Industry News

Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake For the second day Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake in temperatures of over 90 degrees. Along with other UK teams they are concentrating their efforts on collapsed buildings such as schools, churches and hospitals, and areas where there have been reports of survivors. Mobile communications are extremely difficult, but in a brie...

London's firefighters are reminding you to take great care in your home  With forecasters predicting the coldest winter for 100 years, London's firefighters are reminding people to take great care in their homes during the big freeze. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety, Andy Hickmott, said: "When the temperature drops and it's freezing outside, the chance of you having a house fire increases. Sadly, you're also more likely to die...

  Establishment Holmatro UK as of 1 January 2010 Establishment Holmatro UK as of 1 January 2010 Holmatro Rescue Equipment B.V., Dutch based manufacturer and worldwide leading supplier of high-pressure hydraulic rescue tools, opened an office in the UK on 1st January 2010; with immediate effect, customers can purchase their rescue equipment directly from Holmatro UK. They are also pleased to announce an ongoing agreement until October 2012 with Supply 999 Limited w...

KFRS hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for hoax calls Medway residents are being warned about the dangers of hoax emergency calls after a number of false or malicious shouts for fire crews. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for such a crime. "As well as wasting our valuable resources, hoax calls have the potential to divert us from a real emergency - just i...

A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti to help earthquake victims A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti yesterday, where it will form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake had struck the night before, and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one of...

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoPhotograph: Elissa Jun/FEMA Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released a statement describing ongoing US relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake."The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake - a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the F...

LLACC is supporting borough councils as they continue to deal with severe weather London Fire Brigade's 'London Local Authority Coordination Centre' (LLACC) is supporting borough councils across the capital as they continue to deal with some of the most severe weather in living memory. Based in Clapham, the 24-hours a day centre is activated by the Brigade's emergency planning team when there is a need for Councils to work together, coordinate resources, share informat...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, as one of the first call teams, has sent a group of six firefighters to Haiti A team of specialist firefighters from Kent has arrived in Haiti to form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday evening and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one o...

As the snow begins to melt, there could be new problems The Army units, which have supported Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) over the last few days are being withdrawn today but firefighters warn of new safety risks as the thaw starts. KFRS asked the military to be on standby over the weekend to assist with their heavy all terrain 4X4 vehicles, to supplement KFRS's own capability. That support was extended yesterday while some parts of Kent were still potentially diffic...

The law places the responsibility for fire safety on employers and other people who have control of premises Three years after changes to fire safety law, London Fire Brigade is warning that many businesses still don't have enough understanding of how the law affects their business or premises, and could be risking financial ruin or even prosecution. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into affect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 separate pieces of fire safet...

Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response and assist in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Haiti. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck last night and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.   Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS),...

Fire Safety Officers are urging firms to pay attention to fire safety before it is too late Businesses are being warned to make sure that the cold snap doesn't put the freeze on fire prevention. With so many workers unable to get in to work because of extremely treacherous road conditions, Kent Fire and Rescue Service is worried that fire safety measures could be forgotten or even ignored - and that this could see business owners hopes, dreams and their employees jobs...

  The scheme is designed to help companies obtain BAFE accreditation The FIA's 'Route to Certification' scheme is being officially launched in 2010 following a successful trial in 2009.Companies involved in the manufacture, supply or maintenance of portable fire extinguishers can receive assistance in securing membership of theFire Industry Association (FIA) and, in doing so, gain ISO 9001 registration and third party certification for their technicians. This scheme...

GMFRS are warning people of the extreme dangers of ice and open water With the current cold weather conditions continuing, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are again warning people of the extreme dangers of ice and open water. Local media has highlighted a number of instances where people have been witnessed playing and skating on ice.* So far during this current cold period the Fire and Rescue Service have responded to a total of 13** incidents across Greater Man...

GMFRS are dealing with the working conditions caused by the severe  weather affecting the entire county Currently Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) are dealing with the extraordinary working conditions caused by the severe weather affecting the entire county.  Despite the poor driving conditions emergency fire crews are fully operational and responding to all incidents, also six additional 4x4 vehicles have been made available. Because of the&n...

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised for making Shropshire safer Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised by an independent watchdog for making the county one of the safest in the UK with fires at a record low. Property fires are down, arson is "greatly reducing," businesses are safer with blazes also down and car fires cut, said the report from the Audit Commission's "Oneplace" which gives an independent overview of public services. "The...

Mid and West Wales firefighters are issuing a stark warning to drivers to ensure road and fire related safety Road and fire safety measures during winter from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. How do you fancy being faced with one of these? This is hydraulic rescue equipment and is used by firefighters to free casualties trapped in cars. Unfortunately this is an all too familiar sight for today's firefighters and despite a reduction in the number of people bein...

