEAR
Originally Posted: April 4, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

House moving an end to estate tax. Position of US Senators is not clear.

FEDERAL AID CAN HELP FIRE VICTIMS RECOVER
Originally Posted: April 4, 2001 12:00 AM
Last Updated: October 1, 2001 1:35 PM

US Small Buiness Administration loans are available to those hit by March 29, 2001 fire in Norristown PA. 100 apartments and 130 people were affected.