Active Fire Protection (AFP) - News

The Brigade currently has just 24 fire safety advisers and nearly 200 Inspecting Officers, but with the pressure to inspect high-rise buildings, it must increase its workforce. The Brigade will use part of the £9.4 million it received from the Home Office to improve its fire protection activities. It has already used some of this funding to create a Building Risk Review team to review the 8,000 high-rise residential blocks in London. This work is due to be completed by December this year....

One alarming aspect of the opioid crisis is the frequency first responders encounter synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Fentanyl and related compounds present a safety hazard for first responders — including emergency medical and law enforcement personnel at all levels — if they are not adequately prepared with proper protective equipment and reliable detection. In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) funded and provided s...

The event organizers for A+A Congress 2021 (A+A Dusseldorf 2021) have announced that this year’s trade fair, scheduled to take place in Dusseldorf, Germany (from October 26-29, 2021), will take place in-person. A+A Congress 2021 In typical circumstances, MSA Safety Incorporated is a regular attendee and exhibitor at the event, as A + A has proven to be one of the world’s foremost safety events. After careful consideration, however, MSA Safety Incorporated has decided not to exhibit...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will conduct a one-day Keeping You Informed: Systems, Storage, Suppression, and More educational program on Tuesday, November 16 as part of the organization’s year-long 125th Anniversary Conference Series. The all-day online event will feature a total of 10 educational sessions and industry roundtable discussions featuring subject matter experts and can be viewed on the scheduled date or via on-demand anytime for up to a year. Attende...

In front of hun­dreds of indus­try lead­ers, the win­ners of the Con­struc­tion News Spe­cial­ists Awards were revealed at The Brew­ery, in Lon­don, United Kingdom, in Octo­ber 2021. Site secu­ri­ty spe­cial­ist, VPS Site Security Ltd. (VPS) tri­umphed dur­ing a rig­or­ous judg­ing process in front of an expert pan­el of judges, to win ‘Equip­ment Spe­cial­ist of the Ye...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) have teamed up to award two members of the NVFC with a CSU scholarship. Each winner will receive tuition for up to 60 credit hours towards one of CSU’s online degree programs. The 2021 recipients are Trenton Hearndon of Tennessee Ridge, TN, and Dan Kuzio of Starksboro, VT. Hearndon began his fire service in 2006 as a junior firefighter while in high school. Since then, his career has varied from firefighter,...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year N...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC me...

Ceasefire UK (Ceasefire Industries UK), a renowned manufacturer of fire safety solutions believes that many businesses are wise to be seeking ‘green and clean’ products for firefighting and educating all potential users of them, ahead of an incident. Official findings from the UK Home Office’s online Incident Recording System (IRS) shows that the public used fire extinguishers in just seven per cent (4,828) of the 68,757 primary fires attended by the fire and rescue services,...

Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation Company, announces that the company has introduced an upgraded Oshkosh® Striker® ARFF vehicle featuring an optimized cockpit, updated body styling, and advanced mobility, speed, and precision.  Vehicle enhancements include a new ergonomic cockpit layout for an enhanced driver experience, and innovative technology systems for 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 packages. While retaining all of its remarkable legacy features, the new Oshkosh Strike...

The goal of Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is to reach out to every emergency responder, every driver, and every passenger to educate them on how to play their part in ensuring safe responses at roadway incidents. CRSW’s important Emergency responders (police, fire, medical, etc.) risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when on the scene of a roadside emergency. 50 responders so far this year have been killed when struck by a vehicle while responding to a roadway incident, a...

The goal of Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is to reach out to every emergency responder, every driver, and every passenger to educate them on how to play their part in ensuring safe responses at roadway incidents. Why is CRSW important? Emergency responders (police, fire, medical, etc.) risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when on the scene of a roadside emergency. 50 responders so far this year have been killed when struck by a vehicle while responding to a road...

Two members of the Hardstaff Barriers team have been shortlisted for national apprenticeship awards due to their commitment and achievements at work. Rhiannon McGhee, Apprentice Health, Safety, and Environment Technician, has been nominated for ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and Kathryn Cooper, Service Manager, has been nominated for ‘Apprentice Champion of the Year’ in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2021 for the East Midlands region. About Hardstaff Barriers Hardstaff B...

XCMG is exhibiting emergency and rescue solutions of four major categories, geological disasters, high-rise rescue, petrochemical fires, and flood disasters, at the China Fire 2021 fire safety event, which opened on October 12, 2021, in Beijing, China. China Fire 2021 Ranked in the world's top three exhibitions for fire protection and emergency rescue, the four-day trade show, China Fire 2021 is an international platform for industry-renowned products and advanced technologies. XCMG’s l...

Ilkley’s longest-serving firefighter, Watch Commander - Alex Watson, is preparing to take a well-deserved retirement. Following an outstanding 41 years of service, Alex is also one of the longest-serving on-call firefighters in the whole of West Yorkshire. Alex Watson's retirement has prompted him to encourage others to consider joining the service as an on-call firefighter to support and protect local communities, including in his native Ilkley. meeting the criteria Alex Watson said, &...

A former South Yorkshire firefighter who went on to strike gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games has formally opened a new fire station in Barnsley. Gavin Walker Gavin Walker, aged 38, from Rotherham, was handed the honor of officially opening the station on Broadway, Kingstone which went operational in August following a multi-million-pound demolition and construction project. Gavin claimed gold as part of the GB Wheelchair Rugby team at summer’s games, having taken up the sport foll...

