2018 AFG Award News and 2019 Grant Updates
For weeks, departments across the country have been trying to determine the status of their 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grants applications. They talked to vendors, to neighboring departments and to friends on the internet, and probably even sought the advice of psychics, all to no avail. Some people were giving out dates when they guaranteed that AFG awards would start or when turndown letters would be issued, but those dates all passed, and nothing happened. Further, we now have exclusive information from FEMA concerning the award and application schedule for 2019.
Science in the Fire Service: Research Update on Contamination Control
The fire service continues to drive the movement for science-based research to better understand how the fire environment, firefighting PPE, and fire department practices can impact firefighters’ risks. During this recently held webcast, Gavin Horn, PhD, shares some of the latest firefighter research on contamination control along with lessons learned from ongoing efforts to implement some of these practices. Commonly asked questions and a few tips on how to implement best practices are discussed in the context of the scientific background and fireground execution.
5 Easy Steps to Select Your Turnout Gear
Researching and specifying new turnout gear for your department may seem like an arduous task given all the choices of materials and styles available today. That’s why we offer an easy 5-step process to help you learn the basics and get started.
![[Video] Unboxing with Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment: Globe SUPRAFLEX Boots](https://horizons.globeturnoutgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Unboxing-Video-SUPRAFLEX.jpg)
[Video] Unboxing with Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment: Globe SUPRAFLEX Boots
We recently sent a pair of our SUPRAFLEX™ boots to Chris McCloone, senior editor at Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, for his review. The boots included Vibram’s Arctic Grip Pro soles that are specifically engineered to perform on wet ice.
Apply Now for New Turnouts through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program
Many volunteer departments are forced to make do with an inadequate amount of turnout gear or with worn-out, non-compliant gear they can’t afford to replace. That’s why MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together again in 2019 to distribute new turnout gear to volunteer fire departments through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program. This annual program began in 2012 to help departments in need properly outfit their crew. To date, the program has delivered 455 sets to 95 departments.
New download | SMARTER: Advancing Health-Related Technology
In 2016, the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighting Grant (AFG) funded a program titled “Science, Medicine, And Research & Technology for the Emergency Responders (SMARTER)” to explore the potential use of technology to address some of the most pressing health concerns in the fire service. The SMARTER team was led by researchers at Skidmore College’s First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, and included leading scientists, fire service professionals, and gear manufacturers.