NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Donna Panazzi of the Laurel Foundation, "The goal is to make AEDs widely available throughout Pittsburgh, and to motivate 50,000 adults and children to learn CPR and AED use, so that we can greatly improve the survival rates for victims of sudden cardiac arrest."

The AED placements at the three downtown Port Authority subway stations -- including Wood Street, Gateway and Steel Plaza -- will be identified by a window/door sticker, featuring the international AED symbol (a red heart with a white lightning bolt).

Following the downtown AED installations, PULSE will implement a media campaign to educate and motivate "citizen responders." CPR and AED training is provided through several approved agencies, such as the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, Community College of Allegheny County, Zee Medical, Inc., and the City of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services.

PULSE coalition partners include American Heart Association, American Red Cross, City of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services, Laurel Foundation, National Center for Early Defibrillation, and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

For other NEEDA NEWSLETTER stories about the use of defibrillators, use the "Search" feature in the upper right of your screen.

GOVERNMENT MARKET FOR COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS IS $13.6 BILLION AND GROWING, ACCORDING TO FROST AND SULLIVAN REPORT
Originally Posted: November 19, 2002 2:24 PM
Last Updated: November 19, 2002 2:28 PM

Frost & Sullivan U.S. Government Telecommunications Markets (San Jose CA), says governments are spending in the government communications market $13.62 billion in 2001 and is the size is projected to increase continuously into 2005.

Vendors can benefit from a strong need for integration of disparate networks. Market success will depend on the ability to create product differentiation by offering packaged and customized end-to-end solutions to meet the continuous demand from the government vertical.

STUDY OF SIX WILDFIRES SHOWS PREVENTION IS KEY TO KEEPING COSTS DOWN AS 2002 WILDFIRE FIGHTING COSTS EXCEED $1.5 BILLION
Originally Posted: November 19, 2002 10:14 AM
Last Updated: November 19, 2002 10:14 AM

A National Academy of Public Administration Panel says federal, state, and local agencies must strike at the main causes of wildland fires in order to bring the costs of fighting them under control. These costs have increased dramatically with the buildup of hazardous fuels feeding the fires, rising home construction in fire-prone areas, and severe drought.

The cost of these fires is estimated to exceed $1.5 billion in 2002, not including the loss of life, homes, and property.

Studies of six large fires from 2001 formed the basis for the Panel's findings and recommendations.

NATION’S LEADING OPPONENT OF DEALER DISTRIBUTION TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WANTS TO BE CHAIR OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM: WILL ADVOCATE FOR FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF THE STATE AND LOCAL MARKET NOW SERVED BY NEEDA MEMBERS
Originally Posted: November 18, 2002 4:33 PM
Last Updated: November 18, 2002 4:33 PM

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) will probably become the next Chair of the US House Committee on Government Reform.

Davis is the leading advocate in the US House for Federal centralized cooperative purchasing. He advocates that the Federal government should provide procurement services for state and local governments to save them money, time, and procurement staff time. Davis was an ally to former Vice President Al Gore on this issue during the Clinton-Gore Administration and, armed with an exclusive letter to him from Gore, spoke on the House floor in favor of the US General Services Administration becoming a procurement source for state and local governments.

Federal centralized cooperative purchasing pits Federal procurement bureaucrats in competition with dealers who currently serve most of the state and local public safety, fire, rescue, EMS, police, law enforcement and emergency response market.

FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT WORKED ON THE MORNING OF 9-11-01: NY TIMES PUBLISHES TAPE OF FIREFIGHTER TRANSMISSIONS FROM NORTH TOWER
Originally Posted: November 18, 2002 3:17 PM
Last Updated: November 18, 2002 3:17 PM

A report on over 70 minutes of tape recordings by the New York Port Authority, which operated the World Trade Center, was released by The New York Times proving that communications equipment which early reports said didn’t work actually repeated, amplified, and retransmitted fire and police wireless radio signals on the fateful morning of September 11, 2001.

``Hey Lou, you left your heat detector here. You need it?''

``Negative Tommy, keep it in the elevator with you.''

"15 Irons to 15."

"Go ahead, Irons."

``I just got a report from the director of Morgan Stanley (probably Rick Rescorla, who was lost in the tragedy). Seventy-eight seems to have taken the brunt of the stuff. There's a lot of bodies. They said the stairway is clear all the way up, though.''

``We got reports of another incoming plane. You may have to take cover. Stay in the stairwell.''

``That plane is ours, I repeat, it is ours.''

The New York Times: “At 9:56, Chief Palmer reported what he saw — many people, hurt or dead, and some fire that could be managed. His matter-of-fact report leaves to the imagination what the arrival of a fire chief and a fire marshal, with more help on the way, must have meant to the people still alive on that floor. They had been trapped for nearly an hour. In their final two minutes, they could behold the promise of deliverance.”

RURAL/METRO, PRIVATE FIRE AND EMS PROVIDER, REPORTS INCREASED REVENUES AND NET INCOME COMPARED TO PREVIOUS LOSSES
Originally Posted: November 14, 2002 8:57 AM
Last Updated: November 14, 2002 8:57 AM

Rural/Metro Corporation (Scottsdale AZ) reports an 8% gain in US revenue over prior year. Earnings were up 33% before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. NEEDA NEWSLETTER has previously reported on Rural/Metro’s climb out of financial troubles. For more info on the company use the “Search” application in your upper right corner of the NEEDA screen.

The company provides of medical transportation and fire protection services, and was reporting on first quarter results as of September 30, 2002.

Rural/Metro net revenues were $125.6 million, compared to $116.5 million in net revenue for the same period of the prior year. Net income was $3.8 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $13.2 million, compared to a net loss of $990,000 and EBITDA of $9.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002.

The company attributed its progress to continuing advancements in operational and billing efficiencies, as well as revenue growth in medical transportation and wildland firefighting services. Same-service-area revenue growth among the company's medical transportation divisions increased 9 percent over fiscal 2002 levels.

MOTORCYCLE PAIRS WILL SPEED AROUND STALLED TRAFFIC TO PROVIDE FIRST RESPONSE IN MIAMI-DADE: BMW TO DONATE 10 SPECIALLY EQUIPPED EMERGENCY RESPONSE MOTORCYCLES
Originally Posted: November 12, 2002 11:10 AM
Last Updated: November 12, 2002 11:10 AM

The Associated Press, in a copyrighted story by Brian Bandell, reports that "Rescue workers are hoping a motorcycle fleet will help them save lives on Florida's highways."

Miami-Dade County firefighters, to repond to such events as a highway accident, would use motocycles which can weave through the traffic gridlock before it can be opened up for larger emergency fire, rescue and EMS vehicles.

The story says similar first response systems are used in Europe.

The Miami-Dade County Commission will consider approval of the program Nov. 19, 2002, according to the Associated Press. BMW will donate 10 motorcycles for the project. Fire departments in other states will be watching closely to see how successful this first responder program will be.

AIR MEDICAL JOURNAL CALLS FOR MORE FOCUS ON STATEWIDE HELICOPTER USE TO RESPOND TO MAJOR INCIDENTS SUCH AS A TERRORIST ATTACK
Originally Posted: November 12, 2002 9:59 AM
Last Updated: November 12, 2002 9:59 AM

The study was done by Garthe Associates under the auspices of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Bureau of Health Quality Management and Office of Emergency Medical Services, the study is the first such statewide, population- based utilization review of medical helicopter services in the country. Authors are Liz Garthe, Nick Mango (Garthe Associates) and Brad Prenney (MDPH, BHQM).