Industry News

The London Fire Brigade has withdrawn 27 fire engines from its fleet The sudden withdrawal of fire engines has brought fire safety at stake within the city of London. FBU has strongly criticized this stand. The Fire Brigades Union condemned the London Fire Brigade for withdrawing 27 fire engines from use the day before the FBU strike ballot is due. FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said: "This is nothing but provocation. The result of our strike ballot is not even out yet, bu...

FEMA and American Red Cross came together to provide care during disaster FEMA and American Red Cross partnership will strengthen mass care during a disaster. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that sets the framework for the Red Cross and FEMA to jointly lead the planning and coordination of mass care services, which will strengthen and expand the resour...

FEMA helps and prepares in overcoming the effects of natural disasters which cause much distress FEMA publications can point you in the right direction for information about how to reinforce your home against high winds and flooding. Weather happens. Sometimes it's severe enough to be a disaster, like the flooding and wind damage Tropical Storm Nicole caused in eastern North Carolina. You can take steps before the next disaster to protect your family and minimize property da...

Fire Service-Based EMS Electronic Tool Kit: Resources for Leaders New Fire Service-Based tool kit is provided as a cooperative effort between the IAFC, the IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Association. A new resource for fire and emergency service leaders looking to strengthen or protect their department’s position as a fire service-based EMS provider is now available. Fire Service-Based EMS Electronic Tool Kit: Resources for Leaders is a brief, web-bas...

Firewise Communities program to help property owners reduce their risk of wildfire damage NFPA report shows toll of brush, grass and forest fires on private property and local fire departments. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released findings of a report on local fire department responses to brush, grass and forest fires from 2004 through 2008. Local fire departments in the U.S. responded to an average of almost 1,000 such fires every day during that...

Large number of fires occur in residential buildings on Thanksgiving Day celebrations causing much damage The report is part of the Topical Fire Report Series and is based on 2006 to 2008 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fire...

Eureka and Crescent Valley the first communities in Nevada to join the program and earn distinction Eureka / Diamond Valley and Crescent Valley / Beowawe are first in state to join the program. Two Nevada communities have proactively taken steps to prepare their residents for wildfire protection by becoming Firewise Communities. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) voluntary initiative protects local residents, their property and natural resources f...

FEMA officials have heralded a new era to bridge experience and fire service One of the biggest things people wanted was better opportunities for training and how to expand their role within FEMA. For close to a year now, FEMA has firmly had its finger on the pulse of the fire service. In what is believed to be a first for the agency, four senate-appointed positions are held by former first responders. "It's been rare that in the FEMA leadership you have people (with experie...

Illegal fireworks seized by joint operation between GMFRS and MFRS Joint operation between Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services seized thousands of illegal fireworks. Thousands of illegal fireworks have been seized following a major joint operation between Greater Manchester and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services, the Police and Trading Standards. The haul, thought to originate from Spain, was removed from premises in Bury New R...

Families should prepare themselves to cope with disasters and their effects A few simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together can go a long way toward keeping families safe. With Daylight Saving Time coming to an end, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the November 7 time change as a reminder to make sure their families are prepared for a possi...

Supermarket shoppers to get safety advice from firefighters The firefighters in Canterbury, and Folkestone Whitstable will visit supermarkets to spread safety awareness among the shoppers. Firefighters in Canterbury, and Folkestone Whitstable have teamed up with their local Sainsbury’s stores so that shoppers can do their grocery shopping and pick up vital community safety advice, when crews visit the stores. The local crews, plus community safety officers will be...

Home fire sprinkler incentives underscored in new Fire Protection Research Foundation study Overall value and impact of home fire sprinkler incentives underscored in new Fire Protection Research Foundation study. Incentives for sprinkler installations in new U.S. homes are becoming increasingly common due to building codes and ordinances, and in recognition of the life safety benefits these systems provide. That’s according to “Incentives for the Use of Residentia...

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is now saving almost £250,000 in lost shifts  Improvements on health and fitness reduces accidents and sickness across the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.Firefighters in Greater Manchester are fitter and healthier thanks to a huge focus on reducing accidents and sickness across the Service. And thanks to the improvements Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is now saving almost £250,000 in lost shift...

Councillor Paul Shannon, Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire Authority Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service revealed how it successfully scuppered two fake claims from fraudulent drivers after installing CCTV to their vehicles. Fire chiefs in Greater Manchester issued a warning shot to people trying to make bogus claims against them after two motorists were caught out using CCTV technology. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service revealed how it successfully scupper...

New workwear is designed to be safer and smarter Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) staff are to be kitted out in a new uniform which is designed to be safer and smarter. From 1st November, the workwear set of dark blue shirts and black trousers will be worn by firefighters under their protective fire clothing and when they go out on public duties such as Home Safety Visits. The uniform is part of a new four year contract and represents a saving through collaboration with e...

Hi-Fog water mist systems have been deployed in Tudor House Museum which was built in the 15th century Watermist system is safe for people and can be activated immediately without the need for evacuation. A Southampton museum situated in a historic building is getting a fire safety solution in the form of a Watermist fire suppression system. The 15th century Tudor House Museum, built in 1495, is being fitted with a Hi-Fog water mist fire protection system, which is the prefer...

