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Davis was Director of TEEX’s National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center Al Davis has been appointed Deputy Director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). His appointment was approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Davis has been serving as Interim Deputy Director of the agency, following the retirement of Sue Shahan on March 31. Previously, Davis served as Director of TEEX’s National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center, where he oversaw the Agency’s Homeland Security National Training Program Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In nominating Davis for the position of Deputy Director, TEEX Director Gary Sera praised his operational expertise, adding: ‘Al has been very effective in demonstrating the importance of this project to protect our citizens. As our Deputy Director, we will leverage his expertise to identify additional opportunities within the various federal agencies.’ Davis, who has been affiliated with TEEX since 2004, serves as TEEX’s principal representative to two national training consortiums, the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) and the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC). He also serves on the advisory board for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi. A 27-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern University, an MBA from Averett University and a Master of Science degree from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Calls for citizen preparedness against natural disasters From earthquakes and hurricanes to wildfires and flooding, natural disasters can strike anywhere and at any time, costing millions of dollars of property loss and human suffering. In light of this reality, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has co-sponsored the National Building Museum’s multi-media exhibition titled, Designing for Disaster. The exhibit is a call-to-action for citizen preparedness—from design professionals and local decision-makers to homeowners and school kids—investigating how and where to build communities that are safer and more disaster-resilient.   NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division has long conducted advocacy and outreach in the name of wildfire risk reduction throughout the U.S. and internationally. As a co-sponsor of the exhibit, NFPA is able to share resources and information with the public about its Firewise Communities and Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) programs that encourage local solutions to wildfire. In line with the Designing for Disaster theme, Firewise and FAC focus on a collaborative approach; the idea that everyone, including homeowners, civic leaders, first responders, planners and other community members, has a role to play in creating safer places to live.   “The National Building Museum and NFPA share a common goal around preparedness and safety,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of outreach and advocacy. “We are proud to support the Museum’s Designing for Disaster exhibit that will no doubt influence and empower residents to take the steps necessary to work together to build safer communities against all natural disasters, including wildfire.”   Visitors to Designing for Disaster will explore new solutions for, and historical responses to, a range of natural hazards including wildfire. The exhibit will include case studies that explore a range of flexible design and planning schemes, public policies and new forecasting technologies. From engineering advancements to hands-on lessons, models, animated drawings and interactive displays, the exhibit helps demonstrate how to strengthen homes, hospitals, schools and landscapes before a disaster strikes an area.   The exhibition opens May 11, 2014 and runs through August 2, 2015. NFPA joins several other co-sponsors including the Home Depot Foundation, American Red Cross, and The Nature Conservancy.   Members of the press are invited to preview the exhibition before the public opening, on Thursday, May 8, 10 am–Noon. Register here or RSVP to Emma Filar, [email protected], 202-272-2448, ext. 3458.   Mitigation Nation, the Designing for Disaster exhibition companion blog and outreach campaign, can be accessed at go.nbm.org/MitigationNation. More information about the National Building Museum’s Designing for Disaster exhibition and NFPA’s role in the campaign can be found on NFPA’s wildland fire web page.   About the National Building Museum The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

for Asia-Pacific Business Operation The Solberg Company, the world’s foremost innovator of firefighting foam concentrates and systems hardware announced today the appointment of John Boyer as General Manager, Asia-Pacific Region. Mr. Boyer entered the fire protection business in 2004 serving in various sales, business development and management capacities. John joins Solberg from Tyco Fire Protection Products were he most recently held the position of Regional Sales Manager, Southeast Asia and Mongolia. Mr. Boyer brings a total of twenty-three years’ experience in international sales and business development of industrial products through distribution channels to Solberg. He is a customer-oriented executive manager with the proven ability to organize and motivate multicultural sales teams for accelerated growth, channeling partners to deliver results for both organizations. John holds a BCom – in Marketing and Commercial Law from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), South Africa. Solberg also announced the appointment of Lloyd Keen as the company’s logistics and operations officer to replace Peter Coulton who retired after a forty-six year career in the fire protection industry. Peter started his career with 3M in 1969 and later in 2007 with Solberg. Solberg’s Asia-Pacific Business Operation is based in Sydney, Australia where the company has a manufacturing operation for firefighting foam concentrates (including RE-HEALING™ Foam) and serves the entire Asia-Pacific region. A technological breakthrough, RE-HEALING foam is an innovative high-performing, environmentally sustainable firefighting foam used to suppress Class B fuels, prevent re-ignition of liquid spills and control hazardous vapors. www.solbergfoam.com

Tankers of crude oil fell into James river after coming off rails and catching fire in Lynchburg A train carrying crude oil partly derailed and caught fire on Wednesday along the James river in Lynchburg, Virginia. Three leaking tankers ending up in the water. This is the latest in a series of fiery accidents involving oil transported on North America’s rail network. Nearby buildings were temporarily evacuated but there were no injuries according to officials. The city of Lynchburg said fire-fighters on the scene made the decision to let the fire burn out. Three or four of the tankers were breached on the 15-car train that train company CSX said had been on its way from Chicago to unspecified destination. There have been eight significant oil train accidents in the US and Canada in the past year involving trains hauling crude oil, including several that resulted in large fires, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. "This is another national wake-up call," said Jim Hall, a former NTSB chairman said of the Lynchburg crash. "We have these oil trains moving all across the United States through communities and the growth and distribution of this has all occurred, unfortunately, while the federal regulators have been asleep. "This is just an area in which the federal rulemaking process is too slow to protect the American people." CSX said it was "responding fully, with emergency response personnel, safety and environmental experts, community support teams and other resources". The NTSB said it was sending investigators to the scene, as was the Federal Railroad Administration. Grady Cothen, a former Federal Railroad Administration official, said recent wet weather and the nearby river might have softened the ground and weakened the track.

