Why Do Nightclub Fires Keep Occurring?

Public Safety Stores (Photo: AP)

We have seen these before - nightclub fires that cause hundreds of people to die.

• there was the Cocoanut Grove Fire in 1942 that killed 492 people in Boston
• there was the Station Nightclub Fire in 2003 that killed 100 people in Rhode Island
• now we have the Kiss Nightclub Fire this year that killed 253 people in Brazil

So why do these type of fires keep occurring?

In this video the NFPA Manager for Building and Life Safety Codes discusses this.

He comments on the danger of revolving door exits, and the use of combustible decorations.

But as he says, Building and Safety Codes are constantly being created.  Then it becomes a matter of enforcing these Codes.  As well as the obligation of building owners to comply with Codes.

Once a fire starts and emergency responders are called to a scene, they work hard to save as many lives as possible.  But there is only so much Firefighters, EMTs and Police can do to make a bad situation better.

Visit the Public Safety Stores Facebook page to share your thoughts and feedback!

Public Safety Personnel Among The Most Underpaid

Salary.com posted an article that looks at 8 of the most Overpaid / Underpaid jobs.  Some of the most Underpaid Jobs are in "Public Safety" ... such as:

• Hotel Manager vs Police Officer
• Median Salary...
• for Hotel Manager = $95,698
• for Police Officer = $50,193

• Corporate Finance Associate vs Security Guard
• Median Salary...
• for Finance Associate = $108,732
• for Security Guard = $28,696

• Set Designer vs Army Private
• Median Salary...
• for Set Designer = $45,824
• for Army Private = $17,848

• Pilot vs EMT
• Median Salary...
• for Pilot = $117,407
• for EMT = $30,287

We know Public Safety personnel (Police, Fire, EMTs and Military) have the most stressful jobs.  And yet the most important jobs in America!

These folks protect and secure each community, not to mention our nation.  They make nearly every other job safe to do in this country.

So why aren't Public Safety personnel paid better?

There are many answers to this question.  And multiple reasons for each answer.

But its a worthwhile question to consider.  Especially when Public Safety budgets are under so much pressure.

11 Tips for Flu Season

Flu Masks on PSS

Yes, it is flu season :-(

You or someone you know may be battling the flu right now.  Here are a few quick tips to avoid the flu and keep from passing it on:

1. Get a vaccine shot
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
3. Cover your nose and mouth with a flu mask
• Find a flu mask on Public Safety Stores
• Find a flu mask on Enviro Safety Products
4. If a tissue or flu mask are not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow not your hands
5. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing
6. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand-rub
7. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth
8. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
9. If you are sick, stay home
10. If someone in your home has the flu, designate one person as the caregiver.  Have other household members avoid close contact with that person
11. If someone is showing signs of the flu, call the doctor

Many thanks to the Red Cross for helping providing this info (and more)!

History of New Yorker Fire Helmet

Bullard Fire Helmets on PSS

In 1740 Jacobus Turck built the first fire cap, in NYC.  The cap had a wide brim and a tall crown.

In 1824 Mathew Dubois made a key improvement.  He added a metal wire to the brim of the cap for more strength and stiffness.

But in 1836 H.T. Gratacap - a successful luggage maker and FDNY volunteer firefighter - built the first "New Yorker" fire helmet.

Mr Gratacap was a manufacturer of unique luggage for ocean transit.  In order for his luggage to withstand wetness without rotting, he used specially treated leather.  This leather treatment also made his luggage exceptionally durable.

With this product knowledge, and his experience as a firefighter, Mr Gratacap then built the first leather New Yorker fire helmet.

The original structure had 4 leather combs (segments that were stitched together).  Soon it had 8 combs, then 12, then 16, and sometimes more.  One of his best features was the long duckbill in the back of the helmet which prevented water from running down a firefighter's neck.

Mr Gratacap later added a frontpiece with raised, stitched lettering and an eagle holder which attached to the frontpiece.

177 years later, the New Yorker-style is still widely used and very popular.  It is also called the Traditional fire helmet, and is now available with a few modern options:

• Ear covers
• Chinstrap
• Goggles
• Faceshield
• TrakLite lighting

Today there are several great helmet manufacturers.  We happen to carry Bullard Fire Helmets at Public Safety Stores.  Let us know if you have questions.

Happy New Year!  We know you have a stressful job, so we wish you all the best in 2013!!

Most Stressful Jobs of 2013

Last year we looked at the Most Stressful Jobs of 2012.  Those included several jobs in Public Safety -- Enlisted Soldier, Firefighter, Military General, Police Officer.

CareerCast.com just announced the 10 Most Stressful Jobs of 2013.  And the list again includes several jobs in Public Safety:

1. Enlisted Military Personnel
• Stress Score = 84.72
• Median Salary = $41,998
2. Military General
• Stress Score = 65.54
• Median Salary = $196,300
3. Firefighter
• Stress Score = 60.45
• Median Salary = $45,250
4. Commercial Airline Pilot
• Stress Score = 60.28
• Median Salary = $92,060
5. PR Executive
• Stress Score = 48.52
• Median Salary = $57,550
6. Senior Corporate Executive
• Stress Score = 47.46
• Median Salary = $101,250
7. Photojournalist
• Stress Score = 47.12
• Median Salary = $29,130
8. Newspaper Reporter
• Stress Score = 46.75
• Median Salary = $36,000
9. Taxi Driver
• Stress Score = 46.18
• Median Salary = $22,440
10. Police Officer
• Stress Score = 45.60
• Median Salary = $55,010

The most stressful task in any job (according to CareerCast) is being responsible for the life of another person.  Other stressful aspects include travel, working in the public eye, physical demand and danger.

So if you can explain how a Newspaper Reporter or Business Executive has a more stressful job than a Police Officer, jump over to the Public Safety Stores Facebook page and let us know!!

Nonetheless... we greatly appreciate all you Public Safety personnel who faithfully PROTECT AND SERVE your local communities!!