NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Grants to 1,087 fire departments are in the nineteenth round of the Fiscal Year 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 8,000 awards worth nearly $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Congress cut appropriations for Fire Act grants by $100 million so the 2005 Federal match will be only $650 million rather than $750 million.

This 04 round of grants provides $89,537,436 to help local fire departments purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs.

NEEDA Newsletter has published many previous reports on the Federal Fire Act grant program. So to search, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA screen.

OSHKOSH, OWNER OF PIERCE AND MEDTEC, REPORTS RECORD ORDER RATES FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Originally Posted: October 29, 2004 4:50 PM
Last Updated: October 29, 2004 4:50 PM

Oshkosh Truck Corporation (WI), a leading manufacturer of trucks and truck bodies, says strong fire and emergency segment earnings offset earnings declines in the defense and commercial segments. The company reports record incoming order rates in our fire and emergency business signal a return to a healthier municipal budget environment.

Fire and emergency--Fire and emergency segment sales increased 50.4 percent, to $198.7 million for the quarter and associated operating income was up 63.1 percent to $19.0 million, or 9.5 percent of sales. The segment's improved sales and operating income largely arose from improved orders for fire apparatus and airport products during fiscal 2004 as municipal spending began to recover nationally and as federal homeland security funding became available to states and municipalities. The JerrDan and BAI acquisitions also contributed sales of $35.4 million and operating income of $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of commercial, fire and emergency and military trucks and truck bodies under the Oshkosh(R), McNeilus(R), Pierce(R), Medtec(R), Jerr-Dan(R), Geesink, Norba and other brand names.

OSHKOSH, OWNER OF PIERCE AND MEDTEC, REPORTS RECORD ORDER RATES FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Originally Posted: October 29, 2004 4:50 PM
Last Updated: October 29, 2004 5:27 PM

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE OFFICIAL BROWN SPEAKS TO NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
Originally Posted: October 26, 2004 4:49 PM
Last Updated: October 26, 2004 4:49 PM

Michael Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will speak to the National Press Club, Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at noon (West Room), 529 14th Street NW, Washington DC.

NEW FEDERAL REPORT ON EMERGENCY VEHICLE SAFETY NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE
Originally Posted: October 21, 2004 8:10 PM
Last Updated: October 21, 2004 8:10 PM

The Federal government has just released a report on emergency vehicle safety cosponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the US Fire Administration. The government is particularly concerned about the high number of fire fighter fatalities caused when going to or from an incident.

Copies of the report are free and can be ordered from (800) 561-3356 or (301) 447-1189.

For more, click on the headline above. For other Fire Administration activities use the Search function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.

OSHKOSH OFFERS A NEW VERSION OF UNMANNED TERRAMAX TRUCK AT DOD SHOW
Originally Posted: October 21, 2004 7:53 PM
Last Updated: October 21, 2004 7:53 PM

Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI) manufacturers specialty trucks and truck bodies for markets including: defense, fire and emergency. One of its divisions is Pierce. Oshkosh is competing in the 2005 unmanned truck program conducted by the Department of Defense.

In 2004, the Oshkosh TerraMax was one of only seven entries to complete the 1.3-mile qualifying course. The vehicle's 1.2-mile run into the desert on race day went beyond expectations.

For the full story, click on this headline. Other stories about Oshkosh can be found by using the Search function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.

KATHY ROSEBROOK IS VP OF NATIONAL TRUCK EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION'S AMBULANCE MANUFACTURERS DIVISION
Originally Posted: October 21, 2004 7:03 PM
Last Updated: October 21, 2004 7:03 PM

McCoy Miller's Kathy Rosebrook was recently elected vice president of the National Truck Equipment Association's Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD). Kathy (Elkhart IN)will help AMD re-shape safety and performance standards for the ambulance industry.

Prior to her work at McCoy Miller, Kathy worked in the Engineering Department of VSV Group's other major division, Goshen Coach.

