Friday Link Roundup

NYPD Officer literally gives a homeless man the shirt off his back.

(New York Post)

Cop takes a bullet in fire fight. Vietnam veteran provides cover until backup arrives.

(YouTube)

This high tech firefighter helmet concept is would be incredible.

(Yanko Design)

Australian Emergency Services Personnel have started using Twitter's new emergency warning system.

(The Guardian, Twitter)

Factoring in the cost of ownership, Panasonic Toughbooks actually cost less than other laptops.

(BobJohnson.com)

Extendobed - Get More Storage Out Of Your Vehicle!

Extendobed has be designing and distributing products to business and law enforcement professionals for over 25 years.  Their custom designs are suitable for all different types of professionals.  However, their primary market is fire departments and law enforcement agencies.

Extendobed is the original manufacturer of the expandable truck bed liner.  Extendo Bed is a truck bed extender that will carry a full cargo load over 1200 pounds & extend 100% beyond the length of the truck bed or SUV cargo area. These patented truck bed drawers are ideal for fire and police departments as a command center and emergency or first response, contractors, the military, farriers, or anyone else who needs easy access to their truck bed and tools.

Each bed extender is also extremely rugged and durable.  Not only are they built to withstand a great deal of weight and cargo, they are durable enough to withstand every use and abuse.  Extendobed actually boasts that many of their units, including the first one built in 1987, are still in service today.  Now, that says a lot about the durability and life expectancy of one of  these units!

Extendobeds come pre-designed for command centers, search and rescue, SWAT, equipment storage, crime scene, or they can even be custom designed.

Check out an Extendobed in action!

Extendo Bed Time Lape from Chris Ennis on Vimeo.

The BEAR from BEAR-iatrics

It is no secret that our country is getting larger and that more and more of our population is becoming overweight, obese, and morbidly obese.  The issues that come with being a significantly larger size aren't just limited to the overweight person, their weight can also greatly affect the ability of the first responder who needs to get them to the hospital.

Many ambulance companies have begun to add bariatric ambulances to their fleets.  These ambulances are specially designed to carry wider stretchers that more adequately support the size and weight of obese and morbidly obese patients.  Unfortunately, these specialty ambulances come with two major obstacles.  There are substantial costs involved in the purchase of or transformation to a bariatric ambulance.  Finding out after arrival that a bariatric ambulance is required can drastically increase the amount of time that it would take to get a patient to the hospital.

BEAR-iatrics Inc has a cost-effective solution for this growing problem....The BEAR Unit.  BEAR is short for Bariatric Equalizing Abdominal Restraint.  This simple device allows you to turn virtually any ambulance stretcher into one that is safe to transport obese persons with.  The BEAR is attached directly to the stretcher, and it is then secured around the obese patient.  It works by stabilizing the abdominal mass, which makes the patient feel more secure, decreases the likelihood of them being pinched by the stretcher, and allows for ease of transport.

To learn more about the BEAR unit, check out the following video:



There is also a smaller AirBEAR available for when larger patients need to be transported by air flights.

Protect Your Department From Hackers

As a government agency your department is at an excessively large risk to the damage that can be caused byRedbull quickly typing random jargon on their keyboard; most hacks actually come in a much more discreet form, viruses.
hackers.  By now you've probably read, or at least browsed the headline, of an article or two about foreign governments and radical groups attempting to gain access to various American infrastructures to either cripple their systems or gather sensitive information.  It's not quite as dramatic as the movies make it seem, with computer obsessed techies chugging

It is important that your department take the appropriate steps to deter the chance of your department falling vulnerable to their attacks.  There are a few simple steps you can take to keep your department safe.

