Industry News

The use of thermal imagers is one way firefighters can better protect themselves while saving lives Twelve Bullard Eclipse thermal imagers are now in the hands of firefighters in 12 fire departments throughout the St. Louis, Missouri region, thanks to a generous donation from Eagle Bank and Trust Company of Missouri. The Eclipse, which Bullard introduced two years ago, is the fire service industry's first personal-issue thermal imager. Eagle Bank and Trust donated the image...

The NFPA warns that gel fuel, used with fire pots, personal fireplaces, and some patio torches, is extremely hazardous The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging the public to employ extreme caution when using gel fuel, a product typically used with fire pots, personal fireplaces, and some patio torches.Stop, drop and roll may not extinguish clothing that catches fire involving splattered or spilled gel fuel. A dry chemical extinguisher or baking soda is recomme...

The Wildland Fire Assistance grants provide substantial relief and pay half the cost of the new equipment The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced recently that the agency will award grants this fall to eligible fire districts and departments through the Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program that is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Wildland Fire Assistance grants pay half the cost of new equipment, providing substantial relief for...

An estimated average of 3,800 university housing fires occur each year The Federal Emergency Management Agency's United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report focusing on the causes and characteristics of fires in college and university residential buildings that include dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses.  The report, University Housing Fires (2007-2009), was developed by the National Fire Data Center and is a part of the USFA's Topica...

Anhydrous ammonia Training Tour training material and resources from TRANSCAER are now available online As a supplement to its nationwide training tour to educate safety officials on how to respond to anhydrous ammonia release incidents, the TRANSCAER® Anhydrous Ammonia Training Tour training materials and resources are now available online. TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) is a voluntary, nationwide outreach effort that helps communit...

The City of York will benefit from the best distribution of fire engines across the entire city area The Fire Authority have unanimously agreed, barring one abstention, the proposal for the distribution of fire engines for the City of York. This now means that there will be: •         1 wholetime crewed* fire engine and a rescue boat located at the new fire station on Kent Street and a further rescue boat located on the river...

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service saves lives in the most extreme fires, thanks to its team of brave firefighters Shropshire firefighters were back on national TV when two more of their fire and rescue actions were re-told on the popular BBC Real Rescues programme.Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is pictured on the montage of images at the start of the high action TV show which features dramatic film footage and interviews of events attended by emergency services.Ex Shropsh...

The fire and rescue team will represent their country in New Zealand Following last week’s spectacular road safety "car drop" event in Eggborough, which was organised and run by North Yorkshire Fire Service’s specialist road rescue team, the team will shortly be travelling to New Zealand to represent the UK at the World Rescue Challenge. The World Rescue Challenge is a highly regarded event that brings together the best road rescue teams from around the world. At...

London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service will train firefighters to use first-aid equipment Every fire engine in London will now be equipped with new high-tech first aid equipment, including defibrillators, and firefighters trained to use the potentially life-saving gear. The kit will be used when fire crews are the first emergency service on the scene or where firefighters work alongside paramedics at incidents, especially where victims cannot be easily reached. It w...

The Deputy Assistant Commissioner has improved the efficiency of London firefighters throughout his career Horndon on the Hill local resident Steve Smith has been named on the Queens Birthday Honours list. Steve, who works for London Fire Brigade and is Deputy Assistant Commissioner in charge of firefighter training, was named amongst well known celebrities and community leaders who made it on to the list. Nominated by London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson, Steve (52)...

John Redmond, firefighter Steve Taylor, Rowan Ellson Arias, Rose Burton, Owen Crook and Libby Pawson Shropshire children who look after members of their family learned all about fire safety and first aid with the help of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.A total of 31 youngsters aged from seven to 16, who are members of the Shropshire Young Carers Service, witnessed a chip pan fire and learned about the importance of every home having smoke alarms and testing them regularly.T...

Watch Manager Roger Iveson has been a firefighter at Hawes Fire Station for 33 years A North Yorkshire firefighter has received a Citizenship Award from Richmondshire District Council, for “Outstanding service to the community”. Watch Manager Roger Iveson has been a part-time firefighter at Hawes Fire Station for 33 years and has held the position of Watch Manager for the past 18 years. During this time he has dedicated much of his time to North Yorkshire Fire...

GGP's software will help Fire and Police services source accurate addresses quickly Software from GGP Systems will underpin a new initiative to improve the accuracy of data held in the national address database helping Fire and Police services in England and Wales get to the right address, first time. Information gathered in the field by Fire and Rescue Services, Police Forces and County Councils can now be automatically submitted for inclusion into the National Land and...

Rob Dobson has 31 years firefighting experience, having joined London Fire Brigade in 1979 London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson has received a CBE from Her Majesty the Queen in an honours ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Ron was awarded the medal in the New Year Honours list for his distinguished contribution to the fire and rescue service. Following the ceremony he said: “I’m incredibly proud to have served with London Fire Brigade for the last 31 years and receiv...

