Firefighter Health and Safety - News
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...
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...
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...
The Business Model workstream of the Construction Leadership Council publishes a refreshed suite of guidance on managing COVID-19 within construction contracts. The updated documents now include revised information on future-proofing JCT / NEC amendments for new contracts to ensure that if circumstances change parties take a collaborative approach. The suite also provides templates to allow parties to formally record how they can avoid disputes. Provides additional templates The COVID-19 pand...
In front of hundreds of industry leaders, the winners of the Construction News Specialists Awards were revealed at The Brewery, in London, United Kingdom, in October 2021. Site security specialist, VPS Site Security Ltd. (VPS) triumphed during a rigorous judging process in front of an expert panel of judges, to win ‘Equipment Specialist of the Ye...
Many firefighters have not received the essential training necessary to respond to fires and other incidents involving compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Join the NVFC for this webinar sponsored by Hexagon Agility on October 28 at 2 pm ET to highlight critical information firefighters need to know when responding to CNG vehicle incidents.
The NVFC’s four-module Incident Safety Officer (ISO) training provides students with an overview of the role of an ISO and covers communications and safety, as well as the practical application of this information. For a limited time, take this course for free in the NVFC Virtual Classroom. Please note, this is not an ISO certification program The NVFC is offering this course free of charge for a limited time to all fire and emergency service members. NVFC courses are always free for NV...
MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year N...
UKAS is the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom. UKAS is appointed by the government, to assess and accredit organizations that provide services, including certification, testing, inspection, and calibration. From the beginning of the pandemic, UKAS has been working with the government to provide advice on quality assurance and accreditation of laboratories performing COVID-19 testing including laboratories that have been supporting the national testing provision (NHS Test and Tr...
Ceasefire UK (Ceasefire Industries UK), a renowned manufacturer of fire safety solutions believes that many businesses are wise to be seeking ‘green and clean’ products for firefighting and educating all potential users of them, ahead of an incident. Official findings from the UK Home Office’s online Incident Recording System (IRS) shows that the public used fire extinguishers in just seven per cent (4,828) of the 68,757 primary fires attended by the fire and rescue services,...
After restricted celebrations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, MAWWFRS recognizes that many will want to return to more usual activities in 2021. As a result, members of the Fire and Rescue team wish to remind others of some helpful hints and tips to help keep themselves, their families, and communities safe. The Fire and Rescue Service has developed a full suite of information on their website, providing further information on staying safe during the Bonfire Night and Halloween period, al...
Dräger, an international pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology, has launched its new multi-purpose HPS® SafeGuard helmet, providing the highest levels of usability, safety, serviceability, and connectivity. Tested to the highest international standards, the helmet delivers excellent levels of safety, with its integrated, high optical visor for face and eye protection. The additional multi-coating feature prevents it from fogging and scratching, while a gold coati...
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging bonfire revelers to make the most of the celebrations while making safety a priority this bonfire night. With coronavirus restrictions lifted, the annual festivities offer a different picture from last year with dozens of organized events to be held around West Yorkshire – providing a safer alternative to fires and fireworks at home. The Fire Service is working with local partners including councils, West Yorkshire Police, and Yorkshire Am...
Commercial kitchens are full of hot cooking equipment, cooking oils and greases, cleaning chemicals, and people running frantically through the kitchen. This sort of chaos can easily result in commercial fires, which can be detrimental to the business. fire safety training If users don’t have the right equipment and commercial fire safety protocols in place, it’s a recipe for disaster. Without commercial kitchen fire safety training, employees won’t know where fire safety eq...
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs aim to address social imbalances, develop sustainable economies, and slow the rate of climate change. Achieving these ambitious goals will require a collaborative effort from governments, industries, businesses, and consumers alike. Accredited conformity assessment Accredited conformity assessment against internationally recognized standards is a useful tool that can help organizatio...
The goal of Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is to reach out to every emergency responder, every driver, and every passenger to educate them on how to play their part in ensuring safe responses at roadway incidents. CRSW’s important Emergency responders (police, fire, medical, etc.) risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when on the scene of a roadside emergency. 50 responders so far this year have been killed when struck by a vehicle while responding to a roadway incident, a...
The goal of Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is to reach out to every emergency responder, every driver, and every passenger to educate them on how to play their part in ensuring safe responses at roadway incidents. Why is CRSW important? Emergency responders (police, fire, medical, etc.) risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when on the scene of a roadside emergency. 50 responders so far this year have been killed when struck by a vehicle while responding to a road...
