Teams Wanted for Boston Road Race First Responder Challenge

The Run to Remember Boston road race through the city’s historic downtown will again feature a First Responder Challenge, pitting teams of police, fire and other first responders nationwide in the half marathon at the Memorial Day weekend event.

The half marathon and 5-mile races both start at the Seaport World Trade Center in downtown Boston on Sunday, May 28. This is the 13^th year for the charity event, created as a tribute to Massachusetts law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. 

The First Responder Challenge consists of teams with a minimum of five runners from any first responder department in the U.S. competing in the half marathon for a chance to win bragging rights and split a cash prize of $10,000 among the top three teams for the charity of their choice. An additional prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the top department with 250 or fewer active members.  

“We just had our Los Angeles (Run to Remember) race and the First Responder Challenge was really popular, so we’re hoping Boston meets the challenge,” said Steve Balfour, race director. “The invitation is open to any first responders, including firefighters, paramedics and EMTs, from New England and across the country who want to take part.”

Registration for the half marathon and 5-mile events at Run to Remember Boston is ongoing at BostonsRunToRemember.com.

For more info on the challenge, please contact Brigit at [email protected].  

For those who cannot run this year but want to take part, donations may be made to Run to Remember Boston and sent to P.O. Box 664, North Berwick, ME 03906.  People can also take part in the race virtually by registering as a virtual participant and running a distance and at a time of their choice. Visit BostonsRunToRemember.com for more information.

New App Enhances Scott Sight Mask

Scott Safety has launched of a new mobile app that helps firefighters better use their award-winning Scott Sight thermal imaging mask. The Scott Sight app—which allows users to edit, save and share configurations for the in-mask display—is available on both the Apple and Android app stores. Users can customize the brightness, icon layout, temperature display (Celsius or Fahrenheit) and display colors (grey, fixed or dynamic) to suit their own personal preference. 

“We worked with our internal development team to create an intuitive app that allows firefighters to configure their Scott Sight to enhance their experience,” said John Graves, global product manager, thermal imaging solutions. “The new app will allow users to personalize their in-mask display and share configurations with other team members. This is just the beginning, as there are development plans to expand the app’s capabilities with new functionality and features."

The Scott Sight thermal imaging mask won two prestigious prizes last year: “2016 Best of What’s New” award from the highly respected magazine Popular Science, and a “Competitive Strategy, Innovation and Leadership” award from market research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

For more information, visit ScottSight.com.

Applications Period Open for 2017 Globe Gear Giveaway

Globe Manufacturing Company, DuPont Protection Solutions and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have once again teamed up for the Globe Gear Giveaway. A total of 52 sets of gear will be awarded to 13 departments in need. The first 500 applicants will also receive a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of Globe. Eligible departments can apply to receive four sets of new, state-of-the-art turnout gear to better protect their members.

“The NVFC is grateful to Globe and DuPont for recognizing the need for gear among resource-constrained volunteer departments and working to enhance the safety and protection of our boots on the ground firefighters,” said NVFC Chairman Kevin D. Quinn. “Through this program we have been able to provide over 350 firefighters with the gear they need to safely and effectively do their jobs.”

In order to apply for the Globe Gear Giveaway, departments must meet the following criteria:

• Be all-volunteer or mostly-volunteer (over 50 percent)
• Serve a population of 25,000 or less
• Be located in the U.S. or Canada and legally organized under state/province law
• Demonstrate a need for the gear

Note: The department or person applying must be a member of the NVFC. To help struggling departments meet the membership criteria, Globe will provide a complimentary NVFC membership to the first 500 applicants. 

“We’re grateful for the thousands of volunteer firefighters who protect our communities every day,” said Rob Freese, senior VP of marketing at Globe. “They deserve the best personal protection to ensure their own safety.”

Learn more and apply for Globe gear at nvfc.org/globe-gear-giveaway. The deadline to apply is June 1. Winners will be announced monthly between July and December.

This Month in Fire History

April 1, 1853, Cincinnati, OH—First salaried fire department established

April 4, 1949, Effingham, IL—St. Anthony’s Hospital fire kills 74

April 10, 1917, Eddystone, PA—Eddystone Ammunition Company explosion kills 133

April 17, 2013, West, TX—Explosion at fertilizer plant kills 15, including 10 firefighters

April 18, 1906, San Francisco, CA—The Great San Francisco Earthquake fire kills more than 315

April 19, 1993, Waco, TX—Religious group complex fire kills 47

April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City, OK—Alfred P. Murrah Federal building bombing kills 168

April 21, 1878, New York, NY—First firehouse pole installed

April 23, 1940, Natchez, MS—Rhythm Club fire kills 207

April 29, 1992, Los Angeles, CA—Civil disturbance fire cause $567 million in damages

Courtesy of NFPA