NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Four organizations representing public safety first responders urged President George W. Bush to urge the FCC to approve the Consensus Plan for 800 MHz Realignment.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been conducting a proceeding to resolve the 800 MHz public safety radio interference problem for more than two years. The FCC recently called completing this proceeding its "highest priority." Unfortunately, an FCC decision has been stalled primarily by corporate special interests for competitive reasons; these interests are content with allowing ongoing interference to jeopardize public safety while concentrating on their own bottom lines.

"The FCC has had more than enough time to approve a solution to public safety radio interference," said Harlin McEwen of the IACP. "They need to listen to the chorus of public safety voices across this country and not the corporate special interests who are looking to derail the real solution. They need to adopt the Consensus Plan now."

"The solution to this problem endorsed by the public safety community is The Consensus Plan. With more than 800 supporters, the widespread movement for The Consensus Plan continues to grow," said Vincent Stile, President of Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, Intl. "There is true 'consensus' behind the Consensus Plan."

Radio interference, such as garbled or lost connections, not only wastes critical time in emergency response situations, but also puts lives at unnecessary risk. It is a dangerous reality for many police, fire, EMS and other public safety professionals around the country -- especially during emergency situations -- and is becoming increasingly pervasive as each day passes.

"As part of their commitment to protecting communities, our nation's public safety personnel fight dangerous battles every day. They should not have to battle to have reliable communications tools that allow them to do their jobs right," said Ernie Mitchell, President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The public safety community supports a solution called "The Consensus Plan," a comprehensive plan that will proactively reduce and eliminate interference, provide additional spectrum capacity for enhanced public safety communications and interoperability, and comes at no cost to government, the public safety community, or the American taxpayer.

FIRE SPRINKLER INCENTIVE ACT IN US CONGRESS
Originally Posted: January 29, 2004 7:45 AM
Last Updated: January 29, 2004 7:45 AM

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) President James "Skipper" Kendrick, CSP said of the 'Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2003,' S. 1566 and HR 1824, being considered by Congress: "Without doubt, fire sprinklers save lives, and, when they are not present in structures, needless deaths occur. A sprinkler system will help control a fire, if not extinguish it, in its earliest stages."

"By allowing businesses to take a five-year instead of the current 39-year depreciation for their investment in fire sprinkler systems under the Internal Revenue Code, the 'Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2003' will encourage businesses to make this investment in safety, especially those businesses in older buildings typically not required to meet more modern building and safety codes," Kendrick stated. "This incentive will help our members do their jobs, which is to help save lives and prevent injuries in workplaces."
Kendrick closed the letter by writing, "thank you for taking the necessary leadership in bringing this life-saving issue forward, we look forward to working with you to help ensure its passage in the 108th Congress."

FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES INCREASE IN 03; WILDFIRE DEATHS HIGHER THAN PAST TEN YEARS
Originally Posted: January 8, 2004 3:34 PM
Last Updated: January 8, 2004 3:34 PM

Despite advances in firefighting equipment, training
and communication, 110 firefighters died while on-duty in the United States in 2003, an increase over the 100 deaths recorded in 2002,according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to a review of the deaths, 36 states and Guam saw at least one firefighter dielast year.

FEMA INCREASES TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: January 6, 2004 9:21 AM
Last Updated: January 6, 2004 9:28 AM

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has increased training enrollment by nearly 10 percent since fiscal year 2001. They have also increased distance learning and Web-based training enrollments through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (FMI), which climbed to 182,000 in fiscal year 2003, a 120 percent increase over 2001.

EMI curriculum emphasizes all hazards preparedness, leadership, new technology and best practices in a complex post-9/11 environment.

Classes at EMI last from two days to two weeks, and students come from all over the U.S. Students pay no tuition or lodging costs and are generally reimbursed for their travel expenses.

GET A GOOD LOOK AT THE 04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE MARKET: OSHKOSH/PIERCE TO RELEASE NEW FINANCIAL RESULTS JAN 22 and FEB 3, 2004
Originally Posted: January 5, 2004 5:04 PM
Last Updated: January 5, 2004 5:04 PM

Oshkosh Truck Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies, will announce the industrys first financial results report of the year on January 22, 2004. To get a look at recent performance by a manufacturer you may listen to a conference call via webcast. Use www.oshkoshtruckcorporation.com 15 minutes prior to the event. The companys annual shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 3, at 11:00 AM EST.

Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R), Medtec(R), Geesink and Norba brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, WI, with annual sales of $1.9 billion.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATES ALTERNATOR PROBLEM IN AMBULANCES
Originally Posted: January 2, 2004 5:49 PM
Last Updated: January 2, 2004 5:49 PM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 14 ambulances built between 1997 and 2003 by Horton Emergency Vehicles of Ohio. No recall has been required.

Problem? Alternator failures which result in batteries failing to recharge leaving an ambulance stranded. Another problem? Alternators designed for diesel motors may have been mistakenly installed in ambulance gas engines.

There have been no reported injuries due to the alternator failures. But NHTSA said it's concerned because alternator failure could disable an ambulance.

Horton manufactured 400 ambulances in 2003.