XCMG is exhibiting emergency and rescue solutions of four major categories, geological disasters, high-rise rescue, petrochemical fires, and flood disasters, at the China Fire 2021 fire safety event, which opened on October 12, 2021, in Beijing, China. China Fire 2021 Ranked in the world's top three exhibitions for fire protection and emergency rescue, the four-day trade show, China Fire 2021 is an international platform for industry-renowned products and advanced technologies. XCMG’s l...
Emergency Technical Decon (ETD), a state-of-the-art cleaning solution provider founded in 2020 to tackle the high firefighter occupational cancer rates, has become North America's first fully verified to the NFPA 1851-2020 standard Independent Service Provider (ISP) utilizing liquid CO2 technologies. ETD is the outgrowth of two and a half decades worth of investment in finding a new, effective solution with considerable benefits to its customers across industries. NFPA approved proce...
Oshkosh Corporation’s Fire & Emergency segment is displaying the new Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle at China Fire 2021. The new vehicle will be displayed at Oshkosh’s China Fire booth, located at site E1-04. In addition to the new Striker ARFF, the booth will feature the latest fire and emergency vehicles and technology. “Even amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, China’s strong economic growth has resulted in a heightened need for advanced fire protection and resources,...
The Environment Agency secured a restriction order against a recycling firm, after it failed to comply with fire regulations despite numerous warnings about storing hazardous waste at a site near local homes. Shee Recycling in the North East town of Birtley stored large oil drums containing hazardous waste, cutting equipment, batteries, and fuel canisters, all of which were major fire hazards. Environment Agency secures restriction order The site is close to other commercial properties, the e...
To mark World Mental Health Day, employees from Hardstaff Barriers are highlighting the importance of robust and proactive mental health policies in the workplace. The staff from Hardstaff Barriers, based in Kingston-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, has spoken out to coincide with the global mental health awareness campaign, which took place on October 10, 2021. Hardstaff Barriers believes it is essential for businesses – whatever their size – to create a positive mental he...
A fire that broke out at the KZN Resins factory in Durban at the end of August has placed the spotlight on the extreme hazards associated with the chemical-processing industry (CPI), comments ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. These hazards can quickly lead to a cascading sequence of events, resulting in a potentially catastrophic loss. Here fire protection systems should be designed in conjunction with, or consideration of, the respective Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). It includes identificatio...
With the many complexities in implementing a state-of-the-art safety program, combined with the millions of workplace injuries that continue to occur every year, the value of technology that simplifies safety procedures and connects safety managers to their employees, who are working in hazardous environments, has never been more important. MSA Connected Work Platform That’s why MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA), a globally renowned company in worker safety technology and solutions, has intr...
In August 2021, Task Force Tips (TFT) introduced CrewProtect, to protect first responders while riding in their apparatus. It eliminates particulates, VOCs, and aerosols containing bacteria and viruses from the cab and body air. However, upon returning to the station, the crew can still be at risk of exposure to these threats and more. Improves air quality That’s why TFT has partnered with Purafil, part of the largest air filtration company in the world to integrate proven and patented...
The IAEM-USA Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) has named Andrew D. Friend, CEM, the IAEM-USA 2021 Emergency Manager of the Year. The award will be presented at the President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony on October 20 at the IAEM 69th Annual Conference & EMEX, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is being honored for his leadership during the COVID-19 response in 2020. Experience Friend led the COVID-19 response in two states dur...
Envirograf announced that it was great to finally return to exhibition events. Now that COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have been lifted, Envirograf was able to return to exhibiting products at numerous exhibitions taking place across the United Kingdom. UK Construction Week 2021 Envirograf was present at the UK Construction Week 2021 (UKCW 2021) exhibition Envirograf was present at the UK Construction Week 2021 (UKCW 2021) exhibition, which was held from October 5 - 7, 2021, in Birmingham, UK...
USFA highlights National Fire Academy (NFA) online learning opportunities for fire and building code officials. Some of the courses offer International Association for Continuing Education and Training continuing education units (CEUs) for officials who need to maintain professional certification. Recommended online courses Alternative Water Supply Planning and Implementing Programs (Q0217) 0.6 CEUs: This course is designed to assist anyone with planning responsibility for alternative...
