Public Education - News

Emergency Reporting (ER), the global company in secure, cloud-based reporting and records management software (RMS) for Fire and EMS agencies and First Arriving, a renowned company in providing technology and marketing services for fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies has announced a premier partnership, to give first responders access to improved reporting and records management capabilities. This expanded partnership allows users to display key Emergency Reporting features and data, as wel...

Every year, 500,000 pets suffer from smoke inhalation and 40,000 die due to home fires. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 home fires each year are started by family pets. With pet fostering and adoption up 48% in the wake of COVID-19, it's more important than ever to teach pet owners simple ways to keep their pets safe in the event of an emergency. Awareness campaign As a committed advocate of fire safety and prevention in communities across the coun...

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) announces the launch of the new Level 3 qualification on BS 5839-6, “FIA AO Fundamentals of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems in Domestic Premises.” The new OFQUAL recognized qualification has been carefully designed to deliver a great introduction to a key part of the Fire Detection & Alarm (FD&A) sector. British Standard, BS 5839-6:2019 provides detailed recommendations for fire detection and fire alarm systems in all domestic premises la...

Retail giant Amazon has removed a number of barbecues specifically designed for use on balconies from sale over serious safety concerns highlighted by London Fire Brigade. The Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills wrote to the firm and other companies that stock or manufacture the products last month, stating that they are a serious concern with regards to public safety. Amazon and gift retailer Menkind both responded, confirming they had removed the items from sale and contacted cu...

In the BSI hosted webinar, recent Schemes launched by BAFE will be discussed, being BAFE SP206 (covering the Design, Installation, Commissioning, Recharge and Maintenance of kitchen fire protection/suppression systems) and BAFE’s latest Scheme made available, BAFE SP105 (covering the Service and Maintenance of Dry and Wet Riser/Falling Installations). Chris Auger, Head of Schemes of BAFE, will also provide an update on work continuing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an explan...

In 2009, the exterior structure of the Burj Khalifa was completed. It became the tallest building in the world and remains so to this day, cutting the skyline at half a mile clear of the Earth. But there are even more audacious buildings planned that’ll eclipse this structure - and the first mile-high skyscraper could be built by 2050. In 1957, Frank Lloyd Wright designed The Illinois, a visionary, 528 story skyscraper standing over a mile in height. He believed that such a building could...

On 11 July 1240, Emperor Frederick II granted trade fair rights to Frankfurt am Main, marking the birth of Messe Frankfurt. Now, 780 years later, the company can look back on an eventful history, in which the Frankfurt trade fair developed from a medieval marketplace into a global player, experiencing many successes and mastering various crises. Importance of trade fairs Peter Feldmann, Mayor of Frankfurt am Main and Chairman of the Messe Frankfurt Supervisory Board, had this to say about Mess...

“Ensuring a building complies with fire regulations is not enough to guarantee its long-term fire resilience”, says Amaya Osácar, Knauf Insulation’s Fire Safety Manager. Most regulations focus on design and building materials, but fail to take into account rebuilding a damaged construction or the ability for a building to recover quickly from a serious fire. Amaya’s call for better building fire resilience comes at a time when the European Union is working on a &e...

FireArrest has announced that it has official launched a new passive fire protection software application. This new innovative passive fire protection app, available to download on Android and iPhone devices, is set to take the fire safety industry by storm. FireArrest App Not only is this passive fire protection app intuitive, but it’s modern design and competitive price point make it the perfect solution for anyone looking to ensure that their premises are compliant with all fire safet...

COVID-19 has overwhelmingly been the biggest issue to shape and change the industry, lives, and world in recent history. The FIA has been asked directly by the Government to consult with their members as they are keen to hear how the industry has been affected and how they can work with their industry to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. fire industry professionals The company has put together this survey addressed to fire industry professionals so that the industry can effectively gather the...

The National Volunteer Fire Council has earned a 2020 Gold Seal of Transparency by adding information to the non-profit profile on GuideStar. Now, community members as well as 10+ million GuideStar users can find in-depth information about the organization's goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress. The NVFC shining a spotlight on the work we do to support the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to partner with TargetSolutions to provide additional operational training and education opportunities to the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue community at no cost. TargetSolutions is offering a cadre of 10 online firefighter continuing education courses to all members of the NVFC. TargetSolutions features more than 450 hours of fire department training based on NFPA codes and standards. The training catalog includes awareness and refresher l...

In response to the continuing effects of the worldwide pandemic, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has postponed its inaugural in-person Recruitment & Retention (R&R) Experience. This two-day, interactive conference focuses on volunteer fire department staffing issues and will now take place September 17-18, 2021, in Cleveland, OH. Those who have already registered for the 2020 event can choose to defer their registration to 2021 or receive a full refund. Registration for the 2...

On June 26-27, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) held a virtual preview of the 2021 Training Summit. This two-day online training event featured keynote speakers and panel discussions, followed by breakout sessions to enable participants to ask questions and further discuss the themes that had been presented by that day’s speakers. In-Person Event postponed to 2021 The NVFC had originally planned to hold an in-person Training Summit in Orlando in 2020 but had to postpone the eve...

BAFE SP101 fire extinguisher technician assessments and BS 5306 Exam during the coronavirus pandemic. BAFE is focused on protecting assessors and fire extinguisher technicians from the threat of COVID-19. After reviewing the risk threat posed by COVID-19, BAFE has established new safety procedures to recommence fire extinguisher technician assessments for the BAFE SP101 Scheme. BAFE SP101 Scheme BAFE is now in a position to accept bookings for assessments with immediate effect from 06/07/2020...

