Firefighter Health and Safety - News
Culminating nearly three years of work by the IAFF and congressional advocates, Congress passed legislation significantly expanding and improving Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) for firefighters who die or are disabled in the line of duty (PAFRA; S 1511). President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. “Supporting the families of our fallen brothers and sisters is the most important thing we can do and we will never shy away from this fight,” says Gen...
Decontamination used to be a word used after a hazmat incident when everyone was moving slowly around in brightly-colored encapsulated suits. Suits that, if broken down into their chemical parts, would likely be as dangerous as the chemicals they were protecting the wearer from. House Insulation Then came the inexpensive furniture made of chipboard glued together with one chemical compound and laminated in a second. Then houses were insulated in chemical compounds and dry walled in oth...
Every single task at the industrial site, or for that matter, anywhere else is done with hands. One small mistake of not paying attention to hand protection could lead to a lifetime regret. Every industry takes basic safety precautions for its workers. But sometimes, the workforce needs more than just the basics. Protective gloves are an essential part of the personal protective kit. The type of gloves may differ depending on the type of industry you are operating, but not wearing any gloves sh...
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA Safety), the globally renowned company in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures, has announced that Nish Vartanian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Kenneth Krause, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer will present virtually at Baird’s Global Industrial Conference - 2021 on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. E.T. Global Industri...
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and CHEMTREC are excited to announce that in honor of CHEMTREC’s 50th anniversary, five NVFC members have been awarded US$ 10,000 for their volunteer fire departments, through the 2021 CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Awards. Funding is provided to strengthen the fire department's hazardous materials incident response capabilities and increase local readiness for hazmat events. 2021 CHEMTREC HELP Awards winners: Gilsum Fi...
Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, has announced the groundbreaking of a 90,000 square foot expansion, to the company’s 360,000 square foot main facility, located at 2600 American Drive, in Appleton, Wisconsin, USA. Additional production space An additional 60,000 square feet of production space will also be added to Pierce Manufacturing’s Neenah, Wisconsin facility. Along with facility expansions, recruitment efforts have begun for the hiring of more than 200 jo...
NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry recently recognized Marion Body Works once again for completing a rigorous qualification process, demonstrating successful implementation of defined business standards and conformity to applicable government regulations. Reapplication to the MVP member status is conducted every three years and Marion Body Works is honored to have once again proven our commitment to excellence for another term. Achieving MVP status validates the efforts to...
Notices were recently posted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Personal Protective Technology Library (NPPTL) concerning the safety and quality of 2 types of personal protective equipment (PPE) used frequently by emergency medical services personnel: medical gloves and N95 particulate filtering facepiece respirators. Medical gloves notice Medical gloves notice is issued by the FDA on Oct. 29, 2021. Thi...
The public is being urged to enjoy Bonfire Night safely on Friday, 5th November, 2021. Every year, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is called to people who have injuries related to bonfires or fireworks, the majority of which could have been avoided. EEAST strongly advises that people attend a professionally organized firework display, but, if they are planning on organizing their own event, here are the top tips: Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one a...
NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry has recently recognized Marion Body Works once again for completing a rigorous qualification process, demonstrating successful implementation of defined business standards and conformity to applicable government regulations. Re-application to the MVP member status is conducted every three years and Marion Body Works is honored to have once again proven their commitment to excellence for another term. MVP member status for Marion Body Wor...
The growth and development of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) continue apace; having recently gone through a rebranding initiative one of the final steps was to install new signage at the Association’s registered office. In 2020, the ASFP moved its secretariat and management services to be under the provision of the British Coatings Federation (BCF) at their Coventry-based facility, Spectra House. This move has seen the ASFP’s professionalism and resources grow...
In the field of firefighting boots, survey results showed that maximum protection with excellent day-to-day comfort is important. Ease-of-use and a cool design were also among the key points. The project team, made up of designers, shoe technicians, engineers, sole specialists, and emergency response organizations, set themselves the task of developing the perfect firefighting boot. Fastener Process One of the first tasks, and also quite the most challenging, was the fastener...
Congratulations to Chief Garland Goracke from Meadow Grove (NE) Volunteer Fire & Rescue for winning a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet. Goracke is the third and final winner to receive a helmet from MSA in 2021 through the MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Innovative and up-to-date equipment can help improve responder health and safety. That’s why MSA and the NVFC teamed up in 2021 to provide a Cairns...
While in Northern Ireland taking part in another successful FIM Expo, Robin Edmunds and Steve McCarley took the opportunity to visit the South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) and meet with Adam Smylie who won the Nittan sponsored – Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2020. Sponsors Unfortunately, attendance at the official presentation was restricted last year due to COVID, so it was really great for Robin and Steve to meet with Adam at last, and add their own persona...
The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has reported strong support from members for its strict membership requirements, which were introduced at the start of 2021. The new requirements make it mandatory for member companies to demonstrate that a proportion of their employees have been suitably trained and/or have achieved appropriate qualifications in passive fire protection. The move is intended to enable ASFP members to clearly demonstrate their skills, competence, and profess...
RBFRS is delighted to say that they will be holding the first in-person Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub on Wednesday, 17 November from 10:30am-12:30pm at Crowthorne Community Fire Station. The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub is designed to offer a place for veterans to come together, listen to speakers and meet organizations that can provide them with advice or support them and meet each other. The Veterans’ Hub forms part of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s commitment to supp...
In the plenary meeting, the participants discussed Russian-Finnish cooperation in economy, industry, power, technology, and transport. The Minister of Finland Ville Skinner pointed out that the Russian Federation was one of the most important markets for Finland and due to this fact a major goal for both countries was to further develop cooperation and enhance the linkages. COVID-19 pandemic became a great challenge for global cooperation, and today it was the time to increase the joint effor...
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA Safety), the globally renowned company in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures, is exhibiting at the ADIPEC 2021 event, which is taking place from November 15 to November 18, 2021, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC is the world’s most influential meeting place where oil, gas, and energy companies and profess...
UKAS is pleased to publish the Annual Report for the financial year of 2020/2021. In line with the new logo, symbols of accreditation and website, that were unveiled at the start of 2021, the Annual Report has also been updated to reflect the refreshed branding. Importance of accreditation The content of the report has also been expanded, containing a range of articles that highlight the importance of accreditation in its role of delivering confidence in the products and services t...
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has launched a new partnership with Anglian Water. The partnership will help the Service reach out to those most vulnerable in the community and support them with fire safety advice, as well as other areas to help keep them safe and continue to enjoy independence. From November 2021, both organizations will share in a secure and responsible way, selected data to ensure both can support the safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable reside...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
