FEMA-Fire Fighting Safety and Prevention Grant: Research Results

Researchers and scientists play a crucial role in developing and refining practices that improve safety and efficiency in firefighting. Staying informed about the latest research helps fire departments and individual firefighters update their practices, ensuring better outcomes in the field.

For those interested in contributing to or learning more about relevant research, the following information outlines some key resources:

FEMA-Fire Fighting Safety and Prevention Grant: Research Results

The research funded by this grant falls into the following categories:

1. Clinical Studies

2. Technology and Product Development

3. Preliminary Studies

4. Early Career Investigator Research

R&D Abstracts

You can also find a detailed summary of these research results in the right-hand column.

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This project aims to raise awareness about volunteer firefighting and the ongoing efforts to improve practices. If you're interested in supporting a local fire department, feel free to reach out for donation details. Donations are tax-deductible.

Wise Writing with ChatGPT: Use in Research

The use of ChatGPT in writing is becoming a frequent topic of conversation. In a recent group discussion, we concluded that while ChatGPT offers intriguing possibilities, it also comes with significant pitfalls. Since we’re still in the early stages of this technology, we’re likely to see dramatic changes over the next decade—especially with developments like self-writing code (Sarah Connor would probably be chain-smoking over this one!).

The strengths and limitations of ChatGPT become particularly evident when it's applied to creative work and scientific inquiry.

Here are a few scenarios where I might use it:

1. As a preliminary source generator: ChatGPT can be helpful in getting a general overview of a topic and pointing you toward areas for further research. Its value lies in offering leads, but it's crucial to verify the information, seek out alternative perspectives, and be aware that its summaries can sometimes be inaccurate or overly blended.

2. To enhance the quality of writing: AI can help polish grammar, structure, and clarity. However, relying too heavily on it can dull your creative voice. Free-form writing without AI is often where truly original ideas and breakthroughs emerge.

3. To get a broad understanding of secondary topics: If I need a general grasp of a subject outside my main area of focus, ChatGPT can be a time-saver. It allows me to gain basic context without diving into exhaustive research—useful when a deep dive isn’t necessary.

That said, caution is essential. Many people have compromised their credibility by over-relying on AI-generated content without verifying sources or understanding the material. Ultimately, the work should still be your own. Use tools like ChatGPT for foundational understanding or to refine your writing—but not as a substitute for original thought and proper research.

Does Corruption undermine Human Rights and the Rule of Law? (Hypothetical Thought Experiment)

The long running thought experiment of unchecked corruption continues as we delve into understanding and finding ways to hinder the negative influence of corruption and the creation of future victims. Much of the problem is not the law but the application of law. In our hypothetical thought experiment example, we find that there is law and "law". In closed clan-based systems law might be applied to help enrich one's friends and also applied to harm those who in-group members may see as second-class citizens. In this case it was well known they were engaged it coordinated harm to help their friends and decision makers knew it.

Justice, human rights, and good moral conduct is openly mocked within some social networks that have embedded themselves in key positions. There were no mechanisms to report wrongdoing and those who do their social duty and report are quickly and often violently targeted. Victims had no recourse and people accepted hate and corruption as the unofficial law of the land (i.e. using secretive courts to target whistleblowers, victims, and reward perpetrators. Coaching people to enrich off hate). 

In the end we are going to write a positive example of learning and adaptation but will continue to explore the darker side of human nature. The law has become subjective to the clan network and just saying "no I didn't" despite the number of victims is enough to be a type of social "fact". Perpetrators bragged openly about the crimes they committed, and it was well known among corrupted officials these behaviors were ongoing. There was also a history of dark triad traits and analysis helped show statistical disparity (in theory). 

Here is a study that helps us understand from a philosophical standpoint. From an economic perspective, corruption pulls at the roots of social and economic exchange. Since those who engage in it or profit off of corruption are unlikely to stop themselves (as we have seen in history of hate) all systems need a level of checks and balances. Without that, one does not truly have effective rule of law (Law becomes a subjective tool and the philosophical purpose of law to society discarded)

This is an example for learning purposes, and we will create any ending to the learning story we want. 

Corruption undermines human rights and the rule of law

*This is a hypothetical thought experiment for learning purpose and should be taken with a grain of salt for philosophical model development. 