1. Secure Your Network:  You need to do this at home and at your department!  Having an unsecured wireless network is the equivalent of leaving your front door wide open when you aren't home...it's an easy way for criminals to just walk right in unnoticed!  Locating an unsecured network can be done by looking for wifi on a smartphone or driving around with a laptop.  Once they find one, it's not too difficult to access the information you have on any computer on your network.  All of this can be prevented simply by applying a password to your network!  If you don't know how, call your internet provider or your local computer dealer or repair service to come out and help you secure it!
2. Passwords: There are two major password recommendations for your safety (for these passwords we are referring to opening your computer, accessing your online banking, or your email account).  The first is to have a strong password, which can be created by using a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols in every password.  The second is a bit more of a hassle, but it is recommended that you change your password around every 90 days.
3. Be Cautious of Email:  Obviously all email is not bad.  But if an email address, name, or subject line seems suspicious, do yourself a favor and just delete it.  Don't even open it first!  Just put it straight in the trash!  If you do open all of your emails, be extra cautious with attachments.  If you aren't expecting a .zip file from someone, chances are it's a pretty bad idea to open it.  While we're at it, the "you have to see this video/photo/article/etc" emails are generally also virus laden. 

If you'd like more tips, check out A Hacker's Tips To Stay Safe Online.  Who better to give tips than a reformed security-breaching hacker?

Binder E-Z Lift

It is no secret that our country is getting larger and that more and more of our population is becoming overweight, obese, and morbidly obese.  The issues that come with being a significantly larger size aren't just limited to the overweight person, their weight can also greatly affect a first responder who needs to come to their emergency aid.

When dealing with and handling obese persons, there is a great risk of lifting injury to the first responder.  To help combat this problem, there is the Binder E-Z Lift.  The Binder E-Z Lift is a non-mechanical apparatus designed to assist patients with non-traumatic injuries.

What makes the Binder E-Z Lift a wise investment for every department?

• Reduces first responder lifting injuries
• Reduces patient injuries, as there is no need to put pressure on arms or shoulders
• Allows for non-invasive "team" lifting, handles allow up to six lifters 
• Eliminates the need for invasive body-to-body contact required to lift a larger person
• Compact, portable and only three pounds
• Easy to attach
• Comes in two sizes (expandable from 34" to 82" chest)
• Polypropylene webbing is exceptionally sturdy and will not stretch
• Nylon fabric rated to support over 500 pounds

To learn more about this product, check out the following video

Binder EZ Lift Commercial from Megan Westvig on Vimeo.

Social Media & Your Department

There are many jobs where your job in a position of authority causes you to give up a little bit of your personal life.  It's always been pretty true, as officers have always been expected to maintain a certain moral code both on- and off-duty.  However, as our lives have become immersed in social media the line of what constitutes as private is becoming significantly more and more blurred.

Officers post comments and pictures about things they are doing on-duty and off-duty to places such as Facebook and Twitter.  And all too often you can look at the news and read about an officer who has been placed on administrative leave or fired for something they posted online.  Why?  What they post privately has the ability to affect not only their reputation but the reputation of their entire department as well.

The Social Media and Internet in Law Enforcement (SMILE) Conference reviewed several issues that relate directly to officers and social media....specifically steps that can be taken to ensure that officers stay out of trouble.

1.  Develop a Departmental Policy - Clearly outline acceptable/unacceptable online behaviors and have a set course of action to deal with with online behavioral issues.  Continuously modify your departmental policy as technology changes.

2.  Keep Up To Date With The Technology - Technology and social media advances are continuously evolving.  It is important to keep up to date with these changes.  If you are not technology savvy, it is recommended that you enlist the support of a younger more tech-savvy officer to help you out.

3.  Create a Training Plan - Teach officers how to keep their personal lives private.  Go above and beyond giving them a set of rules to follow; teach them that these guidelines are too keep them out of trouble and in a job.  It's about keeping them from making a mistake that will possibly cost them their career.  Many people are not aware of the reach of social media...or the fact that once something is on the internet it's there forever.  Teach your officers so that they aren't an uneducated victim of the dangers of social media.

4.  Teach Social Media Ethics - It goes without saying that police officers have their own sense of humor that the general public might not always find funny.  A prime example: trophy photos.  Will you and your fellow cop buddies find an arrest photo like the one pictured funny? Maybe.  Will your civilian friends find the same photo funny?  Maybe not....they might even find it offensive.  And that is when the trouble starts.  Definitely do not share trophy photos on your social media pages!

Looking For Guest Bloggers...

Bob Johnson's Toughbook Stuff is currently looking for guest bloggers for our blog.  Guest bloggers share their thoughts and experience from an "expert" perspective on various topics related to first responders.  If you are a first responder or a business geared towards first responder agencies, we want to hear from you!


