Firefighter News - April 2018
From the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
All-new fact sheets and online portal provide data on all 50 U.S. states’ fire service progress, needs and challenges:
February 27, 2018—How well are the needs of fire departments in your state being met? Access the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) all-new, state-by-state fact sheets and online portal, which deliver statewide and customizable data, to find out. Both resources were developed using results from the association’s four U.S. Needs Assessment surveys.
Each time we’ve conducted U.S. Needs Assessment surveys in the past (in 2001, 2005 and 2010), we would receive requests from fire service officials and fire departments asking for data specific to their states,” saidHylton Haynes, senior research analyst at NFPA. “While we didn’t have the resources to fulfill those requests, we fully understood the value of them. When we completed the most recent survey in 2015, delivering state-specific data was among our top priorities.”
According to Haynes, the fact sheets for all 50 U.S. states serve as a snapshot of where each state has made improvements in meeting the needs of its communities and where there are continued gaps. They include statistics on the percentage of fire departments that are fully trained to fight structural fires; have the needed protective equipment and clothing; conduct fitness and health programs; implement community risk reduction programs; and are equipped with specific safety features.
NFPA’s online Needs Assessment portal enables users to create customizable reports that can generate statistical comparisons to other departments of similar size, population protected and region.
Customized data from the portal can serve as a powerful benchmark for showing where fire departments are ahead of the curve and where they’re experiencing gaps in meeting the needs of their communities identifying how they stack up to departments serving communities of similar demographics and size,” said Haynes. “It can also be an effective tool to justify budgets for needed equipment, apparatus, personnel, programs and other resources.”
All of NFPA’s U.S. Needs Assessments reports offer a wealth of information on U.S. fire departments’ needs, and can be downloaded online.
The local perspective:Prepare for an Early Fire Season
In light of the drought conditions, your local fire departments are asking residents to prepare early this year in creating a defensible space. For more information on preparing for wildfires and creating a defensible space in Sonoma County, visit www.FireSafeSonoma.org or CAL Fire’s www.ReadyForWildFire.org. or call your local fire agency.
Bodega Bay Fire:
All of NFPA’s U.S. Needs Assessments reports offer a wealth of information oBenjamin Krauskopf was swore in as a new Support Volunteer. Ben will be a firefighter for us in a very short time. Welcome aboard...
The Annual Fisherman’s Festival is just around the corner, April 14/15 in fact. The “Fish Fest” is a major fund-raising event for many area non-profits. The theme this year is Bodega Bay Fishing. Real People. Real Food.
Don’t forget to catch online at www.bbfpd.org and on Facebook.
Forestville Fire: Pancake Breakfast!
Don’t forget to join us on Sunday May 6th, 8am-12n at the Forestville Fire station for pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, orange juice and milk. The price for adults is $7 and $5 for kids and seniors. We will have t-shirts and sweatshirts for sale, the Fire Safety Trailer for the kids and a raffle with great prizes. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sebastopol Fire
Blood Drive on April 10. 1 - 6pm. 7425 Bodega Ave,. Sebaatopol. Please make an appointment in advance at www.bloodheroes.com - click on Locate a Blood drive - SEBASTOPOL. Bring your ID! or just come and wait in line to get your GIANTS T-shirt!
