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Newletters From February, 2008
POSSIBLE SALE OF E-0NE, AS REPORTED YESTERDAY BY NEEDA NEWSLETTER, GETS HEADLINES IN OCALA, FL NEWSPAPER: E-ONE's FOR SALE, BUT WHO IS BUYING? ANALYST PREDICTS PURCHASE COULD COME FAST
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 2:01 PM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 2:01 PM
BY RICK CUNDIFF
STAR-BANNER (Copyright 2008)
OCALA — Federal Signal Corp.'s announcement Wednesday that it's selling firetruck manufacturer E-One raises one immediate question: Who might be buying?
E-One, founded in Ocala in 1974, could end up in the hands of another firetruck maker. Or a heavy-duty truck manufacturer such as Volvo or Navistar. Or the company could be bought by a private equity firm seeking to maximize profits quickly.
Any of those three scenarios is possible at this point, analysts and a fire industry consultant say.
"I would expect that you're going to see a regional firetruck manufacturer that wants Federal Signal's dealer network," said Steve Barger, a research analyst with Cleveland-based KeyBanc Capital Markets. "I view private equity as less likely."
Federal Signal has owned E-One for 29 years. But when the division started consistently losing money last year, activist investors started pressuring the company's board of directors to stem the flow of red ink, Barger said.
"The segment was not losing money significantly until recently," he said. Barger called the situation a contributing factor to Federal Signal President and CEO Robert Welding's ouster in December.
Barger praised E-One president Peter Guile's work in his seven months on the job to turn around E-One and restore the dealer network.
"E-One is still a valuable brand with a good and growing dealer network, and once the operational issues are fixed, which Peter Guile is in the process of doing, I think it can return to profitability," he said.
But an E-One turnaround is still going to take time, and shareholder pressure on Federal Signal doesn't give it that time, Barger added.
Analyst Walter Liptak of Barrington Research said Wednesday that a sale to a private equity firm was a strong possibility for E-One. But Barger was more skeptical, noting that the U.S. firetruck business is more complex than private equity buyers might expect.
"Selling fire equipment is largely a relationship-driven business," he said. "You need to understand the vagaries of the dealer network and of the firetruck market itself."
Competitor American LaFrance's filing for bankruptcy protection in January also could affect who buys E-One. Patriarch Partners, a private equity company, bought American LaFrance from DaimlerChrysler in December 2005.
"Private equity firms are going to take a hard look at what the precipitating factors were for American LaFrance's bankruptcy," Barger said.
What could E-One sell for? That's a tough call, Barger said.
"Given the lack of profitability right now, it makes it very hard to set a value," he said.
Barger offered a "very rough" price estimate of 30 percent to 50 percent of E-One's sales last year. That would yield a price of about $60 million to $100 million for the company, based on sales of slightly more than $200 million.
But Barger admitted his estimate could vary by 50 percent or more in either direction.
A sale of E-One could happen quickly, Barger said.
"I would be surprised if Federal Signal still owns E-One by the start of the third quarter," he said. Federal Signal's fiscal year tracks the calendar year, meaning the company's second quarter will end June 30.
Fire industry consultant Bob Barraclough, who was E-One's vice president of sales and marketing in the mid-1980s, said E-One isn't likely to end up owned by a competitor such as Oshkosh Corp.'s Pierce brand.
"You take the top five [manufacturers] and there's nothing to be gained. . . . There's nothing they need," he said. "I don't see another company in the U.S. buying it."
Private equity firms, with a focus on short-term results, likely wouldn't gain much from E-One either, he added.
"This firetruck business is not out of the Harvard Business School," he said. "This business takes a lot of relationships, and building a following."
Rick Cundiff may be reached at rick.cundiff@starbanner.com or 352-867-4130
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VICTIMS OF OCTOBER 07 WILDFIRES PUT TOGETHER AND SHARE THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE TRAGEDY AND POST FIRES CHALLENGES
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 1:36 PM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 1:47 PM
Here from the Los Angeles Times (copyright 2008) is an excellent look at the aftermath of the October 07 fires that devastated huge areas of southern California. The Times has thoughtfully captured the challenge and feelings of those at the fires and those left behind, homeless and uncertain as to how to deal with the county and their feelings. This is a touching piece and goes well behind the headlines to pick up the enormity of the wildfires in their impact on homeowners, families, and neighbors. . . seriously, what would you have done?
Kenton Pattie, Executive Director, National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association, KentonP1@aol.com:
As firefighters battled flames and evacuated northeastern San Diego County in October, 07, a group of Cedar fire survivors did what they wished someone had done for them five years ago.
They headed out on fire watch.
David Kassel, 53, the group's founder, drove over to Billi-Jo Swanson's horse ranch with his fire hose to help wet down brush.
Steven Murray, 54, rode his motorcycle above San Vicente Dam to investigate reports of flames climbing the hill.
Then Kassel and Valentine "Val" Lance, 67, motored out to keep tabs on Wildcat Canyon Road, a major thoroughfare to Ramona that firefighters kept closing. The pair advised residents whether to stay home or evacuate.
That kind of expertise was hard won. Five years ago, they met as shell-shocked strangers, burned out by the Cedar fire -- the state's worst in 75 years -- which consumed 273,000 acres, killed 15 people and left more than 3,000 homeless.
Survivors convened on Thursday nights in the Lakeside storefront of Maine Avenue Tax Service. They were academics and ranchers, Democrats and Republicans, exurban neighbors who wouldn't have said more than hello at Starbucks before the fire.
Week by week, they helped each other through illnesses and other crises. The group grew from 10 to 50, adding an online list of many more. Some rebuilt bigger and better, and dropped out of the group. Others faltered and still haven't rebuilt.
Then the wildfires returned to San Diego County. New fire victims began turning up at meetings, adrift and alone, and the dozen remaining regulars realized that they had a new mission.
At one of the Cedar fire group's first meetings, a dozen survivors sat in a circle and took turns telling their stories.
Kassel, a branch manager for a gate company, sat with his wife, Kathy, 50. White-haired Alma Russell, 66, came with partner Alvin Minnick, 70. Debbie Williams, 47, brought her two kids. Lance, a retired British biologist, had his golden retriever Camillo at his feet.
Russell cried as she told about her tenant of 10 years who rescued a neighbor, then became trapped by the flames and returned to her bed to die.
At a later meeting, Lance told the group how four of his neighbors died trying to flee the fire, including a man stranded in an RV with his Irish wolfhounds.
A few meetings later, Kassel asked the group if they wanted to talk about their emotions. They said no. They weren't ready.
He never asked again.
"People talk about not so much their feelings as the situation they're in," Kassel said. "You don't have to say 'I feel this way.' We know."
In those early days, the group was overcome by a numbness that Minnick described as "doubled-over painful."
They were lonely. Family and friends were sick of hearing them complain about dealing with trash haulers, county permits and insurance.
They were weighed down with binders of paperwork, straining to remember how many electrical outlets they lost in the fire, how many light fixtures and drawers full of -- they couldn't remember just what, but surely something they would miss in a year or two.
Some didn't have insurance, or discovered soon after the fire that they were underinsured. They couldn't afford to rebuild. Others weren't sure they wanted to.
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TEXAS WILDFIRES GET FEDERAL HELP FROM FEMA
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 1:04 PM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 1:04 PM
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the New Archer Fire following a request from the State of Texas on Thursday it was announced in Denton, TX.
William Peterson, FEMA regional administrator: "Fire conditions in Archer and Young counties are extreme and the New Archer Fire covered 7,400 acres when the state requested federal aid. Fires like this show how important it is for firefighters to receive the support they need to protect the public."
At the time of the request, the fire had spread into Young County and threatened the community of Jean. A shelter was set up in Archer City for the residents of Jean. Peterson encourages all Archer and Young County residents to monitor conditions carefully and heed safety instructions issued by local officials.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state, local and tribal government eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.
Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
MORE INFO? FEMA 500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
or (800) 621-FEMA
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TYCO AND OSHKOSH RELEASE COMPANY INFO MARCH 5, 08 IN NY CITY AT 8:45 AM AND 1:30 PM EASTERN
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 12:56 PM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 1:24 PM
Tyco International Ltd. (Pembroke, Bermuda) and Oshkosh Corporation (Oshkosh, WI) will present at the Citigroup Annual Global Industrial Conference being held at the Grand Hyatt in New York on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.
Oshkosh will present at 8:45 AM. EST and will be web cast with viewer controlled slides. To access the web cast, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com at least 15 minutes prior to the event.
Tyco will present at 1:30 PM EST and similarly, viewers should use the Tyco website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation.
Tyco International provides security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, valves and controls in 60 countries.
Oshkosh Corporation is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of equipment, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI™, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, Geesink™, Norba™, Kiggen™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®.
The Tyco's presentation will be given by Edward Arditte, Senior Vice
President, Strategy & Investor Relations and Naren Gursahaney, President of
ADT Worldwide.
Oshkosh's presentation will be by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert G. Bohn.
NEEDA NEWSLETTER readers are invited to listen to a live webcast of the presentations and view the supporting materials on the company's website.
MORE INFO? www.tyco.com or www.oshkoshcorporation.com
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MSA 07 NET INCOME UP IN 2007 BY 6 PERCENT VS. 06; FOURTH QUARTER SALES UP RECORD OF 4% BUT NET INCOME DOWN 10 PERCENT . . . REDUCED SALES TO US FIRE SERVICE BECAUSE OF DELAYS IN BREATHING APPARATUS STANDARDS PUBLICATION . . . MSA CLIFTON, NJ PLANT IS SOLD
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 12:41 PM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 12:41 PM
MSA (Pittsburgh, PA) net sales for the year ended Dec. 31, 07 were $990.3 million compared with $913.7 million in 06, an increase of $76.6 million or 8 percent.
For the year 07, sales growth in North America dropped to the U.S. fire service because of purchasing delays due to a new breathing apparatus standard promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
In Europe, MSA sales growth was due to currency translation, while International sales increased 24 percent, most of which was attributable to higher business in local currencies.
John T. Ryan III, MSA Chairman and CEO: "Sales growth in North America was achieved despite continuing disruptions in the fire service market that resulted from delays in late 06 and early 07 in government funding to fire departments under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and the transition to new NFPA standards."
Ryan: "I am disappointed that we did not achieve our goal of record
earnings for the year. Almost all of this shortfall is due to sales below
our expectations to the U.S. Fire Service and to exceptional tax charges in
Germany and Japan. In the U.S. Fire Service we have in the past identified
four major factors in the timing of our business in this sector:
-- U.S. Federal Government funding of the Fire Service (AFG).
-- MSA getting compliance certification of our breathing apparatus to new
NFPA standards and producing orders and evaluation samples.
-- MSA's market share in breathing apparatus orders that have been placed.
-- Customer timing of their purchase decisions."
Ryan: MSA was the first supplier to achieve compliance certification
of breathing apparatus to the new NFPA standards covering models
representing over 80 percent of sales in this line. MSA produced the
customer evaluation samples by mid-fourth quarter and MSA production is catching up with demand.
In North America, fourth quarter sales were $1.6 million lower than in
the same quarter last year, reflecting lower shipments of self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Net income for the year ended December 31, 07 was $67.6 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or 6 percent, compared with $63.9 million, or $1.76 per basic share, for 06.
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 07 were $267.5 million compared
with $256.9 million for the fourth quarter of 06, an increase of $10.6
million, or 4 percent.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 07 was $17.5 million, or 49 cents per basic share, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 10 percent, compared with $19.5 million, or 54 cents per basic share, for the same quarter last year.
The company's record fourth quarter sales reflect strong growth in
MSA's International segment, partially offset by somewhat lower sales in
North America and Europe.
Fourth quarter International sales increased $14.9 million, driven by local currency sales growth in multiple markets, including Australia where local currency sales increased $3.6 million primarily on the strength of a large breathing apparatus order for the Australian Navy.
Local currency sales also improved $2.5 million in Latin America, $1.6 million in Asia and $1.5 million in South Africa, primarily due to MSA's continued focus on growth initiatives in these markets. Currency translation effects increased International segment sales by $4.7 million, when stated in U.S. dollars.
Fourth quarter sales in Europe were $2.7 million lower, reflecting
lower local currency sales in Eastern Europe, partially offset by favorable
currency translation effects when stated in U.S. dollars.
Fourth quarter 06 sales included an $8.8 million order for chemical suits for the Slovakian government. For the year, sales by MSA Europe increased 9 percent, though this increase was due to currency translation effects.
