Industry News

Follow simple emergency measures to protect against volcanic eruptions. Photo: Mark A. Wilson Potentially active volcanoes in the U.S. exist mainly in Hawaii, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. With the recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, it is important to remember that the United States also has the potential for volcanic activity.  When pressure builds up within a volcano's molten rock, it has the potential to erupt, sending forth lava...

Bulk foam units will ward off emergency fire situations across London The highly specialised vehicles introduced in London Fire Brigade enable firefighters to tackle emergencies like aircraft crashes, chemical spills or fires on large industrial sites with large amounts of foam.   Three bulk foam unit appliances go on the run in London this week backed by new training and staffing capabilities dramatically improving London's ability to fight major fires or spil...

The site of the fire and explosion lacked warning signs CSB investigators determined that a lit cigarette or lighter was the likely ignition source for explosion.A fiery explosion that took the life of a 21-year-old member of the public in Weeletka, Oklahoma, on April 14 occurred at an unattended oil and gas production site that was unsecured and likely lacked fire or explosion warning signs, CSB investigators have determined following a four-day field assessment. Investiga...

NIOSH and USFA have joined to study cancer-related issues among fire service professionals The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are partnering on a study to examine the potential for increased risk of cancer among firefighters due to exposures from smoke, soot, and other contaminants in the line of duty. This multi-year USFA supported NIOSH study will include over 18,000 current and retire...

Oil and Gas sites are prone to explosions and mishaps due to their highly inflammable property On April 13, 2010, CSB released a safety video aimed at educating young people on the hazards of socialising at oil sites, a common phenomenon in rural areas. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced it has sent investigators to a fatal explosion which occurred on April 14, 2010, at an oil site in Weleetka, Oklahoma. The CSB team is headed by Investigations Supervisor...

The new green building code is meant for traditional and high performance buildings The International Code Council (ICC) recently unveiled the IGCC Public Version 1.0 at its Washington, D.C., world headquarters office with participants from the fire safety community in attendance. In an answer to the public demand for more energy-efficient and renewable technologies in schools, hospitals, and worksites of all types, the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is...

Andrew Velasquez brings his work experience in emergency management to the new post Andrew Velasquez III brings extensive experience in emergency management at the state and local level. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded President Obama's appointment of Andrew Velasquez III as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region V, which encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. "Regional Administrators...

The programme will analyse policy options and examine the responsibilities of leadership The fellowship programme for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA, IFSTA, IAFC, NFPA, and Harvard. Kelvin J. Cochran, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), announced that six senior fire officials have been selected for fellowships to attend the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Governm...

NVFC is seeking inputs from first responders about health and safety concerns The NVFC is conducting a survey to identify new or changing health and safety issues facing the fire and emergency services. America's firefighters and emergency services personnel save lives and property as first responders to man-made and natural disasters, but these responders face great health and safety risks. In order to identify and address these risks, the National Volunteer Fire Coun...

Craig Fugate discussed the coordination of local and state officials during hurricanes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate addressed the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, discussing the importance of coordination with state and local officials in preparing to respond recover from hurricanes. Fugate also talked about ways to better engage the public as part of the nation's emergency management team. "FEMA is only one part of the n...

Earth Day will bring issues like energy saving, greenhouse emissions and recycling on the global front Environmentally beneficial steps can save your department money in the long-run by lowering energy costs and reducing waste. April 22 marks the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day, and first responders can do their part to promote a healthy, sustainable environment by taking simple steps to "go green" in your department. The following Earth-friendly chang...

Wyoming fire service is glad to hear the passing of Fire Safe Cigarette Legislation Wyoming is the 50th state to pass legislation aimed at reducing the number of cigarette fires and fire fatalities. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal recently signed legislation requiring all cigarettes sold in Wyoming to meet a specific fire safety standard as of July, 2011. This marks the 50th state to pass legislation aimed at reducing the number of cigarette fires and fire fatalitie...

Arson fire in Lebanon, in February of 2009. Photo Credit: Jonathan Paul, Fire Inspector Lebanon Fire Department The focus of Arson Awareness Week will be on the horrific crime of arson, and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and places of worship. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces this year's Arson Awareness Week (AAW) theme Community Arson Prevention. The USFA will partner w...

Fire Prevention and safety grant will help NVFC to concentrate on firefighters' health issues The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant is meant for supporting programmes like Health Fair, Health and Wellness Advocate Workshops, and National Firefighter Health Week.The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has received a Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant from the Department of Homeland Security to support the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. The grant will...

Regional administrators are crucial for handling emergency situations Robin Finegan has more than 20 years of experience in crisis management and community preparedness. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate has applauded President Obama's appointment of Robin Finegan as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region VIII, which encompasses Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. "Regional Administrators are crucial to...

