COVID-19 - News

UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced on Monday (4th January 2021) a new national lockdown for England until at least mid-February to combat a fast-spreading new variant of the Coronavirus (COVID-19 virus), in order to save lives and protect our NHS. The most recent UK Government guidance has made it clear that construction and manufacturing work should continue throughout the United Kingdom (UK) and sites are to remain open as construction ‘is essential to keeping the country operat...

Avon Protection is pleased to announce they have received an order from The Netherlands for FM50 masks and FM61EU filters, under the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) contract. The Netherlands joins other NATO Nations and Partners, Norway, Belgium and Finland, in purchasing the FM50 to protect their militaries. FM50 masks ordered by The Netherlands Developed in conjunction with the United States of America’s Department of Defense, in order to counter the multiple CBRN threats...

With the announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a national lockdown is now in effect until further notice. New guidance New coronavirus lockdown guidance has been issued for “people who are fit and well”. It is advised that “you must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a reasonable excuse”.  The guidance clearly states that a “reasonable excuse” includes working “where it is unreasonable for you...

The profession of life-saving is complex and dangerous. Oddly, some often need to remind themselves of this. Many are not only hazmat professionals, but also EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, company commanders, law enforcement officers, EH&S specialists, lab safety specialists, risk managers, confined-space technicians, USAR technicians, WMD specialists, apparatus operators, grief counselors, supervisors, parents, spouses, and the list goes on. And, it is expected to be proficient in most of...

Fireworks are beautiful but are very dangerous if not used properly. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office encourages anyone who chooses to use consumer fireworks to practice fireworks safety or find alternative ways to celebrate. “Fireworks safety is paramount as we continue to battle COVID-19,” said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks, please read the cautionary labels and dispose of your fireworks properly. Doct...

Fireworks are beautiful but are very dangerous if not used properly. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office encourages anyone who chooses to use consumer fireworks to practice fireworks safety or find alternative ways to celebrate. “Fireworks safety is paramount as we continue to battle COVID-19,” said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks, please read the cautionary labels and dispose of your fireworks...

There are over 1200 NHS hospitals across the UK, spread across 223 NHS trusts, ranging in age and complexity. Very few of them are single stand-alone buildings, instead the sites usually represent complicated infrastructure networks, that have grown and developed over a few decades. This in turn increases the complexity of the fire detection system across the whole site. fire detection challenges The challenges in managing fire detection systems in such structures can be associated with: C...

BBC News has reported the Valley Nursing Home, located in Clogher, County Tyrone is to be deregistered by Northern Ireland care home regulator RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority). Critical inspections Critical inspections identified multiple hygiene and safety risks, an RQIA report stated, "Of particular concern, adequate precautions and systems were not in place to manage fire risk.” These ;significant breaches' have resulted in the care home’s deregistration, mea...

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the USDA Forest Service today announced it surpassed goals and set records in 2020.   "2020 was a challenging year, with record wildland fire activity and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the Forest Service, we have risen above these challenges and set our minds, hands and hearts to carrying out our mission to meet the needs of the communities we serve," said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. The Forest Service relied on its strong science...

Hunter are delighted to have been able to play their part in the supply of PPE to the frontline staff during the extremely difficult months of 2020. COVID has tested every business and challenged the way in which they operate. So to receive such a warm thankyou from one of their customers have really made Hunter finish the year with a great sense of pride. “Just passing on a heartfelt thanks from everyone at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for the support provided this year with our...

Even with slightly relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, Christmas in 2020 will be very different from the ones everyone is used to celebrating. Not everyone will be able to gather together under the same roof to spend the festive period together. Some will be in isolation or stuck abroad, away from family and friends. Together or apart, fires can still happen at Christmas time; in fact, it’s statistically the worst time of year for fires - which sadly can be some of the most destructive. In 202...

A fire in a utility room at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center was quickly extinguished, Baltimore County fire officials said. Fire officials said firefighters were called around 3:09 p.m. for a fire on the third floor of the hospital in Rossville. Hospital alarm system Fire officials said the hospital alarm system sounded and as firefighters were en route, the sprinkler system activated. Officials said firefighters found heavy smoke on the third floor and it took about 45 minutes to put...

Firefighters are ready to assist the UK’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccines after an agreement was reached between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the fire and rescue service National Employers. The agreement allows firefighters to assist other public sector organizations with the track, trace, and isolate measures, and to check that potential higher risk premises are COVID-secure. Firefighters will inspect workplaces where relevant authorities have raised concerns about COVID-security, not...

There’s a lot of excitement about the COVID-19 vaccines finishing up their Phase III trials and giving everyone hope for putting an end to the current global pandemic. While this is great news, the next hurdle will be distributing Billions of doses of vaccine across the globe while maintaining strict temperature limits to ensure vaccine effectiveness. Each vaccine has different storage temperature requirements for both short and long-term storage and this need to be maintained from the la...

Zitko wholeheartedly supports the Women In Security awards and is delighted to see they’ll be taking place in February 2021, after a COVID-19 postponement. Run by Professional Security Magazine, the awards provide the opportunity to recognize outstanding achievement in several categories, including leadership, technical excellence, and industry contribution.   Contribution to Industry Over her Resourcing Consultant role, Priya has been instrumental in establishing Zitko Talent...

Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), the critical communication and collaboration platform that customers count on when it matters the most, has announced its Vaccine Distribution Solution to aid state and local agencies charged with managing vaccine distribution in their regions, in order to identify and communicate with vulnerable populations, deliver tailored guidance and logistical information, and leverage ongoing check-ins to ensure the success of vaccine rollout. Importance of coordination and com...

The dates for INTERSCHUTZ have been changed, with the event now taking place from June 20 to June 25, 2022. The decision to reschedule the world's renowned trade fair for the fire, rescue, civil protection and safety/security verticals was taken by Deutsche Messe, after a process of thorough deliberation and intensive discussion with key market players. INTERSCHUTZ In a context that has affected numerous other trade fairs and events taking place all over the world, the move was driven by the l...

ImageTrend, Inc. announced Elite Vax™, a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination data, and reporting solution, is ready for immediate deployment. Elite Vax has been established for nationwide success in standardizing the process for tracking COVID-19 vaccinations, providing efficient and universal patient documentation for all providers and situations. Building from the ImageTrend Elite™ platform, this stand-alone vaccination solution provides streamlined and accurate documentation and r...

2020 was a big year for Coopers Fire. The company has relocated its headquarters to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art new facility in Waterlooville, and reimagined its website for the next phase of Coopers Fire’s growth. The company has even managed to complete work on some exciting fire curtain installation projects. But 2020 will forever be remembered as the year of COVID-19 - the disease that spread around the world and brought life as everyone knows it to a complete standstill. As all...

A clear indication of both, the company’s improved relationship with Government, and the incredible effort of individuals, is the secondment of two specialists from FIA members to the Department of International Trade - UK Defence and Security Exports. Here is what the key people involved in this great partnership have to say. Ian Moore, CEO, FIA: "Working with Government for our members and the wider industry is, and has always been, a key priority. We are proud our relationship with Gov...

Rosenbauer presents a new forest firefighting vehicle. It meets both category 3 of EN 1846-2 for all-terrain firefighting vehicles and specific requirements for the protection of the vehicle crew, as defined for example in the French standard NFS 61-517 or NFS 61-518. This includes a thermal self-protection system and a driver's cab equipped with a rollover cell. With its compact dimensions, low center of gravity, and single tires, the all-wheel-drive vehicle is ideally suited for use in rough...

Apsana Begum, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, has asked the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government “Whether he plans to provide funding for remedial work to buildings that do not comply with fire safety regulations but do not have problems relating to cladding.” The Minister of State (Housing, Communities, and Local Government), Christopher Pincher, Conservative MP for Tamworth, reminded building owners and premises management that fire safety rema...

As part of the Fire Kills Candle Safety Week campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is raising awareness of the fire hazards that come with candles, particularly in the lead-up to Halloween and Diwali. With celebrations looking slightly different this year in light of the COVID-19 control measures in place and with many organized events being canceled, RBFRS is asking residents to take extra care while celebrating in their homes and gardens. Lighting candles with care Gail...

A successful prosecution was brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority against a business owner following several serious fire safety breaches. The then business owner - Mr. Sharhan Safie of Paya Restaurant, London Street in Reading, pleaded guilty to nine charges all relating to breaches of the Fire Safety Order at Reading Magistrates Court on 8 November 2019. Nature of breaches Mr. Safie failed to undertake a fire risk assessment and to take adequate fire safety arrangements Following a fi...

The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub was launched in Royal Berkshire on 7 November, following receipt of the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme in 2020. This affirms the Fire Authority and Service’s ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community. The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub launch event was hosted virtually by the Fire Authority, coordinated jointly between the Service and MP James Sunderland. It coincided with Remembrance Sunday and has b...

Magirus has announced that due to the current spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the globally renowned INTERSCHUTZ exhibition has again been postponed and will now take place from June 20 to June 25, 2022. INTERSCHUTZ exhibition postponed The company said in an announcement that they regret this decision to delay the INTERSCHUTZ event. However, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, this was the only right decision. The health and safety of all concerned is the company&...

Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci has long been a vocal advocate of residential fire sprinkler legislation in Maryland. Throughout his career in the Maryland fire service, he has excelled in educating about the importance of fire sprinklers from the perspective of the fire service as a life-saving tool that is not only beneficial, but necessary. For all his contributions to the fire protection industry, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to honor Geraci with its 2020...

Avon Protection is pleased to announce the launch of the CFP100 Particulate Filter, a development driven by increased demand for particulate protection as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The NIOSH approved CFP100 Particulate Filter compliments Avon Protection’s foremost respiratory protection portfolio, adapting proven technology to create their lightest and most comfortable filter canister to date. This development was an immediate response to the changing global operational condit...

‘Simple and worry-free Life Safety compliance’, this is what American Fire Protection Group, Inc. (AFPG) delivers every single day, even during a global pandemic such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The current uncertain environment has required everyone to change the way they do business. One thing that has not changed, however, is the requirement to have a licensed Life Safety company conduct annual, quarterly, and other code-compliant inspections of Life Safety systems and equipm...

The safety, health and well-being of all the American Fire Protection Group employees and customers is one of the company’s core values. Because the COVID-19 virus situation continues to evolve, everyone feels that it is necessary to take additional precautions to prevent further spread of the disease. American Fire Protection Group is taking the following precautions while working at the client’s job site: Social Distancing - Maintain a distance of 6 ft. between individuals. Do n...