Training & Education - News

September sees the return of Security Essen, one of Europe’s fire and security shows. It’s the first time the show has run since 2018 and they’re delighted to be taking part. Over the last 18 months uptake in the Testifire product range has grown dramatically, they’ll be focussing on this with demonstrations of the complete product range and insight into how a switch to Testifire can lead to faster testing, elimination of re-alarms, and, ultimately a lower cost per test....

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated launched SIRAS™, a professional drone that includes a quick-connect dual radiometric thermal and visible camera payload. Engineered for data security, performance, and affordability, SIRAS is optimized for industrial and utility inspection, public safety, firefighting, and search and rescue missions.  Geofence-free flight experience “Designed to provide pilots with the flexibility to get the job done, SIRAS d...

A new fire detection and alarm systems competition to enable apprentice engineers to boost their skills has been launched by the charity, WorldSkills UK. Program training  Run in partnership with Skills for Security, apprentice engineers will have the opportunity to undergo training ahead of the national final in November, with a chance to compete at the international ‘Skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. The program builds on WorldSkills UK’s electronic security systems...

At approximately 16:30 in the afternoon on Friday, 2 September 2022, SACFS personnel were alerted to a truck fire on the Port Wakefield Highway, approximately 25km south of Port Wakefield, South Australia. The SACFS dispatched 9 fire trucks to respond to the vehicle fire. Upon arrival, the fire crews found a cement powder distribution truck ablaze on the side of the highway.  Damage caused The crews worked to contain the fire and to ensure that there were no hazardous materials contained...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its signature health and safety focused educational conference, the NVFC Training Summit 2023, from June 23 to June 24, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical issues in the fire and emergency services. Submit proposal by September 30, 2022. NVFC Training Summit 2023 The theme...

Water mist systems use finely dispersed water to fight fires, thus displacing oxygen and absorbing heat – combining the effects of gas extinguishing and traditional sprinkler systems. The small droplet sizes (≤1 mm diameter) significantly enhance the effect of the water used, also minimizing water damage. VdS now backs up manufacturers, as well as users with a basic product standard, systematically testing effectiveness and reliability. New regulations for Water mist systems Until no...

Dräger, an internationally renowned company in the fields of medical and safety technology, will showcase five fire safety technologies designed to further firefighter health and well-being at The Emergency Services Show (ESS) 2022, including the FireGround Accountability System; the newly launched BG ProAir (Long Duration); the PSS® AirBoss; Dräger’s cleaning solution; and the FireCore® thermal imaging camera. With a focus on how connectivity and firefighter communicati...

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be recruiting for Wholetime Firefighters this autumn. Ahead of the portal opening for applications, the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging members of the public to consider a career in the Fire and Rescue Service, by joining them for a Firefighter ‘Have a Go’ day. ‘Have a Go’ events give an insight into the life as a firefighter, the opportunity to speak to current firefighters to find out more, and the chanc...

Preparing for all fire exposures, not picking and choosing only one, is vital for improving the home and building survival chances. What the community needs to know Wildfires spread primarily by: Ember generation and deposition. Burning or smoldering pieces of material generated during a wildfire event can land on combustible material. Radiant heat. The heat from the fire raises the temperature of a combustible material until that material reaches ignition temperature and burns....

The London Fire Brigade has issued another e-bike safety warning after five people were rescued from a flat fire in St John’s Wood. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters attended the scene at around 2am, which was under control by 02:56. Around half of the flat on the second floor of a block on Frampton Street was damaged by the fire. One resident was taken to hospital as a result. Correct safety standards The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by a lithium-ion b...

FireQual are proud to support the WorldSkills UK Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition. WorldSkills UK is delighted to launch the new Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition, run in partnership with Skills for Security. As well offering apprentices the chance to boost their skills, they also have the unique possibility of competing at the ‘international skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. Undergoing intensive training The competition, which kicked off in May at the IFS...

A development for three new blocks of flats near Totterdown, Bristol, United Kingdom (UK) has been approved despite serious fire safety concerns. Housing developers - Donard have been granted permission to construct 221 flats over three blocks between York Street and Mead Street, two of which will be 11 storeys tall. The third tower, however, has only one escape route, and is at the centre of calls for a design overhaul. Council planning officers The apartments form a part of the wider Mead S...

WAGNER, based in Langenhagen, near Hanover, Germany, will be showing its holistic solutions for individual fire protection at Security Essen 2022, taking place in Essen, Germany, from September 20 to September 23, 2022. Particular focus will be on the TITANUS aspirating smoke detection systems for early fire detection and the WinGuard system for organization/hazard management. The fire protection solution provider will be presenting its innovative technologies in the Fire/Intrusion/Systems sect...

Coatings company, Hempel A/S, announces the promotion of Steen Niemann Madsen to Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure. Steen will succeed Michael Hansen in the position from 15 October 2022, when Michael Hansen steps into the position of Group President and CEO of Hempel A/S. With the appointment, Steen Niemann will become part of the Executive Group Management. Vast Industry experience  Steen Niemann comes from his current position at Hempel as Vice President, of Infras...

Michael Hansen announced to succeed Lars Petersson as Group President and CEO of coatings company, Hempel A/S. Michael will step into his new position on 15 October 2022. Michael Hansen joined Hempel in May 2017 as Chief Commercial Officer and has delivered remarkable results as a central driver of the global transformation in Hempel. Michael is part of the Executive Group Management as Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure. Strong social engagement Michael Hansen has extensiv...

