Antigua and Barbuda Fire Industry News

At approximately 4:00 pm, crews were called to a structure fire on Ellie Court at Mannum, in the Murrylands. Five CFS trucks including a bulk water carrier with the support of MFS crews and SAPOL responded. Losses estimated Upon arrival, crews found a detached double garage fully involved. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby home. Losses are estimated at $60,000 and thankfully nobody was injured. While the fire is not suspicious at this stage, fire-ca...

Governments across the United Kingdom (UK) have been increasing their efforts in recent years to improve electrical safety standards in dwellings. The significance of inspecting and testing electrical installations in homes is clear, given that taking England alone, there were 12,851 accidental electrical fires in 2021/22. Regulations have been introduced UK wide, with Scotland introducing legislation for mandatory electrical safety checks in the Private Rented Sector in 2015, England following...

A new data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is being introduced. It is relevant to any organization that has dealings with the data of persons in the European Economic Area (EEA). As a result, APE Fire & Security is publishing a new Privacy Notice to make it easier for users to find out how it uses and protects users' data. GDPR The Privacy Notice provides additional information about what APE Fire & Security does and sets out the rights in line with the Gen...

Given the fire service’s mission to fight fires, it is sadly ironic that there are arsonists in our midst. Admittedly, it’s a small number when compared to the multitude of firefighters who work tirelessly to achieve their mission. However, firefighter arsonists can have a huge negative impact on the credibility of the fire service, the public perception of firefighters, and even on morale in the ranks. In reality, hundreds of arrests each year in the United States of firefighters a...

At approximately 4:00 pm today, CFS Crews were called to a structure fire on Ellie Court at Mannum, in the Murrylands. Five CFS trucks including a bulk water carrier with the support of MFS crews and SAPOL responded. CFS Crews respond to structure fire Upon arrival, crews found a detached double garage fully involved. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby home. Losses are estimated at $60,000 and thankfully nobody was injured. While the fire is not suspiciou...

At approximately 11:00 am this morning CFS crews were called to a structure fire on Roehr Road, Tarnma in the State’s Mid North. Six CFS trucks including a bulk water carrier, supported by SAPOL attended the scene. Upon arrival, crews found an unoccupied house fully involved. Solar panel technicians are being arranged to disconnect solar panels. The fire has caused approximately $150,000 in damage. The cause is unknown at this time and Fire Cause Investigators will be attending...

At approximately 11:00 am this morning, CFS crews were called to a structure fire on Roehr Road, Tarnma in the State’s Mid North. Six CFS trucks including a bulk water carrier, supported by SAPOL attended the scene. Upon arrival, crews found an unoccupied house fully involved. Solar panel technicians to disconnect solar panels Solar panel technicians are being arranged to disconnect solar panels. The fire has caused approximately $150,000 damage. The cause of the fire is unknown at thi...

Construction firm, O'Hare & McGovern (OHMG), has been unable to overturn a high court action for cladding and fire protection-related works at Obel Tower, the tallest residential building in Northern Ireland. A court order to fix “life-threatening defects” at Belfast’s Obel Tower remains in place as of 16 September 2022, after OHMG was unable to overturn the ruling. This is despite the firm’s lawyers arguing that the contractual obligation had been “invalidly t...

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has issued an urgent warning about a potential safety weakness in a large number of building ventilation systems due to the incorrect installation of fire dampers. BESA said it was acting after annual inspections carried out by maintenance contractors found that “a huge number of dampers” had been incorrectly installed. Head of technical Graeme Fox said that many did not comply with manufacturers’ instructions and needed re...

The CFS is encouraging South Australians to include their whole family in bushfire preparations for the upcoming season, to empower young people and ensure they understand what to do in an emergency. During this year's 'Bushfire Ready Week' from 1-7 October, 2022, the South Australian community should start taking responsibility for their own safety, by preparing their properties and enrolling in CFS-run events and workshops that will assist in preparing them mentally and physically. Additiona...

The Department for Education (DfE) has been criticized for failing to outline "crucial" advice about fire safety in new school buildings across England. On 24 September 2022, a Schools Week exclusive highlighted growing concerns over the continued delay of the DfE in publishing its final report on fire safety advice for new schools in England. This is despite having already received feedback from its most recent consultation in 2021. Fire Safety Design for Schools  The consultation,...

Avon Protection is pleased to announce the launch of the Tactical Mask Communications (TMC) System. This communications solution provides an interface between Avon Protection Air Purifying Respirators and user headsets, enabling clear communications between personnel while they are “masked up”. Launched in the US in August 2021, the system is available for users across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. simple to configure, install and use Compatible with most radios and tactical h...

No matter the kind of work to be accomplished, it always involves the use of hands. In sports, such as cricket, where the batsman and the wicketkeepers are wearing gloves, or goalkeepers in football or hockey, the need for gloves remains relevant. Coming to heavy-duty industries, the work that the factory personnel do often entails many risks. In addition, such work needs a certain extent of deftness and precision. This is because industry workers oftentimes deal with delicate machinery or oper...

Crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) attended two unconnected fires, when they were targeted by youths throwing bricks and other missiles. Both incidents took place on September 26, 2022, just after 8 pm, after the local stations received calls about fires outdoors. Importance of fire service The attacks happened while firefighters were tackling a blaze on Broadstone Way, Holmewood in Bradford, and at a second fire at Stainland Road, Sowood, Elland. While the attacks did...

The CFS is encouraging South Australians to include their whole family in bushfire preparations for the upcoming season, to empower young people and ensure they understand what to do in an emergency. During the 'Bushfire Ready Week' from 1-7 October the South Australian community should start taking responsibility for their own safety by preparing their properties and enrolling in CFS-run events and workshops that will assist in preparing them mentally and physically. How to Write a Bushfire S...

The latest webinar from the FPA, which ran on 20 September 2022, welcomed the FPA's Senior Associate Trainer, Mike Floyd to share his expertise and guidance on fire door safety. At this event, he shared a few key extracts from the fire door module of the Understanding Fire Doors training course offered by the FPA. The webinar began with a brief introduction to the key areas of fire door setup, before moving on to points of concern and common alterations that can result in fire door performance...

The DIY SOS Big Build has seen 200 volunteers and a team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) helping to create a £1 million home for the Getaway Girls - a charity that empowers young girls and women by building their confidence and supporting each other. Yesterday morning (Monday 26 September), BBC presenters Zoe Ball and Scott Mills were at the site live on Radio 2, where they spoke with volunteers, organizers, and firefighters. They were also filming the ‘big revea...

A firefighter is going to be blazing a trail through London, as he takes part in this weekend’s world-famous marathon. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) Station Manager - Ant Devine will be raising money for the NSPCC when he runs in Sunday’s London Marathon. Training for the 26-mile challenge has taken him 20 weeks and he is hoping to raise £2,200 for charity. redevelopment program Ant Devine is the Program Advisor overseeing the WYFRS Birkenshaw redevelopment...

The fire, which started on the 16th floor of Twinnell House, Easton, in the early hours of 25 September 2022, led to the evacuation of the entire building – 90 people in total. Eleven fire appliances were deployed to the block of flats along with two turntable ladders and other specialist vehicles, and firefighters were sent into the building to search and clear the flats. Author's quote Dave Hodges, Duty Group Commander for the Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS), said: “On...

MSA Safety Incorporated, a pioneer in firefighter safety equipment and technology, opens a newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility for producing firefighter protective apparel in Yate, near Bristol, UK. The modernized facility provides new and enhanced work areas for MSA associates, as well as much-needed space for future growth and international expansion. Celebrated this morning with a ribbon-cutting event, the building establishes MSA Bristol’s Yate campus as a global center of excel...

In June 2022, UKAS launched its online database of accredited management system certifications. UKAS CertCheck is a free-to-use and publicly accessible tool, allowing users to quickly search and verify the validity of claims of UKAS-accredited certification. Commonly searched standards include: ISO 9001 (Quality Management) ISO 14000 (Environmental Management) ISO 45001 (Health and Safety Management) CertCheck project Over 15 other global ideals and tasks can also be secured on UKAS Ce...

The LPC Sprinkler Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations is the UK's most significant sprinkler installation standard which incorporates the full BS EN 12845:2015+A1:2019 standard and related Technical Bulletins. Published by the FPA, this document has recently been updated to incorporate new Technical Bulletins and update existing ones to provide a specification designed to ensure the highest reasonably practical levels of property protection, life safety, and resilience to fire can be ac...

Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated explores the critical importance of precision fires to address capability gaps on the battlefield and engage a new generation of enemy threats. The whitepaper also examines game-changing Laser Target Designator (LTD) technology employed by Group 1 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) that can resolve operating constraints, speed decision-making, and boost the mission success of precision strikes.  Precision fires The pap...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) started accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers to present at the inaugural NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium, which will take place March 17-18, 2023, in Rapid City, SD. wildland fire-focused event This wildland fire-focused event will be an opportunity for fire and EMS personnel from across the region and country to participate in valuable classroom training as well as exchange ideas and best practices with their peers. The confe...

A recent report from the London Fire Brigade once again highlights potential risks of lithium-ion batteries being charged using incorrect and unofficial chargers following a fire at a house converted into flats at Streatham Hill, in September 2022. damages due to fire A communal area on the ground floor of the building was destroyed by fire. Most of the first-floor communal area was also damaged by the blaze. Firefighters used a short extension ladder to assist a woman from a flat roof to gro...

25 CFS volunteers on six trucks, supported by SA Ambulance Service and SA Police personnel, are responding to a truck fire 18 kilometers east of Truro on the Sturt Highway. Crews were called to the incident just before 4 o’clock this morning, where they found a B-double fully involved in fire. The truck, transporting paper waste was destroyed, with the damage bill estimated to be around $300,000. It’s expected CFS crews will be on the scene for some time, extinguishing hot...

The European standard used to evaluate mechanical risks for hand protection is EN 388. NBR Gloves such as the foamy flex M35NBV seamless nitrile gloves have an EN 388 rating of 4131X. EN 388-rated NBR gloves undergo independent testing and are evaluated for resistance to abrasion, cuts, tears, and punctures. All these other physical performance variables are scored 1-4, while cut resistance is rated 1–5. To test for cut resistance, the EN 388 standard solely utilized the “Coup Test&...

A dog owner who plunged thirty feet into the River Wharfe, while searching for her pet, has been saved by fire and rescue crews. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also saved her dog in the incident, which took place at Deepdale Lane, Boston Spa on September 18th. Crews from Wetherby, Leeds, and Tadcaster attended the scene at approximately 11.30 am following reports of a woman in the river. Dog Rescue Technical Rescue Officer - Mick Loney from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue...

The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) has honored Dr. Michael Wunder, Head of the Research Department 'Information Technology for Command and Control Systems' (ITF) at Fraunhofer FKIE, with the NATO STO Excellence Award 2022. The organization recognizes his outstanding contributions to the Information Systems Technology (IST) Panel, which the engineer and scientist most recently led for eight years as Vice-Chair and Chair. Emerging technologies "Dr. Michael Wunder's dedicated con...

Fire-Dex is excited to announce the promotions of three members of the Fire-Dex Family and the addition of two new associates!  Elizabeth Martinez, Amber McCloud, and Misty Rackley have all received recent promotions. Elizabeth has been promoted to HR Business Partner at Gear Wash, Amber has been appointed to IT Systems Manager, and Misty has been promoted to Production Supervisor at their Pelham, Georgia location. New hires Fire-Dex is currently hiring multiple positions across several...