Brian Devaney

Shapiro Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Change ​Smoke Alarm Batteries When Clocks “Spring Forward” this Weekend FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   March 5, 2026 Contact: Andy DeBrunner, adebrunner@pa.gov Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms when moving their clocks ahead one hour for this weekend’s “spring forward” time change. Functioning and properly placed smoke alarms can decrease the risk of dying in a home fire by as much as half. Dead or missing batteries are the most common cause of a smoke or CO alarm malfunction. Pennsylvania often leads the nation in fire deaths. Sadly, 2026 is off to a similar start with 26 fire fatalities reported to the United States Fire Administration through March 2, 2026. “Pennsylvania is once again leading the nation in fire-related deaths, and that underscores just how critical it is for every family to maintain working smoke alarms in their homes,” said State Fire Commissioner Tom Cook. “With only a few minutes to escape a home fire, a properly functioning smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death. Please test your smoke alarms regularly, replace batteries when needed, and make fire safety a priority for your loved ones.” During a home fire, you may have fewer than two minutes to safely exit, so Commissioner Cook recommends the following steps: Ensure early notification by installing and maintaining working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed: on every floor of the home, inside every sleeping area, and in hallways outside sleeping areas. Develop and practice an escape plan once your alarm sounds to include: having two ways out of each room, a designated meeting place once outside, and taking a headcount to ensure everyone got out safely. Once safely out of the home, contact 9-1-1 for help. It’s important to assist younger children and older adults with developing and practicing plans. Carbon monoxide alarms also save lives. CO is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can impact you before you are aware of exposure. Sources of CO gas can include wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas fireplaces, appliances, grills, generators, and motor vehicles. Maintaining wood and gas-burning appliances is critical to reduce the risk of malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide exposure. Having a working CO detector in your home can alert you before you recognize symptoms often confused with other illnesses such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, disorientation, and fatigue. If you need a smoke alarm, visit the Ready PA website to request a free smoke alarm from the American Red Cross. All smoke and CO alarms should be tested monthly, including alarms wired to a home’s electrical system. Smoke and CO alarms have a life span, and the entire unit should be replaced every ten years with a new one.   # # #

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TERPconsulting is pleased to announce its continued expansion on the East Coast with the opening of a Philadelphia office, strengthening the firm’s ability to deliver fire protection engineering and life safety services across the Philadelphia region and the broader Mid-Atlantic. Fire protection engineering veteran Roger Rudy, PE, has joined TERPconsulting as regional director and senior fire protection engineer to lead the firm’s Philadelphia operations. To learn more about Roger, and TERPconsulting, click here: https://lnkd.in/gU82sjcg #TERPphiladelphia #FireProtectionEngineering #FireAndLifeSafety

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What an incredible two days. Oliver Fire Protection & Security was honored to host the 2025 International Code Council & The Pennsylvania Association of Code Officials Fall Forum, bringing together inspectors, contractors, designers, engineers, technicians, AHJs, and monitoring specialists for hands-on training and real conversations about the work that protects lives and property. From Notifier hardware and software advancements to strategies for reducing false alarms to monitoring innovations, elevator recall training, and the shared challenges that shape field decisions every day, the theme was clear: stronger partnerships lead to stronger life safety outcomes. The dialogue, collaboration, and practical problem solving on Day 1 highlighted exactly why PACO exists and why this forum matters. Day 2 at the Local 692 Training Center, supported by the Sprinkler Fitters and UA Joint Apprenticeship team, delivered equally impactful training. Participants reviewed system fundamentals, investigated backflow and compressor operations up close, observed a full fire pump test with industry experts, and joined the National Fire Sprinkler Association for a live side by side burn demonstration that showed the life saving effectiveness of sprinklers in real time. Across both days, one thing stood out: technology, codes, and equipment are essential, but the people doing this work are the true foundation of life safety in our communities. A sincere thank you to everyone who made this forum possible, including all of our attendees, The team at Oliver Fire Protection & Security, the Oliver Safety Committee, Honeywell, Affiliated Monitoring, the International Code Council, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the Joint Apprentice and Training Committee of Sprinkler Fitters Local 692 of Philadelphia and Vicinity, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. #OliverFPS #FireProtection #Safety #TeamWork #UnionStrong

