Public Education - News

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...

VdS, one of the world’s most renowned and prestigious institutions for corporate security and safety, specializing in fire protection, security, and natural disaster prevention, has officially approved the FirePro box type condensed aerosol generators. The VdS seal of approval is an important endorsement for FirePro and is recognized as one of the most important purchase criteria in the security and safety market. In order to receive VdS approval, life-saving fire protection technology is...

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...

The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) has launched a new nationwide platform that collects detailed information directly from first responders about incidents on the roadway where responders or their equipment were struck by a vehicle while operating at a scene. By improving first responder reporting, this new tool will help ERSI track and analyze struck-by incident data, gain a better understanding of exactly how and why these incidents are happening, and help prevent future incident...

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...

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...

As the UK Government’s appointed contractor for the National Barrier Asset (NBA) framework, employing some of the experts in event security and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) Hardstaff Barriers were involved in a large-scale operation for the Conservative Party Conference in October 2021. The 4-day event was held at the Manchester Convention Complex and Hardstaff Barriers were involved in securing the event space and hotel with fencing, gates, pedestrian portals, and barriers to mitigat...

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...

Fires can be a dangerous risk for all types of buildings, but especially for apartments. These buildings house many families, which creates a risk for severe injuries and fatalities. Most people are not familiar with their apartment building plans, which can cause chaos in the event of an emergency. This is especially true for cases where property managers are negligent about maintenance and fire system installation, which leads emergencies to become unavoidable.  Fire safety education H...

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...

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...

Cases of arson are still commonplace in the construction industry and are widely believed to be the number one cause of on-site fires. An ongoing problem requires a proactive defense mechanism, as John Tyrer, Sales Director at wireless solutions firm Ramtech North America, explains. Causes of arson Irreplaceable heritage buildings lost, costs that go through the roof, and progress that cannot be recovered, the effects of arson are vast and uniquely upsetting. But these are concerns consi...

A new code of practice for the fire risk appraisal of external walls and cladding of multi-occupancy residential buildings has been published by BSI. The code has been developed to support the changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 brought about by the Fire Safety Act 2021, which provides for the fire performance of exterior walls and cladding to be a material consideration. PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal The code, PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal of external wall...

Advanced’s industry-renowned MxPro 5 fire alarm control panel is now compatible with Hochiki’s most sophisticated addressable multi-sensor device, the ACD. The new development enables Advanced’s customers to install its EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13-approved MxPro 5 fire panels, alongside an even wider range of detection devices, delivering increased choice and flexibility. MxPro 5 fire panels As an open protocol fire panel manufacturer, we understand how important choice is to our...

Streamlight, Inc., a globally renowned provider of high-performance lighting, has introduced the BearTrap, a high-power work light that delivers up to 2,000 lumens for automotive and other inspection, identification and repair uses. Featuring both spot and flood beams, the light can rotate 270 degrees in its frame and clamps to virtually any surface or stands on its own for hands-free task illumination. It also features a magnetic base and a hanging hook for additional hands-free lighting optio...

Inspect Point, a globally renowned company that offers cloud-based business management software for the fire inspection industry, has announced a US$ 28 million investment from Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm that invests exclusively in fast-growing, bootstrapped software companies. Inspect Point, end-to-end business solutions Utilizing capital invested by Mainsail Partners, Inspect Point intends to invest further in its product Founded in 2014, Inspect Point is an end-to-end business...

AQUASYS is very pleased to have MECTRON International LLC as a new partner in Oman. The very dry and desert characterized country relies on AQUASYS' high pressure water mist (HPWM) technology for firefighting. MECTRON International LLC is a multi-disciplined engineering, professionally managed engineering solutions company that specializes in HVAC & Ventilation system, Fire Alarm & Fire Fighting Systems, ELV & BVM Systems, Industrial Kitchen & Laundry Equipments, Duct Manufactur...

As the World braces for another rapidly advancing mutating version of COVID-19, face masks are being used to reduce the chance of spreading or capturing COVID-19 once again.  To limit the spread of the virus as much as possible, countries across the world are advising their citizens to consider making mask use mandatory both outdoors and indoors. As the world starts enforcing limited lockdowns it's important to understand the differences between various types of face masks. Three types of...

As the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus spreads rapidly, 3M has been providing information about the company’s 3M N95 respirators, including information on where to buy them, how to ensure a proper fit, and why they are considered the standard equipment for protection. “As we have throughout the pandemic, 3M is committed to making sure everyone who needs an N95 has access,” said Raymond Eby, the President of 3M’s Personal Safety Division, adding”3M's N95 respi...

Comelit-PAC has upgraded its entire fire system range with the launch of LogiFire, which represents a complete technical and aesthetic evolution of its innovative addressable platforms. LogiFire, from newly formed Comelit-PAC, is guaranteed by a new range of control panels.  The systems can be expanded from 1 to 8 loops and support up to 2000 devices on an 8-loop system and have a greater loop capacity of 700 mAh. The panels are feature rich and have many onboard fault-finding diagnostics....