Firefighter Health and Safety - News

MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the NVFC annually team up to provide volunteer fire departments in need with state-of-the-art turnout gear and helmets. In 2024, a total of 52 sets of gear and helmets will be awarded to 13 departments. To be eligible, the department must be over 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be legally organized in the U.S. or Canada, and the person applying or department chief must be an NVFC member. Apply by June 1, 2024.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and the NVFC extends their thanks to all of the volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and support personnel, who make the communities better every day. This is a great week to recognize the work of the volunteers in the department, as well as plan initiatives for supporting the membership and recruiting more volunteers. Here are some resources to help: National Volunteer Week – 10 Ways to Recognize & Retain the Volunteers &nda...

Whelen Engineering, a global pioneer in the emergency warning industry for more than 70 years, Richard Childress Racing (RCR), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have teamed up to honor fallen fire heroes at FDIC International 2024, on April 18, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.  a special paint scheme At 12:30 pm ET in Whelen Engineering’s booth #3223 at FDIC International 2024, RCR’s No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet will debut a special paint scheme in honor of the 2...

Fire-Dex, a major innovator in personal protective gear for fire services, introduces the FDXL90 Boot offering best-in-class breathability and dual NFPA 1951 (Technical Rescue) and 1999 (EMS) certification. Designed solely for non-fire emergencies that constitute over 90% of calls, the new boot considers the modern firefighter who knows how different each mission can be. Combining versatile protection, lightweight design, and breakthrough breathability, the FDXL90 is set to redefine expectation...

Firefighters have taken possession of a new, multi-purpose tanker to protect the community in and around Condobolin, in the state’s Central West. The Mercedes Atego Class 1 tanker, valued at $660,000, has just been installed at Condobolin Fire Station. Regarded as a ‘jack of all trades’ vehicle, the tanker can travel off-road to respond to emergencies. Pump-and-roll capability The tanker boasts a ‘pump-and-roll’ capability that enables it to deliver water wh...

Firefighters at Fire and Rescue NSW’s station at Rutherford have received a new multi-purpose Tanker to deal with emergencies in the Hunter Valley. The FRNSW crew has spent several days familiarizing itself with its new Mercedes Atego Class 1 Tanker, valued at $660,000, before the truck’s official installation. The Class 1 is a ‘jack of all trades’ vehicle for FRNSW, capable of traveling off-road to reach fire scenes. Specialist Hazmat tanker It boasts a ‘pu...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have teamed up with a State Emergency Service (SES) crew to pull off a dramatic rescue in floodwaters at Dapto, south of Wollongong. The FRNSW crew, from Berry Fire Station, was called to a vehicle swamped by floodwaters in Cleveland Street around 7am. The land-based In-Water Rescue technicians attached a Personal Flotation Device to a 70mm fire hose and tried to float the PFD to the stranded motorist, without success. The Rescue effort The firefi...

To help improve the safety of volunteer firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with MSA Safety to award four NVFC members a personalized MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet in 2024. The MSA Cairns 1836 Fire Helmet showcases the iconic traditional design with innovative features that address the fire service needs. Efficient asset management The MSA Cairns 1836 Fire Helmet features a low ride height and a newly designed Defender Visor that adjusts in and out to fi...

As one of the most recognized and treasured pieces of firefighting safety equipment, the fire helmet stands as a point of pride and tradition in the fire service.  MSA Safety, Inc. launches the new MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet. In the North American fire service market, the Cairns 1836 is one of the lightest weight traditional-style fire helmets available that meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Cairns 1836 features  The Cairns 1836 features a reduced ri...

In a ground-breaking development for the fire services, Fire-Dex has become the first PPE manufacturer to offer a non-fluorinated moisture barrier option for turnout gear. The new barrier, Stedair® Clear™ from Stedfast, is the first non-fluorinated moisture barrier available to the fire services and Fire-Dex now offers it in their portfolio. NFPA 1971 test Stedair® Clear™ is the newest breakthrough in barrier technology to meet and surpass NFPA 1971 test requirements Sted...