McCoy Miller, a division of VSV Group, Inc., is a provider of emergency vehicles and serves municipalities and private agencies.

For the full story, click on the headline to this NEEDA Newsletter story. For other news stories about ambulances, use the "Search" function in the upper right of this screen.

EMERGENCY FIELD PRODUCTS FOR US TROOPS IN IRAQ COULD HELP EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN THE US MARKET
Originally Posted: October 21, 2004 6:47 PM
Last Updated: October 21, 2004 6:51 PM

The President of Tiax of Cambridge MA predicts that products Triax is sellling to the Department of Defense for use in Iraq will soon become available to the emergency equipment market in the United States.

Currently, military casualties are sometimes forced to wait as long as 12 hours before evacuation from the battle field to a medical treatment facility where they can receive blood transfusions. Triax plans to make it possible cut out this wait by having the procedure completed promptly in the field.

TIAX, Cambridge MA, a technology development firm, has been awarded three contracts by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) totaling $2 million, to develop three technologies to assist soldiers in the battlefield: an intraosseous infusion device, a medical blood pack, and a wearable stress detection system.

The SENSORS system one of the products Tiax is working on has a range of potential non-military applications such as emergency medical services, public safety, commercial aviation, long-haul trucking, and lie detection, the company said.

For the full story, click on the headline of this story. To search other EMS articles, go to the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.

FEMSA MEETS IN TEXAS OCT 12-15, 2005
Originally Posted: October 21, 2004 6:31 PM
Last Updated: October 21, 2004 6:31 PM

FEMSA's Annual Meeting has been rescheduled for October 12-15, 2005 in San Antonio, TX.

To reach FEMSA click on the headline above.

NUMBER ONE MEDICALERT WEARER AND GOLF EXPERT DIES: LEAVES LIFE SAVING LEGACY
Originally Posted: October 20, 2004 10:13 AM
Last Updated: October 20, 2004 10:13 AM

Linda Collins Maurer, Turlock CA the first member of MedicAlert and for whom the organization was founded in 1956, died October 13, 2004, in Turlock, after a 20-year battle with breast cancer. She was 65.

In 1953, 14-year-old Linda suffered a near-fatal reaction to tetanus antitoxin. Her father and founder of MedicAlert, Dr. Marion Collins, wanted a simple way for others to be aware of her condition, and the idea of a body-worn emblem, supported by a 24 Hour Emergency Response Center, was born. The idea quickly caught on, and today, MedicAlert serves over 4 million members worldwide.

Linda went on to have a very successful career as an amateur golfer, and later turned professional and taught golf for over 20 years. As an amateur she was a two-time California Women's Golf Association champion, a six-time Northern California Golf Association champion, and placed 27th in the 1964 US Open. As a professional she twice won the Ladies Professional Golf Association Senior Teaching Division National Championships.

EMS EXPO FEATURES NEW IDEAS FOR AMBULANCE SAFETY
Originally Posted: October 18, 2004 4:21 PM
Last Updated: October 18, 2004 4:21 PM

This newsletter story is coming to you from the EMS Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, (Oct. 20-23) a trade show for the ambulance service providers and ambulance outfitter. Ambulance accidents and safety issues are nor uncommon in the emergency response business. It's reassuring to see companies addressing these issues here at this show.

American Medical Response (www.amr.net) and American Emergency Vehicles have jointly developed an ambulance as part to mitigate the serious safety risks in the emergency medical services industry. AMR, a wholly owned subsidiary of Laidlaw International, Inc. is headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO.

The ambulance has dozens of new features to help protect both the medics and patients aboard the ambulance from injuries. Among the new features: special seating allows two medics to be properly restrained with safety belts without compromising patient access; a collision avoidance warning system; special external caution lights that alert other motorists that medical treatment is being conducted aboard the vehicle; "black box" on-board computer system (similar to aircraft black boxes) that record driver activity and warn of driving maneuvers outside of safety parameters; and reconfigured interior cabinetry to reduce the risk of impact.

