The Municipal

Small sweeper with a large attitude

Schwarze’s new A4 Storm regenerative air sweeper features a short wheelbase, high maneuverability and a full-size sweeper performance, making it versatile no matter the season. (Photo provided)

by BRIAN GILES | product manager, Schwarze Industries Introduced late last year, Schwarze’s new A4 Storm regenerative air sweeper packs all the street sweeper features you would expect on a full-size class 7 chassis sweeper on a smaller, more maneuverable … More from our cover sponsor →

Aladtec to Present Workforce Management Software at APCO’s 2017 Conference & Expo

Posted on August 8, 2017 by The MunicipalAugust 9, 2017

Thousands of Public Safety Communications Officials will attend this International Event next week in Denver, Colorado. August 8, 2016 – Denver, CO – Over 5,000 people in the Public Safety Sector will converge at the Colorado Convention Center August 13th … Continue reading →

Spreading awareness of mental health in first responders and implementing wellness strategies to help them

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Elisa WalkerAugust 7, 2017

Yoga for First Responders founder Olivia Kvitne has worked with police and fire departments across the country. The Iowa departments represented are Indianola Fire Department, Carlisle Fire Department and Norwalk Fire Department. Pictured from left are Jared Johnson, Roger Barry, Brian Eppers, Kvitne, Brian Onstot, Jeremy Cross and Chief Ryan Coburn. (Photo provided)

First responders experience trauma everyday in their line of duty — it’s just another Tuesday for them. Because they’re constantly exposed to traumatic situations everyday, the job is an occupational hazard. That means it’s time for municipalities to provide their … Continue reading →

Women bring different perspective to law enforcement

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Lauren CaggianoAugust 7, 2017

Chief Tracy Hahn poses with a potential future chief. (Photo provided)

Women in law enforcement bring a different set of experiences and perspective to the job that can prove to be a boon to their departments and communities. Chief Tracy Hahn of the city of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and Lt. Lara … Continue reading →

Have a plan before the worst happens

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Sarah WrightAugust 7, 2017

October and November 2012, Hurricane Sandy resulted in $75 billion of damages within the areas it impacted. In New York alone estimated costs of the storm were $42 billion. Pictured is flooding in the Sheapsheadbay neighborhood in Brooklyn. (Shutterstock.com)

Preparedness both within the fleet shop and workers’ homes comes a long way when disasters — natural or manmade — occur, throwing all into disorder. During his presentation at the NAFA Expo and Institute in Tampa, Fla., in April, James … Continue reading →

Aladtec to Demonstrate Workforce Management Software for Public Safety at Pinnacle

Posted on August 2, 2017 by The MunicipalAugust 2, 2017

An annual one-of-a-kind Emergency Medical Services (EMS) event to be held in Boca Raton August 8th – 11th. August 2, 2017 – For over a decade, Pinnacle has been the EMS leadership event of the year for EMS executives, chiefs, … Continue reading →

To gear or not to gear? How best to handle protests

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Denise FedorowAugust 2, 2017

Members of the Minneapolis BRRT, or Bicycle Rapid Response

As the country seems to have become more polarized and protests increase, police departments across the country are tasked with how best to handle the situation when a protest takes place — one that will enable American citizens to exercise … Continue reading →

DeLand, Fla.

Posted on July 31, 2017 by The MunicipalJuly 31, 2017

When DeLand, Fla., founders Henry DeLand and John Stetson crafted the city’s seal in 1882, little could they have imagined the ruckus they would cause more than a century later. The two devout Baptist men included a cross, anchor and … Continue reading →

Nuclear Trail Weldon Spring, Mo.

Posted on July 29, 2017 by Ray BaloghJuly 31, 2017

The stairway leading up to the summit of the Weldon Spring nuclear disposal cell. The mound, under which the remains of 44 buildings, equipment and a stockpile of radioactive material is buried, rises 75 feet above the surrounding prairie. The highest accessible point in St. Charles County, Mo., it yields a view into five contiguous counties, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis 35 miles to the east can be seen on a clear day. (Kbh3rd/Wikimedia Commons)

One could understandably assert it is not an everyday occurrence to climb over a pile of radioactive waste and live to tell about it, none the worse for wear. One would be wrong. The Weldon Spring, Mo., Nuclear Waste Adventure … Continue reading →

