Active Fire Protection (AFP) - News

Firefighter Nicholas DiGiacomo will receive the International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award at FRI International award will be presented at Fire Rescue International (FRI) 2009 Firefighter Nicholas DiGiacomo of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is this year's recipient of the International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor, co-sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Motorola, Inc. The award will be presented at the 136th Annual Fire Res...

Incident Response Technologies will unveil Rhodium FIRE Command at FRI New software solution will be on show at FRI, booth #5615 Incident Response Technologies (IRT), a company that specializes in producing affordable software solutions for public safety agencies, will be unveiling a new solution designed to increase safety and accountability for firefighters at emergency scenes. Rhodium™ FIRE Command contains several components key to the safety and efficiency of em...

Task Force Tips new world headquarters in Valparaiso, Indiana New world headquarters inspired by firefighting history Distribution partners and firefighters are invited to join Task Force Tips on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 9 am when the doors of the company's new world headquarters will officially open for business. The building (at 2351 Industrial Drive,Valparaiso, Indiana, 46383-9511) has been years in the planning - as well as over a year of construction. The...

A flare on an offshore oil rig: a new USFA report addresses fire dept operations in maritime areas Report highlights fire dept preparedness for maritime incidents The United States Fire Administration (USFA) released today, as part of the Technical Report Series, a new report entitled Fire Departments and Maritime Interface Area Preparedness. This report addresses fire department preparedness for incidents in maritime areas and the importance of establishing a multiagency r...

  Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service has commissioned head-to-toe ICP PPE by Bristol Uniforms Bristol's ICP range will provide a long term solution for Norfolk FRS's PPE needs Norfolk's 820 firefighters will be wearing Bristol Uniform's ICP PPE from early 2010 following the recent decision by the county's Fire & Rescue Service to adopt the new national identity protective clothing available as part of the ICP. Some 1,750 sets of complete head-to-toe PPE will be...

The workshop, held during FRI, will address diversity recruitment in the face of budget cuts Workshops addresses need for diversity recruitment despite budget crunch Diversity recruitment within the fire service is faced with countervailing forces whose impact will increase over time. As witnessed by the Ricci case, legal issues abound. However, the dramatic reductions in recruitment dollars and staffing are, by far, the greatest impediments to fire departments strivin...

USDA is supporting National Firefighter Health Week, which is this year focusing on heart health Firefighter Health Week will focus on heart health The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages firefighters and fire departments to focus on health and wellness the week of August 17-21 through participation in the Third Annual National Firefighter Health Week. The theme for this year is "It takes a healthy heart, mind, and body to do what you do - Keep It Strong."...

Kelvin Cochran's confirmation as USFA Administrator has been applauded by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate releases statement Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Kelvin Cochran as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration. "As the Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department as well as the former chief in Shreveport, LA, Chief Cochran brings extensive...

The IAFC has strongly endorsed Kelvin Cochran's nomination for U.S. Fire Administrator IAFC strongly endorses Cochran's nomination The IAFC has endorsed the nomination of Chief Kelvin Cochran to be U.S. Fire Administrator and has called on the Senate to move quickly to confirm him once hearings begin in August as anticipated. On July 17, IAFC President Chief Larry Grorud wrote to Senators Joseph Lieberman (I/D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the chairman and the ranking...

Setcom will sponsor the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge (FFCC) Firefighter communications manufacturer will sponsor FFCC Taking on over 25 events annually, Setcom Corporation is set to take on what ESPN deems as "The toughest two minutes in sports." Setcom, a leading manufacturer of communications equipment for firefighters, police motorcycle officers, rescue personnel and industrial users, announced it will sponsor the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge (FFCC). The com...

Democrat Representatives have introduced bills progressing key issues for federal firefighters Democrats introduce historic pair of bills for federal firefighters With strong support from the IAFF, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD) have introduced a pair of bills that would make historic progress on two key issues for federal firefighters: retirement pay and trade time agreements. Representative Connolly introduced HR 3186, the Federal Firefight...

