United Kingdom (UK) Fire Industry News

A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service has returned home from Haiti A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has returned home from Haiti. The six staff flew to the Caribbean island last week (January 13) to assist in the international effort to rescue survivors in the aftermath the earthquake which killed and injured thousands. Arriving back at their Maidstone base this morning (Saturday January 23), team...

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Jill Halfpenny have launched the 'Fire Kills Campaign' Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with celebrity, Jill Halfpenny, to launch the latest 'Fire Kills Campaign' from the Department of Communities and Local Government. As part of the London launch of the national 'Don't Drown in Toxic Smoke' campaign, Jill Halfpenny, was placed in a simulation unit provided by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. She then exp...

The FIA encourages formal involvement from Government (CLG), CFRAU and CFOA The FIA set up a Fire Risk Assessment Council in November 2008 and invited any company/organization who 'trades' by providing Fire Risk Assessments, on a commercial basis, to join the association as a member. This step was taken as its current members were reporting that there was a diverse range of 'Fire Risk Assessors' in the market. These organizations were offering very differen...

Young people were awarded at a special ceremony at the Brigade's Southwark Training Centre Over 80 young people from all over London have been recognised for their outstanding achievements while attending a firefighting skills course run by the London Fire Brigade. The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme is an intensive five day course that teaches young people between the ages of 13 and 17 firefighting skills alongside real firefighters. At a special ceremo...

Over 1 in 3 fatal house fires are started by cigarettes or other smoking materials The London Fire Brigade has warned against the fire risks associated with cigarettes and alcohol.In January, many people start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and, in a bid to become more healthy many give up smoking and drinking. However, most people don't realise that by cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol they will also reduce the chance of having a fire in their home. Londo...

Fireco are looking for approved distributors Fireco Ltd. are looking for approved distributors who are able to install their fire safety products.Hardwired System X The System X transmitter (TX) unit can now be wired directly into the fire alarm panel fire and fault relay or loop via an I/O unit. The hardwired System X unit utilises Wi-Fi technology to communicate with all linked devices including Dorgard X and Deafgard X within a 1000m range (subject to a si...

Ian Thornton was awarded with a medal for his dedication to protecting the capital's communities from fire Bow Crew Manager Ian Thornton was only 23 when he joined the London Fire Brigade, and after 20 years service to Londoners, was awarded with a medal for his dedication to protecting the capital's communities from fire. Ian, 43, joined the Brigade in 1989, when he changed his smart office suit to a firefighters uniform and rubber boots. He said: "I didn't really enjoy wo...

  FAST-mask - A new positive pressure breathing apparatus for Hazmat applications   Excelerate Technology, the leading supplier of satellite and wireless-based data, voice and video solutions to the emergency services, has announced the immediate availability of FAST-mask, a new positive pressure breathing apparatus.  FAST-mask has an automatically inflating head harness that enables it to be safely donned and fully operational within just three seconds provi...

Sepura radios form a communication system which enables connectivity between Sweden and Denmark Sepura radios form part of a communication system which enables connectivity between Sweden and Denmark's national TETRA public safety communication networks, Rakel and Sine respectively. Sepura's channel partners Swedish Radio Supply (SRS) and Radiocom Denmark developed this special solution in order to facilitate communication between the two networks during the International C...

Kent Firefighters are working with the UK ISAR mission in Haiti Firefighters from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who are working with the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) mission in Haiti, have returned to Port-au-Prince. The team visited the town of Leogane which is approximately 25 miles west of Port Au Prince and is much nearer to the epicentre. Reports indicate that 80 to 90 per cent of the town has been destroyed. While there, the UK ISAR te...

The team flew out to Haiti last week after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed thousands of people Kent firefighters, who are part of the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) mission in Haiti, have now moved to the town of Leogane. Approximately 25 miles west of Port Au Prince, Leogane is much nearer to the epicentre and reports indicate that 80 to 90 per cent of the town has been destroyed. No search and rescue has previously taken place there, so the UK ISAR team - wh...

Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake For the second day Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake in temperatures of over 90 degrees. Along with other UK teams they are concentrating their efforts on collapsed buildings such as schools, churches and hospitals, and areas where there have been reports of survivors. Mobile communications are extremely difficult, but in a brie...

London's firefighters are reminding you to take great care in your home  With forecasters predicting the coldest winter for 100 years, London's firefighters are reminding people to take great care in their homes during the big freeze. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety, Andy Hickmott, said: "When the temperature drops and it's freezing outside, the chance of you having a house fire increases. Sadly, you're also more likely to die...

KFRS hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for hoax calls Medway residents are being warned about the dangers of hoax emergency calls after a number of false or malicious shouts for fire crews. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for such a crime. "As well as wasting our valuable resources, hoax calls have the potential to divert us from a real emergency - just i...

In his 40 years, Harry has worked in a number of control rooms and has attended to major fires across London Harry Simmons, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, has completed 40 years in service, joining the Brigade in 1969. Control Commander Harry Simmons was taken by surprise when he arrived to work to a celebration organised by his fellow colleagues and family members, marking his 40 years with the London Fire Brigade. Harry, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, joined the Brigade in 1...

A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti to help earthquake victims A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti yesterday, where it will form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake had struck the night before, and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one of...

LLACC is supporting borough councils as they continue to deal with severe weather London Fire Brigade's 'London Local Authority Coordination Centre' (LLACC) is supporting borough councils across the capital as they continue to deal with some of the most severe weather in living memory. Based in Clapham, the 24-hours a day centre is activated by the Brigade's emergency planning team when there is a need for Councils to work together, coordinate resources, share informat...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, as one of the first call teams, has sent a group of six firefighters to Haiti A team of specialist firefighters from Kent has arrived in Haiti to form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday evening and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one o...

As the snow begins to melt, there could be new problems The Army units, which have supported Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) over the last few days are being withdrawn today but firefighters warn of new safety risks as the thaw starts. KFRS asked the military to be on standby over the weekend to assist with their heavy all terrain 4X4 vehicles, to supplement KFRS's own capability. That support was extended yesterday while some parts of Kent were still potentially diffic...

The law places the responsibility for fire safety on employers and other people who have control of premises Three years after changes to fire safety law, London Fire Brigade is warning that many businesses still don't have enough understanding of how the law affects their business or premises, and could be risking financial ruin or even prosecution. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into affect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 separate pieces of fire safet...

Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response and assist in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Haiti. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck last night and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.   Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS),...

Fire Safety Officers are urging firms to pay attention to fire safety before it is too late Businesses are being warned to make sure that the cold snap doesn't put the freeze on fire prevention. With so many workers unable to get in to work because of extremely treacherous road conditions, Kent Fire and Rescue Service is worried that fire safety measures could be forgotten or even ignored - and that this could see business owners hopes, dreams and their employees jobs...

Motorola, today announced that it has won two tenders to supply the Fire Departments of Zealand GLOSTRUP, Denmark - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), world leader in the development and deployment of TETRA communication solutions, announced that it has won tenders to supply the Fire Departments of Lolland and Guldborgssund, in the Danish region of Zealand (Sjælland), with its ATEX TETRA portable terminals including the MTP810Ex and MTP850Ex&nbs...

  The scheme is designed to help companies obtain BAFE accreditation The FIA's 'Route to Certification' scheme is being officially launched in 2010 following a successful trial in 2009.Companies involved in the manufacture, supply or maintenance of portable fire extinguishers can receive assistance in securing membership of theFire Industry Association (FIA) and, in doing so, gain ISO 9001 registration and third party certification for their technicians. This scheme...

GMFRS are warning people of the extreme dangers of ice and open water With the current cold weather conditions continuing, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are again warning people of the extreme dangers of ice and open water. Local media has highlighted a number of instances where people have been witnessed playing and skating on ice.* So far during this current cold period the Fire and Rescue Service have responded to a total of 13** incidents across Greater Man...

GMFRS are dealing with the working conditions caused by the severe  weather affecting the entire county Currently Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) are dealing with the extraordinary working conditions caused by the severe weather affecting the entire county.  Despite the poor driving conditions emergency fire crews are fully operational and responding to all incidents, also six additional 4x4 vehicles have been made available. Because of the&n...

  Chubb Fire has recently been awarded an updated fire extinguisher contract with YPO Chubb Fire has recently been awarded an updated fire extinguisher contract with Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) toinclude an extended range of fire safety equipment and services. Chubb Fire is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. YPO, the UK¹s largest local authority purchasing consortium, awarded the initial contract to Chubb Fire for the...

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised for making Shropshire safer Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised by an independent watchdog for making the county one of the safest in the UK with fires at a record low. Property fires are down, arson is "greatly reducing," businesses are safer with blazes also down and car fires cut, said the report from the Audit Commission's "Oneplace" which gives an independent overview of public services. "The...

Mid and West Wales firefighters are issuing a stark warning to drivers to ensure road and fire related safety Road and fire safety measures during winter from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. How do you fancy being faced with one of these? This is hydraulic rescue equipment and is used by firefighters to free casualties trapped in cars. Unfortunately this is an all too familiar sight for today's firefighters and despite a reduction in the number of people bein...

LFB staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list London Fire Brigade staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list published recently. London Fire Brigade Group Manager Nigel Hall has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) and Kelly Fairman has received the MBE for services to the Fire and Rescue Service. Nigel's award recognises his 30 years service with the Brigade and his instrumental role in setting up its flagship youth engagement...