United Kingdom (UK) Fire Industry News

EMSHelp.org, a non-profit organization committed to advancing suicide prevention among EMS providers, launched its 'Stop Our Stigma' campaign on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the AFCA/AFDA Fire and EMS Leadership Conference and Expo 2023. Board members - Rob Brewster and Dale Crogan were in attendance to request all attendees sign the pledge to 'recognize and commit to reducing the stigma associated with mental health and seeking mental health help'. Suicide rates According to a study conducte...

Oil and gas facilities typically have thousands of connections and fittings that require regular inspection for fugitive emissions. To reduce the time necessary to complete this task with traditional 'sniffer' technology, increasing numbers are turning to optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras from Teledyne FLIR. The company’s innovative G-series OGI cameras give operatives the power to spot invisible gases as they escape, locating fugitive emissions faster and more reliably. Importantly, the...

Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed ExxFire as a new member.  The company will join the Extinguishing Section of Euralarm whose activities cover automatic extinguishing systems using gas, water, foam, powder, and aerosols, oxygen reduction systems, portable equipment, and other manual means of fire-fighting as well as fire-fighting agents used in either fixed automatic systems or in portable equipment.  ExxFire joins Euralarm as new member ExxFire (Noordwijk, th...

As of their last update in September 2021, the Irish standard for servicing fire extinguishers is known as Irish Standard I.S. 291:2015 – ‘Code of Practice for the Selection, Commissioning, Installation, and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers’. Irish Standard I.S. 291:2015 This standard provides guidelines for the proper selection, commissioning, installation, and maintenance of fire extinguishers in Ireland.  It covers various aspects, including the types of fi...

Calls for building owners to speed up fire safety remediation work have been backed by the county’s fire service. South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue supports a joint statement from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and regulatory bodies which warns building owners that they need to get on with remediation work or face enforcement action. Making buildings safe The DLUHC statement - issued jointly by the government, Building Safety Regulator, the Local Government Ass...

The Wayne Township Fire Department of Waynesville, Ohio has in production a new Seagrave Marauder pumper. Seagrave thanks Wayne Township Fire Department for their trust and business. Some features of this new Seagrave Marauder pumper fire apparatus include: Seagrave 141" Marauder Stainless Steel Cab Cummins L9 450 HP 10" Raised Roof 24" Extended Front Bumper Waterous CSU 1500 GPM Pump Stainless Steel Pump Module and Plumbing 750 Gallon Water Tank Stainless Steel 137" Body ROM Doors...

Fire safety and security specialist Amthal is excited to mark a new chapter in the company’s evolution with a refreshed brand identity and vision for future growth in the industry. The rebranding initiative represents a strategic move to align the company's visual identity with its growth targets, core values, commercial expertise, and commitment to excellence in the fire and security industry. Brand transformation Amthal has undergone a comprehensive brand transformation, including a r...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announced the launch of Autocall Foundation Series fire detection systems for small- to mid-size building protection. The Foundation Series is a complete, off-the-shelf fire detection solution featuring addressable and non-addressable models, and a full range of reliable, proven Autocall devices. economical and effective package “This new, simplified series provides all the benefits and reliab...

Anheuser-Busch, together with its wholesaler partners and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will provide another one million cans of clean drinking water to volunteer fire departments that respond to wildfires. Through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program, 1.5 million cans were allocated to over 600 departments during a previous application period in March. This addition means over 1,000 departments will receive 2.5 million cans of water in 2023. Hydration i...

Cameron Carmichael became the milestone number when he donated his stem cells to help save someone’s life. The volunteer on-call firefighter is based at Kilmelford Community Fire Station near Oban, where he’s served for around 11 months. blood cancer charity Cameron Carmichael, 20, who signed up to the blood cancer charity’s stem cell register when he was 16, was surprised to discover he was a match for someone in need, and the 100th donor. He said, “It took a few days...

People from across Silsden gathered at the fire station to watch as TV presenter - Katie Rushworth officially opened the allotment and orchard.  Katie, who lives in the countryside just outside Leeds and is a Presenter on ITV’s Love Your Garden, cut the ribbon to officially open the green space that has been transformed over the last few months. plants and trees The area at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) station used to be just covered in grass, but firefighters...

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Candice McDonald, participated as a featured presenter at the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) webinar on ‘Igniting Firefighter Retention’. The webinar provided strategies and tips for volunteer fire departments to utilize to boost retention and create a dynamic team.

Volunteer fire and EMS personnel regularly go from their normal daily routines to a response mode that can expose them to acute, and sometimes traumatic, stress. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to serious behavioral health issues, including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and substance abuse. NVFC's new course examines PTSD The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) offers a new course that examines PTSD and the various types of substance abuse that is frequently seen in the fire...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Golden Fire burning in Klamath County, Oregon, USA. The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator - Willie G. Nunn on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 4:34 p.m. PT. He determined that the Golden Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the fir...

The UK’s pioneer firefighter for road rescue has welcomed the news that real-time road crash data could soon be made available to the emergency services, helping to speed up collision response times and save lives describing it as a ‘breakthrough.’ In the event of a collision, the TeCall system, which is about to be piloted, will provide detailed information about the vehicles involved to the fire service, police, paramedics, and highway operators, almost instantly. road safe...

