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Newletters From January, 2002
FIRE ADMINISTRATION HOLDS WORKSHOPS IN STATES TO HELP DEPARTMENTS APPLY FOR MATCHING FIRE ACT GRANTS IN 2002
Originally Posted: January 29, 2002 3:46 PM
Last Updated: January 29, 2002 3:49 PM
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Fire Administration's are holding at least one Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program workshop in every State by the end of March 2002. At stake, how to apply for the $360 million Congress has appropriated. They are also working with State agencies to provide the materials states need to hold additional workshops. Therefore, most people should be able to attend a workshop in their area.
The Fire Administration is scheduling these events and will announce them on http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants/02wrkshps.htm. For other news about the Fire Act matching grants for 2002, use the "Search" application in the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
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MEDTEC AND PIERCE PROVIDE EMERGENCY VEHICLES FOR DAYTONA SPEEDWAY; OSHKOSH SAYS FIRE AND EMERGENCY SALES UP 2.3%
Originally Posted: January 28, 2002 6:50 PM
Last Updated: January 29, 2002 12:36 PM
Medtec Ambulance Corporation is the official ambulance of the Daytona International Speedway. Medtec is a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI). Daytona is the home of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season opener.
Pierce Manufacturing, Oshkosh's fire truck subsidiary, is the official fire truck of Daytona International Speedway. Five pieces of Pierce(R) fire suppression apparatus will also be on hand for the events.
Meanwhile, Oshkosh Truck Corporation announced its quarterly results and the payment of a dividend. Fire and emergency sales increased 2.3 percent, to $95.9 million, for the quarter. Operating income was up 5.4 percent, to $7.8 million, or 8.1 percent of sales, compared to prior year income of $7.4 million, or 7.8 percent of sales.
For more information about Medtec, Pierce, and Oshkosh use the Search application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
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TECH CERTIFICATION TEST DATES SET: JUNE 1 AND OCT 19, 2002
Originally Posted: January 18, 2002 4:32 PM
Last Updated: January 18, 2002 4:32 PM
Ten tests are offered for techs seeking certification in 2002. The test dates are June 1 and Oct 19, 2002. There are test sites in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, nevada, new Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washikngton, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
There are over twenty training seminars and trade shows offering help to techs planning to take these tests.
MORE INFO? EVT Certification Commission
PO Box 894 Dundee IL 60118
Voice 847 426 4075
Fax 847 426 4076
www.evtcc.org
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OSHKOSH DELIVERS FOUR LARGE MEDICAL VEHICLES TO ARMY
Originally Posted: January 18, 2002 4:15 PM
Last Updated: January 18, 2002 4:15 PM
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI) delivered four medical vehicles to the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) in Fort Sam Houston, TX. The four M1120 HEMTTs with Load Handling Systems (LHS) and Container Handling Units (CHU) were taken over by soldiers of the U.S. Army Medical Center and School.
This is the first fielding of HEMTT-LHS models to the Army's Medical Corps, and the 147th Medical Logistics Battalion is the first medical unit to be equipped. The 11-ton-payload units will transport medical shelters, medical equipment and supplies.
Oshkosh sells Pierce fire vehicles and Medtec ambulances.
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RURAL/METRO HAS NEW CREDIT AGREEMENT THROUGH MARCH
Originally Posted: January 18, 2002 4:04 PM
Last Updated: January 18, 2002 4:04 PM
The story continues on Rural/Metro’s efforts to draw down debt and meet creditor requirements. Rural/Metro Corp. (Scottsdale AZ), which provides ambulance transportation and fire protection services, has agreed to a new revolving credit agreement through April 1, 2002. The Company's prior waiver expired Dec. 3, 2001.
NEEDA NEWSLETTER has carried other news about Rural/Metro. To read them, use the “Search” application in the upper right of the newsletter screen.
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LA, LIKE SAN DIEGO AND BOSTON, LAUNCHES INSTALLATION OF 1000 DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC PLACES
Originally Posted: January 18, 2002 11:30 AM
Last Updated: January 18, 2002 11:30 AM
In a copyrighted news story, the Los Angeles Times (January 18, 2002) reports that “Los Angeles has placed the first 30 of a planned 200 defibrillators in public places such as the zoo and the convention center in what officials call the nation's most extensive municipal program yet to save the lives of people having heart attacks.” Fifty will be placed in the LA international airport where last year there 13 deaths from 15 cardiac arrests. The city selects places that will be within three minutes of large numbers of people where a cardiac arrest might occur.
