United Kingdom (UK) Fire Industry News

The completion of both boroughs' 50th LIFE courses a passing out parade was held on 11 December at Dagenham A successful London Fire Brigade scheme that works with young people at risk of social exclusion to raise their self esteem has marked its 50th pass out parade in two boroughs. Since being introduced in Newham in December 2004, 800  young people have completed Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) courses there, while over 650 teenagers have completed the...

EU countries have now agreed to set a new "fire safer standard" for all cigarettes sold in the union Fires caused by smokers' materials are more likely than other domestic fires to cause death or serious injury. In London it is estimated that around 40 per cent of all fatalities in accidental house fires are caused by smoking materials, while nationally this figure is a third. Throughout 2007 the London Fire Brigade worked as part of the RIP coalition,(Reduced Ign...

LFB is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way Hundreds of people across Britain are injured in incidents involving fireworks each year and more than half of those injured are children.London Fire Brigade is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way, and they work with partner agencies across London in preparation for major events such as Guy Fawkes Night, Di...

  London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance on sprinkler systems for new buildings   The London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance for new buildings with sprinkler systems. The guidance would ensure that new and refurbished school buildings, including those built under the Building Schools for the Future programme, are likely to have sprinkler systems. They will be working to make sure that decision makers and the general public...

LFB campaign to ensure the safe use, signage and storage of acetylene cylinders The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been working hard to reduce the disruption caused to London by incidents involving acetylene gas cylinders.The campaign is to ensure the safe use, signage and storage of acetylene cylinders and to create a greater awareness of the additional dangers they bring when they are involved in fires and other incidents. Alongside the awareness campaign, the Brigade...

  The CFOA president has called for adopting sprinklers as a significant measure to protect life CFOA says that the wider use of sprinklers in domestic, commercial and residential premises will support the environment and save the economy millions of pounds. CFOA President, John Bonney, in his address at the launch of the ABI paper 'Tackling Fire - a call for Action' spoke of the valid and significant contribution sprinklers could and should be making in...

The aims of this seminar are to alert all sleeping accommodation premises owners The seminar aims to create awareness on the benefits of incorporating fire safety management protection measures. Fires in commercial sleeping accommodation premises, especially those catering for the elderly, infirm or those people not familiar with the building present their own serious hazards. In particular evacuation of the building at night with limited staff may prove difficult especi...

The one day course contains details on the European Regulations for safe handling of halon Ozone Depleting Substances (Minimum Qualifications) Regulations Certification course is a one-day course for companies handling halon. Who should attend? The course is intended for any company that is involved in servicing or maintaining the critical uses of halon gases i.e. aircraft extinguishing systems, aircraft portable extinguishers, police and military use. Why? It is a legal...

The FIA has announced the first company to achieve ISO 9001 quality accreditation and BAFE certification Western Isles Fire Protection was formed as a new business in February 2009 by Mark Robb.The company provides fire extinguisher supply, service and maintenance throughout the Western Isles from its base in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Mark, who had successfully achieved registration under the BAFE ST104 Portable Fire Extinguisher Service Technicians Sche...

LFB was judged to be ‘performing well' making it one of the highest scoring fire authorities in the country London Fire Brigade is performing well. That is the verdict of Government watchdog, the Audit Commission, in a report released Wednesday, 9 December. The assessment looks at two key areas - managing performance and use of resources. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs London Fire Brigade, was judged to be 'performing well' in both o...

Former LFEPA member and Bexley Councillor Colin Tandy unveiled a plaque in the new appliance bay The additional fire engine will significantly improve response times to fires in the borough, improving the safety of residents.Councillor Brian Coleman AM FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, hosted celebrations on Friday 4 December, marking the major renovation work that has been performed on Sidcup fire station. Former LFEPA member and Bexley Co...

Ausmus Marburger named recipient of the Association's highest honor - the Golden Sprinkler Award Ausmus Marburger named recipient of the Association's highest honor -- the Golden Sprinkler Award. The Awards Committee of The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., has announced that it has named Ausmus Marburger of Fire Protection Industries in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, as the 2010 recipien...

KFRS has provided tips to protect homes for festive fire safety Kent Fire and Rescue Service urges all residents to stay safe this Christmas, and ensure that the celebrations don't end in tragedy. Latest figures from the Fire Kills campaign show a rise in the number of accidental fire deaths and injuries over the festive period. In 2008 there were 33,000 accidental house fires, 10% of which occurred in the run up to Christmas Day. People often get distracted by...

KFRS will organise free home visits to evaluate their fire safety and provide free smoke alarms if required A fire on the morning of December 8 has left a Ramsgate home badly damaged. Fire control room operators sent two engines from Ramsgate and Thanet fire station at 10am following reports of a roof alight in Colombo Square. The fire is thought to have been started accidentally. At the scene, firefighters were confronted with a well developed fire in the...

The Audit Commission's 'One Place' data shows that KMFRA performs well As part of the assessment process, a residents' survey found that over 81 per cent of people in Kent and Medway were satisfied or very satisfied with the service.The Audit Commission's 'One Place' data published online on 9 December shows that Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) performs well, has strong leadership and manages its finances effectively. KMFRA Chairman Bryan Cope sa...