Local currency orders and sales in Europe were flat to slightly down for
the full year in 07 after very strong growth in the previous year. In
06 MSA Europe had a large buildup of backlog during the first three
quarters of the year, followed by exceptionally strong invoicing in the
fourth quarter to liquidate the backlog buildup. In 07, invoicing was
somewhat more timely and left less catch-up invoicing for the fourth
quarter. In the fourth quarter of 07, MSA's European orders and shipments met expectations but were down compared to the exceptional levels of the previous year. Fourth quarter 07 earnings in Europe were 74 percent above the comparable earnings of the four quarter of 05.
In North America, fourth quarter sales were $1.6 million lower than in
the same quarter last year, reflecting lower shipments of self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Fourth quarter net income in MSA's International segment improved $0.5
million on higher sales, partially offset by higher operating expenses and
a one-time income tax charge of $1.7 million for the quarter in Japan. In
North America, fourth quarter net income was up $0.5 million, reflecting
improved gross margins. Additionally, fourth quarter 06 net income in
North America benefited from a more favorable income tax profile than in
the current quarter. In Europe, fourth quarter net income was $1.3 million
lower, reflecting the previously mentioned reduction in exceptional
shipments of backlog.
The fourth quarter net loss of $1.4 million in reconciling items
relates primarily to currency exchange losses and income taxes on
intercompany items that are reported at the corporate level.
Overall, MSA's income before taxes in the fourth quarter of 07 was 16
percent greater than in the fourth quarter of 06. However, the swing in
the tax rates caused the decline in quarterly net income. Tax issues were
the previously mentioned Japanese tax charge in 07 while, in the fourth
quarter of 06, the company booked a reduced tax charge of about $3
million due to a lower state tax profile and the reinstatement of the R&D
tax credit.
Profitability in North America in 07 was helped by the sale of real
estate in the third quarter and a $1.9 million pre-tax gain on the sale the
company's Clifton, New Jersey, plant.
Overall for the company, however, the gains on these sales were roughly offset by the costs of exceptional items, including charges related to Project Magellan factory consolidation programs and the realignment of the European management team, major tax charges in Japan and Germany, and other one-time items. Excluding the exceptional tax charges and the increase in European restructuring costs in 07, European net profit for the year would have shown a percentage increase roughly comparable to the sales increase. Likewise, without the Japanese tax charge of about $1.3 million, International net profit would have had an annual percent increase of 20 percent, close to the percent sales increase.
John T. Ryan III, MSA Chairman and CEO: "The sales growth in our International segment is especially satisfying because it is the direct result of recent initiatives to expand MSA's presence in these markets. Head protection and fall protection in North America and permanent instruments in Europe made good contributions."
MSA’s share of customer orders that have been satisfactory. The negatives are that the positive factors started too late to generate the results MSA wanted in calendar year 07 and customers held off making
purchase decisions in late 07. The latter was due to multiple factors,
particularly the inability of customers to do comparative breathing
apparatus evaluations because our competitors either did not have certified
products meeting the new NFPA standards or samples for evaluation, the need for customers to figure out how to handle new AFG administrative procedures."
Ryan: "In the end, our incoming orders for fire service products in North
America were up a little in 07 over 06, but not up to MSA’s expectations.
MSA’s North American military business was higher in 07 than 06, but some
invoicing opportunities slipped to 08 due to constraints by external
suppliers. MSA business outside of the U.S. Fire Service and the North
American military, roughly 80 percent of MSA’s total 07 sales, met MSA’s goal of 10 percent growth for the year, helped by strong performance by MSA International, the other good contributors and a little assistance from favorable changes in exchange rates."
Ryan: "Looking at 08, our prospects at the present time look favorable in
all three of the above markets. We expect that the delay in utilization of
AFG funding and in fire department evaluations of equipment meeting the new NFPA standards -- factors that have recently constrained our U.S. Fire
Service business -- are diminishing and that we will benefit with better
sales in the first half of 08. The strong level of incoming orders in
this segment in the first two months of 08 supports this. We also believe
that our North American military sales will be higher in 2008 than 2007,
and we continue to pursue our long term goal of having our total sales,
less North American military and U.S. Fire Service, grow at 10 percent
annually. A global recession would significantly hinder this, but this has
not yet after two months been evident in the markets that are important to
us. Of course, we are only beginning 2008 and the year has a long way to
go."
Ryan: "During 07, we made significant progress on Project Magellan to
improve the efficiency of our North American manufacturing operations.
Ryan: These efforts included the relocation of certain manufacturing operations within the U.S. and Mexico to improve facility utilization and efficiency.”
MSA realigned management team in Europe during the year and
expanded the responsibilities of corporate executives to
continue making MSA a fully global company. These initiatives
are already resulting in improvements in product costs and more effective
management of our global business.
Established in 1914, MSA develops manufactures and supplies safety products that protect people's health and safety. MSA safety products integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced
materials to protect fire fighters against hazardous or life-threatening
situations.
The company's products are used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras.
MSA provides consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of $1 billion, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and 42 international locations.
MORE INFO? http://www.msanet.com
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MORE AIR AMBULANCE HELICOPTERS GOING TO MIDDLE EAST WAR ZONE; LEAVES REMOTE AREAS OF THE US WITHOUT CIVILIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 12:03 PM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 12:03 PM
Congress has been under pressure from communities that are losing fire and ambulance service and civilian EMTs because military emergency response units are being sent to Iraq depleting local emergency response capability.
For example, the US Army plans to send a Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks air ambulance unit to Iraq or Afghanistan in July, 2008 thus cutting air response in hard to reach areas of central Alaska.
Other states affected by deployments of emergency medical technicians have turned to the National Guard to take over air ambulance services. The National Guard or civilian contractors are most likely candidates for continuing Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic (MAST) service.
The Alaska National Guard has a Blackhawk unit and a combat search and rescue unit that could perform air ambulance rescues. The units, stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, are rarely used because of MAST.
Local emergency officials fear that more departures for the Middle East will leave dozens who need emergency aid in remote areas without a fast option for help.
Company C of the 1st Battalion 52nd Aviation Regiment provides Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic service, known as MAST, throughout the Interior. The unit aids in dozens of non-military emergency rescues every year, from small plane crashes to all-terrain vehicle accidents.
Dan Johnson, executive director of the Interior Region EMS Council: "Rural and Fairbanks EMS are very concerned if the service is lost, what might replace it.” Lt. Gen. John M. Brown sent a letter to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's office notifying her of the impending deployment to the Middle East from Alaska. MAST service will be discontinued in Alaska July 1, 2008.
Johnson has sent letters to Palin and Alaska's congressional delegation asking for assistance in keeping a portion of the MAST program in Alaska.
Army Alaska spokesman Maj. Chris Hyde: "There are a lot of soldiers in the Middle East getting hurt who need air ambulances."
MAST service in other states has been dropped. The last other state with an Army MAST program, Hawaii, lost the service.
Hyde: "When they're deployed, they're doing quite frankly the same thing except they have people shooting at them.”
The Blackhawk choppers also are scheduled for overseas deployment to cover part of the 12- to 15-month deployment for Company C.
Army officials recognize the importance of MAST to US citizens in the Interior of Alsaka but say there is a greater need in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Hyde told Alaskans: "We can't always rely on certain air ambulance companies."
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HIGHWAY WATCH ASKS TRUCK DRIVERS TO SPOT TERRORISTS; BUT, SEN. LAUTENBERG, NJ, SAYS REQUIRE DRIVERS TO CLEAR THE TERRORIST LIST BEFORE ENTERING TUNNELS AND BRIDGES
Originally Posted: February 29, 2008 11:30 AM
Last Updated: February 29, 2008 11:32 AM
Highway Watch, a program run by the American Trucking Association (ATA) was criticized by Democrats in Congress and investigators.
Two Republicans on the Appropriations Committee support the Department of Homeland Security's 2004 program because it sends money to their states.
The program asks truck drivers to help look for domestic terrorists by talking to other truck drivers on the highways.
Highway Watch so far has cost $63 million in federal funds and in 2008 Congress appropriated $16 million more.
But Homeland Security inspectors say the program's 14 employees spent $10 million on administration and marketing with slim results.
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee surface transportation subcommittee: “This report raises serious concerns about the Bush administration putting trucking industry lobbyists in charge of highway security."
Lautenberg recommends checking truck driver's licenses against the terrorist list when they enter bridges or tunnels.
Highway Watch has trained 750,000 drivers.
Because ATA had a multistate program in place since 1998 focusing on road safety the Department of Homeland Security decided to “piggyback” on it to create its anti-terrorism program.
Clark Kent Ervin, the former Homeland Security inspector general: Putting industry advocates in charge of homeland security program “raises red flags.”
Ervin said: “No-bid contracts are always a bad idea and are particularly improper in the context of homeland security, because there’s only so much homeland security money available and any dollar wasted is a missed opportunity to help address a security gap that terrorists could someday exploit.”
Homeland Security Department had fourteen bidders including independent truckers and state transportation officials.
But DHS decided to give the work to the American Trucking Association which then brought in Senture, a London KY call center company in the district of Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
In 2004, Congress funded a $2.3 million terrorism research center at Mississippi State University at the request of Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS.), Republican on the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee.
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TRUCK RECALL BECAUSE OF FIRES CAUSED BY CRUISE CONTROL
Originally Posted: February 28, 2008 3:45 PM
Last Updated: February 28, 2008 3:45 PM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning Ford truck about engine fires: bring trucks immediately to dealerships to disconnect cruise control switch systems. The warning applies to vehicles which were subject to previous recalls.
F-Series pickup truck owners for example have had hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over engine fires.
Three deaths have been tied to the fires. Ford is providing parts to fix the problem.
About 9.6 million Ford vehicles have been recalled since 1999 and 5 million have been fixed, raising concerns about the remaining vehicles on the road. NHTSA said they have received about 60 complaints of engine fires in the Ford vehicles since August 2007.
Ford dealers will offer a permanent fix.
Ford Motor Co. spokesman Wes Sherwood: Ford will have a supply of the replacement parts by June, 2008.
NHTSA said dealers will disconnect the cruise control pending arrival of new parts..
Dealers have installed a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system as part of the recall, but there is a shortage of replacement parts. Dealers will deactivate the cruise control until a truck’s parts arrive.
NHTSA issued list of older vehicles covered by the Ford consumer advisory, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs,
In 2005, 442,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,932 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 5,212 people died (12 percent of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2005) and an additional 114,000 were injured in those crashes.
In 2004, large trucks accounted for 3 percent of all registered vehicles and 8 percent of total vehicle miles traveled (2005 registered vehicle and vehicle miles traveled data not available). In 2005, large trucks accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4 percent of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes.
One out of eight traffic fatalities in 2005 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.
MORE INFO? www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.
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FEDERAL SIGNAL FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS: WEAK VOLUME AT E-ONE LED TO 10% NET SALES BELOW PREVIOUS YEAR; SALE OF E-ONE BEING DISCUSSED
Originally Posted: February 27, 2008 1:11 PM
Last Updated: February 27, 2008 1:11 PM
Federal Signal Corporation (Oak Brook, IL) reported net income from continuing operations of $7.9 million, or $.17 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2007 on revenue of $351 million.
For the same period of 2006, the company earned $13.1 million from continuing operations, or $.27 per share, on revenue of $339 million.
The year-over-year reduction in net income from continuing operations was largely due to operating losses incurred in the Fire Rescue segment, where the Company’s E-ONE
operation was impacted by low production rates and unfavorable fixed cost absorption due to reduced order intake in the first half of 2007.
In the fourth quarter orders rose 20% from the prior year period to $124 million. US orders rose 4% and were up sequentially due to increased dealer representation for E-ONE. Non-US sales benefited from stronger demand for industrial aerial lifts and a shift towards taller, more complex Bronto aerial devices.
Net sales were 10% below the prior year period due to lower production at E-ONE where orders have been weak during the past several quarters.
The weaker volumes led to operating losses at the E-ONE facility, as production volumes were insufficient to absorb all fixed costs, and the business incurred $0.9 million of
severance costs associated with headcount reductions.
Partially offsetting the lower performance at E-One was strong Bronto performance.
•Full year orders in 2007 were up 9% over the prior year on continued strong demand and a richer mix of Bronto articulated aerial devices.
Orders for E-ONE products declined in the first 9
months of the year due to disruptions in the North American dealer channel and changes in leadership.
Net sales in the year declined 14% from the prior year due to the impact of the lower E-ONE orders, which more than offset the growth in international sales of Bronto aerial units.
The full-year operating loss of $11.0 million is related to the lower sales volume and fixed cost absorption at E-ONE. The increased production of Bronto aerial devices and favorable
currency effects only partly offset the loss at E-ONE.
