World Police and Fire Games 2013

Going on now...

The 2nd largest sporting event in the world (behind the Olympics).

The World Police and Fire Games 2013 has drawn:

• 25,000 visitors
• 10,000 competitors
• in 57 sports
• from 70 countries
• to Belfast, Northern Ireland

Its a great way for Police Officers and Firefighters to (1) promote good health (2) reduce stress and (3) expand competitive skills and abilities.

Next up... World Police and Fire Games 2015... in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Start training soon!!

Distracted Driving Stats

April 2013 is the month of Distracted Driving Awareness.

Here are some stats from the Official US Government Site for Distracted Driving...

Texting is by far the most alarming form of distracted driving because it requires visual, manual and cognitive attention.

Over 3,000 people die each year in vehicle crashes resulting from distracted driving.

About 400,000 people are injured each year in vehicle crashes resulting from distracted driving.

40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger.  (PEW)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.  (Monash University)

Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.  (VTTI)

Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds.  At 55 MPH, that's the equivalent of driving the length of a football field, blind.  (VTTI)

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.  (Carnegie Mellon)

Finally, it is not just First Responders - Police Officers, Firefighters and EMTs - who need to convey this message.  We all need to spread the word!

Body Armor Plates

Body Armor Plates have become more important given the rise in active shooter incidents.

• For a very limited time, Public Safety Stores is offering 25% off PROTECH® IMPAC™ HT Plates when you buy 10 or more -- click this offer for details.

Both urban and rural police officers are increasingly interested in body armor plates to protect themselves.  In fact, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) says more than 3,000 police officers' lives have been saved by body armor since the 1970s.

Body Armor Plates are rated Type 3 or Type 4 by the NIJ, based on the type of protection they provide.

Body Armor Plates come in various materials...

Ceramic Plates
These have been around for decades because they are effective.  They can be a little heavy.  And the ceramic can be easily damaged.  The ceramic can crack when dropped or tossed in a trunk.  And the ceramic is designed to break when a bullet hits it, so it stops a limited number of bullets.

Polyethylene Plates
These are a newer technology.  And they can cost about 25% more than comparable ceramic.  But they tend to weigh less.  And they are less prone to damage.  However, polyethylene is not available as a Type 4 plate.

For further details, this is a great article from Police Magazine.

And check out this video about Body Armor Plates from Safariland...

"Hero" - a new song from Mully Music

We recently mentioned this new song from Mully Music on the Public Safety Stores Facebook page.

The song name is "Hero."  Its a tribute to Police Officers.

This week we caught up with Mully to talk more about the song, as well as the money he is raising for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

Mully is not a Police Officer, but he wants to apply for a position in Public Safety in his hometown when one becomes available.  Perhaps as a Dispatcher.  But his first love has always been music, which he has been playing/composing since 1980.

He wrote all the music and lyrics, and did all the performance and production, for this special song.

His goal is simple... he wants to raise money for the NLEOMF.  100% of the money raised goes directly to the NLEOMF.  He is not reimbursed for anything.

We have mentioned many times that one of the most stressful jobs is being a Police Officer.  And Mully wrote Hero because "too often the fine men and women who wear a badge are taken for granted."  He said, "This is my way of saying 'Thank You.' "

The lyrics speak to the key traits of a good Police Officer: dedication, sacrifice, loyalty, courage and service.

We tip our hats to Mully ... and the great Law Enforcement Officers who protect the people of each local community!

Here are direct links to the fundraising effort:

• NLEOMF
• iTunes
• MullyMusic.com

Spread Good Cheer : Sparta Pewter Keychains

We love all things Public Safety!

We spent the year talking about Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Dispatchers, Active Military, Veterans, Injured Veterans, Olympians, Paralympians and more.

So given the Holidays, we want to SPREAD GOOD CHEER!

Our goal is to help you "Give back to those who give all year."

Todays Gift Idea is a Sparta Pewter Keychain.  These are your options:

• EMS Star of Life
• Firefighter Maltese Cross
• Police Officer Badge with Eagle
• Sheriffs Handcuffs
• Fire Helmet
• Fire Truck

These are Solid Pewter.  And they are not expensive.  They are less than $10 each.

Have a great holidays!

THANKS to Military Members

Last week we said THANKS to Firefighters, THANKS to Police Officers and THANKS to EMTs.

Today we say THANKS to Military Members everywhere!!

We realize you have two of the most stressful jobs -- as a Soldier and a General.

We enjoyed following you at the 2012 London Olympics, including:

• Vincent Hancock -- Army Sergeant // Skeet Shooter // Gold Medalist!
• Dremiel Byers -- Army Soldier // Wrestler
• Keith Sanderson -- Army Soldier // Pistol Shooter
• Spenser Mango -- Army Sergeant // Wrestler
• Dennis Bowsher -- Army Soldier // Pentathlete
• John Nunn -- Army Sergeant // Race Walker
• Daryl Szarenski -- Army Sergeant // Pistol Shooter
• And many more

In addition, we followed Ryan McIntosh - Injured Army Veteran - at the 2012 US Open.

And then we followed you at the 2012 London Paralympics, including:

• Brad Snyder -- Navy Veteran // Swimmer // Gold Medalist!
• Rob Jones -- Marine Veteran // Rower
• Melissa Stockwell -- Army Veteran // Triathlete
• And many more

We are glad to see local communities reaching out to help local Veterans, through programs like this one -- SCV Habitat for Heroes.