LFB staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list London Fire Brigade staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list published recently. London Fire Brigade Group Manager Nigel Hall has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) and Kelly Fairman has received the MBE for services to the Fire and Rescue Service. Nigel's award recognises his 30 years service with the Brigade and his instrumental role in setting up its flagship youth engagement...

The IAFF has worked for years to end the use of the flame retardant decabromine Rep. Pingree's bill - H.R 4394, the Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 2009 - coincides with an announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a scheduled withdrawal of decabromine from the domestic marketplace. The International Association of Fire Fighters has applauded Chellie Pingree (DME) for introducing a bill to ban decabromine, a dangerous flame retardant....

Fire safety for families from Poland living in Shropshire was served up at a county fire station Fire safety for families from Poland living in Shropshire was served up at a social evening held at a county fire station. A number of Polish families who have now made their homes in the county were invited to Oswestry Fire Station along with four firefighters from the city of Lodz in central Poland on a European cultural exchange visit funded through the European Commission's...

The pioneering campaign won the Partnership Initiative of the Year prize at the SHP IOSH Awards The pioneering campaign included an online viral marketing presentation with a James Bond theme and a dramatic reconstruction of a fire in a student flat.The campaign won the 'Partnership Initiative of the Year' prize at the SHP IOSH Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions in the world of health and safety. The initiative was described by judges as 'a subtle, yet h...

Firefighters from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service tackled the fire throughout the night at Afan Lido The blaze was tackled by the use of ground monitors and main jets together with high volume pump and aerial appliances.Fourteen appliances and more than 100 personnel from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service attended a major fire at the Afan Lido Aquadome at Sandfields, Port Talbot with the additional support of three appliances from South Wales F...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging premises managers to review their fire safety procedures Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging managers of licensed establishments to review their fire safety measures to ensure compliance with fire safety law. The measure comes in the aftermath of a disastrous fire in Russia and a smaller restaurant fire in Swansea and the successful prosecution of a local nightclub owner. In the run up to Christmas and...

Drinking large amounts of alcohol and cooking is a "dangerous cocktail" at Christmas Drinking large amounts of alcohol and cooking is a "dangerous cocktail" at Christmas, warn community fire safety officers. Shropshire fire crews have been giving out the message at fire safety events across the county in a bid to prevent house fires during the festive season. "Our message is especially important at Christmas and the New Year as people celebrate and drink small amounts of a...

  Kimtek Corporation is to supply FIRELITE units for service with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan   Kimtek Corporation has announced a significant order of their FIRELITE units for service with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The company manufactured and shipped ten of their top of the line FIRELITE Transport FDH-09 skid units to fit Military Polaris and John Deere Gator 6x6 UTVs. Built from aluminum diamond plate, aluminum tubing, and stainless steel, these rugge...

FLAME-SIM allows AFD firefighters to understand and follow SOGs and safety procedures on the fireground With budgets tightening and the number of fires decreasing, more departments are turning to the benefits brought about by simulation software.  Allen Fire Department, in Allen, Texas, has been working with FLAME-SIM since October 2008. They have seen the cutting edge simulation software positively impact their training program, as well as their budget. Th...

  Bristol's business in Australia takes off with PAC Fire The contract will provide for structural protective clothing supply to Airservices Australia.Less than 12 months after appointing PAC Fire as their principal distributor in Australia, Bristol and Pac Fire have successfully tendered for the supply of "front line fire PPE" in a contract to provide 1400 sets of structural protective clothing to Airservices Australia. Servicing 21 of Australia's busiest airports, thr...

London's firefighters have launched a Christmas fire safety campaign The aim of the campaign is to remind people to take care with candles and not to overload plug sockets this Christmas.London's firefighters have launched a Christmas fire safety campaign to remind people of the dangers of house fires over the festive season. The Brigade has just released new figures which show that electrical problems, such as overloaded plug sockets, and candles, cause more house...

Operation Carmageddon will demonstrate the consequences of careless driving "Reckless driving: cut it out before we have to cut you out," is the stark message from firefighters who will be demonstrating their role in the aftermath of a serious car crash with a special demonstration in Chatham High Street on Thursday, 17 December. Crews from Chatham and Medway fire stations will rescue a mock casualty from car wreckage alongside staff from Kent Police and the Kent Air Ambula...

Tower blocks or high rise buildings are designed to hold back fire and stop it from spreading Firefighters in London are specially trained to respond to fires in high rise buildings, and are regularly called out to such fires.Following the fire at Lakanal House in Camberwell this year, some reports in the media may have left you confused about what to do if a fire starts in your building. Tower blocks or high rise buildings are designed with walls, ceilings and doors that h...