The CDC Blast Injury app supports pre-hospital and hospital healthcare providers and public health professionals in preparing for and responding to terrorist bombings and other mass casualty explosive events. Healthcare providers and public health professionals can use the application to: Quickly review critical steps to take from the moment an event happens. Learn blast injury patterns and treatment considerations. Scan information efficiently with minimal effort on the way to or at a scene and grasp clinical guidance to support key job functions. Access medical surge capacity guidance inclu ..read more

No matter where you live there is a chance some type of disaster or emergency can (or at some time will) occur. Whether it’s a flood, fire, hurricane, a chemical spill forcing an evacuation, active shooter scenario, civil unrest or your child getting a bloody nose … stuff happens. The question is … what are YOU gonna do about it? U.S. First Responders Association’s custom 286-page PDF version of our IT’S A DISASTER! preparedness and first aid manual provides families with instructional tips in 2-color format about what to think about and do before, during and after many types of emergenc ..read more

Here’s a great idea for #GivingTuesday or anytime … if you GIVE a gift, you GET a gift, and your donation supports America’s First Responders! Click on the graphic to learn more about each gift associated with each donation value, and scroll down to learn more about USFRA. The U.S. First Responders Association (USFRA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, professional and social network of fire, EMS, law enforcement, 911/dispatch, and military personnel, as well as veterans and civilian volunteers. USFRA brings together professionals from many diverse fields to strengthen safety initiatives, share knowl ..read more

First Responders (esp. firefighters) face many types of health issues since they are exposed to multiple toxins throughout their careers, so #BreastCancerAwareness month is very near and dear to our hearts since our nonprofit’s CEO is a retired Fire Captain. Although October is the official #ThinkPink month, many first responders hold awareness campaigns year-round with pink shirts, uniforms and apparatus while doing educational events and fundraisers to help spread the word. U.S. First Responders Association now has 3 t-shirts available to support breast cancer awareness and proceeds benefit ..read more

Cords of Steel and the U.S. First Responders Association invite you to register and learn about the Freedom Voyager — a versatile, unique solar powered charging station for first responders, volunteers like CERTs, Search and Rescue teams, K9 units, adventurers, and families. Freedom Voyager’s crowdfunding campaign launches soon and if you sign up here, you can receive this portable wireless solar power pack at a very reduced rate, and proceeds benefit USFRA.org as explained below. Please register here and thank you COS for your support of USFRA and our nation’s heroes! ~ j & B ..read more

With scenes of empty store shelves, fights over toilet paper and most Americans being told to stay home due to the COVID-19 outbreaks, many of us will have a lot of time on our hands in the coming days and weeks. And, since internet access is not a problem for most (as it often is whenever there is a weather-related disaster or emergency), there are things people can do to learn more about getting themselves and their loved ones prepared for the unexpected (including a zombie apocalypse!) The U.S. has approximately 800,000 active Law Enforcement Officials (including Police & Sheriff), 1.1 ..read more

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. The MRC network currently comprises over 180,000 volunteers in 830+ units located throughout the United States and its territories. MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize medical and non-medical volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. Ab ..read more

For the past week we have been posting updates and resources about Florence in the U.S. First Responders Association’s Disaster Preparedness Group for those being impacted by the storm along the east coast and inland. (And our apologies for not sharing this here sooner!) Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, NC at 0715 ET on 14-Sep-2018 and moving W about 6 mph (9 km/h). A west to WSW motion expected thru Sat bringing LOTS of rain, winds + a few possible tornadoes. Download a free 59-pg portion of IT’S A DISASTER! book (in PDF) with tips on preparing for hurricanes, floods, evacuati ..read more

We wanted to share an event and fundraiser that will help equip first responders with pet oxygen masks, K9 Rex Specs and K-9 vests in case you might like to attend or want to donate or share with others. In addition to being co-founder of Fedhealth and co-author (with Bill) of our customizable preparedness book, I am also Exec VP of the U.S. First Responders Association. On May  26, 2018 The Starlight Singers and performers from Sara Dance Center will honor first responders and entertain the public at their Memorial Day Weekend First Responder Benefit in Sarasota Florida. All donations an ..read more

We’ve been writing about the progress of FirstNet in our enews since Mar 2014 (and Oct 2014 and Mar 2015). And now that AT&T is the official provider of services for FirstNet, the dedicated communications platform created with first responders for first responders is helping to enable simpler, safer, faster and more collaborative communications. FirstNet will give the public safety community the 21st-century communication tools it needs to help save lives and keep communities and first responders safe. As of late-December 2017, all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories and the District of Columbia ..read more