Fire Safety Planning - News

Fire safety should be a top priority all year round for commercial business owners, but as they head into winter, it’s important to keep in mind fire safety and the unique challenges businesses can face during this period. The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) estimates that 60% of privately owned businesses never recover from fire and its knock-on effects. With that in mind, Total Fire Group is going to share some fire safety tips for winter that people and their businesses should...

Care home fire safety is vital all year round, but winter brings about some specific fire safety concerns that should be addressed. Here are some of the care home fire safety tips for winter. Evacuation plans and routes are an essential part of care home fire prevention, but extra considerations need to be thought about when winter arrives. For example, is snow build-up likely to be a problem for wheelchair users or those using mobility scooters? Are escape routes adequately gritted to preven...

Schools can be unpredictable. With hundreds of people running around the school, it’s impossible to keep on top of what everyone is doing. Consequently, every year, approximately 90,000 pupils in the UK find their education disrupted because of a fire. In comparison to other types of commercial buildings, schools are nearly twice as likely to have a fire. It’s a huge point of concern, and while schools cannot control everything, they can massively decrease the risk of a fire and be...

There are 5 main steps to carrying out a fire risk assessment. First, users need to identify any fire hazards in the workplace. This could include things like electrical sockets, equipment used for cooking or heating, and any combustible materials stored on site. The first step is being aware of them and how they might have the potential to cause a fire. Next, users need to identify if there are people specifically at risk. For example, do users employ any vulnerable or elderly people or thos...

Warehouses across the UK are set to be busier than ever this Christmas. With the huge rise in online shopping, warehouses are busy places to be at any time of year, but never more so than during the run up to Christmas. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to take steps to keep the staff safe this Christmas, and the best place to start is by conducting a fire risk assessment of the warehouse. Here, the article will go through the process of a warehouse fire risk assessment....

A fire risk assessment is the first step in the fire safety plan. Let’s go over why users need one for their business, what they involve and who can help them get it sorted. Birmingham is a dense urban environment, with buildings that range from historical houses to modern high-rises, and as a city it poses unique challenges when it comes to fire safety. That means that when choosing a contractor to carry out the fire risk assessment, one should look for one with experience in the area,...

A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) canine unit is at the scene of a fatal house fire at Johns River, on the state's mid-coast. A man, aged in his 70s, was killed in the blaze which engulfed the property on Riddles Brush Road just after 10:30 pm last night. Eight FRNSW firefighters assisted four NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) crews in the almost five-hour-long battle to contain and extinguish the flames. Residential fire The fire was so intense that the entire roof collapsed, limiting firefighte...

One of the many challenges faced when working on large-scale projects is putting together a plan of action of how the alarm system will look in the most efficient way possible. Thanks to Countfire, A.M Security now has the tools to improve how it operates with their own business. Before Countfire, a lengthy manual process was needed to count every single component that would be used within a fire system, so that an estimate could then be made.  Human errors This here had the possibility...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has determined there was a 12 percent increase in house fires during winter this year, sparking calls for more working smoke alarms in NSW homes. The latest statistics gathered by FRNSW indicate there were 1063 residential fires during winter this year, an increase of 119 on the same season last year. It’s the largest number of winter residential fires in NSW since 2019, when 1092 such blazes were recorded. Winter residential fires Eight people were killed...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have successfully completed a strategic hazard reduction burn to protect the headland at North Mona Vale, on Sydney's northern beaches. FRNSW deployed firefighters from Mona Vale, Mount Druitt, Silverwater, Campsie, Fairfield, and Lidcombe around the half-hectare coastal site. FRNSW Bushfire Officer, Kyle Macorig, said the controlled burn took four hours to complete. Containment lines "We were faced with vegetation known as 'coastal heath’ which can be...

While building fire and life safety codes are typically viewed as set in stone, the reality is not quite as concrete. As facilities add unique design elements to achieve aesthetic or functional goals, they also give rise to fire safety considerations that fall outside established code requirements. In this episode, Rodger Reiswig speaks with Chris Jelenewicz, technical director at the Society of Fire Prevention Engineers (SFPE), about the growing use of performance-based design to address thes...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is reminding the public to remain safe from residential fires this summer by safeguarding their homes and properties. Now is the time when households are putting up Christmas trees, firing up barbecues, and planning summer holidays. FRNSW has released a series of checklists for the public to keep in mind as the festive season gets closer.   FRNSW recommendations FRNSW recommends the following:  CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS When setting up fairy lights...

The fire risk assessment is sorted, the fire alarm systems are installed and the staff are briefed on emergency and evacuation plans. What next? Now they have to make sure that the fire alarm system maintenance is carried out regularly with planned preventative maintenance servicing to keep everything in working order. Why fire alarm maintenance is so important Because what’s the use in having a state-of-the-art fire alarm system if it isn’t working properly? Neglecting the upkeep...

When a fire or emergency situation sparks up, every second counts. Voice alarm systems are a key part of the evacuation plan for many businesses, helping get people to safety as quickly as possible. But what exactly are voice alarm systems and emergency voice communication systems, and are they one of the businesses that needs them? They’re here to answer those questions, as well as giving them all the information on how they at Midland Fire can help get the business s...

A lithium-ion battery from an e-bike has caused a fire in a unit at Lethbridge Park in Sydney's west earlier today. Crews were called to the second-floor unit in Hawaii Avenue just before 3.00 am after reports of a blaze in the three-storey complex. Upon arrival, 16 firefighters quickly got to work to contain the fire, which is believed to have started in the kitchen area of the premises where the lithium-ion battery was located. Initial reports It took crews approximately 20 minutes to exti...