For the full year, the company reported earnings per share from continuing operations of $.62 per share on net sales of $1.27 billion. In 2006, earnings per share from continuing operations totaled $.72 per share on net sales of $1.21 billion.
Jim Goodwin, interim president and chief executive officer: “We are very excited about the strong order intake during the fourth quarter, where we experienced double-digit order growth in all our core businesses. The backlog is at record levels. The 2008 production slots for our Bronto aerial devices and Vactor sewer cleaners are sold out and we are focusing on expanding these operations.
Under Peter Guile’s leadership, the E-ONE dealer organization has been expanded and energized,
and after several difficult quarters, we are again building backlog.
Domestic orders rose 5% in the fourth quarter at E-ONE, while our largest competitors have reported soft markets and significant reductions in their backlogs.
Federal Signal has hired a banker to evaluate strategic alternatives for E-ONE. Federal signal is talking to prospective buyers of E-ONE.
Federal Signal has successfully grown international sales to nearly 40% of business. The company is paring expenses and
pulling back on some initiatives in order to weather a possible economic downturn.
Federal Signal's products include Bronto aerial devices, Elgin and Ravo street sweepers, E-ONE fire apparatus, Federal Signal safety and security systems, Guzzler
industrial vacuums, Jetstream waterblasters and Vactor sewer cleaners.
In addition, the company operates consumable industrial tooling businesses. Federal Signal was founded in 1901.
MORE INFO? www.federalsignal.com REGENCY TOWERS, 1415 W. 22ND ST., OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60523
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SENATE BILL REQUIRES ALL EMS HELICOPTERS TO HAVE TERRAIN AWARENESS AND WARNING SYSTEM INSTALLED
Originally Posted: February 27, 2008 12:45 PM
Last Updated: February 27, 2008 12:45 PM
S. 1300, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to improve safety and capacity and to modernize the air traffic control system.
In addition to user fees and surcharges and fuel tax increases, S. 1300 mandates significant changes for helicopter emergency medical service operators.
Section 508 of S. 1300 would mandate compliance with Part 135 regulations whenever medical crew are on board, without regard to whether there are patients on board the helicopter. Within 60 days of the date of enactment of S. 1300, the FAA would be required to initiate rulemakings to create standardized checklists of risk evaluation factors and require helicopter EMS operators to use the checklist to determine whether a mission should be accepted.
Additionally, the FAA would be required to complete a rulemaking to create standardized flight dispatch procedures for helicopter EMS operators and require operators to use those procedures for flights.
Any helicopter used for EMS operations that is ordered, purchased, or otherwise obtained after the date S. 1300 is enacted would also be required to have on board an operational terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) that meets the technical specifications of section 135.154 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 C.F.R. 135.154).
To improve the data available to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators at crash sites, the FAA would also be required to complete a feasibility study of requiring flight data and cockpit voice recorders on new and existing helicopters used in EMS operations. Subsequent to the feasibility study, the FAA would be required within two years of S. 1300’s enactment to complete a rulemaking requiring flight data and cockpit voice recorders on board such helicopters.
All Helicopter Association International (HAI) operators conducting EMS operations should be alerted by dealers to review the bill provisions: Section 508 of S. 1300.
MORE INFO? David York or Ann Carroll: david.york@rotor.com or ann.carroll@rotor.com
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SIKORSKY WINS EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR HELICOPTERS WHICH HELPED RESPOND TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE
Originally Posted: February 27, 2008 12:29 PM
Last Updated: February 27, 2008 12:29 PM
In an HAI event at Heli-Expo Houston, TX, the Los Angeles County Fire
Department was recognized for fighting the Southern California
wildfires with the use of the Sikorsky Firehawk helicopter.
Sikorsky officials presented the Los Angeles County Fire Department Air
Operations Section with Sikorsky "Winged S" awards in appreciation and
recognition of the department's efforts.
Stephen B. Estill, Sikorsky Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer."Sikorsky Aircraft and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have
forged a rewarding relationship over the years, since the first Firehawk
helicopters were put into service there in 2001. It was the vision and
dream of our company founder, Igor Sikorsky, that the helicopter would one
day be known as a machine that would save lives. As we have all witnessed
over the years, and in particular this past year with the treacherous
wildfires in California, the helicopter has indeed been the valuable
life-saving instrument that Igor Sikorsky always hoped it would be."
The Los Angeles County Fire Department's Fire Chief, P. Michael
Freeman, said the firehawk helicopter played a critical role in
fulfilling the department's mission of saving lives and property and
protecting the environment.
Sergei Sikorsky, son of the company's founder presented the Los Angeles County Fire Department with the Igor Sikorsky Humanitarian Award during the HAI "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet. HAI is located in Alexandria, VA; its magazine has carried articles by NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie.
HELI-EXPO 2008 Houston broke attendance and exhibitor records. A record setting 17,373 visitors attended this year's HELI-EXPO. Five-hundred and twenty-three exhibitors showcased their products and services. Sixty-five helicopters were displayed on the showroom floor. Exhibitor space covered 252,700 feet and featured avionics and accessories.
The “Salute to Excellence” Awards Banquet featuring Sikorsky”s performance by the Los Angeles Fire Department included a video celebrating HAI’s 60th anniversary.
HAI HELI-EXPO 2009 will take place in Anaheim, CA February 22-24, 2009.
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SUNSTAR EMS INSTALLS IN MOTIONS ONBOARD FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE COMMUNICATIONS BY 68 ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT VEHICLES
Originally Posted: February 27, 2008 12:05 PM
Last Updated: February 27, 2008 12:05 PM
In Motion Technology (Pinellas County, FL), wireless mobile company for public safety organizations says Sunstar EMS has deployed In Motion’s onBoard Mobile Gateway™ to improve emergency operations and service to the residents of Pinellas County, FL.
Sunstar is a High Performance emergency medical services company that provides ambulance and emergency response services under a contract to the County.
Jim Pennington, Sunstar’s Director of Information Technology: “We offer the residents of Pinellas County an advanced life support service. Our fleet is equipped with the latest patient care, data and communications technology. We needed a service that would allow our data to be transmitted reliably over a single network connection. In Motion Technology provided this capability and allowed us to integrate other functions such as dispatch, billing, training and vehicle monitoring and tracking.”
With a fleet of 68 Advanced Life Support vehicles staffed by more than 500 employees, Sunstar is a high volume, high performance EMS organization. Last year, Sunstar responded to more than 171,000 calls and transported more than 121,000 patients. Sunstar’s Tampa Bay service area encompasses more than 280 square miles and has a population of nearly 940,000 – not including the area’s 5.7 million annual visitors.
Sunstar’s fleet is equipped with In Motion Technology’s onBoard Mobile Gateway. Each Gateway creates a “vehicle area network” that integrates all data communications, including medical devices, patient care records, GPS, driver and safety monitoring and dispatch systems. It uses wireless network to transmit information over a single, reliable network connection from these devices in the field to operations command and area hospitals.
When an In Motion Technology-equipped ambulance is sent on a call, it receives computer aided dispatch information through the Gateway; it has taken the fastest, satellite-guided route; critical driver and vehicle information is monitored in real time by operations command; and patient information is wirelessly transmitted to the ER in advance of arrival. This provides critical data to emergency personnel at the speed necessary to save lives.
In Motion Technology CEO Kirk Moir: “In Motion Technology solutions have been deployed in more than 100 public safety fleets in North America, including many of the most demanding High Performance EMS organizations, such as Sunstar. Sunstar’s choice of In Motion.”
In Motion Technology provides cognitive wireless systems that enable public safety organizations to stay connected while in motion. The company’s complete vehicle area network solution ensures that any IP device can be useful in the field immediately with no modification, connecting to headquarters over the most reliable communications network available.
In Motion Technology solutions have been successfully deployed in high-performance EMS, Police and Fire departments in the US and Canada. Founded in 2002, In Motion Technology is based in Vancouver, BC.
Sunstar EMS is the trade name for Pinellas County’s all-paramedic ambulance and emergency response service. Sunstar is the sole ambulance provider for Pinellas County, Florida. The EMS system is operated as a public utility model under a performance based contract between the ambulance contractor, Paramedics Plus, LLC, and the Pinellas EMS Authority.
MORE INFO? Louise Labuda (In Motion Technology: 604-523-2371 ext. 538 or Michael Rubin Meyer) at 202- 898-0095, or visit www.inmotiontechnology.com or www.sunstarems.com
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FEDERAL SIGNAL’S NEW PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISON TO BE HEADED BY MICHAEL WONS, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
Originally Posted: February 27, 2008 11:39 AM
Last Updated: February 27, 2008 11:39 AM
Federal Signal Corporation (OAK BROOK, IL) fomed a Public Safety Systems Division within the Safety and Security Systems Group.
Michael K. Wons is Vice President and General Manager of the new division.
The new division will be comprised of several recently acquired
businesses including PIPS, Codespear and Riverchase as well as some of the
Company's longer standing systems focused businesses including Federal
Warning Systems and the Public Safety Wireless Broadband business unit.
Wons, 44, joined Federal Signal in 2006 as Vice President and Chief
Information Officer. Prior to joining Federal Signal, Wons was the lead
technology strategist at Microsoft responsible for defining next generation
technology platforms for major global financial services customers. Wons'
previous experience includes positions with Waste Management, Inc. and
Primedia, Inc. Wons is a graduate of the Kellogg Management Institute at
Northwestern University.
Dave McConnaughey, President of the Safety and Security Systems Group: "I am delighted to have Mike take on this new role and am confident
that his vision and drive will help propel us into expanding public safety
markets. The formation of this division combines the strength of our
current businesses with the new capabilities and technologies of our recent
acquisitions. Under Mike's leadership, the division will focus on the
growth in the rapidly expanding public safety market as well as developing
the solutions and technologies to support the emerging needs of communities
around the globe.”
Federal Signal Corporation designs and manufactures products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial and airport customers.
Federal Signal's products include Bronto aerial devices, Elgin and Ravo street sweepers, E-ONE fire apparatus, Federal Signal safety and security systems, Guzzler industrial vacuums, Jetstream waterblasters and Vactor sewer cleaners. In addition, the company operates consumable industrial tooling businesses. Federal Signal was founded in 1901.
For other NEEDA NEWSLETTER stories about Federal Signal and it s divisions, use the Search application in the upper right corner of this NEEDA page.
MORE INFO? www.federalsignal.com
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BANKRUPTCY COURT HELPS AMERICAN LAFRANCE'S EFFORTS TO GET OUT OF CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY
Originally Posted: February 27, 2008 8:53 AM
Last Updated: February 27, 2008 11:22 AM
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware granted two motions critical to American LaFrance, LLC (Summerville, SC) in its effort to get out of Chapter 11.
The Court granted final approval of American LaFrance's debtor-in-possession
financing, which authorizes ALF to borrow $42 million from its pre-petition
lenders. This financing will ensure that ALF has adequate liquidity to
purchase parts during the bankruptcy proceeding and reestablish production
volume to pre-bankruptcy levels, including bringing employees back from
furlough.
The Court also approved bid procedures for the sale of the Company in
the event that ALF's plan of reorganization is not confirmed.
In connection with approval of these items, the Court established April
9 and April 18, 2008 for hearings on plan confirmation and scheduled an April 28 hearing to consider the motion seeking authority to sell all of ALF's
assets in the event ALF's plan of reorganization is not confirmed.
American LaFrance, which has built fire and rescue apparatus since 1832,
manufactures fire and emergency apparatus including chassis, aerials, ambulances, pumpers, rescues, tankers and wildland vehicles. The company also makes vocational vehicles under the Condor brand.
Chapter 11 is typically used to reorganize a business, which may be a corporation, sole proprietorship, or partnership. A corporation exists separate and apart from its owners, the stockholders. For a thorough "Background on Bankruptcy and How Chapter 11 Works," please click on the headline of this NEEDA Newsletter story.
MORE INFO? www.americanlafrance.com or William K. Snyder, Chief Restructuring Officer, 843-486-7502
For other NEEDA NEWSLETTER stories about bankruptcy, enter these titles in
the "Search" application in the upper right of your NEEDA screen.
