Louisiana Fire Instructor David Cox Dead at 57
Funeral services for David Cox, assistant director for industrial programs at LSU's Fire and Emergency Training Institute, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 27, in Baton Rouge. MORE

Texas Regional Arson Conference
The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office hosts and sponsors the Texas Regional Arson Conference to be held January 23-27, 2006 in Houston, Texas.This conference presents some of the area's leading fire investigation experts and covers all aspects of arson fire investigation. MORE

Annual EMS Memorial Bike Ride
Planning is once again underway for the Annual EMS Memorial Bike Ride of 2006, set to begin in New York City on May 21, 2006. EMS professionals from the Northeast and all over the country will ride 600 miles to honor the memory of those EMS professionals being inducted at the memorial service as well as in support of the "To The Rescue" Museum. MORE

Texas Is Burning Again
Governor Rick Perry declared a disaster and requested federal assistance when over 70 wildland fires were burning across the central and northern areas of Texas. MORE

Remarks by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff
Chertoff addresses George Washington University in December on DHS Accomplishments and Priorities. MORE

USFA Launches 'Coffee Break' Training
The U.S. Fire Administration is providing "Coffee Break Training" bulletins for busy professionals to read and enjoy during their daily break. MORE

Annual National Fire & Emergency Services Dinner Set For April
On April 6, 2006, the Congressional Fire Services Institute will host the 18th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars in Washington, DC. Congressional leaders and administration officials interface with fire service leaders to discuss about federal programs and legislation addressing the needs of local first responders. MORE

Texas EMS Providers Seek Hurricane Katrina Reimbursements
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been involved in multiple discussions with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives for several weeks sorting through the various reimbursement issues. MORE

Firefighters Exposed to Electrical Hazards During Wildland Fire Operations
The recent wildland fires in Texas and Oklahoma are a reminder that among the various hazards fire fighters face during wildland fire suppression activities, and one that is often overlooked, is electrical hazards. MORE

NAEMT EMS & Rescuer Relief Fund Disburses Nearly $120,000 in Time for the Holidays
More than 400 EMS providers in the Gulf Coast region received almost $120,000 from the EMS & Rescuer Relief Fund in time for Christmas. MORE

Job Posting For Trophy Club Firefighter/EMT Paramedic
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED. Basic Certification from the State Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with 2 years experience. MORE

Four In Five EMS Workers Injured On The Job
Four out of five EMS workers have experienced some kind of injury or medical condition as a result of their work, according to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. MORE

National Volunteer Fire Council Weighs In On Interoperability
NVFC urges Congress to reallocate 24 megahertz of radio spectrum in the 700 MHz band for public safety use nationwide.MORE

Annual Lancaster County FIRE EXPO Slated for 2006
The annual Lancaster County Fireman's Association FIRE EXPO is slated for May 19 through 21, 2006. MORE

The National Volunteer Fire Council Revises Legislative Priorities
At its annual fall meeting in Galveston, Texas, last month, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) officially revised its legislative priorities. MORE

NVFC Expresses Concerns Over "Unfunded Mandates"
The NVFC is concerned that DHS is considering adopting a revised version of NFPA 1582: "Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments", which specifies that firefighters must undergo a physical examination every year, as a requirement for NIMS compliance. MORE

Mansion Simulation Now Available on USFA's Virtual Campus
The Q326 Mansion simulation course presents the user with a very large, multi-story, single-family dwelling presenting fire spread and ventilation issues and a more complex rescue scenario. MORE

Job Opening for Midland Fire Chief
Midland, Texas, (population 98,978) is seeking a highly skilled, innovative professional to direct and manage the overall Fire Department operations of 183 employees and an annual operating budget in excess of $14.6 million. MORE

Forest Service Newsletter Focuses on Katrina Lessons Learned
This special edition of SCRATCHLINE (Issue 14) highlights many notable successes and difficult challenges faced by Members of the US Forestry Services Incident Management Teams (IMT's) while working at Operational and Logistics Staging Areas, Shelter Operations and Field Hospitals/Trauma Centers.MORE

NVFC Relief Funds Reach Firefighters In Need
Jim Williams and Ed Carpenter of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) donated $25,000 to the NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund. MORE

DHS Hosts Conference On Security Grants
The purpose of the conference is to provide recipients and sub-recipients training and guidance in the financial management of Office of State and Local Grant Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) funded grants, as well as an opportunity to meet with the new Office of Grant Operations (OGO) staff and exchange ideas.MORE

Planning Conference for the 130th SFFMA Annual Training Conference & Convention
The Planning Conference for the 130th State's Firemen's & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas Annual Training Conference & Convention to be held in January in Waco. MORE

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Urges Americans to Make Emergency Preparedness Their New Year's Resolution
Eighty percent of Americans agreed that taking some simple steps to prepare could help protect themselves and their families in the event of an emergency. MORE

Federal Emergency Management Agency Restoration Act
Full text of a bill introduced in the US House of Representatives in December that could have a profound impact on emergency response in the United States. MORE

51st Texas Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar
The Texas Engineering Extension Service's (TEEX) and the Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI) will sponsor and host the 51st Texas Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar March 19-24, 2005 at the Omni Southpark, Austin, Texas. MORE

130th SFFMA Annual Training Conference & Convention
The 130th SFFMA Annual Training Conference & Convention will be held in Waco, Texas on June 10-14, 2006 in Waco. MORE

Obituary For Richard Pratt Sylvia
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Chief Richard Pratt Sylvia best known to this author as the former editor of Fire Engineering Magazine passed away at the age of 91. MORE

State Fire Marshal Issue Tanker Truck Alert
Two recent fatal crashes involving motor vehicles modified into water tankers are under investigation by the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office. MORE

51st Texas Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar
The Texas Engineering Extension Service's (TEEX), Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI) will sponsor and host the 51st Texas Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar March 19-24, 2005 at the Omni Southpark, Austin, Texas located at South I-35 at Ben White. MORE

Rosenberg Appoints Todish Chief
Chief Rick Todish has been selected to lead the Rosenberg Fire Department near Houston. MORE