Around forty firefighters tackled a major blaze at a home in Broadstairs Around forty firefighters tackled a major blaze at a home in Broadstairs on December 8. Crews were sent to the large detached property in Lanthorne Road just before 12.30pm, after a passer-by spotted smoke pouring from the roof. At the fires height, six fire appliances from Whitstable, Ramsgate, Margate, Eastry and Sturry, an aerial appliance and a command support unit attended the...

Two separate incidents of cooking-related fires in Kent have led to two residents being treated for burns Two separate incidents of cooking-related fires in Kent have led to two residents being treated for burns. In both incidents - at Rochester and Tonbridge - the occupants were alerted by working smoke alarms but firefighters are reminding people of the dangers of leaving cooking unattended. The first incident happened at 10pm on Friday 4 December when Tonbridge crews we...

KFRS and the Canterbury City Council will work together to keep the streets clean  KFRS Firefighters and Canterbury City Council call on shop owners to help stamp out arsonists putting innocent lives at risk. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is appealing to business owners to work alongside it and the council in a bid.  It is hoped that by keeping the city clean and tidy, firefighters will be called out to fewer arson-related rubbish fires. These...

A Margate man suffered serious burns after a fire started by tea lights A Margate man suffered serious burns after a fire in his home. Twenty firefighters from Margate, Ramsgate and Thanet were sent to the Grosvenor Road property at 4.50pm after the fire - started by tea lights - broke out. The occupant was asleep when the fire started but managed to escape. He sustained severe burns and smoke inhalation as a result. Firefighters, using breathing apparatus, entered the h...

The course gives an introduction to active and passive fire safety systems in buildings This is a back to basics introduction to fire, fire safety systems and the fire industry. The course gives an introduction to active and passive fire safety systems, equipment and services in buildings. This is a back to basics introduction to fire, fire safety systems and the fire industry. Content will be set so that delegates with a non-technical background can gain full understanding...

  London Mayor Boris Johnson and London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson visited Ilford fire station London Mayor Boris Johnson visited Ilford fire station to see the first completed building under the Mayor's building energy efficiency programme (BEEP). Ilford fire station has benefited from a range of carbon busting measures, as part of the Mayor's innovative programme to save energy from public buildings and save money off fuel bills. This includes: photovoltaic pan...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has two crews at Park Pale Kent Fire and Rescue Service has two crews at Park Pale in Rochester where firefighters are continuing to cool an acetylene cylinder following a blaze that started on December 1. Control room operators received the first call at 4.38pm on 1 December to reports of a van alight. The fire subsequently spread to the roof of the industrial unit housing the vehicle. At the height of the blaze, two crews...

  The Fourth London Safety Plan includes new performance targets   The plan will now be subject to a twelve week consultation to collect the views of Londoners and key stakeholders. Members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority have recently approved a range of proposals made by London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, paving the way for public consultation on the future of the capital's fire and rescue service. The London Fire and Emergency Plann...

London Fire Brigade has launched a consultation today for fourth London Safety Plan London Fire Brigade has launched a consultation on its draft London Safety Plan, which sets out how the Brigade will carry forward plans to modernise and improve the fire service in the capital. This is the fourth London Safety Plan, and it explains how the Brigade will build on its reputation as one of the world's leading fire and rescue services. The plan proposes a shake up of how s...

London Fire Brigade's new statistics show fatal fires increase during winter The London Fire Brigade has released new figures about accidental, fatal house fires. As the temperature drops and people spend more time at home using heaters, candles and cooking hot food, serious house fires increase - that's the stark message from London's firefighters this winter. The Brigade has released new figures about accidental, fatal house fires, which show that fatalities in acci...

It took five fire appliances to tackle the blaze caused by a candle The fire was caused by a candle, but tragedy was avoided by a smoke alarm. At 1.55 Sunday morning (29th November, 2010) Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house fire in Penshurst Road, Penshurst.The occupants were already out when the fire service arrived but the fire required five appliances to help tackle the blaze, which was located on both floors.It was discovered that a candle had caused...

Flooded country roadPhoto by Patsy Lynch/FEMA Disaster recovery officials urge recipients of federal grants to keep receipts and other documentation for at least three years as proof the funds were spent as intended. More than $53.2 million in disaster recovery grants was distributed by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the September storms and floods. "Those approved for federal grants received...

Canterbury firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire Canterbury firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire, which was caused by unattended cooking, left student accommodation damaged. Two fire crews were sent to Heaton Road, Canterbury just after 9.30 on 26 November after control room operators received a distressed emergency call from the residents. Once at the scene, firefighters in breathing apparatus made the...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has launched the musically-flavoured 'Stand by Your Pan' film The short film on Youtube is designed to capture the attention of forgetful cooks before this festive season. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has launched the musically-flavoured 'Stand by Your Pan' as a response to figures which highlight a particular risk to those who get peckish after a few drinks. The light-hearted approach of this Tammy Wynette inspired vira...

The aftermath of a serious car crash will be played out to students at North West Kent College in Dartford The aftermath of a serious car crash will be played out to students at North West Kent College in Dartford on Wednesday, 2 December. Entitled "Operation Carmageddon", the demonstration involves firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) cutting free a mock "casualty" from the wreckage of a crashed car. Staff from Kent Police and the South East Coast Ambulanc...