FAQ's
Requirements:

• Experience in or knowledge of first responder duties and the technology/tools they use
• Ability to submit original posts that require minimal editing once a month (more if you wish)

What can I blog about?

• New technology or software
• Police/fire/ems training opportunities
• New first responder tools
• Personal first responder experiences/advice
• Virtually anything related to first responders

What does it pay?

• We do not pay guest bloggers financially.  We pay you in exposure!  Your blog posts will be seen by upwards of 3,000 viewers per month on our blog that is highly ranked by Google.

Can I link to my business or website?

• All blogs by guest bloggers include a short biography about the author of the article.  That short biography can contain your headshot, personal blog/business page, experience/expertise, and social media links.

How do I get started?

• Send an email to Sales_Dept@BobJohnson.com
• Include an article for the blog or a previous article you have written
• We'll get back to you within 72 hours

26th Annual Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo

Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff is getting everything prepped and ready for the 26th Annual Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo!  This years even is going to be held at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, PA (just outside of Pittsburgh).  The expo is open Saturday, February 23rd through Sunday, February 24th.  The Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo is one of the nation’s largest and best attended trade shows for firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and other emergency services personnel.  The expo brings over 200 of the nation’s finest companies together to showcase thousands of products and services.

It seems that most expos and conventions for emergency services personnel tend to be geared primarily towards those in law enforcement.  The Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo, however, is geared primarily towards fire and EMS personnel.  With that said, there are still ample opportunities for those in law enforcement to learn about new services and products as well.

This expo gives departments the opportunity to:

• Visit hundreds of exhibits with thousands of products and services
• Meet representatives from some of the nation's finest companies, particularly those that focus primarily on emergency services personnel
• See the latest technological advances for fire, EMS, haz-mat, rescue, and more
• Save money with show only discounts and specials

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, the staff at Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff hopes to see you there!

Detect Brain Trauma on Scene

Each year nearly 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury.  These types of injuries generally occur during falls, sport accidents, vehicular accidents, or another type of jolt to the head.  In patients with head trauma early detection is one of the most critical aspects of the patient's final outcome.

This early detection makes the first responders instrumental in detecting brain injuries so that they can alert hospital staff upon arrival.  Obvious signs that brain injury may have occurred include an obvious wound to the head, bleeding from the nose or ears, change in consciousness, confusion, headache, loss of balance, unequal pupil size, and slurred speech.  However, these symptoms only alert first responders to the presence of brain trauma.  What if it were possible to detect just how serious a brain injury was in the field?

The Infrascanner Model 2000 from Infrascan makes brain injury detection in the field a reality.  The Infrascanner utilizes Near-Infrared technology to screen patients for intracranial bleeding.  In as little as 2-3 minutes, the scanner can detect hematomas greater than 3.5cc in volume up to 2.5cm deep in the brain tissue.  Although these quick scans are not a replacement for CT scans performed at hospitals, they do make it easier to identify high-risk patients ensuring that they are quickly transported to facility that will be able to properly treat their condition.

Infrascanners are light-weight, making them highly portable.  They can be powered utilizing either a rechargable NiMH battery pack or four AA batteries.  The unit turns on and off automatically by either attaching or removing disposable shields.

At this time, MedLogic is the exclusive dealer of Infrascanners in the US.

Is An Extended Warranty Worth The Cost?

This article has moved! Now you can find it on bobjohnson.com.

How Dirty Is Your Communication Center?

We've done an article or two about the dirt, grime, and germs that can live in and on your computer.  If you've missed them, your computer can be quite disgusting.

Over time, lots of stuff can accumulate both on and under your computer keyboard keys (as well as your LCD screen, mouse, and your work station).  The majority of what is on and in your computer is comprised of food crumbs, minor drink spills, and generic household dust (which is comprised of everything from dirt to dead skin cells).  This grime can cause your computer to stop working properly or even make you sick.  As for making you sick, the dirt can be harboring a lot of potentially harmful bacteria (such as staph or E.coli).  Some studies have even found that many work stations rival the germ-factor of public restrooms...particularly if they are shared by multiple people.

