Industry News

L to R: Sir Michael Craig-Cooper CBE, TD, DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London and Bernie Higgins London Fire Brigade applauds officer's lengthy career Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bernie Higgins has been presented with a long service award by London Fire Brigade for more than 30 years of service to the capital. Bernie is head of the team which manages the Brigade's specialist equipment used at major incidents in London and nationally. He joined the Brigade in Octob...

The Greater Manchester 'Battle of the Badges' charity boxing event raised over £16,500 On Saturday 4th of July 2009 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and the Greater Manchester Police took part in the ‘Battle of the Badges’ charity boxing event, which raised more than £16,500 for charity. The event took place at the Premier Suite of the Reebok Stadium in front of 1500 people, the turn out was better than we could ever imagine, a...

Oklahoma residents have one month left to apply for wildfire disaster aid from FEMA and the U.S. SBA Deadline for Oklahoma wildfire victims to register for help from FEMA and the SBA Oklahoma residents have one month to register for wildfire disaster help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline for residents to apply for disaster assistance for damages or losses caused by April wildfires is Tuesday,...

The DHS needs inputs to inform the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review DHS calls for inputs to inform new policy as part of review Now is your opportunity to help shape our nation's homeland security policies and priorities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting the first ever Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) that will establish the strategic foundation for homeland security activities over the next four years. Secretary Napolitano views t...

OK Wildfire Disaster Recovery Centers are now transitioning to US SBA DisasterLoan Outreach Centers New home for wildfire disaster assistance and information The Disaster Recovery Centers in Midwest City and Ratliff City will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers beginning on Monday, July 20, State and Federal disaster officials announced today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Managem...

HazMat responders at work: CSB will investigate the fatal release of ammonia at Tanner Industries HazMat incident has tragic consequences The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying an investigation team to the site of an anhydrous ammonia release that occurred earlier today at Tanner Industries, located south of Swansea, South Carolina, the agency announced. According to media reports, a woman driving her car near the facility was overcome by the ammonia vapor and w...

According to a new NFPA report, the presence of fire sprinkler ordinances doesn't lessen housing development County-wide mandates for life-saving sprinklers do not result in reduced housing supplies The results of a new study conducted for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) concluded that the presence of sprinkler ordinances has no negative impact on the number of homes being built. Conducted by Newport Partners, 'Comparative Analysis of Housing Cost an...

The latest edition of NFPA 1600 is now available as an iPhone application iPhone users can access interactive version of standard for emergency preparedness The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced today the availability of an iPhone application for the latest edition of NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, which has been adopted by the Department of Homeland Security. The NFPA 1600 application is availab...

Arriving on-scene: US firefighters can expect a reduction in AFG funding Reductions in firefighter funding grant program passed The House and Senate versions of the FY 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act both contain sizable reductions in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Both the House - passed bill (H.R. 2892) and Senate - passed bill (S. 1298) would provide $390 million in funding for AFG - a $175 million decrease f...

  The IFRM has sent donated firefighter gear to a Papua New Guinea fire dept. IFRM sends equipment donated by fire departments across US In late June, the International Fire Relief Mission (IFRM) sent one pallet of donated fire and EMS equipment to the Ukarumpa Fire Department in Papua New Guinea. Later this year, IFRM will send a team of fire and EMS professionals to train members of the fire department on the safe and proper use of the equipment. IFRM is a nonpr...

Pet Fire Safety Day is designed to help reduce the tragic incidence of fire-related pet deaths July 15 event intended to reduce fire-related pet deaths at home Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club to educate pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone as well as provide the public with fire prevention and home safety measures to ensure the...

The NVFC has created an online resource center for firefighters to use during National Firefighter Health Week Online resource to encourage better firefighter health National Firefighter Health Week is August 17-21, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released an online resource center to help you plan your activities and focus on your health. This year's theme: "It takes a healthy heart, mind, and body to do what you do - Keep It Strong," encourages first re...

The NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award recognises outstanding volunteer firefighter performance National award recognises volunteer firefighter achievement Nominate an outstanding volunteer firefighter for the 2009 National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Lifetime Achievement Award. Sponsored by Scott Health & Safety, this prestigious national award annually recognizes an individual whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplifies outstanding perform...

An image from FPA Australia's new fire safety advertising campaign Winning creative assists the Fire Protection Association Australia spread the fire safety message Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) has been provided with free advertising artwork and placement courtesy of creative agency, The 303 Group. Employees of The 303 Group were challenged to design an advertisement for a not-for-profit or charity as part of an internal competition, kindly donating th...

A firefighter died and another was injured at a fire in an Edinburgh bar Losses sustained following fire in Edinburgh bar A firefighter from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service has died and another injured at a fire in a bar in Edinburgh. At least 20 people have been reported rescued from the tenement block above the bar in Dalry Road. Kenny Ross FBU Scotland regional secretary said: "It is devastating news that we have lost a firefighter in the line of duty and th...

