NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Rhode Island's law enforcement personnel will begin their CPR/AED re-training utilizing HeartCode, the first computer based, interactive, self-learning system.

Because RI police departments are in need of immediate recertification representatives of the state's 39 city and town police departments, the Capital police, State police, and Airport police will be introduced to this new standard of recertifying their personnel. HeartCode is the computer-based system for the American Heart Association Healthcare Providers and HeartSaver AED CPR courses.

For more information on the defribillator market use the "Search" application on the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

RURAL METRO WINS YOUNGSTOWN OH TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE BUT SHARES MAY NOT BE TRADED ON NASDAQ
Originally Posted: February 26, 2002 1:20 PM
Last Updated: February 26, 2002 1:20 PM

Rural/Metro Corporation (Scottsdale AZ) a provider of ambulance and fire protection services, won a two-year $1.3 million per year contract as the provider of 911 emergency ambulance services in Youngstown OH. The contract begins March 1, 2002. However, the company now will appeal a Nasdaq ruling that, if it stands, would take Rural/Metro off the Nasdaq exchange's SmallCap listing. If the appeal doesn't work, the shares will probably be traded over the counter in the OTC market operated by the National Association of Security Dealers (NASD).

For a lot more about Rural/Metro, use the "Search" application in the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen and enter "Rural/Metro." We have been following the progress of this company since this website was created by NEEDA.

SPARTAN EMPLOYEES AND 75 EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS UNITE TO BUILD A NEW TRUCK FOR THE NEW YORK FIRE DEPARTMENT
Originally Posted: February 25, 2002 4:02 PM
Last Updated: February 25, 2002 4:02 PM

Spartan Motors employees donated time to build a pumper for the New York Fire Department, following the 9-11-01 attack on the World Trade Center. Seventy five suppliers in the emergency equipment business responded by donating products which were integrated into this pumper truck.

2002 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM PROGRAM GUIDANCE--FIRE, RESCUE, AMBULANCE AND EMS VEHICLES ELIGIBLE
Originally Posted: February 25, 2002 10:31 AM
Last Updated: February 25, 2002 10:31 AM

Here is the complete information bulletin issued by the US Fire Administration for fire and rescue departments applying for the 2002 Fire Act matching grant program. This is a long document and includes information on applying (they hope you apply using the internet rather than by "paper").

The bulletin states: "We are allowing your grant proposal to include a number of related “activities” to address all of your needs within the programmatic or functional area. This approach provides you with the opportunity to apply for a more comprehensive grant project that address a broader range of your fire department’s needs. But, because this year’s format allows you to submit a more comprehensive application, you may submit only one application for one program." This is a big change from the 2001 program in which you had to submit an application in each of several categories.

One of the four categories is: Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program. Eligible apparatus under this program include, but are not limited to, pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and boats.

As previously reported by NEEDA NEWSLETTER, applications are due as promptly as possible after March 1, 2002. Use the NEEDA "Search" application in the upper right of your screen for background information on this $360 million matching grant program.

2002 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM PROGRAM GUIDANCE--FIRE, RESCUE, AMBULANCE AND EMS VEHICLES ELIGIBLE
Originally Posted: February 25, 2002 10:23 AM
Last Updated: February 25, 2002 10:23 AM

Here is the complete information bulletin issued by the US Fire Administration for fire and rescue departments applying for the 2002 Fire Act matching grant program. This is a long document and includes information on applying (they hope you apply using the internet rather than by "paper").

The bulleting states: "We are allowing your grant proposal to include a number of related “activities” to address all of your needs within the programmatic or functional area. This approach provides you with the opportunity to apply for a more comprehensive grant project that address a broader range of your fire department’s needs. But, because this year’s format allows you to submit a more comprehensive application, you may submit only one application for one program." This is a big change from the 2001 program in which you had to submit an application in each of several categories.

One of the four categories is: Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program. Eligible apparatus under this program include, but are not limited to, pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and boats.

As previously reported by NEEDA NEWSLETTER, applications are due as promptly as possible after March 1, 2002. Use the NEEDA "Search" application in the upper right of your screen for background information on this $360 million matching grant program.