MIDMARK ACQUIRES DIVISIONS OF MATRX: EMEREGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Originally Posted: October 15, 2004 12:58 PM
Last Updated: October 15, 2004 12:58 PM

Midmark Corp (Versailles, OH) acquired the dental and veterinary divisions of Matrx (Orchard Park, NY), a manufacturer and distributor of dental, veterinary and emergency medical equipment. The acquisition allows Midmark to bring conscious sedation products to more clinicians and strengthen its veterinary portfolio. Dan Horrigan, former President and owner of Matrx,will remain in the position of President and also assume responsibilities as CEO. Matrx will operate as a separate division of Midmark.

This item was submitted by Honorable David P. Currier, Founder Bound Tree Medical, LLC 603 428-7619 Ext. 321
DCurrier@BoundTree.com.

EMERGENCY SERVICES LEADERS INVITED TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES PROGRAM AT HARVARD: DEADLINE JAN 05
Originally Posted: October 14, 2004 6:16 PM
Last Updated: October 14, 2004 6:26 PM

Eight senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend Harvard's annual "Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government." Harvard's annual Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government: The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. Selected Fellows will be assigned to attend one of the two session dates: June 12 - July 1, 2005, July 10-29, 2005. Applicants must be available to attend either session. Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process, and if selected also to Cambridge.

If you have a customer who should attend this program, why not share this NEEDA Newsletter story with them?

TRUEPOSITION HELPS SPARTANBURG SC AND VONAGE HOLDINGS HELPS RHODE ISLAND WITH PRACTICAL USES OF THE NEW EMERGENCY 911 SYSTEM: REVEALS THE LOCATION OF CELL PHONE CALLER TO EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: October 14, 2004 6:01 PM
Last Updated: October 14, 2004 6:01 PM

Two companies reported success with E-911 systems that provide the cell phone callers location to emergency services providers. NEEDA follows the development of the E-911 technology, which has been stimulated by deadlines established by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC.

For more news stories on this subject, use the "Search" box in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.

TruePosition, Inc., (King of Prussia) a provider of location-based technologies and solutions, reports progress on Phase II of the Federal Communications Commission's E-911 Mandate.

Spartanburg's Director of Emergency Services, and Jim Rion, the wireless program manager for the state's 9-1-1 office, brought the PSAP into partnership with the wireless carriers servicing the county.

Vonage Holdings Corp (Edison NJ), the leading provider of broadband phone service, says is VoIP E911 trial in the state of Rhode Island delivered both caller's location and call back number to 911 emergency services personnel for 911 calls placed using Vonage broadband phone service.

Vonage's partner Intrado Inc., provides 911 systems and services, in concert with Rhode Island E9-1-1's technical consultant, Arthur Kraus of AK Associates, Inc.

SELLING FIRE: POPULAR PUBLIC TREND IN MARKETING
Originally Posted: October 12, 2004 8:20 PM
Last Updated: October 12, 2004 8:20 PM

Have you seen Ladder 49 yet? NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie saw this movie at a prerelease showing by Disney Studios and the Motion Picture Association of America in Washington DC. As an emergency equipment dealer you'll enjoy this movie and you'll be interested in the details some of which will meet your approval and some of which may amuse or dismay you.

But, there is more. The new TV series "Rescue Me" featuring a firehouse in New York City is successfully reaching adults 18-49 according to advertising experts. This TV show is riding a wave of new interest in firefighting and rescue.

This theme is reflected in the increasing number of products which are being marketed with firefighting themes.
Some are being offered by Firefighter Brand Products which sells such things as cola drinks and chips. Firefighter Brand Products is growing toward $500 million in sales within five years according the USA Today, October 12.

Another example of this trend: Firehouse Subs, a chain of 165 restaurants where you can get a sandwich named Hook and Ladder or Engineer. Cups have the Dalmatian dog look. The company is shooting to open 1,000 restaurants.

