|
Newletters From December, 2004
05 OPENS WITH TAX CHANGE: STOCK OPTIONS MUST BE SHOWN AS AN EXPENSE
Originally Posted: December 30, 2004 5:01 PM
Last Updated: December 30, 2004 5:01 PM
In a long-awaited and sure-to-be controversial move, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ruled that companies must expense stock options given to employees as part of compensation packages. NEEDA Newsletter previously reported on this and related changes in the tax laws for 2005.
The issuance of Statement 123R represents another important change in US generally accepted accounting principles. It will result in more comparable information in financial statements provided to investors, SEC's Donald T. Nicolaisen said.
FASB, which sets accounting rules for corporate America, said companies will have to begin deducting the value of stock options from their profits next year, the Associated Press reported. Current rules require companies to disclose the options in a financial statement footnote.
Congress can override the board's action with legislation. A bill that would require the expensing of options only for the top five executives within a company passed in the House but is stalled in the Senate.
|
|
CENSUS BUREAU SAYS FASTEST GROWING STATES ARE IN THE WEST AND SOUTH, INCLUDING NEVADA, UTAH, ARIZONA, GEORGIA, TEXAS, DELAWARE, AND NORTH CAROLINA
Originally Posted: December 24, 2004 3:41 PM
Last Updated: December 24, 2004 3:41 PM
Four nearby states joined Nevada on the list of the nation's 10 fastest-growing: Arizona (second), Idaho (fourth), Utah (seventh) and New Mexico (10th). The remaining top 10 fastest-growing states are all coastal: Florida (third), Georgia (fifth), Texas (sixth), Delaware (eighth) and North Carolina (ninth).
The nation's population grew by 1.0 percent (2.9 million people) between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004, to 293.7 million, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. With a growth rate of 4.1 percent, Nevada ranked first among states for the 18th consecutive year.
|
|
ONE HUNDRED NEW GRANTS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS: $11.5 MILLION UNDER 04 APPROPRIATOIN
Originally Posted: December 24, 2004 3:26 PM
Last Updated: December 24, 2004 3:26 PM
One hundred matching Fire Act grants to fire departments are part of a 2004 program to give 8,000 departments $750 million in tax funded assistance.
This twenty-seventh round of grants provides $11,521,631 to assist fire departments purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs.
For more information on the Fire Act matching grant program, now in is third year, use the Search application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen. For the website which contains the names of all the grant recipients, click on the title of this article and see MORE INFO? at the end of the text.
|
|
OSHKOSH WINS AUTO AND TRUCK CATEGORY SHAREHOLDER REPORT AWARD: PRAISED BY NEEDA FOR COMPLETE REPORTING OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
Originally Posted: December 23, 2004 2:26 PM
Last Updated: December 23, 2004 2:26 PM
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI) shareholder report is the best in the industry by the according to the 2004 National Association of Investors Corp.(NAIC) Nicholson Awards competition.
Oshkosh was congratulated by the National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA). In a time when Congress and the public are demanding complete honesty with full and complete reporting of financial operations, it is encouraging to see a major company in the fire and emergency business win top honors. NEEDA commends Oshkosh and its divisions for this important accomplishment, setting the standard for all our manufacturers, commented NEEDA President James Pat Griffin (American Fire Equipment, Woodbridge VA).
NAIC is a nonprofit investment-education organization. Now in its 27th year, NAIC's Nicholson Awards program encourages publicly traded companies to produce clearer, more readable annual reports.
For other news about Oshkosh, Pierce, Medtec and other apparatus and vehicle manufacturers, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA NEWSLETTER screen.
|
|
OSHKOSH TRIES AGAIN FOR US DEFENSE SELF-NAVIGATING ROBOT: TERRAMAX; $2 MILLION PRIZE AVAILABLE
Originally Posted: December 21, 2004 3:23 PM
Last Updated: December 21, 2004 3:23 PM
Oshkosh Truck Corporation, a manufacturer of trucks and truck bodies, and Rockwell Collins will develop Oshkosh's second-generation, self-navigating robotic TerraMax(TM) vehicle to compete in the Pentagon-sponsored $2-million 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge.
In its second year, the U.S. Department of Defense is sponsoring the DARPA Grand Challenge through its Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The agency is responsible for overseeing the development of advanced technology used by the military.
