Monitors news

NFA is going to modernise some of its popular courses to meet emerging issues in fire and EMS Located on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the NFA has trained more than 120,000 students in 2009. The United States Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) has completed a top-to-bottom review and update of its Management Science curriculum. This comprehensive review includes new course content, addressing emerging issue...

Smoke alarm donation programme can help Fire Corps to prevent fires Fire Corps teams can help by utilising the Fire Corps smoke alarm donation programme sponsored by First Alert. If smoke alarms are needed in your community, Fire Corps teams can help by utilizing the Fire Corps smoke alarm donation program sponsored by First Alert. Your registered Fire Corps program may apply for these free smoke alarms by simply filling out the Smoke Alarm Request Form. Please keep in mind t...

Boyce is an experienced emergency manager both at state and local level Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate has applauded President Obama's appointment of Don R. Boyce as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region I, which encompasses Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  "Regional Administrators are crucial to our ability to respond effectively to emergencies based on the needs of the communities we s...

Video smoke detection is gaining popularity in the fire detection field Video smoke detection is still in the process of research and development. A VSD guidance has been published by the FIA. Although it has been in use for a number of years, until recently VSD was still seen as an emerging technology. Research into this area continues and few commercial systems are available, but it is increasingly becoming a recognised solution for both interior and exterior appl...

The annual preparedness grants will go towards preparation for meeting disasters and emergencies The critical infrastructure and preparedness grants announced include specific steps undertaken by DHS to improve the ability of grant applicants to maximize funding and also incorporate inputs. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the fiscal year 2010 Preparedness Grants for nine federal programs including critical infrastructure-related gran...

UK is a world leader in fire safety industry Now in its third year, the apprenticeship scheme is designed to bring young people into fire protection in a bid to ensure that the UK retains its reputation as one of the world's leading lights in fire safety. Graham Ellicott, CEA of the FIA, comments: "In the UK we are justifiably proud of our fire safety record and the expertise that we have here.  But we know the vital importance of attracting new blood to ensure that this...

Regulatory Reform Order was discussed at Community Link with London's business community London Fire Brigade will outline how important it is for businesses to understand the law and their role in fire safety. Forging stronger community links and explaining important fire safety legislation were top of the agenda when London Fire Brigade hosted a reception for an organisation that represents Islington's minority business community on Friday 23 April. The event, called Commun...

The annual conference is a meeting ground for volnteer and non-profit organizations The annual conference brings volunteer organizations together to share knowledge and coordinate to help disaster survivors and their communities. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate on Thursday addressed the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) conference in Orlando. FEMA and National VOAD also signed a Memorandum of Understandin...

AFG applications must be received by May 28 The grant meets the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. The application period for Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) has opened. Applications must be received by May 28. AFG meets the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations by funding critically needed eq...

Residential properties suffer major losses due to fire accidents involving grills and barbeques Grills, hibachis, and barbecues in residential properties continue to carry a high fire accident risk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics of grill fires on residential properties. The report, Grill Fires on Residential Properties (PDF, 663 Kb), was...

Secretary of U.S Homeland Security was present at the historic agreement to battle natural disasters The historic event to cope up with natural disasters is an important step forward in bolstering collaboration between the United States and Australia in preparing for and responding to natural disasters. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to s...

Online assistance from FEMA has increased the number of flood survivor applications FEMA’s robust online and social media efforts have been very effective in educating flood survivors about disaster assistance. Registering online for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is becoming a popular method for New Jersey flooding survivors who have access to the Internet. As of April 28, 7,523 flood survivors in the 12 designated New Jersey counties re...

FEMA has advised recipients to use disaster grants for intended purposes only.  Photo: Bdelisle Nearly $9 million in recovery assistance has been approved for disaster affected areas. State and federal disaster assistance payments are bringing needed financial help to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damages in the severe storms and flooding of mid-March. However, those payments come with some words of advice from the Federal Emergency Manag...

