The purpose of this document is to provide the foundation for the development of a guidance document on emergency communication message content and dissemination strategies. The document answers three major questions regarding emergency communication systems: 1) What technology exists or is proposed for use in emergency notification? 2) What approaches are currently being used to disseminate messages? 3) How does the public respond to different types of information and information sources? The document begins with a discussion of the technology that exists or is proposed for use in emergency notification, along with the positive and negative aspects of each system. The ways in which social media tools can be used to provide warnings in emergencies are included. Second, the document discusses the various types of emergencies for which warnings are needed, the range of protective actions that are taken by building occupants in emergencies, and the nature of the information required based upon the emergency type. The emergency communication systems installed in two different college campuses are described as examples of approaches used to disseminate warnings during emergencies. Finally, a comprehensive literature review is presented on how the public responds to various types of information and information sources both in emergency and non-emergency conditions. A summary list of the relevant findings from each literature source is assembled in Appendix A to identify the most effective ways to create or disseminate messages to achieve optimal occupant response. Detailed annotations for each source are presented in Appendix B.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) initiated a program to determine the effects of emissions from problem drywall on residential electrical, gas distribution, and fire safety components. As part of this program, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) generated data to help determine whether there has been degradation in the activation performance of automatic residential fire sprinklers exposed to those emissions, as manifested by changes to sprinkler activation time. NIST tested three sets of sprinklers in the sensitivity test oven (plunge test apparatus), according to the oven heat test section of UL 199 / UL 1626. Set 1 (bulb type) residential sprinklers were provided by CPSC staff and described as having been installed in homes with problem drywall; Set 2 sprinklers (bulb and fusible types) were purchased new by NIST and tested as received; and Set 3 comprised new sprinklers, of the same models as Set 2, after they had been subjected to an accelerated aging protocol, the Battelle Class IV corrosivity environment. Sprinklers from all three sets were installed and tested in the UL 199 / UL 1626 plunge test apparatus.

Fire fighters are born to fight. Wherever there may be danger lurking, it is certain there are firefighters standing by ready to engage in the battle. But when firefighters get into trouble, who do they turn to? After completing this text, and the recommended training standards, you can fill that calling.

A fire originating in the compactor chute of a 35-story high-rise apartment building in the Harlem area of New York City caused the deaths of seven building residents. Several code enforcement and fire department operational problems may have contributed to the loss. The U.S. Fire Administration had planned to investigate this fire because of its many important lessons but would only do so with the express permission of appropriate authority. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) requested that the investigation be delayed until a preliminary internal investigation was completed. When the preliminary FDNY report was issued, the Fire Administration found it to be of such high quality and candor that an additional investigation did not seem likely to add much to the lessons of interest nationally. This report summarizes some of the lessons learned on the FDNY report and discussions with members of the investigation team.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of a fire in a Seattle Warehouse in January 1995 where four fire fighters died. This investigation will assist policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

This report documents the nature of the fire problem in rural areas of the United States. While other studies have explored various aspects of rural fires, this report provides an analysis of both rural fire deaths and the unique characteristics of fires that occur in rural areas. The report is divided into two major parts. The first part uses data from the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to delineate the character of rural fires. The second part explores rural fire deaths and how they are distributed by age, race, and gender.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the Sherwin-Williams Paint Warehouse Fire In Dayton Ohio on May 27, 1987. It will assist policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the $15 Million Sight and Sound Theater Fire and Building Collapse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on January 28, 1997. It will assist policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

The firefighter Autopsy Protocol has been extensively revised since its original 1994 edition in this new protocol, a number of additional areas of information have been provided to take into account emerging issues and new technologies as applied to the conduct of autopsies

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

This analysis sought to identify trends in mortality and examine relationships among data elements. To this end, data were collected on firefighter fatalities between 1990 and 2000. (For further information, see the "Methodology" section or the Appendix.) Using this analysis, better targeted prevention strategies can be developed in keeping with the USFA's goal to reduce firefighter deaths 25 percent by 2005. In contrast to the annual USFA firefighter fatality reports, this analysis allowed for comparisons over time to determine any changes in firefighter mortality, with a depth of scrutiny not present in earlier analyses.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

This report addresses fire department preparedness for incidents in maritime areas and the importance of establishing a multiagency response capability that includes law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), port authorities, the private sector, and emergency management agencies.

This report continues a series of annual studies by the U.S. Fire Administration of onduty firefighter fatalities in the United States. The specific objective of this study is to identify all onduty firefighter fatalities that occurred in the U.S. and it protectorates in 2010 and to analyze the circumstances surrounding each occurrence. The study is intended to help identify approaches that could reduce the number of firefighter deaths in future years.

Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries in 2004 relies on data from the Nation's largest fire incident database, NFIRS, and on independent research from a variety of public and private organizations including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The purpose of this report is to provide campus housing administrators, fraternal organizations and others responsible for housing college students with an overview of the elements of fire safe student housing. The goal is to present a balanced approach that will permit housing administrators to make risk informed decisions regarding the costs and benefits associated with different fire safety features and levels of fire protection. Additional resources that are available to help in the development of a comprehensive program for fire safe student housing are also identified.

This book is designed solely for the use of the fire service and is modular in form. Many departments' information needs can be met by studying only the first few chapters, while others with a more statistical bent may want to dig deeper.

This report examines the impact of extreme weather and natural disasters on the fire service. It addresses the types of service calls most likely to arise as a result of these disasters and what equipment and planning are needed in order to be prepared. Safety, mutual aid, shift management, resource identification, logistics, and other related issues are discussed, along with examples from case studies of fire departments that have learned from experience what can happen. The report provides information that fire departments can use to enhance their level of preparedness and ensure greater safety the next time disaster strikes.

This report examines fire and alcohol studies performed by medical scientists, fire investigators, and social theorists. The physiological effects of long and short-term alcohol use are described. Alcohol's effect on behavior and its role in unintentional injuries is examined. The demographics of alcohol use and abuse as well as societal factors influencing alcohol use are noted. Caretakers who are under the influence of alcohol are also studied in regards to how their impairment may affect a dependent individual. The demographics of fire and fire fatalities are described. The leading causes of fire fatalities are also discussed, specifically how and to what extent they are affected by alcohol.

In April of 1999, the North American Coalition for Fire and Life Safety Education conducted a symposium to examine fire safety challenges of those who cannot take life saving action, in a timely manner, in the event of a fire; specifically young children (under five), older adults (over sixty-five), and people with disabilities. The symposium was conducted in Washington, D.C. The following report represents the suggested "solutions" formulated by the attendees. It is important to note that they intend to address "shared responsibilities" of both fire service representatives and representatives of the advocacy groups.

This report, America at Risk, builds on the meetings of America Burning, Recommissioned, and is based on statements, discussions and recommendations that were issued on May 3rd by the Commission as the Principal Findings and Recommendations.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.