COVID-19 - News

In order to inform an NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) Health and Wellbeing strategy, colleagues from Nottingham Trent University have been tasked with conducting a survey, to map health and well-being across fire and rescue service staff, in order to better understand current and future needs.  Health and Well-being strategy The NFCC Health and Wellbeing strategy will reflect the health and well-being needs of people in the fire safety industry, across all careers.  Led by Dr. R...

It is with a heavy heart that BAFE announces the passing of two friends and colleagues. Both, Peter Chilton and Dominic Cook passed away at the end of April 2022.  They both greatly assisted BAFE with fire extinguisher technician assessments/verification and exam invigilation as experts within their field. Peter Chilton Peter Chilton had more than 30 years of fire industry experience before working with BAFE, including 25 years with a fire extinguisher organization, Fire Protection Servi...

Dr. Harry Carter lost his battle with cancer on June 17, 2022. He was a dedicated member of the CVVFA serving in several roles as the NJ Representative to the CVVFA Presidents Council and as Editor in Chief of www.Respondersafety.com, where he oversaw highway incident struck-by reporting and authored the editor’s column. CVVFA paying tribute Dr. Harry Carter helped launch Respondersafety.com and contributed to its now 10 thousand pages of content. “He wrote until his declining heal...

As part of its 10-year strategic plan, ‘Transformation Morgan 2030: Leading the Future,’ Baltimore-based Morgan State University (MSU) has partnered with Siemens on its journey to becoming a smart and connected campus of the future. Modernisation upgrades Improvements currently underway include implementing a series of modernization upgrades to the university’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), security, and fire and life safety systems with a focus on energy...

Having a robust supply chain is an essential element of modern business. Verifying that potential suppliers hold essential accredited certifications (such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 14001 for environmental management) is a key part of building a reliable network. Many organizations in both the public and private sectors specify that prospective suppliers must hold UKAS-accredited certification. procurement best practice Independently checking the authenticity of each applicant&...

RESCUE Intellitech AB, the innovative Swedish manufacturer of decon washers for SCBAs, face masks and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), such as boots, gloves, and helmets, has announced that their recently launched DeconWasher Pro S will be available for orders on the global market as of now. After a successful introduction on the North American market earlier in 2022 spring season, RESCUE Intellitech AB will now showcase the new machine at INTERSCHUTZ 2022, which is taking place in Ha...

Frontline firefighters in Tyne and Wear are benefitting from a ground-breaking new scheme, which sees them being trained in first aid and trauma support by a leading North East paramedic educator. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have teamed up with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), in a scheme believed to be the first of its kind in England. TWFRS – NEAS partnership It has seen Paramedic Educator, Phil Barlow, who has 15-years frontline experience being seconded to...

Fire safety checks will need to be redone on more than 1,600 council homes, because of concerns previous inspections may have been conducted by unqualified officials. The revelation is the latest twist in a long-running saga, which emerged last year when Norwich City Council admitted hundreds of people in its properties were potentially put in danger because crucial safety inspections of fire, water, and electrics had not been done. Overdue gas checks Since then, £1.2 million has been s...

Recent research from Duke University involved firefighters wearing silicon wristbands on and off the job. The silicon absorbs any semi-volatile organic compounds the firefighters may have been exposed to. The wristbands worn by firefighters were analyzed for 134 different chemical compounds, including phthalates, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), all of which have been linked to increased...

Research by Luxfer Gas Cylinders into how back, joint and limb pain affect firefighter health is released, ahead of Interschutz 2022. Fire services could be losing an average of 25 staff days per year, for each team member affected by poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health – thought to be around one in four firefighters. Luxfer, the industry-renowned manufacturer of lightweight, durable, high-performance SCBA cylinders, investigated the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal health issues, i...

Over 2,300 first responders have taken an online instructor-led live course from the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the number is growing. The NFA suspended its on-campus and field courses in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2020, the NFA and USFA’s partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives launched the first online instructor-led live 2-day course, “Fire Investigation: First Responders,” using the Zoom video conferencing app. Ad...

Avon Protection will showcase its full range of integrated personal protection solutions at Eurosatory 2022, including full-face respirators, ballistic helmets, escape hoods, SCBA systems, modular PAPR units, underwater equipment, and CBRN protective equipment. There, the Group will demonstrate its position as a world-renowned company in CBRN protection, with its respiratory technology solutions that are designed to meet the modern threat environment and enhance the capability of the tactical m...

Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) President, Chief Joe Kroboth has released a message stating - Fellow members, for several years the association and individual members benefited from a relationship with the PA Fireman Magazine. The magazine has covered CVVFA’s events, published their articles, and informed readers about the association’s activities. With the steady long-term growth of the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, there is a need to provide...

The East of England Ambulance Service Charity has secured a grant of more than £116,000 for an innovative approach to help patients get the help they need. The charity won the funds from NHS Charities Together for developing a way to signpost patients with ‘unmet needs’ to wider community support pathways. The funds have been awarded thanks to the Ambulance Grants Programme which was launched by NHS Charities Together in March 2021 in recognition of the vital work that am...

EarthSafe Chemical Alternatives is known for developing the EvaClean Infection Prevention Solution, which firefighters use to mitigate pathogens in their fire stations and emergency vehicles. In a continuing effort to help protect the health of first responders, EarthSafe launched a safer, more sustainable line of industrial-strength products, in order to address hazardous spills and inhibit harmful molds. Joe Finn, the former Boston Fire Commissioner, Chief of the Department, and current First...

