Lambeau Field Stair Climb to Be Virtual Event
COVID-19 has claimed another victim. The Eighth Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which was set to take place on the steps of Lambeau Field in September, now will be hosted as a virtual fundraising event in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The event, which is co-sponsored by Pierce Manufacturing and the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, has been recognized as the largest event of its kind in the United States.
Because of the unprecedented circumstances the world has faced in recent months, and after much careful consideration, Pierce and the Green Bay Metro Fire Department determined that it was in the best interest of the participants and the community to shift the stair climb to a virtual event. Organizers set a virtual fundraising goal of $125,000 and ask all who would like to participate to still climb on their own or to make a direct donation for those who were lost but not forgotten.
Last year’s historic event raised more than $115,000, with all proceeds directly benefiting the NFFF. Nearly 2,200 members of the fire service, their families, friends and community members climbed the steps of Lambeau Field to pay tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives on 9/11.
To learn more about Pierce Manufacturing, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, the NFFF and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, visit piercemfg.com/climb.
Fire Prevention Week to Focus on Kitchen Fires
“Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen” is the theme for the NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4–10). NFPA’s focus on cooking fire safety comes in response to home cooking fires representing the leading cause of U.S. home fires, with nearly half (49 percent) of all home fires involving cooking equipment. With more people home because of the pandemic, the NFPA believes that the risk of kitchen fires will increase.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit fpw.org.
Streamlight Shines Light on NFFF
Streamlight, Inc., donated $18,500 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), including $8,500 in proceeds from sales of the company’s specially marked NFFF Red Nano Light, Red Vantage helmet light and Red Siege AA lantern. Streamlight earmarks $1, $3 and $2, respectively, from the sale of each light for the NFFF. The donation also included a $10,000 contribution for the renewal of its “Bronze Helmet” NFFF sponsorship.
For more information, visit streamlight.com.
Tennessee Campaign Saves 300 Lives
The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s office announced that its statewide campaign of installing smoke alarms resulted in 300 lives being saved. “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” was implemented in November 2012. To date, more than 500 fire departments in Tennessee and partnering organizations participated in the campaign. Additionally, 231,500 smoke alarms have been distributed to fire departments across the state through funding from FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program.
Through its system of matching saved lives with smoke alarm installation addresses, the Fire Marshal’s office was able to track 300 saved lives. In those instances, it has been confirmed by the local fire departments that the smoke alarms contributed to the occupant’s ability to escape fire danger and survive.
According to the NFPA, in 2012–2016, smoke alarms were present in 74 percent of U.S. homes and sounded in 53 percent of the home fires that were reported by U.S. fire departments. Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes that had no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
For more information on the program, visit tn.gov/commerce.html.
Registration Open for NVFC Recruitment & Retention Experience
The inaugural National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Experience will be held Sept. 25–26 in Cleveland. This interactive educational and networking conference is open to all volunteer firefighters and EMS providers nationwide and is targeted toward department leadership and recruitment officers.
The event is an opportunity for fire and EMS personnel to participate in valuable classroom training as well as exchange ideas and best practices with their peers. The registration fee for the event is $129, which includes two days of training from industry leaders, a networking reception with vendor expo and most meals.
For more information, visit nvfc.org/experience.
CHEMTREC Offers HELP to Volunteer Departments
CHEMTREC is teaming with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to offer the 2020 CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Award. Through this program, two volunteer fire departments will receive $10,000 each to enhance their response capabilities and to increase local readiness for hazardous materials incidents. The application period is open through September 1. View the full criteria and access the application at chemtrec.com/emergency-responders/help-award.
This Month in Fire History
July 1, 1998, Hackensack, NJ—Auto dealer fire kills five firefighters
July 4, 2002, Gloucester City, NJ—Residential roof collapse kills three firefighters
July 5, 1973, Kingman, AZ—Doxol Gas Co. fire kills 11 firefighters
July 6, 1944, Hartford, CT—Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus tent fire kills 168
July 6, 1994, Glenwood Springs, CO—South Canyon Fire kills 14 firefighters
July 9, 1953, Mendocino National Forest, CA—Forest fire kills 15 firefighters
July 23, 1984, Romeoville, IL—Union Oil refinery fire kills 17; losses worth $177 million
July 24, 1931, Pittsburgh—Little Sisters of the Poor home for the aged fire kills 48
July 26, 1990—Americans with Disabilities Act passes, greatly affecting safety codes
July 28, 1945, New York City—Fire after B-25 crash into Empire State Building kills 14
July 29, 1956, Sun Ray, TX—Shamrock Oil & Gas Corp. refinery fire kills 19 firefighters
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