Playing with remote-controlled helicopters and airplanes can be fun, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is concerned about an emerging fire hazard from the battery technology being used with these toys. CPSC is urging consumers to follow manufacturer's instructions when charging toys that contain rechargeable lithium batteries.

Mike Dubron, founder of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, addresses the current climate surrounding cancer claims, including ways U.S. firefighters are vulnerable to cancer, types of perilous building materials and toxic chemicals and how to best reduce incidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, laboratories confirmed 11 cases of malaria in the six weeks following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti. Patients included seven U.S. emergency responders, three Haitian residents and one U.S. traveler. Of the seven emergency responders, six were U.S. military personnel.

Learning Objective: The student shall be able to explain the defining characteristics of "special sprinklers." (PDF, 195 Kb)

U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran recognizes the contributions of women serving their communities through the American Fire Service.

Headlines: HazMat Survival Tips, Solar Storms: Potential for Chaos, Status of the H1N1 Pandemic, Coffee Break Training, Clarification: Use of Cyanide Antidote Kit

The gear IFRM collects will be shipped to Chile on March 12. Any fire departments with gear to donate should contact Ron Gruening at 612-669-8500.

The Bloomfield Fire Department obtained $3.4 million through a bond issue, using a gross-receipts tax to pay off the bond, instead of property taxes.

This topical report examines the causes and characteristics of winter residential building fires and shows the importance of family preparedness to fire safety.

Learning Objective: The student shall be able to identify the frequency of periodic hydrostatic testing for portable fire extinguishers. (PDF, 200 Kb)

Most homes have a multitude of electrical appliances ranging from small kitchen items such as toasters and microwaves to major appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers. While appliances make our lives much easier, they also pose significant risks - including fire - if not maintained properly. Appliance fire safety is a matter of keeping your appliances in good working order, as well as using them as they were intended. The average homeowner has several thousand dollars invested in appliances. To protect your investment and to avoid the potential risk of fire, find out what to check for to ensure your appliances don't put you or your family at risk.

Headlines: ESS "Struck-by" Incidents, "Rules for Survival", New Dangers for First Responders, Highway-Borne HazMat a Potential Target,

The Los Angeles Fire Department recently purchased HP workstations that let them run bandwidth-intensive applications simultaneously, including a real-time mapping application that tracks all deployed resources

Learning Objective: The student shall be able to identify by color-code the temperature ratings of various automatic sprinklers. (PDF, 202 Kb)

The three-day International Class A Foam and CAFS Academy was held this week in Glendale, Ariz., with more than 100 participants from six countries in attendance.

Headlines: 2010 Wildland-Urban Interface, Emergency Response Resources, NFPA 1600 (2010 Edition), DHS communications Training

Jeff Elliott is PREPNet’s contract manager, and he shared the agency’s efforts to broadcast the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Services and its work with fire and EMS on video distance learning.

The IAFC's Volunteer & Combination Officers Section is offering it Silver Ribbon Report, "Opening New Doors: Guidelines and Best Practices for a Successful Youth Fire Service Program," as a free PDF download.

The Web site offers personal job alerts, resume posting, identity protection, and career-builder tools such as career coaches and an Ask the Experts tool.