NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

Remember the devastating explosion at the Federal Building in Okalahoma City? Involved fertilizer.

Honeywell International has introduced a new ammonium-nitrate-based agricultural fertilizer that can help cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries and oranges grow, but does not detonate when mixed with fuel oil.

"The unique composition of this new fertilizer makes it extremely difficult to turn it into a weapon," said Qamar Bhatia, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Resins & Chemicals, a unit of Honeywell’s $4.9 billion specialty materials group. Fertilizer mixed with fuel has become a lethal weapon used by terrorist groups and others around the world.

The new technology fuses ammonium sulfate with ammonium nitrate, providing both nitrogen and sulfur needed for efficient plant nutrition.

Independent tests conducted by the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, a division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, demonstrated that the new fertilizer is significantly more difficult to use as an explosive, the company said in a prepared statement issued Sept. 23, 2008.

"When mixed with fuel oil -- a common method of using ammonium nitrate as an explosive -- the new ammonium nitrate fertilizer did not detonate," Honeywell said.

Honeywell is conducting pilot plant test production and is talking with potential manufacturing partners. The company hopes to sell limited quantities in certain regions in 2009 and plans to market the innovative fertilizer as Sulf-N 26.

GSA LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO COMPETE WITH LOCAL DEALERS IN SALE OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Originally Posted: September 14, 2008 3:18 PM
Last Updated: September 14, 2008 3:18 PM

by Kenton Pattie
Executive Director
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA)
PO Box 220
Annandale VA 22003

As I stated previously, Congress this year passed a new law which allows the US General Services Administration to promote direct sales to local fire departments. by passing dealers and distributors. Here below is an example of how GSA has swung into a national promotion campaign to build this program giving GSA dominance in the emergency equipment business. As I stated previously, GSA will use direct mail, trade show exhibits, and a field sales force such as Lynn de Seve to develop this GSA program which competes directly with dealers.

"GSA Schedules, Inc. - The GSA Experts to the Security Industry cordially invite you to stop by Booth #3329.

"Lynn de Seve will be offering half-hour consulting sessions during the show. Lynn and her team will be happy to offer expert advice on any of the following topics, or answer any questions you might have regarding recent rules changes, GSA updates or to discuss HOT TOPICS such as:

Cooperative Purchasing for Schedule 84
Benefits of the "Local Preparedness Acquisition Act " for GSA Authorized Resellers
Pricing services and adding the New Security Convergence Services on GSA Schedule 84
What is a GSA Schedule Contract - for Rookies and Seasoned Veterans!
Obtaining and using a GSA Schedule Contract
Learn how to Navigate the GSA e-Tools
Which GSA Schedule is best for you 58, 84, 70?
Creating an order tracking and compliance program for your GSA Contract
Setting up an Authorized Reseller Program including Training
Learn about our cradle to grave support services!
Please contact our office at (301) 805-1300 or send an e-mail to Lynn@gsa-schedules.com to schedule a free half-hour consulting session. During the show call cell (301) 346-5761. Space is limited, so sign up quickly!"

HURRICANE VIEW FROM A CITIZEN IN HOUSTON, TEXAS
Originally Posted: September 14, 2008 1:58 PM
Last Updated: September 14, 2008 1:58 PM

A college friend wrote me the following from the Houston, TX area.
-- Kenton Pattie
Executive Director, National Emrgency Equipment Dealers Association

We 'rode out' the hurricane last night and are surprisingly well. Decided to stay since we evacuated last time three years ago and spent 23 and one-half hours on I 45 traveling 70 miles north to my cousin's place north of Conroe!. We each drove one car completely packed and were caught in a very poorly planned and executed evacuation by local and county officials.

Ike proved to be extremely powerful with winds clocked here in downtown Houston at 110 plus mph.

It struck at about nine last night and we are now (3 o'clock pm) in the last stages of wind and rain. Lynn, Nick and I were very lucky as our townhouse withstood the winds and the water. There are many damaged homes around us and people everywhere with so many more problems than we experienced.

It is safe to say, however, that around four this morning when the west wall of the eye went right over our neighborhood into downtown, that there was probably no one luckier than the three of us. The winds were shaking the house so greatly that we left the master bedroom on the third floor and retreated to the landing on the inner staircase between the second and third floors.