Surbiton firefighters maintain an energy efficient fire station A fire station that would rival Tom and Barbara in the TV show The Good Life has won greenest fire station of the year following a London wide competition to find the most energy efficient.The fire station, in Surbiton where The Good Life was set, has succeeded in converting a roof terrace into an area where they can grow their own vegetables and fruit. Strawberries, potatoes and figs have been grown and used...

WCL granted the Fire Risk Assessment Quality Assurance Scheme (FRACS Company) certification The benefits of independent third party certification schemes for fire risk assessors have been highlighted by the first company in the UK to gain the certificate from Warrington Certification Ltd (WCL). The Fire Risk Assessment Quality Assurance Scheme (FRACS Company) certification has been awarded to BB7 Fire Safety Engineering, based at Chatham Dockyard, Kent. The assessment by WCL...

The National Fire Protection Association is the authority on fire, electrical and building safety The NFPA's Standards Council has over-ridden opposition from the NFPA 13, 13R and 13D committees and issued Tentative Interim Amendments restricting the use of anti freeze in sprinkler systems.For now, and until any further action by NFPA consensus standards committees, NFPA sprinkler standards prohibit the use of antifreeze in new residential fire sprinkler systems.NFPA stand...

Chubb Fire & Security designs fire alarm system for the RPC Group  Chubb Fire & Security has won a contract to install a fully addressable fire alarm system for one of the facilities within the RPC Group, one of Europe’s largest packaging businesses. The existing system at RPC’s Blackburn site was obsolete, prompting the company’s Plant Engineer Bob Hamer to consult specialists within Chubb: “We have been working with Chubb for a number...

CFOA and DCLG have extended their support for the call for a unified register The campaign to establish a standard national benchmark of fire risk assessors is gathering support from the fire safety industry. The call by Warrington Certification Ltd, has received endorsement from the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) and in principle from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The Institute of Fire Safety Managers and the Royal Institution of...

The investigation was carried out by experts from Exova Warringtonfire and Butler and Young Ltd. Four potential key reasons for the spread of fire in roofing voids were identified in a new major study by fire safety experts commissioned by the Government. The study, commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government, investigated a number of specific issues relating to fire compartmentation in roof voids, carried out by a team of experts from Exova Warrington...

Fire Industry Association warns of a decreased firefighter attendance to fire detection and alarm systems The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is urging businesses in Essex to review their fire risk assessments and seek advice to ensure their emergency procedures reflect changes in response by their local Fire Service which could result in no attendance to Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) signals.Essex Fire and Rescue Service has published an AFA Frequently Asked Questions guide on t...

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service regularly carry out "blue light" fire emergency journeys North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is backing a national campaign which advises motorists on how to react when faced with an emergency service vehicle. A new video, "Blue Light Aware" has been launched by the GEM Motoring Assist Road Safety Charity. The five-minute video seeks to offer advice to members of the public on how best to help an emergency service drive...

NFPA and PiP have been involved in the wildland fire safety field for several decades NFPA and PiP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to serve as the framework of cooperation, concerning the delivery of wildland/urban interface (WUI) education and wildland fire risk mitigation programs.As wildfire risk to people and property continues to be a growing problem throughout North America, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a recognised leader on fir...

The IAFF represents the health & safety of full-time firefighters and paramedics in North America  International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger recently joined President Obama at a wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero, where 343 members of the FDNY died in the line of duty, saving the lives of others on September 11, 2001. “The solemn ceremony will hopefully provide some closure to a horrific event in our nation&rsq...

The NIST has issued a report on its study of the fire at the Sofa Super Store, Charleston, S.C NIST’s final report on its study of the fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C states the major factors involved in the rapid spread of fire. The fire trapped and killed nine firefighters, the highest number of firefighter deaths in a single event since 9/11. The final report is strengthened by clarifications and supplemental text based on comments...

The Fire Industry Association aims to promote the professional s tatus of the UK fire and safety industry The Scottish government has emphasised the importance of third-party certification when it comes to fire safety.This advice - aimed at Duty Holders, who play an important fire safety role in commercial buildings and houses of multiple occupancy - comes after the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) recommended the measures. In order to spread the news in the fastest possible way,...

FEMA and the National Commission on Children and Disasters are promoting fire safety awareness USFA have issued a new report on the high risks fires pose for children based on the latest available data released by the National Centre for Health Statistics.With home fires on the rise in winter months and a new study showing that young children are at an especially high risk of getting seriously injured or dying in residential fires, the Federal Eme...

Fire Corps has also teamed up with First Alert to provide a smoke alarm donation program Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimise property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents.Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am, when residents are typically sleeping.Smoke and toxic g...

PHS Compliance' event stand will be staffed with experts in electrical, gas, water and fire safety Workplace safety expert, PHS Compliance, has announced that it will be highlighting the path "from risk to compliance" at the Facilities Show and revealing the appointment of a major industry expert to help raise awareness of the requirements for electrical, gas, water and fire safety.  The launch will be held on the first day of the show, 17 May, in hall one, at 11am...

Oshkosh Defense sponsors Honor Guard Gala, supporting the families of fallen military members Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is supporting the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) as a sponsor of its Honor Guard Gala, held April 5 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The event salutes and supports the families and loved ones of military members who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. “Nothing can...