PIERCE WINS $2 MILLION BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT PUMPER AND AERIAL CONTRACT; WATEROUS PUMPS AND WHELEN LIGHTING INCLUDED; BLANCHARD FIRE APPARATUS MAKES SALE AND PROVIDES SERVICE
Originally Posted: February 21, 2002 9:25 PM
Last Updated: February 21, 2002 9:25 PM

New fire apparatus were sold and will be serviced by Blanchard Fire Apparatus, NEEDA member dealer. Blanchard is Pierce's exclusive sales and service organization in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Boston Fire Department serves more than 575,000 people and has 1700 personnel. Contracts worth $2 million issued by the City of Boston Fire Department for five Pierce Enforcer(R) pumpers and one Pierce Dash(R) 85-foot aerial platform will begin March 2002.

MOBILE SAFETY UNITS FOR USE BY FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, OR CHEMICAL ATTACKS
Originally Posted: February 20, 2002 5:52 PM
Last Updated: February 20, 2002 5:52 PM

Here’s another company offering products for health care facilities and 4900 acute care hospitals to respond to nuclear, biological, or chemical attack. For additional NEEDA NEWSLETTER stories about responding to terrorism, use the “Search” application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

Sector 10's Mobile Safety Units feature single, double or three stage decontamination hot water showers, dressing rooms and full run-off water recovery system within one single unit for under $12,900. The product line is compact and full of life-saving features essential to address site requirements.

APPLICATION WINDOW FOR $360 MILLION IN MATCHING FIRE ACT GRANTS OPENS MARCH 1, 2002 -- ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Originally Posted: February 17, 2002 7:33 AM
Last Updated: February 17, 2002 7:33 AM

Even though the final rules for 2002 haven't been published in the Federal Register, fire departments are urged to begin applying for $360 million in matching Fire Act grants to pay for vehicles, equipment and training beginning March 1, 2002.

Click on this news item for answers to some of the basic questions about this second year of the Fire Act grant program.

For more information about the Fire Act grant program, use the "Search" application in the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENTS OFFERED HELP BY PRIMEDIA IN PREPARING MATCHING FIRE GRANT PROPOSALS TO US GOVERNMENT IN 2002
Originally Posted: February 13, 2002 3:31 PM
Last Updated: February 13, 2002 3:31 PM

PRIMEDIA Workplace Learning's Fire and Emergency Training Network (FETN), a provider of training, education and information to fire and EMS departments, is now offering grant proposal writing assistance to fire departments seeking training funds from FEMA's recently announced $360 million matching Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Through March 22, 2002 fire departments interested in augmenting their training with FETN can reserve a space for assistance in writing their 2002 Fire Grant proposal.

For more news and background on the Federal Fire Grant Federal-Local matching program, use the "Search" application on the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen. The NEEDA data base includes the first year, 2001, grant announcements for this new opportunity for fire and EMS departments.

AMBULANCE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY RURAL/METRO HAS NET INCOME OF $3.2 MILLION VS. NET LOSS OF $21.6 MILLION YEAR AGO.
Originally Posted: February 13, 2002 9:24 AM
Last Updated: February 13, 2002 9:24 AM

Rural/Metro Corporation (Scottsdale AZ), in ambulance transportation and fire protection services, says second-quarter fiscal 2002 earnings ended December 31, 2001, show revenue of $123.8 million, with corresponding EBITDA of $11.2 million and an EBITDA margin of 9 percent. Including the benefit of an income tax refund, net income for the quarter was $3.2 million, or $0.21 cents per fully diluted share. This compares to a net loss of $21.6 million, or a loss of $1.47 per share, for the same period of the prior year. EBITDA stands for "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization."

For more news about Rural/Metro's battle to strengthen its financial condition, use the "Search" function in the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

NONPROFIT SELLS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM TO HOSPITAL AND HEALTH AGENCY MARKET
Originally Posted: February 13, 2002 6:10 AM
Last Updated: February 13, 2002 6:10 AM

The Healthcare Association of Southern California (Los Angeles CA) a not-for-profit agency is marketing an emergency communications system called ReddiNet(TM) (Rapid Emergency Digital Data Information Network) to obtain some of the $1.1 billion hospitals and state and local health agencies are spending to bolster emergency preparedness. For other news about communications products being purchased by the fire, emergency and healthcare markets use the "Search" application in the upper right of the NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

EMP TO SELL HERMADEX TO US EMS AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: February 13, 2002 5:51 AM
Last Updated: February 13, 2002 5:51 AM

