First Responders to the Oklahoma Tornado

In Oklahoma on Monday (5/20/13), this tornado was 1.3 miles wide, cut a path of destruction 17 miles long and packed 200 MPH winds

Unknown

It did this kind of extraordinary damage

KFOR-TV/AP

Then these First Responders came to the rescue of many people in need

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Richard Rowe/Reuters

Sue Ogrocki/AP

The Oklahoman, Jim Beckel/AP

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Sue Ogrocki/AP

From us at Public Safety Stores, our thoughts and prayers go out to the many folks in Oklahoma who have been affected.

And we say THANK YOU to the Police, Fire, EMS and other First Responders who are serving the public tirelessly.

Sunscreen Sale!

The sun is starting to shine brightly, regardless of whether you are Police, Fire, EMS or Military!

Protect yourself and others from harmful UVA and UVB rays, by taking advantage of this week's SUNSCREEN SALE!

We offer Sunscreen from Coretex Products.  Its OSHA compliant and approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.  Check it out!

25% off all Coretex Products (this week only), such as...

SunX SPF 30+ Bulk Packs

SunX SPF 30+ Lotion Bottle

Coupon Code = SUNX25

Expires 04/14/13

While supplies last.

New Bird Flu in China

You might remember the infections of the past several years which caused panic from China to the rest of the world.

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) struck in 2002.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) is a strain of Influenza A struck in 2009.

H7N9 (Bird Flu) is another strain of Influenza A which might potentially strike in 2013.

The World Health Organization first reported on the potential outbreak.

So far, there are 5 reported deaths in China as a result of H7N9 (the "Bird Flu").  And there are 11 cases total being monitored.

We will watch this news because in 2009 we got totally wiped out of our stock of N95 Face Masks.  We would like to be well-prepared if this situation grows.

But let's hope it doesn't!

Here's to hoping for good health for all, including all First Responders - Police, Fire and EMS!!

Penske Group & Others Give $8 Million to Detroit

Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Six weeks ago Roger Penske, the CEO of Penske Group, met with Dave Bing, the mayor of Detroit.  One thing they discussed is public safety in Detroit.

That meeting led to this week's announcement that the Penske Group (among others) will donate $8 million to the city of Detroit for the purchase of 100 new Police and EMS vehicles!!

Mr Penske said he expects this to have an "immediate and lasting impact."  The Police vehicles will be on the streets within 90 days.  The EMS units will be running within 160 days.

Other corporations that joined the Penske Group include Blue Cross Blue Shield, GM, Chrysler, Ford, the Kresge Foundation, Quicken, First Merit Bank and Platinum Equity.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Donald Austin said, "After years of challenges with aging EMS units that rotate in and out of service, a brand new fleet of ambulances will allow us to provide a higher level of emergency services to Detroit's citizens."

We love these kinds of stories!!

Google Glass

New products are all around us.

• Most become flops, like this Clairol® Yogurt Shampoo
• Others are interesting, like the K2 Multi-Tool Rescue Shovel
• A few take off to be hits, like this Firefighter's Water Misting Station for Heat Relief

So along comes the latest progression of hands-free living... Google Glass.

Its a pair of glasses.  Its a wearable computer.  Its a head-mounted display.  Its voice-activated.  All in one device that sits on your face.  Here's how it feels.

So why do you care?

Well, some people think the product would be useful in emergency situations...

Perhaps our Police, Fire and EMS could also use the product to document incidents and communicate visually with other First Responders... in Jetson Style!

However, lawmakers in West Virginia are not excited about people driving while wearing the Google Glass.

If you have thoughts, let us know!

Streamlight Promo

Streamlight is the leading provider of premium flashlights among Public Safety professionals, including Police, Fire and EMS.  So this week we are running a terrific special!

20% off Streamlight products at PublicSafetyStores.com

Use this Coupon Code:  STG20

For firefighters... inspect the Knucklehead - Alkaline

For firefighters... also check out the Survivor LED - Alkaline

For Police... investigate the Stinger LED with AC/DC Chargers

For EMS... look into the ProTac EMS

Offer expires 03/17/13.  While supplies last!

America The Beautiful

America The Beautiful

To our US Military, Police, Fire and EMS who protect and preserve America The Beautiful...

O beautiful for spacious skies

For amber waves of grain

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America!  America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good...

...with brotherhood

From sea...

...to shining sea!

Public Safety Stores thanks you!

The Sequester

What is "The Sequester"?

A group of automatic budget cuts, projected to reduce federal spending by $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years... starting this Friday (03/01/13).

The cuts will impact federal spending on Defense, Education, the FBI, the DOJ, Customs and Border Patrol, Correctional officers and more.  The cuts will impact state spending also.

Why might you care?

National defense and local public safety members will feel the impact.  This means the US Military and first responders such as Police, Fire and EMS will experience budget reductions.