BANKRUPTCY REFORM ADVANCES IN CONGRESS; WHITE HOUSE UNCOMMITTED
BANKRUPTCY REFORM LEGISLATION MAY GET ICED DUE TO BAD ECONOMY, LAYOFFS AND BUSINESS CLOSURES: LEGISLATORS FEAR CITIZEN BACKLASH
CONRESS TO RANGEL OVER TAX REDUCTIONS AND TAX INCREASES DUE 2008
BANKRUPTCY COURT HELPS AMERICAN LAFRANCE'S EFFORTS TO GET OUT OF CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY
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FIRE RESEARCH: WINNERS RECEIVE AWARDS MARCH 28-30, 2008 IN EMMITSBURG, MD
Originally Posted: February 25, 2008 5:29 AM
Last Updated: February 25, 2008 5:29 AM
Four fire service executives who will receive the National Fire Academy's (NFA) 2007 Annual Outstanding Research Awards. This award recognizes Executive Fire Officer Program students for their Applied Research Projects. The award winning projects will be presented at the 20th Executive Fire Officer Symposium on March 28-30, 2008, at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD.
Fire Administrator Greg Cade: "The Applied Research Projects not only will assist the communities represented by their EFOP officers, but respond to the complex problems that confront all fire and emergency services organizations across the United States."
The Executive Fire Officer Program provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various and challenging facets of fire administration. Over a four-year period, the officers continue their professional development in four courses at the Academy, which are recommended for either graduate-level or upper division baccalaureate credit equivalency by the American Council on Education. Participants in the program are required to complete an applied research project in their organization six months after the completion of each of the four course areas.
The 2007 Outstanding Research Award recipients are:
Executive Development Course Awardee: Carl Blanksvard, Fire Inspector, Rock Springs Fire Department, Rock Springs, Wyoming ?Paper: Identifying Requirements for Reporting Hazardous Materials Storage to Local Fire Departments
Leading Community Risk Reduction Course Awardee: Steven Knight, Fire Lieutenant, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Department, St. Petersburg, Florida ?Paper: Sink or Swim: Is St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue Doing All They Can to Prevent Drowning?
Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management Course Awardee: David Kilbury, Battalion Commander, Cape Coral Fire & Rescue/EMS Department, Cape Coral, Florida
Paper: The Damage Assessment Process in Cape Coral, Florida following Hurricane Charley
Executive Leadership Course Awardee: Steven A. Zwirn, Battalion Chief, Park City Fire Service District, Park City, Utah ?Paper: Examining the 72 Consecutive Hour Work Limit
MORE INFO? U.S. Fire Administration, Executive Fire Officer Program, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727; or (800) 238-3358, ext 1639
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FACING FIRE PRONE DRY CONDITIONS, VOLUNTEER FORCE NEEDS GRANT FOR NEW EQUIPMENT, HYDRANTS TO BE UNLOCKED, A HYDRANT AT THE STATION THAT CAN FILL A TRUCK IN 5 MINUTES, FINES FOR TRASH & BRUSH BURNING DURING HIGH WIND, AND PAY FOR CITIES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO RESPOND TO RURAL WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: February 24, 2008 12:26 PM
Last Updated: February 24, 2008 12:28 PM
Wonder about the problems volunteer fire forces face in remote Cameron County, Texas? This area is dry and threatened by wildfires. They have nine firefighters and one fire truck from the Rio Hondo Volunteer Fire Department.
The Cameron County Commissioners Court has been asked by the fire chief to enforce a burn ban that County Judge Carlos Cascos issued in December, 07:
"We have had 56 brush and grass fires. Almost every one can be traced to illegal burning." The December 07 burn ban was for a two-week period.
Fire chief: People who accidentally start rural fires by burning trash or brush during periods of high wind should be fined.
Fire chief: firefighters need fire hydrant at the fire station capable of filling a truck in five minutes.
Firefighters practicing suppression, found a water hydrant was locked by the Water Supply Corp.
Fire chief: create a county volunteer fire department to serve rural areas.
Fire chief: need new system for paying cities and volunteer fire departments which provide suppression in rural areas. State and Federal grant funds are available to help buy the equipment needed.
Fire chief: enlarge the size of rural water district water lines to build firefighting pressure in rural areas.
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REPORT FOCUSES ON REDUCING FIRE DEATH RATE IN RURAL AREAS; TWICE THE NATIONAL RATE
Originally Posted: February 19, 2008 1:32 PM
Last Updated: February 19, 2008 1:32 PM
"As communities with fewer than 2,500 residents have a per capita fire death rate almost twice the national rate, this is an important life safety effort," said Gregory B. Cade, U.S. Fire Administrator. "USFA has a long commitment to reducing fire deaths in this country through effective mitigation and preparedness."
The project reached out to leaders of organizations serving rural communities to learn what works in implementing programs in those communities. Also, national and local fire service organizations were consulted to learn more about their program successes and challenges in the reduction of fires, deaths, and injuries in rural communities.
In addition to fire protection and suppression, human issues such as public fire safety education and technical factors, including fire and smoke detection, codes, consumer product safety, and residential fire sprinklers, are discussed in the report.
James Shannon, NFPA president: "NFPA was pleased to partner with USFA on this innovative project that has identified ways to reduce fire deaths in rural America," said James Shannon, NFPA president. "This initiative supports NFPA's efforts in saving lives, protecting property, and reducing risks associated with fire."
Whether it is the separation of communities from one another or the separation of residents from one another, the report finds separation to be the defining characteristic of rural America.
Ultimately, separation makes it more costly to conduct business in rural communities – impacting the economy – and residents are more likely to be on the lower end of the economic scale. The communications challenges some businesses face due to separation, like print media for example, may impact the quality and ease of communication within and to a rural community. This is an example of something that may limit the distribution of safety information.
Poverty was found to be the most significant factor driving the higher fire risk in rural America. Less income means potentially fewer resources. While rural populations have a greater need for fire safety, they have a reduced ability to fill that need without outside help. They would benefit from safer products – which can sometimes mean newer products – as well as devices designed to provide safety like smoke alarms.
This report also includes Train-the-Trainer presentations for the rural fire service and community leaders on administering successful outreach programs and a separate presentation for citizens highlighting key fire safety and preparedness messages.
The U.S. Fire Administration has a mission to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies through leadership, advocacy, coordination and support. It is the federal leader in public fire education and awareness, fire service training, fire-related technology and data collection.
NFPA is a leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
MORE INFO? www.nfpa.org. or U.S. Fire Administration, (301) 447-1000 Fax: (301) 447-1346 Admissions Fax: (301) 447-1441
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SIX THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS CONTRIBUTED TO NY FIREFIGHTERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Originally Posted: February 19, 2008 12:51 PM
Last Updated: February 19, 2008 12:51 PM
Southern Wine & Spirits of America Foundation (Miami) donated Six Thermal Imaging Cameras as well as a specially equipped 2008 Chevy Suburban truck to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Scholarship Fund, which was organized in the memory of Terry Farrell, a New York Firefighter who died on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center.
Terry Farrell Firefighters Scholarship Fund helps the children of FDNY fallen heroes who need scholarships to continue their studies as well as supports groups that furnish needed transportation for FDNY families.
The six Thermal Imaging Cameras, which are manufactured by ISG Systems of Lawrenceville, Georgia, are designed specifically for the highly specialized field of firefighting. Each of these cameras comes equipped with leading-edge technology that offers safety to firefighters, allowing them to see through flames and thick smoke in an effort to locate and save adults and children trapped in a burning structure.
The first of the six cameras is going to FDNY’s Rescue 4 group in Queens, where Terry Farrell served before 9/11/2001; the five remaining cameras will be distributed to other deserving firefighter rescue groups in New York City, elsewhere in New York State and possibly to other rescue teams around the United States.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America Foundation contributed to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Scholarship Fund, a specially outfitted 2008 Chevy Suburban truck for the Fire Family Transport Foundation, which is affiliated to the Fire Department of New York.
FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation website: this group is “dedicated to helping the Fire Family in its time of need by providing transportation to the families of injured, ill or deceased New York City Firefighters. We are also dedicated to promoting the greater good of the New York City Fire Department.”
The Southern Wine & Spirits Foundation is the charitable arm of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Terry Farrell Firefighters Scholarship Fund was organized in the memory of Terry Farrell, a New York Firefighter who died on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. This charitable group provides educational grants and scholarships to children of fallen heroes of the Fire Department of New York.
MORE INFO? www.southernwine.com or?305-625-4171
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2008 NFPA 1584 SETS STANDARD TO PROTECT FIREFIGHERS EXPOSED TO DANGEROUS LEVELS OF CO POISONING
Originally Posted: February 19, 2008 12:29 PM
Last Updated: February 19, 2008 12:29 PM
Masimo (IRVINE, Calif), the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, says the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has included Carbon Monoxide (CO) screening by Pulse CO-Oximetry as part of a new national healthcare standard for firefighters exposed to Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
NFPA's consensus codes and standards serve as the worldwide authoritative source on fire prevention and public safety -- virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation in society today is affected by NFPA work.
The new standard became effective December 31, 2007.
The NFPA standard: "any firefighter exposed to CO or presenting with headache, nausea, shortness of breath, or gastrointestinal symptoms," should be measured for CO poisoning by Pulse CO-Oximetry or other approved methods.
It also requires every fire department to establish Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) that outline uniform rehabilitation
procedures for firefighters at incident scenes and training exercises.
Too often, even the most skilled first responders miss the chance to
treat carbon monoxide poisoning early because, there wasn't a noninvasive way to detect elevated levels of CO in the blood.
With the Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter, fire fighters, EMS professionals and ER clinicians can easily detect carbon monoxide poisoning by applying a noninvasive LED-based sensor on the victims or themselves, allowing for prompt and possibly life-saving treatment that can also limit the likelihood of long-tern cardiac and neurological damage.
Studies have shown that even a single high level exposure, or prolonged
exposure to low levels of CO, has the potential to cause long-term heart,
brain and organ damage.
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US HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE CRITICIZES BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S CUTS IN US FOREST SERVICE WILDFIRE PREVENTION FUNDING
Originally Posted: February 19, 2008 11:45 AM
Last Updated: February 19, 2008 11:50 AM
President Bush’s 09 budget cuts funding for U.S. Forest Service fire prevention programs despite the wildfires in Southern California in three of the last five Octobers.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior Environment and Related Agencies criticized these cuts because the Forest Service owns the fire prone wildlands that lead to urban damage in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
At a Capitol Hill hearing covered by NEEDA NEWSLETTER, Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey said the 08 fire season will be as bad or worse than the past fire season, particularly in Southern California.
Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, CA: The U.S. Forest Service is losing many experienced firefighters to better paying Cal Fire.
Lewis worries about the loss of experienced firefighters. Federal firefighters are leaving the Federal force to work for Cal Fire, the California fire agency, or local departments for better pay.
The Bush Administration agrees that Cal Fire has a better pay and retirement plan than the US Forest Service.
The Bush Administration feels the federal government is training firefighters to serve eventually in state and local agencies.
Critics say Bush's budget request for the coming fiscal year, emphasizes firefighting over prevention needed to make forests healthier and nearby communities safer.
Casey Judd, Business Manager for the Federal Wildland Fire Service Association: "The administration still has it backward. Preparedness should be the focus, not suppression."
The Bush 09 budget cuts preparedness funding by $77 million, including a $13 million cut to removing dead trees and thick dry brush that kindle fires in 155 national forests.
But the budget Ok’s a $150 million increase in Federal funding for the U.S. Forest Service to suppress fires, bringing the agency's total firefighting budget to more than $1.14 billion.
That is an 11 percent decrease from 07-08’s total preparedness spending of $5.9 million.
Burns and brush clearing in 670,000 acres of the San Bernardino National Forest is in the most fire-threatened Western communities.
Preventing fire in US forest land was neglected by a century of spending on fire suppression. Drought in the past five years left trees and brush the targets of bark beetles. Insects and drought killing millions of trees set up Southern California for the worst wildfires ever.
Congressional earmarks and other federal funds to pay for tree clearing have helped but the fire threat remains.
UC Riverside earth science Professor Richard Minnich, an expert in fire ecology and critic of the Bush administration for failing to focus on prevention: "California’s Idyllwild, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear are all in phenomenal trouble.”
US House hearings heard scientists who say California’s wildfire seasons are becoming more severe.
Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks, D-WA: Bush cuts are the latest in a long line of Bush funding decreases while local firefighting costs have risen.
The Agriculture Department's Office of Inspector General says the 07 wildfires cost $1.34 billion. He said the average annual US firefighting cost between 98 and 06 was $994 million.
Dicks said more funds are needed to remove dead trees and dry brush. Dicks: "Common sense would be that if the President would fund, not cut, fuel reduction, we would have less severe fires."
The Bush Administration says that some money paying for tree removal and brush clearing comes from other Forest Service accounts, and USFS money can be reallocated to fire prevention and suppression.