You can clean your personal computer by gently shaking out crumbs and using a little disinfectant cleaner (always onto a lint free cloth and never directly onto the computer, of course).  But, what do you do about your communications center that is manned 24/7?

Most departments have a janitorial staff that cleans the room.  However, they rarely manage to clean in/under/around the workstations of the employees....and they definitely don't ever touch the computers to clean them.  So, how dirty are your communication centers?

The bottom line, it's pretty dirty.  Getting it cleaned will probably help to keep the employees that work their healthier as well!  A company called Console Cleaning Specialists specialize in cleaning 911 centers, dispatch centers, and other mission critical offices throughout the United States.  Utilizing a team of trained professionals, they (quietly) clean your mission critical offices without affecting your ability to continue to do the essential daily jobs with minimal interruptions.  This is not a regular daily or weekly janitorial cleaning.  A cleaning from Console Cleaning Specialists is a once or twice a year deep cleaning of your work stations.

To schedule an appointment or to get an estimate of the cost to clean your communication center simply request a quote on their website!

IMPACT: Making the world safer through technology

Peace of mind comes with confidence in knowing you can rely on your software provider and that your needs are met.  Mission critical software for police, fire, EMS, public safety and justice personnel is IMPACT's only business.  They concentrate specifically on satisfying the information-sharing demands of first responders.  Their system was built utilizing intimate knowledge of police, fire and EMS procedures...as the creates have nearly three decades of experience in the field.

 

IMPACT provides the world's most advanced information-sharing innovations.  Their technologies are engineered to perform under the most demanding circumstances, enabling quick responses.  This keeps officers safe and provides necessary information at critical moments when every second counts.  IMPACT's products include computer aided dispatching, complete records management, mobile tactical field reporting, ticket processing, GPS automatic vehicle location, precision mapping, alarm billing, special interfaces for E-911, NCIC, live-scan fingerprinting technology, jail management systems, and fire/EMS records management systems.  There is essentially a product for every first responder out there!

IMPACT understands that no two fire, police, EMS, or private safety departments are exactly alike.  Because of this, the programs offered by IMPACT are extremely versatile.  The programs offered can be purchased as a whole or just specific programs can be utilized.  All IMPACT programs are completely compatible with one another, allowing a seamless flow of information between multiple agencies within the same area.

A few of the optional software programs include:

• Alarm Billing: allows law enforcement personnel to track and charge false alarm violators
• Photo Imaging: Supports mug shots, crime scene photos, evidence photos, digital imagery, sound files, and video clips
• E911: Enables rapid data entry for immediate dispatch of response units
• Field Reporting: enables real-time creation and submission of incident reports from the field

To learn more about IMPACT's technology solutions, visit them at www.impact-sys.com or give them a call at (800)871-1244.

Keep Your Toughbook From Draining Your Battery!

If you have a Panasonic Toughbook mounted in one your vehicles, the Dock Master by Copeland Engineering, Inc. is definitely a product you need to put on your wish list!


This product hard-wires to your vehicle, via a simple installation procedure and transfers data via a USB connection.  The Dock Master then prevents the computer from draining the vehicle battery which protects the computer and the vehicle from a wide array of possible technical issues.



For the low price of only $209.95, the Dock Master will:

• Eliminate computer downtime
• Prevent laptops from draining batteries
• Alert the user of low vehicle voltage
• Monitor vehicle voltage, and adjust accordingly to protect the computer 
• Allow the user to selectively discharge the laptop battery
• Automatically shut down computers when battery power is low, to prevent the loss of critical data
• Includes a 2 year warranty
• Comes with customizable software that is both Windows XP and Windows 7 compatible

Dock Master can be purchased from a variety of vendors located throughout the United States.  A list of available vendors can be located on the Copeland website.

FAAC Inc. Offering Grants for Driving Simulators

FAAC Incorporated is one of the most well-recognized software and systems engineering companies.  The majority of their products are for the US Government.  They include products such as avionics training, weapon guidance, sensors, electronic warfare, training ranges, and threat air defenses (such as surface-to-air missiles).  However, they have more recently begun developing products for the public sector, such as driving simulators.