We are thrilled to see US citizens - like Tom Clark, a US History teacher - who carefully remembers the brave Veterans who have shaped American History.

And many of you worked tirelessly to serve and rescue people through Superstorm Sandy.  The devastation was immense.  But with your help the cleanup will be fully accomplished.

Your service to this great country is amazing, so we say THANKS to Military Members everywhere!!

THANKS to EMTs

On Monday we said THANKS to Firefighters.  Tuesday we said THANKS to Police Officers.

Today we say THANKS to EMTs everywhere!!

EMTs have a demanding job.  Did you know an EMS event occurs every single second in the USA?  That's a lot of medical emergencies ... 36 million per year to be exact!

In fact, nearly 70% of all calls to a Fire Department are medical calls.  And despite tightening budgets, the public still expects very fast response times.

EMTs have a surprisingly dangerous job, considering the potentials attacks they face from violent patients and bystanders.  The big question is whether EMTs and Firefighters should carry guns.

EMTs are a vital part of the Public Safety community that serves the public tirelessly - both On-the-job and Off-duty.  For example, this Off-duty EMT bravely paid the ultimate price this year while reportedly protecting two women who were being threatened.

In a bit of good news, New York officials are pursuing new legislation to provide better legal protection for EMTs and Paramedics.

Throughout the chaos and devastation of Superstorm Sandy, many EMTs conducted life-saving rescues.

And at least one EMT competed in the 2012 London Olympics this year!

So this week, we say THANKS to EMTs everywhere!!

THANKS to Police Officers

Yesterday we said THANKS to Firefighters.

Today we say THANKS to Police Officers everywhere!

Police Officers have one of the most stressful and dangerous jobs.  But I don't ever remember hearing a Police Officer complain about that.  They protect the public - both On-the-job and while Off-duty.

At least one Police Officer went to the 2012 London Olympics.  And thousands of them compete annually in the Police & Fire Games.

Police Officers are strong and resilient.  No matter the challenges they face, Police Officers find ways to overcome obstacles - like the one this local officer faced following a devastating car accident that put him in a coma for 28 days.

Police Officers never know what to expect when they go to work.  They get called out on randomly occurring events - like when the accelerator in this woman's car stuck to the floor and forced her car to more than 100 MPH for 35 minutes!

Police Officers are a vital link on the team of First Responders that support each community.  Ask this man in Oregon and he'll tell you he wouldn't be alive with the First Responders who came to his rescue, including a Police Officer who was the first on the scene.

And as if their On-the-job duties weren't challenging enough, these Officers also perform at a high level when they're Off-duty.  This NYPD Officer took it upon himself to protect the public while Off-duty.  At times, these Officers also pay the ultimate price because they genuinely care for the people they serve.

So this week, we say THANKS to Police Officers everywhere!!

Hero In Action - Rob Verhelst

We have brought you many American Heroes... Injured military vets, Ative military personnel, Police officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Off-duty officers, and more.

This time its Rob Verhelst - a US Air Force veteran and current Madison, WI firefighter.

But Rob has big ambitions beyond fighting fires and responding to medical emergencies.  Rob is a husband, father, motivational speaker, fitness trainer, life coach... and now he's an ambassador for the non-profit organization Code 3 For A Cure.

Code 3 For A Cure helps firefighters diagnosed with cancer, especially those facing financial hardship.  Code 3 For A Cure does this by "providing support, giving encouragement, and sharing experiences."  They also provide financial assistance to firefighters and select non-profit cancer organizations.

So what is Rob doing as an ambassador?  He's raising awareness and money!  Pretty effectively!!

Rob is competing in multiple Ironman Triathlon's.  Don't forget, the Ironman is:

• 2.4 mile swim
• 112 mile bike
• 26.2 mile marathon

But after his 2.4 mile swims and 112 mile bikes, Rob runs the 26.2 mile marathons in full firefighter gear!!  Complete with turnout gear, air tank and fire helmet!!

Seriously!

On his website - www.FiremanRob.com - he says, "Your strength is your passion."

His next event is in a few days... the Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI on October 13, 2012.

Go Rob... for the benefit of Code 3 For A Cure!!

And check out this video of Rob finishing the Ironman Wisconsin on 9/11/11 ... exactly 10 years after Rob went to NYC to personally work at Ground Zero for 8 straight days!

Should EMTs and Firefighters Carry Guns?

We already know Public Safety personnel have the most stressful jobs, including police officers, firefighters and military soldiers.  Here's one reason why... dealing with violent patients.

EMTs and Paramedics are no different.  EMS events happen continually, in fact an EMS event occurs every second of the year!  But we did not find statistical data to define the frequency of violent encounters.  If you know where we can find this data, please contact us.

What we do have, though, is a long list of anecdotal stories which tell of EMTs, Paramedics and Firefighters being assaulted:

• New York EMT shot and killed by patient
• Fort Wayne ambulance shot at 17 times
• Houston EMTs shot at
• Long Island Paramedic shot at
• Small town EMTs (in MT and NY) shot and killed
• Pennsylvania Paramedics attacked by man with a shovel
• Huntsville Firefighters attacked on Alabama A&M campus
• and the list could go on and on

Forget about the data, the rise of these stories is shocking.  And then the question comes up... should EMTs, Paramedics and Firefighters carry guns?

Some say yes.  Some say no.  Tell us what you think!

Go to our Facebook Page ... www.facebook.com/PublicSafetyStores

'Like' the page and share your thoughts!