Firing or avoiding these people isn't always an option.
Good leaders need to know how to work with a variety of people — even the ones they wish they could just fire.
They have to be able to motivate underperformers, collaborate with annoying coworkers and overcome difficult employees. While this makes a leader's job frustrating, aggravatingly incompetent team members are often inescapable.
And since firing or avoiding these people isn't always an option, leaders need to learn ways to keep their cool and manage them professionally. After all, even if a team fails because of a subpar member, it reflects poorly on the leader.
1. Communicate clearly and explicitly.
A lot can go wrong when there's a lack of clear communication in a team. People have to guess — often incorrectly — about what they're supposed to do. When an issue arises, everyone starts pointing fingers, causing tension and stress. Nothing gets done in such a toxic work environment. However, it's more common than many leaders realize.
The Work Management Survey 2015 from Wrike asked 1,464 professionals about how they get work accomplished. The top work stressor was missing information, with 52 percent of respondents naming it as an issue. Also high on the list were unclear leadership (44 percent) and unclear accountability (44 percent). It's up to leaders to create an environment where everyone is on the same page, and there are no excuses for why something did not get done.
Establish a communication system that everyone is expected to follow. Provide examples about how the team will share information and discuss their progress. For instance, let employees know that after every meeting or important face-to-face conversation, there will be a written follow-up that provides a summary of what was discussed and next steps. That way, everyone can refer to the notes when they need information.
Sometimes there are difficult coworkers who always cause trouble. It doesn't matter what a leader does, eventually something becomes a big problem. And rather than admitting their fault and working to find a solution, these employees turn the situation into a "he said, she said" argument.
Avoid the fallout of these confrontations by documenting everything. As soon as there are signs of trouble — whether it's a team member not pulling their weight or someone making inappropriate comments — start recording the details. If there's an argument, have both sides give their accounts.
If things ever get to the point where senior leadership gets involved, there will be clear documentation about what happened and who is at fault. Be as objective as possible in these situations. Remember, a calm approach will always appear more rational and prudent than someone screaming and placing blame.
Everyone has their breaking point — that line where they can't stand dealing with difficult coworkers any more, and they explode. However, great leaders should avoid ever crossing that line. Maintaining good mental health is essential to staying calm.
First, know when to take breaks. According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, conflicts are more likely to break out in open offices. When tensions begin to rise in the shared workspace, walk away and find a place to de-stress. This provides time to stop and cool off before having to face an annoying team member again.
Another option is having an appropriate person to vent frustrations to. A friend who does not work in the office is a great option. Bounce ideas off them about ways to deal with particularly difficult issues. The can provide empathy or perspective depending on the situation.
4. Be prepared for the tough choices.
After having to deal with incompetent or difficult coworkers for a while, it's tempting to just let them fall on their face. Instead of wasting time and energy pulling their weight, watching them fail seems easier. However, is that really what's best for the team?
Research from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School found that deviant behavior from one team member causes others to work harder than if there wasn't misconduct. So while it can be incredibly annoying to work with incompetent people, in the end, it can improve the rest of the team.
Always consider the needs of the organization before deciding to stop picking up someone else's slack. Think about how important the success of a project is compared to the possible damage the individual can cause on their own. If the former outweighs the latter, it's best to just continue working through the issues.
Nobody enjoys working with difficult coworkers, but it's something every leader needs to do. More importantly, they need to be able to do it in a professional way. But by focusing on their actions rather than someone else's, they can still successfully manage the team.


At a RNLI awards ceremony, held at the Ramside Hotel in Durham recently, 2 Cullercoats RNLI volunteers were honoured with service awards. Both were presented with their honorary badges by Chairman of the RNLI, Charles Hunter-Pease, who personally thanked them for their commitment and loyal service.
Frank Taylor was officially acknowledged for his dedication and service with RNLI. He was awarded a Gold Badge which is one of the highest accolades the RNLI bestow. His 31 years' service includes 10 years as a shore crew member, 14 years as Launching Authority with the last 7 years as the Cullercoats Lifeboat Operations Manager.
Peter Clark, Senior Helmsman, was presented with his Long Service Badge. He joined Cullercoats Lifeboat 21 years ago. As a local fisherman, his knowledge of the coastline and seas has been a great advantage with his lifeboat skills, invaluable when dealing with rescue situations.
He passes this important knowledge and experience to our younger crew volunteers in our training sessions and exercises. A popular crew member with everyone at the station, Peter encourages a good team ethic between all the volunteers at Cullercoats and is well respected.
Cullercoats RNLI Chairman, David Wakenshaw, said; 'Frank and Peter have given their time and loyalty to the successful running and organising of the station to Help Save Lives at Sea. Their experience is extremely valuable and I am very pleased they have both been recognised with their awards. It is richly deserved'.


Your staff is always on the road, handling tasks that carry a lot of weight. Whether caring for clients, delivering medical supplies, or transporting individuals, you need a vehicle equipped to get the job done without fail. Safety, security and reliability are what matters most. And Mike Albert helps you deliver. See how our fleet management solutions can help you improve customer service and lower costs.
Improve safety and increase productivity with an upfit package that is designed specifically for you. Specialty access, lifts and storage solutions can be custom fitted to best meet the needs of your fleet. Our Truck Team can help you plan your team's vehicles to utilize space and keep their riders and their cargo safe. Turn to Mike Albert to see how to upfit for mobility.
Do you know where your vehicles are? Do you know if they're on schedule, refueling or in an accident? At Mike Albert, we offer telematics services so you know exactly where your vehicles are at all times. Our telematics services offer real-time updates on location, speed, idling, trip distance, and more. We'll get you all the information you need to put your mind at ease.
Expand your fleet and reduce your carbon footprint by partnering with Mike Albert. We have the in-house expertise to help you transition from an aging inefficient fleet to a new energy efficient one. See how we can help you reduce fuel costs, reduce energy costs, and reduce maintenance for vehicles.


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Home/Latest News/Oppo A83 (2018), F9, F9 Pro Price in India Cut by Up to Rs. 2,000 in Christmas, New Year Offer
Oppo A83 (2018), F9, F9 Pro Price in India Cut by Up to Rs. 2,000 in Christmas, New Year Offer
After slashing the prices of the A3s and A5 earlier this month, Oppo has now dropped the prices of three other models in India. The company has confirmed Gadgets 360 that the list of smartphones that have received the new prices includes the Oppo A83 (2018), F9, and the F9 Pro. There is a price drop of as much as Rs. 2,000. The new prices are importantly rolling out through online and offline retail channels in the country under the company's "Merry Christmas and New Year 2019 Special Offer" that is valid until January 31, 2019. The company has also tied up with Bajaj Finserv to offer the smartphones with EMI options.
With the new change, the Oppo A83 (2018) 2GB price has been dropped from Rs. 8,990 to Rs. 8,490. The Oppo F9 that was launched in India back in August at a price tag of Rs. 19,990 has now been priced at Rs. 16,990. The smartphone notably received a price cut of Rs. 1,000 in October that brought it down to Rs. 18,990.
Oppo F9 Review
The Oppo F9 Pro that was launched in India alongside the F9 back in August has also received a price drop and is now available at Rs. 21,990 for the standard 64GB storage variant. This is Rs. 2,000 less than the launch price of the smartphone that was set at Rs. 23,990.
Oppo F9 Pro Review
Oppo has also dropped the price of the F9 Pro 128GB storage variant that debuted last month at a price tag of Rs. 25,990. The new price is set at Rs. 23,990.
The new prices are rolling out through online marketplaces such as Amazon.in and Flipkart as well as available via offline retailers in India. Oppo has also tied up with Bajaj Finserv to offer EMI options with the smartphones.
Mumbai-based Mahesh Telecom first reported the price cut through a tweet on Wednesday.
As we mentioned, it isn't irregular for Oppo to reduce prices of its smartphones in India. The company just earlier this month dropped the price of the Oppo A3s 2GB RAM model to Rs. 8,990. The Oppo A5 also received a price cut and is currently available with a starting price of Rs. 13,990.
A83 Christmas Cut F9 india Offer Oppo oppo a83 (2018) f9 f9 pro price in india cut by up to rs. 2000 in christmas new year offer oppo a83 2018 price in india oppo a83 2018 oppo f9 oppo f9 price in india oppo f9 pro oppo f9 pro 128gb oppo f9 pro 128gb price in india oppo f9 pro price in india Price Pro Rs Year
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Nokia 6 (2018), Nokia 7 Plus Android 8.1 Oreo Update Now Rolling Out in India