Grant programs like SAFER, AFG and USFA may be slashed, impacting fire departments.  Grant programs like Byrnes JAG, COPS, RSAT, NICS, JJDPA and SCAAP may be slashed, impacting law enforcement.

How will this impact you?

The concern is that the safety of our nation and that of our local communities may be compromised.

Jump over to our Facebook Page and let us know how "The Sequester" will impact your local department and your community!

Firehouse World - Shelby Gloves

15% off Shelby Gloves on PSS

This week we visited the Firehouse Expo in San Diego.

We were surprised to find it chilly and windy.  But a couple guys from Rhode Island mentioned the 12 inches in snow they got the day before they came out.  So we were grateful to San Diego for whatever it wanted to give us!

At the expo we spent time with the President of Shelby Gloves.  He reminded us of the reasons why Shelby is still the top-selling Fire Glove.

Durability.  Shelby prides itself in making a highly durable glove.  Other gloves might come at a lower price, and therefore serve a certain part of the market.  But the quality of construction in Shelby Gloves means they need to be replaced less often.

Quality.  Shelby Gloves use a specialized barrier system with waterproof, breathable Gore™ technology.  Every liner system is 100% dunk tested.  And their FDP gloves use the industry's first ever cut and sewn e-PTFE barrier system.  So firefighters can be assured of great performance.

Made in the USA.  Shelby Gloves can't be more American.  They are made right here in the USA.  Shelby is proud of its American manufacturing, just like we are proud of our American heroes - Police, Fire, EMS and Military.

So this weekend we are running a special 15% off Shelby Gloves when you buy them from Public Safety Stores!

Just use this Coupon Code ... shelby15

George Washington - 1796 Farewell Address

George Washington
1st US President (1789-1797)

It is not yet officially George Washington's birthday.  That is February 22nd.  And if he were alive today he would turn 281 this year.  In other words, he was born in 1732.

Before he was the 1st US President, George Washington served the United States of America in extraordinary ways.

Not only was he a Founding Father, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).  And he led the convention which drafted the US Constitution in 1787.

His following was so strong that when he was chosen President, he was unanimously elected by the 69 electors of 1788.  He served two terms as President.  Then reluctantly declined to run a third time.

The result of his retirement from the Presidency was the delivery of his 1796 Farewell Address, which was printed in newspapers across the country.

Then in 1862, in the heart of the Civil War, the US Senate began an annual tradition of reading his 1796 Farewell Address.  In fact, that tradition continues today.  Every year a member of the Senate reads the entire Address on February 22nd.

George Washington provided two decades of highly memorable service to the citizens of the United States of America.  And this legacy of courageous service continues today through the millions of Public Safety personnel - Military, Police, Fire and EMS - who offer incredible protection and security to the people of this country.

Here's to the memory of our 1st US President, George Washington.

We Like You Too

Public Safety Stores

We are grateful to the 5,000+ of you that 'Like' us!!  We like you too!!

Yes, we live in a Facebook age of remote relationships.  But hey, here we are getting to know each other!

We promise to keep doing 3 things for you...

produce great CONTENT
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so we let images capture moments and evoke emotions.  We save words for news and information.

build a great COMMUNITY
A community has people who share something in common.  In this case - Public Safety!   That means ... Police ... Fire ... EMS ... Military ... Dispatch ... and more.

offer great eCOMMERCE
Your orders on Public Safety Stores have been awesome!  Thanks a ton.

We are honored and thankful to count you as Friends!!  Let's grow this together!

Got a Public Safety Facebook Page?

Does your Public Safety department have an official Facebook page?  If so, let us know!

Email it to us ... cs@publicsafetystores.com

We want to 'Like' it from our Public Safety Stores page.  We are looking for local agencies like...

• Police Departments
• Sheriff Associations
• Highway Patrol
• Explorer Academies
• Campus PD
• K-9 Units
• Military Divisions
• Fire Departments
• Ambulance Companies
• 911 and Dispatch Offices
• Correctional Authorities
• Search and Rescue
• Etc

You can also let us know directly on our PSS Facebook Page ... or this particular Page Post

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.

Happy Holidays, from Public Safety Stores

Dear Readers:

We want to take a moment to thank you for your following us, and for sticking around long enough to figure out what we're all about!

The PSS Facebook page, Google+ page and Blog were just launched in mid-2012.  Since then you helped us build an exciting fan base and a tight-knit social community.  We love being a part of it, we hope you do too!

As we move into 2013...

We plan to continue bringing you relevant news and information (CONTENT).  You seem to enjoy it, and we certainly enjoy delivering it!

We plan to continue creating a way for Public Safety members to connect (COMMUNITY).  We realize the challenges of working in Public Safety often cause the people to become more inter-dependent.  We simply want to support this camaraderie.