Drager, an international major in the fields of medical and safety technology, has supported the City of Derry Airport in modernizing its suite of personal protection equipment (PPE) and protocols to safeguard its specialist Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) from incident-based safety risk and the risks posed by carcinogens to which they are often exposed. City of Derry Airport The City of Derry Airport is northwest Ireland’s largest airport which, at its pre-pandemic peak, provided over 20...

Firefighters at Fire and Rescue NSW’s Glen Innes station have received a new multi-purpose Tanker to deal with emergencies in the state’s Northern Tablelands. The FRNSW crew has been familiarizing itself with its new Mercedes Atego Class 1 Tanker this week following the truck’s installation at the fire station. Additional safeguard for the crew Class 1 is a ‘jack of all trades’ vehicle for FRNSW, capable of traveling off-road to reach fire scenes The Class 1 is...

In the current fast-paced world, safety on the job is paramount for every professional, from seasoned professionals at work sites to day-to-day tradespeople. Recognizing this need, Twiceme Technology, a Swedish company dedicated to revolutionizing safety solutions, is proud to announce its collaboration with Diamondback to introduce the new Diamondback 701 Vest with Twiceme.  Help the Helper Technology This innovative partnership combines Twiceme's Help the Helper Technology with Diamond...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual fire service achievement awards, which recognize fire service volunteers who have gone above and beyond in service to their department and community. The 2024 recipients are Stephen Austin, Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group; Chief John Swan Sr., Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems; Joseph Val...

More than 50 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have battled a ferocious fire in a derelict building at Granville, in Sydney's west overnight. The blaze broke out in the two-level property in Good Street, around a quarter to four in the morning. At least 23 fire appliances, including aerial platforms and rescue units, rushed to the scene and found the building engulfed in fire. Building prevented firefighters Signs of structural collapse on at least 2 sides of the building prevented fir...

Trustee Fire & Security (TFS) recently visited the head office of their main security supplier, Orisec, extending their gratitude for their unwavering service. TFS and Orisec partnership In a remarkable display of reliability, Orisec, a UK-based company, seamlessly navigated the supply & distribution challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, ensuring uninterrupted support for Trustee Fire & Security (TFS). Orisec play a critical role in maintaining th...

Veteran Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighter, Paul McGuiggan AFSM, has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations. The appointment sees Mr McGuiggan rise from Assistant Commissioner – Metropolitan Operations and will take effect immediately. Deputy Commissioner McGuiggan is a 38-year career firefighter with extensive local, interstate, and international experience in emergency management, including deployments to the 2009 Victorian Black Saturday Bus...

It's time to walk through a step-by-step overview of how to clean the helmet effectively. Proper fire helmet maintenance is crucial for both exposure reduction and extending the life of the gear. So, let's dive into the process and ensure the helmet is in top-notch condition. Safety First Before embarking on the cleaning journey, it's important to prioritize safety. The individual cleaning the helmet should don a pair of examination gloves, an apron, and safety glasses or gogg...

Protective hand gloves are of various types. However, not all of them may cut all kinds of conditions! Some may subject the worker to more cuts, lacerations, and abrasions than heavy impact or flying objects. The category of hand protection that deals with such challenges is Cut-Resistant Hand Gloves. But, where are these challenges most prevalent?  The following shows some of the hazards encountered by some industries: F & B: Chopping vegetables, handling k...

Informa PLC, the world’s largest exhibition organizer, has announced that the co-located exhibitions; Facilities Show, FIREX, IFSEC, and Safety & Health Expo will become part of the newly launched Anticipate London, taking place from the 2nd to the 4th December 2024, at ExCeL London, in London, United Kingdom (UK). Anticipate London Anticipate London emerged as a result of insightful conversations with members of a future-focused advisory board that includes pioneers in security, saf...