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Jose Reyes Rumors: Mets Comfortable With Marlins' Six-Year, $90 Million Offer
By Jimmy Hascup Nov 15, 2011, 9:35pm EST
Share All sharing options for: Jose Reyes Rumors: Mets Comfortable With Marlins' Six-Year, $90 Million Offer
The free agent hot stove is beginning to simmer, especially with regard to shortstop Jose Reyes. Earlier Tuesday, FOX Sports reported that the Miami Marlins offered Reyes a six-year, $90 million deal. Then, in the evening, Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman tweeted that the Mets would be comfortable with that per-year dollar amount, though the chances that's what Reyes ultimately ends up with remains unlikely
"Assuming report of $90M (sic) for 6 from miami for reyes is right, mets think they can play there. No 1 expects that to be final # tho," Heyman tweeted.
At the beginning of the offseason, rumblings from the front office indicated that they'd be unwilling to offer Reyes anything larger than a five-year deal, so the chances the general manager Sandy Alderson would match an offer like this doesn't seem too high. What's also obvious is that while this is just the first offer, Reyes hasn't accepted it -- despite the reported mutual interest between Reyes and the Marlins -- so he believes he can get more somewhere. You'd have to think some team would pay him more than $15 million per.
The other problem for the Mets, according to FOX Sports, is that Reyes is very much intrigued by the Marlins and playing for Ozzie Guillen, a former shortstop. Part of the allure with Miami is that the climate is warm, the stadium has a retractive roof and he wouldn't have to play as many games in the northeast, thus possibly helping him stay healthy.
Last week, the Marlins also made offers to Albert Pujols, Mark Buehrle and Ryan Madson -- in addition to the 28-year-old shortstop. But many within the industry are unsure whether the Marlins are serious about truly making a splash this offseason, according to FOX Sports.
Alderson will continue to monitor this situation, but it's clear that the Mets are on the backburner right now because they really won't be able to compete financially -- and the GM isn't a fan of such a long-term deal.
Jose Reyes Gets $110-Million Deal, Bolts Mets For Marlins
Mets Lose Out to Marlins as Reyes Agrees to Six-Year Contract
Jose Reyes Rumors: Mets GM Sandy Alderson Has Spoken To Agent, Talks In Early Stages


Definition: The little letters or non-capital letters of the alphabet are lowercase glyphs. They make up the bulk of written text, with uppercase or capital letters used primarily only to start sentences or proper names.
The term lowercase is derived from the days of metal type where the more frequently used letters were kept near at hand in the lower case while the less frequently used capital letters were kept in the harder to reach upper case.
Lower case (also lower-case or lowercase), minuscule, or small letters are the smaller form of letters, as opposed to upper case or capital letters, as used in European alphabets (Greek, Latin, Cyrillic, and Armenian). For example, the letter "a" is lower case while the letter "A" is upper case.
Originally alphabets were written entirely in capital letters, spaced between well-defined upper and lower bounds. When written quickly with a pen, these tended to turn into rounder and much simpler forms, like uncials. It is from these that the first minuscule hands developed, the half-uncials and cursive minuscule, which no longer stay bound between a pair of lines.
These in turn formed the foundations for the Carolingian minuscule script, developed by Alcuin for use in the court of Charlemagne, which quickly spread across Europe. Here for the first time it became common to mix both upper and lower case letters in a single text.
The term "lower case" comes from manual typesetting. Since minuscules were more frequent in text than majuscules, typesetters placed them in the lower and nearer type case, while the case with the majuscules (the "upper case") was above and behind, a longer reach.
The word minuscule is often spelled miniscule, by association with the unrelated word miniature and the prefix mini-. This has traditionally been regarded as a spelling mistake (since minuscule is derived from the word minus), but is now so common that some dictionaries tend to accept it as a nonstandard or variant spelling. However, miniscule is still less likely to be used for lower-case letters.
to print or set in lowercase letters.


less than afflicted SKIES, the 3rd quantity within the Western Quest sequence, follows Aaron Turner, his friends and family, throughout the tumultuous years culminating within the warfare for Texas Independence from Mexico. Aaron, a tall purple headed forty-three yr outdated Methodist minister and significant within the armed forces desires to increase his family members, vegetation and cattle in peace alongside the Navasota River. yet many trials can be persisted and lots more and plenty bloodshed sooner than he'll locate that peace. he's known as upon by way of the Mexican executive and his good friend, Stephen Austin, to place down the Fredonian uprising in Nacogdoches. For his motion, he's promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in control of the Northeast Texas military. He quickly reveals that protecting the peace and keeping order in one of these huge sector is a giant activity. His previous acquaintance, Santa Anna, prevails in a bloody civil struggle that leaves him dictator of all Mexico. The clash spreads into the province of Texas, the place Aaron will face him back at San Jacinto. At what rate will he locate the peace and prosperity he has sought within the new "promised land?" STEPHEN L. TURNER used to be born a 5th new release Texan, a 6th new release Arkansas and an 8th iteration American. His early life used to be steeped within the background and tradition of his background. He graduated from Texas Tech tuition of drugs and has labored as a pediatrician in rural Plainview, Texas on the grounds that 1984. he's married and has grownup childrens. He spends his loose time working their panhandle ranch, elevating and coaching horses, and searching. he's the writer of OUT OF THE barren region and at the CAMINO actual, the 1st volumes of the Western Quest Series.
Within the yr 1938, whilst Russia used to be paralyzed through Stalin's terror, a small nation records in Moscow obtained an previous manuscript known as Revelation of fireplace that had in prior days been saved mystery in a monastery for a very long time. while, in present time, a Dutch Slavonic student and a feminine archivist observe that the manuscript, although less than lock and key, has disappeared.
One other part of the road follows a tender woman's seven-year development from neophyte instructor to gutsy union activist. It's 1914, and the coal in southern West Virginia is a firmly entrenched hegemony, having succeeded in retaining the union out. careworn and intimidated by way of strikebreakers, coal miners paintings in harmful underground stipulations whereas their households undergo monetary exploitation in cities owned via coal businesses.


The school provides an outstanding quality of education.
Progress is outstanding in English, mathematics, science and information and communication technology.
The huge respect students have for one another and the staff is the hallmark of this outstanding school.
Teachers use their exceptionally strong subject knowledge to inspire students to achieve.
Parents speak exceptionally highly of the leadership of the school's chief executive officer, principal and senior staff.
The highly effective senior leadership team, in partnership with the very well-informed board of directors, have led improvements with clarity of vision and relentless determination.
From 14th to 16th May 2018, elc International School was visited by a team of four inspectors from Education Development Trust, a registered charity in England.
The inspectors looked at work in students' journals, observed 63 lessons, held 25 meetings and reviewed school documentation on students' progress, health and safety and safeguarding arrangements. We were judged outstanding in all eight standards. Consequently elc International School has been awarded the International Schools Quality Mark at the Gold level.
This outcome is testimony to the commitment of our staff- our teachers, management, as well as the non-teaching staff such as gardeners ("water features, green spaces and trees create a sense of peace and tranquility in a lush landscape") and guards ("Students' arrival to, and departure from, the school are organised well and warm greetings from teachers and security guards ensure a positive start to the day").
We have been accredited for five years (until 16 May 2023). Rest assured we are not resting on our laurels but already planning improvements to be delivered over the next five years.


15.1 billion smackers. Reportedly, China's national oil agency (CNOOC) is willing to cut a deal with Canada for a real puddle of oil for 15.1 billion dollars (US). Lovely.
Now Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have a dump in their diapers and want to change the course for which they previously fought.
I respectfully urge you, in your capacity as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to withhold approval of this transaction to ensure U.S. companies reciprocal treatment.
This deal prompts great concern about the Chinese government's continued attempts to use its state-owned enterprises to acquire global energy resources.
Saying "I told you so" offers little solace to concerned Republican lawmakers.
"Do we really want to be buying our oil or Canadian oil back from the Chinese?" said Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND). "If we don't take action to develop our resources and work with our closest friend and ally Canada, that's exactly what's going to happen.


The KeyGhost hardware keylogger features a revolutionary built-in 'Ghost menu' which allows the retrieval of keystrokes without the need for installing software or using special adapters. (Note: because no software is required it is invisible to software keylogger scanners).
By enabling our Patent Pending method, the 'Ghost menu' download speed on the KeyGhost SX becomes 3 times faster.


They look cute and cuddly. But look again and you'll see them for what they are: bombs, missiles and mortars. As toy guns are popular as ever, Hannah van Luttervelt thought it was time to take the next step with these toys of mass destruction. Although they are made from soft wool, the shape and size are for real. The biggest of them all is a stuffed replica of the nuke that was thrown on Hiroshima, which ironically was nicknamed 'Little Boy'. Could the contradiction be any more obvious? A short accompanying movie shows how politicians play with their bombs like boys with their toys. Isn't it time to stop this madness?


The Fender Custom, a.k.a. Fender Maverick, was originally designed to get rid of old necks and bodies originally intended for the Electrix XII that wasn't exactly the success Fender hoped it would be. Later on, purpose-built necks were used. A part of the original 12-string headstock was simply cut out, glued together, and then covered by veneer on back and front. This model was only made in 1969 and 1970.
Remarks: A good thing you can't see the back side of this guitar. The Customs were finished in black at the rear, and obviously re-used Electric XII bodies. Ug-ly.
Please report dead links, possible copyright infringements or guitar-related info to the maintainer of these pages, Richard Karsmakers. You are also quite welcome to send in pictures (with relevant data) of guitars that are so far lacking above!


First, you guys asked for it, and we finally got it. HarperTeen has released the music from the trailer for The One which, as it turns out, was made especially for that video. You can download it here.
Second, Margot tagged me in the Epic Reads Book Tag. The video is below. If you want to participate, make a video, label it Epic Reads Book Tag, answer the questions, and tag your friends!
Third, I may have done some normal, non-interesting, totally average readings of quotes from The Selection series. If you want to see, here you go.
And finally, my first round of events are up. Yes, I will be going on tour for The Heir. Dates and cities will be coming very soon! And, yes, there are some international trips in the works, but I cannot talk about them until they're final.
I think that's pretty much everything. Oh, I also saw this guy. Now we're done.


