Thanks to Bobby G at FireFighters Close Calls for pointing me in the direction of this emotional story of a firefighter’s battle with cancer. The full story is in the December issue of Firehouse Magazine. It’s a riveting account filled with emotional looks at what our fellow brothers and sisters face when first hit by the bulldozer of a cancer diagnosis. This is a super-rough read, but carries some very crucial advice for us all. Read it and weep. But then learn and act.
DHS Announces Text Messaging of Threats and Alerts
Yesterday, FEMA and the FCC announced they have adopted design specs for the development of a gateway interface that will enable wireless carriers to provide its customers with timely and accurate emergency alerts and warnings via their cell phones and other mobile devices. It’s another component of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), the nation’s next generation of emergency alert and warning networks.
The Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) is one of many projects within IPAWS intended to provide emergency mangers and the President of the United States a means to send alerts and warnings to the public. Specifically, CMAS provides Federal, state, territorial, tribal and local government officials the ability to send 90 character geographically targeted text messages to the public regarding emergency alert and warning of imminent threats to life and property, Amber alerts, and Presidential emergency messages. The CMAS is a combined effort of the federal government and cellular providers to define a common standard for cellular alerts. More information can be found at FEMA’s website here.
Man Drives Tractor Into Manure Pond
United States (California) – A dairy worker drove a tractor into a manure pond this morning at a farm south of Fresno. The Fresno County Fire Department reported the worker became disoriented by dense fog near Manning and Marks avenues and drove the machine down an embankment just before 7 a.m. The tractor ended up in about seven feet of water, spokesman Chris Christopherson said.
As firefighters prepared to rescue him, the man rolled down a window, dived into the water and swam about 20 feet to safety, Christopherson said.
He was not injured.
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