News

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, but ticks don’t watch the calendar—they can show up any time temperatures rise. The best way to prevent Lyme disease in yourself and others is to understand proven prevention methods, recognize early signs and symptoms, and know what to do if you spot a tick. The Global Lyme Alliance, a leading...

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...

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. ...

Spring is the ideal time to give your outdoor property a thorough check-up. After a long winter, campgrounds, cabins, lodges, and picnic areas likely bear the hidden impacts of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Conducting a springtime property inspection is essential to spot and address winter-related issues early—before the busy season—ensuring safety for guests and saving you costly repairs...

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...

When people think about wildlife encounters on guided adventure trips, their minds often jump to bears or large predators. Most unexpected wildlife encounters that lead to injuries or trip disruptions involve far more common animals such as insects, snakes, livestock, and region-specific wildlife. For adventure operators, understanding these everyday risks is a critical part of (trip safety planning.)   Wildlife Safety Starts with Awareness, Not Fear  Getting closer...

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...

Tips for Volunteer Fire Departments Supporting Community Events As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, communities across the country come together for their favorite fall traditions—pumpkin patches, apple picking, and harvest festivals. These celebrations often rely on local organizations, including volunteer fire departments, to help with setup, parking, or even sponsorship. While these...