Oshkosh(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R), Medtec(R), Geesink, Norba and Jerr-Dan(R) are Oshkosh brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., and had annual sales of $2.3 billion in fiscal 2004.
|
|
PENNSYLVANIA FIRE DEPARTMENTS BUY THREE FIRE VEHICLES WITH FEDERAL FIRE ACT GRANT FUNDS
Originally Posted: December 20, 2004 3:41 PM
Last Updated: December 20, 2004 3:41 PM
Federal Fire Act matching grants of more than $747,000 were awarded to four fire companies in Pennsylvania, several for purchase of fire vehicles.
In Pennsylvania, 1,778 fire departments applied for grant money. Authorized by the federal Fire Act, the program allocated $750 million this year in direct assistance in support of the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. To date, Pennsylvania has received more than $31.4 million during the 2004 fiscal year in federal fire act grant money. The fire departments receiving Fire Act grants for vehicles include:
Edgmont Township, Fire Company #1, Delaware County, Firefighting Vehicle, $225,000.
Clover Fire Company, Schuylkill County, Firefighting Vehicle, $225,000.
Yukon Volunteer Fire Company, Westmoreland County, Firefighting Vehicle, $216,000.
For the complete story, click on the NEEDA NEWSLETTER headline. To search for other fire act grants, use the "Search" function in the top right of your NEEDA screen.
|
|
IF YOU EMPLOY YOUTHS: SEE NEW FEDERAL RULES
Originally Posted: December 18, 2004 12:10 PM
Last Updated: December 18, 2004 12:10 PM
Youth working in your company?
The Labor Department published in the Federal Register December 16, 2004 final regulations implementing changes to employment rules for youth.
The rules incorporate into the regulations the provisions of two statutory amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act that deal with driving and the operation of compactors and balers by teenage employees.
For the complete story or how to get a copy of this report, click on the headline of this story.
|
|
$14.7 MILLION IN FIRE GRANTS RELEASED: PART OF 04 AWARDS TOTALLING $750 MILLION
Originally Posted: December 18, 2004 11:42 AM
Last Updated: December 18, 2004 11:42 AM
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has produced 113 new matching grants to fire departments under the 2004 funding program. Congress and the Administration cut funds for this program in 2005 by $100 million.
This twenty-sixth round of grants provides $14,698,828 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.
For previous grant awards under the Fire Act matching grant program, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen. For the full story on this announcement, click on the headline above.
|
|
BIOTERRORISM THREAT PUTS DOCTORS IN KEY POSITION: NEED BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: December 18, 2004 11:29 AM
Last Updated: December 18, 2004 11:29 AM
The emergence of bioterrorism as a threat creates new responsibilities for the medical community and, for the first time in history, is putting physicians at the forefront of managing disaster, according to an article by Saint Louis University MO researchers in the Dec. 18. 2004 issue of the medical journal, The Lancet.
"Unlike other forms of terrorism, in which an acute exposure or traumatic injury is rapidly inflicted and quickly recognized, such as the 9/11 attacks, bioterrorism may involve an incubation period of days or even weeks," says Bruce W. Clements, MPH, associate director of the Institute for Bio-Security at Saint Louis University School of Public Health, and the lead author of the article.
"In a bioterrorism incident, physicians will have to interface with the FBI and other government agencies that they've never had to speak with before," Clements says. "This type of communication doesn't come naturally. It's learned."
"During these events, patients will turn to their most trusted adviser on health issues -- their doctors -- who will be expected to recognize sometimes rare conditions and take appropriate action. This means doctors will be the tip of the sword -- not the military, not the police, not the firefighters."
|
|
FEDERAL REPORT ON 6,000 FIRES IN US SCHOOLS: 52% CAUSED BY INCENDIARY OR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Originally Posted: December 18, 2004 11:18 AM
Last Updated: December 18, 2004 11:18 AM
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a special report on the causes and characteristics of school fires. The report, developed by the National Fire Data Center under FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration, is part of the Topical Fire Research Series and is based on 2002 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
According to the report, there were approximately 6,000 school structure fires in the United States during 2002. Thirty-seven percent of all school structure fires and 52 percent of middle and high school structure fires are
caused by incendiary or suspicious activity.
