COVID-19 - News

Kentec Electronics, a pioneering manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has launched the Loop Explorer 2 (LE-2) software to provide installers with a faster, more secure means to program and configure fire control panels that delivers a highly secure means of controlling access to the engineering software and access to Kentec’s technical support. LE-2 supersedes the LE-1 and will be used to commission all Kentec’s analogue, addressable control panels, providing one softw...

GearGrid is about being able to store athletic gear safely, which is why these lockers can be secured with locks.  In addition to keeping the gear safe, these lockers are designed to make the gear long-lasting. The open grid pattern allows for proper airflow, allowing damp athletic gear to dry faster and ultimately reducing odor build-up. The Wall Mount GridIron Locker has the solution. Custom and color options  These lockers offer an abundance of customization. There are many areas...

As a proponent of the proposed NFPA 915 Standard for Remote Inspections, Johnson Controls, the pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, is hosting a webinar on February 16 to provide participants with a comprehensive review of the code. If passed in the summer of 2023, the standard will provide inspectors with official procedures for the remote verification of building systems using video and audio technologies. digital technologies “Due to reduced staffing during the...

Delegates attending this free to attend seminar, which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 22nd February, 2023, in Hamilton, Scotland, will participate in an intense 3 hours of presentation, delivered by experts, focusing on automatic fire suppression standards and regulations. Water Mist Roadshows This is the second in the series of Water Mist Roadshows hosted by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA). Earn valuable CPD hours for fr...

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that lead is a cumulative toxicant that can result in adverse health effects. In severe cases, anaemia, seizures, coma, or death may occur. Lead is considered particularly harmful to young children and it is estimated to have contributed to 540,000 deaths worldwide in 2016. There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. This has resulted in lead being restricted or banned from use in some products that could enable the direct ingesti...

Fire-Dex, the fastest-growing manufacturer of PPE for first responders in the country, is donating nearly 15,000 nonsurgical AAMI Level 3 isolation gowns to the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) which will in turn distribute the garments to fire departments and EMS services statewide. As the ideal safety wear for medical calls and contamination events, the gowns provide enhanced protection against biological and environmental hazards. They can also be laundered and reused, unlike many othe...

The U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control Executive Summary is now available. This report provides highlights from the Summit that took place on October 11, 2022, and brought together government officials, fire service leaders, and scientists to address America’s fire problem. Included in the report are fact sheets detailing the recommendations covered in the Fire Service National Strategy.

Following the publication of the annual State of Fire report, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has responded to its findings. Published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), it looks at the fire and rescue service’s effectiveness, efficiency and how they focus on their staff. In the report, HMICFRS’ Chief Inspector - Andy Cooke said: “I am continually struck by the dedication of firefighters and other staff, and I...

G4S Integrated Fever Screening Solution helps detect elevated body temperature, which is a key symptom of COVID-19. Efficient It takes just a second to detect individual temperatures even in a group of people, thus preventing any delay or congestion while entering the premises. The temperature is detected in real-time. Accurate Temperature measured accuracy is +/- 0.3C Flexible The solution is easy to set up and deploy. G4S offers options for deployment depending on the requirements b...

The Head of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a component of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and principals of America’s national fire service organizations traveled to New York City and Philadelphia to honor those lost to fires in the past year, including the 29 victims of the tragic fires in the Bronx and Philadelphia. During her visits, U.S. Fire Administrator - Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell shared steps to reduce the risk of fire in local communities and launch the USFA Nation...

In February 2020, the Department of Defense ASD SO/LIC’s ’Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) selected SMARTSHOOTER, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems, to develop the solution for its Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) project. IWOO Technology Readiness Review Recently, SMARTSHOOTER reached its final milestone by successfully passing the IWOO Technology Readiness Review (TRR). Two prototype systems were taken throug...

The development team received a significant number of enquiries from a range of stakeholders in 2021/2022, notably regarding personnel certification, stemming from government initiatives such as Net Zero.  UKAS accredited the first Certification Body delivering an ICO-approved GDPR scheme, alongside work on new projects in Data Assurance Identity and Internet of Things. New accreditations were also granted in the food/farming and environmental sectors, such as Protected Food Names, FAMI-QM...

Larger and more increased storms are producing soaring natural disaster costs. The U.S. alone witnessed 16 natural disasters by September 2020, which brought damages to at least $1 billion tying the records set in 2011 and 2017. This increase in disaster severity and costs make it harder for Emergency Managers to do their jobs. In this article, learn more about the issues facing disaster relief efforts and what users can do to prepare for the next disaster. Rising Cost of Disasters In the las...

This year, Euralarm started a new initiative focusing on diversity and attracting new talent. The importance of the initiative is underlined by the rapid engineer retention and the lack of competent and qualified engineers. This article details the Euralarm initiative and reviews several activities undertaken by Euralarm and its members. The fire and security industries are industries with a long and rich history. The origins of the fire industry could be traced back to Nero, the Roman Emperor...

A fire that broke out at an industrial estate near Rotherham is still issuing toxic smoke from burning waste eight weeks later. The warehouse at Kiveton Park Industrial Estate, which stores a mixture of domestic and industrial waste, caught fire in the early hours of 21 September 2022. However, it appears that fire crews are still struggling to completely extinguish hotspots within the waste piles, mainly due to the amount of waste that has been stored there.  fire suppression When...