Former San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Gene Zimmerman: The value of firebreaks and forest-thinning projects reduced the fires of 03, which burned across 40 miles in San Bernardino County, destroying more than 1,000 homes. Without the firebreaks and thinning “It would have been much worse.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein: "There is no question that these terrible fires are happening more often. We have to be able to clear our dead, down and dying trees." NEEDA NEWSLETTER reported previously on Sen. Feinstein’s views of the inadequacies of support provided the 07 firefighters and the failures of the US Forest Service to strike quickly when the fires first began.
Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands CA, Feinstein and Dicks won an appropriations earmark of $500 million in November 07 to thin forests including $35 million for the San Bernardino National Forest.
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona CA, asked if the Defense Department's fleet of C-130 tankers would help battle blazes in the 08 upcoming fire season. Forest Service witnesses think C-130 tankers will be available. In the 07 fires the Federal commitment of C-130 tankers was very slow, local officials say. Local officials feel that a quick strike by all players at the beginning of wildfires is a key to future suppression strategy.
NEEDA NEWSLETTER thanks the Press Enterprise for their coverage of this important Capitol Hill story.
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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BUYS PIERCE TRUCK FROM SINGER ASSOCIATES
Originally Posted: February 18, 2008 5:07 PM
Last Updated: February 18, 2008 5:13 PM
Singer Associates Fire Equipment, Manassas VA, sold the Virginia Department of Health, Richmond VA, a heavy duty rescue Enforcer Rescue truck with a 400 horse power Cummins ISL engine built by Pierce. Delivery was in February 2008.
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FIVE FIRE ASSOCIATION, 45,000 FIREFIGHTERS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAMPAIGN
Originally Posted: February 18, 2008 2:35 PM
Last Updated: February 18, 2008 2:35 PM
Five major fire service organizations: International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the United States Fire Administration are sponsoring the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge Campaign to get First Responders to Buckle UP.
Currently, over 45,000 firefighters have signed the pledge. The goal is set at 1,000,000 signatures. While many are willing to sign the pledge, some find buckling up only slows them down. Often, firefighters spend the ride to an alarm suiting up as Hunton did. He was donning his breathing apparatus when he was thrown from the fire truck.
In 2007, 24 firefighters lost their lives in vehicle crashes while responding, 12 were not wearing seat belts.
On April 23, 2005, the Amarillo Fire Department departed Amarillo Station 1 en route to a house fire at 2201 hours. Two days later, Firefighter Brain Hunton was dead from injuries he sustained falling out of the fire truck after the latching mechanism for the door malfunctioned. He was not wearing his seat belt. Over the past 30 years, more than 400 firefighters have died due to vehicle crashes. About 75 percent died as a direct result from not wearing their seat belt.
On Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 : National Football League's St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger will be in Washington, DC at Engine 16 in order to shoot a Public Service Announcement urging firefighters to buckle-up and sign the pledge.
Firehouse.com Publisher Christopher Hebert: “Marc Bulger signed onto this project almost immediately, donating his time and personal expense to come to DC and shoot the PSA. Firehouse.com is producing the program which will be shown on its website and other video outlets that reach firefighters. His commitment will bring more awareness to our mission of getting every firefighter to buckle-up before he or she leaves the firehouse.”
Bulger has given his time for other public servant initiatives. He founded a charitable organization called The Marc Bulger Foundation providing programs that benefit men and women in uniform.
Dr. Burton A. Clark the campaign coordinator: “Each year, about 25 percent of Line Of Duty Deaths are directly related to vehicle crashes with most of those deaths attributed to not wearing a seat belt. While the number may seem small, it is 100 percent preventable. Losing one of our own affects everyone in the fire service, their families and friends. There is no excuse.”
Firehouse.com is expected to have 600,000 visitors monthly viewing more than 10 million pages. The portal offers community forums, live chats, Line Of Duty Death rosters, and covers daily news and information for the emergency services sector. Firehouse.com features special reports from firefighters who are on-site at some of the country’s major disasters.
www.Firehouse.com
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FEDERAL SIGNAL ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS FEBRUARY 27, 2008
Originally Posted: February 18, 2008 2:19 PM
Last Updated: February 18, 2008 2:24 PM
Federal Signal Corporation (Oak Brook, IL), will announce fourth quarter 2007 earnings before the market opens on Wednesday, February 27, 2008.
The company will also host a conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time Feb 27 with James E. Goodwin, President and CEO, and Stephanie K. Kushner, Senior Vice President and CFO.
An archived replay of the investor conference call will be available on the company's website shortly after the call.
Federal Signal Corporation products include: Bronto aerial devices, Elgin and Ravo street sweepers, E-ONE fire apparatus, Federal Signal safety and security systems, Guzzler industrial vacuums, Jetstream waterblasters and Vactor sewer cleaners. The company operates consumable industrial tooling businesses.Federal
MORE INFO? www.federalsignal.com
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MANUFACTURERS OPPOSE DISCLOSING $5,000 OR MORE IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADE ASSOCIATION LOBBYING: NEW LAW GOES INTO EFFECT APRIL 21, 2008
Originally Posted: February 18, 2008 2:01 PM
Last Updated: February 18, 2008 2:01 PM
The National Association of Manufacturers filed a lawsuit against a provision of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA).
The Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) by the enactment of HLOGA requires coalitions and associations to disclose on their lobbying reports members who contribute more than $5,000 to and "actively participate" in planning lobbying activities. Congress placed this stipulation in HLOGA in order to expose "stealth coalitions."
NAM says his is a violation of the First Amendment right to expression. Disclosure would lead to a limit of activities by members and the association, as the members will have to be concerned about how companies' policies align with their national trade association.
NAM says the provision is unconstitutional: while individuals do not have to disclose their lobbying activity involvement corporations and associations will be required to be listed beginning April 21, 2008.
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CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ACTS FOLLOWING THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE REPORT ON THE 2007 SOUTHERN CAL WILDFIRES: CALLS FOR 16 NEW FIRE TRUCKS PLUS MAINTENANCE OF 131; 11 NEW HELICOPTERS
Originally Posted: February 17, 2008 2:35 PM
Last Updated: February 17, 2008 2:36 PM
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made this statement after a Blue Ribbon Task Force released their report on the devastating Southern California wildfires of 2007.
As reported in NEEDA NEWSLETTER the Governor requested the Task Force report in November, 2007 to help assess how federal, state and local level governments can better prevent and fight future fires.
Governor Schwarzenegger: “I commend the task force for working diligently on this report to find ways to better protect Californians and fight fires. California, with our vast and beautiful terrain, is threatened by natural disasters which require us to have a world-class emergency response system. I am very proud of the heroic and selfless work performed by our brave firefighters during last year’s devastating fires. After any major disaster, we must analyze our response and find ways to improve. I am pleased that my budget priorities are consistent with many of the recommendations made in this report.”
The Governor's 2008-09 budget proposal supports California's ability to prepare for and respond to the wide range of emergencies and natural disasters and significantly strengthens the state's wild land firefighting capabilities for the benefit of all Californians. Highlights include:
$3 million General Fund to replace older Office of Emergency Services (OES) radios.
$2 million General Fund for OES to enhance OASIS, a satellite-based communications system that helps different operational areas and regions communicate during an emergency or disaster.
$1.6 million General Fund and $1.6 million in federal funds to increase OES staff in order to enhance emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.
$1.3 million General Fund to provide 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-per-week staffing at the state's Joint Operations Center (JOC). This will enable the California National Guard (CNG) to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment during an emergency or disaster.
The Wildland Firefighting Initiative will not be funded through the General Fund. It will be financed through a 1.25 percent surcharge on all property owners statewide, amounting to approximately $10-12 per property owner each year.
Details of the Wildland Firefighting Initiative include:
CAL FIRE ($77.8 million):
$28.9 million and 1,100 seasonal firefighters to staff all 336 state fire engines with full four-member crews during peak and transition fire seasons.
$4.2 million and 3.8 positions to install GPS tracking on key pieces of equipment, such as fire engines and aircraft, linked to computer-aided dispatching.
$44.7 million in 2008-09 to backfill the budget balancing reductions CAL FIRE is taking to its fire protection budget. Restoring these budget-balancing reductions will prevent the closing of 20 one-engine fire stations, 11 conservation camps and 1 helitack base.
A multi-year expenditure plan to enable CAL FIRE to purchase 11 new, all-weather, 24-hour firefighting helicopters over the next six years.
OES: ($12.1 million):
$8.1 million in 2008-09 to purchase 26 fire engines as part of the first year of a five-year cycle to purchase and maintain a total of 131 additional fire engines.
$1.9 million in 2008-09 to backfill the budget-balancing reductions OES is taking to its Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Response section and its Warning Center/Information Technology/Telecommunications section.
$1.6 million and 9.2 positions in 2008-09 to enhance response to wildland fires throughout the state.
$480,000 to fund the increased maintenance and fuel costs of OES' existing fleet of fire engines and vehicles.
The Office of Homeland Security will make grant funding available to ensure that telephone emergency notification is available in all counties that do not currently have these systems. Learn more about this proposal at ($9.2 million):
$4.4 million in 2008-09 and 36 positions to provide 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-per-week coverage and full-time helicopter crews to be able to respond to any emergency situation in California in a matter of four hours or less.
$2.6 million in 2008-09 to purchase the first of two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) over two years for the Military Department's C-130J aircraft.
$2.2 million in 2008-09 to purchase the first of three Firehawk firefighting systems over three years.
In November 2007, the Governor requested that the Blue Ribbon Task Force to thoroughly assess the next steps at all levels of government to evaluate how the role of greater cross-agency training and resources, local planning, defensible space, building standards, Fire Safe Councils, public education and other public policies can and should play in preventing and fighting fires.
The Blue Ribbon Fire Commission was established in November 2003. In April 2004, the Commission issued 48 recommendations for improving emergency preparedness to prevent and respond to California wildfires. The ecommendations included eight federal recommendations, 20 state recommendations, one local recommendation and 19 recommendations that involved multiple jurisdictions.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force was formed after the recommendations were submitted by the commission and includes representatives from county and city firefighting officials, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), OES, state fire chiefs and labor unions including the California Professional Firefighters Association and the California State Firefighters’ Association.
Over the past four years, Governor Schwarzenegger has increased funding to state fire protection by 84 percent. This amounts to $259 million for equipment, firefighters, planning and fuels management. Since 2003, 109 new engines have been purchased to replace old CAL FIRE engines at a cost of $26.5 million.
In July 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-6-05, allocating significant resources to fulfill the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission’s recommendations. This included:
$10.8 million to replace aging fire engines.
$9 million for year-round staffing at fire-season levels in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
$12 million over five years for state-of-the-art radio equipment to increase interoperability between CAL FIRE, federal and local officials.
MORE INFO? http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/8396/
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FEMA ANNOUNCES NEW FIRE GRANTS FEBRUARY 15, 2008
Originally Posted: February 17, 2008 1:57 PM
Last Updated: February 17, 2008 1:58 PM
Here are some of the latest grants issued to fire departments by the Federal government Feb 25, 2008:
FEMA Provides $316,275 Grant To The Pierce County Fire District No. #8 In Fire Grants
FEMA Provides $619,087 To Five Washington State Fire Departments In Fire Grants
FEMA Provides $492,524 To Four Oregon Fire Departments In Fire Grants
FEMA Provides $665,378 To Three Alaska Fire Departments In Fire Grants
Vermont Fire Department Receives $32,000 Firefighter Assistance Grant from FEMA
Rhode Island Fire Department Receives $56,000 Firefighter Assistance Grant from FEMA
New Hampshire Fire Department Receives $54,000 Firefighter Assistance Grant from FEMA
Maine Fire Department Receives $31,000 Firefighter Assistance Grant from FEMA
Massachusetts Fire Departments Receive $179,000 in Firefighter Assistance Grants from FEMA
Connecticut Fire Departments Receive $182,000 in Firefighter Assistance Grants from FEMA
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SMALL BUSINESS FIRE SET BY OWNER WHO GETS 15 YEARS IN PRISON; TRIED TO COLLECT ON $500,000 IN INSURANCE
Originally Posted: February 17, 2008 1:49 PM
Last Updated: February 17, 2008 1:49 PM
Division, Chief C. Randall Sherman of the Yarmouth Fire Department, Interim Chief Michael Almonte of the Yarmouth Police Department and Colonel Mark Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police announced that Mark Nutter, age 44, of 55 Forest Road, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, was sentenced in federal court to 15 years imprisonment, to be followed by two
years of supervised release.
Evidence presented during the six-day trial established that on October 16, 2003, Nutter set fire to his heating, ventilation and air conditioning business located at 161D Mid-tech Drive in Yarmouth, in order to collect on a $500,000 insurance policy. At the time of the fire, Nutter's business was failing and his debt was piling up.
