Training & Education - News

The cause of the fire between London Bridge and Waterloo East stations has been identified as a pedicab. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a commercial property under railway arches on Union Street in Southwark, which crews described as ‘completely alight.’ Smoke could reportedly be seen for miles around. Affected train services A railway arch in Southwark used as a garage, and another nearby unit storing vehicles, including electric scooters and bikes,...

If the user is a holiday let owner, they should know that fire risk assessment (FRA) is a legal requirement in ensuring the safety of the occupants. So, as the holiday season approaches, it’s important to get it done and signed off soon. Discover the importance of fire risk assessments for holiday lets and what they entail. Holiday Let Fire Risk Assessment As part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 FSO, performing a fire risk assessment on a holiday let property is a legal...

The service has been recognized for its work in boosting career opportunities for more people across the region. The annual rankings, produced by the Department of Education in partnership with High Fliers Research, list the businesses with the most successful apprentice programs across the country.  NEAS ranked at 80 and is one of only three NHS Trusts in the top 100 list. It employs 2,900 staff and serves a population of 2.7 million people across the North East. Patient focussed service...

The new Fire Safety Act 2021 came into force on 16th May 2022, and with it came a clearer direction about compliance. This article outlines the updates to the legislation and explain what this means for FMs. The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 and the subsequent enquiry highlighted the need for changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Sadly, it is only when events like this happen that legislation changes. New Fire Safety Act 2021 The new Fire Safety Act 2021, which came into...

As educational facilities revel in a summertime of empty hallways and classrooms, Sue Corrick of Allegion UK explains why it’s the perfect time to assess fire door hardware. The great British summertime has arrived, known for its quintessential rainy days, packed out beach fronts and extended educational term breaks. By the time its August, students of all ages - from primary schools to universities – would have dashed out the doors, in preparation for a summer of fun, leaving behin...

Cambridgeshire fire crews have continued to face challenging conditions and increased demand as the summer heatwave persists. Having already seen unprecedented temperatures and calls to incidents in July 2022, which include the two busiest days ever for the fire service, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service staff have continued to face record levels of calls and incidents. Busy July month for Cambridgeshire fire crews Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Commander, Stuart Smi...

Geofire is celebrating 50 years in business, a milestone that shows its commitment to innovation in the fire safety industry. Established in 1972, Geofire continues to expand its work force, design innovative products and diversify into new sectors. Originally established as an electromagnetic brake and clutch manufacturer in the north east of England, near Bishop Auckland, the company has grown significantly into a major specialist in electromagnetic fire door safety solutions and its products...

Firefighters have been praised for saving dozens of homes after a huge grassland fire in Newcastle threatened to spread into a village. Just after 3 pm on Thursday, 11th August, 2022, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) received a call about a grass fire in Walbottle. Deploy resources fast TWFRS Fire Control staff was quick to deploy resources and within minutes the first appliances had arrived on scene. It was evident the fire was growing and spreading rapidly, with more than 30 fi...

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announces the completion and opening of Fire Station 86 in Bay Point. The new station became operational on August 10, replacing the historic Fire Station 86, located one mile to the east, which had been in continuous use since 1949. Strategically located adjacent to the Highway 4 interchange at Willow Pass Road, Fire Station 86 supports the unincorporated areas of Bay Point, nearby Pittsburg, and other communities along the busy Highw...

The agenda for this year’s AFAC22 Conference and Exhibition (AFAC22) is loaded with big topics, such as reducing risk in the changing climate, the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, women in emergency management, lithium battery fires and so much more. It is the first time since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic that the Australian and APAC emergency management industry is coming together in person. AFAC22 Conference and Exhibition will be held in 2022 at the Adelaide Conve...

As the hot weather looks set to continue over the weekend and into next week, firefighters want to help ensure residents enjoy the summer safely.  After a house fire in Peterborough on Wednesday, crews are urging people to stay fire safe and follow some simple tips, so they can avoid a fire that could cause significant damage.  Fire under control Fire crews from Dogsthorpe, Stanground and Whittlesey, along with the north roaming fire engine, were called to a fire on Lincoln Road at...

Safe Fleet’s Fire, EMS, and Industrial divisions (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce the addition of Chris Thwaits as the Southeast Regional Sales Manager. In his new role, Chris Thwaits will continue to build and strengthen relationships with Fire & EMS customers in the Southeast US region. His territory will include the US states of Florida and Georgia. Vast industry experience Chris Thwaits brings many years of industry experience to Safe Fleet. That experie...

FEMA has awarded $4.1 million to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to cover the costs of fighting the Dollar Ridge wildfire that impacted north-central Utah in July of 2018. The funds are provided by FEMA’s Public Assistance program under a Fire Management Assistance declaration for Utah issued on July 2, 2018, in response to the wildfire. The Dollar Ridge wildfire began south of Fruitland on July 1, 2018. The fire burned over 68,000 acres of private, state, and federal...

Mike Cottam has been appointed as Sales Director at a fire protection solutions company Advanced. Mike joins Advanced from the 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. Excellent customer experience In his latest position as EMEA Segment and Channel Leader within 3M’s Abrasive Systems Division based in Dubai, Mike successfully headed up the sales and marketing s...