In that time it also returned some color photos of the Venusian surface. Threads collapsed expanded unthreaded. When Erin was 17, she went along to a seminar with her year 11 class where she was told not to photograph herself naked — and definitely not to send such a picture to someone else. There was no indication that the man had shared the images, nor that their relationship had been physical. In the spirit of fairness, I've combined the two words of the year and applied them to robots. We asked women what they feel about nudes, and the answer?
It was also great for keeping track of the build-up of Martian dust on its panels.
The Japanese Hayabusa asteroid sample return mission got a little creative with this selfie effort. The older I've gotten, the less I need or care for the self-esteem boost. Order by newest oldest recommendations. Combined with the capabilities of today's technology, the selfie seemed inevitable the naked selfie is an even more loaded phenomenon, she said. This double standard is felt keenly by young women, who are more likely to be told not take intimate images of themselves than their male peers are to be told not to share any they are sent. I have had lots of body issues surrounding weight and stretch marks and have had eating disorder issues in my past. Film 50 great quotes about acting.


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This year we have again hooked up with Hayters turkeys….the best in the business.
Our first ever Customer Appreciation is in the books. Wow what can we say. The turn out was unbelievable. The support we get from all of you is truly humbling.
Due to the demand of deliveries we are changing our delivery schedule to better serve you…our customer.
To eliminate Saturday deliveries we are now sending our deliveries out Thursday Afternoon.
This will ensure you Farm Fresh Meats for the weekend and throughout the week.
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Well June came flying in with some serious heat!!!
This month we have some awesome bbq packs along with our TASTE OF THE FARM PACKAGE.
Time to do some grillin and chillin with family and friends….
Bring some farm fresh LOCAL meats to your bbq this weekend.
We got some AWESOME packs and a SWEET prize ready for the May long weekend!!!
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Build your own tasty kabobs, Breakfast and BBQ for Mom!
Spring has finally shown up and to celebrate we are having a WING sale.


When news of a hiring event reaches your ears, you may be relieved. After all, if your job search has been less than successful, a hiring event sounds like a quick solution to your worries. But there are drawbacks to hiring event as well as benefits. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons.
Pro: You'll Have Access to Many Employers in One Location It's convenient and time efficient to connect with multiple employers on one day in one location. Your effort is reduced to browsing among tables, chatting briefly with company representatives and collecting business cards.
Con: Your Competition is Right There, Too Of course, your competition is going to show up, too. So all those employers will be able to compare you side by side with all the other job applicants they see that day.
Pro: You Don't Have to Wait For an Interview to Show How Professional You Look You should always dress for a hiring event as if you already work at the company of your dreams. In other words, wear your interview attire. This is a perfect opportunity to show that you're a professional and you know how to dress and comport yourself.
Con: It's Harder to Stand Out The downside is, it's harder to stand out in a crowd if your competition also knows how to dress for the hiring event. While most people actually won't dress up, there will no doubt be some sharp attendees who will make it more challenging for you to make yourself memorable to employers.
Pro: You Can Network With Other Attendees Anyone who's attending can make a good connection for you as far as networking. They've all been at other companies, and you may be interested in a job they've left. A hiring event is a chance for you to expand your network, even if it's with other people who are looking for employment.
The sheer number of attendees may mean you have to wait in line for a long time to see your employer of choice. This can take away from the time you have left to visit other employers.
As long as you're aware of the pros and cons of hiring events, they can be worth your time. One thing is sure: hiring events are guaranteed to attract employers that have a genuine need to find talented people just like you!


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Youtube / Investigative Committee Russian Federatsiisledstvenny committee of Russia has posted on YouTube new video of attack on police officers in the center of Moscow. On shots it is visible how the man passing the carriageway suddenly begins to shoot at two police officers passing across the sidewalk. Between them firefight during which the police officer backfire will wound the attacker begins, and that falls to the ground. Subsequently the man has died in hospital. It has become clear that he was a 31-year-old native of Kabardino-Balkaria and, according to preliminary data, I didn't belong to the extremist organizations. According to a source of Interfax the malefactor had no experience of weapon handling: during firefight he has made not less than ten shots, having got to the police officer only once. The employee was hit not getting wound in a leg. It is more than important news in Film of Day Telegram-channel. Subscribe!


E83: Is Cabelas Capitulating To The ANTI-HUNTING Thought Police?
Don't Let Their Silence Fool You!
Who Would Jesus Troll? Should Christians Argue With Idiots On Social Media?
10 Commandments For Dating My Daughter.


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Alliance of Carolinians Together Against Coal Ash
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Home / ACT Against Coal Ash Open Letter to the NCGA
ACT Against Coal Ash Open Letter to the NCGA
To the Members of the N.C. General Assembly:
Since the Dan River coal ash spill in February 2014, seldom has a day passed in North Carolina when coal ash is not in the news; the disposition of coal ash in North Carolina is of vital importance to public health and the environment. Our communities are being profoundly impacted: some of us already living day to day with contaminated water and air, and others are facing new impacts in areas which have been targeted for the disposal of coal ash.
During the summer of 2015, North Carolina communities previously impacted by coal ash, and those currently dealing with new coal ash landfills, joined together with a shared vision and common goal to form the Alliance of Carolinians Together (ACT) Against Coal Ash. Believing that the coal ash emergency in North Carolina deserves a real, comprehensive solution that will protect all communities, we crafted the ACT Against Coal Ash unifying principles. A few of the key principles are below, and the full document can be found here.
Please don't let this short session close without taking action to assure that communities near coal ash sites have safe replacement water supplies as soon as possible, that communities facing new coal ash landfills are protected and that cleanups move forward quickly, with no "capping in place."
We believe that all people, regardless of race and socio-economic class, have a right to healthy communities, clean water, clean air, and safe food and soil.
We believe that living in close proximity to coal ash infringes on these basic rights.
We demand a transparent process to coal ash cleanup in which Duke Energy and N.C. decision makers are open and honest about the health effects of chemicals found in coal ash, and any plans for disposal or recycling coal ash.
We call on Duke Energy and N.C. decision makers to urgently respond to the need to test any water supply well that may have been contaminated by coal ash, not just those with 1,000 feet. The tests must be paid for by Duke and performed by an independent lab using the most sensitive and comprehensive testing methods.
We call on N.C. decision makers to require Duke Energy to pay for independent oversight of the coal ash cleanup process, independent analysis of current coal ash contamination, research by public and private entities to find the best solutions to this problem, and random and unannounced inspections of the coal ash sites by state regulators.
We demand that N.C. decision makers and Duke Energy prioritize worker safety during all phases of coal ash cleanup and site remediation.
We call on N.C. decision makers and Duke Energy to strive for a permanent solution to coal ash that prioritizes community safety. We demand that any coal ash that cannot be safely recycled or processed be stored on Duke Energy property with the company maintaining liability. We will not accept dumping of the ash in other communities or capping-in-place as solutions. We demand that the ash be urgently isolated from ground and surface water at all locations.
We call on Duke Energy and N.C. decision makers to invest in a sustainable, healthy, affordable, and responsible energy future for N.C. that supports the growth of solar, wind energy, and energy efficiency programs, and moves away from coal, natural gas, and other harmful and expensive methods of generating power that poison communities and affect North Carolinians' quality of life.
As our elected representatives you have the opportunity – and responsibility – to do what is right for the residents of North Carolina. We call on the General Assembly to make sure no community is left to suffer from coal ash now, or in the future.
The Alliance of Carolinians Together Against Coal Ash
actagainstcoalash.org
Individual community representatives:
Bobby Jones, representing Down East Coal Ash Coalition, Goldsboro
Caroline Armijo, representing Residents for Coal Ash Cleanup, Belews Creek
Roger Hollis, representing residents near Cliffside / Rogers Energy Complex
Debbie Baker and Amy Brown, representing neighbors of Allen Steam Station
Jeri Cruz-Segarra, representing resident near Asheville Steam Station
John Wagner and Judy Hogan, representing Chatham Citizens Against Coal Ash Dumps
Deborah B. Graham, representing neighbors of Buck Steam Station


text:
Q: Garbage collection of seemingly PROTECTed pairlist I want to write an R function using R's C interface that takes a 2-column matrix of increasing, non-overlapping integer intervals and returns a list with those intervals plus some added intervals, such that there are no gaps. For example, it should take the matrix rbind(c(5L, 6L), c(7L, 10L), c(20L, 30L)) and return list(c(5L, 6L), c(7L, 10L), c(11L, 19L), c(20L, 30L)). Because the output is of variable length, I use a pairlist (because it is growable) and then I call Rf_PairToVectorList() at the end to make it into a regular list.
I'm getting a strange garbage collection error. My PROTECTed pairlist prlst gets garbage collected away and causes a memory leak error when I try to access it.
Here's my code.
#include <Rinternals.h>

SEXP C_int_mat_nth_row_nrnc(int *int_mat_int, int nr, int nc, int n) {
  SEXP out = PROTECT(Rf_allocVector(INTSXP, nc));
  int *out_int = INTEGER(out);
  if (n <= 0 | n > nr) {
    for (int i = 0; i != nc; ++i) {
      out_int[i] = NA_INTEGER;
    }
  } else {
    for (int i = 0; i != nr; ++i) {
      out_int[i] = int_mat_int[n - 1 + i * nr];
    }
  }
  UNPROTECT(1);
  return out;
}

