Firefighter Health and Safety - News

Tim Edwards has been appointed as Norfolk’s new interim chief fire officer. The appointment follows existing Chief Fire Officer Stuart Ruff’s announcement of his intention to retire from the service, which he has been at the helm of since the Spring of 2019. Chief Fire Officer Edwards joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at the age of 16 in 1988 and served on various watches as an operational firefighter before rising up the ranks. Most recently he was appointed Assistant Chief Fi...

Warringtonfire, the pioneer in fire testing, inspection and certification services, has significantly invested in its High Wycombe testing facility to meet the anticipated growth in demand ahead of the UKCA Mark deadline. The transformation of the facility includes the refurbishment of its onsite fire resistance and smoke laboratories. This comprises new smoke testing equipment, a complete re-lining of two test furnaces as well as installation of a new cold abatement system to extract test fume...

The UK Minister for Building Safety and Fire, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh, has hosted a virtual meeting with apprentices from across UK fire and rescue services to mark National Apprenticeship Week. Eight fire service employees, who are currently undertaking or have recently completed apprenticeships in a variety of disciplines, were invited to join a virtual meeting with the Minister on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Virtual meeting They spoke about their fire service journey so far and how the ap...

In line with an ongoing commitment towards continuous improvement of the company’s state-of-the-art product lines, Nittan is delighted to announce the availability of the new EV-PYSVAD Visual Alarm Base for use with EV-PYS detector. EV-PYSVAD Visual Alarm Base The new EV-PYSVAD is a Type A Indoor Beacon Base VAD, which is specially designed for use with detector type - EV-PYS only, as part of an Evolution analog addressable system. The Beacon Base VAD does not require an individual loop...

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has released its fourth National Fire Service Research Agenda with over 300 research recommendations broken down into 3 topical domains: hiring, retention and advancement; effective operations; and health and safety. Enhancing abilities With a goal of enhancing the ability of all fire service members (career, volunteer, wildland, industrial, etc.) to protect their communities, while protecting their own health and safety, these recommendations...

Spain’s renowned fire and security event, SICUR returns in February 2022 and Detector Testers is pleased to be able to confirm their attendance, alongside their key distribution partner – Ingstrom. Detector Testers' products Running for four days, SICUR 2022 brings together fire and security professionals from across Europe and the world. With innovation and technological development a key focus of the show, Detector Testers will be focusing on products from the company’s ele...

Global Fire Equipment (GFE) has launched OWL, an advanced ‘plug-and-play' fire alarm management and monitoring software for its CHAMELEON Network range of intelligent control panels. Thanks to its high-quality graphical user interface, OWL users can monitor the status of their fire alarm panels and receive real-time information and complete visibility of their entire fire detection alarm system (FDAS). OWL monitoring software Intuitive, user-friendly and very easy to set up and operate,...

3M has announced that Suzan Kereere, the Head of Global Business Solutions at Fiserv, Inc., has been elected to 3M's Board of Directors, effective February 10, 2022. In connection with her election, the Board of Directors increased its size from 12 to 13 members. Suzan Kereere has over 20 years of experience in major global businesses around the world, including in Europe, Australia, Asia and North America. Vast industry experience She currently leads Global Business Solutions at Fiserv Inc.,...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that interested individuals can join presenter Richard Kline for a webinar, scheduled to take place on February 17, 2022, at 2 pm ET, which will explore issues that challenge the fire service leadership, in their quest to offer comprehensive health and fitness programming to their members and offers solutions to these leadership obstacles.  

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its second annual in-person Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Experience on September 16 and 17, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona, USA. The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical volunteer staffing issues in the fire and emergency services. The deadline to submit proposals is March 1, 2022. 2022 NVFC Recruitment and Retention...

Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) is pleased to announce the award of a contract to supply the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency with the second-generation Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH). The Advanced Combat Helmet complements Avon Protection’s market renowned ballistic helmet product portfolio, with a polyethylene solution that is comfortable and lightweight, while still providing exceptional performance. Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) ACH and its commercial derivatives leverage Avon P...

3M and Discovery Education are excited to announce that the 2022 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) is now open to entries. As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of ‘America's Top Young Scientist.’ Competition entries are accepted at the YoungScientistLab website unt...

Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic introduced the world to the concept of ‘the new normal’, nothing is normal anymore. A simple incident can be disastrous for something as vital as the supply chain, as we have seen with the blockage of the Suez Canal. The essence of that chain is to give companies the certainty that raw materials and components are available, in order to produce the finished goods. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns, and a high demand because of digit...

More than 200 emergency service staff at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) came together on Wednesday 2 February for a virtual session to learn and share emotional personal experiences around inclusivity and diversity. Hosted via Microsoft Teams, the conference included informative and inspirational guest speakers, who each highlighted how everyone can embrace difference and drive positive change in the workplace, as well as in everyday life. Equal and inclusive world The virtual event, run...

From 2nd February 2022, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) will be increasing the number of GoodSAM volunteers notified of patients in cardiac arrest. GoodSAM application The GoodSAM application has been used at EEAST to notify appropriately trained staff, volunteers and registered health care professionals of patients in cardiac arrest, within 800 meters of their location. EEAST commenced a trial to deploy staff trained in basic life support (CPR) to these patients. This...