FAAC Incorporated has driving simulators for all the major aspects of public safety: fire, police, and EMS.  All simulators are comprised of true-to-life controls and components, allowing for full reproduction of curb jumps, road vibration, creating a "real" driving sensation.  With the five high-resolution viewing screens, the driver has an accurate and realistic driving view.  The system also allows for the integration of your MDT (mobile data terminal).

Each simulator comes equipped with multiple driving simulations.  This diminishes the possibility of officers learning the simulations, and forces them to continuously test their skills.  Simulations can be paused and/or replayed by the instructor to correct any issues with the decisions or actions of the driver.  This creates one of the best teaching environments, as any issues are corrected immediately.




To find out how you can assist your department in getting grant assistance to obtain a driving simulator, check out this press release from FAAC Incorporated:

FAAC Incorporated is pleased to announce its participation in a program to link emergency response and public safety departments with grant funding opportunities.


In today’s tough economic environment, dollars are scarce and many city and county budgets are being cut and large capital expenditures are being postponed or eliminated. The amount of grant dollars and stimulus funding – both federal and private – available for police, fire, and EMS, has remained strong, yet many departments are unfamiliar with the grant process and lack the knowledge or resources to successfully apply for grants.


“The assistance program takes the mystery out of matching the correct grant funding source with the specific need of the department,” said Bill Martin, FAAC’s Public Safety Business Manager. “Sometimes the biggest hurdle when purchasing a driver training simulation system is to find that single funding source that will match your need from all the grant information out there – that is why this grant assistance program is so important these public safety departments.”


To assist the effort of matching the needs of the industry with the proper funding avenues, FAAC is underwriting a grant assistance program managed by FireRescue1, PoliceOne, and EMS1 websites to assist those interested in purchasing driver training simulation. This financial initiative is part of the FAAC Customer for Life Philosophy to give back and be a partner in the industry that serves us all so well.


“The grant assistance program is our way to reach out and support the hard-working folks who want to improve their driver training programs,” said Mike McLelland, customer experience manager. “This assistance gives departments who otherwise would not be able to fund a simulator system the ability to get into the running for grant dollars to support safe driving initiatives.


Law enforcement agencies interested in obtaining grant location assistance can visit the website here: http://www.policegrantshelp.com/company-page/FAAC/



Fire departments interested in obtaining grant location assistance can visit the website here: http://www.firegrantshelp.com/company-page/FAAC/


EMS departments interested in obtaining grant location assistance can visit the website here: http://www.emsgrantshelp.com/company-page/FAAC/


Those interested in receiving assistance locating appropriate grant sources simply can go to the websites above and fill out a form that asks for basic information plus how you intend to use the driver training simulator, amount of grant assistance requested, and staffing profile

Toughbooks Are Tough

In the past few months we've written quite a few blogs about the toughness and durability of Panasonic Toughbooks.  Generally these blogs center around the factory testing and how well the Toughbooks hold up to water, heat, cold, and drops.  These tests all center around things that Panasonic expects to happen to a laptop, as people spill drinks on their keyboard, leave it in their vehicle exposing it to temperature fluctuations, and sometimes knock it off the table.  But, how well does a Toughbook hold up to things Panasonic doesn't expect to happen?

Can It Take A Bullet?

Yes!  Back in 2003, a Panasonic Toughbook CF-M34 actually saved the life of a US military member in the 82nd Airborne Division.  The soldier was in Iraq when he came under fire.  He was carrying the Panasonic Toughbook in his backpack.  A bullet struck his backpack, passed through the screen and the keyboard of the Toughbook, and lodged in the solid magnesium-alloy casing...saving his life.  As if that isn't enough, the unit still functioned...minus the screen and keyboard of course.

Forbes magazine also did a little testing of the Panasonic Toughbook against firearms as well.  They took the laptop to the Jackson Arms firing range in South San Francisco to shoot it with a Ruger Mark III .22 pistol from 15 yards.  They removed the battery to minimize the mess.  They aimed, and put a bullet through the laptop. Then they booted it up, and theywere able to log in. The screen had a hole in it, but was still usable. 

Can It Survive A Fire?

Yes!  There have been multiple reports of Panasonic Toughbooks surviving a vehicle fire.  A recent one occurred with St. James Ambulance in Missouri.  In February 2011, the St. James Ambulance District was called to a motor vehicle accident. While en route to the scene, they experienced some mechanical issues that required the driver to pull to the side of the road. At that time, they realized that there was a small fire under the vehicle.  That fire quickly spread to the engine and passenger compartments, where the Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 was located.  