SEXP C_make_len2_int_vec(int first, int second) {
  SEXP out = PROTECT(Rf_allocVector(INTSXP, 2));
  int *out_int = INTEGER(out);
  out_int[0] = first;
  out_int[1] = second;
  UNPROTECT(1);
  return out;
}

SEXP C_fullocate(SEXP int_mat) {
  int nr = Rf_nrows(int_mat), *int_mat_int = INTEGER(int_mat);
  int last, row_num;  // row_num will be 1-indexed
  SEXP prlst0cdr = PROTECT(C_int_mat_nth_row_nrnc(int_mat_int, nr, 2, 1));
  SEXP prlst = PROTECT(Rf_list1(prlst0cdr));
  SEXP prlst_tail = prlst;
  last = INTEGER(prlst0cdr)[1];
  row_num = 2;
  while (row_num <= nr) {
    Rprintf("row_num: %i\n", row_num);
    SEXP row = PROTECT(C_int_mat_nth_row_nrnc(int_mat_int, nr, 2, row_num));
    Rf_PrintValue(prlst);  // This is where the error occurs
    int *row_int = INTEGER(row);
    if (row_int[0] == last + 1) {
      Rprintf("here1");
      SEXP next = PROTECT(Rf_list1(row));
      prlst_tail = SETCDR(prlst_tail, next);
      last = row_int[1];
      UNPROTECT(1);
      ++row_num;
    } else {
      Rprintf("here2");
      SEXP next_car = PROTECT(C_make_len2_int_vec(last + 1, row_int[0] - 1));
      SEXP next = PROTECT(Rf_list1(next_car));
      prlst_tail = SETCDR(prlst_tail, next);
      last = row_int[0] - 1;
      UNPROTECT(2);
    }
    UNPROTECT(1);
  }
  SEXP out = PROTECT(Rf_PairToVectorList(prlst));
  UNPROTECT(3);
  return out;
}

As you can see, I have some diagnostic print statements in there. The offending line is line 40, which I have marked with a comment of // This is where the error occurs. I have a minimal reproducible package at https://github.com/rorynolan/testpkg and I have run R CMD CHECK with valgrind using GitHub actions, the results of which are at https://github.com/rorynolan/testpkg/runs/1076595757?check_suite_focus=true. That's where I found out which line is causing the error.
I really want to know what my mistake is.
I should add that this function works as expected sometimes, and then sometimes this issue appears. This lends weight to the suspicion that it's a garbage collection issue.

A: Instead of trying to grow then convert a pairlist, you can use a standard list (a VECSXP). The reason why you don't need to grow a list is that a quick one-line loop through your matrix will tell you how many "gaps" you have in your numbers, and therefore how many vectors you need to pre-allocate in the list. This turns out to make things considerably simpler and probably a bit more efficient too.
The other changes I have made are to move to a single helper function, which simply assigns a length-2 integer vector from two ints, and to UNPROTECT en masse at the end of your C_fullocate function. This is simple to do, since we have only assigned one vector per element of the final list, plus the list itself.
The function for creating length-2 INTSXPs from two ints looks like this:
#include <Rinternals.h>

SEXP C_intsxp2(int first, int second)
{
  SEXP out = PROTECT(Rf_allocVector(INTSXP, 2));
  INTEGER(out)[0] = first;
  INTEGER(out)[1] = second;
  UNPROTECT(1);
  return out;
}

And your main function becomes:
SEXP C_fullocate(SEXP int_mat)
{
  int rows       = Rf_nrows(int_mat);
  int *values    = INTEGER(int_mat);
  int total_rows = rows;
  int rownum     = 1;

  // Counts how many elements we need in our list
  for(int i = 0; i < (rows - 1); ++i) {
    if(values[rows + i] != values[i + 1] - 1) ++total_rows;
  }

  // Creates the main list we will output at the end of the function
  SEXP list = PROTECT(Rf_allocVector(VECSXP, total_rows));

  // Creates and assigns first row
  SET_VECTOR_ELT(list, 0, PROTECT(C_intsxp2(values[0], values[rows])));

  for(int i = 1; i < rows; ++i) // Cycle through rest of the rows
  {
    if(values[rows + i - 1] != values[i] - 1) // Insert extra row if there's a gap
    {
      SEXP extra = PROTECT(C_intsxp2(values[rows + i - 1] + 1, values[i] - 1));
      SET_VECTOR_ELT(list, rownum++, extra);
    }
    // Copy next row of original matrix into our list
    SEXP next_row = PROTECT(C_intsxp2(values[i], values[i + rows]));
    SET_VECTOR_ELT(list, rownum++, next_row);
  }

  UNPROTECT(total_rows + 1);  // Unprotects all assigned rows plus main list

  return list;
}

So in R we have
test_mat <- matrix(as.integer(c(2, 10, 11, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60)),
                   ncol = 2, byrow = TRUE)

test_mat
#>      [,1] [,2]
#> [1,]    2   10
#> [2,]   11   20
#> [3,]   30   40
#> [4,]   50   60

And we can do:
fullocate(test_mat)
#> [[1]]
#> [1]  2 10
#>
#> [[2]]
#> [1] 11 20
#>
#> [[3]]
#> [1] 21 29
#>
#> [[4]]
#> [1] 30 40
#>
#> [[5]]
#> [1] 41 49
#>
#> [[6]]
#> [1] 50 60

Of course, the whole thing can be done much more simply using a single function in Rcpp. Here's an example where you can just grow the list, making the code considerably simpler (if maybe a little less efficient).
#include <Rcpp.h>
using namespace Rcpp;

// [[Rcpp::export]]
List fullocate(IntegerMatrix m)
{
  List l = List::create(m(0, _));
  for(int i = 1; i < m.nrow(); ++i)
  {
    if(m(i, 0) != m(i - 1, 1) + 1){
      l.push_back(NumericVector::create(m(i - 1, 1) + 1, m(i, 0) - 1));
    }
    l.push_back(NumericVector::create(m(i, 0), m(i, 1)));
  }
  return l;
}

A: Function C_int_mat_nth_row_nrnc is writing values beyond the allocated limits.

*

*Allocation in line 5 is of size nc.

*Then, line 12 uses nr as a limit

*... which is larger than nc in line 39.

SEXP C_int_mat_nth_row_nrnc(int *int_mat_int, int nr, int nc, int n) {
  SEXP out = PROTECT(Rf_allocVector(INTSXP, nc)); // allocating with `nc`
  ...
      for (int i = 0; i != nr; ++i) { // but `nr` is used as a limit
        out_int[i] = ...
      }
}
...
SEXP C_fullocate(SEXP int_mat) {
  ...
  row_num = 2;
  while (row_num <= nr) {
    ...
    SEXP row = PROTECT(C_int_mat_nth_row_nrnc(int_mat_int, nr, 2, row_num)); // !!!
    ...
  }
}

A: This one is really complicated. You made a great effort to create a reproducible example of this hard to track error.
I tried fixing your problem, unfortunately I failed. But nevertheless I'll try to share my findings with you, since nobody else answered so far (maybe it helps)
I installed your testpkg and additionally added the fullocate function to the namespace. To have it as an exported function.
This way I was able to build the package and run the function with testpkg::fullocate(int_mat) and to run it via devtools::check().
Interestingly if I run it via check() it fails everytime, when running your testthat test.
Running 'testthat.R':
 ── Test failures ───────────────────────── testthat ────

 library(testthat)
 library(testpkg)

 test_check("testpkg")
row_num: 2
[[1]]
.Primitive("for")

here1row_num: 3
[[1]]
.Primitive("for")

[[2]]
[[2]][[1]]

 *** caught segfault ***
address 0xa00000007, cause 'memory not mapped'

Traceback:
 1: fullocate(int_mat)
 2: eval_bare(expr, quo_get_env(quo))
 3: quasi_label(enquo(object), label, arg = "object")
 4: expect_equal(fullocate(int_mat), list(c(5L, 6L), c(7L, 10L),     c(11L, 19L), c(20L, 30L)))
 5: eval(code, test_env)
 6: eval(code, test_env)
 7: withCallingHandlers({    eval(code, test_env)    if (!handled && !is.null(test)) {        skip_empty()    }}, expectation = handle_expectation, skip = handle_skip, warning = handle_warning,     message = handle_message, error = handle_error)
 8: doTryCatch(return(expr), name, parentenv, handler)

So pretty similar to what you got, some memory issue:

address 0xa00000007, cause 'memory not mapped'

When I just run the function, interestingly, I can run it several times successfully, until it gives an error. Seems kind of random if it succeeds or not. From time to time the complete R session crashes.
Here is the error I get when running it without check().