For the full story, click on the headline of this NEEDA NEWSLETTER headline. To search other stories about FEMA or fire, use the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA screen.
|
|
NEW TAX TREATMENT MAY HIT BONUSES, SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS, EMPLOYEEMENT AGREEMENTS SALARY DEFERRALS AND STOCK OPTIONS: BEGINNING IN JAN 05 UNDISTRIBUTED FUTURE INCOME MAY TURN UP IN TAXABLE GROSS ANNUAL INCOME
Originally Posted: December 18, 2004 11:03 AM
Last Updated: December 18, 2004 11:03 AM
A new provision passed in response to recent corporate scandals is likely to have an unintended -- and costly -- effect on dealers, consultants and employees ranging from staff members to managers at all types of small and medium sized companies.
These may include bonus agreements and arrangements, severance agreements or provisions in other documents, executive employment agreements, salary and bonus deferral arrangements, stock options, stock appreciation rights and phantom stock plans.
The American Jobs Creation Act, which goes into affect Jan. 1, 2005, could cause some employees and contractors to pay more than 20 percent extra in tax plus penalties.
To read the full story on this new development, click on the headline of this article. To search for other tax issues, use the "Search" function of NEEDA NEWSLETTER in the upper right of your screen.
|
|
EIGHT DOGS GRADUATE AFTER 200 HOURS OF TRAINING TO DETECT ACCELERANT AT FIRE SCENES: RETURN HOME TO NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA, OHIO
Originally Posted: December 18, 2004 10:43 AM
Last Updated: December 18, 2004 10:43 AM
Eight accelerant detection canines and their handlers have graduated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Canine Training Center in Front Royal VA. The handlers and their canine partners, from ATF Accelerant Canine Class #45, will return to their respective state or local law enforcement agency.
The handlers and canines who graduated Dec. 15, 2004 were from seven agencies. They have been training every day for the last five weeks, including Thanksgiving, to complete the required 200 hours of instruction. The handlers have committed to working with their canine partners for at least five years, and will work with ATF's National Response Teams on fire-related callouts. The accelerant detection canines and handlers will be recertified annually.
During the graduation ceremony, ATF Canine Instructor John Dolan thanked the "puppy raisers" who raised and socialized the canines of Class #45. "The course that your dogs have taken will now make the world a safer place for untold numbers of people who will benefit from their unique abilities," Dolan said. "They will become a valuable asset to their handlers and the departments, and will be instrumental in solving crimes of arson."
The graduates and their canine partners were:
Special Agent Kevin Oliver, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and Jada; Special Agent Matt Bivins, NCSBI, and Kaufman; Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Gober, Bernalillo County (New Mexico) Fire Department, and Yoko; Lt. Jennifer Norton, Yakima (Washington) Fire Department, and Wesley; Lt. Robert Rollston, Chesterfield County (Virginia) Fire Marshal's Office, and Hero; Steve Southard, Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office, and Alex; William Roberts, Norfolk (Virginia) Fire-Rescue, and Orly; and Lt. David Doehler, Prince William County (Virginia) Department of Fire and Rescue, and Cadet.
For the complete story, click on the headline of this NEEDA NEWSLETTER article. NEEDA has run previous stories about dogs, including one about the dogs used at the World Trade Center site following the attack on New York City 9-11-01.
|
|
US UNPREPARED FOR TERRORIST ATTACK: WIRTHLIN/HARRIS REPORT
Originally Posted: December 15, 2004 2:37 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2004 2:37 PM
According to the latest research by WirthlinWorldwide (now a part of Harris Interactive Inc.), the vast majority of Americans today remain unprepared for a major disaster.
If the United States were to experience another catastrophic disaster, such as a terrorist attack, would its citizens be prepared to deal with the aftermath? The events of 9/11 forever changed the meaning of "disaster preparedness," and the three years since have provided plenty of time to discuss the need for action.
Now posted on the WirthlinWorldwide website is the December issue of The Wirthlin Report, "U.S. Public Unprepared," co-sponsored by the American Red Cross. This report provides a synopsis of the current state of preparedness among the U.S. population, exploring the gaps between what people know they should do and what they have actually done. The research also reviews some basic steps individuals can take to better prepare themselves for emergencies, and discuss what businesses, schools, and other organizations can do to help.
MORE INFO? www.wirthlin.com/pdf/TWR0412.pdf or www.harrispollonline.com.
|
|
RED, ORGANGE, YELLOW, BLUE AND GREEEN: CONFUSION AND OCCASIONAL DERISION, SAYS OUTGOING SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Originally Posted: December 15, 2004 2:16 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2004 2:17 PM
The Homeland Security Department may make some changes in the color coded security system which uses red, orange, yellow, blue and green.