80 percent of Essex firefighters voted for industrial action opposing cuts Essex firefighters show opposition to cuts 8 out of 10 firefighters and fire officers in Essex have voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike against plans to cut one in ten frontline firefighters based at stations. Fire crews also want managers to negotiate other changes rather than impose them without agreement. Keith Flynn, Essex FBU brigade chair said: "Essex fire crews have s...

Champion Rescue Tools' new free extrication training DVD will be launched at FRI 2009 Video teaches new technology vehicle extrication featuring latest Volvos & SUVs Champion Rescue Tools, the leader in next-generation, hydraulic rescue tools able to quickly cut apart the safest, 5-star crash-rated vehicles, and Volvo Cars of North America continue to demonstrate their mission to keep vehicle passengers safe and help firefighters save lives. Their jointly-sponsor...

Delegates at Bristol Uniforms' international distributor conference in front of the SS Great Britain The conference highlighted the significant contribution of Bristol's distributors Bristol welcomed 34 distributors representing 19 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Gulf States to its recent international distributor conference held in the city. The 3 day event was centred on the Brigstow Hotel and included visits to all parts of Bristol's main research and pro...

TriTech's Imc Fire Records solution helps Melrose Fire Department win a SAFER grant Grant to be used to increase firefighter staff by 10 percent over the course of five years With the assistance of the Imc Fire Records solution from TriTech Software Systems, the Melrose Fire Department in Massachusetts was awarded the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in March 2009. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities...

Firefighters who already use FLAME-SIM will discuss its benefits at FRI Fire department users of FLAME-SIM will discuss its benefits FLAME-SIM is pleased to announce its attendance and participation at Fire Rescue International in Dallas, Texas on August 28th and 29th 2009, booth # 401. FLAME-SIM will also take part in the FRI Solution Showcase on Friday, August 28th at 2pm in room A128-129 and have an offsite demonstration at the City of Allen Fire Department. Divi...

An MSA U screenshot - MSA's new online firefighter training facility New online firefighter training resource is quick, simple, and free! MSA U is MSA's premier online training center. At MSA U, training and information materials are available on a variety of subjects 24/7, presented in a variety of formats, and fully searchable. With over 120 available training programs - and more added regularly - you can save time, increase training retention and reduce administrat...

The Superior Uniforms Group's sales, for the second quarter that ended on June 30, 2009, were $24,971,523 As and when economic conditions improve, we expect to see a significant improvement in our earnings due to cost reduction initiatives; says Michael Benstock, Chief Executive Officer, Superior Uniforms Group. Superior Uniform Group, Inc., manufacturer of uniforms, career apparel and accessories announced that for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, sales were $24,971,5...

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...

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...

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...

MSA U offers training and information on all MSA products New online training center covers all MSA products MSA, the maker of fire service products including SCBA, Cairns helmets, thermal imaging cameras, gas detectors, and more, is now offering an online education resource that firefighter and other first responders can use to access training and product information relative to all MSA products.MSA U is an online training center that features a wide range of training prog...

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...

INTERSCHUTZ are looking for tough firefighters, new ideas, and cocktails! ... The world's toughest firefighter ... the most creative idea ... and the best INTERSCHUTZ cocktail! A long-held tradition at INTERSCHUTZ is the four-day "World's Toughest Firefighter" contest. Contestants give it their all - and more. They fight head-to-head in a knockout system, and after four grueling days, the winner takes it all. In 2005 more than 20,000 spectators witnessed this spectacular ev...

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 member of SINE during fire tests on Sepura's STP8000 TETRA radio Firefighter training exercises show real benefits of TETRA radios SINE, the Danish public safety network, has undertaken ‘real-life' situational fire tests on Sepura's STP8000 hand-held radio that have impressed fire-fighters in Denmark. The radio's performance was tested on board one of Europe's largest passenger car ferries, while in another exercise the STP8000 was exposed to extreme temperatures...