Scuttlebutt 5/18

Firehouse Station Design Awards: Call for Entries

Firehouse is seeking entries for its fourth-annual Station Design Awards, which recognizes architects and fire departments for their achievements in fire station design and construction.

The goal of the Station Design Awards is to identify trends and educate Firehouse readers using examples of new public safety facilities designed and constructed to meet the needs and responsibilities of an agency, the safety of its personnel and the community that it serves.

The awards will recognize work in the following categories:

• Career Stations I—More than 15,000-sq.-ft. facilities staffing full-time fire and emergency personnel
• Career Stations II—Less than 15,000-sq. ft. facilities staffing full-time fire and emergency personnel
• Satellite Stations—Additional stations from headquarters or main offices
• Volunteer/Combination Stations—Facilities for volunteer or combination departments
• Shared Facilities—Fire and emergency response facilities combined with other agencies or organizations such as police, local government offices or library
• Station Renovation—Facilities that are redesigned, re-purposed or upgraded

Projects must have been completed by Jan. 1, 2013. Judges have requested only completed projects be submitted, as renderings are subject to change during approvals, budget adjustments and final construction.

The deadline for entries is July 28. Entries will appear in the November issue of Firehouse Magazine.

For more details and entry forms, visit Firehouse.com/sda.

Anniversary T-Shirts Support Firefighter Cancer Charities

FirefighterCloseCalls.com and “The Secret List” are celebrating their 20^th anniversary with a one-time special offer. Thanks to TenThree Graphics, a firefighter-owned business, special 20^th Anniversary T-Shirts can be purchased to honor the occasion and help two important charities. All profits from the sales will be split between the Ray Pfeifer Foundation and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN).

The Ray Pfeifer Foundation was started by FDNY members to help 9/11 first responders with medical needs not covered by insurance. In 2009, Ray Pfeifer was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer resulting from his work at the World Trade Center site. In 2015, with federal benefits on the verge of expiring, Pfeifer led a small contingent to Washington, DC, to challenge lawmakers. He fought for healthcare benefits from the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to be extended for September 11 first responders, and succeeded. Pfeifer passed away on May 28, 2017.

Since 2005, the nonprofit FCSN has provided assistance and one-on-one mentoring to thousands of cancer-stricken firefighters and their families. FCSN also delivers extensive firefighter cancer awareness and prevention training nationwide. Now in its 12^th year, FCSN has active operations in 39 states.

To order a 20^th anniversary T-shirt, visit tinyurl.com/ycjyvma4.

This Month in Fire History

May 4, 1973—National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control publishes America Burning

May 5, 1988, Norco, LA—Petroleum refinery fire; loss worth $513 million

May 6, 1937, Lakehurst, NJ—Hindenburg zeppelin fire kills 36

May 14, 1947, Rome, NY—Minerva Film Company fire kills 23

May 17, 1923, Beulah, SC—Cleveland School fire kills 77

May 18, 1971—NFPA Standard 19B requires SCBA use during firefighting

May 23, 1964, San Francisco, CA—All Hallows Church Parish Hall fire kills 17

May 28, 1977, Southgate, KY—Beverly Hills Supper Club fire kills 165

May 31, 2013, Houston, TX—Southwest Inn fire kills 4 firefighters

Courtesy NFPA

 

 3M Scott Safety Pledges $100K to Aid in Firefighter Cancer Awareness & Prevention Efforts

3M Scott Safety has pledged $100,000 in charitable donations to the firefighter community over the next two years as part of a comprehensive cancer prevention and awareness initiative. The program reflects the company’s commitment to protect first responders.

“The long-term effects of carcinogen exposure to firefighters is a serious issue that must come to the forefront of our industry,” said Jeff Emery, global business unit leader, SCBA and fire solutions for 3M Scott Safety. “One of 3M Scott Safety’s core values is to protect those who protect our communities, and this program gives us a unique opportunity to do that. With this initiative, we’re set to provide funding to like-minded groups who are building awareness, sharing best practices and working toward cancer prevention for first responders.”

Complementing initiatives such as sponsorship of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Symposium, 3M Scott Safety’s donation will enable other organizations to join their fight in minimizing carcinogen cancer hazards facing firefighters.

“We’re continually looking for ways to protect firefighters on the job and during cleanup through product innovation,” said John Dinning, business unit manager. “We’re excited to take this mission one step further and collaborate with others in the industry to raise awareness and share best practices that will help to extend the safety of firefighters everywhere.”

To learn more, visit ScottSafety.com.

Columbia Southern University Celebrates 25^th Anniversary 

Columbia Southern University (CSU), an online university based in Orange Beach, AL, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary. Over the last 25 years, CSU has had more than 60,000 degree conferrals. Its degree programs have been recognized by leading national industry organizations, including the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM).

“Since its inception in 1993, CSU has strived to excel in all its endeavors,” said Eric McHaney, chief marketing officer for CSU. “From pioneering the online education industry to building a family oriented culture where students are always first, CSU prides itself on leading the charge for change while maintaining a reputation for integrity and expertise for 25 years.”

In addition to marking its silver anniversary, CSU launched a rebrand with a new logo in April.

“CSU has a rich history as a leader in the online education arena while welcoming change through innovation, creativity and progress,” McHaney added. “Our new logo is a great illustration of where those two ideals collide. We are thrilled about these upcoming changes and for what’s next for CSU.”

The university will commemorate its anniversary during the 2018 commencement ceremony on Oct. 19, 2018. To learn more about CSU, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu.