South Africa Fire Industry News

Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA, has been working closely with the Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on behalf of the FIA members on a number of issues, more recently the work has focused mainly on the business issues created by COVID-19; such as working safely during COVID-19 in offices, construction industry recovery plans, key worker status, training while on furlough etc. He states “BEIS have posted a lot of valuable guidance for businesses...

Currently, in times of COVID-19 Coronavirus, the healthcare sector has maybe become the most vulnerable industry as it places the health systems of many countries to the test. The last thing hospitals want to be worried about now is their fire detection system. In the event of a fire alarm, some patients will need assistance to evacuate. For those in critical conditions or being in isolation due to a COVID-19 infection, evacuation can be extremely challenging or even impossible because of the u...

Global fire systems company, Advanced has been specified on yet another landmark development in London, United Kingdom. The installation of Advanced fire panels at the Landmark Pinnacle marks another tall-building win for the manufacturer who, in 2019, announced its specification at Western Europe’s second tallest building, 22 Bishopsgate. Landmark Pinnacle Standing 75 floors high at the head of the South Dock in the heart of Canary Wharf, the Landmark Pinnacle will, on completion in 202...

TFT has introduced all new High Rise Kits that help eliminate cumbersome hose line setups and allow for easy visibility of the supply pressure at the standpipe. The kits includes a heavy duty duffel bag, 2.5” angled waterway with in-line pressure gauge (valved and no valve options can be specified), two spanner wrenches, 2.5” x 1.5” reducer for use with a 1.5” coupled hose off of the TFT high rise solution, and 1.5” x 2.5” increaser for break and extend hose o...

The Ontario government has taken additional steps to protect people and property during the wildland fire season, including an increase in base funding for emergency forest firefighting by $30.2 million, and ensuring safety measures are in place to protect Ontario's highly trained fire rangers from COVID-19. On May 16, 2020, Ontario is lifting the Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) designation that was put in place last month across Ontario's fire region.  The province will continue to assess fore...

The industry’s first watertight battery-powered extrication tool line is expanding as HURST Jaws of Life® introduces nine new tools that will give first responders a full selection of extrication solutions that are completely operational underwater. EWXT line The company that has revolutionized the rescue industry again and again, HURST Jaws of Life introduced its innovative eDRAULIC® Watertight Extrication Tool (EWXT) line with water-resistant casing in 2019. Using a potting pro...

The latest podcast from Fire Safety Matters featured an interview with Stephen Adams, Chief Executive of BAFE. Brian Sims, recently appointed Editor of FSM Magazine, discussed a multitude of subjects in the segment. This included BAFE’s Don’t Just Specify, Verify! Campaign stressing the importance of that checking your chosen contractor is appropriately Third Party Certificated. Stephen Adams also discussed the recent comments regarding fire risk assessments in the House of Com...

AXA is producing a series of guides to help businesses return to work. In the information published, they state - “With signs that we’re now past the peak of Coronavirus cases in the UK, there are indications that the current lockdown will gradually be relaxed.” AXA has produced back-to-business guidance for multiple sectors, including construction sites, construction subcontractors, sprinkler installations, and other areas currently relevant. policy conditions AXA comments...

In the frame of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Airbus and Fraunhofer FKIE have created an independent panel of experts on the responsible use of new technologies to define and propose ethical as well as international legal 'guard rails' for Europe’s largest defense project. The expert panel, which was first initiated in Germany in 2019, currently includes stakeholders such as the German Ministry of Defence, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foundations, univers...

Rosenbauer America is donating 24,000 KN95 face masks to first responders, as thanks in appreciation for their dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The facemasks will be distributed to fire departments across the United States and Canada. KN95 face masks “Our communities rely on first responders answering calls for service. We need to protect their health and safety,” said John Slawson, Chairman and CEO of Rosenbauer America, adding “COVID-19 is personal and the virus...

Coopers fire have continued to closely monitor developments of the coronavirus pandemic and are making use of the UK government guidance and advice to ensure the workplace is a safe environment. The safety of the employees is the number one priority and understanding how important it is to work safely and support the workers’ health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The business has adopted strict rules on social distancing at the manufacturing facility in Waterlooville, UK. Ri...

Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA, has been working closely with the Government’s Department of International Trade (DIT) on behalf of the FIA members for some time now; and given BREXIT and now COVID-19, this is more important than ever. He states “DIT are doing their best to inform SME’s of their options in the current climate and they have just released a series of webinars that would be really useful to listen into – try to find the time as there is some really useful inform...

Rosenbauer America is donating 24,000 KN95 facemasks to first responders as a thank you for their dedication through the COVID-19 pandemic. The facemasks will be distributed to fire departments across the United States and Canada. “Our communities rely on first responders answering calls for service; we need to protect their health and safety,” said John Slawson, Chairman and CEO of Rosenbauer America. “COVID-19 is personal; the virus literally follows responders home, subseq...

It is with deep regret that the organizers of the Australian AFAC declared that the 2020 edition of the conference and fair on protection and rescue has been postponed. This is due to the conditions and restrictions caused by the current COVID 19 pandemic. The AFAC powered by INTERSCHUTZ, scheduled for August, will now be held one year later - from August 17 to 20, 2021, in Sydney at the International Convention Center (ICC). AFAC had chosen Adelaide as a venue in southern Australia. The AFAC o...

The industry’s first watertight battery-powered extrication tool line is expanding, as HURST Jaws of Life introduces nine new tools that will give first responders a full selection of extrication solutions that are completely operational underwater. HURST Jaws of Life’s EWXT line The company that has revolutionized the rescue industry time and again, HURST Jaws of Life, introduced its innovative eDRAULIC watertight extrication tool (EWXT) line, with water-resistant casing, in 2019....

At the beginning of April, the provider of Fire and Carbon Monoxide protection Aico introduced their award-winning training scheme delivered as daily webinars. Aico revamped their Expert Installer training to make it easily accessible online as a free of charge webinar. The seminars were greatly received, with each daily session selling out. Delivered by Aico’s National Technical Manager Andy Speake and Product Development Manager Mike Wright, the CPD certified webinars cover a wide range...

New fire extinguisher inspection software functionality embedded in the BirdDog Mobile Inspection System offers powerful capabilities to streamline & simplify the inspection & tracking of fire extinguishers and other portable devices. Asurio, Inc., a Colorado technology company that offers the BirdDog Mobile Inspection & Data Collection System, introduced Extinguisher Tracker – powerful, new fire extinguisher inspection software functionality embedded in the BirdDog Mobile Insp...

Berlin Fire Department's "eLHF" project, an abbreviation of "electric firefighting and rescue vehicle" in German, is a scheme backed by the Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE). The main aim of this program, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, is to procure and pilot-test an innovative firefighting and rescue vehicle equipped with an electric drive to get it from A to B and run its extinguishing technology. Austrian specialist Rosenbauer, the world's man...

Angloco Limited, the UK’s oldest manufacturer of fire engines, has secured a major deal to replace and service most of the UK Ministry of Defense’s existing fire fleet. UK Defence Fire and Rescue Project The £30 million order comes as part of the Defense Fire and Rescue Project – a significant outsourcing contract recently awarded to Capita Plc. Under the contract, Angloco will not only supply more than 80 new state-of-the-art fire vehicles but will also support them b...

Comelit Group’s fire detection solution has been installed at Gleavewood Care Home by KJ Fire Safety, for the ongoing safety and security of staff, residents and visitors. Cheshire-based, Gleavewood Care Home, part of the Minster Care Group, is a two storey care home, with 30 single rooms and a variety of communal areas, alongside an enclosed garden area and multiple facilities and visitor activities on site for residents to benefit. Risk assessment on fire detection systems KJ Fire Saf...

The document “Our Plan To Rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy” has been published. HM Government has released “Our Plan to Rebuild,” a document outlining the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. Section 4 outlines the “roadmap to lift restrictions step-by-step”. Regarding returning to work, Government guidelines state “All workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if thei...

E811 was dispatched to a report of a house on fire in the 4800 blk of Olympia Ave in Beltsville. E811 responded with a crew of five in addition to C811 and C811B. While en route units responding could see a large column of smoke prompting Battalion Chief 6 to start the Working Fire Dispatch. First arriving units went on scene with heavy fire showing from the rear of a one story single-family home. C811 arrived on the scene shortly afterward and assumed command. C811B operated as the incident sa...

With the window to invest time in training while on furlough extended until October 2020, over the next few months, it will be vital for individuals to continue to improve their skillset and keep boredom at bay, during an extended time being furloughed. From CPD sessions to online training, the Fire Industry Association (FIA) offers a broad portfolio of industry-renowned sessions and courses for individuals to invest their time in while being furloughed. Engaging in CPD sessions and online tra...

Homes for Heroes and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have announced a partnership to help volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers save when purchasing, selling, or refinancing a home. NVFC members, their families, and their first responder friends will be eligible to take advantage of the Hero Rewards program, which provides discounts, savings, and rewards on real estate transactions. Through the Hero Rewards program, first responders and other eligible heroes maxim...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joined with other major national fire service organizations in asking Congress to provide full funding, $750 million each, for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs in FY 2021. The letter also asks Congress to waive local matching funds requirements under AFG and SAFER and to increase flexibility for using SAFER funds to retain personnel in FY 2020, FY 2021, and for any s...

First responders and emergency workers risk their lives and wellbeing on the COVID-19 front lines every day to care for families, friends, and communities. To support these everyday heroes and shoulder some of their to-do lists at home, Cub Cadet is partnering with TaskEasy to offer them free lawn mowing. Free lawn mowing service Cub Cadet, a manufacturer of lawn care equipment, and TaskEasy, an on-demand lawn care service serving more than 12,000 U.S. cities, are offering a free month of lawn...

To help support the firefighters, EMS providers, and medical workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide protection and peace of mind to their families, Wiser Estate Plan is offering a Family Protection Plan free to front-line responders. This is a savings of up to $5,000 on the creation of a trust and healthcare/financial powers of attorney. This offer will save thousands of dollars in fees and help families avoid probate if something should happen to one of the front-line...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) created a survey to better understand the experiences of volunteer and combination fire, EMS, and rescue departments dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 and related social distancing measures. NVFC asks that all take a few minutes to complete the survey here and that one re-takes the survey once a week so that NVFC can track changes over time. The more responses the survey receives the more robust and useful the data are, keeping NVFC informed about...

The Board of Directors of MSA Safety Inc. announced the election of Nish J. Vartanian to the position of Chairman, succeeding William M. Lambert, who will continue to serve the company as a Director. Mr. Vartanian, 60, is the sixth chairman in the history of the 106-year-old Pittsburgh-based company - a global provider in the development and manufacture of innovative technologies that help protect people's health and safety, and facility infrastructures. Mr. Vartanian became an MSA director in...

The Board of Directors of MSA Safety Incorporated declared a second quarter dividend of 43 cents per share on common stock, payable June 10, 2020 to shareholders of record on May 22, 2020. Combined with the company’s first quarter dividend, this represents a 4 percent increase on an annual basis compared to 2019. MSA has increased its dividend annually for more than 50 consecutive years. Over the past twelve months, the company has funded $65 million of dividends to shareholders and deplo...