Industry News

David Pollard (L) giving award to BA instructor Neil Hodson(R)  The award ceremony formed part of the 2009 International Fire Training Centre Annual Awards held at Durham Tees Valley Airport in April, 2010. David Pollard, Regional Sales Manager for Draeger, presented Neil Hodson, BA Instructor at Biggin Hill Airport, with a prestigious DraegerMan Statuette in honour of the Best Breathing Apparatus Instructor Award. The ceremony formed part of the 2009 International Fire...

Zeta compliance group plc, announcesthe completed acquisition of the entire issued share capital of FSC Zeta Compliance Group plc, the provider of products and services to enable organisations with large estates to ensure that they systematically meet their Environmental, Health and Safety obligations, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of The Fire Strategy Company Limited ("Fire Strategy") based in Ramsgate, Kent....

The government of Alberta is dedicated to provide safety and security measures to the residential communities  Kevin Sorenson, MP for Crowfoot, Richard Marz, M.L.A. for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, and Kevin Edwards, Mayor of Three Hills, recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Three Hills Fire Hall. Built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System Standards, and equipped with office space, five parking bays, ample parking...

LFB Deputy commissioner Steve Smith receives certificate from Justice Minister Rt Hon Crispin Blunt  London Fire Brigade has become the first fire and rescue service to employ someone through a national programme designed to rehabilitate young offenders. The Young Offender Programme led by National Grid helps prisoners get back into work on their release and aims to reduce re-offending rates. Figures show that less than 6% of people on the scheme re-offend compared to th...

Every year excessive and catastrophic damage is done by wildfires to property and life According to the National Interagency Fire Center, over 77,000 fires burned nearly 6 million acres across the entire U.S. in 2009. Wildfires pose a real threat to residents across the country, and there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of loss and to protect those you love. Wildfires are a natural part of the environment. They occur everywhere that patterns of dry and windy weath...

Be careful regarding activities of pets at fire prone places in home to avoide fire accidents Fire departments across the country are encouraged to utilize Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15 to spread pet fire safety messages in your community. An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets. The Na...

DHS secretary emphasized on collaboration of private sector partners for chemical sector security Secretary Napolitano highlighted the Department's unique role in combating chemical security threats through both regulatory and voluntary programs. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano delivered remarks highlighting the Department's ongoing efforts to bolster security and increase resiliency at high-risk chemical facilities through the Chemical Facili...

New Kong Nam Food Production Company violated the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005   Fire inspectors visited the premises on Brettingham Road, Edmonton on 3 December 2008. A number of fire safety breaches were found and an enforcement notice was issued requiring Mrs Liu to remedy the faults by 9 March 2009. The manager of a food production factory has been ordered to pay over £20,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to serious breaches of fire saf...

The new act will allow discussions between first responders and agencies that employ them Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act will ensure that every state allows discussions between first responders and the agencies that employ them. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to give collective bargaining rights to fire fighters and other public safety officers. The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act assures that fire fighters in every state w...

Do follow basic safety and preventive measures in order to avoide catastrophic fires and accidents The number of grass fires across the capital rose by over 30% from May to June this year. Following a spate of grass fires across the capital, London's firefighters are warning people to take extra care during the hot weather. Andy Hickmott, London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Community Fire Safety, said: "With the hot weather set to continue we're bracing ourselve...

Firefighters across London participated in extrication challenge held at LFB's Southwark HQ on 26 June Firefighters used their experience and specialist equipment to safely rescue trapped or injured casualties from wrecked vehicles. London firefighters have taken first place in a competition which saw them pitting their skills against nine other UK Fire and Rescue Services. The Regional Extrication Challenge – in which fire crews simulate releasing casualties involved i...

An earthquale of 7.2 magnitude caused major damage to the Imperial Irrigation District: Adam DuBrowa/FEMA  Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) have wrapped up initial meetings with 31 Public Assistance Program applicants in Imperial County, to discuss recovery needs associated with the April 4 earthquake. The meetings, called Kickoff Meetings, represent a milestone in the recovery proces...

Vibrating and flash fire alarms are helpful for deaf and hard hearing people to warn against fires Firefighters are using Deaf Awareness Week to raise awareness of specialist smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing, which flash or can be wired up to vibrating pads in pillows, as well as sounding an alarm. Without a smoke alarm, deaf and hard of hearing people run the risk of dying in silence, warned London's firefighters today, ahead of Deaf Awareness Week (28 June - 4...

Spend some time each day giving each child your undivided attention, even if just for a few minutes Children's caregivers should be alert to signs of trouble and how to handle them. It's important for parents and guardians to keep in mind that children can be particularly vulnerable to stress as a result of the May severe storms and flooding. "Children may suffer from anxiety because of disaster losses and the upheaval of family life," said Debborah Arnold, Executive Directo...

London Fire and Emergency PlanningAuthority (LFEPA) runsthe London Fire Brigade for fire safety Mayor announces London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) membership. Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced the membership of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), which runs the London Fire Brigade. The appointments are based on nominations provided by the London Assembly and London Councils, plus two Mayoral appointments. Cllr Brian Coleman AM F...

