Fire Rescue - News

Congratulations go to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue team who took part in the British Firefighter Challenge earlier this month at Moreton-in-Marsh. The British Firefighter Challenge is an annual sporting event which pushes firefighters to their limits, provides a day of entertainment for spectators, and raises funds for the Firefighters Charity. Very challenging event MAWWFRS came 3rd overall and Watch Manager Dom Norcross was presented with the silver medal for his age group categor...

Happy First Responders Day! In 2021, Congress passed a bill designating Oct. 28 as a federal holiday to honor the sacrifice of firefighters, EMTs, and police officers around the country. The law declares that “during times of national crisis, first responders have consistently been a source of aid, hope, and comfort for all Americans.” GEFD thanks volunteers and all the tireless professionals in the community for the time and toil they dedicate to service.

While most U.S. emergency communications centers (ECCs) use a CAD system to dispatch 911 calls and facilitate records management, few CAD system components are uniform across vendors. This can create problems transferring emergency calls and associated data, such as caller location information. It can also create problems with the transfer of call information to first responders in the field via public safety broadband networks. These transfer functions are important capabilities for enhancing...

Halloween is just around the corner. Kids and adults alike are busy carving pumpkins, decorating their houses and preparing to wear their scariest outfits, on the spookiest night of the year. But, putting the trick or treating and fun aside, October 31 can also be one of the riskiest times of the year, particularly for burglary, criminal damage and violent crime. Spike in crimes during Halloween In recent years, major newspapers in London, Surrey, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Devon, Ca...

The Community Safety Team at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are urging those with fuel burning appliances, fires, and stoves in the community to install working Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors, following a lucky escape by a Milford Haven resident, after a Safe & Well Visit by the Fire and Rescue Service. Earlier in October 2021, On-Call Firefighters at the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Neil Phillips and Huw Davies, who are currently assisting the Community Safety Te...

Rosenbauer is working vigorously on expanding the electric vehicle fleet for fire departments. After the RT tank firefighting vehicle and a logistics vehicle, the first L32A-XS aerial ladder is now also being electrified.   The top priority of the development engineers is to make the electric aerial ladder just as functional, powerful, and reliable as the proven standard aerial ladder and to ensure the same ease of operation, serviceability, and spare parts availability.   That's w...

The ECA Industry Awards, which recognizes the accomplishments of ECA members and other representatives from across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry, was held on 22 October at the London Hilton Bankside hotel hosted by TV presenter, Steph McGovern.  NSI once again sponsored the FSA Best Fire & Security Project Award and two NSI approved companies received industry recognition for this category - Darke & Taylor Ltd (winners) and Network Security & Alarms Ltd...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued three top safety tricks to help prevent unnecessary Halloween hazards. Top Halloween Safety Tips Working with West Yorkshire Police and other partners, the service is campaigning for people to be mindful about keeping themselves and others safe in the build-up to Sunday, October 31st. “We want everyone to have a happy Halloween this week, but we’re reminding people how easily fires can start at this fun time of year,” said We...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is at the center of a new initiative to support homeless people and rough sleepers to live safely in temporary accommodations before moving into permanent homes.  With government direction, charities have been working to provide people living on the streets with shelter in hotels and bed and breakfasts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fire service recognized the need to offer support and safety advice to those living in new and unfamiliar accommodat...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service announced that the fire service has issued three top safety tricks, in order to help prevent unnecessary Halloween hazards during the festive period. Working with West Yorkshire Police and other partners, the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is campaigning for people to be mindful about keeping themselves and others safe, in the build up to Halloween, Sunday, October 31, 2021. Safety tips to prevent Halloween hazards The West Yorkshire Fire and Res...

Verint®, The Customer Engagement Company™ announced that Verint has been named a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide General Purpose Conversational AI Platforms 2021 Vendor Assessment Report.  After a thorough evaluation of vendor strategies and capabilities, IDC positioned Verint in the Leaders category for delivering robust conversational artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. IDC MarketScape assessment The IDC MarketScape assesses the products, services, and compe...

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former Assistant to the General President for Technical Assistance and Information Resources (TAIR) and President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI), is the new United States Fire Administrator. Dr. Moore-Merrell was appointed by President Joe Biden at the urging of the IAFF. She also had widespread support from other fire service organizations. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell swore Moore-Merrell in...

The IFSS Coalition has unveiled its new guidance document to address differing or non-existent fire safety requirements in countries across the world. A global coalition of over 80 fire safety leadership organizations on Monday, 11 October, 2023, launched a new Global Plan for a Decade of Action for Fire Safety 2022-2032, to ensure an internationally consistent approach to the safety and management of buildings, infrastructure and more with the aim of saving lives by reducing risk and preventin...

Emergency call handlers are celebrating a decade since the country’s first combined fire control launched. On October 25, 2011, the 999 call functions for Cambridgeshire and Suffolk fire and rescue services joined together to form the first collaboration of its kind. Today marks the tenth anniversary of the combined control room taking calls for both counties. fire service By joining forces, this collaboration has saved each ...