North Olmsted finds versatile staffing solution

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Sarah WrightJuly 27, 2017

Aladtec provides online employee scheduling and workforce management soft ware, which makes scheduling staff ’s job easier, faster and more efficient. Here, a woman views her monthly calendar through Aladtec. (Photo provided)

Scheduling can be a challenge, especially when it comes to meeting safe staffing levels for fire, EMS and police. North Olmsted, Ohio, Fire Department knew those struggles firsthand as it searched for a scheduling soft ware. Fire Chief Edward Schepp … Continue reading →

Waste Industry Expert Joins New Way, McLaughlin Team

Posted on July 27, 2017 by The MunicipalJuly 27, 2017

SCRANTON, IOWA (July 2017) – They say “If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” These are words that solid waste and recycling collections expert Don Ross has come to live by. With over 30 years of industry experience, … Continue reading →

MGM leads the pack in commercial vehicle actuator technology

Posted on July 25, 2017 by The MunicipalJuly 24, 2017

By LEN GONZALEZ, JACKIE EDWARDS AND KIM JONES | MGM Brakes For 60 years, MGM Brakes has been a leader in commercial vehicle actuator technology, providing service chambers and spring parking brakes engineered to operate in the harshest environments. In … Continue reading →

News & Notes

Posted on July 24, 2017 by The MunicipalJuly 24, 2017

Monroe Truck Equipment acquires Towmaster MONROE, WIS. — Monroe Truck Equipment Inc. recently announced it has acquired Towmaster Inc., based in Litchfi eld, Minn., a leading manufacturer of high-quality tag and large fifth-wheel trailers for the construction and rental markets. … Continue reading →

Maintaining good driving habits, even as technology makes things ‘easier’

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Sarah WrightJuly 24, 2017

Until vehicles can fully communicate with each other, accidents will continue to occur. (Shutterstock.com)

Autonomous vehicles are leading headlines, with expectations that by 2020 there will be nearly 10 million cars with defined self-driving car features, according to a report from BI Intelligence. Motley Fool noted in August 2016 driverless cars could save about … Continue reading →

The move back to gravel

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Lauren CaggianoJuly 24, 2017

Some citizens may consider gravel a temporary measure, which makes education important to ensure that it is understood that only when revenue matches the costs of the investment will a road be repaved. (Shutterstock.com)

Budget crises have forced many rural governments around the country to revert back to gravel roads. Montpelier, Vt., and Franklin County, Ala., are among them. In order to understand the decision, it’s important to put the moves in context. It’s … Continue reading →

Marangoni Tread North America Hosts U.S. Congressman Diane Black To Promote Retreading

Posted on July 21, 2017 by The MunicipalJuly 24, 2017

Madison, TN (July 21st, 2017) – Marangoni Tread North America had the pleasure of hosting U.S. Congressman Diane Black during Made in America week at their headquarters in Madison, TN. to promote the retreading industry. Marangoni Tread North America recently … Continue reading →

Abandoned malls call for creativity

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Catey TraylorJuly 25, 2017

Malls bring a vibrant center to many towns — new restaurants, specialty shops and something for people to do on weekends or to swing by for convenience. But when a mall goes south and becomes abandoned, it’s not only an … Continue reading →

Stertil-Koni Vehicle Lifts Featured in New Video Showcasing Maintenance Facility of Top East Coast Construction Company

Posted on July 18, 2017 by The MunicipalJuly 19, 2017

STEVENSVILLE, MD July 18, 2017 – Heavy duty vehicle lift leader Stertil-Koni today announced that the latest episode of its popular, customer-focused “We Care” video series incorporates advanced cinematography and editing technology to dramatically showcase a new, state-of-the-art maintenance facility … Continue reading →

Pools show value, albeit costly

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Anne Meyer BylerJuly 19, 2017

Municipal pools provide fun, a chance to learn swimming in a largely controlled environment and a way to cool off on a summer’s day; however, they can be costly to maintain, leaving municipalities to decide whether or not to keep them open. (Shutterstock.com)

Pools are a sparkling part of summertime, especially for children. And while many cities operate pools, they can be difficult to maintain; however, most cities see value in them when it comes to the entertainment and recreational exercise opportunities they … Continue reading →