Ignore rumors and recover soon with the help of disaster assistance programPhoto: Patsy Lynch/FEMA Nothing travels faster than a rumor, but rumors and misunderstandings can block your path to getting the help you need to recover from the early May storms. With less than a month left to register for help, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants you to have the right information about the many disaster assistance programs available to help you get back on the r...

London Fire Brigade has welcomed the Court's judgement against New Look New Look pleaded guilty to two breaches of the RRO at Southwark Crown Court on 25 November 2009 following a prosecution by the London Fire Brigade. London Fire Brigade has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal yesterday which gives guidance to sentencing for serious breaches of fire safety legislation. The judgment which dismissed New Look’s appeal against sentence is the first decision made b...

"The grant-funded projects will strengthen community preparedness and emergency response capabilities."  America's firefighters play a critical role in disaster prevention and response. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced more than $11.9 million in Fire Station Construction Grants (SCG) funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - designed to support the nation's first responders while creating jobs and sti...

Sian Griffiths, one of the firefighters with exceptional contribution to the act of couragePhoto: Tim Hoy Sian Griffiths, one of the first women firefighters in the country, has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) for distinguished service in the 12th June Birthday Honors List.The Queen's Fire Service Medal is awarded by Her Majesty the Queen to those members of the fire service who have exhibited exceptional contribution and devotion to duty or acts of gall...

 Illinois will become the 13th state to ban sales of novelty lighters to prevent fire accidents A woman in Ash Flat, AR, shot and killed herself with a Derringer pistol that she apparently thought was a cigarette lighter.On May 28, the Illinois legislature passed House Bill 5139, the Retail Sale and Distribution of Novelty Lighters Prohibition Act, which imposes fines of up to $500 on store owners who sell novelty cigarette lighters. According to the United States Fi...

Development of the fire industry guide was supported by VFIS and Provident Agency The National Fire Service Resource Guide covers topics like health & safety, fire service awards, governance etc. The National Fire Service Resource Guide is a one-stop reference source designed to provide fire and EMS departments with quick information regarding topics of importance to the fire and emergency services. The guide includes a compilation of available resources and tools t...

          Thunderstorm over Toronto            Photo: John R. Southern Lightening accounts for more average deaths per year than tornado. The full last week of June, National Lightening Safety Awareness Week not only helps get safety messages out in time for the Fourth of July, but also signals summer as lightening season. Outside is the most dangerous place...

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) introduced the College Fire Prevention Act On May 19, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2136, the Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act, by a voice vote. The bill, which is supported by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), was introduced on April 28, 2009, by Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH).H.R. 2136 is named for Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a Congresswoman from Cleveland, OH, and the original sponsor of the College...

The USDA funding is a one-time opportunity Utilizing ARRA funding, USDA has developed a special vehicle and equipment initiative for rural communities that has $600 million available nationwide. Through its Community Facilities Program, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided assistance to rural communities and services, including fire and EMS for the past three decades. In recent years the amount of funding available through this program has remained...

The NVFC endorses proposed NFPA Standard on Professional Qualifications for Emergency Responders on Roadways The creation of the proposed standard, and subsequent adoption of that standard by local fire and emergency services agencies, will lead to a reduction in injuries and deaths. On May 17, National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg sent a letter to the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Codes and Standards Administration expressing...

NVFC resource will help people to check out for proper resources in the time catastrophes The NVFC created the resource center to help communities tackle and overcome aftermaths of hurricane disasters. Hurricane season is from June 1-November 30, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be active to extremely active. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) wants to help communities be ready...

'Fit for duty' is the theme of safety week which would be held between June 20 and 26  Safety Week's Fit for Duty theme will cover a variety of topics that are extremely important to all fire fighters and EMS personnel. This year's Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week also known as Safety Week—runs June 20-26. Sponsored by the IAFC and the IAFF, and in partnership with other national fire service organizations, the theme for this year's event is Fit for Duty...

Proper emergency management and communication plan helps in overcoming catastrophic situations State and Federal emergency management professionals encourage individuals and families to be ready in case there is an emergency. Every one should have a plan, know what to do and when to do it during an emergency and have a fully equipped emergency supply kit packed and ready to go. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and family members for the first 72 hours that...

Eligible programs include auxiliaries, junior firefighter programs, and other non-emergency support programs     Nominate an outstanding Fire Corps program for the 2010 Fire Corps Award of Excellence. The award, which is sponsored by the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Fire Protection Publications, honors a Fire Corps program whose remarkable achievements in the fire and emergency services and the community exemplify outstanding...

Safety, Health and Survival Week is in partnership with more than 20 national fire service organizations Safety Week’s Fit for Duty theme will cover a variety of topics that are extremely important to all firefighters and EMS personnel.The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have announced the theme for the 2010 Safety, Health and Survival Week (Safety Week): Fit for Duty. Safety Week, which w...