And we plan to continue offering you a place to buy Police, Fire, EMS and Military products (COMMERCE).  We've gotta pay the bills and keep the lights on, ya know!

So here's to wishing you, your friends and your family a Happy Holidays!

All the best,

Public Safety Stores

What will bring an end to these tragedies?

An image is not included in this post to respect the families involved.

Today we remember the children and adults of Newtown, CT.

20 of the town's children and 6 of the town's adults did not make it to see the evening of Friday, Dec 14th, 2012.  Others bravely and courageously became heroes that day.  And all are reeling from the unexpected grief and tragedy that has gripped the town.

President Obama, parent of a 14-year old and 11-year old, spoke to the town last night.  He stated that "we as a nation are left with some hard questions."  He is right about that.

We are asking why these things happen.  And we want to know what will bring an end to these tragedies.

Is this the result of evil?  Is mental illness to blame?  Are developmental disorders the cause?  Are violent video games the reason?  Is inadequate gun control at the source?  Are antisocial personality traits driving this?  Is bullying at the root?  Are assailants obsessed with how others have wronged them?  Is this brought on by a lack of religious expression in schools?  Are these isolated acts or the result of broader problems in society?

We want to know so we can understand.  And perhaps the simple fact that we are having the conversation will lead us to a better place.

We all want to see change.  Some say we should "do more" as a nation.  Others say should "be different" as a people.

Given the reality of these events, we can certainly do more to proactively derail future tragedies.

At the same time, perhaps we can search for ways to be different as a community of people.

Nonetheless, as we might have these conversations, we remember Newtown, CT.

President Obama personally thanked the First Responders of Newtown, calling them the "good guys."  We too offer our thanks to the Police, Fire and EMS in the Newtown area along with all who protect, serve and heal.

We offer our encouragement to the Teachers and Staff at Sandy Hook Elementary.

And we offer our thoughts, as well as our prayers, to the families of this tragic event.

Please share your thoughts and feedback on this related Facebook post.

Spread Good Cheer : Sparta Pewter Travel Mugs

Sparta Pewter Travel Mugs

Hope you are ready to SPREAD GOOD CHEER... and "Give back to those who give all year!"

Today's Gift Idea : Sparta Pewter Travel Mugs for Police, Fire and EMS.  You can choose from:

• EMS Star of Life
• Firefighter Maltese Cross
• Police Officer Crest

For less than $15 each.

We have also looked at these Gift Ideas:

• Sparta Pewter Keychains for Police, Fire and EMS
• Leatherman Keychain Multi-Tools
• MagLite Mini Mag with AA batt. in a Gift Box
• Smith & Wesson Folding Knife with Tactical Pen

We wish you, your friends and your family a Merry Christmas!!

Spread Good Cheer : Smith & Wesson Folding Knife with Tactical Pen

Smith & Wesson Folding Knife with Tactical Pen

The SPREAD GOOD CHEER event is on at Public Safety Stores!  The 2012 Gift Ideas have been:

• Sparta Pewter Keychains for Police, Fire and EMS

• Leatherman Keychain Multi-Tools

• MagLite Mini Mag with AA batt. in a Gift Box

Today's Gift Idea : Smith & Wesson Folding Knife with Tactical Pen.  It has:

• SW 423B black titanium coated folding knife
• 3.2" standard stainless steel blade
• Dual easy open thumb pins
• 4.3" black titanium coated stainless steel handles with liner lock safety
• 5.7" SW black tactical pen with replaceable Hauser cartridge

For less than $29 each.

The goal is to help you "Give back to those who give all year!"

Spread Good Cheer : MagLite Mini Mag

MagLite Mini Mag with AA batt. in a Gift Box

The SPREAD GOOD CHEER event is on again this holiday season!

We looked at Sparta Pewter Keychains for Police, Fire and EMS.

We looked at Leatherman Keychain Multi-Tools.

Today's Gift Idea : MagLite Mini Mag with AA batt. in a Gift Box.  Here's what it features:

• High-intensity light beam
• 1/2 turn, twist focus, spot-to-flood and candle mode
• O-ring seal for water resistance
• Aluminum alloy case
• Imprinted with American flag design

For less than $25 each.

"Give back to those who give all year!"  And have a Happy Holidays!

Spread Good Cheer : Leatherman Keychain Multi-Tool

Our annual SPREAD GOOD CHEER event is up and running!

The goal is to help you "Give back to those who give all year!"

We looked at Sparta Pewter Keychains for Police, Fire and EMS.

Today's Gift Idea : Leatherman Keychain Multi-Tool!  Its a mini survival tool with:

• Aluminum Handle
• Scissors
• 420HC Knife
• Flat/Phillips Screwdriver
• Nail File
• Tweezers
• Available Colors: Black, Blue, Red
• Gift tin

And they're less than $18 each.

Happy Holidays!