It was so much quieter and there was room for the two of us to stretch out and rest. Needless to say, we did not sleep. We had lost electricity about three o'clock but it was restored about seven twenty this morning. We are so lucky...the news says that 3.6 million Houstonians do not have electricity and here we have
internet , ac, and everything except cable TV service.

There is much debris in the yards and the streets but we truly have so much to be grateful for. My oldest daughter and her husband in Katy, Tx. had four to six inches of rising water and a large hole in the roof that totaled two bedrooms on the second floor. They still do not have electricity. and my grandson who is diabetic has to keep his Insulin refrigerated. We are hoping for miracles on that front.

Thanks so much for your concern. I will call when I become human again! I told one of my friends three days ago that I already had hurricane fatigue and it was
forty-eight hours to landfall. Small potatoes especially for the people in Galveston and our friends who HAD a lovely home on Clear Lake.
peace

jon
[Jon Tim Lamkin]

LEADERSHIP'S GREATEST SECRETS . . .
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 3:58 PM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 3:58 PM

Dealer owners and managers: Here is a book you will find interesting and stimulating. Kenton Pattie, NEEDA Executive Director

The Big Five for Life: Leadership's Greatest Secrets
John P. Strelecky

Strelecky: Successful leaders start with something so linked to their own purpose for existing that what they pursue is not just an opportunity, it is a personal necessity. They have enough confidence in their own abilities that they feel validated, not threatened, by the successes of those they are leading. They encourage, not belittle; inspire, not intimidate; teach, not obstruct; anticipate success, not fear failure. At every moment during our existence we are all called to be leaders, if for no other purpose than to lead ourselves.....

SMALL BUSINESSES! WE PAY 45% OF TOTAL PRIVATE PAYROLL, CREATE 79% OF ALL NEW JOBS
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 3:51 PM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 4:00 PM

What is a small business?

The Office of Advocacy defines a small business for research
purposes as an independent business having fewer than 500
employees. Firms wishing to be designated small businesses
for government programs such as contracting must meet size
standards specified by the U.S. Small Business Administra-
tion (SBA) Offi ce of Size Standards.

These size standards vary by industry.

MORE INFO? www.sba.gov/size.

How important are small businesses to
the U.S. economy?

Small firms:
• Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.
• Employ about half of all private sector employees.
• Pay nearly 45 percent of total U.S. private payroll.
• Have generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually
over the last decade.
• Create more than half of nonfarm private gross domestic
product (GDP).
• Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists,
engineers, and computer workers).
• Are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent franchises.
• Made up 97.3 percent of all identifi ed exporters and pro-
duced 28.9 percent of the known export value in FY 2006.
• Produce 13 times more patents per employee than large
patenting firms; these patents are twice as likely as large
firm patents to be among the one percent most cited.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census and International
Trade Administration; Advocacy-funded research by Kathryn Kobe, 2007
(www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs299tot.pdf) and CHI Research, 2003 (www.
sba.gov/advo/research/rs225tot.pdf); Federal Procurement Data System;
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How many new jobs do small firms create?

Since the mid-1990s, small businesses have created 60 to
80 percent of the net new jobs. In the most recent year with
data (2005), employer firms with fewer than 500 employees
created 979,102 net new jobs, or 78.9 percent.

Meanwhile, large fIrms with 500 or more employees added 262,326 net
new jobs or 21.1 percent.

MORE INFO? Employment dynamics by firm size from 1989 to 2005: www.sba.gov/advo/research/data.html#us.

What is small firms’ share of employment?

Small businesses employ about half of U.S. workers.

Of 116.3 million nonfarm private sector workers in 2005, small
fi rms with fewer than 500 workers employed 58.6 million and
large fi rms employed 57.7 million.

Firms with fewer than 20 employees employed 21.3 million. While small fi rms create 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs, their share of employment
remains steady since some firms grow into large firms as they create new jobs.
How many small businesses are there?

In 2007, there were 27.2 million businesses in the United
States, according to Office of Advocacy estimates. Census
data show that there were 6.0 million fi rms with employees
and 20.4 million without employees in 2005.

Small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of the 27.2
million businesses (including both employers and nonem-
ployers), as the most recent data show there were slightly
more than 17,000 large businesses in 2005.