The system was criticized as inadequate during a San Diego Conference of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, created to advise the secretary of Homeland Security on how to run his new department. Secretary Ridge said the color system has resulted in "questions and even occasional derision." He said the public wants more specifics. State officials say they get confusing info from Homeland Security, Department of Defense and other Federal officials.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney told the Advisory Council that the system gives confusing signals about terrorist threats.
|
|
FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS FALL SHORT IN PREPAREDNESS; WEAKEST PART OF US HOMELAND SECURITY WEICKER WARNS
Originally Posted: December 15, 2004 2:02 PM
Last Updated: December 15, 2004 2:07 PM
The December 2004 edition of Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health in the Age of Bioterrorism says states are still struggling to meet basic preparedness and have inadequate resources to juggle the competing health priorities they face.
The 2004 report asks if the states have strengthened their public healthy systems and made their citizens more protected from catastrophic bioterrorist attacks. The report grades each state on a scale of zero to 10, depending on how many of the ten key indicators they meet to improve.
Two-thirds of the states and the District of Columbia achieved a score of six or less. Florida and North Carolina scored the highest, achieving nine out of the possible 10. Alaska and Massachusetts scored the lowest, with three out of the possible 10.
The report criticized:
Shifting federal priorities and programs which are distracting from fixing fundamentals.
Insufficient accountability and coordination at the federal, state and local levels.
Lack of preparation and stockpiles of vaccines and antidotes.
Stalled upgrades for disease tracking and warning systems.
Lack of chemical terrorism preparedness.
Lack of radiological and nuclear terrorism preparedness.
Lack of funding.
For the complete story, click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter article. To search other items on Homeland Security, use the "Search" function in the upper right of your screen. For a copy of the entire 2004 report go to www.healthyamericans.org.
|
|
$2.5 MILLION USED IN PA TO READ PALM PRINTS IN CRIME DETECTION
Originally Posted: December 14, 2004 2:58 PM
Last Updated: December 14, 2004 2:58 PM
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (Harrisburg PA) approved $2.5 million in federal and state grants for technology for state, county and municipal law enforcement to solve crimes. The Commission also approved $500,000 to upgrade the Pennsylvania State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for the collection and storage of palm prints submitted by municipal police to its central repository.
Livescan equipment has been used by Pennsylvania law enforcement since 1991, but enhancements permitting the capture of palm prints will enable police to identify latent prints from evidence such as knife handles and gun grips, steering wheels and windowsills.
|
|
GWINNETTE COUNTY GA BUYS TOUCH SCREEN MAPPING SYSTEM FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT; MONROE COUNTY NY SHERIFF TO USE SAME SYSTEM
Originally Posted: December 14, 2004 2:46 PM
Last Updated: December 14, 2004 2:46 PM
Pictometry International Corp., (Rochester NY) has sold an information system that captures georeferenced, digital aerial oblique and orthogonal images to Monroe County, NY Sheriff's Office and the Gwinnett County, GA Fire Department. These two departments will use a touch screen interface with their county-wide image databases on mobile laptop PCs.
The touch screen interface was designed with input from Gwinnett County Fire Battalion Chief Wayne Harper, who was seeking to adapt Pictometry software in a mobile configuration that would provide high-resolution database that Pictometry provides its customers.
The touch screen software enables first responders to enter a street address or touch on a map or image to bring up multiple oblique (at an angle) and orthogonal (straight down) images of the requested area. Image measurement features, such as distance, height, elevation, area, and others, can be activated and traced onscreen at the touch of a finger.
Firefighters in Gwinnett County have instant access to Pictometry imagery covering all 427 square miles of their county. The system is currently deployed in 18 command vehicles and is being rolled out to their entire fleet of 83 fire vehicles. Gwinnett's Pictometry system is automated so that as soon as a call is dispatched, an image of the location is found, displayed, and waiting for the firefighters when they get in their apparatus to respond.