The FR 2 units purchased are manufactured by Phillips Medical Systems (Andover MA); David Freeman is the worldwide marketing director for Phillips Medical. Freeman told Medical Device Daily (January 18, 2002) that Phillips Medical has sold 80,000 defibrillators (AEDs) worldwide with high sales in Australia, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.
NEEDA NEWSLETTER has published other stories about the defibrillator market, which is served by EMS distributors. Another company mentioned in previous NEEDA stories is Cardiac Science (Irvine CA) which sells the Survivalink following the acquisition of Survivalink manufacturing (Minneapolis MN). For more market information, use the “Search” application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen and enter “defibrillator.”
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REEVES, AIRESHELTA AND NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE PRODUCTS PLAN INCREASED SALES IN 2002
Originally Posted: January 16, 2002 5:13 PM
Last Updated: January 16, 2002 5:13 PM
The Reeves Group (Frederick MD) and its affiliate companies in mass decontamination and domestic preparedness equipment, has increased production by 30 percent over last year to support greater demand for its products and services since the events of September 11, 2001.
The Reeves Group is in mass decontamination and domestic preparedness equipment. The Reeves Group is an affiliation of three companies that share a common vision and common goals.
The Reeves Group is made up of Reeves Manufacturing Inc which makes stretchers, mass casualty and decontamination products including the Reeves Sleeve, the Reeves Flexible Stretcher, and the Modular and Tactical Mass Casualty Decontamination Systems; Aireshelta Ltd. of Huddersfield, UK, which manufactures inflatable buildings used for emergency response; and North American Rescue Products Inc. of Easley SC, supplier of emergency medical and rescue equipment to the first responder market and Special Operations Forces, including the Raven(TM) and Talon(TM) Litters.
The company's products were used in New York City, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
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WASHINGTON DC HAS OLD FIRE VEHICLES THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED, WASHINGTON TIMES SAYS
Originally Posted: January 15, 2002 4:39 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2002 4:39 PM
In a copyrighted story by Jim Keary the Washington (DC) Times has found continued failures in the DC fire department. Here are some excerpts from this story:
"D.C. firefighters are racing to fires in 15-year-old patched-up engines that should have been scrapped four years ago, according to Fire and Emergency Medical Services documents.
"The situation will only grow worse throughout 2002, The Washington Times has learned, because Fire Chief Ronnie Few has not ordered a single new firetruck since he became chief 19 months ago - and it takes almost a year to build and deliver these custom-made vehicles."
In the next edition, the Washington Times ran another copyrighted story which said:
"The notion there is not any money for firetrucks is absurd," said council member Kathy Patterson, Ward 3 Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary Committee. "Every year, the council sent out a multiyear spending plan. If the chief is saying he can't get the money, [it´s] absurd."
MORE INFO? www.washingtontimes.com
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THE DEATH SPIRAL: HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR COMPANY IS IN ONE?
Originally Posted: January 15, 2002 1:33 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2002 1:35 PM
By Rick Johnson who is associated with highly popular business consultant Michael Marks, who has spoken at three NEEDA Conventions (Las Vegas, Orlando and San Diego)
Late recognition of the problem can cause the CEO or Owner to resort to a mental mode of retrenchment that should be called "Panic Response Management."
Panic Response Management is, in effect, crisis restructuring. There's nothing wrong with crisis restructuring by itself. However, in an ego-driven situation, this restructuring is more apt to occur from the bottom-up versus the top-down. In other words, revenue producing functions or people may be prematurely cut. These people or positions may be, at a minimum, covering their variable expense and contributing to some degree toward fixed expenses. This creates a redistribution of fixed cost which may now jeopardize the profitability of some other segment or division. This can create pressure to close other divisions and business segments or cut deeper into revenue producing functions that are contributing at least a portion to fixed costs, thus creating "The Death Spiral."
MORE INFO? Rick Johnson, Indian River Consulting Group, 321-956-8617 or rjohnson@ircg.com
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HEALTH INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION HIRES MIKE FORD AS VP
Originally Posted: January 15, 2002 1:24 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2002 1:24 PM
The Health Industry Distributors Association (Alexandria VA) has selected Michael Ford as vice president, distributor services.
In this new position, Mike Ford will oversee all communications efforts for HIDA, including marketing, publications, and Web initiatives; and will work to recruit, retain, and provide services to HIDA members.