Source: Office of Advocacy estimates based on data from the U.S. Dept. of
Commerce, Bureau of the Census, and U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration.

How many businesses open and close each year?
The number of nonemployer firms has risen steadily in this
decade, from 16.5 million in 2000 to an estimated 21.1
million in 2007. An estimated 637,100 new employer fi rms
began operations in 2007 and 560,300 fi rms closed that year.

What is the survival rate for new firms?

Two-thirds of new employer establishments survive at
least two years, 44 percent survive at least four years,
and 31 percent survive at least seven years, according to
a recent study.

These results were constant for different industries. Firms that began in the second quarter of 1998 were tracked for the next 28 quarters to determine their survival rate.

Of special interest, the research found that businesses
that survive four years have a better chance of surviving long-
term. After the fourth year, the rate of firm closings declines
considerably.

Earlier research has found that the major factors in a firm’s
survivability include an ample supply of capital, being large
enough to have employees, the owner’s education level, and
the owner’s reason for starting the firm.

Source: “Business Employment Dynamics Data: Survival and Longevity, II,”
by Amy E. Knaup and Merissa C. Piazza, Monthly Labor Review, vol. 30,
no. 9 (Sept. 2007), pp. 3-10; “Redefining Business Success: Distinguishing
Between Closure and Failure” by Brian Headd, Small Business Economics,
vol. 21, no. 1 (August 2003), pp. 51-61.Starts and Closures of Employer Firms, 2003–2007

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; Administrative
Offi ce of the U.S. Courts; U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration.

MORE INFO? www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs258tot.pdf

WORK CULTURE ENCOURAGES WORKING OVERTIME: WORKAHOLISM MAY INTERFERE WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES LIFE
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 2:57 PM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 2:57 PM

by Ciaran Brennan
IRISHIMES

A recent survey of 8,000 people by the UK Institute of Personnel and Development found that one in every three people works more than 48 hours per week and claims to be addicted to their jobs.

And while another survey here by the Small Firms Association concluded that small businesses in Ireland lose on average €793 million per annum through absenteeism, conspicuous by its absence was how much firms gain from employees who work overtime without being paid, bring work home with them or come in at weekends to get jobs and projects finished.

That's because work addiction or workaholism is known as "respectable" addiction - and in a society where people are increasingly measured by what they do, how and where they work, and what they achieve at work, those who are addicted to work are more often than not rewarded and encouraged for their unhealthy activity.

Workaholism can be described as the inability to stop working, says psychologist and stress expert Karen Belshaw.

Whether you are in the office, at home, in bed, or socialising, if you find that you cannot stop thinking about work or talking about work, then it is very likely that you are, or are about to become, a workaholic, she says.

Owen Fitzpatrick, psychologist, time management expert and presenter of RTÉ's Not Enough Hours: "It is basically when someone feels addicted to work, they need to work, they work seven days a week, more than eight hours a day and every time they sleep or go home, they constantly think about work and are obsessed about work."

The key thing to realize is that workaholism or work addiction is not the same as working hard or working long days. Work addiction is when work interferes with your life.

Fitzpatrick: "If you love what you do and you don't have any other responsibilities and you are very happy in your life - if you are working 10 hours a day, seven days a week, it is probably not the most healthy thing in the world, but it is still okay."

"I wouldn't have too much of a problem with somebody if they were delighted with that and that was just a phase they were going through at the time, but 90 per cent of people aren't in that situation.

"These are people who work and have family, have friends, have other hobbies they would like to do, but work takes predominance."

There are two types of work addicts, according to Belshaw.

"The passive workaholic tends to be that person because of low self-esteem and a need to please and a need to prove themselves and they are almost afraid not to work," she says. "They don't have the self confidence so they keep on pushing themselves."

Aggressive work addicts are thriving on the release of dopamine in the brain which is a reward/pleasure chemical released when we achieve something, get work done or a project finished.

"It's almost as if, the more they work, the more they need to work," says Belshaw. "In the long run they are going to lose out on the personal side of life.

"They miss out on a lot of things - relationships, parenting, they just miss out on what I call the 'me time', that moment to do nothing or do something you enjoy."

. . .They are also putting their health at risk.

Whether it truly is an addiction in the manner or alcoholism or drug use, or a coping strategy, it is unhealthy because many workaholics are highly stressed, says Belshaw.