Firelink communication systems provide two way communication between firefighters in tough situations Digital radio system, dubbed Firelink, is designed to provide immediate two-way communication between firefighter teams. Residents and businesses in Wales can look forward to an even better service from firefighters following the launch of a new £45 million communications system for the region's fire and rescue services. The state-of-the-art digital radio system, dubbe...

A research is going on in University of Ulster on fire safety in constructions Experts at the university are analysing the fire resistance of a new type of steel column.Fire safety in the construction industry could be revolutionised by new research by scientists at the University of Ulster, which has secured funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Experts at the university are analysing the fire resistance of a new type of steel column, which feat...

Grassroots forums report for effective retention and recruitment practices Fire Corps releases Grassroots forum report. In 2009 and early 2010, Fire Corps hosted a series of grassroots forums to identify best practices, challenges, effective retention and recruitment practices, and recommendations and feedback for Fire Corps from the local level. Forums were held in Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia. A report of the findings from these valuable and insightful sessions has...

Seymour Support Services Division2010 Award of Excellence winner Fire corps announced Seymour Support Services Division as a winner of 2010 Award of Excellence. Fire Corps has announced that the Seymour (TN) Volunteer Fire Department Support Services Division is the winner of the 2010 Fire Corps Award of Excellence. Sponsored by the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Fire Protection Publications, the Award of Excellence annually honors a Fire Corps pr...

Firefighters must have a good understanding of electrical appliances and their safety from fires Enabling rescue services to extend their understanding of electrical fires, we help them develop best-practice techniques and approaches. With government statistics showing that approximately half of all accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity, hands-on training for front line staff is vital. To help address this issue, the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) rec...

Essex Fire Brigade Union Secretarywants Chief to change hisheart not just tune Keith Flynn, Essex FBU Secretary: “Chief needs a change of heart, not just a change of tune.” Essex fire crews gave a luke-warm reception to calls by the chief fire officer for cooperation over the biggest spending cuts in living memory. The call comes after successive years of cuts to numbers of frontline firefighters and 999 services in Essex and without any end in sight to the 16-mo...

Cambridgeshire FRS, user of GGP Software, won five out of six categories at a national award ceremony Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were amongst users of GGP software that were announced as winners in five out of six categories at a national awards ceremony. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were amongst users of GGP software that were announced as winners in five out of six categories at a national awards ceremony. The 2010 National Land and Property Gazetteer...

A new report by NFPA shows decrease in number of smoking-material related fire deaths in US NFPA announced second lowest level of U.S. smoking-material fire deaths in nearly 30 years. A new report released by the non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that the number of smoking-material related fire deaths in the U.S. dropped below 700 in 2008, representing the second lowest level since 1980. While several factors can be credited for the latest decl...

Prescribed fires are a good way to deal with wildfires and ecological imbalance Assurant Solutions and Assurant Specialty Property have long been supporters of organizations and programs that promote the preservation of our environment. Assurant Solutions and Assurant Specialty Property have joined forces with The Nature Conservancy to provide land managers with a new tool to help them determine when and how to use prescribed fire to maintain healthy habitats and ecosystems....

Chancellor George Osborne announced cuts in fire and rescue service spending London Fire Brigade is already demonstrating how to deliver a value for money service without compromising public safety. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs the London Fire Brigade, is spearheading changes designed to ensure that the UK's fire and rescue service is fit for the 21st century. As part of his comprehensive spending review, Chancellor George Osborne announced tha...

The sword of Damocles has beenhovering over public services for months now says CFOA's president CFOA acknowledged that a 25% cut in formula grant for fire and rescue, a critical frontline emergency service, will mean tough choices ahead following yesterday’s Spending Review announcement. The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) acknowledged that a 25% cut in formula grant for fire and rescue, a critical frontline emergency service, will mean tough choices ahead follo...

Fire and security industry will benefit a lot from the new guidelines of CFOA on reducing false fire alarms and signals The guidelines aim to ensure that effective measures are implemented and maintained, ensuring the reduction of false fire alarms and unwanted fire signals. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the recent publication of a series of best practice guidelines by the Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA). The CFOA Protocol for the Redu...

CSB Chairperson Rafael Moure-Eraso  has connoted 'gas blow' as a very dangerous and fatal activity CSB is issuing letters to the other 49 states warning of the hazards associated with gas blows and urging state officials to enact any necessary changes in this regard. U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) Chairperson Rafael Moure-Eraso today called for a ban on the practice of cleaning out debris from gas piping using pressurized natural gas. In a video safety message relea...

The complete process of responding to a faulty fire alarm is a waste for professionals and the resources Earlier in the month, the Fire Industry Association advised business owners to regularly test their fire detection equipment following a blaze at a hotel. The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have announced plans to cut back on the number of times it attends false alarms. According to figures released by the service, its firefighters answer around 9,000 call-...