Use of Methyl Isocyanate is a big security concern for workers and people living in its proximity The Congressionally mandated study was initiated after the 2008 explosion at Bayer’s Chemical Complex in Institute, West Virginia. Congress has also appropriated $600,000 to CSB for current fiscal year. In a Federal Register notice published on April 23, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced it is seeking public comment on the design of a Congressionally manda...

iVENCS provides 3D visualisation of critical and disaster situations ASL's iVENCS is a sensor and event fusion environment in which voice, data and video can be filtered, analysed and directed from across the full spectrum of subsystems. iVENCS will be displayed at IFSEC 2010. ASL Safety & Security at Hall 5 Stand D85 will be unveiling iVENCS, the first in a new generation of 3D-based situation management and integrated control platforms. iVENCS is an infrastructure-scale...

The AFG programme is administered by Department of Homeland Security The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Web site. The application period is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications for these grants must be received by Friday, May 28, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases...

There will be a record number of visitors and exhibitors from the fire services industry at Intershutz 2010 Interschutz 2010 in Leipzig will attract more than 100,000 international visitors, of whom 95 percent will be emergency and rescue sector professionals. From 7-12 June, 2010, the city of Leipzig, Germany, will be hosting the Interschutz expo, the global shop window for suppliers to the non-police public safety sector. The fair showcases products and services for emergen...

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...

Webinar will be in two phases meant for animal care and preparedness during disasters  Community Preparedness Webinar Series, an initiative of FEMA, features new community preparedness topics several times each month and is free to the public. FEMA’s Individual & Community Preparedness Division organised a two part installment of the Community Preparedness Webinar Series in honor of National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day on May 8th: "The...

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...

The FRAC features a new pumper and integrated pump First Response All Calls™(FRAC) vehicles on display featured fire suppression and command modules, two of the many uses that will allow emergency-response departments to customise the FRAC specifically to their needs. Crimson Fire, Inc. unveiled a production-ready version of its new First Response All Calls™ vehicle at the FDIC 2010 show, a unique, multi-purpose vehicle that gives departments broad fire-fight...

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...

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...

Catherine Levin brings a wealth of fire-policy experience to the London Fire Brigade London Fire Brigade has appointed a new Deputy Head of Community Fire Safety. Catherine Levin joined the Brigade in March and reports directly to the Brigade's head of Community Fire Safety, Assistant Commissioner, Andy Hickmott.Prior to joining the brigade, Catherine worked as a civil servant for ten years and has five years experience working in fire policy at the Department of...

Fire Safety Regulatory Reform has created major positive changes in fire safety The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into force in October 2006 and replaced over 70 separate pieces of fire safety legislation. London Fire Brigade is warning London's business and premises owners that by not paying attention to fire safety laws, they are not only putting lives at risk but could also face heavy fines. The Brigade has revealed that last year in London the co...

HAZUS helps in determining the potential loss from catastrophes and framing a solution Attendees at the conference will learn how HAZUS, a nationally standardised methodology, estimates potential losses from earthquakes, hurricane wind and floods.Going to the APA Conference in New Orleans? If so then stop by HAZUS Booth #508 to learn about the latest in the world of HAZUS and pick up valuable information about the program and tools. At the booth you'll also be able...

Fire Science Academy has received more support for the FSP plan FSA vendors and clients have provided support through discounted or donated products, services and equipment.Approaching the midpoint of fiscal year 2010, a lot has happened regarding the Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP) the FSA Stakeholder group presented to the Board of Regents in February, 2009. Many of the stakeholders and high volume users have provided support for the FSP through pledges of donat...

FEMA's LIVE Webinar is a new age effort to build better backup system among the common man about safety LIVE webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14th at 2:00 EDT and will provide information about 9-1-1 education, innovation, and the importance of working closely with local Public Safety Answering Points. FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division is excited to announce the eighth webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series: National 9-1-1 Educat...

  One Seven provides measures to cut down risks of fires at petrochemical plants   Sensitive fuel storage tanks are at maximum risk of catching fire, which would have catastrophic cosequences. Storage tanks are an important part of modern-day infrastructure. They supply fuels and raw materials to the industry and heating fuel and automobile fuel to the populace. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to take effective measures so that fires and explosions are a...