"From a physical and emotional point of view, workaholics are suffering a lot more physical problems like chest pains and headaches, stomach troubles, back pain, even arthritis, heart disease and migraines."

Both Belshaw and Fitzpatrick say that the first step in dealing with the problem is to recognise it and acknowledge it. Only then can you start to cope with it. That can involve everything from doing something which signals work is finished such as changing your clothes and having a shower when you come home, to finding new hobbies and pursuits where there is a strict rule about not talking about work.

The idea is to get some balance in your life, says Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick: "There's nothing wrong with working hard. I work hard but I give myself lots of time for enjoying life as well. It's just about building balance."

'The turning point was recognising the problem'

Conor Holmes is a self-confessed workaholic from Naas, Co Kildare, who recently appeared on RTÉ's Not Enough Hours, a programme which looked at how we organize our increasingly busy lives.

Four years ago, Holmes and his wife set up their own publishing business, Outside the Box.

Like the promoter of any fledgling business, he worked long hours to get it off the ground and become successful. But as the company became more successful, he found he was working longer and longer hours.

"At one stage I was probably working 100 hours a week," he says.

Holmes regularly brought his laptop home and continued working in front of the television. He would even wake up in the middle of the night and start working on projects.

How work really had taken over his life became apparent when he went on holidays to Italy a few years ago. He brought his laptop with him and would work a few hours every morning from 5.30 AM, so that his children would not know that he was working while on holidays.

His was the classic case of the difference between a hard worker and a work addict. A hard worker will be at his or her desk dreaming of a holiday on a beach. A workaholic will be on the beach fretting about work in the office.

Holmes: "I had a problem saying no. People would come to me because they probably knew I would always say yes."

The turning point was recognising he had a problem and enlisting the help of psychologist Owen Fitzpatrick.

"I never bring my laptop home and that has been a big plus," he says. "I don't work weekends. I don't come in early in the mornings anymore. I'm much better at being able to say 'that's today's work done'."

He says he is now much more organised and has learned to delegate tasks, which has helped ease his workload.

"I use a to-do list and have everything categorised in terms of importance."

© 2008 The Irish Times

HOW TO BUILD RAPPORT WITH CUSTOMERS
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 2:43 PM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 2:43 PM

by Dave Kahle

Building rapport with fire departments and other emergency equipment users is like squirting oil into gears. Imagine some gears grinding together. When you squirt lubricating oil into the gears, you reduce the friction and make everything work smoother.

So it is when two people interact with each other. Rapport, like lubricating oil, reduces the friction and makes the interaction work smoother. For a salesperson, creating rapport with any human being is an essential step that enables the customer to feel comfortable and leads to a much more effective sales interaction. The best salespeople create rapport with everyone.

Here's the dictionary definition:

Rapport : An emotional bond or friendly relationship between people based on mutual liking, trust and a sense that they understand and share each other's concerns.

Fortunately, creating that sense of understanding and mutual trust is a skill which has been studied through the ages. Here are seven proven ways to build rapport with anyone.

1. Pay attention to your appearance.

People will form an impression of you, based on how you look, before they even say hello to you. Your appearance, then, should be designed to help you look confident and competent – whatever that means in your market. At a minimum, that means clothes clean and pressed, shoes shined and hair cut.

Your attire should help you connect with the customer – not separate you from him. For example, if you are calling on production supervisors, you ought not to wear a suit and tie, as that will separate you from them, and generate a bit of discomfort in them.

The best rule I've seen is this: Dress like your customer, only a little better. On several occasions, I have worked with sales forces who sold to farmers. Blue jeans and flannel shirts are OK, as long as they are clean and pressed blue jeans, and a better quality flannel shirt.

But what if you call on several different types of customers in the same day? One salesperson shared his approach to this problem. He wore grey slacks, a blue button-down collar shirt, and a navy blazer. When he called on managers and executives, he dressed it up by putting on a tie. And, when he called on people who weren't in the executive suite, he dressed it down by removing the blazer and the tie.

2. Try an occasional bit of disarming honesty

In routine interchanges, say something that the customer is not expecting. For example, when he says, "How are you?" instead of the perfunctory "Fine," try something like this: "Honestly, my day didn't get off to a good start. One of the kids was sick this morning, and I was a half hour late getting out of the house. How are you?"