Crews from two Norfolk Fire Stations are working with the East of England Ambulance Service to respond to some medical incidents in Norfolk, United Kingdom (UK). The scheme, which is currently underway, sees Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) crews responding to adult cases of cardiac arrest within areas surrounding Sheringham and North Walsham Fire Stations. The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service crew are co-responding to incidents, along with the East of England Ambulance Service. The trial...

Warringtonfire is marking the 50th anniversary of its first commercial fire test, which took place at a newly completed fire testing laboratory in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, in the summer of 1972. 50 years later, what is believed to be the UK’s oldest existing fire resistance testing laboratory, continues to operate. It is one of Warringtonfire’s main sites and is a center of excellence for the testing of timber fire doors. Fire protection industry In addition to being an earl...

Con Fire’s automated phone system helps working media more quickly and easily reach the on-duty public information officer (PIO) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Pushing timely information Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the media line will direct to voicemail unless the on-call PIO is responding to an active incident. For overnight periods when there is no working incident requiring PIO presence, voicemails will be returned before 8 a.m. the next morning. RSS feeds continue to...

Fires remain the greatest threat facing those responsible for safeguarding the built heritage. While other risks such as theft, flood and even insect or fungal infestation can damage buildings and their contents, only fire can destroy them completely. Each year, throughout the world, there are fires in all types of historic and heritage buildings – in 2019 alone there were 400 serious fires recorded in such properties. A number of these fire outbreaks reach serious proportions, where mea...

Fire chiefs in Tyne and Wear have called on their communities to work with them and behave responsibly, as the United Kingdom (UK) braces itself for another heatwave. The UK Met Office have issued an Amber weather warning for Tuesday, August 9, 2022, in some parts of the United Kingdom (UK), with temperatures due to pass 30 Celsius again in the week. A yellow weather warning is in place across Northern England from midday today until Saturday, August 13, 2022. Dry weather conditions could lead...

AW Technology strives to provide their clients with high-quality support, as part of which they’re introducing a regular ‘Inside your tunnel’ feature, in order to help clients get the very most from the company’s products and keep them performing well for years to come. AW Technology’s first feature focuses on how to keep backing up all the important data, such as calibration factors and test profile parameters. LabTunnel, powerful, flexible, easy to use software...

Chubb, the UK’s major provider of fire safety and security solutions, is proud to launch an accelerated development program, designed to attract and train new industry entrants, in partnership with Zitko Talent, the world’s renowned recruitment agency for the Fire and Security industry. certified product training The accelerated development program will last approximately 18 weeks, starting with alternating blocks of technical training, field experience, and manufacturer-led certif...

The great British summertime has arrived, known for its quintessential rainy days, packed-out beach fronts, and extended educational term breaks. By the time users reach August, students of all ages from primary schools to universities have dashed out the doors in preparation for a summer of fun, leaving behind empty academic facilities in the process. extended summer break For most of the 32,163 schools, 277 colleges, and 164 universities in the UK, the extended summer break is seen as...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Lind Fire burning in Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 5:58 p.m. PT. He determined that the Lind Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declared in...

Chubb, the provider of fire safety and security solutions, is proud to launch an accelerated development program designed to attract and train new industry entrants in partnership with Zitko Talent, the recruitment agency for the fire and security industry. The accelerated development program will last approximately 18 weeks, starting with alternating blocks of technical training, field experience, and manufacturer-led certified product training. Trainees will emerge as certified Fire and Secur...

International Paramedics Day has been launched by the College of Paramedics to recognize and celebrate the work that paramedics and first responders around the world do, in order to give their patients the best possible treatment and care, and improve the outcomes for those who are injured or unwell. North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) employs 812 paramedics across the region, working in both front line and support service roles, touching the lives of thousands of members of the public every ye...

Coronavirus was first discovered in 2019, it has since spread across the globe. It is believed to be transmitted in a similar manner to the normal flu/cold virus. APE takes very seriously the safety and welfare of all its staff, and any clients that they may come into contact with and consequently they move swiftly to maintain everybody’s safety. No member of APE staff will knowingly be sent to any client site if the staff member is infected with a virus. Self-Isolation procedure If a m...

On Monday 19th September, the UKAS offices will be closed for all but essential business cover, to allow them all to pay their respects and commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral. Information regarding UKAS This notice outlines important information regarding the arrangements UKAS will be making: Office Closure: Their office will be closed for normal business, but will remain open for essential business cover. On-site/remote activities: UKAS will aim to...

At 9:25 a.m. on August 4, 2022, Big Bear Fire Department was dispatched to a call of a fall victim on the Castle Rock Trail in Big Bear Lake. With limited access in rugged terrain, personnel from Big Bear Lake Station 281 utilized its heavy duty off-road Polaris Ranger 6x6 to access the start of a 1.5 mile hike to reach the location of the victim. Local area hospital The patient was treated at the scene for moderate injuries, transferred to a backboard for stabilization, and loaded on a one...

As those first on the scene to respond to disasters and emergency events, first responders prioritize the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. This often means first responders are facing dangerous and challenging situations, leading to high-stress levels and possible development of burnout, compassion fatigue, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently featured 2 behavioral health resources for first responders....

An in-depth white paper has been published by global wireless solutions firm Ramtech, to address US construction fire and life safety challenges that can have devastating consequences including loss of civilian life and millions of dollars in direct property damage annually. Titled ‘No Site Left Behind: The Modern Fire and Life Safety Solutions for Construction’, the new white paper includes unique industry insight from Turner Construction, to help raise awareness of fire risk and l...