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FIRE GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2002: FIRE ADMINISTRATION PLANS AWARDS OF $360 MILLION TO LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS – EMS ADDED FOR THE FIRST TIME
Originally Posted: January 15, 2002 12:12 PM
Last Updated: January 15, 2002 12:12 PM
Fire Act matching grant applications for 2002 will be available on and accepted via the internet. While paper applications will continue to be accepted, use of the internet is highly recommend by the US Fire Administration because of the guidance that is built into their electronic processing system.
Also, applicants who utilize the "e-application" process will receive an automatic electronic confirmation that their application has been received once it is submitted.
Fire-based EMS has been added as an eligible project this year.
Eligible activities continued from last year will be Firefighting Equipment, PPE, Training, Fire Prevention, Fitness/Wellness, and Vehicles.
USAF is located: 16825 S. Seton Ave. Emmitsburg, MD 21727 301- 447-1000.
Applications can be obtained from www.usaf.fema.gov.
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FORBES 400 PICKS OSHKOSH TRUCK AS 11TH BEST BIG COMPANY ; PRAISED BY NEEDA PRESIDENT FOR SUCCESSFUL SUPPORT OF DEALER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Originally Posted: January 11, 2002 1:00 PM
Last Updated: January 11, 2002 1:00 PM
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI) owners of the Pierce line of emergency vehicles in the fire and rescue business was ranked 11th on Forbes Magazine's 2002 Platinum 400 List of Best Big Companies in the magazine’s Jan. 7, 2002 issue.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the fire and emergency, defense, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Products are marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce, McNeilus, Geesink, Norba and Medtec brand names. The company had sales of $1.45 billion in fiscal 2001.
For other NEEDA news stories on Oshkosh, Pierce and emergency equipment manufacturers, use the "Search" application on the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
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RURAL/METRO WINS 3-YEAR RENEWAL FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE IN CORNING NY: NEARS 50 YEAR MARK IN SAME CITY
Originally Posted: January 11, 2002 11:40 AM
Last Updated: January 11, 2002 11:44 AM
Rural/Metro gets a three year renewal of a one-million dollar per year ambulance contract in Corning New York to respond to 4,000 calls per year for Corning and surrounding area.
The Company has been the exclusive ambulance service provider to the City of Corning since 1953. In addition to emergency and general-transport ambulance services, Rural/Metro provides standby coverage for public events and paramedic first response services to rural volunteer ambulance squads in New York's Southern Tier.
For more market info on Rural/Metro, ambulances, and EMS services use the "Search" application on the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
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OSHKOSH OFFERS ACCESS TO THEIR FINANCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS JAN 29 AND FEB 8, 2002
Originally Posted: January 4, 2002 11:44 AM
Last Updated: January 4, 2002 11:44 AM
As the new year gets underway, key manufacturers will be revealing their last quarter's financial results, beginning with Oshkosh Truck.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI), a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies, will issue its first quarter 2002 financial results on January 29, 2002 in a live conference call will be held at 11:00 AM EST. To access the webcast, go to www.oshkoshtruck.com at least 15 minutes prior to the event. For other NEEDA NEWSLETTER news about Oshkosh Truck, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen and enter "Oshkosh."
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ABSOLUTE FIRE, EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DEALER & NEEDA MEMBER, AND MANY MANUFACTURERS HELPED NEW YORK RESPOND TO 9-11 ATTACK ON WORLD TRADE CENTER
Originally Posted: January 4, 2002 10:17 AM
Last Updated: January 8, 2002 7:49 AM
Click on this story to read how Absolute Fire, NEEDA member dealer, and its employees responded on Sept. 11th providing needed supplies to New York City. This is an incredible story showing how important dealers are in responding to a disaster. (Dealers responded in similar ways to the Oklahoma City Federal building bombing and the Seattle riots.) NEEDA salutes Absolute Fire for what it did and for sharing this story with other dealers through the NEEDA website. For other news items about the disaster, use the “Search” application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
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PENNSYLVANIA FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVING STATE HELP AND ADVICE
Originally Posted: January 3, 2002 6:58 AM
Last Updated: January 3, 2002 6:58 AM
Pennsylvania first responders are receiving catalogs of available terrorism readiness and response courses. 12,000 catalogs have been issued. Pennsylvania has nine regional counter-terrorism task forces and all local first responders should be connected to one. NEEDA NEWSLETTER has carried other news items on Pennsylvania, which seeks to be a model state in helping fire, emergency, rescue, EMS and law enforcement first responders. Use the “Search” function on the upper right of your screen to read other steps Pennsylvania is taking to help local communities.
Gov. Mark Schweiker (Harrisburg PA) urges local planning and community involvement to increase Pennsylvania's ability to fight terrorism and review plans every two years.
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