United States of America (USA) Fire Industry News

This year saw fire and rescue teams from across the UK competing in the West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) Extrication and Trauma Challenges, which was held for the second year running at the Emergency Services Show, NEC, Birmingham. The two-day event which is split into trauma scenarios and extrication scenarios tested firefighters skills at first aid and trauma care, road traffic accident extrication, casualty care and more. As always, a high standard of skills was demonstrated by all the team...

During the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, the gunman activated a manual fire alarm and shot at students as they left the building. The alarm promoted confusion during the calamity, in part because there had been a fire drill earlier in the day. It's not the first time a fire alarm has played a role in an active shooter scenario. Twenty years ago, a similar tactic was used at the Westside Middle School shooting in Jonesborough, Ark.  A fire alarm als...

ARA Security has expanded its offerings to include safe deposit boxes and vault storage. As of August 2018, ARA Security acquired 100% of Australasian Vaulting Industries (AVI), a safe deposit and vault storage business based in Western Sydney. AVI are expert in designing, building, and operating secure storage facilities. Their state-of-the-art, high-security vault in Bella Vista is purpose-built for the secure storage of gold and silver bullion, jewelry, heirlooms, Bitcoin, data, im...

Fire Door Safety Week 2018, which runs from September 24th to 30th, is designed to promote awareness of the importance of choosing the right fire doors and ensuring they are properly installed and maintained. To help the user implement the advice that are given during the week, Checkmate Fire has compiled a downloadable fire door inspection checklist. The specialist teams at the company’s Yorkshire, Birmingham, Harlow and new South-West offices are fully supportive of the Fire Door Safety...

On September 2, 2018, the world watched as flames engulfed the National Museum of Brazil and 90 percent of its artifacts from around the world. Recovery efforts are still underway, but almost certainly lost were the museum’s massive butterfly and arthropod collections numbering in the millions, a 3,500-year-old Chilean mummy, an 811,500-year-old skull said to be the oldest in existence from the Americas, several dinosaur skeletons, a 2,700-year-old sarcophagus among hundreds of other anci...

Fire protection in museums - this is one of the topics covered at the "The Green Museum 2018" congress. Practitioners and experts will discuss the topic on three dates in three different cities (September 27th in Leipzig, October 24th in Stuttgart, October 30th in Düsseldorf). What developments can be expected in terms of construction issues, costs, environmental requirements, norms and standards? What solutions and concepts are available for depots, archives and museums? Experts from t...

Clarion UX’s Fire & Rescue Group, formerly PennWell Corporation, announces key organizational changes; including three promotions and three all-star new hires. Promotions include the elevation of Bobby Halton to Vice President, Education Director/Group Editor, Ted Billick to Group Publisher, and Nanci Yulico to National Sales Manager – Events. “These well-deserved promotions will allow Bobby, Ted and Nanci to expand their leadership roles across the Fire & Rescue portf...

Oshkosh Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of specialty vehicles, vehicle bodies and access equipment, announces that Joseph H. (“Jay”) Kimmitt, Executive Vice President, Government Operations, plans to retire effective December 2018. Additionally, Thomas P. Hawkins has joined the organization as Senior Vice President, Government Relations. Mr. Hawkins has 29 years in government service, most recently as the National Security Advisor with the Office of the Senate Republican Le...

KME Fire Apparatus, a subsidiary of REV Group and globally renowned manufacturer of fire apparatus, is pleased to announce the addition of H&E Equipment Services (H&E) as a KME brand dealer in Arizona and Nevada. KME – H&E partnership H&E will serve as the exclusive dealership of KME trucks for sales, parts, and service in Arizona and Nevada. With locations in Phoenix, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Reno, Nevada, H&E provides - 82 experienced employees New and us...

Quelfire has announced that its QuelCast Cast In Fire Collar range has gained CE Marking. QuelCast Cast In Fire Collars prevent the spread of fire through plastic pipes and cables where they penetrate concrete floors. QuelCast Cast In Fire Collars The QuelCast Cast In Fire Collars have been tested by BS EN 1366-3: 2009 where pipe diameters of up to 160mm have met insulation and integrity criteria for this standard for up to four hours (EI240), maintaining the fire rating of the concrete floor...

Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), a trusted partner for safety software protecting millions of individuals, has launched a mobile application for its Smart911 technology, which provides greater access to the life-saving benefits of Smart911, plus targeted location-based alerts to all registrants. In time for September’s National Preparedness Month, users will now be able to download the Smart911 app to share and receive information that may be needed in an emergency. Smart911 mobile app Smart9...

Oshkosh Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of specialty vehicles, vehicle bodies and access equipment, announces that its Board of Directors has appointed Sandra E. ‘Sandy’ Rowland to join the Company’s board effective September 2018. Ms. Rowland is a respected financial executive and has a track record of strong team leadership and delivering results. Ms. Rowland is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Harman International Industries, Incorporated...

ARA is proud to launch the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2018-2020 and join over 1,000 Australian organizations that have committed to RAP programs with Reconciliation Australia. The RAP aims to provide solid opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their businesses to succeed. It is with the dedication of ARA Indigenous Services’ General Manager, Suzanne Grech, that ARA was able to embark on an ‘Innovate’ RAP framework and star...

Lake Assault Boats, global manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific patrol, rescue, and fire boats, has a 31-foot patrol vessel on duty with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit based in northern Rockland County, New York, USA. Placed into service in 2017, the craft patrols a vital 33-mile section of the lower Hudson River that includes the Bear Mountain Bridge, the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge), the Indian Point nuclear power pl...

