Firefighter Health and Safety - News

Fire risk is one of the biggest threats to Construction sites. John Harrison, Sales Director at Ramtech, explains the dynamic security needs of construction sites, including how fire during construction, alteration, or demolition operations can be eliminated or controlled through early planning, scheduling, rapid communication, and on-site security. It is no secret that construction sites are full of potential hazards, and without the right protection, it is generally accepted that a constructi...

While fire safety may seem obvious for occupied properties, there is often more risk of a blaze starting in an empty building, despite the common assumption that damage may be minimal. There is remote monitoring technology out there to help safeguard these sites, and as more spaces lie empty in the wake of the pandemic, adopting these systems should be considered. Adam Kovics, the Export Sales Manager – Europe, at wireless solutions firm, Ramtech, discusses. Building Safety  Across...

Implementing a Fire Drill in the workplace is not only a legal requirement, but is also essential to protect individuals and their companies from being charged with major fire safety breaches, resulting in unlimited fines and up to 2 years imprisonment.  In this article, users will learn why implementing a fire drill is so important, how to implement one, and what procedures they must introduce to uphold these standards long term.  Regular fire drills  It is not only essential...

Four CFS trucks and a bulk water carrier, supported by MFS crews, responded to a truck fire on the city-bound side of the South Eastern Freeway at 8:55 in the morning. The truck which was transporting scaffolding, has been extinguished by firefighters, with the fire contained to the truck. Damage incurred Specialist HazMat-trained CFS volunteers are on the scene helping to clean up and contain any diesel and oil, which dropped from the truck during the fire. No one has been injured. Traffic...

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) released a joint statement PDF warning firefighters that synthetic chemicals in their protective gear are associated with various health risks, including an increased risk of liver and kidney cancer. The chemicals responsible are a group of fluorinated compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly referred to as PFAS. They are used in firefighter turnout gear to incr...

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) released a joint statement PDF warning firefighters that synthetic chemicals in their protective gear are associated with various health risks, including an increased risk of liver and kidney cancer. The chemicals responsible are a group of fluorinated compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly referred to as PFAS. They are used in firefighter turnout gear to incr...

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...

With more than one million helmets sold in over 140 countries, Rosenbauer’s HEROS firefighting helmets are one of the most successful firefighting helmets in the world. The HEROS’ success story began in 1992. After communicating intensively with fire departments, as well as a development phase lasting several years, Rosenbauer presented its first own firefighting helmet based on a new type of helmet shell made of plastic. This makes it one of the most modern helmets on the market, f...

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...

First place in the Femtec Award 2022 for Macarena Varela, a Scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing, and Ergonomics FKIE. In the category 'Innovation' she prevailed in public voting and accepted the award from Femtec Managing Director Marion Zeßner at the Femtec summer party in Berlin. In the category 'Leadership', Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of the TU Braunschweig, was awarded, and the prize in the category 'Social Impact' went to the DokFo...

Both FireQual and BAFE are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was a bastion of integrity and service to the United Kingdom, which both FireQual and BAFE profoundly respected. Her death is a huge loss for everyone. respects and condolences The Queen had a strong link to the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh (where FireQual and BAFE are based), having officially opened the site in May 1974. Both give respects and condolences go out to The Royal Fam...

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has been recognized as an exemplar in providing the best standards of care and support to the Armed Forces community. At a ceremony at the Trust’s headquarters in Melbourn at the end of November, EEAST received the Veteran Aware accreditation by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, Mrs. Julie Spence OBE QPM. EEAST had become the second ambulance service to be given this gold-standard accreditation from the Veterans Cov...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Ross Fork Fire burning in Blaine County, Idaho, USA. The US state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at 4:09 p.m. PT. He determined that the Ross Fork Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the se...

Greenwich Council in London is in breach of housing standards, including failing to remedy hundreds of high-risk fire safety defects and having more than 400 fire risk assessments of its housing stock outstanding. The council was also found by the Regulator of Social Housing to have more than 1,000 communal properties and over 10,000 domestic properties without a current electrical condition report, as well as failures of asbestos and water safety. Home Standard Breach The regulator concluded...

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated launched SIRAS™, a professional drone that includes a quick-connect dual radiometric thermal and visible camera payload. Engineered for data security, performance, and affordability, SIRAS is optimized for industrial and utility inspection, public safety, firefighting, and search and rescue missions.  Geofence-free flight experience “Designed to provide pilots with the flexibility to get the job done, SIRAS d...

A new fire detection and alarm systems competition to enable apprentice engineers to boost their skills has been launched by the charity, WorldSkills UK. Program training  Run in partnership with Skills for Security, apprentice engineers will have the opportunity to undergo training ahead of the national final in November, with a chance to compete at the international ‘Skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. The program builds on WorldSkills UK’s electronic security systems...

