This-N-That
Routing Responders To An Emergency
Those who use trails and pathways regularly may know their way around, but would they be able to pinpoint their location during an emergency?
911 trail-marking systems like the one in Lenexa, Kan., are becoming more popular to assist in directing emergency personnel to a particular location.
With the help of Eagle Scout David Urban, Lenexa parks, police, fire and GIS staff devised a mapping and marking system that uses GIS information to enable trail users to report the location of an emergency.
Partnering with Mid-America Regional Council, the city tested the system in a select area before expanding its reach. The signs have already helped responders locate people with injuries and medical emergencies.
The system calls for strategically placed signs along trails. The signs are marked as “9-1-1 Locations,” and each bears a unique alpha-numeric address designating the position on the trail. Each address includes pre-established information such as access onto the trail, narrow bridges, all-terrain vehicle access, and other information this is helpful to responding emergency personnel.
The city has expanded the program to include nearby county parks and neighboring cities. Each community that implements the program will use similar signs so they are easy to identify. The corresponding jurisdiction’s logo is included to help people determine when they’ve crossed into a new jurisdiction.
In addition to assisting in emergency situations, it is believed that the trail signs deter potential problems on trails when individuals know that immediate access is available and areas are closely monitored.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Field Notes
To accommodate for its continued growth, UV disinfection specialist Aquionics has moved to a new location in Erlanger, Ky. The new facility allows the company to complete more of its manufacturing in-house.
Christopher Sawyer has been appointed to Mission Development Specialist for the National Swimming Pool Foundation . He was hired to assist with the foundation’s efforts to foster education, empowering and elevating more aquatic professionals across the United States.
The Play and Playground News Center has added a new feature to its website–columnists. Check it out at www.playgroundprofessionals.com .
Johnson Outdoors Gear (JOG) and Watercraft divisions appointed Paul Johnson to senior director of sales, JOG and Watercraft; Chris Lussier to senior regional/international sales manager for JOG/Jetboil; Gregg Gunderman to eastern regional sales manager for Watercraft and Jeff Cunningham to western regional sales manager for Watercraft and JOG/Jetboil key accounts.
BSN Sports , a sporting goods distributor, acquired Arlington, Mass.-based Holovak & Coughlin, an independent sporting-goods team distributor.
Congratulations to PlayCore for being awarded the Champion of the Community Award by the California Park & Recreation Society. The company received the award for Building Communities through Play, Recreation, and Service.
Turface Athletics launched a new expanded online video library at Turface.com. The free online video library boasts more than a dozen video segments intended to educate sports field managers at any level of play on the latest maintenance and renovation techniques for ball fields and sports turf.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Word On The Web
On “What’s Your Style?” (by Steve Yeskulsky, PRB April 2011)
“Very interesting read. A couple leaders I work with come to mind. I think if asked them which category THEY think they fall into, it may differ from where their employees would put them!”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Memoriam
Houston—Tim Heckler, former chief executive officer of the United States Professional Tennis Association, passed away Feb. 4. Heckler retired from his position in December 2012, after 30 years. When he was tapped as CEO in 1982, the organization had approximately 2,400 members and an annual budget of $700,000. He grew the association to the world’s oldest and largest organization of its kind, serving more than 15,000 members in 66 countries, and operating on an annual budget of $6.5 million. He was 71 years old.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RNT Solutions To Serve Aquatic Industry
Akron, Ohio—RNT Solutions, LLC has been formed to focus on new product development and business acquisitions for the competitive swimming and water polo markets. Neal Thomas is bringing his 30+ years of experience in the aquatic industry to create a company focused on the end-user of aquatic products. He formerly headed up Competitor Swim Products, a Division of Richey Industries.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RecyclePro Accepts GSA Advantage
RecyclePro Receptacles can be purchased under Fibrex’s GSA Federal Contract #GS-07F-0239M. If you are a federal, state, or local government or a military installation who qualifies to purchase from GSA Advantage, you can now purchase these versatile receptacles directly from their website www.gsaadvantage.com . Receptacles are fabricated with recycled, fire-proof aluminum or steel and are available in single, dual, and triple compartments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports Turf Manager of the Year Award Introduced
Nominations are being sought from across the country for the Sports Turf Manager of the Year Award from the Sports Turf Association. Intended to recognize a sports turf manager for his or her professional ability and contribution, the award will be presented annually to an STA member who has displayed outstanding performance in one of many key categories including community outreach, environmental stewardship, professional development, health and safety, sports turf management techniques, project management, promotion of the profession, stewardship of interns or students, and workplace improvements or innovations. The nomination deadline is December 1. Additional information is available at www.sportsturfassociation.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calendar
September
17-20 Nevada Recreation and Park Society Conference, Incline Village, Nev. at Lake Tahoe; www.nrps.org
24-27 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, Brooklyn Center, Minn.—Earle Brown Heritage Center; www.mnrpa.org
25-27 Colorado Parks & Recreation Association, Vail, Colo. www.cpra-web.org
October
1-3 West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association Conference, Twin Falls State Park; www.wvrpa.org
8-10 National Recreation and Parks Association National Congress, Houston, Texas
16-18 10 th Annual World Aquatic Health Conference, Indianapolis, Ind.—Hyatt Regency Downtown; www.nspf.org