Western Fire Chiefs Association introduces real-time Wildland Fire Map

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured News

The Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) has introduced its new Fire Map, to provide near real-time information about active wildfires.

The WFCA Fire Map pulls data from the US Forest Service via National Interagency Fire Center IRWIN feed, and 911 Dispatch data via PulsePoint to track the location of the wildfire as they start and while they’re burning. It is the first map of its kind to pull such data from 911 Dispatch in relevant areas.

The map shows the name and location of the fire, alongside its size and what percentage it has been contained. It also shows how many responders have been assigned to the fire and how long the fire has been active.

“The current climate situation is incredibly scary,” said Chief Mark Niemeyer, Vice President of the WFCA and Fire Chief of the Boise Fire Department. “The WFCA is providing public access to definitive information around the paths of wildfires so that communities can quickly take action,” said Niemeyer.

“The WFCA is committed to provide an even deeper level of intelligence around wildfires as they happen”

As the WFCA looks to the future, it is creating a development path in the next year which will include 3D and predictive mapping models, air quality and weather data, as well as text message notifications.

Richard Price, President of the California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit PulsePoint Foundation, commented on the launch: “We are excited to offer the opportunity for PulsePoint-connected agencies to seamlessly display fire incidents within the WFCA Fire Map. By leveraging widely-deployed PulsePoint 911 interfaces, the fire service is able to scale this critical public resource very quickly.

He added: “The addition of text notifications will be a game changer.”

Xtreme Mask – the latest advance in respiratory protection for wildfires

by Products

Wildland firefighters are exposed to several labour risks; heat, humidity, radiation, incandescent particles, microparticles, nanoparticles, smoke, fog, aqueous dispersions, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, proteins, gases, organic and inorganic vapours, acids, amine and formaldehyde in slow combustion.

The lack of solutions to protect firefighters from these contaminant agents limits the time of fire management’s interventions and represents significant damage to the health of firefighters, with short-term consequences (causing discomfort, choking sensation and poisoning) and long-term sequel (continued exposure to CO and formaldehyde can lead to disabling occupational diseases and even cancer).

The Xtreme Mask is an effective solution to protect the face and the respiratory tract in extreme situations*.

A multipurpose device specifically designed for wildland firefighting

The Xtreme Mask adapts completely to every protection need that can occur in a wildfire. It allows the coupling of different filters according to the operative:

  • Firefighting – Reusable P3 particle filter (included). Protection against heat, humidity, radiation, incandescent particles, microparticles, nanoparticles, smoke, fog, aqueous dispersion, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, proteins.
  • Finish and interface – Reusable ABEK1P3 multigas filter (optional). Protection against heat, humidity, radiation, incandescent particles, microparticles, nanoparticles, smoke, fog, aqueous dispersion, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, proteins, gases and organic and inorganic vapours, acids, amine and formaldehyde in slow combustion.

Respiratory comfort with a high level of protection

Set consisting of a half mask with two exhalation valves (so that carbon dioxide escapes faster, increasing respiratory comfort), an interchangeable filter and a textile mask, certified according to EN 15614: 2007, which offers high protection against radiation.

The excellent fit and sealing of the half mask to the face and its direct connection to the filter multiply its degree of filtration, offering protection of up to 99.92%.

Comfortable and lightweight
Low nasal profile mask, adjustable on Caucasian, Asian, African-American and American faces. Compatible with most glasses available on the market.

Perfect integration with the rest of the protection equipment
Quick adjustment without removing the helmet, thanks to its double velcro® system.

All the components that make up this product have been manufactured following the requirements of the European Regulation.

Textile
EN ISO 11612:2015 – Protective clothing. Clothing to protect against heat and flame. Minimum performance requirements
EN ISO 13688:2013 – Protective clothing. General requirements.
EN 15614:2007 -Protective clothing for firefighters. Laboratory testing
methods and requirements for forestry clothing.

Half mask
EN 140:19998 – Respiratory protection equipment. Half mask.

P3 R Filter
EN 143:2004 + A1:2006 – Respiratory protection equipment. Filters against
particles. Requirements, testing, marking.

ABEK1P3 Filter
EN 14387:2004+A1:2008 – Respiratory protective devices. Gas filters and combined filters. Requirements, testing, marking

* Standards and regulations regarding labour risk prevention must be observed, as well as the suitability of their use and possible limitations.

For more information, visit: www.vallfirest.com