Industry News

Shropshire's Deputy Chief Fire Officer John Redmond hands over fire appliances to a Bulgarian fire official Shropshire brigade transported two fire engines, two Ranger vehicles, a minibus, cutting equipment and fire kit hundreds of miles across eastern Europe. UK fire brigades have come to the rescue of European firefighting colleagues with the delivery of much needed vehicles, equipment and uniforms in a co-ordinated mission organised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Servi...

View of City Thameslink train station which is now equipped with iVENCS 3D control and supervisory platform  iVENCS is aimed at mission-critical facilities that require lifelike representation of events within an integrated control environment across many disciplines and sub systems. ASL Safety & Security has delivered its iVENCS 3D control and supervisory platform at City Thameslink train station in London as part of the Thameslink programme. iVENCS is a sensor and...

'Put a Freeze on Winter fires' is a joint campaign of USFA an NFPA NFPA has partnered with the United States Fire Administration (USFA) to launch the "Put a Freeze on Winter Fires" campaign. It's that time of year again when the weather is cold and more families are engaged in indoor activities to stay warm. A recent report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that home heating fires continue to be a leading cause of home fires and fatalities. NFPA has...

Christmas brings with itself a large number of fire accidents due to lack of fire safety measures From 2005 to 2009, State Farm Insurance experienced the highest number of total fire. The holiday season is the time of year many people's thoughts turn to the 12 days of Christmas, with leaping lords, milking maids, and partridges in pear trees. This is also the time when home fires peak. Approximately one-third of home fires and home fire deaths occur during December, January...

The new 2012 Ford Focus by Ford Motor Company is being used to train first responders on modern vehicles Since 1990, Ford has provided more than 2,000 vehicles to give first responders the opportunity to train on modern vehicles. Ford Motor Company donated 12 vehicles to the Dearborn (Mich.) Fire Department and provided a sneak peek at the 2012 Ford Focus to help first responders train with their new vehicle rescue equipment. Ford is developing new materials and improved...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses the public before the medal awarding ceremony The Medal of Valor is the highest honor that California bestows upon its public servants. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger awarded the distinguished Governor's Medal of Valor to 17 CAL FIRE employees for acting above and beyond the call of duty. The firefighters received the Medal of Valor, the highest honor that California bestows upon its public servants, as part of a ceremony recognizing...

Firefighters are now taking the help of social networking sites to protest against the proposed fire cuts A “Stop the Suffolk Fire Service Cuts” Facebook page has been set up by Fire Brigades Union officials. Suffolk firefighters are harnessing the power of social networking to fight proposed cuts to the county’s fire and rescue service. The cuts threaten to compromise public safety. The “Stop the Suffolk Fire Service Cuts” Facebook page, set u...

Former FEMA director James Lee Witt emphasized on the D-Block auction for better first responders communication The National Broadband Plan provides the framework for a truly nationwide, interoperable broadband network for public safety, and it all depends on an auction of the D Block. During a keynote at the National Press Club, former FEMA Director and CEO of Witt Associates James Lee Witt joined a broad-based group of stakeholders calling for a public auction of valuable 7...

The partnership between DHS and Walmart would lead the way for people to play an active role in safety campaign More than 230 Walmart stores nationwide launched the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the expansion of the Department's national "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to hundreds of Walmart stores across the country launching a new partnership between D...

Shift Calendar Application from IAFF and Pro-Calendar which has made the work of firefighters quite easy and handy   The IAFF Pro-Calendar App is also the only shift calendar App to include an exposure incident log. The IAFF and Pro-Calendar have partnered up to develop and release the most advanced application for firefighters scheduling and tracking critical job-related information. This shift calendar and organizer helps you manage your shift schedule, track sick, com...

By following basic safety steps one can keep away fires and other accidents during the holiday season Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. F...

The collaborative group in Denton County would promote sharing intelligence information FEMA Region 6 partners with state, local and private sector to share intelligence information. When it comes to disasters, man-made or natural, emergency management and law enforcement experts say it is the advance planning, developed partnerships and information sharing that ensures collaborative response and recovery operations. This concept prompted the creation of a collaborative gro...

FEMA provides funds to RTA to purchase new replacement parts and tools for vehicles that were destroyed The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced an approximate $1.9 million in additional funds for the Regional Transit Authority. "The funding provided by FEMA to restore, rebuild and maintain our facilities and fleet enable the Regional Transit Authority to keep its commitment to the people of New Orleans," said Justin Augustine, vice president of Veolia Transportation...

Suffolk fire crew plans for legal action if decision is taken to close Suffolks 999 control room On 7th December fire chiefs urged County Councillors to vote through controversial plans to close and sell-off Suffolk’s only emergency fire control room without any prior public consultation. The Fire Brigades Union was preparing legal action if they do.Suffolk’s fire crews are calling upon the Councillors to step back and reconsider the needs of the Suffolk communitie...

The Fire Safety Seminar had some very important discussions on the aspects of fire safety in the industry The various topics discussed during the seminar ranged from means of escape, emergency lighting, legal obligations, and third party certifications and much more. Despite the snow, the FIA and BAFSA held a Fire Safety Seminar in Blackpool last week for sleeping accommodation in the conference suite at Blackpool FC. Dave Russell from Lancashire Fire Rescue Service open...

