Top

Category: Emergency Services


Basic Services, Emergency Services

Gov. Cuomo proposes bill to ‘dramatically increase penalties’ for NY utility storm response failures

October 30, 2020

Via: Utility Dive

New York utilities are coping with the remnants of Hurricane Zeta and say they are always working to improve storm response. At the same time, the state is considering stricter penalties for potential failures. “After every storm we look for […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

As California burns, buggy alerting software ails emergency offices

August 25, 2020

Via: StateScoop

As wildfires continue tearing through California, two northern counties on Tuesday reported technical problems with the emergency alerting platforms used to warn the public. In Northern California, where the still-raging LNU Lightning Complex fire has burned through 352,000 acres and […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

Financially stressed by outbreak, fire departments foray into digital

March 27, 2020

Via: StateScoop

As the novel coronavirus closes down schools and businesses around the country, essential first responders and firefighters on the front lines of relief efforts have embraced digital communication and data-sharing software to stay safe and efficient, according to several local […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

EPA’s Final Regional Haze Guidance Highlights State Discretion, Flexibility

August 22, 2019

Via: PowerMag

New guidance issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Aug. 20 to help states prepare for the second implementation period of the federal regional haze program puts emphasis on “discretion and flexibilities” they can use to comply with long-standing […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

MPs slam Home Office over troubled Emergency Services Network programme

July 17, 2019

Via: ComputerWeekly

The Home Office project to build a new communications network for the emergency services faces “substantial levels of risk”, and further delays and cost increases are “inevitable”, according to a highly critical report by MPs. The Emergency Services Network (ESN) […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

California tees up wildfire liability bill as utility, consumer groups diverge on solutions

July 3, 2019

Via: Utility Dive

The California legislature will attempt to pass AB 1054 in a week, but opposition is bubbling up that could complicate the governor’s preferred schedule. Attorneys representing wildfire victims say the legislation should be tabled or rewritten to include more consumer […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

California approved utility wildfire plans. The next step is to see if they’re working

June 18, 2019

Via: Utility Dive

California’s wildfire season is only weeks old, but already PG&E has utilized the new Public Safety Power Shutoff capabilities included in mitigation plans. Looking ahead, regulators say they need to develop tools that can help determine whether or not the […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

Rejecting the ‘new normal,’ California eyes technology solutions to wildfire risks

May 2, 2019

Via: Utility Dive

California is a global leader in technology, so it stands to reason that we’re focusing more on technological solutions to help overcome the growing threat from frequent and deadly wildfires. Over the past two years, California has endured a number […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services, Health & Insurance, Social Services

Hospitals Scramble To Find Alternatives To Medications As Drug Shortages Persist

July 2, 2018

Via: Kaiser Health News

Hospitals and ER departments nationwide are coming up short when they need drugs such as morphine. “So many substances are short, and we’re dancing every shift,” said Dr. James Augustine, a doctor in Cincinnati.” In other public health news: palliative […]


Basic Services, Electric Utility, Emergency Services, Public Utilities

A New Challenge for Disaster Zones: Driving an Electric Evacuation

December 26, 2017

Via: Greentech Media

When Florida Gov. Rick Scott told residents “you need to go right now,” as Hurricane Irma barreled toward the state, many were able to jump in their cars and leave. An estimated 3 million people took to the highways, creating […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

Las Vegas Tragedy Prompts Examination Of Hospitals Capacity To Treat Victims

October 4, 2017

Via: Kaiser Health News

Las Vegas is not only a glittering strip of casinos and hotels but a fast-growing region with more than 2 million residents — and one hospital designated as a highest-level trauma center. The deadly shooting Sunday that killed at least […]


Basic Services, Emergency Services

The internet is finally getting a high-speed internet lane for emergency situations

August 9, 2017

Via: TNW

During large disasters, like hurricanes, wildfires and terrorist attacks, people want emergency responders to arrive quickly and help people deal with the crisis. In order to do their best, police, medics, firefighters and those who manage them need lots of […]


Emergency Services

Northeastern utilities gear up for Winter Storm Stella as thousands face blackouts

March 15, 2017

Via: Utility Dive

Utilities up and down the Eastern Seaboard are prepping linemen and crews to repair damage and mitigate outages left in the wake of nor’easter Winter Storm Stella, as other states issue blizzard warnings and declare state of emergencies. At least […]


Emergency Services

California Firefighters File Overtime Suit Over Health Care Buy-Back

January 9, 2017

Via: FirstArriving

Today’s burning question: Does a fire department have to include payments made in lieu of accepting health benefits in a firefighter’s regular rate for purposes of calculating overtime? Answer: Yes, and that is one of the central issues in a […]


Emergency Services

Marketing Fire and EMS: What’s your department’s brand?

January 4, 2017

Via: FirstArriving

In a recent post over on LinkedIn entitled, The Art of Juggling in an All Hazards World, my fire service colleague and former “mate” with the Chesterfield County (Va.) Fire and EMS Department, Deputy Fire Chief Rick Edinger, provides a […]


Emergency Services

Emotional marketing can make for better fire safety messages

December 16, 2016

Via: FirstArriving

So, where do we go wrong–with our fire and life safety messages–and how do we correct it? The first thing we have to learn is what makes people transition from the Pre-contemplation phase to the Action phase. Clearly, that is […]


Emergency Services

Minneapolis Fire Sued Over Hypothermia Death

December 14, 2016

Via: FirstArriving

The complaint includes three counts of negligence; three counts of medical negligence; gross negligence; negligence per se for violating federal, state and local law; negligent hiring; vicarious liability; negligent undertaking; wrongful death; and a civil rights violation of denial of […]


Emergency Services

Savannah Fire Chief Cleared Of Hostile Work Environment Allegations

December 5, 2016

Via: FirstArriving

A comprehensive investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment in the Savannah Fire & Emergency Services has been completed, and Fire Chief Charles Middleton has been cleared of any wrongdoing. The investigation was sparked by complaints leveled by four […]


Emergency Services, Health & Insurance

Community Paramedics Work To Link Patients With Mental Health Care

December 5, 2016

Via: The Caregiver Space

For Atlanta-based Grady Health System, which launched a paramedic program in 2012, finding available bed-space remains “a pretty big challenge,” said Michael Colman, the system’s vice president of EMS operations. And then there’s follow up. “If we’re talking about using […]


Emergency Services

As energy storage explodes in New York, officials tackle safety measures

November 16, 2016

Via: Utility Dive

When smart phone batteries catch fire or laptop batteries explode on airplanes, it makes the news. So far batteries used to store energy at the residential and commercial level have avoided those headlines. But eventually there will be a problem. […]