Fehler in h(simpleError(msg, call)) :
Fehler bei der Auswertung des Argumentes 'object' bei der Methodenauswahl für Funktion 'show': nicht implementierter Typ (27) in 'eval'
Fehler während wrapup: nicht implementierter Typ (27) in 'lazy_duplicate'

Error: no more error handlers available (recursive errors?); invoking 'abort' restart
Here is the error messages I get:
Fehler in h(simpleError(msg, call)) :
  Fehler bei der Auswertung des Argumentes 'object' bei der Methodenauswahl für Funktion 'show': nicht implementierter Typ (27) in 'eval'
Fehler während wrapup: nicht implementierter Typ (27) in 'lazy_duplicate'

Error: no more error handlers available (recursive errors?); invoking 'abort' restart

Does not say too much...
I actually had some ideas why it might have failed based on the Writing R Extensions Manual. There is a special section about the C Garbage Collection issues. (https://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/r-release/R-exts.html#Garbage-Collection) This is definitely worth a look, if you have not read it yet.
Some interesting things to check:

*

*Notice that it is the object which is protected, not the pointer variable. It is a common mistake to believe that if you invoked PROTECT(p) at some point then p is protected from then on, but that is not true once a new object is assigned to p.

*In some cases it is necessary to keep better track of whether protection is really needed. Be particularly aware of situations where a large number of objects are generated. The pointer protection stack has a fixed size (default 10,000) and can become full.
Shouldn't be the second case, since the test example is quite small ;) From the fact, that the problem occurs so random, I (like you) would guess somethings what needs to be Protected isn't actually protected.
I wasn't so sure about the point of code, which you pointed out as the cause of the failure. But if     Rf_PrintValue(prlst); really is always the point, where the error occurs - it might be an indicator, to closer check prlst and what is inside.
As I told - in the end I couldn't fix it - but I also did not spend too much time on it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
By the Books
Avid reader Stan Kroenke shares some of his favorites
By Tom Hoffarth
"The Future Is Faster Than You Think," by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler, is one of the books Stan Kroenke recommends.
An avid reader, Stan Kroenke says he finds himself pulling ideas from business books and suggesting many of the books to his staff, particularly to Kevin Demoff, who is in his 11th year as chief operating officer for the Los Angeles Rams. "I hope Kevin can appreciate some of my comments that might come out of left field from some of these books," the Rams owner said. The Business Journal asked Kroenke to recommend some of his favorite books and authors.
"The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies are Transforming Business, Industries and Our Lives," by Peter Diamandis, who's based in Santa Monica, and Steven Kotler: "I've read some of Peter's books before, and they've always been thoughtful and well researched because of his interest in technology and his watchful eye and sense of how it progresses. This is about how the rate of change becomes faster in all areas of our life, which is what Kurzweil predicted maybe 25 years ago. It's generally due to the acceptance of technology and technology working its way into whatever those industries are."
"Shoe Dog," by Nike founder Phil Knight: "I've known Phil a long time, and that's a great book."
"How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie, and "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill: "Carnegie's book has impacted millions. Hill is someone I started reading in college. He was an interesting guy, hired by Carnegie to study why some economically seem to do better than others. I liked him."
"The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand: "Some maybe think she's controversial, but Rand's books were definitely influential to a certain type of thinking. Economics has always been in my blood, so I tend to gravitate toward those kinds of books."
Anything by Malcolm Gladwell: "It's all about logging those 10,000 hours. One of his books used a hockey analogy that Kevin and I have talked about (the success rate of NHL players born earlier in the year having a leg-up over those born later when they get onto age-related teams)."
Anything by Mark Twain, a fellow Missouri native: "He was certainly the wittiest of them all and the easiest to quote."
Keep reading the special report on Stan Kroenke, the Los Angeles Business Journal's 2020 Business Person of the Year.
Eyes on the Ball
Stan Kroenke: A Condensed Guide
Sports Titans: Stan Kroenke
PAGE 3: Stan's Suit; Steven's Spanish-Language Edge
For the Win
STAN KROENKE
Rand Corp. Headquarters


text:
Home » American Encyclopedia - History, I
The Italian Republics - Commerce in General
Among the Italian cities, Venice, at the extremity of the Adriatic, Ravenna, at the south of the mouth of the Po, Genoa, at the foot of the Ligurian mountains, Pisa, towards the mouths of the Arno, Rome, Gaëta, Naples, Amalphi, and Bari, were either never conquered by the Lombards, or were in subjection too short a time to have lost many of their ancient habits and customs. In this way these cities naturally became the refuge of Roman civilization, at a time when other parts of Europe were wading through barbarian darkness. The feudal system never prevailed among them with any force; and several of these and other cities had important privileges conferred upon them by the German emperors at a very early period. Sismondi, the historian of Italy, asserts that Otho I (936) erect ed some of them into municipal communities, and permitted them the election of their own magistrates. It is certain that, in 991, the citizens of Milan rose in tumult, expelled an archbishop from their city, and were able to establish a qualified right to interfere in future elections. The after history of Milan is eventful and tragical; but we can only give a short account of it here. In the middle of the twelfth century, Frederick Barbarossa became engaged with the cities of Lombardy, and particularly with it, in extensive and destructive wars. In the year 1162 Milan was finally overcome; the walls and houses were razed from their foundation, and the suffering inhabitants dispersed over other cities, obtaining sympathy in their distress, and communicating their enthusiastic love of freedom in return. The republican form of government was adopted in every considerable town; and before the end of the thirteenth century, there was a knowledge, a, power, and an enterprise, among these apparently insignificant republics which all Europe could not match.
The beneficial though unlooked-for effect of the Crusades upon commerce has already been mentioned. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the commerce of Europe was almost entirely in the hands of the Italians, more commonly known in those ages by the name of Lombards. The republic of Pisa was one of the first to make known to the world the riches and power which a small state might acquire by the aid of commerce and liberty. Pisa had astonished the shores of the Mediterranean by the numb er of vessels and galleys that sailed under her flag, by the succor she had given the Crusaders, by the fear she had inspired at Constantinople, and by the conquest of Sardinia and the Balearic Isles. Immediately preceding this period, those great structures which still delight the eye of the travel er - the Dome, the Baptistry, the Leaning Tower, and the Campo Santo of Pisa had all been raised; and the great architects that spread over Europe in the thirteenth century, had mostly their education here. But unfortunately, the ruin of this glorious little republic was soon to be accomplished. A growing envy had subsisted between it and Genoa during the last two centuries, and a new war broke out in 1282. It is difficult to comprehend how two simple cities could put to sea two such prodigious fleets as those of Pisa and Genoa. Fleets of thirty, sixty-four, twenty-four, and one hundred and three galleys, were successively put to sea by Pisa, under the most skillful commanders; but on every occasion the Genoese were able to oppose them with superior fleets. In August, 1284, the Pisans were defeated in a naval engagement before the Isle of Meloria; thirtyfive of their vessels were lost, five thousand persons perished in battle, and eleven thousand became prisoners of the Genoese. After a few furtherineffectual struggles, Pisa lost its standing.
The greatest commercial, and altogether the most remarkable city of the Italian republics, was Venice. Secluded from the world, on a cluster of islands in the Adriatic, the inhabitants of this city had taken up their abode in the course of the fifth century, and they boasted themselves to have been independent of all the revolutions which Europe had been under going since the fall of the Roman Empire. This might be true to a great extent, though for long it was certainly more the result of their obscurity than their power. By the tenth century, however, the descendants of those fishermen that had first taken refuge here, were able to send fleets abroad which could encounter and overawe both Saracens and Normans. The Venetians had all along kept up a correspondence with Constantinople during the darkest periods of the middle ages. This was greatly renewed and extended about the time of the Crusades. When Constantinople was taken by the Latins (1204), the Venetians, under their doge, or chief magistrate, Henry Dandalo, became possessed of three-eighths of that great city and of the provinces, and Dandalo assumed 'the singularly accurate title of Duke of Three-Eighths of the Roman Empire. The Venetians greatly increased their share of the spoil by making advantageous purchases from the more needy of the Crusaders. Among the most important of these was the Isle of Candia, which they retained till the middle of the seventeenth century. The idea of a bank took its rise in this city, and an establishment of that nature, simply for the receipt of deposits, is said to have existed in it as soon as the year 1157. But it was not till about a century later that banking, as the term is now understood, began at all to be practised. The merchants of Lombardy and of the south of France began at that time to remit money by bills of exchange, and to make profit upon loans. The Italian clergy who had benefices beyond the Alps, found the new method of transmitting money exceedingly convenient; and the system of exacting usury or interest, after experiencing every obstruction from ignorance and bigotry, became a legal part of commerce. In the thirteenth century the government of Venice was entirely republican; but continued wars with Genoa reduced both cities. These wars were all conducted on the seas, and the display of naval strength on both sides seems prodigious, when we reflect on the poor condition of Italy at the present day. Besides these wars for objects of ambition, there were continual jealousies which rose above enlightened views of self-interest, and led to the most disgraceful broils. At the middle of the fourteenth century a battle took place between the rival citizens, in which the Genoese were defeated. Their loss was immense, and in distress and in revenge they gave themselves up to John Visconti, Lord of Milan, then the richest and among the most ambitious of the petty tyrants of Italy, hoping that he would give them the means to reestablish their fleet and continue the war with the Venetians. He did so, and in another naval engagement, fought in 1354, in the Gulf of Sapienza, the Venetians were entirely defeated. But the Genoese had sacrificed their liberty in their thirst for revenge. Visconti became their master instead of friend. Venice was able to rise above its temporary discomfiture, and during the fifteenth century its fame and power became greater than they had ever been before. In the beginning of the fifteenth century the Venetians captured the town of Padua, and gradually lost their empire of the sea while they acquired possessions on the continent.
Among the most famous of the Italian states at this period was Florence; and its fame was founded, not on arms, but on literature. Like the other Italian cities, however, it owed its first elevation to the commercial industry of its inhabitants. There was a curious division of the Florentine citizens, subsisting about the beginning of the thirteenth century, into companies or arts. These were at first twelve - seven called the greater arts, and five the lesser; but the latter were gradually increased to fourteen. The seven greater arts were those of lawyers and notaries, of dealers in foreign cloth (called sometimes calimala),of bankers or moneychangers, of woolen-drapers, of physicians and druggists, or dealers in silk, and of furriers. The inferior arts were those of retailers of cloth, butchers, smiths, shoemakers, and builders. It was in the thirteenth century that Florence became a republic, and it maintained its independence for two hundred years. In the beginning of the fifteenth century it became peculiarly distinguished by the revival of Grecian literature and the cultivation of the fine arts. Como de Medici, who lived a citizen of Florence at this time, and was known by the name of the Grand Duke of Tuscany - descended from a long line of ancestors, whose wealth had been honorably acquired in the prosecution of the greater arts - possessed more riches than any king in Europe, and laid out more money on works of learning, taste, and charity, than all the princes of his age. The same liberality and munificence distinguished his family for several generations.
The commercial success of the states of Italy induced the inhabitants of northern Europe to attempt similar enterprises. In the thirteenth century the seaports on the Baltic were trading with France and Britain, and with the Mediterranean. The commercial laws of Oleron and Wisbuy (on the Baltic) regulated for many ages the trade of Europe. To protect their trade from piracy, Lubec, Hamburg, and most of the northern seaports, joined in a confederacy, under certain general regulations, termed the League of the Hanse Towns; a union so beneficial in its nature, and so formidable in point of strength, as to have its alliance courted by the predominant powers of Europe. 'For the trade of the Hanse Towns with the southern kingdoms, Bruges on the coast of Flanders was found a convenient entrepôt, and thither the Mediterranean merchants brought the commodities of India and the Levant, to exchange for the produce and manufactures of the north. The Flemings now began to encourage trade and manufactures, which thence spread to the Brabanters; but their growth being checked by the impolitic sovereigns of those provinces, they found a more favorable field in England, which was destined thence to derive the great source of its national opulence.'
‹ From the Crusades to the Middle of the Fifteenth Century - Rise of Some New Powers up The Turks - Fall of Constantinople ›