Paul, Chris, and Tim Galvin are announcing that they have made the decision to let go of the sand-casting section of its factory. Its last pour is currently scheduled for the middle of December 2022. Although this has been a tough decision, it has been made to better focus on the core, which is the design and manufacture of safe, green, and smart water solutions for high-risk and high-care environments. Customer service It is important to note that while Galvin will no longer be doing casting...

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has detailed a potential safety weakness in a large number of building ventilation systems. BESA have issued the warning, alongside a revised edition of their technical bulletin VH001 Fire and Smoke Damper Maintenance V3, following the revelation that annual inspections found ‘a huge number of dampers’ had been incorrectly installed. Building ventilation systems Graeme Fox, Head of Technical for BESA, said: “We have been a...

The American Wood Council (AWC) is an independent organization that offers information about wood products to builders. Working in association with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the International Code Council (ICC), and other knowledgeable stakeholders, the AWC has created a set of guidelines to help reduce life and property loss from fire in buildings under construction based upon pre-existing codes and standards. Keeping construction site safe Let’s examine why these gui...

Fearless firefighters have been praised for intervening and preventing fire at a farm from spreading and destroying more land. Shortly after 10.30 pm on Tuesday emergency services were called to a fire at a famer’s field in Burradon, North Tyneside. Fire Control staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) immediately deployed crews to the scene. They arrived on the scene and quickly began to battle the flames that were engulfing the farmer’s livelihood. Fire under contro...

Tyvek® garments are popular across a wide range of industries, where they help provide reliable protection against a broad range of hazards including lead, asbestos, mold, or light splashes of water-based chemicals in low concentration as well as dry particulates. They also protect sensitive processes from contamination from humans, are extremely low-linting and silicon-free. General industrial maintenance The DuPont™ Tychem® family of products helps provide protection from chem...

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., announced the 2022 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees. Volunteer Fire Chief, Marshall Turbeville, of the Northern Sonoma FPD in Sonoma County, California, and career Fire Chief, Gary Ludwig, of the Champaign Fire Department in Champaign, Illinois, have been named this year’s honorees. The IAFC began recognizing one volunteer and one career Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. A selection commi...

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., announced the 2022 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees. Volunteer Fire Chief, Marshall Turbeville, of the Northern Sonoma FPD in Sonoma County, California, and career Fire Chief, Gary Ludwig, of the Champaign Fire Department in Champaign, Illinois, have been named this year’s honorees. The IAFC began recognizing one volunteer and one career Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. A selec...

Although the number of women working in construction is on the rise, females still only make up around 14% of the work force. That’s why they’re proud to announce their partnership with Women Into Construction, an organization striving to promote gender equality in the industry. As a Platinum partner, they’ll help Women Into Construction to support women wishing to work in the sector. Women Into Construction provides a range of services for individuals, as well as businesses,...

These devastating pictures show the damage caused by a raging kitchen fire as firefighters issue a simple safety message to communities. Just before 1 pm on Saturday (20th August) emergency services were called to a house fire at a property in North Shields. Fire Control staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) immediately deployed crews to the two-storey semi-detached property on Waterville Road in North Shields. Providing a timely reminder They arrived within just six minutes...

PH&S Products is partnering with the NVFC to give away GET-A-GRIP Gloves through the ‘Glove On! Giveaway.’ NVFC members can enter to win two boxes of black GET-A-GRIP Gloves for their volunteer fire department. The gloves provide high performance and ultimate hand protection with superior grip and have been permeation tested against fentanyl, heroin, and gastric acid. One hundred eligible departments will win.

Technology and change do not need to be dirty words in the fire service. There are limitless applications of using technology, like virtual reality, to address the most pressing and potentially catastrophic challenges facing the fire service. From recruiting the next generation of firefighters to dealing with the unknowns of mental health, the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Recruitment, Training, And Mental Health: How To Embrace Immersive Learning Technology webinar, which is...

In April 2013, an explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, TX, just north of Waco, killed 12 firefighters and three residents of the West community. The firefighters who lost their lives were all volunteer first responders. According to federal officials and investigators from the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office, the source of the blast was ammonium nitrate, which detonated with the force of 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of TNT. (It’s believed a small fire initially triggered the disast...

Mike Cottam has been appointed as Sales Director at the globally renowned fire protection solutions company, Advanced. He joins Advanced from global science-based technology company, 3M, where, over the past 19 years, he has held a variety of roles covering sales and marketing, integration and Lean Six Sigma. In his latest position as EMEA Segment and Channel Leader within 3M’s Abrasive Systems Division, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mike Cottam successfully headed up the sa...

A leading UK politician has praised staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), after visiting their headquarters to learn how they are keeping children safe. On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the UK Shadow Education Minister, Bridget Phillipson MP, visited the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to discover more about their educational input into their community. The Chief Fire Officer at the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Chris Lowther spent time with Ms. Phillipson...

It’s a legal requirement for non-domestic properties to have regular risk assessments carried out. This ensures that any fire safety risks are flagged and dealt with accordingly before they have a chance to do any damage. Not only are they legally required, but fire risk assessments are vital in ensuring the long-term safety of both staff and premises from potential fire damage. Fire safety responsibility The UK government outlines that: Those responsible for fire safety in business...