Fire and Rescue news

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announces receipt of a $3 million California Climate Investments Wildfire Prevention grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The grant is for the creation of a shaded fuel break across southern Lafayette and Walnut Creek, that will, when completed in 2024, afford significant protection from wildfires for residents in the communities of Rossmoor and southern Lafayette. Affording significant protecti...

Steph Archbold and Gillian Pickles of Love, Amelia are pictured with Mark Stewart, Kyle Shaw, and Andrew Lane of TWFRS outside of the charities offices holding examples of the donated waterproof clothing. The firefighters have been praised for re-supplying kits provided in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks to local good causes. Charities across the North East have thanked Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) for donating hundreds of ‘re-robing kits’. Contents and us...

Summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July are all things that Americans look forward to every year. However, these great summer activities also bring the risk of fires and injuries caused by fireworks and outdoor grills.  Fireworks and grill fires injure over 16,000 Americans annually. More than half of these injuries end up occurring during July, the highest in the year.  fire safety awareness Summer is a time for fun, but it’s also essential...

The Big Bear Fire Authority Board approved a balanced budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year at their June 2, 2020 Board meeting. The approved budget entails significant changes compared to last year’s budget. Since the Community Facilities District (CFD) tax measure was unsuccessful on the March 2020 ballot, some very difficult but necessary budget decisions have been made. Author's quote Fire Chief Jeff Willis stated, “Honestly, I am disappointed that this critical tax measure tha...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. 146-page manual This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while a...

The small fire, which started in a room at the back of the school, was contained and prevented from spreading by a sprinkler system, however, two people were taken to hospital with minor burns. Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson, said Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service are calling for a change in legislation that would ensure more schools have sprinklers. Author's quote Gavin said: “Nationally, through the Fire Chiefs Council, and locally across Derby and Derbys...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is proud to announce the Queen has recognized Paul Grimwood, a KFRS Senior Principal Fire Engineer, in the 2022 Birthday Honors List. Paul, who has a career spanning over 50 years in firefighting and fire engineering, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire). High-Rise buildings He is highly regarded within the fire industry as an expert and pioneer for new operational tactics, as well as for his meticulous work when it comes to ensuring resi...

Over 2,300 first responders have taken an online instructor-led live course from the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the number is growing. The NFA suspended its on-campus and field courses in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2020, the NFA and USFA’s partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives launched the first online instructor-led live 2-day course, “Fire Investigation: First Responders,” using the Zoom video conferencing app. Ad...

“To rise to the challenges of the 21st century, we need to harness our full potential. That requires dismantling gender stereotypes. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s pledge to end the gender imbalance in science,” said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General.  Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science-related fields, with only 35% of STEM students being women in higher education. Inspiring youn...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while also emphasizing the impo...

Avon Protection announces that its argus range of thermal imaging cameras has been included in the National Framework Agreement for the Supply and Delivery of Emergency Response Equipment, managed by the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. This allows Fire and Rescue Services across the UK to purchase the argus range of thermal imaging cameras through the Framework by following the call-off procedures stipulated by the lead authority. The full range of argus thermal imagers listed in th...

CHEMTREC and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are teaming up for the fourth year to provide volunteer fire departments with the CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Award to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities and improve responder safety. CHEMTREC HELP Award The 2022 application period is now open until September 1, 2022. Two U.S. volunteer fire departments will each receive US$ 10,000, through the CHEMTREC HELP Award in 2022. Fire departments m...

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has selected Norfolk, Virginia as the hub to support the safety needs of North America’s fast-emerging offshore wind sector. The pioneering safety solutions provider for the global maritime and offshore industries will coordinate delivery, service, and lease agreements for sector-specific PPE and other gear from offices in Norfolk. Reinforce safety services Clean Energy targets set by President Biden aim at reaping 30 GW of Offshore Wind power by 2030 Heade...

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority (SYFRA) has appointed a new Assistant Chief Fire Officer. Andy Strelczenie was appointed following a selection process, which included a written application, operational assessment and three interviews – including a final one with members of the Fire Authority’s appointments committee. Andy has worked within the fire and rescue service for 26 years, originally at Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service before transferring to South...

The episode begins with Jonathan O’Neill OBE, FPA Managing Director, speaking with Chris Miles, Regional Business Director at UL, to explore how international testing practices could benefit the UK’s own building safety. Their discussion starts with a look at the Building Safety Act receiving royal assent, and whether a clearer, more transparent, and more effective specification and testing regime for construction products was being achieved. Chris casts doubt over whether this has...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is proud to announce during Pride Month, that it’s the first emergency service to achieve the Pride in Care quality standard for its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Awarded by the national charity, Opening Doors, the standard is given to organizations that commit to strengthening their inclusion of LGBTQ+ people over 50. comprehensive accreditation process The fire service underwent a comprehensive accreditation process to receive the...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is delighted to announce it has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers (liV) quality standard, in recognition of its commitment to volunteering.  The celebrations also mark the start of national Volunteers’ Week, which begins on 1 June.  recruits; supports and manages volunteers Throughout the process to achieve the accolade, KFRS worked with an IiV assessor to examine how it recruits, supports, and manages volunteers, to ensure they have...

