Fire and Rescue news

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...

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),...

CSB publishes voting records of the Board and copies of Board orders that govern agency operations Washington, DC, January 8, 2010 - As part of an ongoing effort to increase transparency and promote public understanding of the agency's work, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today began publishing voting records of the Board and copies of Board orders that govern agency operations. The CSB released board voting records dating from November 10, 2009, to the present and po...

  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...

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...

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...

  Morrisons has installed smoke and gas detection technology from Chubb Fire   Sophisticated smoke and gas detection technology from Chubb Fire is protecting the staff and equipment at Rathbones, the bakery arm of Morrisons supermarket. Chubb Fire is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp (NYSE:UTX). The systems had to be installed without disrupting baking production. Pervez Khan, General Manager of Rathbones (Wakefield and Middlesbr...

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...

The completion of both boroughs' 50th LIFE courses a passing out parade was held on 11 December at Dagenham A successful London Fire Brigade scheme that works with young people at risk of social exclusion to raise their self esteem has marked its 50th pass out parade in two boroughs. Since being introduced in Newham in December 2004, 800  young people have completed Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) courses there, while over 650 teenagers have completed the...

  London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance on sprinkler systems for new buildings   The London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance for new buildings with sprinkler systems. The guidance would ensure that new and refurbished school buildings, including those built under the Building Schools for the Future programme, are likely to have sprinkler systems. They will be working to make sure that decision makers and the general public...

LFB campaign to ensure the safe use, signage and storage of acetylene cylinders The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been working hard to reduce the disruption caused to London by incidents involving acetylene gas cylinders.The campaign is to ensure the safe use, signage and storage of acetylene cylinders and to create a greater awareness of the additional dangers they bring when they are involved in fires and other incidents. Alongside the awareness campaign, the Brigade...

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the State of Louisiana to supplement state and local recovery...

  The CFOA president has called for adopting sprinklers as a significant measure to protect life CFOA says that the wider use of sprinklers in domestic, commercial and residential premises will support the environment and save the economy millions of pounds. CFOA President, John Bonney, in his address at the launch of the ABI paper 'Tackling Fire - a call for Action' spoke of the valid and significant contribution sprinklers could and should be making in...

The aims of this seminar are to alert all sleeping accommodation premises owners The seminar aims to create awareness on the benefits of incorporating fire safety management protection measures. Fires in commercial sleeping accommodation premises, especially those catering for the elderly, infirm or those people not familiar with the building present their own serious hazards. In particular evacuation of the building at night with limited staff may prove difficult especi...

The one day course contains details on the European Regulations for safe handling of halon Ozone Depleting Substances (Minimum Qualifications) Regulations Certification course is a one-day course for companies handling halon. Who should attend? The course is intended for any company that is involved in servicing or maintaining the critical uses of halon gases i.e. aircraft extinguishing systems, aircraft portable extinguishers, police and military use. Why? It is a legal...

FEMA is excited to announce the second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series FEMA's second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series begins December 14. The webinar series provides up-to-date information on community preparedness topics and resources available to citizens, community organizations, and Citizen Corps Councils. This LIVE webinar is scheduled for Monday, December 14th at 2pm EST and will provide information on the Resolve to Be...

FEMA has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared This year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared. Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencie...

CSB today issued urgent safety recommendations calling on CITGO to improve its emergency water The U.S. Chemical Safety Board  (CSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations calling on CITGO to immediately improve its emergency water mitigation system.The recommendation comes in the event of another release of potentially deadly hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor, as occurred following an explosion and fire July 19, 2009, at CITGO's Corpus Christi refinery. The...

The FIA has announced the first company to achieve ISO 9001 quality accreditation and BAFE certification Western Isles Fire Protection was formed as a new business in February 2009 by Mark Robb.The company provides fire extinguisher supply, service and maintenance throughout the Western Isles from its base in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Mark, who had successfully achieved registration under the BAFE ST104 Portable Fire Extinguisher Service Technicians Sche...

LFB was judged to be ‘performing well' making it one of the highest scoring fire authorities in the country London Fire Brigade is performing well. That is the verdict of Government watchdog, the Audit Commission, in a report released Wednesday, 9 December. The assessment looks at two key areas - managing performance and use of resources. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs London Fire Brigade, was judged to be 'performing well' in both o...