KFRS - Experts & Thought Leaders

Dräger, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, has designed a custom-built smoke extraction system for Kent Fire and Rescue’s (KFRS) new five-storey, live training facility, helping to ensure the service can deliver realistic training while minimizing the polluting impact on the environment.   The Ashford-based training facility is replacing the 30-year-old Live Fire Training building which was nearing the end of its operational life. The redevelopment at Ashford includes a live fire training building that accommodates lessons, including scenarios developed from the challenges faced by firefighters during the 2017 Grenfell tragedy, and other ‘tall building’ fire incidents. The facility will open in 2026. Dräger’s unique design   The design features three burn floors, with eight carbonaceous burn rooms, and a further two floors dedicated to training using synthetic smoke. The various internal layouts provide commercial, residential, and industrial settings, offering a variety of training scenarios.  Dräger’s unique design comprises a specialist extraction system that collects and filters smoke from the building and then emits cleaned air into the atmosphere via a chimney. In the event of an emergency during training, fire personnel can activate the emergency system which then extracts at a rate which will provide total visibility within 90 seconds, enabling a timely intervention or extrication.   Dräger collaborated with KFRS The system provides a vital function in supporting the health of firefighters, other KFRS employees on site and those in the immediate vicinity during training. It will also support KFRS in its commitment to provide a betterment, and helping to meet its target of carbon neutrality by 2030.   Dräger has also collaborated with KFRS in designing bespoke fire cribs that house materials for live burns, and which have been adapted to suit the size and requirements of the new facility. Dräger-designed smoke extraction system Jon Quinn, Director of Protection, Prevention and Customer Engagement at KFRS, said: “This new training facility represents a major step forward for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and the Dräger-designed smoke extraction system is a fundamental part of that. This is about preparing for the most complex emergencies, in a cutting-edge environment that reflects the modern challenges of firefighting." "Crucially, this will allow us to create realistic fire scenarios while also significantly reducing the environmental impact, in-turn protecting the health of our crews and our communities.”  Training of firefighters Liz Millward, Marketing Manager, Emergency and Rescue Services at Dräger Safety UK, says it is a vast facility that required specific engineering expertise: “We’re excited to be involved in such an important, ambitious project in the county of Kent. This project will deliver a multi-functional facility offering a vast array of training exercises that will enhance the training of firefighters and support their safety out in the field."  “At Dräger, we pride ourselves on designing technology for life, and are committed to protecting, supporting, and saving lives through our designs.” 

Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) responds to national wildfire rise with launch of innovative workwear to protect crews and help to keep the public safe. Firefighters responding to wildfires across Kent and Medway will be wearing the latest high-performing kit, specifically designed to offer greater protection when tackling outdoor fires in extreme heat. KFRS rolls out new advanced PPE Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) has rolled out the advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) to fire stations across the county, ahead of the summer months – when the risk of wildfires is significantly higher. Unlike traditional PPE, which is thicker and heavier to shield crews against structural fire hazards, the new lightweight design is engineered for extreme heat while remaining breathable, which will help to reduce the risk of injury and heat fatigue. Introduction of the new firefighting kit In the last three years, KFRS has attended 160 wildfire incidents, with the majority being accidental The introduction of the new kit, which is part of a wider rollout across the country, comes after a national rise in wildfires - with UK figures growing from 240 incidents between January and April 2022 to 460 in the same period of 2025. In the last three years, KFRS has attended 160 wildfire incidents, with the majority being accidental. Notably during the record heat waves of 2022, Kent firefighters attended 69 wildfires in August alone. Kent’s commitment to public and firefighter safety Mark Gosling, Group Manager for Operational Development at Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS), said: "Amid the UK-wide increase in wildfires, Kent is no different. Our commitment to public and firefighter safety is paramount, as shown through this vital investment in lightweight PPE." He adds, "This latest roll-out of gear will allow our crews to respond quickly when tackling wildfires, reducing the physical stress and impact on wellbeing for firefighters operating through the intense heat of summer and fire." KFRS adds new specialist wildfire vehicles to its fleet Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) is also introducing new specialist wildfire vehicles to its fleet Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) is also introducing new specialist wildfire vehicles to its fleet. The off-road vehicles, equipped with 240-liter water tanks, foam capabilities, wildfire blowers, and brush cutters, will allow crews to access and contain wildfires in remote and difficult terrain. Mark Gosling further states: "We’re committed to helping everyone to stay safe and we’re always looking at ways to enhance our operational response, but the public can help us to reduce the risk of wildfire, by; Discarding of cigarettes responsibly and safely, Not leaving bonfires or barbecues unattended, and positioning them well clear of greenery or property , Only barbecuing in designated areas, and ensuring its cold before being disposed of, Taking your litter with you - glass and cans can ignite fires in dry conditions,  Avoiding lighting campfires in the countryside." He concludes, "Remember, if you see a wildfire, move to a safe location and call 999 and ask for the fire service, giving the operator as much detail as possible, including location, size and terrain."

A takeaway franchisee and employer who allowed people to sleep in dangerous conditions, have been fined by a court and ordered to pay £15,400 in costs.  In December 2018 Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) building fire safety inspectors visited Jano Jabbarkhel and Sharbat Khan Jabarkhail at Tops Pizza in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone. prohibition notice They were issued with a prohibition notice to prevent anyone from living on the property, due to safety concerns linked to the lack of an adequate smoke alarm system and having no protected escape route. A prohibition notice is a legal direction issued by KFRS when the lack of fire safety arrangements at a premise puts people’s lives at risk in the event of a fire. unsafe compliance  People were found to be sleeping in the building in contravention of the notice During an initial follow-up visit to Tops Pizza, where Jabbarkhel was the franchisee holder and Jabarkhail was the named employer, KFRS inspectors found they were complying with the requirement of the notice not to allow sleeping within the property, as remedial works had not yet been completed.  However, in September 2020 when a routine compliance check was carried out, people were found to be sleeping in the building in contravention of the notice, and the unsafe conditions remained. £733 fine  Jabbarkhel and Jabarkhail, both of Hastings Road, Maidstone, were both sentenced on Wednesday, 12 October at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court, where they each received a fine of £1,000 reduced to £733 to reflect their early guilty pleas for the offense.  They were also each ordered to pay £7,700 in costs to KFRS and a victim surcharge of £66 was applied to each defendant. Jabbarkhel and Jabarkhail are no longer associated with the business or building. fire compliance  Mark Woodward, KFRS’ Assistant Director for Customer and Building Safety, said, “The outcome of this case sends a clear and important message to anyone responsible for a business by law they must ensure their premises and employees are safe."  “KFRS is committed to ensuring that all buildings in Kent and Medway are fire compliant, and we will take all the necessary steps to make sure fire safety regulations are adhered to, including enforcement action and prosecution.”