Zapatta, Texas Local 5355 is the newest IAFF local. The fire department in Zapatta County, located in southern Texas with only Falcon Lake separating the Texas county from the Mexico border, is a small all-career department that responds to emergency calls throughout the county. For many in the department, firefighting is more than just a job, says Local 5355 President Zenon Perez. Promoting firefighter health “We have fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, and brothers and sisters wo...

Emergency Technical Decon (ETD), a state-of-the-art cleaning solution provider founded in 2020 to tackle the high firefighter occupational cancer rates, has become North America's first fully verified to the NFPA 1851-2020 standard Independent Service Provider (ISP) utilizing liquid CO2 technologies. ETD is the outgrowth of two and a half decades worth of investment in finding a new, effective solution with considerable benefits to its customers across industries. NFPA approved proce...

Oshkosh Corporation’s Fire & Emergency segment is displaying the new Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle at China Fire 2021. The new vehicle will be displayed at Oshkosh’s China Fire booth, located at site E1-04. In addition to the new Striker ARFF, the booth will feature the latest fire and emergency vehicles and technology. “Even amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, China’s strong economic growth has resulted in a heightened need for advanced fire protection and resources,...

The Environment Agency secured a restriction order against a recycling firm, after it failed to comply with fire regulations despite numerous warnings about storing hazardous waste at a site near local homes. Shee Recycling in the North East town of Birtley stored large oil drums containing hazardous waste, cutting equipment, batteries, and fuel canisters, all of which were major fire hazards. Environment Agency secures restriction order The site is close to other commercial properties, the e...

Kentec Electronics, a manufacturer of life-critical control systems, releases its Sigma ZXT single-area extinguishing control panel for general purchase following full BETA field testing in the UK, Europe, and South Africa demonstrating optimum installer and end-user satisfaction levels. New functionality, improved display, and multiple configuration options for a targeted response to a fire incident further Sigma XT’s reputation for user-friendly reliability. Building on hundreds of thou...

To mark World Mental Health Day, employees from Hardstaff Barriers are highlighting the importance of robust and proactive mental health policies in the workplace. The staff from Hardstaff Barriers, based in Kingston-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, has spoken out to coincide with the global mental health awareness campaign, which took place on October 10, 2021. Hardstaff Barriers believes it is essential for businesses – whatever their size – to create a positive mental he...

With the many complexities in implementing a state-of-the-art safety program, combined with the millions of workplace injuries that continue to occur every year, the value of technology that simplifies safety procedures and connects safety managers to their employees, who are working in hazardous environments, has never been more important. MSA Connected Work Platform That’s why MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA), a globally renowned company in worker safety technology and solutions, has intr...

Regardless of where the elevator is located, one of the biggest risks when being inside one is during the event of a fire, as the elevator shaft will act as a chimney and will absorb smoke at an incredibly quick pace. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke inhalation is more likely to be the cause of death rather than the fire itself. In commercial properties especially, many people will come and go, which creates additional risk and danger when those people are looking...

In August 2021, Task Force Tips (TFT) introduced CrewProtect, to protect first responders while riding in their apparatus. It eliminates particulates, VOCs, and aerosols containing bacteria and viruses from the cab and body air. However, upon returning to the station, the crew can still be at risk of exposure to these threats and more. Improves air quality That’s why TFT has partnered with Purafil, part of the largest air filtration company in the world to integrate proven and patented...

Envirograf announced that it was great to finally return to exhibition events. Now that COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have been lifted, Envirograf was able to return to exhibiting products at numerous exhibitions taking place across the United Kingdom. UK Construction Week 2021 Envirograf was present at the UK Construction Week 2021 (UKCW 2021) exhibition Envirograf was present at the UK Construction Week 2021 (UKCW 2021) exhibition, which was held from October 5 - 7, 2021, in Birmingham, UK...

Rosenbauer launches a new extinguishing system for burning traction batteries in electric vehicles. The system can be used to safely and efficiently extinguish lithium-ion-based high-voltage batteries. It enables direct cooling of the battery modules, or the cells within the modules, and thus a quick stop to the propagation of the thermal runaway of the cells. The safety of the firefighter was the top priority during the development and is achieved by the fact that the firefighter only bein...

USFA highlights National Fire Academy (NFA) online learning opportunities for fire and building code officials.  Some of the courses offer International Association for Continuing Education and Training continuing education units (CEUs) for officials who need to maintain professional certification. Recommended online courses Alternative Water Supply Planning and Implementing Programs (Q0217) 0.6 CEUs: This course is designed to assist anyone with planning responsibility for alternative...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced it has entered into a joint development agreement with the City of Portland, Oregon Fire and Rescue to place a Pierce® Volterra™ zero-emissions pumper into service with the city’s busiest station, Station No. 1 in Spring 2022. This agreement follows the recent introduction of the revolutionary Pierce Volterra platform of electric vehicles for the fire and emergency market and the placement of the first electric...

With just days to go before World Mental Health Day, EMCOR UK has become the first organization globally to prove it prioritizes its people and be certified against BSI’s new scheme which is based on the international standard ISO 45003:2021 Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work — Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks. The new international standard, which was published earlier this year, provides guidelines on how to improve...