> > Have you tried iso13818ps from http://www.scara.com/~schirmer/o/mplex13818/ ?
so that one is know to work.
> colors.  vlc gives black video and no audio.
> > TS to iso13818ps (not your filtered one), it should handle it correctly.
> adaptation should not affect the other candidates in any way.
How do you capture the TS, and does it play OK in vlc?


We had such a great time on our first BVI charter, that we decided to take the same trip the next year. Hit some different stops this time, and made it up to Anegada. This time we were the old salts, showing the newbies around – although I learned a valuable lesson as well.
Once the mooring ball is within reach, the bowman usually has to lie down flat on the deck in order to reach the pennant with the boat hook (high freeboard on those big cats!) at this point one of the other crew relays the bowman's directions to the helm.
Once the line is fastned back to the cleat, the bowman yells "made" and the helm puts it into neutral letting, letting the boat settle.
Once it falls back, a second line is brought over from the other side cleat, threaded through the pennant, and returned to it's cleat, forming the bridle. Both lines are then adjusted to center the ball, get the correct length of bridle etc… Pretty straightforward.
Now I was on the bow with the newer crew, showing them the mooring procedure. I had just picked up the pennant and gotten the first line through, when the boat hook got stuck in the pennant eye. Not wanting to lose it, I was trying to get the line cleated off at the same time as I tried to recover the hook, lying on my belly right at the tip of the bow. At which point, someone must have thought I had the line fully cleated off and yelled "made" back to the helm.
The only problem was the line *wasn't* made!
As the helmsman put the engines in neutral, the wind/current immediately caught the boat and it began falling back. Bear in mind this is a 46′, 10 ton boat with a *lot* of windage. Both the mooring line and boat hook were jerked out of my hands. At this point I probably should have just aborted, pulled in the line and re-done the mooring, however the line was still though the pennant eye, the boat hook was still stuck and I was able to grab them both – somehow I managed to get the line cleated and recover the hook, and then I looked down to see the deck covered in blood.
Not just a few drops – covered.
Always make sure you have a clear, well established "chain of command" and signals for communicating back and forth with crew.
This was simply a case of "too many cooks in the kitchen" syndrome, with everyone calling out commands at once, too much communication made it impossible to know who to listen to. Always make sure the helm knows exactly who will be giving commands, and what signals and commands will be given. If I ever forget, I now have a sweet scar to remind me of this lesson!
Aside from that one incident, the trip was awesome. Much snorkeling was done, and much rum was consumed… We basically decided that the BVIs are pretty much our favorite place ever, although next time we go back it will hopefully be on our own boat and we won't be limited to only a week or two!


