Chief Opie Smith Jr. of the Charleston, W.Va., Police Department recalls early in his career the encounters he had with hearing-impaired citizens. “The only way I had of communicating with them was through handwritten notes,” said Smith. “Obviously communication … Continue reading →
Regardless of weather or calendar, there is only one season in Santa Claus, Ind. The town of 2,410, located in the southwest corner of the state, would likely not be welcoming more than a million visitors a year today had … Continue reading →
Prepare Cupertino was a free community preparedness fair held Saturday, June 22, in Cupertino, Calif. Clare Francavilla, emergency services coordinator, explained, “This fair was a way to inform Cupertino’s community members about the importance of getting prepared for an emergency … Continue reading →
When disaster hits a community and an SOS call goes out, generally the problem is not a lack of response but rather an overwhelming response of volunteers and donations. For mayors and other city officials trying to put their communities … Continue reading →
As more cities across North America continue to put forth ambitious carbon reduction goals, municipal fleet managers are increasingly being tasked with making the changes needed to turn those lofty sustainability targets into reality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now … Continue reading →
Pity Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster; it now has competition in Brooklyn, N.Y.’s, Prospect Park Lake for interesting “aquatic specimen.” Its new opponent is arguably the same size albeit it’s bright orange. Meet Lake “Mess” Monster — though it has been … Continue reading →
By Tom Polera, Emergency Manager and Chief Fire Marshal, Falls Church, Va. The city of Falls Church, Va., Office of Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness, has developed a program called “The First 12 Minutes.” This is an innovative community active … Continue reading →
There are the customary ways to make money — car washes, mowing lawns, babysitting, bake sales, et al. — and then there are the fun ways of bringing the whole community together and raising funds for a worthy cause — … Continue reading →
Fire departments are taking matters into their own hands by inviting city leaders and officials to experience a taste of what they go through in their line of work. In demonstrating their duties, firefighters have the opportunity to expose leaders … Continue reading →
Not everyone can rush into a burning building or confront armed robbers. It takes a special sort of person to enter the public safety arena. Finding those people is proving to be a challenge for departments of all different sizes … Continue reading →
The fourth annual North American Active Assailant Conference (NAAAC), a non-profit governmental conference, will be hosted at Woodside Bible Church, 6600 Rochester Road, Troy, Mich., April 24-26. It is the largest such event in the world and is attended by … Continue reading →