It's disarming because it was unexpected. And, it's honest, reveals something about you, and describes a situation with which almost everyone can relate. A good way to build rapport.

3. Humor

If you are one of those people who can make most people laugh most of the time, then you are equipped with a powerful rapport–building asset. There is something about laughing together that breaks down some of the barriers between people and removes some of the tension. It's a great way to build rapport.

If you are not one of those people so gifted, then it's better to stay away from this. Telling a joke that nobody gets, or having a glib comment being seen as sarcastic or caustic is NOT a good way to build rapport.

4. Use a sincere complement

Everyone likes to be complemented. When you sincerely complement a customer (or his company), you communicate that you are interested in him/her, that you have noticed something they do that stands out, and that you aren't afraid to say something complementary. Those are all good things.

Not so long ago, I entered a prospect's office building for the first time. The lobby was quite dramatic, with a two story atrium, and a soaring piece of sculpture. When he came down to meet me, I immediately told him that the lobby was very impressive, and that I felt very comfortable and a bit inspired because of it. We chatted for a few minutes about it and I then followed him to his office, having achieved some rapport.

5. Ask a perceptive question

A perceptive question, asked with sincerity, does everything that a complement does and then some. When the complement doesn't call for any response from the customer, a question does. If done correctly, it can initiate the conversation and help the customer feel like you are interested and care about him.

In the previous situation, for example, I could have said, "Was it designed to create that kind of feel? "

6. Indicate a personal connection

If you have something in common with the customer, mention it. Perhaps you both used to be firemen and now you are a volunteer with your local fire company. You don't have to beat it to death, just mention it. When the customer discovers that you both know the same person, went to the same school, vacationed in the same place, or belong to the same organization, he realizes that you are alike in some ways. It's easier to do business with someone who is like you.

7. Tell a short personal story

It doesn't have to be a major digression, but a short story about something personal is a great rapport builder. Something like this:

"Boy, I had a hard time getting here on time. I must have run over some glass or something sharp, because about half way here, my right front tire went flat. Took me a while to change it. Glad I made it on time."

That's short, it's personal, and it's a bit transparent because it reveals something about you, as a human being. And, it's something to which everyone can relate.

Building rapport is a science with proven practices and tactics. Use any of these techniques and watch your ability to create rapport improve, and thereby smooth out the way to more sales.

MORE INFO? 800-331-1287

FDIC REGISTRATION BEGINS IN OCTOBER FOR APRIL 20-25, 2009 CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 10:36 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 10:36 AM

FDIC 2009: April 20-25, 2009. Indiana Convention Center
Indianapolis, IN

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OFFERS LOANS; SAYS APPLY NOW AND DECIDE TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE ONLY WHEN APPLICATION IS APPROVED
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 8:59 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 9:01 AM

Dealers who are adversely hurt by major weather disasters are eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. The SBA urges companies to apply as quickly as possible even if owners are not sure they will accept the loan.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, when an applicant is referred to the SBA, a loan application has to be completed before some types of federal aid options can be considered.

Filling out an SBA application does not guarantee that an applicant will be approved for a loan, nor does it mean they must accept a loan if they are approved. However, if a home loan application is declined, their case will be referred back to FEMA?s grant programs.

FEMA disaster assistance covers only basic needs and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the disaster assistance may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy.

The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) for small businesses to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 2.85 percent for homeowners and renters, and
4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based upon each applicant?s financial condition.

MORE INFO? SBA?s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 or U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX, 76155 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

PIERCE GETS AWARD FROM FIRE CHIEFS
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 8:46 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 8:46 AM

Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, received an International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) President’s Recognition Award at the Fire-Rescue International 2008 convention held in Denver, CO.

Each year, the president of the IAFC – the association serving 12,000 fire chiefs and emergency officers around the world – honors a number of individuals and companies from the fire service industry who have contributed in a significant way during the president’s term.

Chief Steven P. Westermann, CFO, IAFC president, presented the award to Wilson Jones, president of Pierce Manufacturing, during opening ceremonies: “This award recognizes Pierce Manufacturing for its commitment to enhancing vehicle safety technology in the fire and emergency industry.”

