Fire Industry News for September 2025

Fire doors are an indispensable part of keeping buildings safe; they keep blazes at bay, protecting property and giving first responders vital extra time to help people. However, they do bring with them extra regulations and more inspections. With fire door safety week coming up, let’s focus on this key component of the fire safety arsenal. This article explains what the new fire door inspection regulations entail and how Total Fire Group can support the business in navigating them and mo...

New fire safety regulations are on the horizon, increasing the importance of thorough Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) and requiring more stringent measures. As the countdown to their implementation continues, it’s essential to ask themselves: are they prepared? In a world where fire safety is of paramount importance, staying informed and taking proactive measures can make all the difference in ensuring the safety of people and their assets. In this blog post, Total Fire Group will delve...

Fire safety compliance is not just a legal requirement; it’s a moral obligation. Ignorance or negligence can have dire consequences, ranging from loss of life to financial penalties. Therefore, a proper fire risk assessment and fire safety strategy are critical in ensuring welfare. Legal Duties and Up-to-Date Rules Being up-to-date with the latest fire safety laws is more than a checkbox in compliance Every business must be aware of and comply with the current fire safety laws. This go...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and its emergency services partners have jolted thousands of teenagers into being smarter and safer drivers, staging confronting car crash simulations to press home the potential consequences of poor decisions behind the wheel. The realistic demonstrations have formed part of the three-day ‘bstreetsmart’ event, an initiative of the Trauma Service at Westmead Hospital, held at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney’s west. It is aimed at reducing the fatali...

Fire safety is a critical element in every work environment. Particularly within trades such as construction, electrical work, and plumbing. With the ever-present potential risk of fire, a thorough understanding of fire safety protocols can be the difference in preventing fires from occurring. Unfortunately, an unsettling reality concerning fire safety knowledge among UK tradespeople has surfaced. In this article, they delve into these alarming statistics, the importance of fire risk assessment...

Fire safety is more than just a legal obligation; it’s an ethical one. It’s about safeguarding lives, assets, and reputations. Partnering with fire safety consultants offers a robust approach to achieving these aims. This article delves into the myriad benefits of such a partnership. In the complex and ever-evolving environment, managing fire safety can be a daunting task for any organization. By choosing to partner with a full-service fire safety consultancy, they’re not...

A smoke alarm has saved three men from an e-bike fire in their home at Guildford, in Sydney's west, this morning. When the alarm activated at 7 am, a man, aged in his 30s, woke to find his bike on fire, while it was charging in his bedroom at the Eve Street address. It appears the bike's Lithium battery pack overheated, caught fire, and burst open, spreading flames to nearby clothing and a bed. FRNSW crew They attacked the fire with a garden hose outside as a Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew...

Heritage and historical buildings often serve as an enduring testament to the past. They connect them with history, providing a rich tapestry of architectural styles and cultural narratives. However, with age comes vulnerability, particularly to threats like fire. How can they mitigate these risks while preserving the historical integrity of these architectural gems? The answer lies in conducting thorough and regular fire risk assessments.  This article explores the significance of fire r...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews who battled a major building fire in Surry Hills have received special recognition from the City of Sydney during a ceremony. The intense ‘10th alarm’ blaze destroyed a historic Randle Street warehouse on 25 May, with more than 130 firefighters and 20 fire trucks working over several hours to bring it under control. Their extraordinary efforts stopped the inferno from spreading to neighboring high-rise buildings, including apartments, and prevente...

Quick thinking by a resident and an off-duty firefighter has prevented a Lithium battery explosion from burning down a home at Broken Hill, in the state's far west. The resident started charging a newly-purchased solar power generator at his Morgan Street home around 5 pm on Sunday when the battery pack began sparking and making 'popping' noises. The man realized the cells were overheating and in danger of exploding in flames, and he quickly carried the device to his front porch. Lithium batte...