With a donation of £500 Apollo Fire Detectors, the world-leading independent fire detector manufacturer based in Havant, will today finalise the sponsorship agreement to provide Natasha Lambert’s Sea to Summit Challenge* with the fuel to power support vehicles during this remarkable venture. Apollo Fire Detectors has agreed to support Natasha’s efforts with a donation of £500, to ensure that the two support vehicles have enough fuel throughout the challenge. Apollo became involved when Natasha, who has a form of Cerebral Palsy, approached the company for support. Inspired by her commitment, bravery and enthusiasm for this project, it was agreed that Apollo would see how they could help. The Sea to Summit Challenge will involve Natasha sailing from Cowes Isle Of Wight along the South Coast of England and across to Wales. Natasha uses a boat which has been adapted to a sip/puff straw system that allows her to control the rudder with her breathing and a tongue switch in her helmet controls the sail trim. On arrival in Wales Natasha will leave her boat and climb Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales using a specialised walking frame. Money raised will be donated to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, The RNLI and the RYA foundation. Tim Preston, Financial Director for Apollo Fire Detectors, said: “Everyone at Apollo was amazed with Natasha’s determination to complete this challenge and to raise money for charity as well. She is an inspirational young woman and we are proud to be working with her on the Sea to Summit Challenge.” Speaking at the handing over of the cheque on 29th April 2014, Natasha commented: “I would like to thank Apollo for their support. I am very excited about this challenge and hope that I will be able to inspire people, young and old, to look beyond physical abilities and challenge themselves to do the very best they can.”

THIRTEEN years ago, Oliver North was saving lives as a member of a Green Goddess fire crew.   At the time, Mr North was serving with the Royal Engineers in Lancaster. Along with his colleagues, he was called on to fight blazes during fire service strikes. In recent years, he has played a major role in developing North Fire, a Yorkshire-based fire fighting vehicle and equipment supplier. Today the company is poised to enjoy rapid growth after completing a deal involving an Austrian-based manufacturer of fire service vehicles. Rosenbauer International has completed the acquisition of a 75 per cent shareholding in North Fire. North Fire, which is based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire and employs nine staff, will re-brand as Rosenbauer UK in the next few days. Before the deal was completed, Mr North owned two thirds of North Fire, and the rest of the business was owned by Ken Davy, the chairman of rugby league team the Huddersfield Giants. Mr North, who is North Fire’s managing director, retains a 25 per cent shareholding in the new company. According to Mr North, the deal was worth around £1.5m. North Fire, which is expected to see its turnover rise from £3.6m to around £6m this year, was founded in 2008. The business was built around Mr North’s relationship with Rosenbauer. Mr North had worked as a Rosenbauer salesman after leaving the army. Mr North said yesterday: “We’re absolutely delighted to have merged with the biggest and best fire fighting vehicle and equipment manufacturer in the world…we’re very excited at what the future holds, not only for ourselves but for our customers.” The number of staff at the Huddersfield site is expected to triple in the next year. Exports are also expected to increase significantly, and a larger manufacturing division will be required to accommodate the extra fleet and equipment. (www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk)  

Emergency powers should be used to make transportation of crude oil safer The Chairman of the National Transportation Board in the US has argued that Federal regulators should use emergency powers to make the transporation of crude oil and ethanol by rail safer in the future. "They don’t need a higher body count in order for the regulators to move forward," Deborah Hersman said of Transportation Department officials. She made her comments at the conclusion of a two-day forum on safety issues involving rail transportation of crude oil and ethanol. The use of unit trains carrying up to 100 tanker cars of crude oil or ethanol is a relatively new phenomenon that risks catastrophic events such as the July 2013 accident in Quebec that caused 47 deaths and the evacuation of more than 2,000 people. The engineer on that crude oil train failed to properly secure it on an incline when it was parked overnight. The train rolled into the community of in Lac-Megantic, derailing at a speed of 64 mph. The accident was the worst of 16 significant freight rail accidents since 2006. Nine involved crude oil and seven involved ethanol. Hersman urged federal rail regulators to follow the lead of Transport Canada, which announced Wednesday it will phase out older DOT-111 series tanker cars in Canada over the next three years unless they’re retrofitted. In addition, Transport Canada announced that Emergency Response Assistance Plans will be required for trains that have even one tank car loaded with a flammable substance such as crude oil, gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, or ethanol.

Providing Incident Command training to all emergency services and first responders The new ICDC will provide Incident Command training to all emergency services and first responders in the GCC across the three main levels of command, operational, tactical and strategic. According to Mark Pudwell, Business Development and Training Manager at Competence HR Muscat, the training programmes will meet the standards of the UK Fire and Rescue Service and be role specific. "We have partnered with E-Semble – the 3D virtual reality software creator – to enable delegates to learn, develop, be assessed and certified competent in Incident Command management. The software, called XVR (eXtreme Virtual Reality) uses generic and bespoke environments which can be adapted for any type of scenario to give as much diversity as possible to the training provider and enhance the skills of delegates across a whole range of incident types from RTC, aviation, oil and gas, industrial, offshore, tunnels etc."