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has been awarded Freedom of Entry to the Borough by Basildon Council in recognition of the heroic efforts serving the community during the coronavirus pandemic.  Freedom of the Borough is the highest honor awarded in exceptional circumstances, where the recipient has provided outstanding services which have brought significant pride and satisfaction to the borough.  outstanding services Four NHS organizations were granted Freed...

Hardstaff Barriers has continued to show its support for local businesses and communities by sponsoring a charitable event in aid of Nottinghamshire YMCA. Formed in 1871, Nottinghamshire YMCA is one of the county’s oldest charities, providing accommodation for the homeless and promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Raising funds Hardstaff, a safety barrier manufacturer, donated staff from the branding agency Three rooms, based in Nottingham, and completed...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Student Fire Safety Week campaign. Running from October 25 to October 31, 2021, the campaign raises awareness on the risk of fire to students starting out on their journey into university life. Sion Slaymaker, the Head of Business Fire Safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said, “For many young adults, this is the time of year when they start a new chapter in their live...

As the world prepares for COP26, the time for action and concrete agreement to reduce carbon emissions and invest in the future. Government and industry have a crucial opportunity to agree on tangible commitments, that benefit future generations across the world. The role as part of the Built Environment and Construction Sector (which accounts for 38% of global carbon emissions) is vital. The Construction Leadership Council’s Construct Zero program is heading the industry’s drive to...

CIC has been welcomed by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as its newest and twentieth Member, following a positive vote at the UKAS AGM, which took place on 19 October 2021. certification, and inspection UKAS is the government-appointed sole National Accreditation Body, whose role is to provide oversight of testing, certification, and inspection organizations across the full spectrum of economic activity. UKAS is a not-for-profit, non-profit-distributing independent company ope...

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has welcomed the Construction Industry Council (CIC) as its newest and twentieth Member, following a positive vote at the UKAS AGM. UKAS is the government-appointed sole National Accreditation Body, whose role is to provide oversight of testing, certification, and inspection organizations across the full spectrum of economic activity. Important link to the sectors UKAS is a not-for-profit, non-profit-distributing independent company operating un...

National Housing Federation research shows that one in ten new affordable homes to rent or buy in England can no longer be built because of the costs of fixing fire safety defects.   The NHF surveyed 106 housing associations, with 61 reporting that they have discovered dangerous materials on their buildings since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. This is despite those buildings having been signed off as meeting building requirements at the time they were built. Author's quote The NHF est...

Emergency vehicle manufacturer - Marion Body Works is making HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® a standard safety solution on new apparatus, the company announced recently. The collaboration will equip newly manufactured Marion Body Works apparatus with the Safety Cloud Responder-to-Vehicle (R2V™) service, enabling fire crews to automatically deliver digital alerts to nearby drivers up to 30 seconds in advance and reduce the risk of collision by up to 90%. Safety Cloud - industry stand...

Halloween is a peak time of the year for spooky celebrations and activities, but it also presents some truly scary fire safety hazards. As the holiday nears, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is encouraging everyone to take simple precautions that can help ensure the holiday remains festively fun. “It is exciting to be able to trick or treat, wear costumes and celebrate Halloween, particularly after last year, when most events and activities were canceled due to th...

CIC will be at COP26 on 11 November to present on ‘Carbon Zero: the professional institutions’ climate action plan’. The presentation is in support of the Construction Leadership Council’s Construct Zero session which will take place in the Green Zone as part of the COP26 Cities, Regions, and Built Environment Day. reduce carbon emissions The built environment and construction sector accounts for 38% of global carbon emissions and it has been estimated that collectivel...

The Fire Fighters Charity has featured an interview with Sarah Goodall, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Crew Manager, in recognition of International Control Room Week.  Sarah's experience Sarah Goodall shares why she's so proud to work at WYFRS and some of her experiences over her 21 years of service.  “There is nothing more precious than life. Knowing you have contributed to that, is worth more than any words can describe,” says Sarah Goodall.

In the latest episode of Assembly Point, FPA Director of Operations - Howard Passey talks to Lewis Ramsey, Caretaker Manager at BAFE to examine the key issues and areas to consider when looking at fire risk management in buildings that are occupied by vulnerable persons. Howard and Lewis also explore the criticality of active and passive fire systems being suitable for the purpose, installed correctly, and that their subsequent maintenance and testing is undertaken by an accredited third party....

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...

As residents will be getting ready to enjoy Bonfire Night after missing out during the pandemic, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to stay safe while enjoying fireworks. Bonfire Night can be plenty of fun for all of the family to enjoy, but with lots of potential hazards, it’s really important to keep the family safe. Help support the local community and go to an organized firework display instead of holding one at home. Be safe Group Commander Per Middleton, th...

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...