FEMA has announced finalists for the National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards 2009 Work of finalists can be copied by other communities The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is excited to announce the finalists for the National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards - Celebrating Resilient Communities for 2009. These awards recognize innovative practices and achievements of Citizen Corps Councils across the nation that are making our communities safer, stronger, and be...

Firefighters urged children to be wary of local hazards such as ponds or lakes The importance of recognising local safety hazards was highlightedFirefighters in the Lothians and Borders FRS visited over 5,000 children across the area throughout June. Children in primary schools and at fetes throughout Lothian and Borders were asked to think about the summer hazards brought about by light nights. The summer nights can mean children may be staying out to play later and warm a...

Secretary Napolitano supports Richard Serino's likely nomination as Deputy Administrator of FEMA DHS Secretary is encouraged by Serino's experience U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today applauded President Obama's intent to nominate Richard Serino - who brings 35 years of emergency management and emergency medical services experience - as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). "Richard's decad...

The NFPA supports Kelvin Cochran for U.S. Fire Administrator Obama's pick for U.S. Fire Administration receives NFPA support Citing his many years of experience in the fire service and his leadership at both the local and national level, James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urged Congress to approve the appointment of Kelvin Cochran as U.S. Fire Administrator. "Kelvin Cochran has been an active member of the fire service...

Fire services concerns over the safety of high-visibility apparel were upheld New rule addresses firefighter apparel safety concerns The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has adopted as final an Interim Final Rule that amends regulations to address safety concerns raised by the fire service regarding high-visibility safety apparel. The FHWA adopted this regulation to exempt fire fighters from the requirement to use high-visibility...

The IAFF is lobbying against a health-benefits tax on behalf of firefighters IAFF campaign leads to reassessment on firefighter healthcare tax An aggressive lobbying campaign led by the IAFF has dampened enthusiasm on Capitol Hill for paying for health reform by imposing a tax on employer-provided health benefits. The IAFF has argued that such a tax would disproportionately impact the nation's firefighters and other unionized workers. The health benefits tax has been champ...

A cross at Ground Zero: the UFA wants the 9/11 memorial to highlight the sacrifice of first responders Need to properly recognise NY firefighters highlighted The IAFF recognizes the efforts of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of Greater New York Local 94 for its determination and perseverance to gain proper recognition for the sacrifice of New York City fire fighters and other first responders who perished at the World Trade Center site on September 11, 2001. "...

The CFOA has offered its condolences to all affected by the Camberwell fire Leading UK fire authority offer condelences Following Friday 3rd July's fatal fire in South London, the Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA) would like to offer sincere condolences to the families, friends and neighbours affected by this tragedy. Every Fire and Rescue Service in the UK takes the safety of the public in their homes very seriously indeed. CFOA and all Fire and Rescue Services...

Sarah Brown, Gordon Brown and Prince Charles attend the unveiling of the 7/7 memorial Memorial to 7/7 bombing victims unveiled The Prime Minister has attended the unveiling of a memorial to the victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings today. Gordon Brown and wife Sarah joined Prince Charles, senior figures from the emergency services and relatives of the victims at the ceremony in Hyde Park. Fifty-two people were killed and hundreds more injured when suicide bombers d...

Secretary Napolitano has announced her approval of Kelvin Cochran for US Fire Administrator DHS Secretary approves President's experienced intended choice U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano applauds President Obama's intent to nominate Kelvin Cochran - who brings decades of experience in preventing and responding to fires and emergencies - as U.S. Fire Administrator. "Kelvin will play a vital role in strengthening our fire prevention...

NFPA has awarded scholarships to four students for contributions to fire safety Students recognised for fire safety and academic, leadership prowess The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Safety Education Memorial Fund has made it a tradition to award students each year with scholarships to recognize their pursuit of careers in fire safety. This year four scholarship recipients have been selected based on their contributions to fire safety activities, as well...

London Fire Brigade has commented on the recent Camberwell fire LFB comments on fighting Camberwell fire Speaking about the London Fire Brigade's response to the Camberwell tower block fire, London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said today: "Firefighters were at the scene within minutes of being called. There was no delay in getting fire engines to the incident and firefighters took immediate action as soon as they arrived. Crews worked under very difficult and hazardous ci...

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and wife Kim view the devastation caused by the 2009 wildfires in Oklahoma Advice for OK residents to hasten disaster assistance Oklahoma residents affected by wildfires can speed disaster assistance by understanding and preparing for on-site property inspections that determine eligibility, state and federal emergency managers said today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials...

FEMA has announced aid for Illinois to supplement recovery efforts following severe weather damage Disaster aid made available for Illinois following severe weather The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Illinois to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes during the period of Ma...

London Fire Brigade is hosting a breakfast to celebrate gay pride in the firefighting community London Fire Brigade celebrates its status as UK's top gay-friendly fire service Brian Coleman AM FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, will be hosting London Fire Brigade's Pride breakfast at Soho Fire Station on Saturday 4 July. The Brigade, the UK's top gay friendly fire and rescue service according to Stonewall, and London's firefighters wil...