Warwickshire's firefighters response to fire alarms will lead to more fire risks Councillor Tony Lloyd has voiced his fears that it will be the most vulnerable that will suffer, as automatic fire alarms are often fitted in elderly residency. Lives will be put at risk if fire services change the way they respond to automatic call-outs, Councillors in Nuneaton and Bedworth have suggested. In attempts to cut back on false alarms, Warwickshire Fire Service has said they will not...

Israeli authorities are focused on keeping people out of the fire zone and extinguishing the blaze  Israeli authorities are currently focused on keeping people out of the fire zone and extinguishing the blaze. As fires continue to spread across northern Israel, more and more children and adults are being evacuated from their homes . The death toll is also rising as a result of the unprecedented blaze. The Minneapolis Jewish Federation is accepting urgent donations to hel...

Deforestation and wildfires have accounted for eighty percent loss of original forests American Forests teams up with an unlikely partner to assist their worldwide natural forest rebuilding project. During the last century the world lost over 80% of its original forests. Deforestation and wildfires together contributed to this loss. The eradication of forests causes severe climate change, removes necessary natural resources and leads to extinction of many niches within that h...

Five-alarm fire broke out Monday afternoon in a building in Baltimore's adult-entertainment district Two buildings were evacuated due to fire spread in Baltimore’s adult-entertainment district. A five-alarm fire broke out Monday afternoon in a building in Baltimore's adult-entertainment district, spreading quickly, sending thick smoke throughout downtown and snarling traffic. Fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said: “The blaze started about 4 p.m. in...

Smaller versions of traditional fire engines are quick response vehicles that save money over time Billings fire department uses quick-response vehicles that are smaller versions of traditional fire engines to save money over time. The Billings Fire Department has started using two new vehicles, that officials say are better suited to respond to the medical calls that make up the majority of emergency runs. Fire Chief Paul Dextras said: “The quick-response vehicle...

One-third of home fires occur during the winter and cooking is the number one cause of these tragedies Cooking is the major cause for one-third of home fires during the winter months. As the holiday season approaches, families crank up the heat, decorate their homes with lights and candles, and gather in the kitchen to prepare and enjoy warm, home-cooked meals. Unfortunately, the cold weather and seasonal activities can also create more fire hazards around the home. In fa...

The number of firefighting vehicles attending a fire scene will depend on the amount of risk involved in the fires Preveting false fire alarm will help in lowering too many fire fighting vehicles to reach the scene where nothing happens. A Scottish fire service wants to change the way it responds to fire alerts, with the aim of reducing false alarms. Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (HIFRS) want to extend a policy in place at some buildings to all buildings, repo...

Petplan is dedicated to create awareness regarding pet fire safety Motivated by fire-related injury claims, Petplan launched their pet rescue window alert campaign. This holiday season, fire and rescue departments across the country will receive free pet oxygen mask kits to help pets recover from smoke inhalation suffered during home fires. To date, 26 emergency responders have been selected and others are being encouraged to apply for the remaining kits. The donation by Petp...

Firefighters should be aware of the 'silent killer' CO gas which causes various lethal diseases Carbon monoxide poisoning is a danger at every fire, but this "Silent Killer" is often present without symptoms, making awareness, proper diagnosis and treatment difficult. Masimo, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), jointly announced the launch of "The Silent Killer" educational campaign aim...

The Jewish Federation is involved in making all important support for wildfire victims in Northern Israel The fires, which began outside the Druze village of Usfiya after a major heat wave, spread across the Carmel Mountain region. As wildfires rage in Northern Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has joined a North American effort to raise funds to provide critical services to those who have been hurt and displaced. The overseas direct service partners of th...

The job cuts in fire services can lead to poor qulality of attending emergency calls and safety risks Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has released its draft IRMP for consultation which has been branded as threatening to public and firefighter safety. Fire Brigades Union members from Humberside  begin a united campaign to fight 170 job cuts to emergency front line firefighter posts that will decimate frontline 999 services. The proposals can only mean a reductio...

No. 1 selling Christmas Tree Fire Retardant, Tree Shield™ This time of the year Fire Departments stay on the move due to residential Christmas tree fires. These fires represent a high level of hazard. 49% of Christmas tree fires spread beyond the room of origin, causing 94% of the associated fatalities in deaths, injuries, and millions in property damage. According to the (National Fire Protection Association) leading cause is: Candles, Line Voltage and  Heat...

NFPA recruits Fire Service Technical Panel to support Electric Vehicle Safety Training Program NFPA announced that panel will support development of new program for emergency responders. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently announced the creation of a Fire Service Technical Panel recruited to assist with the organization’s development of a safety training program to help emergency responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the...

B&Q have warned customers about the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning Leading DIY superstore B&Q have warned customers about the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning and advocated third-party certification of fire products. In an in-store leaflet recently published by the DIY firm, the company highly recommended that businesses and landlords ensure all fire-fighting appliances in their buildings have Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)...

The Underwriters Laboratory label must be checked before stringing lights and other decorations It is important to read the safety, use and care instructions of electrical holiday decorations currently on the market. With the holiday season under way, Detroit Edison reminds customers that a quick check of electric lights and decorations before installation can provide peace of mind and a safe holiday season. "Safety should be the first priority when installing holiday lights...