text:
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Kentec Taktis fire alarm control panel
Apollo XP95 - 55000-600APO optical smoke detector
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Events Organizers
Manufacturers/ Distributors/ Dealers
Recruitment/ Personnel
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Companies by Product area
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WEROCK Technologies GmbH Unveils Powerful, Ultra-Compact And Fully Rugged Mission Tablet, Rocktab U210
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WEROCK Technologies GmbH, innovative manufacturer of rugged tablets, notebooks and handhelds, presents the Rocktab U210, a powerful, ultra-compact, yet fully rugged tablet, which is designed specifically for the requirements of fire and rescue services. The new Ultra Series model comes with market-renowned features and is available to order now.
Whether it's up-to-date information on the situation and location of an operation, map material, hydrant plans or retrieving rescue maps, the right combination of software and hardware is the key to speeding up operations and saving lives. So it's hardly surprising that the topic of digitization is also becoming increasingly important for fire departments.
Rocktab U210 tablet
Tailored to meet the needs of emergency services, the new Rocktab U210 tablet from WEROCK scores with an extremely robust design, high performance, and featuring the elegance and user-friendliness of consumer tablets.
With a weight of only 996 grams, as well as a thickness of 15 mm, the Rocktab U210 is amazingly light and thin. The Rocktab U210 is available with a choice of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 10 Professional or Ubuntu 20.04 Linux software. Equipped for the future, the Rocktab U210 is compatible with the upcoming Windows 11 operating system.
Rugged design for tough outdoor conditions
The new Rocktab U210 is built from the ground up to be rugged, ready for the toughest outdoor conditions
Like all WEROCK devices, the new Rocktab U210 is built from the ground up to be rugged, ready for the toughest outdoor conditions. The tablet even exceeds the usual military standard. Instead of the usual 1.2 meter drop height, the Rocktab U210 even withstands 1.5 meter drops, under difficult conditions.
In addition, it was subjected to a so-called drum test, so as to check the drop resistance in everyday use. In this test, the tablet has to survive 40 consecutive drops from a height of 1 meter. The Rocktab U210 tablet is also certified, according to class IP65 standard and guarantees full protection against dust and water penetration. In ambient temperatures, ranging from -10°C to +50°C, the tablet remains 100% operational.
High resolution display for enhanced readability
The new Rocktab U210 tablet features a high resolution 10.1 inch display, with up to 800 nits of brightness, ensuring optimal readability during use. The capacitive touchscreen is gesture enabled, highly accurate and suitable for capturing signatures. A matching digitizer input pen is optionally available. It can also be operated in the rain and with gloves.
Inside, the tablet works a powerful quad-core processor from Intel (Celeron N4120 or Pentium N5030), which is supported by 8 GB RAM working memory. Thus, the Rocktab U210 is almost three times as fast as Atom processors, which are usually used for tablets. There is 128 GB of internal storage available, which can be expanded via a micro SD card.
Multiple connectivity options available
In terms of connectivity, the new Rocktab U210 tablet is extensively equipped. On the side, the device has a USB 3.1 Type A, as well as a USB C port, micro SD card slot, micro HDMI, but also a Gigabit Ethernet port.
The built-in 2×2 MU-MIMO WLAN adapter supports the new 802.11ax standard, is WiFi 6 certified and enables data rates of up to 2.4 Gbps. The integrated Bluetooth 5.2 opens up numerous other application scenarios.
The Rocktab U210 tablet also relies on outstanding connectivity, during a deployment
The Rocktab U210 tablet also relies on outstanding connectivity, during a deployment. The optional high end industry-grade 4G LTE connection offers download speeds of up to 300 Mbps. The Rocktab U210's built-in GPS is the high-end module from renowned Swiss manufacturer, u-blox (uBlox). It offers fast positioning with high accuracy and reliability.
Despite the compact dimensions, there is no requirement for a long battery life. The Rocktab U210 tablet is designed with a replaceable battery and a total battery capacity of 38 Wh. These each allow a runtime of up to 10 hours, with just one battery charge. Thanks to hot-swap functionality, the battery can also be changed on the fly, allowing for unlimited tablet run time. A powerful 65 watt power supply ensures that the tablet is quickly recharged.
Seamless integration into emergency vehicles
Seamless integration into emergency vehicles is possible with the optionally available active vehicle mount. It not only charges the tablet, but also provides audio input and output, Gigabit Ethernet port, 2 x USB 3.0 Type A ports and two serial RS232 ports.
Features of the Rocktab U210 tablet include:
Rugged 10.1" industrial tablet for professional use
Powerful Intel processors: Celeron N4120 or Pentium N5030
Sunlight readable display with 800 cd/m2 brightness and WUXGA resolution
Scratch-resistant multi-touch screen, including display protection foil
Can also be operated with gloves and in the rain
Most accurate operation possible via digitizer
Ultra-compact case, only 15 mm deep and weighing 996 grams
Exceeds shock, vibration and drop resistance, according to MIL-STD-810G
Ideal for harsh environments, as it is IP65 certified for water and dust resistant
Withstands 1.5 meter drops
Hot-swappable 38 Wh battery for uninterrupted operation
Compatible with Windows 11 OS
Available with Windows 10 Pro, IoT Enterprise or Ubuntu Linux OS
8 GB LPDDR4 RAM, 128 GB eMMC SSD
Full size USB 3.1 Type A and USB C port
2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ax dual-band WLAN (WiFi 6 certified)
Seamless roaming of different wireless cells, thanks to 802.11r
Ready for the latest applications, thanks to Bluetooth 5.2
Micro SDXC card slot - memory expandable up to 1 TB
High-resolution cameras for razor-sharp images
High-end uBlox NEO-M8N GPS for position determination
Optionally including high-end 2D barcode scanner & 4G LTE high-speed Internet connection with up to 300 Mbps
Docking stations and other accessories available
Carbon neutral product: All greenhouse gas emissions from production and transportation offset
Rocktab Ultra tablet series
It is the lightest and most compact device in our Rocktab Ultra flagship tablet series and is packed with modern features"
"The Rocktab U210 is the perfect combination of ruggedness, compactness and performance. It is the lightest and most compact device in our Rocktab Ultra flagship tablet series and is packed with modern features," said Markus Nicoleit, Managing Director and CEO of WEROCK Technologies GmbH.
Like all of the company's products, the tablet's carbon footprint, which inevitably results from production and transport, is fully offset via WWF Gold Standard climate projects.
Rocktab U212 and Rocktab U214 models Available
The new Rocktab U210 tablet from the Rocktab Ultra series is available to order now. Also available are the Rocktab U212 (11.6 inches) and Rocktab U214 (13.3 inches) models.
The new Rocktab Ultra Series tablets are versatile in use and offer flexible integration into all environments, with the help of the extensive accessory catalog, including secure vehicle and office docks, carrying handle, 2-point shoulder strap, battery charger and much more.
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New technologies for the fire service were a predominant topic at TheBigRedGuide.com in 2021, based on the most-visited articles at the site during the past year. Looking back at the top articles of the year -- as measured by those that received the most "clicks" -- provides a decent summary of emerging technologies in the fire service. The list of articles also highlights some of the biggest challenges in the fire service, including wildfires and emerging fire risks. Timely and important issues in the fire marketplace dominated TheBigRedGuide.com's list of most clicked-on articles in 2021. Let's look back at the Top 10 articles posted at thebigredguide.com in 2021 that generated the most page views. They are listed in order here with a brief excerpt. What Impact Has COVID-19 Had on the Fire Industry? Firefighters have coped admirably against a backdrop of expanded roles and considerable staff absences As a front-line, critical service, the fire service felt a considerable impact from COVID-19. Firefighters have coped admirably against a backdrop of expanded roles and considerable staff absences. Some brigades have seen absence levels of up to 40%, forcing them to re-train some staff from non-operational roles as emergency responders. It has meant a broader range of service offerings, with brigades offering wider community support, from vaccinations to vital support elements such as delivering food and medicine and driving ambulances. What Fire Technologies Will Have the Greatest Impact In 2021? Exciting developments in firefighting equipment, media, and Information Technology (IT), centered on improving safety and protecting people and the environment, will be highlighted in 2021. Increasing use of electric and hybrid technologies in cars and trucks will continue to challenge Fire and Rescue Services, as they seek safer ways to effectively control fires in these vehicles. The refinement of ultra-high pressure (UHP) firefighting equipment will interest municipal and aviation fire services, as it allows effective firefighting to occur from outside a burning structure, protecting firefighters while using significantly less water volume, extinguishing the fire but minimizing water and environmental damage. A Look at Emerging Technologies in The Fire Protection Industry The ability to innovate in the fire industry can quite literally be a matter of life and death. Smart Connected Things (SCoT) within fire protection systems offer more accurate, efficient inspections and testing, which on its own can save lives. The systems are now being used by both building owners and service providers to determine fire protection system conditions as well as helping to perform some critical testing functions remotely. Fire protection brands have made huge leaps forward in their quest to develop smoke detectors that meet with the UL 268 Safety Standards for 2020. "TruSense Technology" is designed to differentiate between fast and smoldering flames and common false alarms. Water mist suppression systems can fight fires using significantly less water than a traditional system. How Drone Technology Helps London Fire Brigade with Incident Command Drones act as a loudspeaker to give instructions or reassurance and shine a bright spotlight in dark conditions The drones are permitted to fly up to 400 ft above ground level or higher in an emergency and can fly as fast as 50 mph. They also can act as a loudspeaker to give instructions or reassurance and shine a bright spotlight in dark or low-light conditions. The Brigade has eight pilots trained and operates a 24/7 service. The team is working closely with its blue light partners, including the Metropolitan Police Service, several search and rescue teams, and a host of fire services surrounding the capital, as well as advising other upcoming drone teams around the United Kingdom. Charging Of E-Bikes And E-Scooters Represents Residential Fire Hazard The fire hazards of e-bikes and e-scooters stem from their use of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can erupt into flames. Complicating the problem is the use of unauthorized or third-party batteries that may not be safe. E-bike conversion kits are available to convert standard bikes into e-bikes, but they include only the motors and control gears. Batteries must be sourced separately, often over the internet and by cost-conscious buyers, who may not consider safety issues. Cheaper batteries may be faulty. Fire Protection for Paper and Pulp Plants Production of paper increased by more than 450% in the last decades and the demand for paperboard in the world is expected to grow significantly, driven by e-commerce and big retailers increasing their presence in the online sales universe. This sustained growth in production capacity and paper consumption presents several fire risks to companies and exposes communities that develop around paper mills to the impact of disasters caused by these fire risks. Cloud-based and communication force firefighter teams to have access to high-performing wireless connectivity What Are Emerging Technologies in Wildfire Prevention and Protection? Internet connectivity is not an obvious emerging technology in the wildfire prevention and protection industry; however, today's cloud-based databases, applications, and communication infrastructure force firefighter teams to have access to fault-tolerant and high-performing wireless connectivity options. Broadband Bonding is the technology that combines 2 or more off-the-shelf cellular sim cards to create fast and reliable Internet connectivity on the go. Teledyne's Handheld Laser Detects Explosive Methane From 100 Feet Away For firefighters, the tool provides situational awareness, saves time, and ensures safety from a distance. Knowing the presence of methane gas enables a firefighter to deal with an emergency gas leak and to avoid a deadly explosion. The Gas Laser from Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection can shoot a laser beam through a window, a gap in a door, or another common venting point to provide an instant reading of the amount of methane in an area up to 100 feet away. Thermal imaging cameras allow to locate and remove casualties faster and significantly improve survivability How Does Thermal Imaging Serve the Needs of Firefighters? For firefighters on the frontline, thermal imaging cameras allow them to locate and remove casualties faster and thus, significantly improve their survivability. The knock-on effect of this also removes firefighters from hazardous areas quicker. Finally, being able to "see" in dark smoke-filled environments allows firefighters to see hazards that they might previously discover only once in physical contact with the hazard. Modern Firefighting Calls for Modern Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) According to research at Underwriter Laboratories (UL), modern homes contain larger quantities of petroleum-based products and plastics that burn faster and hotter versus traditional and more natural materials. The result is more rapid and hotter fire growth with exponential increases in heat generation, smoke production, and toxicity. When a call comes in, firefighters rely on their turnout gear (TOG) for protection, but serious burn injury can occur right through the TOG. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) conducted a study that concluded station wear contributes to overall thermal protection. However, depending upon the station wear's fiber content and material fabrication, it may also contribute to possible burn injuries.