After the fire was extinguished, one of the crew members obtained the Toughbook from the ambulance.  After letting the water drain, he hit the power button to find the computer was fully functional with a few minor exceptions.  “The exterior was melted and the case was cracked in several places,” stated Bryan Lambeth, EMS supervisor and paramedic for St. James Ambulance District. “I truly didn’t have high hopes, but I hit the power button and the computer fired right up!”

Company Spotlight: Southeastern Emergency Equipment

Southeastern Emergency Equipment is a privately owned business that was founded in 1979. In the beginning, the primary customers consisted of rescue squads and ambulance services in the southeast United States. Throughout the years, the committed sales team and knowledgeable support staff have helped Southeastern evolve into an international distributor of emergency medical equipment and supplies. Thanks to their dedicated team, Southeastern Emergency Equipment is now a full-line distributor of EMS equipment and supplies, WMD/MCI products and trailers and emergency vehicles with a support and sales team that focuses on premium service before and after the sale.


Southeastern Emergency Equipment understands that when it comes to having the knowledge and supplies to save lives, customers want to be comforted knowing that they are doing business with a company that has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the highest standards of quality and service. That’s why Southeastern employs sales representatives throughout the United States with an EMS/Fire background so customers can go directly to the source for product demonstrations, training and just plain good advice. To better serve customer’s needs, Southeastern currently has District Sales Managers covering North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.

Customer care is what puts Southeastern Emergency Equipment a step above the rest. For nearly 30 years, Southeastern has prided themselves on providing quality medical products while exceeding clients’ expectations with an exceptional level of service. From general medical supplies and resuscitation equipment, to specialty vehicles and AHA training, Southeastern is your source for the tools you need to give every patient the care that they require.

Company Spotlight: DefibTech

A 13-year old Texas high-schooler’s life was spared last month with the help of a portable defibrillator. During a football game, the boy unexpectedly collapsed on the field. Luckily, the school nurse and other CPR trained individuals were at the scene with a supply of first aid equipment—including a portable defibrillator.

The portable defibrillator, otherwise known as an AED, an automated external defibrillator, kept the boy's heart pumping while the ambulance arrived. Had it not been for the AED, the boy might not be alive. Because cardiac related incidents and deaths are often unexpected, severe and life threatening, more establishments have added AED’s to their EMS gear.

The investment of an AED has proven to be vital component of any emergency medical supply kit.

Paramedics have said that AED’s are dangerous when used incorrectly, but have been foolproof in recent years. One such defibrillator is the DefibTech.  The pads within the defibrillator detect irregular heartbeats and deliver shocks, but if a regular heartbeat is detected, no shock is administered. With the presence of an AED in an emergency medical supply, victims of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiac arrest can be saved with proper usage. In order to save a heart, you need to have one first—a portable defibrillator can be the difference between life and death.

The DefibTech is also a ruggedized AED.  It has been drop tested, crush tested, and is water and dust resistant.  Yet, the DefibTech line of AEDs weigh in at or under three pounds, making them very easily portable. The DefibTech is also easy to maintain, as it alerts you when maintenance is required.  How-To videos are even listed on the company website to walk you through maintenance items such as changing the battery or pads.

How To Get Grant Money

Most police and fire departments want to add various technologies to their departments.  These technologies range anywhere from automatic license plate scanners to Panasonic Toughbook computers to specialized computer software or even to new vehicles.  However, these much sought after items can come with a pretty expensive price tag...particularly for departments that are looking to outfit an entire fleet with the same equipment.  This is where grant money is very beneficial, however, some people find the task of writing a grant very daunting.

Unfortunately, the people who make decisions regarding technology purchases (such as town councils) might not be involved in their use, and therefore, they may not understand how important it is.  They might not understand how much the technology may simplify your job or increase your productivity.  When your department is consistently turned down for high-cost technology purchases, you need to have the option to look elsewhere for funding...this is where grant money would allow you to make those purchases.