Fire safety in nurseries and childcare environments requires meticulous planning and diligent attention. The diverse needs of children, particularly infants and those with additional requirements, demand specific considerations. This article aims to highlight the necessity of effective fire safety strategies, focusing on fire risk assessments, and how Total Fire Group can assist. Understanding the Unique Challenges Simple strategies such as regular fire drills and visual aids can help familia...

High-rise and high-risk buildings represent two categories where fire safety is paramount. Ensuring that such structures are equipped to both prevent and deal with fires is essential for safeguarding lives and property. This article will guide them through the significance of fire safety in high-rise and high-risk buildings and the additional measures that can be adopted. What is a High-rise Building? A high-rise building is characterized by its substantial height, exceeding typical stru...

A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew from the Hunter has arrived at a home in the nick of time to prevent a lithium battery exploding in flames. Firefighters received a call to their station phone at 9am from a resident of Mary Street, Merewether, who had accidentally punctured the battery, while removing it from a disused mobile phone. The device had begun emitting an unusual odor, a process known as 'off-gassing,' and the resident was seeking expert advice on how to best handle the situation....

A husband and wife team of off-duty firefighters will be considered for bravery awards after saving a semi-conscious girl from a house fire in the Blue Mountains at the weekend. 46-year-old Adoni Maalouf and his wife, Tania, aged 47, were woken in their Wentworth Falls home just after 6 am on Saturday 8 July by his dog barking and screams of 'fire' by a young boy outside. Service with FRNSW Adoni ran to the boy and who said his sister was trapped inside an adjacent bed and breakfast As Tania...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is urging residents of Brookvale, on Sydney’s northern beaches, to take precautions tonight against thick, black smoke emanating from a large fire at a local industrial estate. Sixteen fire engines, including three aerial and ladder appliances, and more than 50 firefighters are battling the ‘fourth alarm’ blaze in a row of brick and iron factory units in Old Pittwater Road. Flames have engulfed a tire and mechanical workshop, creating thick, acrid s...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters from Wollongong can now boast of having among the world's best rescue crews after claiming first place in the technical category at the Australasian Road Rescue Organisation (ARRO) Challenge. Alongside FRNSW crews from Broken Hill and Region South, their skills were put to the test over the four-day event in Adelaide, where they had to perform a number of complicated rescues on mock patients and respond as if the simulations were the 'real deal'. In the...

A handful of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have arrived home in Sydney as part of an Australasian relief team returning from Canada, where they’ve helped battle that nation’s wildfire emergency. Four of the nine FRNSW firefighters, dispatched to the province of Alberta, returned with five more colleagues about to leave Canada. The FRNSW personnel were appointed to a variety of leadership roles, such as Logistics Managers, Safety and Information Officers, Task Force Comma...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will be seeking the next generation of local firefighters when it takes to the Happy Days Orange Festival at Bingara, in the state’s north-west, this weekend. The small inland town, which is home to around 1,000 people, has in recent years faced staffing challenges across a number of employment sectors, including emergency services, due to demographic factors. Comprehensive recruitment strategy FRNSW is now undertaking a wide recruitment strategy in the area...

Crews at Fire and Rescue NSW’s Miranda station have taken possession of a new, high-tech Aerial Platform to protect Sydney’s southern suburbs. Valued at $2.5 million, the latest model aerial appliance is one of four new, identical platforms helping to form a ring of high-rise protection around Sydney’s ever-growing skyline. Other Aerial Platforms will be stationed at Hornsby in Sydney’s north, Huntingwood in the west and on the Central Coast. Miranda Fire Stati...

Effective planning for potential hazards, like fire incidents, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the business. A comprehensive emergency response plan is vital to this process. This article will navigate the steps to develop an effective plan, stressing the crucial role of fire risk assessments. Parts of an Emergency Plan A robust emergency plan involves a blend of well-thought-out components:  Detailed evacuation procedures: These should outline the quickest and safest routes for...