So, all the objects you've come to see at every fire and rescue trade show. . . expect to see them in the stores and in promotions by other industries.

Dealers: there must be a way we can capitalize on this interest in the market we are so passionate about! Send your ideas to NEEDA: KentonP1@aol.com.

FIRE PUBLICATIONS HELP WITH FUND RAISING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Originally Posted: October 12, 2004 11:51 AM
Last Updated: October 12, 2004 11:51 AM

Firebomber Publications and Emergency Training Associates (ETA) will provide fund-raising for organizations that support firefighters.

Firebomber Publications will not offer 'Firestorm' to mainstream bookstores, like Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Borders, until January 2005. This gives any ETA affiliate virtually no bookstore competition through the lucrative 2004 Christmas season! In these financially difficult times, this offers firefighters' families some relief.

Firebomber Publications is a small press dedicated to providing exciting firefighting fiction to the general public. Firebomber Publications donates 50% of the profits from sales of the "Firebombers Incorporated" product line to organizations that support the families of injured and fallen firefighters.

EMPLOYERS REPORT THEFT BY EMPLOYEES
Originally Posted: October 12, 2004 11:21 AM
Last Updated: October 12, 2004 11:21 AM

Three in five privately held companies say they expect an employee will steal company funds or equipment sometime in the coming year. One-third, they predict, will siphon funds from clients, according to Sales and Management magazine.

* Just over one third of companies in the survey said they plan to conduct a risk assessment of executive protection related exposures, including crime, in the coming year.

* Almost 70 percent of companies already conduct background checks on new employees. It is hard to imagine any small business owner not conducting a background check on prospective employees. Criminal, credit, financial and employment checkups are worth the time, energy and expense, commented NEEDA Executive Vice President Kenton Pattie who conducts executive searches for other organizations.

* Less than one-fourth have purchased crime insurance.

RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RECEIVE FEDERAL TRAINING GRANT
Originally Posted: October 12, 2004 11:12 AM
Last Updated: October 12, 2004 11:12 AM

A $111,313 Federal Rural Emergency Medical Service Training and Equipment (REMSTEP) grant for 5,000 emergency medical service personnel (EMS) in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska's Aleutian Islands will provide training in topics trauma assessment, head and spinal trauma, trauma assessment of children and other critical care issues.

Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) was awarded the grant to expand live interactive EMS training programs through its Northwest TeleHealth network.

The INHS TeleHealth network operates a video conferencing network that consists of 55 hospitals and clinics. Northwest TeleHealth will connect to other video conferencing systems in Alaska and Oregon to reach the entire region.

SPARKS FROM RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CAUSE FIRE: US FINES 18 YEAR OLD $10 MILLION
Originally Posted: October 12, 2004 10:06 AM
Last Updated: October 12, 2004 10:06 AM

Ryan Unger, 18, must pay $10 million to the US Forest Service in charge of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests for starting a forest fire in August 2004 in Washington State by operating an off-road vehicle without a spark arrester. The Associated Press reports in a copyrighted story that the fire burned thousands of acres and one home.

Fighting the wildfire cost the state of Washington $14.9 million.

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM TRAINING AVAILABLE FROM FEDS
Originally Posted: October 4, 2004 10:18 AM
Last Updated: October 4, 2004 10:18 AM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, has released the new IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Federal Disaster Workers and all emergency personnel with disaster response duties.

This course is designed to identify ICS features and principles, describing in more detail elements such as: Establishment & Transfer of Command, Management by Objectives, Unified Command, ICS Management Functions,Organizational Flexibility, Unity and Chain of Command, Span of Control,Incident Action Plans, Resource Management, Common Terminology and Clear Text, Integrated Communications, and Personnel Accountability.

The specific target audience is the FEMA disaster response workforce and others involved in disaster response to the Incident Command System.

For more info, click on the headline of this story