D-Tools, a major provider of business management software for electronics systems contractors, and FireCAD, powered by Inspect Point, a cloud-based fire alarm CAD solution, are pleased to announce a strategic integration to be unveiled at the 2025 NFPA Conference & Expo. This partnership represents a significant opportunity for fire and security industry professionals, combining D-Tools' end-to-end business management capabilities with FireCAD’s purpose-built tools for fire alarm syst...

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, launches Simplex Incident Manager, a complete web-based fire alarm management workstation for campuses and large facilities. This next-generation workstation from Johnson Controls includes an advanced interface and feature set that enhances the fire alarm management experience, helping facility teams keep their buildings protected around the clock. Simplex Incident Manager Simplex Incident Manager gives facili...

Rosenbauer America, a pioneer in fire apparatus innovation and performance, announces the initial delivery of new state-of-the-art Tractor Drawn Aerials (TDAs) to the Los Angeles County Fire Department (L.A.Co. FD). In addition, the Los Angeles County Fire will also soon be receiving new Rosenbauer America Engines/Custom Pumpers. Rosenbauer COMMANDER™ cab In total, this order includes: Eleven (11) Tractor Drawn Aerial (TDA) Quints: Built on the Rosenbauer COMMANDER™ custom cab...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and administration staff have raised a staggering amount of donations for children suffering serious burns. The volunteer fundraisers today presented a cheque for $215,406 to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) at FRNSW’s official number ‘002’ Station, The Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The significant total is the culmination of year-long efforts by FRNSW’s ‘Beat the Burn&rsquo...

Three veterans of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have been recognized in this year’s King’s Birthday honors for their commitment to the fire service and community safety. The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) was established in 1988 to recognize the distinguished service of firefighters – permanent or volunteer – to their organizations. The medals are awarded on the King’s Birthday each year by the Governor-General, on recommendation of Commonwealth and State mini...

Over 100 representatives from across Illinois’ fire service organizations recently gathered in Glenview, IL, for the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association of Illinois’ 19th Annual Fire Services Home Day, held this year at Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA.) The fire professionals were joined by elected officials and staffers from several state and federal offices with 20 fire service vendors displaying key equipment used in the fire service. Paul Darley, P...

The wet weather did not deter the crowds from attending Fire and Rescue NSW’s Open Day at the Museum of Fire in Penrith. Hit animated preschool property, PAW Patrol, from Nickelodeon and Spin Master Entertainment, entertained the kids and helped to spread the message of how to “be fire safe”. FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Steer was also on hand at the event which featured a range of free displays and activities in the museum grounds including PAW Patrol’s...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced Reliant Fire Apparatus has acquired Halt Fire, Inc., the current Pierce dealership serving the state of Michigan. The acquisition expands Reliant Fire Apparatus’ exclusive Pierce territory to now include Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to fire departments across the Midwest. Reliant continues operations Reliant wi...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have detailed their rescue of a pet dog after it fell down an embankment near Wilton, in Sydney’s south-west. When they arrived at Maldon Bridge Road at roughly 5pm last Friday (10 May), firefighters from Picton and Narellan discovered that “Wilma”, an eight-month-old chocolate Labrador who had been missing for most of the day, was trapped on a small ledge, 40 metres down the embankment. One of Wilma’s owners had located her and called...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced the Frederick County, Maryland Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) has placed an order for a Pierce® Volterra™ electric fire truck, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and firefighter health and safety. The order, secured through Pierce dealer, Atlantic Emergency Solutions, includes six additional fire apparatus to enhance operational readiness and emergency response capabilities acros...

Commercial fire alarm systems are a legal and practical necessity for the majority of workplaces. Found everywhere from offices to warehouses, these systems will detect and warn against fire, supporting evacuation and working hard to protect the property and staff. But how exactly do they work? In this blog, they’ll break down how commercial fire alarm systems operate, and why professional installation and maintenance by a fire alarm company like Midland Fire is key. So let’s g...

In the lead up to National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), and to celebrate 30 years of its Community Fire Units (CFU) program, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has unveiled a new uniform for its dedicated members. The new uniform is in line with the current standards of protection for firefighters which came into effect following the 2019/20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires. They will be initially rolled out to CFUs in the Blue Mountains, with the rest of the state to follow. As a nod to the histo...

FeuerTrutz, the international trade fair and congress for preventive fire protection, has had a director of exhibitions since mid-May 2025: Phillip Blass has joined the team led by Stefan Dittrich, Executive Director Exhibitions.  Dittrich retains overall responsibility for the FeuerTrutz, GaLaBau and HOLZ-HANDWERK trade fairs. Range of fire protection fields Experts from a wide range of fire protection fields to jointly develop practical solutions Phillip Blass has many years of experi...

Rosenbauer America, a renowned manufacturer of fire apparatus and firefighting equipment, is pleased to announce the expansion of C.W. Williams and Company's authorized dealer territory to include the US state of South Carolina, effective June 1, 2025. This expansion builds upon C.W. Williams’ successful representation of Rosenbauer in North Carolina since 2006. C.W. Williams currently operates three service and office locations in North Carolina: Rocky Mount, Statesville, and Pisgah Fore...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have played a leading role in a multi-agency bus crash exercise at Lake Macquarie. The simulated bus rollover was staged at the Edgeworth depot of bus company, CDC NSW, to allow firefighters and other first responders to fine tune their skills in emergency vehicle rescues. According to the weekend mock scenario, two buses and a utility collided on a road, causing a rollover. Firefighter training Firefighters from Morisset, Toronto and Lambton, working alongs...