|
|
MANASSAS VA COMPANY HAS PILOTLESS PLANE TO USE IN DEFENSE AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Originally Posted: December 13, 2004 3:43 PM
Last Updated: December 13, 2004 3:43 PM
A Manassas VA firm has developed an unmanned aircraft using a Federal contract. While developed for the Defense Department, there could be applications in the emergency response market. Aurora Flight Sciences used a $2.4 million contract to build the prototype for the Defense Department. They compete for the final award in a partnership with Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman and with Falls Churdh VA based General Dynamics. Northrop Grumman is also working for the Air Force's unmanned Global Hawk. Their competitors includce Honeywell and BAE who also secured funds from DARPA for the same project.B
|
|
TYCO UNIT SELLS RADIO SYSTEM TO FLORIDA STATEWIDE NETWORK
Originally Posted: December 13, 2004 3:21 PM
Last Updated: December 13, 2004 3:21 PM
The Florida Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) now links together through a single, unified M/A-COM network. The SLERS network, operated by M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Electronics, now covers over 98 percent of the state, tying together field officers and first responders in 13 state agencies throughout Florida. SLERS uses state-of-the-art technology to provide state law enforcement agencies a single, common radio network.
The implementation of the SLERS creates a unique opportunity for county/local law enforcement agencies to form a partnership with M/A-COM. Local law enforcement agencies that want to join the system may easily do so, which would provide the latest in secure, digital communications for a fraction of the cost required to install an independent system.
|
|
LARGE AMBULANCE SERVICE IN LAFAYETTE LA INSTALLS NEW RADIO COMMUNCATIONS NETWORK BY RADIO IP SOFTWARE INC.
Originally Posted: December 13, 2004 3:02 PM
Last Updated: December 13, 2004 3:02 PM
Acadian Ambulance, an EMS service provider, provides medical care and transportation for a population of 3.4 million within Louisiana and Mississippi. As part of their wireless data communications upgrade, Acadian Ambulance chose a new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software which needed a TCP/IP connection. However, the slow and antiquated 2400 baud proprietary radio network being used was neither IP- enabled nor did it provide adequate bandwidth required by the CAD software in order to function.
Acadian Ambulance purchased 150 licenses of Radio IP MTG. The deployment began in May 2004.
The seller is Radio IP Software which offers these brand names RadioRoam(R), Radio IP Mobility Manager(TM), Radio IP Shadoport(TM) and Radio IP Xpadata(TM).
|
|
CONGRESS RESTRICTS PRISON INDUSTRY SALES ON PERMANENT BASIS: TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE MORE ACCESS TO FEDERAL GOVERMENT MARKET
Originally Posted: December 9, 2004 5:24 PM
Last Updated: December 9, 2004 5:45 PM
NEEDA and other associations representing dealers and distributors have opposed the way in which Federal Prisons get an inside track to all Federal agency procurement. New legislation will change the rules, taking away the automatic nobid, first chance to sell everything position the Federal prisons have enjoyed for many years. Prisons have taken away from small businesses millions of dollars worth of work by just invoking their "mandatory source" status. Even though Federal prisons are unpopular among Federal employees who prefer to get goods from such companies as NEEDA members, they have had a lot of sweetheart inside sales which kept small businesses from competing.
Congress has agreed to a permanent change in the way Federal Prisons sell their goods and services to Federal agencies. Section 637 of an omnibus bill just cleared by the lameduck Congress states: None of the funds made available under this or any other Act for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter shall be expended for the purchase of a product or service offered by Federal Prison Industries, Inc. unless the agency making such purchase determines that such offered product or service provides the best value to the buying agency pursuant to governmentwide procurement regulations, issued pursuant to section 25(c)(1) of the Office of Federal Procurement Act (41 U.S.C. 421(c)(1)) that impose procedures,standards, and limitations of section 2410n of title 10, United States Code.
|
|
US ISSUES 13TH EDITION OF FIRE IN THE UNITED STATES WITH LOTS OF USEFUL FIRE DATA
Originally Posted: December 9, 2004 5:12 PM
Last Updated: December 9, 2004 5:12 PM
Fire in the United States, latest edition, has been published by the United States Fire Administration. It contains a running 10-year statistical overview of fires in the United States, focusing on the latest year in which data were available at the time of preparation.
The thirteenth edition of Fire in the United States covers the 10-year period from 1992 to 2001, with emphasis on 2001. The primary source of data is the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS),
|
|
INDIANA SCHOOL CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO FIRE AND POLICE WITH BUTTONS AROUND THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Originally Posted: December 9, 2004 5:00 PM
Last Updated: December 9, 2004 5:00 PM
The Merrillville IN school board approved will link its school's video system directly to the Merrillville Police and Fire dispatch center with duress buttons located in strategic locations throughout the school.
|
|
YORK COUNTY PA GETS GRANT FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS; PART OF $4 MILLION STATEWIDE GRANT PROGRAM
Originally Posted: December 9, 2004 4:37 PM
Last Updated: December 9, 2004 4:37 PM
The Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Citizen Service (PennSERVE) gave a $124,000 grant to United Way of York County PA, to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans for businesses and organizations throughout the county.