Medafor, Inc. (Minneapolis MN) which develops hemostasis and wound management technology, has signed an agreement with Emergency Medical Products, Inc. (EMP), a distribututor of emergency medical equipment and supplies. Wisconsin-based EMP will sell Medafor's Hemadex(TM) technology under the trade name TraumaDEX(TM) to its customer base of EMS agencies and fire departments throughout the United States

FEDERAL SIGNAL SELECTS STEPHANIE KUSHNER AS VP AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, COMPLETES $10 MILLION CIRCUIT BOARD DEAL WITH M~WAVE, AND DECLARES 20-CENT DIVIDEND, UP 2.6%
Originally Posted: February 12, 2002 10:56 AM
Last Updated: February 12, 2002 10:56 AM

Stephanie Kushner is the new Vice President and Financial Officer of Federal Signal, which has just announced a 20-cent dividend and a $10-$15 million deal with M~Wave for many circuit boards. Federal Signal includes Emergency One which manufacturers fire and rescue vehicles. Stephanie Kushner was Vice President and Treasurer of FMC. Stephanie has held senior level positions of increasing responsibility with FMC Corporation since 1989. She began her career with Amoco Corporation and spent eight years in various financial positions. The dividend is the 216th consecutive quarterly cash dividend paid to common stockholders by Federal Signal. Joe Ross, chairman and CEO of Federal Signal, is a supporter of the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA). For more info on Federal Signal and Emegency One, use the “Search” application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER opening screen.

FORT WORTH GETS HEART ASSOCIATION PRAISE FOR DEFIBRILLATOR INSTALLATION
Originally Posted: February 9, 2002 2:39 PM
Last Updated: February 9, 2002 2:39 PM

Fort Worth, TX gets recognition from the American Heart Association for installing defibrillators.

Cities placing AEDs in public buildings include Arlington, 15; Colleyville, 3; Crowley, 1; Euless, 2; Fort Worth, 20; Haltom City, 2; Mansfield, 6; River Oaks, 1; Southlake, 2, and Westover Hills, 1. The County will install 46 AEDs in its buildings in downtown Fort Worth as well as in its public buildings throughout the county. Cardiac Science Inc. won the bid to provide Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth with 66 AEDs for public buildings and an additional 10 AEDs for Sheriff patrol vehicles.

More stories on defibrillators can be found by using the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.

SMALL BUSINESS 2002 OUTLOOK
Originally Posted: February 9, 2002 2:31 PM
Last Updated: February 9, 2002 2:31 PM

Seventy-six percent of small businesses do not expect to add new employees in 2002 while another four percent plan to cut staff this year, according to a new poll released today by Partner America, a partnership between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Management Services.

Only 35 percent of the small businesses surveyed think the Federal Reserve Board's interest rate reductions have had a positive impact on their businesses, while 55 percent think rate cuts have had no impact. Twenty-four percent say their cash requirements will increase this year, while 65 percent say their cash requirements will stay the same.

US GIVES STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ONE BILLION FOR BIOTERRORISM TRAINING
Originally Posted: February 1, 2002 7:48 PM
Last Updated: February 1, 2002 7:48 PM

States are receiving notice on how much they will received from Washington to prepare for bioterrorism. The US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said the money will help teach medical and emergency workers about recognizing the early signs of any infectious disease outbreak including anthrax and smallpox.

Total funding will exceed one billion dollars which is one third of President Bush's allocation for the war on bioterrorism. More funds will be included in the President's budget for 2003.

JUSTICE & TREASURY REPORT ONE THIRD OF PUBLIC SAFETY CALLS FAIL
Originally Posted: February 1, 2002 7:29 PM
Last Updated: February 1, 2002 7:29 PM

The Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN) Program report titled "Answering the Call: Communications Lessons Learned from the Pentagon Attack" provides a detailed analysis of public safety communications at the Pentagon incident on September 11, 2001.

The report recommends how public safety agencies can improve their radio communications.

The PSWN Program is a joint initiative of the US Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury. The program works with the public safety community to improve wireless radio interoperability -- the ability of public safety officials to communicate via radio seamlessly and in real time.

The whole report can be read at: www.pswn.gov/library/pdf/Answering-the-Call-Pentagon-Attack.pdf .