Category: Fire Safety

Company Officials Sentenced to Federal Prison over Deadly Facility Explosion

A Wisconsin federal judge has sentenced six Didion Milling Inc. officials for their role in a fatal explosion at a facility operated by the corn milling company in 2017. “These defendants put Didion workers in grave danger, and five people tragically lost their lives, devastating their families and their community,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. […]

The Value of Skilled Trade Certifications: A Pathway to Career Advancement and Safety

Certifications have become a cornerstone in the professional development of skilled trade workers, particularly in the fire, electrical, and life safety realms. Certification programs are designed to be comprehensive, promoting competency and safety in various specialized domains. In today’s competitive job market, the value of certifications extends far beyond a mere acknowledgment of skills; it […]

Allegiant Stadium: MVP for Super Bowl LVIII

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada—home of the Las Vegas Raiders—will host Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11. There’s plenty to celebrate in this 3 ½-year-old venue, as it’s the first time the National Football League’s (NFL) biggest game is coming to Allegiant Stadium and the first time the Super Bowl is coming to […]

FAA Awards Over $240 Million in Airport Infrastructure Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $243.7 million in Airport Infrastructure Grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The $243.7 million includes 150 grants in 37 states to modernize airport infrastructure and improve runway safety. “We saw a record number of passengers fly during the recent holiday season, and we can […]

Back to Basics: 4 Types of Sprinklers to Consider for Your Facility

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Whether facilities professionals are renovating an existing facility or doing new construction, installing the right type of sprinklers not only protects your facility from fires but also helps your organization adhere to federal, state, and local […]

EPA Awards Nearly $11M to Help Community Buildings Combat Wildfire Smoke

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected nine applicants throughout the West to receive nearly $11 million in funding through the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program. The new federal program aims to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness by providing grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public preschools, local educational agencies, and […]

Drones and Disaster Recovery: Streamlining Post-Disaster Renovations

Calamities can happen at any time. They put everything at risk—people, buildings, you name it. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are changing things for the better though. Take the 2015 Nepal earthquake, for instance. UAVs were used for search and rescue, mapping, and strategizing relief efforts. Fast-forward to 2023, the University of Maryland has […]

CSB Finalizes Reports on Fatal Explosions at Two Facilities

On Dec. 6, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on the deadly explosions and fires at the Didion Milling Inc. dry corn milling facility in Cambria, Wis. The May 2017 explosion fatally injured five employees and seriously injured another 14. The incident destroyed the facility, resulting in over $15 million […]

NFPA Unveils 2024 Outlook for Skilled Trades Industry

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released its second annual Industry Trends Survey, which reveals skilled trade workers’ sentiment around the current state of labor, training, and technology on the jobsite. NFPA collected responses from 310 U.S.-based workers in the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect/design, facility maintenance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields. In […]

Navigating Facilities Management Challenges in Educational Institutions

When we think of educational institutions, we often think of the students, faculty, and staff who make up these communities. However, behind the scenes, there is a complex network of facilities that play a vital role in creating a positive learning environment. This is often done through facilities management, which maintains all physical assets such […]