The Chief Executive of East of England Ambulance Service has thanked staff for embracing new ways of working which have helped deliver faster response times during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest figures show that despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Trust is consistently meeting all national standards, due in part to more staff to manage calls and more vehicles on the road. Compared to 2021, ambulance response times to reach the most seriously ill (category o...

BAFE are focused on protecting assessors and fire extinguisher technicians from the threat of COVID-19. After reviewing the risk threat posed by COVID-19, BAFE have established new safety procedures to recommence fire extinguisher technician assessments for the BAFE SP101 Scheme. BAFE are now in a position to accept bookings for assessments with immediate effect from June 7, 2020. To book an assessment, one may contact the BAFE office via email. BAFE have also considered COVID-19 risk for BS 5...

The cancellation of Independence Day professional fireworks programs in 2020 could raise the risk of wildfires as more amateurs undertake their own pyrotechnic shows, according to four organizations who focus on risk mitigation. "Leave fireworks to the professionals. Sparklers alone generally cause about one-fourth of all injuries during each year's Fourth of July celebrations," said Michele Steinberg, Wildfire Division Director, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), who noted amateurs w...

The world of the fire service is heavily related to tangible and tangible things. In this context, people like to think of personal protective equipment, portable pumps, pumps, rescue equipment or emergency vehicles, a dream on 4 wheels with flashing lights and a tone horn, so to speak. Intangible things like software (unfortunately) do not yet have a high priority in the fire service. Digitization In the current discussion about digitization, however, the use of information technology is gett...

In 2020, Rosenbauer will be present at the Retter Messe in Wels, Austria's renowned trade fair for emergency services organizations, from October 29 to 31, 2020. Attendees can witness groundbreaking technologies and experience the innovations first-hand. Aerial rescue vehicles Rosenbauer will be presenting its key products and selected new products from the fields of vehicles, fire-fighting technology, equipment and digital solutions. Two Rosenbauer aerial rescue vehicles will be stationed on...

The spread of COVID-19 has more than just physical health implications. It also creates uncertainty and changes in lifestyle that can have an emotional impact. Firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers may be feeling the impact especially hard as they navigate the new realities of responding and maintaining operations during this crisis. NVFC invites all to join Jeff Dill, founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, for this free NVFC webinar on May 20 to discuss strategies and...

The global coronavirus pandemic threw the world into lockdown. Only now are businesses, schools, and places of worship beginning to return to operations making this the best time to reevaluate fire safety, from strategy to equipment. Essentials Every office, retail outlet, restaurant, and public facing-environment must have the basics covered. After a long stint away from work, it’ll be important to make sure everything’s working and stocked. Fire Alarms No matter how small the s...

NHS Property Services stated that there was a "number of reports of hand sanitizer being the cause of fires when left in vehicles in the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing". It informed NHS employees that the heatwave could cause alcohol-based gels to reach their "flashpoint", which would see them burst into flames when the vapor in them comes into contact with hot air. Sanitizer risks associated with A spark "With the hot summer approaching, there was a concern for our facilities m...

Wildfire smoke occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase susceptibility to the virus and other infections by irritating the respiratory system, resulting in altered immune function. Populations vulnerable to smoking, including those with compromised immune systems, children under 18, pregnant women, adults 65 and over, and outdoor workers need to be aware of this risk. How to reduce risk from wildfire smoke Inform the community about these actionable steps that t...

Erickson Incorporated was recently awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD). With an estimated aggregate contract ceiling of $7,143,500,000, the NAWC-AD Full-Rate Production multiple award contracts is designed to meet the requirement of NAWC-AD for full-rate production of Mission System Avionics, aircraft upgrade and modification kits, components, and installation of these products. Execute Different Se...

As the COVID-19 pandemic affects communities across the United States, it has also impacted in-person fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). For 66 years, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has collected critical funds in the community, one dollar at a time, as part of the ‘Fill the Boot’ program. This summer, the program will launch virtually to address social distancing guidelines for the firefighters and the vulnerable community MDA serves....

Alarming findings are published in the 'Home Router Security Report 2020' by the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE. Of the 127 home routers tested by seven major manufacturers, nearly all were found to have security flaws, some of them very severe.  security flaws The problems range from missing security updates to easily decrypted, hard-coded passwords and known vulnerabilities that should have been patched long ago. A team led by Peter...

Purchasing, production, logistics, distribution, and markets form a network spread over continents and nations, the details of which are difficult for companies to keep track of. However, such an overview with a focus on one's own company contributes to the company's success in many ways. FIFI project The project, 'Fraud Information-Fusion Intelligence' by Fraunhofer FKIE adapts proven approaches, procedures, and tools used by security authorities to the requirements of companies, develops t...

Fireworks are synonymous with the Fourth of July. They are beautiful, but can also be very dangerous if not used properly. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office not only encourages residents to attend professional fireworks displays and practice fireworks safety but also practice social distancing and wear masks. “Professional fireworks displays are a great way for residents to safely enjoy fireworks, but with the spread of COVID-19 we are also encouraging everyone to practice soc...

The Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 was the initiating legislation for the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This legislation encourages communities to develop these plans to help reduce their risk to wildfire loss, as well as create healthier natural ecosystems. The ambiguity in the legislation allows communities to develop effective plans that are relevant to their conditions and can change as community capacity, and other conditions change. Why it is important...