Pierce Manufacturing is the fire apparatus manufacturer to introduce frontal airbags, as well as the Side Roll Protection system, and to achieve both independent Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) certification to NFPA 1901 and UL Canada (ULC) certification.

VALCOM AND KELTRON SELL WARNING SYSTEMS TO GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS MARKETS
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 8:41 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 8:41 AM

Valcom, Inc., an emergency communication system company and Keltron Corporation, provider of life safety event management systems, are offering a combined warning system for business, manufacturing and government facilities.

The Keltron Life Safety Event Management System receives incident data from available alarm panels and devices, presents comprehensive event information to the operator and depending on the situation, and provides the operator with appropriate response options. The operator then directs an appropriate response to the Valcom Emergency Communication System where the messages are executed via mass outbound communications to any and/or all of the following: loud speaker paging, e-mail, voicemail, cell phone notification, visual signage, text messaging, and outdoor voice paging. The Valcom system features, simple graphic interface, text to speech, pre-recorded messages and live messages.

The companies are exhibitors at the ASIS Conference and Expo in Atlanta, GA, September 15-18, 2008.

MORE INFO? www.keltroncorp.com or www.valcom.com

E-ONE SELECTS MARCE AS SOUTH AFRICAN DEALER
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 8:12 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 8:12 AM

E-ONE's (Ocala, FL) new dealer in South Africa is Marce Fire Fighting Technology.

Marce, located in Centurion in the Gauteng province, began selling
imported fire apparatus in 1998 and now provides service
and maintenance of fire apparatus and developed a local manufacturing
workshop for building new vehicles.

Luke de Koker, E-ONE's regional managers for Africa: "There are over 400 E-ONE vehicles in operation in South Africa and we are delighted to partner with such a reputable dealer with highly competent sales and maintenance staff and facilities, which naturally will enhance the development of new and existing clients in all nine provinces in South Africa as well as in Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique."

Danielle Steyn, Marce CEO Sales & Marketing: "Marce has developed an excellent reputation with end-users in the municipal fire services, the national airport and air force sectors. The same principles that E-ONE values -- delivering a quality vehicle and superior after-sales service -- are fundamental to the success of our business."

E-ONE engineers, manufactures and markets mission-critical vehicles including custom and commercial pumpers and tankers, aerial ladders and platforms, command and communication apparatus, quick attack units, industrial trucks, and aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles.

MORE INFO? www.marce.co.za or 1-800-568-2403 or www.e-one.com

GSA AWARDS BREATHING APPARATUS CONTRACTs TO MSA
Originally Posted: September 10, 2008 8:01 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 8:01 AM

MSA (Pittsburg, PA) has been awarded two separate contracts to supply the US
Air Force with a newly developed self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
system.

The contracts, issued by the federal General Services Administration and valued at a combined $24.6 million, represent incremental awards above and beyond an initial 2006 $36 million Air Force SCBA contract.

The multi-function breathing apparatus used by the Air Force and developed by MSA represents advanced respiratory protection systems.

It combines the advanced and high-performance features of MSA's latest generation of SCBA with those of a powered air-purifying respirator and gas mask. These features provide air base firefighters with a three-way, long-duration respiratory protection solution. The system meets the
latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) performance standards,
providing Air Force personnel with approved protection from chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) contaminants.

Joe Bigler, President, MSA North America: "These latest awards reflect the positive experience air base crews have had with this new system. MSA has a long history of providing the military with a wide range of sophisticated safety products, most notably gas masks and ballistic helmets. However, the work we're doing on behalf of the Air Force is reflective of the innovation MSA has achieved in the area of self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire service. We're grateful for the trust the Air Force has placed in MSA and we're pleased to see this project expand beyond its initial scope.

Production of the respirator system will continue at MSA's Murrysville,
PA plant. Product delivery under the latest contracts will be completed by late 2008 or early 2009.

Established in 1914, MSA develops, manufactures and supplies safety products that protect people's health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically
integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced
materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers
around the world in the fire service, petrochemical industry, construction
market and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products
include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection
instruments, head protection, air-purifying respirators, ballistic
protection products and thermal imaging cameras. The company also 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 approximately $1 billion, manufacturing
operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 40
international locations.

