News

Recent headlines about hantavirus have understandably made people uneasy. Any outbreak involving a serious respiratory illness can bring back memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. But while hantavirus deserves attention, it does not have the same transmission profile, public health dynamics, or pandemic potential that made COVID so disruptive. In short: hantavirus is a serious illness,...

Emergency medical services (EMS) providers operate in an environment where risk is not the exception—it is the norm. Every response carries potential hazards, not only for the patient but for responders and the community as a whole. While the mission is to provide care, the reality is that safety must remain the first priority.  Our upcoming webinar, “Staying Safe on...

The cannabis industry has been experiencing rapid growth, and with expansion comes new challenges—especially when it comes to safety. Recognizing the unique fire risks associated with cannabis cultivation, processing, and extraction facilities, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is developing NFPA 420, a standard dedicated to fire protection in these environments.  NFPA 420 aims to...

Why Guaranteed Replacement Cost Matters for Emergency Service Buildings From powerful tornadoes to fast-moving storms, severe weather can strike at any time, bringing wind, hail, or even fire damage that can devastate emergency service buildings. For fire stations, EMS facilities, and training centers, a single event can mean major repair costs or a complete rebuild. That’s why...

Flammable gases behave very differently than smoke from a structure fire. Gas accumulates silently, can migrate far from its source, and remains invisible until ignition. Firefighters may be operating in an environment that is well within the flammable range without any visual warning signs. Ventilation or forced entry at the wrong moment can instantly turn a “routine” response into a mass‑casualty...

Firefighting is a profession built on skill, knowledge, and quick decision-making. One of the most fundamental concepts every firefighter must grasp is the understanding of basic fire streams. Fire streams refer to the flow of water or other extinguishing agents from a hose or nozzle, which play a crucial role in controlling and extinguishing fires. ...

Have you noticed more solar panels going up around your neighborhood? As electrical infrastructure continues to evolve, fire and emergency services face new operational challenges when responding to incidents involving photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays and battery energy storage systems (BESS). These technologies are becoming more common in residential, commercial, and utility scale settings, increasing the likelihood that firefighters will encounter them during...

In emergency medical services, time is more than a metric—it is a responsibility. Every call place EMTs and paramedics in fast-moving, unpredictable environments where decisions must be made in seconds, often with incomplete information. Whether navigating congested city streets, responding to mass-casualty incidents, or stabilizing a patient en route to care, emergency transport is one of the most high-risk moments in the EMS workflow. ...

Many of us in the U.S. are in the midst of the months when rain can turn to ice and snow. With this seasonal transition comes the added challenge of keeping our feet under us, and ourselves and others off of the ground due to a fall. Falls and near falls due to slippery surfaces can lead to everything from wounded pride, to...

Emergency service organizations are built on trust. Volunteers and staff handle donations, equipment purchases, and public funds, often without the financial controls that large corporations have in place. Yet even in the most trusted departments, financial crimes can and do occur.  A missing deposit, forged check, or misused credit card can quickly turn into thousands...