Fire-Dex is excited to announce the promotion of three associates and welcome one member to the Fire-Dex and Gear Wash Family. Michelle Guthrie has been with Fire-Dex for 15 years and has been promoted several times, most recently from Warehouse Supervisor to Production Planner.   New Promotions Gear Wash has also recently promoted two associates – Debbie Roberts and Karina Suquilema. Debbie will serve as Operations Supervisor at the Atlanta location and Karina will serve as O...

A company and its former director have been ordered to pay more than £100,000 due to an insufficient fire risk assessment at a block of flats in Portsmouth. The Enforcement Support Team at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) first became aware of the inadequate fire safety checks at Forbes Court, in Hilsea, Portsmouth, in 2017. Fire risk assessment After being alerted to the issue, the property management company responsible for the three-storey block of flats r...

In his article for UKAS’s 2021/2022 Annual Report, Marcus Long, Chief Executive of the Independent International Organisation for Certification (IIOC), shares his perspective on the role of conformity assessment in emerging technologies. The fourth industrial revolution is opening a wealth of technologies that will benefit both the assurance industry and, more importantly, users of conformity assessment services. Accredited conformity assessment Organizations of all shapes and sizes re...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is now accepting nominations for its Annual Fire Service Achievement Awards. NVFC recognizes the contributions of a lifetime volunteer firefighter, a leader in health and wellness, an outstanding junior firefighter, or a successful junior firefighter program.  Nominations are due by 5 pm EST on January 20, 2023 for the following awards: Lifetime Achievement Award - Sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group This award recognizes a volunteer firef...

At 14h31 on Monday afternoon, 7 November 2022, the SACFS responded to a truck fire on Carawa Road, approximately 30 kilometers east of Smoky Bay, South Australia. Damage due to fire The SACFS firefighters found a prime mover and its trailer in flames when they arrived at the scene. The driver of the truck was unharmed by the fire. SACFS crews were able to save the second trailer, however, the prime mover and the first trailer, along with its contents of wheat, were destroyed by the fire. Adj...

At 15:10 in the afternoon on Thursday, 3 November 2022, SACFS crews were alerted to a structure fire in Coote Place, Ceduna, South Australia. Fire Cause Investigators Upon arrival, the SACFS firefighters, responding in 6 fire trucks, found a caravan and an adjacent house on fire. Nobody was home at the time of the fire. The firefighters ensured that the fire did not spread to neighboring properties. The fire caused approximately $250,000 damage to the caravan and the house. Fire Cause Investi...

Avon Protection announces the launch of the CH15, a revolutionary new, ultra-thin, single-size portable escape hood that provides a minimum of 15 minutes of respiratory vision and facial protection against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats. The last decade has clearly demonstrated how the threat profile has changed significantly. Currently, most threats are unplanned, the CH15 is a development driven after an emerging requirement from specialist users to provide instant pro...

Just before 2:00 am, CFS was alerted to reports of a structure fire on a rural property along the Eyre Highway, approximately 20kms east of Penong in the state’s far west. A hayshed containing over 200 bales of hay was alight, with the fire being so large it was visible from the highway and a good samaritan truck driver reported it to 000. Rescue, Damages caused One CFS Quick Response Vehicle and five Farm Fire Units are on scene, and heavy machinery from the local area is also on hand...

Informa Markets’ ASEAN M&E 2022 show is set to welcome10,000 visitors from 60 countries from 7–9 Nov 2022 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), in Malaysia. Being the first fully physical exhibition since the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN M&E – Southeast Asia’s premier Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, and Energy trade show will host 150 exhibitors from more than 11 countries, with 4 grand international pavilions (Singapore, India, China, and Turkey). Visitor e...

BK Technologies Corporation announced the launch of its first BKRplay service, InteropONE, the only PTToC service that enables operational interoperability to first responders through the on-demand creation of user groups without requiring network pre-provisioning or gateways. multi-agency incident response InteropONE, in cooperation with its PTToC platform partner, STREAMWIDE SA, a communications software technology provider, facilitates multi-agency incident response and mutual aid in plan...

Firefighting and emergency response are stressful jobs with high levels of risk and unpredictability. In addition, volunteer responders are often juggling their fire service responsibilities with full time jobs and family commitments. All these factors can have an impact on the well-being of responders and their families. While many companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) to deal with work-life issues, such services are usually not available for volunteer firefighters and EMS provid...

A leading professor has praised a North East fire service for their commitment to firefighter safety and innovation. This week, Professor Anna Stec from the University of Central Lancashire provided insight into the importance of reducing contaminants and improving safety to firefighters, fire service staff and members of the public. In an event ran by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) local representatives, Professor Stec addressed a number of...

Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to the health and safety of first responders. That’s why MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together to provide volunteer fire departments with much-needed turnout gear through MSA Safety and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. In 2022, 13 departments will each receive four new sets of turnouts and four new helmets. Additionally, the first 500 applicants also received a...

Nittan took part in another successful FIM Expo, the FIM Expo Cardiff 2022, which took place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, United Kingdom (UK) on 13th September 2022. Run by the Fire Industry Association (FIA), FIM Expo is a free to enter event that allows visitors to get hands-on with the latest fire detection and alarm products in an informal setting. FIM Expo Cardiff 2022 Nittan’s General Manager EMEA Sales, Robin Edmunds and Regional Sales Manager UK South, Darren Saunders w...

Johnson Controls, the pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, offers an alternative approach to fire detection through its FireClass range, a class of open-protocol fire detection products, and is seen as a step away from its previously perceived perception in the market of only offering managed or closed-protocol systems. FireClass consists of a comprehensive range of industry-approved products for use in commercial, residential, corporate, retail, leisure, care home, manufactur...