Kentec Electronics, a global manufacturer of life-critical control systems, is celebrating the third anniversary of its Kentec Installation Program (KIP), at this year’s FIREX International 2022. With more than 200 installers now registered, across 19 countries, the company will take the opportunity to celebrate the success of scheme and thank installers for their support. Since its launch at Firex 2019, installers have been benefiting from the scheme’s key features, which include t...

Kentec Electronics, a manufacturer of life-critical control systems, is celebrating the third anniversary of its Kentec Installation Programme (KIP) at Firex 2022. With more than 200 installers registered, across 19 countries, the company will take the opportunity to celebrate the success of the scheme and thank installers for their support. Kentec Installation Programme (KIP) Since its launch at Firex 2019, installers have been benefiting from the scheme’s key features, which include t...

Civil protection organizations are challenged now more than ever before. In addition to their tasks in everyday life, fire brigades, The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), the German Red Cross (DRK), Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (JUH), Malteser Hilfsdienst (MHD) and the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) are increasingly in demand for large-scale operations. Whether it is the corona (COVID-19) virus pandemic, flood disaster, forest fires or refugee crisis -...

It is with deep regret that Mill Creek DE Fire Company announces the passing of Deputy Chief Emeritus John P. Fox. John had been battling failing health for several years. John was a go-getter from the moment he joined Mill Creek in April of 1963, holding many positions within Mill Creek, during his lifetime. He shaped many future officers within Mill Creek as an Advisor to Explorer Post 921. He was elected Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Deputy Emeritus, Member of the Board of Directors and Com...

It’s no secret that COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges to the facilities management industry, changing the way companies work and communicate with one another on an extraordinary scale. But whilst some are more adaptable than others, and continue to work effectively, for the vast majority of businesses, the pandemic has left significant gaps in efficiency and productivity. Ibrahim Imam, Co-Founder, and Co-CEO of PlanRadar explains how digital technology is nudging the needle for th...

In a move to expand production of 3M respiratory and hearing protection products, 3M is announcing plans to grow its plant in Valley, Nebraska.  3M is investing approximately US$ 58 million to fund the 80,000 square foot expansion that will create around 50 new jobs at the facility. Investment in 3M’s Valley plant “Our colleagues at 3M's Valley plant have played an important role providing critical supplies to frontline workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ma...

KME, a subsidiary of REV Group and a globally renowned manufacturer of fire apparatus, will display the latest in fire apparatus and technology, including the first North American-style fully electric fire truck, at FDIC International 2022 (Fire Department Instructors Conference), taking place in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, from April 28 to April 30, 2022. REV Fire Group’s Vector vehicle will make its debut at FDIC International 2022, giving attendees the opportunity to be among the first...

Thames Valley Police has improved its performance over a demanding 18 months, but there are still areas of concern, the police inspectorate has said. PEEL 2021/22: Inspection of Thames Valley Police Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services graded Thames Valley Police’s performance across nine areas of policing and found the force was ‘good’ in three areas, ‘adequate’ in four areas and ‘requires improvement’ in two...

REV Fire Group, which includes REV Group Inc., the globally renowned manufacturers of fire apparatus - E-ONE, KME, Ferrara, Spartan Fire Chassis, Spartan Emergency Response, Smeal, and Ladder Tower, has partnered with GE Current and United Safety and Survivability Corporation (USSC), to offer GE DisInFx system on its fire apparatus, in order to help provide a safer and cleaner environment for first responders. GE DisInFx system United Safety and Survivability Corporation’s GE DisInFx sys...

REV Fire Group, which includes REV Group Inc. manufacturers of fire apparatus E-ONE®, KME®, Ferrara™, Spartan Fire Chassis™, Spartan Emergency Response®, Smeal™, and Ladder Tower™, will debut Vector, the first North American-style fully electric fire truck, during FDIC International (Fire Department Instructors Conference) in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 28-30, 2022. As one of the most exciting developments in the firefighting industry, this new electri...

Modern researchers and experts conclude that wearing a face mask lowers the spread of the COVID-19 virus. When someone with the virus wears a face mask the chances of sharing it with someone else reduce. Wearing a face mask also protects them from someone affected by the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, it can be concluded that wearing a face mask will offer protection to them and themselves around them. Though all face masks are not the same, it is highly necessary to know which one offers...

Fire brigades, disaster relief workers and rescue services are facing challenges that did not previously exist in this range. This is because the number of operations and the severity of events are increasing, including severe weather disasters, vegetation fires, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the refugee crisis. These are just a few examples. The main theme of INTERSCHUTZ 2022, ‘Teams, tactics, technology – protection and rescue networked’, sums it up. The world&rsqu...

ImageTrend, Inc. announced the release of the third annual CrewCare Report: Health of Our Emergency Responders During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This volume of the CrewCare Report is comprised of anonymous aggregate first responder data collected largely before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) from the CrewCare Mobile App and focuses on the stress associated with COVID-19 in the emergency responder community. Emergency responder industry Of the many insights found within this year&rsq...

First responders are a close-knit community, and most everyone knows the name, Joseph E. Finn. During a life-long career with the Boston Fire Department spanning close to four decades, Finn worked his way through the ranks to Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department, earning the moniker of Boston’s top firefighter. He is credited with making numerous enhancements to the fire safety and EMS fields, and has received many prestigious honors, including Fire Chief of the Year. But, Finn is most k...

In the early morning of March 25, 2022, a storage tank came to Jinhong gas after experiencing a long and arduous journey. What is in the storage tank is one of the rarest and most expensive industrial gas - Helium! This action marks that JinHong Gas has opened a new chapter in the industry of "Helium storage" and "helium transport". Helium Helium is a rare gas with the element symbol He, which is colorless and odorless under normal circumstances. It is lighter than air and less flam...