When public safety agencies, including police, fire, and ambulance, work together to meet the needs of a region, citizens are better protected, and a better quality of life for all is promoted. However, today's public expectation demands agencies embrace digital transformation, for those partnerships to be effective and efficient and vitally, connected with the public they serve. This can involve the integration of operational systems, such as computer-aided dispatch (CAD) in a public safety answering point (PSAP) and those used by other organizations, or the implementation of one system across multiple agencies. Public safety systems under pressure Public safety systems are under a lot of pressure, and digital transformation provides the foundation to handle the scale, complexity, and unpredictability that comes with rapidly changing, multi-dimensional incidents and legislative demands. This is especially true for those regions that rely on multiple-agency partnerships. For example, remote areas where agencies such as mountain rescue will be required to work seamlessly with the air ambulance. This is where cloud-based systems come in. Scalability and resilience are especially important, when you look at the responsibilities that fall under the remit of emergency services organisations. Whether it is, for example, police or fire, response calls can range from small day-to-day incidents to massive events, such as natural disasters or crowd disorder. Cloud-based systems can address this range, intuitively aiding the responders no matter the bespoke nature of the call. Complex emergency service structures In the United Kingdom, while the government has sought to improve emergency services integration and collaboration, the situation is complicated due to the many different authorities that control emergency response and because few of their boundaries are coterminous. However, in major cities, such as London, jurisdiction is more focused, led by a single Fire Authority or Commissioner For example, in non-metropolitan areas, fire and rescue falls under the jurisdiction of combined fire authorities involving many different local councils and other authorities in the region. However, in major cities, such as London, jurisdiction is more focused, led by a single Fire Authority or Commissioner, with the local Mayor accountable for setting the annual budget. Then, there are the, often county-based, police forces and regional ambulance services, who fall into different hierarchal structures, all with different boundaries. All of this complexity creates barriers, which can develop into rigid siloes. This is the landscape that these organisations hope to improve by using cloud-based systems. Ensuring citizen data privacy Across all these structures run competing political priorities, as well as distinct legacy IT systems that must be surpassed to achieve seamless integration. Lastly, the services must ensure the public that there will be no unnecessary government personal intrusion through the technology. Citizen data privacy must be a leading consideration, especially in light of the recent increase in cyber-attacks directed at the public sector. For example, the WannaCry ransomware attack on the National Health Service in 2017. Cloud-based systems There are multiple advantages to moving emergency services systems, such as CAD, to the cloud – greater access, flexible connectivity, and communication through a government accredited secure platform. Moving to the Cloud enables more informed and timely decisions from emergency services personnel, more effective use of resources, and increased understanding and engagement, the overall impact of this is greater resiliency and safety for the emergency services, and the public they serve. Vitally, when the Cloud is used effectively and services are subsequently improved, public trust in emergency service institutions is reinforced. Benefits of the Cloud The benefits of the Cloud are most evident in public safety, when it comes to cross agency collaboration The benefits of the Cloud are most evident in public safety, when it comes to cross agency collaboration. Cloud platforms create a shared point of access to data that is currently split between multiple siloed organisations. This means that every agency, responding to an incident, will have the same information in real-time, greatly improving their coordination. This allows personnel to react to events on the ground, as they happen with no delays or confusion arising from misrelated communication. In a potentially chaotic emergency environment, the value of immediately sharing information in secure, trusted partner relationships cannot be overstated, when it comes to saving lives or ensuring staff safety. Attributes of an efficient public safety cloud platform There are several consistent considerations for public safety agencies looking to choose a cloud solution, as the foundation for the digital transformation process. The leading factor is collaboration and working together to form a checklist that can be used to identify an effective next-generation public safety solution. First, public safety agencies need a cohesive user experience for advanced communications and insight. This a basic element of any unified system. It ensures interoperability across all solutions and platforms, and unites capabilities beyond dispatch, and call-taking to include analytics, planning, and reporting features. The benefits of systems integrations When systems are integrated across public safety agencies, any organization can ensure effective communications for smarter, faster decision-making, which is essential to public safety work. Another leading consideration is that of public trust. When public safety professionals can harness operational data, they have more tools to make better-informed and more-timely decisions, allowing them to demonstrate increased public understanding and engagement. This results in more transparency and better evidence-based communication to demonstrate to the community that these services are acting for the public good. Return on Investment (ROI) An option here is to use a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, as these are often implemented on a subscription-basis Return on Investment (ROI) must also be factored into every decision. Public safety agencies have finite budgets and therefore, it is crucial to pick a cloud-based service that is cost effective. An option here is to use a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, as these are often implemented on a subscription-basis. Therefore, there is a predetermined cost and billing process which makes it much easier to track expenses and only pay for additional capacity when it's needed. Lastly, any solution chosen must be easily adaptable and future-proof. The UK Government has oversight over emergency service policy legislation and there is always the potential for updates or amendments, for example the temporary changes brought in during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the selected platform must have the capacity to evolve in line with legislation through easily configurable workflows and customer business rules. It is vital that the cloud platform does not become just another legacy system that agencies must navigate when improving their services. A clear need for cloud transformation The benefits of cloud systems to public safety services are myriad. Ultimately, they improve the pace and quality of the emergency services' response, which can in turn lead to the saving of citizens' lives. A fundamental element is that they allow multiple agencies to focus on what they do best, unencumbered by managing the technology, responding to incidents together, with all services acting as a unified force in confronting any crisis. However, for the full benefits of cloud to be realized, certain attributes must be embraced when selecting a system, such as user experience, public trust, ROI, and adaptability. Once these attributes are secured, the improvements cloud-based systems can bring are limitless.
Women in Fire was established in the early 1980s. The active organization hosts a yearly conference and provides best-practice resources on topics such as fire station design and maternity policies. A mentoring program includes an application process for those wishing to be a mentor or a mentee, and a matchmaking program enables mentoring participants to align their career paths and choose someone whom they can relate to. The organization's latest international conference in Spokane, Wash., in September, provided hands-on training for women firefighters in addition to sessions on topics such as nutrition, fire practice and leadership. Making fire service better About 300 people attended the conference, which emphasizes an inclusive atmosphere with men and women. The next conference will be in Orlando, Sept. 21-24, 2022. Women in Fire will also offer a leadership conference April 25 in Indianapolis at the FDIC show. It's important to have resources and give voice to groups who would not otherwise have them" "It's important to have resources and give voice to groups who would not otherwise have them," says Amy Hanifan, President of Women in Fire. She was introduced to the organization nine years ago through a fellow class member at the National Fire Academy in Evansburg, Md., who was an organization board member. Considering the low numbers of women in the fire services, the group seeks to "Do what we can as an organization to make the fire service better," adds Hanifan, who is Operations Chief at the McMinnville Fire Department in Oregon. Becoming volunteer firefighter Fire departments often reach out to Women in Fire on topics such as recruiting and retention. "We encourage organizations and help them make their marketing appeal to the applicants they want to attract," says Hanifan, who became a volunteer firefighter right out of high school and then went on to get an associate degree as a paramedic. "Young people start considering careers at middle-school age, so it is helpful to sew the seeds early. Some communities will do fire camps or career days, including a little bit of hands-on practice. Some students just need confidence that they can perform the task." In 2015, women made up about 3.7 percent of career U.S. firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The percentage of women in the fire service had nearly doubled in the previous 15 years since an earlier study. Grass-Roots efforts Women in Fire seek to provide professional resources while paying attention to grass-roots efforts Women held 12,850 career firefighting roles and 72,250 volunteer roles nationally, averaging 7.3 percent of the U.S. fire service overall, according to the U.S. Fire Department Profile 2015 report. "We recognize a need to update our numbers, and we need more information on how many women are in leadership positions and about people of color in the fire service," says Hanifan. Women in Fire seek to provide professional resources while paying attention to grass-roots efforts and working at the grassroots level, says Hanifan. "Overall, there is still a lot of work to be done, although progress has been made. We still hear from people who are just learning about the organization, so we are being intentional about our reach." Improve recruitment practices "We are open to working with organizations seeking to improve their recruitment practices, and we have had training at our conferences," says Hanifan. "We are making sure we provide good resources and promoting the best equity and inclusion practices." For example, Women in Fire offers resources on bullying and harassment. We are making sure we provide good resources and promoting the best equity and inclusion practices" Women firefighters face reproductive health dangers on the job, including toxic combustion, chemicals that may be absorbed faster by pregnant women, and toxins that are more dangerous to a fetus than to the mother. (Firefighting conditions can impact male reproductive health, too, with a study in Denmark reporting around 50% higher risk of male-factor infertility compared to general workers.) Intense thermal environment Other dangers include an intense thermal environment, loud noises, psychological and physical strain, and the weight of full equipment (45 to 75 lbs.) Women firefighters who become pregnant should discuss health issues with their doctors and let them know what they are exposed to on the job, notes Hanifan. There is a wide variation among pregnancy policies at fire departments, and 30% of women report their department has no pregnancy/maternity leave policies, according to the Center for Fire Rescue and EMS Health Research. What about the challenges for a woman working in the largely all-male environment of a fire station, including long and overnight hours? "Some organizations have separate bunk rooms, while some have more open sleeping quarters," says Hanifan. Discussing health issues When people reach out, we channel them to a resource that could be helpful" "It depends on the culture of the organization, and some of it is regional/cultural. Some departments don't have unisex bathrooms, or adequate facilities for everyone." "Unfortunately, we hear from women who have had bad experiences, but it's not always the case," she adds. "I have been the only female on shift, and I have never felt unsafe. We as an organization speak to the impact of those situations and provide training that addresses the topic. When people reach out, we channel them to a resource that could be helpful." Good career path Ill-fitting protective equipment is another challenge for women in the fire service, and Women in Fire is in the final stages of instituting a grant project with Florida State University to review the gear kit for firefighters. Much of the equipment is made for a certain build of firefighter, and it's not one-size-fits-all. Rather than focus on the challenges of being a woman firefighter, Hanifan says she prefers to focus on the positive. "I keep my perspective on what I can do to make it better," she says. "We need to keep showing drive and change to conversation to how can we ensure we have a good career path, education, a mentor and the resources we need. Everyone has to make hard choices." Women in Fire seeks to be a part of that new conversation.
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