The dangers of firefighting make it unfriendly to the concept of the learning curve. Before they put their lives on the line, firefighters should have knowledge and experience. But gaining knowledge and experience in the firefighting environment presents its own dangers. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging tool for training in the fire service. Recreating the firefighting experience realistically in a virtual world is a useful – and safer – alternative to on-the-job training. It is...

First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety, Campus Firewatch and the Michael H. Minger Foundation have selected 25 organisations to participate in the second annual Town/Gown Fire Safety Community Service Project to raise awareness about fire safety. The initiative pairs firefighters with local colleges and universities to raise awareness among students and community members across the country about the importance of working smoke alarms and help to improve fire safety in homes. The cho...

At the recent International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Dallas, Texas, the Center for Public Safety Excellence conducted its annual professional credentialing and designation process. This program is voluntary and designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence across seven measured areas including: education, experience, professional development and contributions, association membership, involvement in community and technical competence while identifying a plan...

A recent decision by the U. S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit clearly demonstrates the importance of issues raised by unauthorized publishing of codes and standards. The Court issued its decision in a copyright and trademark infringement case brought by three standard development organizations (SDOs), namely - the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), along with ASTM International (ASTM) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)...

West Midlands Fire Service's ICT team will be showcasing the next generation of their award-winning workflow software at this year’s Emergency Services Show. They’ve developed the ‘Tymly’ platform to meet the increasingly complex data challenges facing today’s emergency services. For any organization, having the ability to access relevant, accurate and timely data from any location is important. In an emergency context it can also often be life-critical. Instead of...

Checkmate Fire will be showcasing the company’s range of passive fire protection products and services at this year’s Build Show, part of UK Construction Week, at the NEC in Birmingham on 9 – 11 October 2018. The largest event of its kind in the UK, Build Show is free to attend and provides the opportunity for suppliers and contractors, covering all aspects of the construction industry, to connect face-to-face. Checkmate Fire can be visited at Stand B419 to meet their third-pa...

IEP Technologies is pleased to announce the official release of the new Isolation Flap Valve, the "IsoFlap-M". The IEP Technologies Passive Isolation Flap Valve is a NFPA 654, 69 and EU ATEX Directive compliant, low cost, reliable explosion isolation solution which mitigates explosion propagation risks to upstream equipment. The Product Information Sheet and press release are available on the company’s website for the user’s review.  IEP Technologies Regional Manager are availa...

Lake Assault Boats, globally renowned manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific patrol, rescue, and fire boats, delivered a 26-foot patrol vessel to the Town of Essex Resident State Trooper’s Office located in Essex, Connecticut. The craft – placed into service early this summer – serves along portions of the Connecticut River that flows through Middlesex County. Lake Assault patrol vessel “We are very excited to deliver and help place this versatile patrol boa...

While whole room protection – sprinklers or gas systems – is a common choice, there is an argument for thinking smaller; taking fire detection and suppression down to the equipment, enclosures and even the components where a fire is most likely to start. Traditional Fire Suppression Methods A traditional water-based sprinkler system is the most common form of fire protection found in commercial and industrial buildings. They offer reasonable cost, large area protection for entire f...

The VESDA portfolio is the most widely used advanced smoke detection technology in telecommunications and data centre applications Honeywell, a pioneer in Connected Buildings, announced its advanced smoke detection technology – capable of detecting and reporting smoke at its inception, before a fire develops – can now integrate with some of the most widely used fire panels in commercial buildings without the need for additional hardware or wiring. Combining Int...

September is an integral month for fire safety because of Chimney Fire Safety Week. Held from September 3rd to September 9th, the campaign aims to raise awareness of chimney fires and encourages people to stop them from happening. September is a time for growing darkness and drops in temperature. People are more likely to light the hearths in their homes. In order to raise awareness for Chimney Fire Safety Week, Total Fire Group is giving tips on how to prevent a chimney fire. Build a small...

The German federal state of Baden-Württemberg has honored Magirus as a "volunteer-friendly employer for civil protection". Marc Diening, President & CEO of Magirus, received the certificate from Thomas Strobl, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Digitization and Migration, during a ceremony in Stuttgart on 5 September. The aim of this award is to honor and encourage employer support of volunteers. It is considered a sign of appreciation and expression of recognition for...

Frontline Communications, an Oshkosh Corporation company, announces that the Patent Office has issued U.S. Patent # 10,053,035, which is intended to protect Frontline’s VIP® System invention. The Frontline VIP® System is a power system that is an alternative to a standard generator, combining an alternator, batteries and inverter in an innovative way to provide reliable 120V, 24V and 12V power for vehicle installed equipment. Vehicle based generators In 2012, Frontline’s...

Dickinson Rural Fire Department is now home to a fifth Toyne apparatus, after receiving a new pumper in mid-August. The department, located in Dickinson, North Dakota, has been a longtime Toyne customer, and its latest apparatus will help bolster its firefighting efforts in and around the city. Features of Pumper Toyne mounted the pumper on a Freightliner 108SD 4x4 chassis with a two-door cab, adding in the power of a Cummins ISL 380 horsepower engine. Driven by an Allison 3000 EVS transm...

Fire doors are always important, but it can be even more crucial for those who manage buildings with a sleeping risk such as hotels and hospitals. The condition of each door can dramatically impact the performance of the door to hold back, smoke, gasses and fire. Here are some simple things to keep in mind to ensure that the resident’s premises and their occupants remain protected. A fire door is only effective barrier to fire (and possibly smoke) when its shut. prop open fire doors So,...

Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall along the southern East Coast of the U.S. in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, bringing with it extensive rain and wind, and prompting extensive evacuations. The National Hurricane Center has also issued advisories for other tropical storms and hurricanes, and is asking communities to prepare ahead as these storms move closer to land. Electrical safety tips To help navigate these storms and prepare throughout hurricane season, NFPA enc...