PennSERVE has awarded $4 million in AmeriCorps grants to private and public non-profit organizations to perform community service activities in Pennsylvania in 2004.
|
|
COURT SAYS YOU ONLY HAVE ONE YEAR TO FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST CORPORATE FRAUD THAT HURTS YOUR DEALERSHIP
Originally Posted: December 9, 2004 4:07 PM
Last Updated: December 9, 2004 4:07 PM
The 2002 law known as Sarbanes-Oxley says you have two years to file against a company that has committed fraud against your dealership. But the Second US Circuit Court says you only have one year to file. Because the court is attempting to overturn an act of Congress, NEEDA expects Congress to revisit Sarbanes-Oxley in 2005 and may write new language to give you longer in which to pursue a manufacturer, vendor or customer who has hurt you through fraud.
|
|
KANSAS CITY KS METRO TO USE LOCUTION SYSTEMS FIRE AND EMEGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Originally Posted: December 8, 2004 2:36 PM
Last Updated: December 8, 2004 2:36 PM
Locution Systems, Inc., (Golden CO) will instally automated public safety dispatching and fire station alerting technology in Johnson County, Kansas Emergency Communications Department.
Johnson County covers the cities of Kansas City, Kansas, Overland Park, Olathe, and more. CADVoice(R), Locution Systems' flagship dispatching/fire station alerting product, will be used in 38 fire stations throughout Johnson County's public safety network.
|
|
OSHKOSH'S NEW SUBSIDIARY BRESCIA ANTINCENDI INTERNATIONAL SELLS 80 RESCUE VEHICLES TO SAUDI ARABIA FOR $7 MILLION
Originally Posted: December 6, 2004 11:08 AM
Last Updated: December 6, 2004 11:08 AM
Oshkosh Truck Corporation (Oshkosh WI) says its Italian fire truck subsidiary, Brescia Antincendi International S.r.l (BAI), has been awarded a contract to supply 80 mini-rescues to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The contract is valued at approximately $7 million, and delivery is scheduled to begin in July 2005.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for markets including: defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling. Oshkosh Truck is marketed under the Oshkosh(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R), Jerr-Dan(R), Medtec(R), Geesink, Norba, and BAI brand names. The company had annual sales of $2.26 billion in fiscal 2004. BAI joined Oshkosh family in July 2004.
For more information abouit Oshkosh, Pierce and related companies use the "Search" function in the upper right of your NEEDA Newsletter screen.
|
|
PENNSYLVANIA ISSUES REPORT ON FUTURE OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
Originally Posted: December 6, 2004 8:46 AM
Last Updated: December 6, 2004 8:46 AM
Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann tells NEDA that a commission, created for the purpose of devising strategies to improve the delivery of emergency services across the Commonwealth, has submitted its report to the Pennsylvania House and Senate in Harrisburg.
The 25-member commission was created through Senate Resolution 60, which was passed by the General Assembly in 2003, as previously reported by NEEDA Newsletter. After a series of meetings, the commission drafted its formal report containing suggested legislative actions to improve emergency services delivery statewide. Some of those legislative recommendations are:
Changing statutory language to define emergency services more clearly.
Adopting legislation to reform the delivery of emergency services.
Reforming current emergency services laws.
Offering tax credits to current emergency services personnel and employers of volunteer emergency service workers.
Establishing grant programs that would encourage emergency services volunteerism.
The Commission includes fire and emergency medical service leaders, local government representatives, key state agency staff and members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
|
|
JOHNNY RAY SPORTS SEEKS NEEDA DEALERS TO MARKET SWIVEL MOUNTS TO THE FIRE AND EMERGENCY MARKET
Originally Posted: December 3, 2004 1:07 PM
Last Updated: December 6, 2004 8:36 AM
With 27 years of business serving the marine industry, Johnny Ray Sports, Inc. has now introduced Patented Swivel Mounts for Gimball Mounted Electronics to the Fire/Rescue and Emergency Response market.
Brian Nunnelee, Johnny Ray Sports, told NEEDA: "We seek emergency equipment dealers to help us serve the fire and emergency response market. We want to support our dealers to introduce and sell these products in North America."