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (East Con) announced staffing of the new, but previously unopened, Fire Station 55 in Oakley. The station is fully staffed for the first time with a three-firefighter engine company equipped to dispatch on either the station’s standard Type 1 Engine 55 or its wildland firefighting Engine 355. Positive impacts The addition of this fire crew is expected to have positive impacts on fire a...

The contributions made by selfless volunteers who provide life-saving care in emergencies, transport patients to vital appointments, and offer a variety of other essential support are being hailed by the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST). EEAST is thanking its army of nearly 1,000 volunteers during volunteers’ week, which begins on 1 June and runs until 7 June. They include: Around 900 community first responders (CFRs), leap into action to tackle medical emergencies in the...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Candice McDonald will join the staff as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In this role, she will assist CEO Sarah Lee in managing the internal operations of the NVFC, including grants oversight, budget development, organizational planning, and more.  “We are very excited for Dr. Candice McDonald to join the NVFC as a key part of our staff leadership team,” said Lee. “Candice brings a myriad of experi...

Fire safety and protection are more prevalent now than ever before. There is a huge push on competency and compliance for the installation and products in the fire industry in 2022, following tragic recent events such as Grenfell. Just like a plumber would need to showcase that they are competent to service a boiler, the demand for fire protection installers to show they are competent is essential. What is Passive fire protection (PFP)? Passive fire protection (PFP) is a crucial component of...

The LFB accepted every recommendation made by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and has already implemented 26 of the 29 recommendations directed specifically at the LFB and other fire and rescue services. One key recommendation has seen the introduction of an electronic system to record Fire Survival Guidance (FSG) call information in the control room and display it simultaneously in command units and at the bridgehead – a safe working space at least two floors below the fire). The FSG app...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Candice McDonald will join the staff as deputy chief executive officer. In this role, she will assist CEO Sarah Lee in managing the internal operations of the NVFC, including grants oversight, budget development, organizational planning, and more.   “We are very excited for Dr. Candice McDonald to join the NVFC as a key part of our staff leadership team,” said Lee. “Candice brings a myriad of...

Alongside the Fire Safety Act, the UK government has now committed to Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and a raft of new measures that are designed to ensure a full response to the Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations. The launch, coming at the same time as the commencement of the Fire Safety Act 2021, is described as ‘the most comprehensive plans for fire reform in decades’. The plans will be set out in the UK government’s Fire Reform white paper, in order to strength...

Fire crews used an aerial platform to bring a distressed tawny owl to safety after it had become stuck in overhead phone lines. West Yorkshire Fire Service control center received a call at 06:15 after noisy crows had raised the alarm to residents. Rescuing the owl Station Manager - Ronnie Goldwater attended the scene followed by animal rehabilitation volunteer Vikki Clarke, who took the bird to a specialist vet and left it in rehab. Mr. Goldwater said, "It was so distressed and flapping...

Possibly the most common question asked. The simple answer is quite probably, yes. Every property (excluding a single occupancy domestic home) from an HMO to a block of flats, care home, nursery, school, community center, warehouse, hotel the list goes on MUST by law, have a “regular” fire risk assessment completed.  Fire risk assessment Under the “Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005” it is law that "The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient...

A safety warning on the use of lithium-ion batteries is being issued by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) following several battery related fires this month. A safety warning on the use of lithium-ion batteries is being issued by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) following several battery related fires this month. Lithium-ion batteries, or li-ion batteries (sometimes called LIBs) are commonly found in many items including mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes, hover boards, vaping devices and sco...

Avon Protection will showcase its full range of integrated personal protection solutions at Eurosatory 2022, including full-face respirators, ballistic helmets, escape hoods, SCBA systems, modular PAPR units, underwater equipment, and CBRN protective equipment. There, the Group will demonstrate its position as a world-renowned company in CBRN protection, with its respiratory technology solutions that are designed to meet the modern threat environment and enhance the capability of the tactical m...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), the UK’s trade association for passive fire protection, will be showcasing its range of training courses, guidance documents, and membership services on stand 3A/H30 at the Fire Safety Event at Birmingham NEC from 5-7 April. Their experts will be on hand to answer all the passive fire protection queries, discuss the latest regulatory requirements, and to explain how their training courses can help to demonstrate competency. Fire prot...

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service welcomes the commencement of the Fire Safety Act in England and Wales, and the Fire Safety Regulations in England, as important steps forward in improving fire safety. responsible persons The service is also urging responsible persons (RPs) for multi-occupied residential buildings to prepare for legislation that will commence in January 2023. The Act clarifies that RPs for multi-occupied residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk of fir...