Big Med Playlist for The Big One | Frank Bell – Red

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in Music, Playlist for the Big One

This is a stunning add to the Big Med Playlist for The Big One. Frank Bell – Red – Live at Tainted Blue Studios.

Damn. This man can sing, write, and plays a beautiful guitar. Really, like WTF, why are we receiving near-real-time updates on the status of the Kardashians when the news we really need is where & when Frank Bell will be playing next.

The production of this video is stunning. It’s simple and clean and the centerpiece is Frank Bell, his voice, and his guitar.

Originally a classically-trained cellist, Frank later expanded his instrumental arsenal as a way to further express himself as an artist. As an outlet, Frank began posting videos of his songs on YouTube, which brought him international attention and 800,000 video views (in four days) after being featured on their homepage. Shortly after, he flew to Canada to record his debut EP ‘On Passion and Reason’, a folky, neo-soul acoustic rock album which would later be released independently worldwide with famed Producer Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Jason Mraz, and more).

In 2010 Frank was named the HATCH GROUNDBREAKING Musician (HATCHexperience.com), where he recorded a song with Matt Morris (Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera) on an original track aboard the John Lennon Tour Bus. Recent appearances on MTV, at the Sundance Film Festival, a Times Square NYE Concert, IdeaJam moderated by Ashton Kutcher, and Sold-out shows in Europe, continue to grow Frank’s awareness and fan base.

Frank is also in tune with global needs. March of 2010, Frank could be seen on CNN, ABC World News with Dianne Sawyer, and other international news outlets, for a “We are the World” collaboration he participated in to aid Haiti relief efforts. In March of 2011 Frank led multiple ventures for Japan Tsunami Relief. He continues to work closely with non-profits and other charitable organizations as his career progresses, believing fully in social responsibilities and helping to raise awareness of what’s going on in the world.

Since August of 2010, Frank found himself back and forth Bozeman, MT, where he teamed up with Producer, Deej Hofer to begin recording the highly anticipated full length LP “Everything Falls Into Place”, which was released October 11, 2011.

Follow Frank online http://www.frankbell.net

Labrador | Public advisory after second rabies case confirmed in Labrador West

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador

Labrador City | 27 Jan 2012

A red fox killed near Labrador City on January 22 has tested positive for rabies. This is the second confirmed case of rabies in Labrador this month.

Samples from the animal were tested at the Department of Natural Resources Animal Health Laboratory and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency laboratories in Ottawa where the result was confirmed. This is the second confirmed case of rabies reported in Labrador since 2005.

“This second confirmation of rabies proves that the virus is active in Labrador West,” said Dr. Hugh Whitney, Chief Veterinary Officer with the Department of Natural Resources Animal Health Division. “With the high fox populations reported across Labrador we will likely see more cases.”

Officials with the departments of Natural Resources and Health and Community Services will continue to monitor this and are encouraging residents of Labrador to be vigilant and to take the following precautions:

• Keep domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, under control;
• Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies;
• Avoid wild animals particularly foxes and wolves;
• Report any sightings of strange-acting wild or domestic animals to forestry officers, veterinarians, police or public health officials;
• Wash any bites or other areas of contact with potentially rabid animals immediately with soap and water; and,
• Immediately go to your health clinic or emergency department for treatment of any animal bites. Any significant contact with potentially rabid animals should be reported to public health officials.

A list of all rabies cases in Labrador will be posted on the Provincial Government website at www.nr.gov.nl.ca/rabies

Buckinghamshire | National rescue conference in Milton Keynes

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in England, Europe

Rescue workers are pictured during an exercise involving the emergency services from Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes | 27 Jan 2012

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is to host a national conference looking at the future of Urban Search and Rescue and special rescue. It will feature key speakers from the government and shadow government, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, Europe and the USA.

The event, called The future provision of special rescue skills to society: It’s more than Urban Search and Rescue, takes place on Thursday 12 April 2012, with a networking dinner on 11 April.

The country’s 21 Urban Search and Rescue bases, including Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s in Aylesbury, provide the people, vehicles and equipment needed in the aftermath of major incidents such as collapsed buildings, major transportation incidents, natural disasters and terrorist activity.

Urban Search and Rescue teams also regularly work alongside firefighters to enhance public safety at incidents including road traffic collisions involving large goods vehicles, farm fires and incidents which leave buildings unstable.

Denis O’Driscoll, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Service Delivery Manager for Buckinghamshire, said: “This is a unique event as, to the best of our knowledge, nothing like it has previously been staged in the UK.

“It will provide the opportunity for a fresh examination of where we are now and where we need to go for the future, based on changing risk profiles and the economic outlook.”

The one-day event will take place from 9am to 6pm at the Doubletree by Hilton – part of the MK Dons’ stadiummk complex – in Milton Keynes. A networking dinner will be held at the venue on the evening of 11 April.

A 20 per cent early-bird discount is currently available – £199 + VAT for dinner, bed, breakfast and full-day conference including lunch, or £99 + VAT for the full-day conference including lunch.

To book a place, please email usarconf@bucksfire.gov.uk. Check the conference flyer here for speaker updates.

To discuss potential sponsorship opportunities, contact Denis O’Driscoll on 01296 744675 or email dodriscoll@bucksfire.gov.uk

Merseyside | Firefighters as first responders after roof collapse

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in England, Europe

Seaforth Dock | 27 Jan 2012

Firefighters gave First Aid and oxygen to a man after part of the roof of a grain store warehouse collapsed.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called at 10.31am to the structure on Seaforth Dock.

Fire crews administered First Aid and gave oxygen to the 35-year-old man who was found breathing and conscious in the cab of a JCB following the collapse. The man was released from the JCB by 11.25am.

There were no other injuries or people trapped by the collapse.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service personnel also removed debris in the area of the collapse to help paramedics remove the man from the cab of the JCB.

A Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Urban Search and Rescue team search dog was also deployed at the scene to check for any further casualties or anyone else trapped in the collapse.

A fire engine from Kirkdale Community Fire Station an appliance from Crosby Community Fire Station and the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team based at Croxteth Community Fire Station responded to the call-out.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service units were clear from the area by 12.15pm.

Shropshire | Another smoke alarm saves pensioner

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in England, Europe

Maesbury | 27 Jan 2012

An 85-year-old Shropshire woman was saved from a house fire when neighbours heard a smoke alarm during an evening phone call.

They immediately called round to see the neighbour in Maesbury at just after 8pm last night (Thursday) and got her out of the house to safety after seeing the kitchen on fire.

Retained firefighters from Oswestry arrived to find the home heavily smoke logged. They administered oxygen to the elderly woman while the fire crew entered her home wearing breathing apparatus to deal with the incident.

They found that the cooker had been accidentally left on.

“The elderly woman had heard the smoke alarm going off but was unsure as to what it was. She sensibly called a neighbour who heard the noise from the alarm and came to help,” said Phil Clarke, deputy in charge of fire prevention at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“This is yet another example of how a smoke alarm has probably saved a life.”

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is campaigning for all homes in Shropshire to install smoke alarms to prevent further tragedies.

A total of seven people have died in house fires in the county since April – the worst fire fatalities statistic in Shropshire for 13 years.

A woman aged in her 60’s died in a fire in Market Drayton last week in which batteries were removed from smoke alarms inside the house while a young woman was saved by her smoke alarm in a fire at her Shrewsbury home earlier this week.

Shropshire’s fire service has identified lone, elderly and vulnerable women – who do not have smoke alarms fitted – as the most likely people to die in house fires.

“Family members, friends and neighbours must check that these vulnerable people are protected by smoke alarms which have working batteries fitted. It can and does save lives as has been shown by these incidents in Shropshire over the past few days,” added Mr Clarke.

Oswestry firefighters have now replaced an incorrectly fitted smoke alarm in the Oswestry woman’s home with two free smoke alarms – on the ground floor and first floor of her property.

London England | Joint fire and ambulance stations could save millions – fire authority

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in England, Europe

London | 27 Jan 2012

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority will today discuss a report suggesting that millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money could be saved by sharing more fire stations with the ambulance service.

In its response to a GLA report into the future of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) , which was published late last year, the Fire Authority report suggests that more joint fire and ambulance stations,  a joint headquarters and collaboration between control rooms  could deliver a better service to Londoners and save money.

The report  says that the ambulance service’s 70 stations are worth an estimated £80m and that combining more of these with fire stations could deliver savings. It says that  all opportunities for closer working and integration between the fire brigade and ambulance service should be explored.

Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Cllr Brian Coleman, said:

“The London Fire Brigade is already delivering a world class fire and rescue service for the people of London and by working more closely with the ambulance service we could provide an even better emergency service at less cost. At the moment, the London Ambulance Service shares facilities at three fire stations but this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

“Together, the fire brigade and ambulance services should look at the potential benefits to Londoners of sharing a range of services from procurement, to property and 999-control centres. No options should be off the table when it comes to the London Fire Brigade and the ambulance service working more closely together.”

Greater Manchester | Phillips Park Station firefighters turn themselves out for RTC

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in England, Europe

Phillips Park Fire Station | 27 Jan 2012

A firefighter who saw a car crash outside Phillips Park Fire Station in Manchester sprung into action to help the two casualties involved.

Firefighter Carl Petch saw the two cars collide through the station window at the corner of Briscoe Lane and Alan Turing Way in Newton Heath at 8.07pm last night.

Running outside he saw there were two casualties, one who had left his vehicle and was in shock and one man lying on the floor.

Two fire engines turned out, and trauma technicians administered oxygen and helped the man, who had suspected back and neck injuries onto a spinal board.

Making both cars safe by blocking the road with the fire engines, crews stayed with the men until an ambulance arrived taking one of the men to hospital.  Police also turned out to manage the road.

Crew Manager Jim Mawdsley said: “Firefighter Petch saw the accident through the fire station kitchen window as he was preparing our meals.  His fast actions meant we were able to help the men.”

Firefighter Carl Petch said: “After running outside I instantly realised we should turn out and help.  A member of the public was dialling 999 so I took the phone and told the operator that we had turned out.

“The guy still inside his car was in shock but got himself out of his car.  We looked after him and attended to the other guy.  It meant we could advise the other emergency crews.  I just knew we had to turn out ourselves.”

Greater Manchester | Oldham Fire Station hosts five-week language course for community

Posted by Hal Newman on Jan 27, 2012 in England, Europe

Oldham | 27 Jan 2012

Oldham Fire Station proved it was right at the heart of the community when it hosted a five-week language course.

People from the Oldham community who do not speak English as their first language used the fire station as their base for a programme of learning events.

Oldham Fire Station has recently been involved in a pilot project and hosted an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course at the station.

The partnership involved GMFRS, Workers Educational Association (who delivered the course) and Job Centre Plus (who referred people from the community to attend).

The five-week course, held one morning each week, will allow 11 men and women from the borough to communicate better in English day-to-day, have a better quality of life and involve themselves with the wider community

One of the sessions was delivered by Mark Thompson, Community Fire Safety Officer, who presented a workshop on fire safety in the home, encouraging everyone to take up the offer of a free Home Safety Check.

This is the first of a series of ESOL courses to be held at Oldham and the project will be evaluated with a view to more courses being hosted at fire stations throughout Greater Manchester.

For a free Home Safety Check, during which firefighters give advice on safety in the home and may fit up to two free smoke alarms, please call 0800 555 815 or go to www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx