Training & Education - News

BAFSA kicked of its 50th anniversary celebrations at the House of Lords last week with a special lunch in the Attlee Room to mark the occasion. The association which was founded in 1974, invited 50 key stakeholders from across the fire safety sector and honored guests including, Lord David Goddard, Sir Ken Knight, Bob Blackman MP and Ann Jones OBE. BAFSA’s 50th anniversary celebrations The lunch saw the ‘premiere’ of a short 50th anniversary video, narrated by broadcaster, N...

Zeta Alarm Systems have always placed a great importance on training and have welcomed visitors from across globe to their dedicated training center. Over recent months, the entire course structure has been re-written from which two brand new courses have been devised: Standard Training for Quatro and Fyreye MKII Advanced Training for Quatro and Fyreye MKII New Training Courses Both courses last a day and provide invaluable insights into the Quatro networkable panel combined with the ne...

On January 22-24, 2024, fire service leaders, including NVFC Rhode Island Director - Kevin Quinn, traveled to Detroit, MI; Chicago, IL; and Columbus, OH, to urge the public to take the proper precautions to protect themselves against home fires and extreme cold. The message comes as the U.S. Fire Administration projects the U.S. will hit 3,000 fire deaths in 2024. The speakers also used the opportunity to talk about the fire service and how people can step up and serve their communities. Learn...

Fire and emergency service pioneers have many responsibilities, from recruiting and managing personnel, to budgeting and administration, to community relations, to setting the culture and ethical tone for the department, and much more. Whether new or established, pioneers are constantly needing to learn and grow in their roles. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released a new Leadership training track in the Virtual Classroom, designed specifically for fire and EMS department pion...

The vision for Twiceme has, from the start, been to take the technology way beyond the military and help people in every aspect of their lives. Twiceme provides a tool to make people feel safer in their leisure time, training sessions, commute to work, at work, and wherever else an emergency might arise. A Global Standard When the founders created Twiceme, they set the vision that it would become a global solution for providing vital info about people in emergencies. During their years...

Leading up to the bike season, there have been several mentions of the Twiceme x POC helmet Ventral Air SPIN NFC by several magazines. The Twiceme function that allows vital personal information to be accessed through the Twiceme smartphone app has been highly appreciated. Moving into the cycling industry, the Twiceme brand and technology will spread further and in turn lead to more products, brands, and product segments safer during training Twiceme is entering the biking segment together wi...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce two new speakers have been added to the agenda for the 2024 NVFC Training Summit. The NVFC’s signature conference, taking place June 21-22 in Buffalo, NY, provides an opportunity for firefighters and EMS providers to participate in valuable classroom training, idea sharing, and networking. Joining the prestigious line-up are Jan Spence, CSP, who will present on leading and engaging volunteers, and Chief Keith Drabick, who...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is seeking qualified individuals with backgrounds in wildfire mitigation, safety, and instruction to join a new corps of qualified instructors, in order to help teach the Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP) curriculum and advocate for mitigation and safety in wildfire-prone regions across the U.S. NVFC’s Wildland Fire Assessment Program Advocate Network NVFC is looking for a variety of folks from across different topographies NVFC is lookin...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has launched an online, searchable directory of behavioral health professionals ready and able to help firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and their families. This new tool replaces the previous PDF directory and will make it easier for responders and their families to find the assistance they need. Emergency responders face unique challenges that can have a significant impact on their mental wellbeing, and it is important that they have acces...

Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, announces the delivery of two state-of-the-art Oshkosh Striker® 4x4 and one Striker 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles to Tulum International Airport in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This delivery marks a significant step in enhancing the airport's emergency response capabilities following its opening in December 2023. Aviation modernization The new Tulum International Airpor...

The City is opening an emergency warming center to support the Province’s extreme weather response to freezing temperatures in Victoria. warming center A warming center is open at the Cook Street Village Activity Centre, 380 Cook Street. Daytime hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Overnight hours: 9 p.m.-8 a.m. The City’s warming center will remain open while the extreme weather response and exposure risks are active, and primary shelters and warming centers are at capacity.

Gain an understanding of the potential dangers associated with lithium battery fires, safeguards for avoiding a fire, and strategies for extinguishing lithium battery fires. Given the ubiquity of lithium-ion batteries in many modern electronics, knowledge of the proper steps to take in the event of a fire is essential. What Causes Lithium Batteries to Ignite? Thermal instability known as thermal runaway can occur if a lithium battery overheats. This occurs when gaseous material is released fr...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce it has moved to its new head office in Coventry. The new building provides the ASFP with greater capacity, enabling it to offer even more support and services to its members. The new premises, which will be opened in two phases, provide office space, as well as housing the new ASFP training academy. It offers a practical training facility, catering facilities, meeting and break-out/rest areas, and provides a permanent...

Firefighting involves more than just summoning courage during a crisis; it encompasses dedication to serving, rescuing, and protecting.   Six women from diverse backgrounds, including members from St. Paul, MN Local 21 and Edina, MN Local 1275, recently embraced this commitment during their mission overseas, joining over two dozen firefighters, emergency medical professionals, and volunteers from the state.  Capacity of fire departments It’s unique because we’ve bee...

For business owners in the hospitality sector, fire safety should be one of their top priorities. Fires can cause extensive damage to property and put customers and employees at risk. Astoria provides tips on reducing the risk of fires in business and what to do if a fire breaks out. Astoria also discusses some common causes of fires in the hospitality industry and the steps taken to prevent them.  Fire Safety in Hospitality Fire safety is a top priority for any hospitality business. Fro...

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report into the fatal explosion and fire at the KMCO production facility in Crosby, Texas, USA. On April 2, 2019, KMCO was producing sulfurized isobutylene as a lubrication additive. The explosion and fire occurred after isobutylene leaked from a fracture in a segment of piping and formed a flammable vapor cloud, which ignited. Fatal injury One KMCO employee was fatally injured, and two others were seriously inju...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to have been shortlisted for three awards in the Trade Association Forum’s (TAF’s) Awards. The Awards recognize, reward, and promote best practices among trade associations in the United Kingdom (UK).   Ignite The Association’s magazine, Ignite, has been shortlisted for Magazine of the Year. Ignite caters to the needs and interests of professionals within the passive fire protection (PFP) indus...

Fire fighters are being urged to take extra precautions when approaching structure fires involving residential energy storage systems (ESS), an increasingly popular home energy source that uses lithium-ion battery technology. The findings are part of an exhaustive report released by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and UL Solutions, based on a two-year research project examining the characteristics of fires resulting from the overheating of lithium battery systems stored in...

Public buildings, like schools, libraries, and offices, are places where people come together. Keeping these places safe from fires is super important. Fires can start quickly and spread even faster, putting everyone inside at risk. That’s why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers tips to keep these buildings safe. By following these fire safety tips, establishments can help ensure that everyone can get out safely, if a fire starts and the damage is kept as low as possibl...

Warringtonfire, a global pioneer in Fire Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC), has announced plans to open a new facility in Warrington, United Kingdom (UK). Expected to open in 2025, the new facility will be the largest in the UK and provide fire testing, technical and certification services. Warringtonfire’s testing capacity Customer demands for Warringtonfire’s product testing are set to continue to grow significantly, due to increasing regulatory requirements, the intr...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced Canada-based dealer Commercial Emergency Equipment Co. has secured a 10-year contract with the Calgary Fire Department (CFD), focusing on the provision of custom tenders in an as-needed quantity.   Building upon the earlier established contract in 2022, which was centered on the supply of aerial platforms and ladders, this new agreement also places significant emphasis on apparatus standardization. Tandem-axle Enforcer&t...

Christopher Orr, an apprentice from Northern Irelands, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has beaten off competition to lift the Nittan Shield Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year title for 2023. Christopher (27), from Lisburn, employed by Crane Communications, successfully achieved the EAL Level 3 Fire & Security Apprenticeship NI at SERC’s Lisburn Campus. Engineering Apprentice of the Year SERC Fire and Security Lecturers, Christopher Patterson and Robin Hamill, said, "This...

A group of Fenland youngsters have been benefitting from fire service training to help develop teamwork skills, increase self-esteem and confidence, and understand the consequences of risk-taking decision-making. Learnings Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has been hosting students from Thomas Clarkson Academy at Wisbech Fire Station. Led by the Service’s Community Development Instructors, the groups have been learning how to use hose reels, ladders, and breathing apparatus, and le...

Gain an understanding of the potential dangers associated with lithium battery fires, safeguards for avoiding a fire, and strategies for extinguishing lithium battery fires. Given the ubiquity of lithium-ion batteries in many modern electronics, knowledge of the proper steps to take in the event of a fire is essential. Lithium Batteries ignition cause Thermal instability known as thermal runaway can occur if a lithium battery overheats. This occurs when gaseous material is released from the l...

It’s been another busy year for the fire safety industry, with higher risk building registration and the new Building Safety Regulator under reforms of the Building Safety Act. Designed to provide greater accountability and management of higher-risk buildings, the Building Safety Act 2022 mandated two new roles for managing building safety – Accountable Persons and Principal Accountable Persons. FIREX International 2023 FIREX also returned to ExCel this year, covering the latest i...

Over 100 colleagues, contractors and local civic dignitaries warmly welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal to the new Huntingdon Fire Station and Service training center for a tour and to officially open the building with the unveiling of a plaque. The Princess Royal was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, Mrs. Julie Spence OBE QPM, and introduced to Fire Authority Chair - Edna Murphy, Deputy Chief Executive for Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service (CFRS) - Matthew W...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection announced the winners for its 2023 Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Awards on 23 November at the Association’s Awards Dinner at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London. ASFP Managing Director Mike Ward was joined by guest speaker, and comedian Hal Cruttenden, to present the awards to each worthy winner. The winners are:  ASFP Installation of the Year: Coopers Fire for its work in the Great Mosque of Mecca, Mataf Tunnels, installing a series of...

In the face of mounting pressure from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and others, Newark, New Jersey, officials recently proposed several safety measures after two fire fighters – Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr. – died responding to a July cargo ship fire. The suggested changes reported by NJ.com, the state’s largest news and information site include: creating a special joint task force to consider legislative an...

The City of London Crime Prevention Association (CoLCPA) has proudly relaunched the Building Security Assessment Scheme in collaboration with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) at Fishmongers’ Hall in the heart of the City of London. Security and fire safety Formerly known as CoLCPA’s Building Security Accreditation, this long-standing initiative, developed from a collaboration involving the City of London Police, the City of London Corporation, representatives of managing ag...

Since 2019, CHEMTREC® has partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to help volunteer fire departments become better equipped to respond to hazardous materials incidents. In 2023, five NVFC members have been selected to receive $10,000 for their fire departments through the CHEMTREC® Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness (HELP) Award. The award will allow the departments to obtain critical training, equipment, and resources they wouldn’t otherwise be able to a...