Shortly before the fire, Nutter sought an increase in his business insurance from $131,000 to $500,000, despite his mounting debt.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Office, Yarmouth Fire Department, Yarmouth Police Department, and Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the State Fire Marshals Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Connolly and James Dowden of Sullivan’s Economic Crimes Unit.
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WILDFIRES STILL THREATEN WESTERN AUSTRALIA; BRUSH FIRE ACTION PLAN IS RECOMMENDED FOR RESIDENTS
Originally Posted: February 16, 2008 8:53 PM
Last Updated: February 16, 2008 8:53 PM
While a large part of Australia received significant rainfall last week, the returning hot weather brings with it the threat of more bush fires. Summer is coming to a close in Australia.
NEEDA Executive Director Kenton Pattie, visited Australia in the Australian Spring of 2006 and discussed the wildfire threat with officials in Canberra, the country's capital. Australia and the United States have similar wildfire threats.
Regional Director Bruce Jones urged residents to remain vigilant and ensure they are prepared with temperatures expected to reach nearly 40 over the weekend.
Jones: “So far we have only had a major fire in Parkerville where unfortunately three homes were destroyed, but the season isn’t over yet."
“I’ve driven through the hills and I’m amazed that many residents still haven’t prepared their properties, even though their neighbours felt the full brunt of a bush fire.
“I don’t know what else needs to happen before homeowners stop and prepare their property and families.”
This warning is not just for residents living in a bush land setting. All homeowners who live 100 metres from bush land, including reserves in the metropolitan region, need to have a bush fire action plan.
Jones: “This plan will ensure that you don’t make irrational decisions in what is a stressful and frightening time when a bush fire is raging towards your home."
“It is human nature to flee when our lives or the lives of our loved ones are threatened however doing this at the last minute can have devastating results.
“Those residents who have done the right thing and prepared for the season need to keep up the good work and maintain their property’s risk.”
A $50,000 reward is available for anyone who provides information which leads to the conviction of people lighting fires in Western Australia.
Under the Bush fires Act, the crime of bush fire arson attracts a penalty of up to $250,000 or 14 years prison or both.
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FIRE HITS FAMOUS BRIGHTON HOTEL ON ENGLISH CHANEL; 10 FIRE ENGINES AND AERIAL RESPOND
Originally Posted: February 16, 2008 8:37 PM
Last Updated: February 16, 2008 8:37 PM
Hundreds of guests have been evacuated from the Grand Hotel in Brighton following a fire in a sixth-floor room.
Firefighters were called to the seafront at around 2000 GME after reports of smoke billowing out of the building.
Firefighters are now searching the building to make sure the blaze has been completely extinguished.
In 1984, the Grand Hotel was the target of an assassination attempt on the then-prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.
Sussex Police chief inspector, Laurence Taylor, praised hotel staff for their calmness.
"The hotel staff have well-practised drills. They carried out a very quick evacuation," he told the BBC.
One of the guests staying at the Grand, John Mills, said he went to the fire assembly point next to the hotel after the alarm was raised.
He said that guests were evacuated to the nearby Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel, where they were being given tea, coffee and sandwiches and silver thermal blankets.
Mr Mills told the BBC the entire evacuation had been calm and efficient.
Duty manager of the Metropole, Janet Ridge, said: "We are helping wherever we can."
It was unclear how Saturday's blaze started, but there are no reports of any injuries.
At one point, East Sussex Fire Service sent 10 fire engines and an aerial platform vehicle to the scene, our reporter said.
For a time, Kings Road, which runs along the seafront, was closed to traffic in both directions.
Five people were killed in an IRA bomb attack on the Grand Hotel during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference.
The prime minister escaped unscathed but Conservative MP, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed. The wife of the trade and industry secretary, Norman Tebbit, was paralysed.
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SPARTAN MOTORS 07 EARNINGS UP 45.6 PERCENT;
Originally Posted: February 16, 2008 8:27 PM
Last Updated: February 16, 2008 8:27 PM
Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, Michigan) reported its best quarter and year-end sales and earnings results in company history, capping off a record setting year for a manufacturer of custom vehicle chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles.
Spartan Motors' consolidated backlog increased 45.8 percent over the
same time last year to approximately $338.4 million as of Dec. 31, 2007,
Spartan reported net earnings of $8.2 million on net sales of $237.6 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007, compared with net earnings of $3.3 million on net sales of $123.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Sales of fire truck chassis increased 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter
of 2007 compared to the same period last year. Backlog for fire truck
chassis at the end of the fourth quarter was $60.4 million, a 28.5 percent
decrease compared with last year. The year-over-year decrease in backlog in
the 2007 fourth quarter reflected both industry-wide softness in municipal
ordering, and an improvement in delivery time of product from Spartan to
customers.
Spartan's EVTeam operating unit, consisting of its Crimson Fire,
Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue subsidiaries, reported a 67.3 percent
year-over- year increase in sales for the 2007 fourth quarter, though the
unit posted a net loss for the quarter. The EVTeam reported backlog of
$51.3 million at the end of the quarter, a 26.4 percent decrease compared
to the unit's backlog in the fourth quarter of 2006, reflecting higher
production rates as well as the softening in municipal ordering in the
second half of 2007.
"Crimson Fire and Crimson Fire Aerials underperformed compared to the
fourth quarter of 2006, though both are making improvements in efficiency
over where they were in the third quarter of 2007," Sztykiel said. "While
we are disappointed with the rate of progress at the EVTeam in 2007, we are
cautiously optimistic about their potential in 2008."
John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors : "Looking ahead to 2008 we are expecting a year of solid sales growth, driven in part by our largest ever fourth quarter backlog,. Our multi-market strategy is a diversified business model where our customers operate on different business cycles, providing us upside potential and reducing downside risk.
Sztykiel: "Although municipalities continue to manage ever-tightening budgets,our aging population continues to drive demand for emergency services.
“Every 20 seconds there is a call for help in the U.S., according to the
National Fire Protection Association. This increasing demand, and the state
of some competitors in the industry, could provide Spartan opportunities to
grow sales as municipal funding is impacted by economic uncertainties."
Sales for the fourth quarter at Spartan Chassis, the company's largest
operating unit, increased 85.7 percent year-over year to $211.2 million.
Spartan Chassis was 88.9 percent of Spartan Motors' total sales. Fourth
quarter net earnings at Spartan Chassis improved 74.2 percent
year-over-year, and the unit's backlog as of Dec. 31, 2007 increased 76.8
percent year-over- year.
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers andmanufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets.
The Company's brand names -- Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire Aerials(TM), and Road Rescue(TM) -- are known for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products.
The Company employs 1,300 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $681.9 million in
2007.
NEEDA NEWSLETTER has published other news concerning Spartan Motors in recent years.
MORE INFO? www.spartanmotors.com
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SPERIAN FIRE OFFERS NEW SCBA; SURPASSES NFPA STANDARDS
Originally Posted: February 16, 2008 8:08 PM
Last Updated: February 16, 2008 8:08 PM
Sperian Fire, working with US and Canadian firefighters, has designed and produced a new SCBA, offering maneuverability that works with a firefighter, not against him.
The Sperian Warrior meets and surpasses the new NFPA standards- NFPA 1981 and 1982, 2007 Edition. To meet the new NFPA requirements, the Warrior and the Sperian IntelliPASS device underwent a series of the most demanding tests in the history of the NFPA.
Throughout the development of the Warrior, firefighters were at the center of the design process. Warrior is a new type of SCBA that offers comfort, mobility, and dependability.
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SEMINAR ON PHOTOLUMINESCENT PRODUCTS USED FOR SAFETY AND DIRECTION OF FIREFIGHTERS AND PEOPLE TRAPPED IN DARKENED HAZARDOUS CONDIDTIONS
Originally Posted: February 15, 2008 6:21 PM
Last Updated: February 15, 2008 6:21 PM
The Photoluminescent Safety Association (PSA) will host a half-day seminar on the value of photoluminescent (PL) products.
As mentioned previously in NEEDA NEWSLETTER, these products are helpful when nomal light is lost due to smoke from a fire or due to the cut off of all power at a fire scene.
First responders also wear this product as part of their turnout gear so they can be identified in dense, low visibility situations where teamwork is critical to the safety of the individual.
The event will be held 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at the Marriott Courtyard in Arlington, VA. Advance registration is free, but required.
Speakers and panelists will discuss several timely topics:
• Why PL Products Are the Green Alternative
• Where PL Products Are Required by Code
• Standards Setting and PL Products
• Research Studies on the Effectiveness of PL Products
Speakers will also review PL applications in government buildings, such as the Pentagon; in highrises in New York City, where PL products have been required by code since 9-11-01; and in other office, marine, aviation, and residential structures.
Photoluminescent, or glow-in-the-dark, products improve safety through such products as exit signs, low-location egress pathway marking systems, and general safety signage. They provide safe, reliable exit from buildings in emergency situations. They save lives.
The conference presentations are for firefighters, architects, developers, engineers, building owners and managers, codes and standards officials, and government officials who manage facilities where safety is critical. Capitol Hill staffers and federal officials responsible for oversight of federal facility management and procurement are expected to attend as the seminar site is close to many important Federal facilities as well as the emergency responders in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and the Maryland suburbs who protect the US government and numerous businesses, public and private facilities
PSA is generating broad-based acceptance of safety-grade photoluminescent products.
MORE INFO? www.plsafety.org. REGISTRATION? info@plsafety.org or call 703-416-0060.
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THE O9 FEDERAL BUDGET: HOMELAND SECURITY UP, FIRE ACT GRANTS CUT SEVERELY
Originally Posted: February 12, 2008 7:10 PM
Last Updated: February 12, 2008 7:10 PM
By Jacob Goodwin, Editor-in-Chief
Because there are so many different ways to slice-and-dice the federal budget -- each of which can make the numbers tell a different story -- I’ve learned over the years to pay more attention to the new initiatives being launched in a particular budget then the spin an administration gives to its recommended overall spending program.
The president’s recently-unveiled budget request for homeland security for fiscal year 2009 illustrates my point. (FY2009 will run from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.)
DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff: the FY2009 request "represents $50.5 billion in funding," which he said was "an increase of 6.8 percent over the 2008 fiscal year level."
That’s a hefty increase, but it’s hard to see precisely which budget numbers Chertoff was using to make that assertion.
As budget mavens know, there are several different categories of spending that get cited whenever new budgets are released. "Budget authority" represents the authorization (but not the formal obligation) by Congress to spend money in a particular area. "Appropriations" represent the decision by Congress to grant a government department the right to spend some or all of that authorized money. And "outlays" represent the actions by an individual department or agency to cut a check and buy something with those appropriated dollars.
With all these terms flying around, it’s important to nail down precisely which categories of spending are supposedly being raised.
When I pored through the FY2009 budget details released by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last Monday, I saw that "budget authority" for DHS was $41.1 billion in fiscal year 2008 and that the Bush Administration estimates that figure will drop by about 2 percent to $40.1 billion in fiscal year 2009. Budget authority is expected to drop another 4 percent to about $38.4 billion in FY2010, according to the latest budget figures.
"Outlays" show a different story. Total outlays for DHS spiked upwards in fiscal year 2006 to $69 billion, due in large part to enormous expenditures by FEMA and other components related to Gulf Coast reconstruction efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. However, outlays fell back sharply in FY2007 to $39.1 billion and then climbed upwards by about 8 percent to $42.3 billion in FY2008. The administration is now estimating that outlays for DHS will grow another five percent in FY2009 to $44.3 billion, before they slip backwards for the following three years to their FY2008 level.
Of course, throwing around these budget comparisons makes my eyes glaze over, so I can only imagine what they’re doing to the eyes of the casual reader.
That’s why I’ve concluded that the key to dissecting a new budget is looking for new spending that will support new initiatives that apparently have gathered sufficient strength within the department to justify the launch of a new program or the expansion of a fledgling effort.
Here are a few such initiatives to keep your eye on that have been slated for beefed up spending:
• The E-Verify automated identification system run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to confirm employment eligibility by citizen and non-citizen new hires.
• A biometric detainee location tracking module being developed for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to monitor the whereabouts of allegedly illegal immigrants.
• Command 21, a derivative of Rescue 21, the U.S. Coast Guard’s rescue-at-sea program, which would integrate a series of communications antennas along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Coasts in an effort to enhance maritime domain awareness.
• A travel document checking program launched by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that airline passengers are using authentic boarding passes.