Fire-Dex, dedicated to safeguarding everyday heroes since 1983, is thrilled to announce a new era in advanced turnout gear with AeroFlex™, a groundbreaking leap in firefighter comfort and safety designed to decrease the risk of heat stress and cardiac-related issues, the two primary contributors to line-of-duty fatalities within the fire service. The Peak of Technical Brilliance At the heart of AeroFlex™ is Fire-Dex’s AeroVent™ Technology, an ingenious one-way-stre...

In an Australian firefighting innovation, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is rolling out a driving simulator to help emergency crews build their confidence behind the steering wheel in high-risk environments. The mobile technology has been unveiled at FRNSW’s Emergency Services Academy, in Sydney’s west, where it is being used to train recruits before it is moved across the state to strengthen the capabilities of local brigades. The software The software has been specially tailored to...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters in Sydney's south have forced their way into a burning unit and dragged a critically injured man to safety. The ferocious blaze broke out just after 11 am in a bedroom on the first floor of a four-level complex in Hayburn Street, Rockdale. More than 20 firefighters and six fire trucks were deployed to the scene. FRNSW firefighters   FRNSW firefighters forced their way inside the engulfed unit and rescued an unconscious man FRNSW firefighters forc...

Companies all over the world across various industries understand the paramount importance of industrial safety products in fostering a secure working environment. This commitment extends to the implementation of specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed for chemical handling. This is where the role of safety manufacturers becomes critical in producing authentic, competent and cutting-edge PPE solutions against potential hazards, especially in c...

Proper personal protective equipment is critical to the safety, health, and effectiveness of firefighters, yet many volunteer fire departments struggle to find the budget to provide their firefighters with adequate, up-to-date turnout gear. MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) team up each year to help volunteer departments meet this need through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. NVFC membership MSA will provide the first 500 applic...

Twiceme, a Swedish safe-tech company committed to empowerment through safety before and after an accident, is excited to announce its strategic partnership with the National Ski Patrol (NSP) of the United States of America (USA). This collaboration not only exemplifies Twiceme's dedication to aligning with influential global rescue organizations, but also serves as a pivotal step in raising awareness of how to implement and utilize Twiceme's safety technology within ski patrol teams and for a g...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews, extinguishing a house fire at Singleton, in the Hunter Valley, have been stunned to see a pet dog emerge from the ruins, covered in fire-fighting foam. The blaze broke out just after 6.30 this morning, causing a female resident to cry out for help. She fled the house and was treated for smoke inhalation by NSW Ambulance paramedics, as FRNSW crews from Singleton, Branxton, Cessnock, Minmi, and Rutherford battled the blaze. Harmless firefighting foam Covered i...

When the Oshkosh® MB-5 was produced in the late 1960s for the U.S. Navy, Oshkosh began on its path to becoming a global pioneer in the aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) industry. Ever since Oshkosh Airport Products has consistently produced vehicles with unmatched quality. Striker® ARFF vehicle As years passed, Oshkosh Airport Products started to make major improvements to the already technologically advanced line of Oshkosh ARFF vehicles, eventually pioneering the evolutio...

Increasing safety is at the top of the agenda for both Twiceme Technology and POC Sports. This combined vision and aim, to create safer adventures for people, has generated this latest product at the cutting edge of innovation and safety. This broadens the areas of application of Twiceme® yet again and is another step towards creating safer adventures for people. New Collaboration Between POC and Twiceme More awareness increases the likelihood of a fast and efficient emergency response T...

The Swedish company, Twiceme Technology has together with the outdoors brand Everest initiated a collaboration with the mutual ambition to increase safety for skiers. Twiceme®, as the concept is called, will be integrated into Everest's ski helmets which thereby enables access to important vital information about a person who has been in an accident. Everest's ski helmets with Twiceme® will be launched during the fall/winter of 2021. “Everest is a very well-known brand...