Avoid Heat Stress this Summer

Credit: Richard Lautens/Toronto Star

Hot summer days are upon us!  That means you may be exposed to extreme heat.

See these tips from NIOSH to help you (and your friends) avoid Heat Stress:

Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton

Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing

Gradually build up to heavy work.  Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day

Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.  Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible

Drink water frequently.  Drink enough water that you never become thirsty.  Approximately 1 cup every 15-20 minutes

Avoid alcohol, and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar

Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress

Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers

And don't forget to check out the Ergodyne Chill-Its products!

Be safe!  Stay cool!  And pass this along to someone else...

SERVE Act of 2013

The SERVE Act of 2013 is a bill recently introduced to the US Congress

It is also known as the Supporting Emergency Volunteer Efforts Act of 2013.

If passed, this would allow Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders to claim a $1,000 federal income tax credit for personal purchases related to volunteer efforts.

These are expenditures such as training clothes, equipment and gas for your personal vehicle.

This would go a long way toward saying THANKS to current volunteers.  And it would help recruit new volunteers.

This bill has been endorsed by the National Volunteer Fire Council.

We're with you - we hope it passes too!

Wildfire Conditions : HIGH ALERT

Credit: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters

The Black Forest Fire in Colorado, the Powerhouse Fire in California and many other wildfires this year, have combined to put Fire Officials in the Western US on HIGH ALERT Wildfire Season.

So they are letting the public know!

Fire Chiefs in Southern California announced they expect this Wildfire Season could be the worst in 100 years!  They blame this extreme warning on rising temperatures, dry winds and drought conditions.  In fact, they're preparing for 2,600 fires across 51,000 acres.

And perhaps the public is taking notice.

Yahoo! says in the 7 days ending 6/24/13 they saw the following:

• Searches for "Southern California Wildfires" were up +2,844%
• Searches for "Wildfires in Colorado" were up +380%

What the future holds, we don't know.

We hope for the best.  But Firefighters are wisely planning for the worst.

Credit: Unknown

Black Forest Fire : UPDATE

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Last week we reported on the new worst wildfire in Colorado history - the Black Forest Fire of 2013.

It surpasses the Waldo Canyon Fire of 2012.

As of June 17, 2013 here's an update on the Black Forest Fire...

• 75% contained
• 14,280 acres burned (22 sq mi)
• 457 firefighters involved
• 483 homes destroyed
• 2 people dead
• 38,000 people evacuated from 13,000 homes across 147 sq miles

Obviously the best news is that Wildland Firefighters have brought this blaze to 75% containment.

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Hyoung Chang/Denver Post

Credit: John Wark/Denver Post

Credit: Hyoung Chang/Denver Post

Credit: AAron Ontiveroz/Denver Post

Credit: Rick Wilking/Reuters

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Black Forest Fire

Credit: Peter McElvoy

Last year at this time we were talking about the worst wildfire in Colorado history.

The Waldo Canyon Fire burned for 17 days.  Here's what happened...

• 18,247 acres burned (29 sq mi)
• 32,000 residents were evacuated
• 346 homes were destroyed
• 2 people were killed
• $353 million in insurance claims were filed

This year its the Black Forest Fire, burning out of control.  In just 2 days...

• 15,000 acres have burned (23 sq mi)
• 38,000 residents are evacuated
• 360 homes have been destroyed

Black Forest 2013 will certainly pass Waldo Canyon 2012 to become the new "worst wildfire in Colorado history."

We are grateful to the Wildland Firefighters and Hot Shots battling this blaze.  We hope for full containment, soon!

Here are photos of the Black Forest Fire

Credit: Brennan Linsley/AP

Credit: CBS

Credit: Brennan Linsley/AP

Credit: Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT via Getty

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post via Getty 

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post via Getty 

Credit: AP

My Daddy The Policeman

THANK YOU to all you fathers who choose to be Policeman that serve and protect!

We wish you a Happy Father's Day 2013!!

Photo Credit: Brenda Knight Photography

Powerhouse Fire

Our main office for Public Safety Stores is 25 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles, in Santa Clarita.

For over a week the Powerhouse Fire has been burning just a few miles north of us, leaving us at times under a cloud of thick smoke as Wildland Firefighters and Hot Shots douse the flames.

It is now 83% contained.  But it took...

• 53 structures, including 24 homes
• over 30,000 acres
• almost 2,000 personnel

Here are some photos to tell the story

Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

We are personally grateful to the nearly 2,000 Firefighters who fought this blaze!  THANK YOU!!