Hey all!

As most of you know, we've been working with FireRescue Magazine for many months now (since November in fact), with the FFN team managing the eMedia strategy for not only FireRescue Magazine, but also the JEMS (EMS) and Law Officer brands. (read more about that here)

The natural evolution of that was the acquisition of Firefighter Nation by FireRescue-parent Elsevier Public Safety. The news release about that went out today, although it actually happened some time ago. As you've hopefully noticed, we're only going to be ADDING more great content and community features -- and not taking anything away.

This is GREAT news for the FirefighterNation.com community. Besides our first-ever Webcast yesterday on SCBA Emergencies attended by hundreds of members, we're also adding a ton of great stuff in the coming months ... so stay tuned! From blogs to training, news to multimedia, you're in for a great ride. Besides adding new staff, we're also working in a completely integrated approach with the editorial team of FireRescue Magazine to bring the best and most comprehensive training and features to the Web for firefighters worldwide. FFN is now the official site of FireRescue Magazine.

Since launching FFN in July of 2007, we've grown so much -- fast approaching 40,000 registered users and countless more visiting daily. Not to mention thousands of loyal fans on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and MySpace. Now it's time to take it all to the next level!

You'll also be seeing FFN on the cover of FireRescue Magazine and throughout the publication, with some great featured content from FFN users coming soon.

And if you're going to be at FDIC in Indy next week, feel free to stop by the FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation.com booth. The first 1,000 to do so will get a free FFN/FR t-shirt, and the first 200 will get a complimentary drink ticket for the big FirefighterNation.com Member gala (lol) at the Alcatraz Brewing Company on Friday night. For more information about the event, just click here right now!

Lastly, if you are in EMS or law enforcement, we've launched social/professional networks JUST for those communities as well! Check out JEMS Connect for EMS and Law Officer Connect for police & law enforcement. They are just like Firefighter Nation ... great, growing communities for public safety pros.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them directly here or just send me a message.

Thanks!
Dave Iannone (WebChief)

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Official Press Release

Professional & Social Networking Site Is New Online Home of FireRescue Magazine, Will Expand Depth of Content and Community

San Diego, April 15 - Elsevier Public Safety (EPS), publisher of FireRescue, JEMS, Law Officer and Public Safety Communications magazines, and a business unit of Elsevier, Inc., today announces the acquisition of FirefighterNation.com, the popular professional and social networking site for firefighters and rescue personnel worldwide.

FirefighterNation.com has more than 35,000 registered members, plus thousands more within its Facebook and LinkedIn communities. In addition to becoming the flagship online home of the FireRescue magazine brand, the site will expand in the coming year to include more news, video, Webcasts, education and a new depth of industry networking features.

“We are very excited with the acquisition and upcoming expansion of FirefighterNation.com,” said Jeff Berend, Vice President/Publisher of Elsevier Public Safety. “We’ve had tremendous success in providing solid content in print for front-line firefighters and fire officers, now it’s time to use the backbone of the FirefighterNation.com community to expand how we deliver that critical information online.”

"FirefighterNation.com has grown so much since launching in 2007, with a membership that is as active as any community online,” site founder Dave Iannone said. “Now with the added resources and attention provided by being part of Elsevier Public Safety, we’ll be able to offer our members a complete online experience filled with content and community.”

Iannone currently serves as the Managing Director of eMedia Strategy for EPS. He is joined by public safety media veterans Paul Andrews and Chris Hebert in managing the strategic vision and growth of all the public safety brands within Elsevier Public Safety.

The acquisition and expansion of FirefighterNation.com, combined with the growth of emergency medical services portal JEMS.com, will provide a 360-degree online experience for fire and EMS professionals. JEMS recently launched JEMSConnect.com, a professional network that has nearly 7,000 members just a few months after launching.