From (L to R) Mark Whittall with Charlie Harwood and Tooting Station Manager, John Day Charlie spent the war years fighting fires in London, attending many of the major blazes and incidents, including those during the Blitz. 100-year-old Charlie Harwood, who served as a fire fighter in Tooting during World War two, visited Tooting fire station recently to celebrate his 100th birthday with fire fighters from the station's green watch. Charlie was presented with a comme...

FEMA personnel are working on the forefront of flood affected areas FEMA and Department of Homeland Security have increased their effort to bring life back to normal in flood-affected Rhode Island. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Richard Serino traveled to Rhode Island to tour areas affected by flooding and meet with Congressional, state and local leaders to discuss the...

  Federal Signal Corporation  today announced that it will form Federal Signal Technologies Group   Federal Signal Corporation, a leader in environmental, safety and transportation solutions, recently announced that it will form Federal Signal Technologies Group ("FSTech"), a new division to be focused on Intelligent Transportation Systems ("ITS") solutions. FSTech will be comprised of recently acquired Diamond Consulting, Sirit and VESystems as well as the C...

The ABI published their report 'Tackling Fire: A Call for Action' The ABI have published a report entitled 'Tackling Fire: A Call for Action' which expresses the concerns of the insurance industry that even though the numbers of fires in the UK has fallen, the costs of fires have risen. The report concludes that the current challenging economic climate is likely to have a significant impact on the number and cost of fires and has the potential to have an impact on...

  A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year. Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on you and your home. The U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a flood. Types of Fire Related Hazards Present During and After a Fl...

USFA says there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property due to home fires Electrical fires at homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords. The United States Fire Adm...

FEMA brings out awareness campaign related to safety and fire emergency The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the March 14 time change for Daylight Savings as a reminder to ensure their families are prepared for a possible emergency. 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. "No matte...

The fourth London safety plan is built on excellent work done by members of London Fire Brigade The fourth London safety plan agreed by London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority at its meeting on 18 March is built on excellent work already carried out by the London Fire Brigade's 7,000 staff members. It proposes new ways of delivering some of its resources to incidents, expands the work of the London local authority co-ordination centre run by the Brigade on behalf of...

The new bill asks for mandatory installation of fire sprinklers in UK schools A Coventry MP is calling for all new schools and colleges to install automatic sprinklers to help prevent fires and save lives. Jim Cunningham, Labour MP for Coventry South, said: "About 1,400 schools in the UK are damaged by fire each year, with almost a third occurring in daylight." "The cost of the damage from the fires is estimated around £100m," he said. His Fire Safety (Sc...

IAFF has selected MSA to develop a prototype of a new SCBA New pressure-vessel technology of SCBA will increase fire fighters safety. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), under contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has selected global safety equipment manufacturer MSA  to build a prototype of a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The IAFF's next-generation SCBA prototype will rely on pressure-vessel technology, which p...

IMS Research reports says global fire market declined by 3 per cent during 2009 IMS Research estimates the global fire market to have declined by some -3.0% during 2009.Nobody it seems was able to escape the damaging effects of the global economic depression. In its latest fire detection and suppression report, IMS Research (www.imsresearch.com) estimates the global fire market to have declined by some -3.0% during 2009, with the market not set to recover to pre-re...

Old Fire Station, Stoke Newington, Hackney, London. Photo: Fin Fahey This guidance is intended to help those authorities who are faced with applications for alteration and adaptation.From the compact allure of Belsize to the elaborate Victorian splendour of Kensington, London's historic fire station buildings are an instantly recognisable part of the capital. The one that remain in active use are part of their proud legacy of civic buildings that are cherished by their com...

KFRS has issued safety tips to ensure garden bonfires don't result in fire accidents Kent Fire and Rescue Service is issuing safety tips to ensure garden bonfires don't result in injury or property damage.As the spring weather tempts more residents out in to the garden, maybe to start tidying up after the long winter months and dispose of garden waste, Kent Fire and Rescue Service is issuing safety tips to ensure garden bonfires don't result in injury or property damage. He...

Paul Hufnagel is the 8th District Vice President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Retired Lansing fire fighter and Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union President Paul Hufnagel has been elected 8th District Vice President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. Hufnagel replaces Tommy Miller, who in January was nominated and elected to become General Secretary-Treasurer of the IAFF. Hufnagel was sworn in March 11. "I am confident t...

FEMA's share of assistance is 75 %  of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration FEMA's PA Program encourages protection from future damage by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery period. "Public Assistance (PA) helps to strengthen communities that do not have the means or resources to bounce back quickly from a natural disaster," according to Richard Griffin, state coordinating officer. "It reimburses local go...