Challenges Facing Higher Education in 2025

Life is full of change and some of that change should be expected in higher education as well as many other institutions. Because industry is radically changing, we will naturally find not only the curriculum changing but also the way in which it is received and delivered. To stay on top of the human capital game one will want to connect people to updated knowledge. 

In general, I look for industry relevancy, quality, effectiveness, price, student engagement/interest, self-development, self-knowledge, and leadership capacity. Higher education will continue to adapt but mostly there will be cultural changes that will occur of which many will be good and a few not so great. 

I thought this were two interesting pieces on higher education,

Challenges of Higher Education 2025

The 12 Challenges Facing Higher Education in 2025

Escanaba Krusin Classics Was Loads of Fun!-Gangsta Wagon!

This was the last year of the Krusin Klassics and we are all sad. 😢Lines and lines of cars showed up and we got to watch each of them pass. Northtown people were sitting far away from Ludington all the way down to Chenier’s with cardboard signs that read "peel out" (Ummmmm I just waved because my car might break down if I try that! 😬).  The point is much of the community came out and there are dances and events all night.

Krusin Classics

Escanaba and Gladstone are those towns that people just love! We have great events, excellent park, beach, music dancing, waterskiing, affordable private clubs and a tourist vibe. If you are an industrial capitalist, you can find some excellent businesses to invest in and if you are entrepreneurial there are affordable buildings downtown to launch your enterprise.

A couple of people asked if I was going to put my new "Gupster Gangsta Wagon" in the parade but since I just got it and am still working on it, I did not yet feel it was ready. (The name we are working on because it is meant to be fun and honor a very cool guy. So far the name seems leading. Alternative might be G-Man Gansta Wagon. 🤔) 

FYI the best place to sit in town is either Eagles with its patio and delicious broasted chicken or Cat-Man-Dos with their patio iconic locality.

Enjoy the pictures. :)

Pink Ladies

My Project Car: Automotive Restoration Market and Entrepreneurship

Think new paint job, 
get everything working, 
low rider hydraulics,
new landeau top,
halogen lights under car
bull horns on front. :)

Over the years I have restored a couple of cars. Some were simply maintained for driving and others more of a project. Once I did very well with a Porsche 944 and then someone ran into it and that beauty was totaled. My most recent project is a 1985 Buick Riviera I picked up off a friend for $1K. It got me thinking about the automotive restoration market. 

Luxury and Vitage Car Restoration Market

Older and luxury cars are in an upward swing market with a growth rate of over 11% from 2022 to 2030. Automotive Restoration Market. That growth means it could be one of those opportunities again for a start-up business downtown. A top-quality mechanic that wants to do custom restore work may find regional interest. Fun Run may be over but the restoration market will continue on!

Possible Downtown Opportunity

First, let me say when we talk of an auto mechanic downtown, we are not talking of a dirty yard with junk everywhere. Instead, let us think about boutique custom shop with everything inside the building. Entrance for custom cars from the alley and the Ludington Street widow display/sale of finished cars. 

Utilizing the same older buildings, theming it out so it looks 1920's in the front thereby adding to the overall decor. It is also a place where people walking down the street are going to stop and look at some of the unique vehicles.

There are a couple of older buildings of this size around for cheap. It was just an entrepreneurial thought. Passing...passing....quickly steal the idea...it's there....right in public...a free idea. You can search for a building, check zoning, online right now!😐 If not there, I'm sure there are other great places around.

My Hunker Junker

Picked up a car and took a mental note of what needed work. Door locks, window control, HVAC blower resistor, windshield pump, and muffler. Painting needs to be redone, new landeau top will need to be installed and muffler work. 

The car was between fair and just under average condition but considering I could drive that $1K car around in the winter and save the miles and salt on my other car I thought it was overall a good choice. The worst case is I resell it for $1k to a kid down the street. If I fix it up and sell it for more or just keep it...that is all great!

It didn't take but a few days to fix the washer pump, muffler, order a window switch and the HVAC resistor (Window switch change didn't work but I realized after playing with it long enough it was lose so I tightened the component in the back and whalla! All the windows work well!).  Yep....hunker junker!

Veteran Household Demographics in America

 A display on the veteran household demographics in America.  The original Rand Display. This is part of a something I'm working on but I thought you might enjoy.