MORE INFO? www.msanet.com

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN ST. PAUL FEATURES FIREFIGHTER WHO RESPONDED TO AUGUST I-35W BRIDGE COLLAPSE
Originally Posted: September 3, 2008 12:14 PM
Last Updated: September 3, 2008 12:30 PM

Captain Shanna Hanson, Minneapolis Fire Department with 17 years of service told the Republican Convention in St. Paul about the 2007 August bridge failure 35W Interstate Bridge.

"As a firefighter, it is always difficult to talk about what we do --
when the bell rings, calling us to work - someone somewhere is having the
worst day of their lives. The privilege of being able to help others is
always tempered by the knowledge that we can't un-ring that bell.

"Thirteen souls perished when the bridge collapsed. Over one hundred
more were injured - their lives changed forever. The collapse left giant
pieces of concrete broken along the riverbanks - the center span falling
into the water below.

"At various places the slabs were still moving - with the dangerous
potential for further collapse. Railcars were crushed. Power lines were
down. Vehicles, some on fire, were scattered precariously, often with
rescuers working underneath them.

"The Mississippi River flowed through the center of this destruction --
presenting another danger -- one that effectively divided the rescue
efforts into two distinct arenas.

"But looking back after a year, what strikes me most about that tragic
day is how in-between the chunks of broken concrete we got to see the best
of the human spirit in action. I have never been more proud to serve as a
Minneapolis firefighter; to work as part of a team with the paramedics and
police that showed up to serve our community.

"But the real heroes of last August were the citizens of Minnesota.

"Their first instinct was to help. Their willingness to serve was inspiring.

"Now, as Hurricane Gustav impacts the Gulf Coast, every-day citizens are
again being called upon to prepare themselves, help their neighbors, and
serve their community. The people of the Gulf Coast will come together, as
the people of the Twin Cities did last year, and as Americans do every day."

The 2008 Republican National Convention was held at Saint Paul's
Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates attended although some did not come due to the hurricane threat along the Gulf coast.

INVESTORS MEET IN NY CITY WITH SPARTAN'S JIM KNAPP, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Originally Posted: September 3, 2008 12:02 PM
Last Updated: September 3, 2008 12:04 PM

Jim Knapp, chief financial officer of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Charlotte, MI), will attend Next Generation Equity Research's Next Generation Equity Small Cap Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at the Westin Hotel Times Square in New York City.

Next Generation's Next Generation Equity Small Cap Conference provides
institutional investors with access to Spartan's executive management through one-on-one and small group meetings.

Spartan Motors manufactures custom chassis and fire trucks, ambulances, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicles. The Company's brand names include Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire Aerials(TM), and Road Rescue(TM). Spartan employs 1,500 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $681.9 million in 2007.

MORE INFO? www.nextgenres.com or www.spartanmotors.com

FIREMAN SAYS: EITHER GET A DOG NAMED JET . . .
Originally Posted: September 3, 2008 11:51 AM
Last Updated: September 10, 2008 9:02 AM

"Get a dog named Jet" Pete Piringer (Montgomery County MD Fire and Rescue Service) said after Jet awakened and saved a family in a $1 million dollar 1:30AM home fire Labor Day , 2008.

Jet's barking woke up the family but by the time the firefighters brought the blaze under control the Jeep Cherokee, Infinity G 35 and Mitsubishi Spyder were destroyed plus $800,000 of structural damage and $400,000 damage to personal belongings.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service points out that there was no fire sprinkler system in the home or garage. Sprinkler systems are only required for new construction. But had they been installed in this residence, the home could have been saved, Pete Piringer said.

DIGITAL FIBER OPTIC LINES ARE NOT ELECTRICAL COX SAYS IN OBJECTION TO OFFICE REPORT ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Originally Posted: September 3, 2008 11:43 AM
Last Updated: September 3, 2008 11:43 AM

Following a September 2, 2008 report on wildfires in the Guejito area near San Diego, Cox Communications says its line "was fully intact prior to the extreme Santa Ana winds, which caused SDG&E's lines and Cox lines to come into contact."

Cox adds: "One thing that is not in question is that Cox fiber optic cables are
not electrical cables and do not carry electrical current to start a fire.
We are confident that after a full investigation, the Commission will agree
that the evidence does not support staff conclusions."

MORE INFO? www.coxmedia.com