A working smoke alarm has saved the life of a woman during a unit fire this morning at Plumpton in Sydney's west. The alarm began sounding in the Woodvale Close home just before 5 am. The woman, aged in her 50s, woke to find a chair in her lounge room alight. She wisely closed the door to the room to isolate the flames and then rang Triple-Zero (000). Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) appliances from Mount Druitt, Blacktown and Huntingwood Fire Stations, including an aerial platform, rushed to the si...

Fire protection for the community of Kurri Kurri, in the Hunter Valley, has been significantly bolstered by the arrival of a state-of-the-art Fire and Rescue NSW Bushfire Tanker. The Isuzu multi-purpose four-wheel-drive is one of 18 new firefighting appliances, each valued at $530,000, being deployed across the state by FRNSW, in line with recommendations arising from the Inquiry into the 2019/20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfire disaster. Compressed Air Foam System It features a Compresse...

Tarro Fire Station has received another fleet upgrade with the arrival of a new, state-of-the-art light Bushfire Tanker. The truck is one of 18 new firefighting appliances being deployed across NSW to help better protect communities during bushfires and other emergencies.   The multi-purpose vehicle is an Isuzu four-wheel drive and is equipped with a water spray system to protect the crew, a compressed air foam system (CAFS), and a 3500-liter water tank. The tanker complements anothe...

The Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) station at Ballina is boasting an impressive addition to its fleet, a $530-thousand-dollar Bushfire Tanker, designed to extinguish blazes safely and more efficiently. The Isuzu four-wheel-drive is designed to operate in rugged conditions, allowing firefighters to tackle everything from a truck blaze on the highways to bushfires threatening life and property. One of 18 new firefighting appliances in the field following the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, the tanke...

Safe Fleet: Fire, EMS, and Industrial (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce the addition of David Hawkins as the Regional Sales Manager - Industrial. In his new role, David Hawkins will be responsible for business development in the United States of America (USA), except for the states of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana & Mississippi. Prior experience David Hawkins has a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Belhaven University and brings over 24 years of experience...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators are working with NSW Police to establish the cause of a fatal house fire in Sydney’s north-west now. Firefighters were called just after 10:30 am to Church Street, Ryde, where a small blaze had broken out inside a unit on the second floor of a three-storey building. FRNSW's FIRU FRNSW crews, wearing breathing apparatus, immediately entered the smoke-filled unit and carried out a search for occupants. They located the body of a woman, who ha...

Factory fires have increasingly become a cause for concern over the past few years. These incidents disrupt production, jeopardize lives and property, and even ripple through global supply chains. Identifying the root causes of these fires, understanding their impact, and adopting effective fire risk management strategies are of paramount importance.  Root Causes of Rising Factory Fires Factory fires have seen a significant increase due to inadequate fire safety measures Factory fires h...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is urging all Australians to check their home’s smoke alarms are in working order this winter by testing the devices on Thursday, 1 June, the first day of winter. The public is being urged to jointly “Sound the Alarm” that day and test the alarm sirens in a widespread, determined effort to avoid deaths and injuries during the upcoming colder months. FRNSW’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign There were a record 16 deaths due to structure fires in N...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is donating four decommissioned bushfire tankers to the Solomon Islands, significantly boosting the nation’s emergency capability. The fire engines became available for donation following the allocation of $9m by the State Government towards 16 additional new bushfire water tankers in the 2022/23 NSW budget. The funding has allowed FRNSW to increase its fleet of new bushfire vehicles to 32, replacing the service’s ageing tankers. New trucks The new tru...

Fire risk assessments are not just a legal requirement for businesses; they can also provide significant operational benefits. By identifying potential hazards and weaknesses, a comprehensive fire risk assessment enables organizations to improve their overall performance, reputation, and efficiency. In this article, Total Fire Group will explore the importance of fire risk assessments and how they can enhance various aspects of business operations. What is a fire risk assessment? A fire risk...