Johnny Ray Swivel Mounts have become OEM accessory options for Emergency Communications Equipment for certain Fire Engine Manufacturers. Their Swivel Mounts offer a U.S. Patented, 360 degree unlimited rotating top which automatically locks in it's turned position. All models feature a removable swivel top to allow for easy storage, multiple mounting locations, or for vehicle to vehicle applications by using additional Swivel Mount Base Units (sold separately).
For the complete story, click on the headline. To find other products offered to fire and ambulance departments, use the Search function in the upper right of your screen.
|
|
$17.9 MILLION FIRE ACT GRANTS TO 224 FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: December 3, 2004 12:44 PM
Last Updated: December 3, 2004 12:44 PM
Two hundred and twenty four 50-50 matching grants totaling $17.9 million to fire were made in the twenty-fourth round of the Fiscal Year 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant program will eventually make 8,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters throughout the country.
David Paulison, Administrator of the Department of Homeland Security's United States Fire Administration: "The Assistance to Firefighters grants represent a major effort by the federal government to ensure the nation's firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives.
For the complete story click on the headline above. For more news about the Fire Act grant program use the "Search Function" in the upper right of your screen.
|
|
CLEVELAND HOSPITALS AGREE TO ACCEPT EMERGENCIES RATHER THAN DIVERTING AMBULANCES TO OTHER HOSPITALS
Originally Posted: December 2, 2004 2:37 PM
Last Updated: December 2, 2004 2:37 PM
"Diversion" takes place when hospitals report that they are too busy to take on new patients and tell ambulances to go to another hospital. But, three Cleveland OH hospitals on the West Side have instituted a "No Diversion" Policy. Eight weeks into the policy Fred DeGrandis, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Clinic Health System - Western Region said: "The purpose of this goal is to assure our hospitals are open to the patients and physicians that we serve.It also advances our partnership with local EMS as it allows squads to remain closer to community residents so that emergency ambulance response is not delayed."
Since January 1, 2004 Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran Hospitals have taken steps to significantly reduce diversion hours, with a goal of "zero diversion" by October 1. As of the end of October, Lutheran Hospital had recorded zero ER diversion for six of the last seven months; and Fairview Hospital had recorded its third consecutive month of no hours of diversion. In total, for the first 10 months of the year, ER diversions for Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran Hospitals were reduced by more than 66 percent over the previous year, from 1,497 hours to 648 hours. Countywide, ER diversion hours are down only about 14.4 percent, from 16,748 hours for the first 10 months of 2003 to 14,331 hours when compared to the same time period this year.
To read the complete story, click on the headline above.
|
|
DEC 7-9 CONFERENCE IN MIAMI FOCUSES ON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS: ATTRACTS CARIBBEAN ATTENDANCE
Originally Posted: December 1, 2004 8:58 PM
Last Updated: December 1, 2004 8:58 PM
Dec. 7-8, 2004 An association-run event focused on fast-emerging WiMAX, Wi-Fi and other Wireless Community Networks and related government-funded enterprise networks that use high-speed, high-capacity services to deliver Internet and related IT and telecom services. Collocated events Dec. 6-10 (with separate registration) are attracting eight heads of state from Caribbean and Central American nations, plus 400+ executives from regions
telecom, IT, banking, tourism, textile and energy sectors.
There is heightened interest among first responder leaders who seek improved incident communications through wireless technology.
Where? Inter-Continental Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL
Sponsor: Wireless Communications Association International (WCA) Partner: Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA), host of the 28th Miami Conference On The Caribbean Basin. This conference and exhibition hosted by Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) attracts more than 400 key leaders from the private and public sectors for dialogue on issues affecting the region and its economic prospects.
|
|
NEW 04 LAWS ADOPTED IN PENNSYLVANIA AFFECT FIRST RESPONDERS AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Originally Posted: December 1, 2004 8:41 PM
Last Updated: December 1, 2004 8:41 PM
House Bill 248, sponsored by Rep. Timothy Solobay (D-Washington), amends the Borough Code to provide that a borough may appropriate up to one mill of the three mill tax imposed for fire house construction to pay salaries, benefits and compensation for fire suppression employees. Also the borough may appropriate one half of the revenue generated from a one-half mill tax for ambulance and emergency services to pay for salaries, benefits and compensation for ambulance and rescue or other emergency service employees. The bill passed the House 199-0 and the Senate 47-0. The bill becomes effective in 60 days.