The hardest part is of applying for grant money is knowing where to look.  It is actually significantly easier then you might think.  Just “Google” the term “Law Enforcement grants” and you’ll come up with a handful of sites that will help you. Of course, there is the Department of Justice (DOJ) Website and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Website. Both websites announce different types of grants and offer a search to find a particular grant or grants. One website you might not think of right away is PoliceOne.

Surf around on PoliceGrantsHelp at the PoliceOne website for a while and you’ll see that there are a great number of grants that agencies can apply for.  When looking for an applying for grants you should be sure to carefully read the criteria of the grant.  For example, some grants may require a matching of funds or that your city/town/municipality has a specific crime rate, demographic, or population in order to qualify for the grant funding.  Adequate explanation of your needs and wording of the grant can significantly affect whether or not you are successfully awarded funding.  Because of this it is highly recommended to have senior leadership assist in the grant writing process (as they most likely have experience in doing so).  For those departments that have never written a grant before, you can look for online training or seminars throughout the country sponsored by the DOJ or DHS.

Most importantly, when you are writing your grant, be sure to have an adequate count of the inventory that you will be needing.  For example, if you are looking to outfit a police fleet with new mobile computers, be sure to take into account any software licensing, additional cabling, if new mounting systems will be required, and if the units you are purchasing will meet the requirements of the software programs that you will be looking to run on them or if you will require upgrades.  Take into account any additional items or upgrades you may need; if you are awarded grant money for computers but then don't have the capability of installing them, you will need to find alternate funding to cover those expenses as well.

Event Spotlight: Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo

January 14th and 15th, 2012 will be the 25th Annual Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo.  The expo is going to be held at the Monroeville Convention Center.  The Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo is one of the nation’s largest and best attended trade shows for firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and other emergency services personnel.  The expo brings over 200 of the nation’s finest companies together to showcase thousands of products and services.

It seems that most expos and conventions for emergency services personnel tend to be geared primarily towards those in law enforcement.  The Pittsburgh Fire Rescue & EMS Expo, however, is geared primarily towards fire and EMS personnel.  With that said, there are still ample opportunities for those in law enforcement to learn about new services and products as well.

This expo gives departments the opportunity to:

• Visit hundreds of exhibits with thousands of products and services
• Meet representatives from some of the nation's finest companies, particularly those that focus primarily on emergency services personnel
• See the latest technological advances for fire, EMS, haz-mat, rescue, and more
• Save money with show only discounts and specials

Company Spotlight: Adirondack Fire Equipment

Being a long time reseller of refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks, we have come to learn that not all towns, cities, or municipalities have the adequate funding to purchase the supplies that they need.  If this is true for relatively low-cost purchases such as computers, we can only imagine how difficult it is to get funding for something that is excessively high-cost....such as emergency response vehicles.  Departments with limited budgets, or those that want a reserve or second-out unit, often purchase used apparatus to meet their needs. Departments should evaluate potential purchases carefully to get the best value for their money.

A great place to look for low-cost, used fire apparatus is Adirondack Fire Equipment, as they specialize in the sale of pre-owned emergency rescue apparatus.  They carry pumpers, aerials, rescues, ambulances, and tankers.  One of the advantages of used apparatus is the opportunity to get low-mileage units for a fraction of the original purchase price. Many of these units have custom cabs, large engines and other premium features that smaller departments couldn't afford when purchasing new trucks. Most have received regular maintenance and have many years of useful service ahead.

When departments decide to buy used apparatus, they need to buy smart. Unlike new apparatus that are sold in excellent condition with specs that match each customer's individual needs, used apparatus are sold in a variety of conditions and with a variety of specifications. Although some departments make price a top priority, a bargain isn't a bargain if it doesn't work properly or it's not what the department needs. There are plenty of good values among used apparatus if buyers know what to look for and take their time to find it.  Currently, Adirondack Fire Equipment has pre-owned pumpers and aerials that can be purchased for under $250,000.00, which is nearly 70% less than the cost of purchasing a new one.  All vehicles sold by Adirondack Fire Equipment are listed with detailed information in regards to mileage, engine hours, customization, and condition of the vehicle.

Adirondack Fire Equipment also offers financing at competitive rates.  Check out their available trucks and give them a call for more information and financing options.