At approximately 16:30 in the afternoon on Friday, 2 September 2022, SACFS personnel were alerted to a truck fire on the Port Wakefield Highway, approximately 25km south of Port Wakefield, South Australia. The SACFS dispatched 9 fire trucks to respond to the vehicle fire. Upon arrival, the fire crews found a cement powder distribution truck ablaze on the side of the highway.  Damage caused The crews worked to contain the fire and to ensure that there were no hazardous materials contained...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its signature health and safety focused educational conference, the NVFC Training Summit 2023, from June 23 to June 24, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical issues in the fire and emergency services. Submit proposal by September 30, 2022. NVFC Training Summit 2023 The theme...

Water mist systems use finely dispersed water to fight fires, thus displacing oxygen and absorbing heat – combining the effects of gas extinguishing and traditional sprinkler systems. The small droplet sizes (≤1 mm diameter) significantly enhance the effect of the water used, also minimizing water damage. VdS now backs up manufacturers, as well as users with a basic product standard, systematically testing effectiveness and reliability. New regulations for Water mist systems Until no...

The Emergency Services Show offers the perfect opportunity for fire and rescue professionals to see and handle the latest kit while sharing experiences and exchanging best practices with the entire UK emergency services community. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 21-22 September, the event showcases how technology and innovation are transforming emergency response for all blue light services and first responders. More than 450 exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations, extensive l...

Dräger, an internationally renowned company in the fields of medical and safety technology, will showcase five fire safety technologies designed to further firefighter health and well-being at The Emergency Services Show (ESS) 2022, including the FireGround Accountability System; the newly launched BG ProAir (Long Duration); the PSS® AirBoss; Dräger’s cleaning solution; and the FireCore® thermal imaging camera. With a focus on how connectivity and firefighter communicati...

Firefighters and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) staff will be out in force at the Calderdale Pride event, as it makes a triumphant return this year. It will be part of the celebrations complete with fire engines and even a stilt walker, as the experience returns to Halifax for the first time after two years. Calderdale Pride The last Calderdale Pride was in 2019, but the previous two years were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022's static, free event, which cele...

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be recruiting for Wholetime Firefighters this autumn. Ahead of the portal opening for applications, the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging members of the public to consider a career in the Fire and Rescue Service, by joining them for a Firefighter ‘Have a Go’ day. ‘Have a Go’ events give an insight into the life as a firefighter, the opportunity to speak to current firefighters to find out more, and the chanc...

Preparing for all fire exposures, not picking and choosing only one, is vital for improving the home and building survival chances. What the community needs to know Wildfires spread primarily by: Ember generation and deposition. Burning or smoldering pieces of material generated during a wildfire event can land on combustible material. Radiant heat. The heat from the fire raises the temperature of a combustible material until that material reaches ignition temperature and burns....

The London Fire Brigade has issued another e-bike safety warning after five people were rescued from a flat fire in St John’s Wood. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters attended the scene at around 2am, which was under control by 02:56. Around half of the flat on the second floor of a block on Frampton Street was damaged by the fire. One resident was taken to hospital as a result. Correct safety standards The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by a lithium-ion b...

FireQual are proud to support the WorldSkills UK Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition. WorldSkills UK is delighted to launch the new Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition, run in partnership with Skills for Security. As well offering apprentices the chance to boost their skills, they also have the unique possibility of competing at the ‘international skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. Undergoing intensive training The competition, which kicked off in May at the IFS...

A development for three new blocks of flats near Totterdown, Bristol, United Kingdom (UK) has been approved despite serious fire safety concerns. Housing developers - Donard have been granted permission to construct 221 flats over three blocks between York Street and Mead Street, two of which will be 11 storeys tall. The third tower, however, has only one escape route, and is at the centre of calls for a design overhaul. Council planning officers The apartments form a part of the wider Mead S...

Semiconductors are the main application scenarios for specialty gases. According to "Global Electronic Specialty Gases Market Research 2022", the global electronic specialty gases market size will be USD 4.423 billion in 2021. However, rising inflation, soaring energy prices, the impact of COVID-19, and other reasons have caused the semiconductor industry to enter a downward cycle and weaken consumer electronics demand. Chip and Science Act On August 9, the United States signed the "Chip and...

WAGNER, based in Langenhagen, near Hanover, Germany, will be showing its holistic solutions for individual fire protection at Security Essen 2022, taking place in Essen, Germany, from September 20 to September 23, 2022. Particular focus will be on the TITANUS aspirating smoke detection systems for early fire detection and the WinGuard system for organization/hazard management. The fire protection solution provider will be presenting its innovative technologies in the Fire/Intrusion/Systems sect...

Coatings company, Hempel A/S, announces the promotion of Steen Niemann Madsen to Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure. Steen will succeed Michael Hansen in the position from 15 October 2022, when Michael Hansen steps into the position of Group President and CEO of Hempel A/S. With the appointment, Steen Niemann will become part of the Executive Group Management. Vast Industry experience  Steen Niemann comes from his current position at Hempel as Vice President, of Infras...