House Bill 250, sponsored by Rep. Timothy Solobay (D-Washington), amends the Second Class Township Code to provide that a township may use tax revenue to pay the salaries, benefits and other compensation of fire suppression for fire suppression employees and ambulance company employees. The bill passed the House 199-0 and the Senate 47-0. The bill becomes effective in 60 days.
House Bill 447, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nailor (R-Cumberland), makes several amendments to Title 42 - Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. The bill provides immunity from civil liability arising from the nature or condition of vehicles donated in good faith to a volunteer fire company for which all known defects were disclosed by the donor to the volunteer company; no immunity shall apply where the donor's act or omission constituted gross negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct. The bill also provides that any person who is convicted of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance, or possessing drugs with the intent to manufacture or deliver the controlled substance, under of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, and at the time of the offense the person or the person's accomplice is in possession of a firearm, the person shall serve a minimum term of confinement of five years, and the court shall have no authority to impose a lesser sentence. The bill finally directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to establish a public information campaign aimed at high drug traffic areas to inform the public of the new five-year minimum. The bill passed the House 192-0 and the Senate 45-5, with amendments. The House concurred 191-5. The bill is effective in 60 days.
|
|
NEW FEDERAL RULES TO MAKE CIGARETTE LIGHTERS SAFER: 3,015 WITH THERMAL BURNS TO FACE, HANDS AND FINGERS FROM LIGHTERS
Originally Posted: December 1, 2004 7:34 PM
Last Updated: December 1, 2004 7:34 PM
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will issue mandatory standard on cigarette lighters.
There are one billion cigarette lighters sold in the U.S. annually. About 400 million of those are imported from China. From 1997 through 2002, CPSC estimated that 3,015 people went to hospital emergency rooms for injuries resulting from malfunctioning lighters. Most of these injuries involved thermal burns to the face, hands, and fingers. For the same time period, CPSC received 256 incident reports related to cigarette lighter malfunctions.
There are one billion cigarette lighters sold in the U.S. annually. About 400 million of those are imported from China. From 1997 through 2002, CPSC estimated that 3,015 people went to hospital emergency rooms for injuries resulting from malfunctioning lighters. Most of these injuries involved thermal burns to the face, hands, and fingers. For the same time period, CPSC received 256 incident reports related to cigarette lighter malfunctions and failures; 65 percent of these cigarette lighter failures resulted in fires, leading to 3 deaths and 6 serious injuries.
For more on this subject, click on the headline above.
|
|
WI-FI COMPANIES OFFER METROPOLITAN-WIDE SYSTEMS SO USERS ACCESS INTERNET WITHOUT USING TELEPHONE LINES
Originally Posted: December 1, 2004 10:56 AM
Last Updated: December 1, 2004 7:35 PM
Boingo Wireless and Tropos Networks (Sunnyvale, CA), a supplier of equipment used to build metro-scale broadband networks, are partners to enable operators of Tropos-powered metro-scale Wi-Fi networks to allow Boingo(R) Roaming System users to access their networks. Metropolitan area wireless service has applications for emergency responders, fire, rescue, and law enforcement. There is debate in some cities as to whether the city or private providers should offer wireless services. Some cities may proceed on their own because they want low income citizens to have the benefits of the internet without having to pay a fee to companies such as Verizon Wireless.
The two companies have successfully completed joint interoperability testing of their equipment and software, demonstrating that Tropos-powered metro networks can be easily integrated into the Boingo Roaming System. The testing showed that municipal network operators can install Tropos equipment knowing it is "Boingo ready" and can join the Boingo network and offer Boingo roaming services on their network.
Ron Sege, president and CEO: "Tropos makes it fast, simple and easy to deploy metro-scale Wi-Fi networks," said.
Dave Hagan, Boingo president and CEO: "The large coverage area and indoor/outdoor nature of metro Wi-Fi services broadens the appeal of wireless Internet access for both today's laptop devices and tomorrow's Wi-Fi-based phones and other consumer electronics.
Boingo Wireless, Inc. is a wireless internet service available in thousands of locations such as hotels, airports, cafes, and other public places, in dozens of countries throughout the world. Both directly and through major carrier and ISP partners, Boingo provides business travelers with a wireless broadband internet connection to improve productivity while on the road. Through its Wi-Fi software and Roaming System, Boingo makes finding and connecting to Wi-Fi networks point-and-click simple and secure.
|
|
|