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Post Update Proposed Revisions to Lead Standards Respirator Requirements. OSHA is proposing updates to the respirator-related provisions of its Lead Standards. These revisions are designed to align with the general Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and offer greater flexibility to employers. Key proposed changes include: Allowing employers broader options when selecting compliant respirators. Removing overly prescriptive requirements such as mandatory use of full facepiece respirators or HEPA filters. Permitting the use of half-mask respirators that meet current NIOSH certification standards. Reducing compliance burdens, with estimated cost savings of up to $23 million annually if half-mask respirators are adopted widely. Maintaining worker protection while streamlining outdated regulatory language. These revisions aim to modernize the standard without compromising health and safety. #LeadExposure #RespiratoryProtection #OSHACompliance #WorkplaceSafety #DSST

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Future Environment Designs (#FEDTC) announces an eLearning course that meets the asbestos training requirements for the NYS Apprentice Program. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/40pIKcn

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On this episode of Ask The Expert, Jessica Loveless of SERVPRO of Allentown Central & Western Lehigh County shares how strategy, empathy and expertise come together to elevate contents restoration. Watch the full episode: https://brnw.ch/21wVIFH #AskTheExpert #ContentsRestoration #RestorationIndustry #SERVPRO #LeadershipInRestoration

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Episode #4 of Fire & Safety Services of New Jersey’s “From Framerails to Finish” is out now! This episode features Ladder Company 1 at the Morristown Fire Department in Morristown, NJ. Fire & Safety Services of New Jersey presents “From Framerails to Finish”, a four-part film series to coincide with their 2025 Fire & Safety Services calendar. Jeremy Donch with National Fire Radio tells the stories of the firefighters and apparatus that support these communities. Thank you to National Fire Radio, Fire & Safety Services of New Jersey, and the Morristown Fire Department for having us out on this amazing project. Watch the full video at: National Fire Radio YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gXmaN7UH   Fire & Safety Services YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gbSiWxDf MusicBed SyncID: MB01US1R5LKZBQQ National Fire Radio Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. Morristown Fire Department Sebastian Rollo DPs: Jordan Skutar & Josh Geyer #videoproduction #firefighters #firetrucks 

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December’s 10-Minute Training takes us to Buffalo for a demanding residential fire that puts key command decisions to the test. This incident challenges assumptions about basements and highlights how building construction and interior layout shape fireground operations. We also analyze actual radio traffic—from dispatch through fire control—to pull out practical, repeatable lessons you can apply on the next call. 🎧 Size-up 🏠 Construction & layout clues 📻 Radio discipline 🔥 Decision-making under pressure 👉 Read this month’s 10-Minute Training: https://lnkd.in/gbMHvmDd

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This is an excellent presentation, given by individuals who were there that day, who first hand experienced the challenges. The Fire Service needs to learn about the complexities of mega warehouses.

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The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published 74 pages of permit-related notices in the March 7 PA Bulletin, covering air quality, water pipeline encroachment permits, and stormwater permits for various industrial and energy projects. Public comments are invited on several permits, including expansions in natural gas processing and solar energy facilities, with deadlines approaching in March and April. The bulletin also announces DEP reorganization and opportunities for public participation. - Comments invited on air quality and water pipeline permits supporting shale gas development. - Notices include stormwater permits for solar and transmission line projects impacting high-quality waterways. - DEP seeks public input on 2026 ozone season emission limits and infrastructure funding plans. Stay informed and participate in Pennsylvania’s environmental decisions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gsNgfiNW #PRESWERX #PennsylvaniaConstruction #Wastewater

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