• Further deployment of the EINSTEIN system to protect federal computer systems against cyber threats and intrusions.
• Establishment of the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, akin to the review undertaken every four years by the Defense Department, which will recommend long-term strategy and priorities for DHS.
• Expansion of the Behavior Detection Officers program that teaches TSA officers to identify potentially high-risk individuals.
• Creation of 10 Visible Intermodal Protection and Response Teams (comprised of air marshals, TSA inspectors and canines) to provide surge capabilities for the aviation and mass transit sectors.
• Start of a new Southwest Border Enforcement Initiative that will ensure that sufficient investigators, prosecutors, marshals and detention capabilities exist to catch and prosecute criminals at U.S. borders.
In a few weeks, DHS will celebrate its Fifth Anniversary as an independent federal department. The department’s funding levels remain strong; even if not as robust as Secretary Chertoff suggests. New DHS initiatives continue to be launched. So, overall, those who pay closest attention to homeland security -- public officials at federal, state and local levels plus the commercial companies that supply the necessary technologies -- have good reasons to be optimistic about the future.
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WILLIAMS FIRE SUPPRESSION CALLED IN TO STOP SUGAR SILO FIRE IN GEORGIA
Originally Posted: February 12, 2008 6:53 PM
Last Updated: February 12, 2008 6:53 PM
Williams Fire Suppression, a private firefighting company experienced with high heat fires has been helping stop the high-temperature blaze at Imperial, a Georgia sugar refinery. Gallons of water dropped from a helicopter have not worked. Location: Port Wentworth, Georgia.
An explosion ripped through the Imperial Sugar Co. in Georgia. But, fire continues to burn inside the plant Six workers died; two others are l missing.
Greg Long, fire chief : "Unfortunately, we could not get the quantity of water that was needed into the silos." Foam was also tried.
Chief: "I'm talking about over 5,000 gallons a minute. They also have large amounts of foam and specialized equipment that can, if necessary, penetrate the walls of the silo and put chemicals inside."
Thermal imaging cameras show the fire reaches 10 or 12 feet down. Firefighters are trying to put a barrier on top of the fire to eliminate oxygen.
The refinery, on a 160-acre site on the river upstream from Savannah, was 12 percent destroyed the company said.
"Imperial Sugar is paying for relatives of the hospitalized workers to stay in Augusta near their loved ones" according to a copyrighted story by the Associated Press.
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CONGRESSIONAL STIMULUS BILL BEING SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT
Originally Posted: February 12, 2008 6:37 PM
Last Updated: February 12, 2008 6:37 PM
The House of Representatives passed an economic stimulus bill designed to stave off a recession. The bill passed 380-34, complementing the Senate vote of 81-16 earlier in the day. President Bush has indicated he expects to sign the bill into law next week.
For the general public, the highlight of the bill is a tax rebate program that will provide individual taxpaers with a $600 rebate and joint filers with a $1,200 rebate this May. Additional rebates will be issued in the amount of $300 per child. People who pay no income taxes will also get money in the mail to the tune of $300 apiece. Approximately 130 million Americans will receive the checks.
Senate Democrats attempted to add additional payments to the long-term unemployed and to low-income people to assisnt in paying their heating bills, but those payments did not make the final cut.
Senate majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) warned that the Republican opposition to these additional benefits will hurt the re-election chances of those legislators who are running for office this fall. "They are following this president right off a cliff," he said.
The cost to the government for this measure is expected to be approximately $152 billion in 2008 and an additional $16 billion in 2009.
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ILLINOIS ARNIE WITZKE, FIRE MARSHAL, WINS LUECHT MEMORIAL AWARD . . . RECEIVED FEMA GRANT AND GOT FIRE SPRINKLER ORDINANCE PASSED
Originally Posted: February 12, 2008 4:16 PM
Last Updated: February 12, 2008 4:16 PM
Arnie Witzke, Fire Marshal, North Maine Fire Protection District, IL is the recipient of the NFSA's Wayne Luecht Memorial Award.
The award was created to recognize members of the local fire service who personify the spirit and dedication to fire prevention. The recipients are also recognized for their efforts to increase the use and knowledge of the life-and-property-saving benefits of fire sprinklers in their communities.
Witzke was chosen because of his dedication and hard work.
Witzke began his fire service career as a volunteer in Buffalo Grove in
1974. Ten years later, he became a full time inspector at the Glenview
Naval Air Station. During that time, he met Wayne Luecht. Witzke accepted a job as a building inspector in Colorado after local authorities recognized
his knowledge of codes while working with him to build a vacation home. He
returned to Illinois in 1995 to finish his fire science degree and take
care of family.
Three years ago, Witzke worked with Chief Richard Dobrowski, North
Maine Fire Protection District, to write and receive a FEMA Grant to
retrofit the North Maine fire station with a fire sprinkler system. Witzke
also worked with the North Maine Fire District Board to pass an ordinance
requiring fire sprinkler systems in all new commercial and residential
constructions. The zero square foot ordinance went into effect July 2004.
In addition, Witzke was instrumental in passing a code change to the
NFPA Standard for fire alarms in apartments. He also worked with Cook
County to allow the use of CPVC plastic pipe in sprinkler installations.
Arnie is allowed to designate $2,500 to the charities of his choice. Arnie chose to donate $1,250.00 to Camp I Am Me and $1,250.00 to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Witzke will be presented with his award at the NFSA Chapter Meeting on March 13th.
MORE INFO? www.firesprinklerassoc.org.
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VIRGINIA DEALER SINGER ASSOCIATES OPENS NEW CORPORATE OFFICES IN MANASSAS, VA APRIL 4-5, 2008
Originally Posted: February 12, 2008 4:01 PM
Last Updated: February 12, 2008 4:01 PM
A Grand Opening Celebration is planned for April 4 & 5, 2008 at the newly built custom designed facility conveniently located at 12351 Randolph Ridge Lane in Manassas, Virginia (intersection of Balls Ford Road and the Prince William Parkway – right off Route 66). The building will open Friday, April 4th at 10 AM.
At 11 AM the official program will begin. Planned attendees include local & state political figures, fire & rescue personnel, manufacturers’ representatives, and more. The celebration will continue Friday afternoon and from 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturday with tours of the new building and grounds, a display of fire & emergency apparatus, including the industry changing PUC, and equipment demonstrations. Food and beverage will be provided both days.
The new building is home to Singer’s Corporate Offices, the Northern Virginia Service Center, the Specialty Vehicle Group and the Equipment Division. This combination, housed under one roof, offers sales & service expertise/collaboration and the ability to offer more to our client base with the 22,000 sq. ft. service center area.
Singer’s latest facility joins conveniently located service centers throughout the Mid-Atlantic territory. These locations include Richmond & Roanoke in Virginia and Baltimore, Easton & Hagerstown in Maryland. The services offered at
these locations include, but are not limited to: aerial ladder, electrical system, pump and valve repairs; preventive maintenance, paint & refurbishment, water tank replacement, on-site pump testing, DOT inspections, custom fabrications, and more.
Singer Associates primary focus is sales/service of emergency vehicles, as well as supplying associated equipment, parts, and gear. Singer’s emergency vehicle and equipment groups primarily serve the states of Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia and the West Virginia counties of Berkeley, Morgan, Mineral and Jefferson. The Specialty Vehicle Group, including the LUF60TM, provides sales and service to all of North America.
Singer Associates’ business philosophy is to represent a select group of emergency & equipment manufacturers considered to be the best in class. The company represents Pierce, North America's premier manufacturer of fire/rescue apparatus. Supporting lines of vehicles include Medtec & PL Custom ambulances, Singer Specialty Vehicle Group, Metalcraft Marine boats and Rechner’s LUF60TM Mobile Fire Fighting Unit, are held in a similar high regard. Singer Associates represents other fire and rescue equipment manufacturers including, but not limited to; Bullard, Hurst, FireDex, Elkhart, Snap-tite, CET, and Kochek Company. Products offered by Singer from these equipment
manufacturers include emergency lights & sirens, rescue equipment, extinguishers, extrication equipment, fire hoses and other firefighting tools, ladders, pumps, ventilation equipment and a full line up of personal protective equipment.
MORE INFO? 703-396-4969
tcameron@singerassociates.com
www.singerassociates.com
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IAFF PRESIDENT CRITICIZES CUTS ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES FOR FIRE ACT PROGRAMS
Originally Posted: February 6, 2008 5:09 PM
Last Updated: February 12, 2008 1:42 PM
International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A.
Schaitberger: 'It shouldn't come as a surprise that President Bush is no friend
of fire fighters because he is a repeat offender. The president's budget
proposal for Fiscal 2009 proposes merely $300 million for the FIRE Act - the
same amount he proposed in his Fiscal 2008 budget. He also proposes eliminating
SAFER grant programs - just as he did in his Fiscal 2008 budget.
'With his short-sighted budget proposal, President Bush has ignored the wishes of Congress, which made a very strong bipartisan statement last year when it saved the SAFER grant program and boosted funding for the FIRE Act. In the end, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle understood the value of the first responder grant programs, appropriating $560 million for the Fire Act and $190 million for SAFER grants.'
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ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM: APPLY NOW FOR 08 . . . 300 APPLICANT WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE
Originally Posted: February 6, 2008 4:02 PM
Last Updated: February 6, 2008 4:02 PM
The AFG program office has placed on its website its initial schedule of approximately 300 applicant workshops for its FY 2008 AFG program.
Beginning in the middle of February, 08 and continuing through the middle of March, these workshops will be held around the country to provide information about the submission of competitive applications under this competitive grant program.
Interested representatives from fire department as well as representatives from non-affiliated EMS organizations are invited to attend the workshops. Information will be presented on program changes, program priorities, eligibility requirements, and on the application process. Also, general assistance in the writing of a competitive narrative for a department's grant application will be discussed.
Registration is not necessary. Each workshop is approximately 2 hours in length. AFG regional representatives may be contacted with any questions regarding workshops in their region.
Workshops will be conducted by either State representatives or AFG regional representatives. All workshops utilize the same PowerPoint presentation material. The PowerPoint material that will be used for the workshops will be posted at this website by mid-February, 2008.
If additional workshops are scheduled and confirmed, they will be added to the posted schedule.
All workshops are conducted free of charge.
MORE INFO? www.firegrantsupport.com or www.firegrantsupport.com/prog/contact.aspx
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President Proposes 6.8% Budget Increase for DHS
Originally Posted: February 5, 2008 11:50 AM
Last Updated: February 5, 2008 12:04 PM
President Bushs fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget request for DHS represents $50.5 billion in funding, which is an increase of 6.8 percent over the FY 2008 levelexcluding funds provided in emergency supplemental funding. The request targets the five goals Secretary Chertoff has identified for the department as it carries out its mission of securing America.
At a press conference on the FY 2009 budget, the secretary explained how the presidents budget funds each of those five goals. This is a robust, fiscally-sound budget that funds vital areas of our mission, the secretary said in prepared remarks. First and foremost, the budget would increase funding to enable the department to gain control of the nations borders, thereby keeping dangerous people from entering the country, the secretary said. He noted that the budget proposes an increase of $442 million to hire, train, and equip 2,200 new Border Patrol agents, making the goal of having 20,000 agents by the end of September 2009 a reality.
In order to keep out dangerous goods a priority, the presidents budget proposes increasing the Domestic Nuclear Detection Offices portal monitor program by $67.7 million to support the deployment of radiation detection equipment to the nations land and sea ports of entry. An increase of $34.5 million is also being proposed for the Office of Health Affairs Next Generation Bio Watch program, which is aimed at providing jurisdictions with automated Bio Watch detection sensors for early warnings of bioterrorism incidents.
The secretary highlighted two increases under protecting critical infrastructure. The first is a $13 million increase for the National Protection and Programs Directorates chemical security compliance project, to support the departments new regulatory program that ensures that security measures are put in place at chemical plants across the country. Second, the budget proposes increasing by $358 million the departments activities in preventing and protecting against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
To build an effective emergency response system and culture of preparedness, the presidents budget request proposes increasing FEMAs budget for its vision initiatives by $64.5 million, bolstering the departments emergency response and preparedness capabilities, and by $209 million to transition four-year Cadre On-Call Response Employees (CORE) from temporary to permanent full time personnel. Another increase of $43 million is slated for Science & Technology laboratory facilities, including the National Bio-defense and Analysis and Countermeasures Center.
Under the secretarys fifth goalstrengthening and unifying the departmentthe presidents budget proposes increasing by $15.5 million the Office of the Chief Financial Officers implementation of the Transformation and Systems Consolidation project, which seeks to reduce the number of DHS financial systems and ensure the manual processes for internal controls are integrated with these financial systems.