In partnership with the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA), the European Fire Sprinkler Network (EFSN) will host the Fire Sprinkler International 2022 event, a two-day conference at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, in London, United Kingdom, on 31st May and 1st June 2022, providing an unmatched forum for knowledge and understanding of the sprinkler industry. After two years of travel restrictions, commercial restraints and limited opportunities to network and interact personal...

All homes in Scotland must have interlinked smoke alarms from 1 February. As the date nears, members of the Scottish Parliament have expressed their concerns about whether all homeowners will be able to comply. The Scottish Government gave Care and Repair Scotland £500k to help older and disabled homeowners install alarms. The daily record reported on 25 January that Care and Repair Scotland had struggled to meet demand and had closed its doors to new requests. Since September the se...

Chubb’s global business and CriticalArc have joined forces to enable SafeZone, CriticalArc’s award-winning cloud-based safety, security, and emergency management solution to be offered to Chubb customers through its connected services offering, Chubb VisiON+. Chubb is a part of APi Group, a global business services provider of safety and specialty services. The investment by both companies in the development of a streamlined, cohesive offering delivers far-reaching be...

Registration is now open for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2022 Health & Safety Training Summit. The Summit will take place from Friday, June 24 to Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, USA. The conference is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel from across the United States. 2022 Health & Safety Training Summit This two-day classroom-based training is an opportunity to learn from lea...

The search for power solutions to decarbonize commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment took an exciting turn in the summer of 2021, with an announcement from Cummins, Inc. Cummins’s hydrogen-fueled engine development program is one of the company’s latest steps to advance zero-carbon technology. Customers are taking notice and so are governments. Indeed, judging by some reactions, it's almost as if Cummins has just reinvented the internal combustion engine (ICE). Of course, pro...

Regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from motor vehicles are tightening around the world. With this, both hydrogen engines and hydrogen fuel cells are receiving an increasing interest. Net zero CO2 emissions goals Given medium and heavy-duty trucks are major sources of CO2 emissions, the transportation sector’s journey to destination net zero CO2 emission features both technologies. As more truck makers join the ranks of auto companies developing CO2-free or CO2-neutral...

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated the retirement of three civilian employees, during a ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Lauren Marie Lohr of the Medical supply chain, retired after 41 years of service, Robert DiPentima of the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after 40 years of service and Linda Farrell, also from the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after eight years of service. DLA Troop Support retirees honored Thei...

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Special Commodities Branch has won the DLA’s Team Performance of the Year Award, in the medium team category. Within this dedicated group of 42 employees, over 530 years of practical floor experience and high levels of technical expertise combine to drive and shape the day-to-day operation of cold chain management for DDSP.  The Special Commodities Branch The Special Commodities Branch is responsible for...

Passed in January 2022, New York's new Family and Firefighter Protection Act regulates the use of flame retardant chemicals. New York joins 4 other US states (Delaware, Georgia, Iowa and West Virginia) in passing this type of regulation according to Safer States, a network of diverse environmental health coalitions and organizations. New York's legislation regulates specific chemicals in upholstered furniture, mattresses and electronic enclosures. Reasons behind the legislation These che...

Paul Wilkinson, the Chairman of Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association (IFEDA), has commented on behalf of the trade association, in support of the BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) campaign – ‘Don’t Just Specify, Verify’. Paul Wilkinson stated, “IFEDA has witnessed that there are companies operating across the industry claiming to have, for example, fire alarm expertise with over 20 years of experience. When checked, however, you fin...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, will open a Disaster Recovery Center on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Ferndale, Whatcom County, Washington, USA, in order to help survivors of the November flooding and mudslides. New Disaster Recovery Center The new recovery center’s location will be Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Cherry Street, in Ferndale, Washington The new recovery cente...

The Latvian National Armed Forces has awarded a contract to Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) for the supply of their market renowned CBRN respiratory protection, including FM50 mask systems, filters, spares and accessories. Latvia joins other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nations and partners, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and The Netherlands, in purchasing the FM50 to protect their armed forces. NSPA contract for CBRN personal respirator system S...

Hardstaff Barriers is proud to be taking part in a scheme that supports young cancer victims and their families. The road and security barrier manufacturer is collecting used stamps from mail sent to the company’s Nottinghamshire office, in support of the Young Lives v Cancer ‘Stamps for Champs’ initiative. Young Lives v Cancer helps children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. ‘Stamps for Champs’ in...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has announced the launch of the Tyco Series LFII Residential 4.9 K-factor Lead-Free for 13D Sprinkler. Concealed pendent sprinkler The concealed pendent sprinkler is manufactured with a polymeric material that carries anti-heat and anti-corrosion properties, making it ideal for long-lasting dependable fire protection in residential occupancies. It is the first fire sprinkler to be certified to ANSI/...

A care home business run by private health and care provider - BUPA has been ordered to pay more than £1 million after a resident died in a fire, while smoking at one of its care homes. In what is thought to be the largest ever fine for fire safety breaches in the UK, BUPA Care Services (ANS) Ltd was fined £937,500 and ordered to pay £104,000 costs at Southwark Crown Court on 5 January. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order London Fire Brigade brought the prosecution under t...