MORE INFO? www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1202151112290.shtm.
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REPLY NOW TO GOVERNMENT SURVEY . . . STATS SURVEY GIVES MAY HELP BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: February 5, 2008 11:41 AM
Last Updated: February 5, 2008 11:41 AM
The February 12, 2008 due date for the return by businesses of the 2007 Economic Census forms is only a few days away.
More than 4 million American businesses, including 200,000 manufacturers, received a form in December, 2007. Businesses that received a form are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code) to complete and return it.
Today's economy presents many challenges. That is why both public policy and business decisions require reliable information on business conditions...information made possible by the timely responses of your members.
We are grateful for the many organizations like NEEDA that have already contacted their members on behalf of the census. Now, with the due date just days away, please contact your members again to urge their prompt response in the Economic Census.
If you need more information about the 2007 Economic Census, contact Robert Marske, Laurie Torene, or Paul Zeisset at 1-877-790-1876, or e-mail us at econ2007@cens or ttp://business.census.gov/media/
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BUSH BUDGET FOR FY 09: INCREASED INFORMATION REPORTING BY ALL BUSINESSES
Originally Posted: February 4, 2008 5:32 PM
Last Updated: February 4, 2008 5:33 PM
by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
It is very disappointing to read the Bush Administration's budget document sent to Congress: It fails to call for the repeal of the 3% withholding requirement which will keep you from receiving 3% of every sale you make to local, state and federal buyers. This 3% rule is a truly dumb idea which just forces more unnecessary paperwork on all small businesses and imposes a record keeping and reporting burden of your local, state and Federal customers. Sad to say, if the local, state and Federal figures don't match yours, you will not receive your 3% of sales one year later. The Bush Administration should find this whole confiscation of dealer money contrary to their philosophy of government and antagonistic to the business community. At a time when recession has invaded the US economy, another way for government to take money from small business is repugnant.
I hope you feel as revolted by the 3% withholding rule as I do!
Send me your views: KentonP1@aol.com
Businesses, governments, and other taxpayers are subject to a number of information reporting and withholding requirements. Generally, a taxpayer making payments aggregating to $600 or more for services or determinable gains in the course of a trade or business in a calendar year is required to send an information return to the IRS (except if the recipient is a corporation) setting forth the amount, as well as the name and address of the recipient of the payment (generally on Form 1099). In addition, any service recipient engaged in a trade or business is required to file an information return if the aggregate of payments for services is $600 or more in a calendar year. This requirement specifically applies to government agencies, even if the service provider is a corporation.
Moreover, Federal agencies must file information returns with respect to contractors, generally on Form 8596 (Information Return for Federal Contracts) and Form 8596A (Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts). Under recently enacted legislation that will take effect in 2011,
As NEEDA has been reporting for the last two years: Federal, State and local government agencies generally must withhold 3 percent of payments for goods and services. Exceptions apply to certain payments such as those actually subjected to backup withholding, wages and public assistance.
NEEDA is firmly opposed to the 3% withholding rule. Few business owners know about it if they have not been reading NEEDA Newsletter where I have written quite a few articles about it: warning emergency equipment dealers the law which authorizes the 3% withholding should be repealed. It is a threat to the legitimate income of all companies in the fire industry. It projects the image of "you're guilty until proven innocent" . . . you will have to ask IRS to pay you the 3% at the end of every fiscal year . . . forcing you to go through another big paperwork effort to satisfy another unnecessary Federal rule.
IRS can dispute your claims because they may not have received or kept records of the thousands of purchases made by local, state and Federal buyers of emergency equipment. This 3% rule is not just a small matter: it is a clear affront to all honest dealers and a miserable burden for all businesses in the fire industry.
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DEALERS FACE NEW IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION IN INDIANA AND SOUTH CAROLINA
Originally Posted: February 2, 2008 3:13 PM
Last Updated: February 2, 2008 3:13 PM
A South Carolina House committee approves a measure that would require dealers to check the legal status of their employees, bars illegal adults from public assistance and outlaws sanctuary cities.
The measure would also make it a felony to help someone enter the country illegally and prohibit undocumented immigrants from buying weapons or attending public colleges. The measure migrates to the House floor.
Immigration is also the issue in INDIANA, where a Senate committee endorses SB 335, a proposal to require dealers to use a federal tracking system to ensure their workers are not illegal immigrants. Employers that violate the statute would face suspension or revocation of their business license. It moves to the full Senate
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ADVICE ON STARTING A BUSINESS: PARTICULARLY MISTAKES TO AVOID!
Originally Posted: February 1, 2008 6:52 PM
Last Updated: February 1, 2008 6:52 PM
By Ty Freyvogel
I've never known an entrepreneur who started a business without making a few mistakes. Certainly, you'll be no exception. You'll make them, try to fix them, and then move on. However, some entrepreneurs fall into traps that are bigger than mistakes. They are, in effect, entrepreneurial sins. Some of these sins will harm your personal life; others may irreparably damage your business, and still others will do both. Many entrepreneurs who came before you have committed these acts and, predictably, suffered their consequences. In the interest of saving your entrepreneurial soul, here are the ten cardinal sins that you must never commit:
1. Not learning from your own mistakes. Talk to any entrepreneur and he or she will tell you about crazy, ridiculous mistakes that will have you shaking your head and saying, "I just can't believe someone could be that stupid." Well, they can, I can, and so can you. I don't think it's stupidity at all, by the way. Entrepreneurs have so many irons in the fire that it's all too easy to get distracted, to let things fall through the cracks, to overlook what might seem obvious to an outsider.
No matter how brilliant a mind you have, no matter how sharply honed a business sense, you don't have a crystal ball. And that's okay. No one ever learned anything meaningful from success, but failurewell, failure is chock-full of lessons on business and life. Accept that you will make mistakesjust make sure that you learn from them, and work hard to never commit the same mistake twice.
2. Trashing your personal life. Balancing "work" and "home" can be a challenge for anyone, but for entrepreneurs, it seems to be especially daunting. It's not hard to understand why. Entrepreneurs tend to work longer hours than paycheck earners. Because they are so passionate about what they do, they are always thinking about the business, the problem du jour, the next venture waiting in the wings. The entrepreneurial mind is hard to turn off. It's hard to take a vacation. It's hard to put aside your worries about making payroll so you can help your son with his algebra homework, or connect emotionally with your spouse, or spend meaningful time with your friends.
Too often, the result is a strained parent/child connection, or a bitter divorce, or a roster of business relationships and casual acquaintances in place of real friendships. Please don't let this happen to you. Work can and should be a richly fulfilling thing, but it is no substitute for meaningful relationships with people you love. No one wants to neglect the people that matter, but unless you are constantly vigilant, it does happen. You have to find a balance.
3. Expecting customers to come to you. It's opening day. Your new business is up and running, your OPEN sign is in the window, and you are ready to serve your new customers. Only no one is lining up at the door and the phone isn't ringing. Know why? Because you didn't do any marketing to get the word out about your business. Unless you get tons of foot traffic in the area where you are opening the businessand even if you doyou will need to get the word out about your product. You don't have to buy a lot of expensive advertising. When I opened a Nutri-System in Altoona, PA, I was having trouble getting any foot traffic because it was such a small area. My primary target was 22,000 people, but no one was responding to the print ads I placed in the local newspaper because no one was reading the local newspaper (except for the sports section!). To drive business, I decided to give local deejays free memberships in order to get them excited about the program and in turn they gave me free plugs on the air. There are lots of ways to get the word out. It doesn't really matter how you do it, just that you do it. A bit of well-planned-out marketing will help you turn that empty store into a bustling, customer-filled business.
4. Losing your soul. Financial success can do awful things to people when they aren't spiritually and emotionally equipped to handle it. Too much money too fast can make you suspicious, callous, greedy, and prideful. Think of the Seven Deadly Sins and you'll get the picture. It's not a pretty one. Success can change people, and not necessarily for the good. When you become successful, people will start to treat you like you know something. If you start giving in to that attention, you are in big trouble. I am not here to preach to you a sermon, but I truly believe that no amount of money makes up for losing sight of the things that really matter in lifefriends, family, humility, compassion, faith, and love. Strive always to be the kind of person who, if you lost every cent you had, could still find happiness.
5. Maxing out credit cards. It's never a good idea in any situation. Maxing out your credit cards while trying to get a business off the ground could be disastrous. You'll find that charging item after item for your new business will be the most expensive money you've ever spent. I think credit cards are the most accessible and easy way for small businesses to get in trouble. (After all, they are much easier to get than start up loans!) There will be times when you will want to use a credit card rather than take cash out of the business, and that's okay. Credit isn't inherently bad. Just make sure you have enough money to keep making payments on your cards.
It is vital that you have good credit in case you need to make a big purchase or decide to open a new business down the road. You don't want to run up tons of credit card debt that you will have to pay off if the company doesn't survive. Or if the company is successful, you don't want to be paying off creditors instead of putting your first profits back into the business. Wracking up massive credit card debt will only cause you more worries and pains, and when you are developing a business you already have plenty of both. You don't need more!
6. Keeping your idea a secret. At first glance, this may not seem like a sin. In fact, it may seem like a good business decision. Many entrepreneurs don't want to reveal their new idea for fear that someone else in the market will beat you to the punch. But take a little advice from an entrepreneur turned investor. When I am looking at a potential investing opportunity and the entrepreneur I am working with is holding his cards to his vest, I know he is hiding something, and I immediately don't want to work with him. Lack of investors won't be your only problem. Launch a business banking on a product or service that, it turns out, no one wants and you will see why too much secrecy is a sin. In the early phases there is no need to reveal all the details of your product or service, but you must put some feelers out there to determine whether it's likely to succeed or flop. Do a lot of research in the market before you launch. Revealing a little bit of your secret and finding out who your customers will be provides peace of mind.
7. Thinking you don't need written contracts. There is so much excitement at the start of a new business that entrepreneurs are often afraid to get certain things down on paper. Allow me to make this as clear as I possibly can: When you are starting a new business, you need contracts for everything! Verbal agreements just won't cut it, especially when it comes to partnerships. You can't predict the future, and when money is involved you never know what will happen within a relationship. To ensure that you avoid unnecessary costly (and gut-wrenching) legal battles, always write out a contract when making business deals. It's the only smart way to do business.
8. Starting a business without the passion factor. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before embarking on an entrepreneurial venture. Am I truly interested in this field? Do I daydream about doing the work (instead of just spending the money)? Does this product, service, or activity feel meaningful? Does it benefit humanity? What I'm getting at is passion. If you don't have it, you are far less likely to be successful. Being an entrepreneur is hard work, so you'd better want to jump out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed every morning, anxious to get to it. If you answer "no" to any of the questions above, your likelihood of success is greatly reduced. Chances are you will get the company going, and after your initial excitement wears off you will stop caring about the company, which will cause you to make mistakes. Carefully consider every angle of the venture before you get going. If you find that you lack a passion for it, stop before you get started and figure out the best business for you to pursue.
9. Choosing a bad location. We've all heard the mantra "location, location, location." If you are starting a companyespecially a consumer oriented onelocation may be vital to its success. Carefully consider how important foot traffic will be to your business. If you will be relying on passersby to bring business to the store, you will want to make sure it is very visible. Just like you should research the market in the area you are looking to open your business, you should also research the actual location. Choosing a bad location could make it difficult to create a successful business.
10. Trying to go it alone. While I've never been one for traditional business partnerships, I think it is absolutely necessary that you have a business "partner" when starting a business. Allow me to explain: You won't be able to make the business successful all by yourself. When you start your new business, think about your strengths and weaknesses. And then find someone willing to help you who complements those strengths and weaknesses. You may choose to make that person your business partner or you may just hire him on as your employee. Either way, use him to help you cover all of the bases. There are simply too many details to deal with to be a lone wolf. Relying solely on yourself is simply too much pressure. I think you'll find that nurturing great relationships is a much better way to do business than to try to go it alone.
Of course, committing one or two of these sins may not kill your business, but it will certainly make things more difficult. Remember this list as you start to develop your business and pay careful attention to each sin. You, your family, friends, and business partners will be much happier if you avoid committing these sins. It will mean the difference between being a happy businessman (or woman) or being one who is wracked with worry and unnecessary pressures caused by bad decisions.
About the author: Ty Freyvogel is also the founder of EntrepreneursLab.com and author of It's Not Your Smarts, It's Your Schmooze and Seize the Century!, as well as an advice guru at EntrepreneursLab.com. Ty is a dynamic public speaker.
MORE INFO? Ty@MakingSenseofYourBusiness.com
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