CIC is seeking three Specialist non-executive Directors to join its statutory Board. These are voluntary, non-executive (non-renumerated) roles and it is expected that the role will average eight hours per month. Meetings are generally held in Central London and are hybrid. Specialist directors would normally serve for three years and are eligible to be reappointed for one further term by mutual agreement. Leadership teams and workforce CIC is seeking specialist input in the following ar...

It’s a world cup win for England as the veteran team lifted the trophy on the final day – and among them was WYFRS Fire Officer - Simeon Bambrook. Simeon, who is Assistant District Commander at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), was thrilled when the finals in Thailand saw the England Veterans walk away with the cup. The father-of-two has been involved in football from a young age when he played in the Youth Team at Leeds United. He said the atmosphere at the stadi...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has published its new Member Strategy, setting out its ambitions to continuously improve, and to firmly establish NFCC and the UK Fire and Rescue Service as among the best in the world. The Strategy, which has been shaped by extensive engagement and consultation with NFCC members, demonstrates how NFCC will achieve its mission of working with fire and rescue services over the next three years, to achieve safer communities through collaboration, partnershi...

Among residential fire hazards, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is probably not at the top of the list. However, there are fire risk factors related to HVAC that can be mitigated through greater awareness and additional precautions. The reality is that an HVAC fire, like any other, can be dangerous and even deadly.  flammable refrigerants The use of flammable refrigerants in HVAC systems is a growing trend since newer refrigerants that do not contribute to glo...

Fire safety businesses across Scotland are being offered the chance to bid for potential work worth up to £20 million to support a wide range of public bodies.  A Scottish procurement firm has invited businesses to apply for it its new fire safety framework, which launches in early 2024. Potential suppliers include consultants, assessors, and experts who can install safety measures from fire doors and alarms to sprinkler systems.  registration details It also covers vital reme...

Siderise has launched the first edition of its new Technical Deep Dives, which marks the start of a series of free e-learning modules. They are designed to help construction professionals build the breadth and depth of their knowledge by getting to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 ‘Movement Matters’ explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops resulting from curtain wall façade and building movem...

"We are thrilled to have achieved the EcoVadis Silver Sustainability Rating. It is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication towards building a more sustainable future.” “We firmly believe in walking the walk, not just talking the talk, and this recognition reaffirms our commitment to creating a positive impact on the environment, society, and our industry." - Vicki Wells, Sustainability Manager at Apollo. Providing holistic sustainability ratings They have demonstrated...

Four new fire engines are responding to emergencies in South Yorkshire for the first time, in the first stage of a multi-million pound investment by the county’s fire and rescue service. The £280,000 vehicles are greener, cleaner and more reliable than South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s existing fire engine fleet, which is nearing the end of its operational life. The first four fire engines are to be based at Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Central (Sheffield) fire station...

CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) systems are widely used for commercial purposes to enhance security, monitor activities, and ensure the safety of personnel and assets. Whether it’s a retail store, office building, warehouse, or any other commercial establishment, CCTV systems can play a vital role in maintaining a secure environment. Listed below is some key information about CCTV systems for commercial purposes: Camera Selection: Choose cameras based on specific requirements. Consid...

Thousands are expected to attend the popular Emergency Services Show 2023, which takes place later in July 2023, at Roundhay Park, in Leeds, UK.  On July 29, visitors will fill the park’s Soldiers Playing Field, where they can see police, fire, and ambulance crews, alongside the Royal British Legion, local councils, and armed forces, including the British Army. Event timings The event, which runs from 11 am to 4 pm, will also have police dogs, the fire service band, fairground ride...

All eyes are turning to Secutech Vietnam as high-level government officials attend the opening ceremony to kick off the show. In a tribute to the ongoing synergies between the public and private sectors, the fair is also commemorating the 61st Anniversary of the Traditional Day of the People’s Police Force, connecting exhibitors with government representatives from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Fire and Rescue Police Department. Security and fire safety solution...

Across the globe, the decarbonization of our planet has become a focal point for construction. Between legislative requirements and market demand, industry pioneers remain under constant pressure to reach environmental targets, and upon exploring some of the more distinct routes, it’s important to consider what more can be done with construction materials.  Environmentally conscious products Research has shown that approximately 55% of extracted raw materials are used to develop th...

Tyco Fire Protection Products announces it will discontinue the production and sale of fluorinated firefighting foams by June 2024, including Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and related products, and will transition to non-fluorinated foam alternatives. "We have long been a leader in delivering the most innovative, life-saving fire protection solutions in the industry," said Chris Eichmann, Vice President and General Manager, Global Fire Solutions. Firefighting foam solutions Chris Eichmann...

CABE’s Building Inspector Competence Assessment Scheme has been approved as an independent provider scheme by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). CABE’s new process will enable Building Inspectors to evidence their skills, knowledge, and experience, and gain the necessary certification to allow them to apply to the BSR’s register of Building Inspectors. The Building Safety Act 2022 has made it a mandatory requirement for all building control inspectors undertaking restricted...

A fire service technician has said the latest diabetes technology is 'life-changing' as he becomes one of the first in Yorkshire to use it.  Simon Pickering works at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) helping to maintain all the vehicles, which include fire engines, the wildfire 4x4 vehicles, boats, and command units. Simon Pickering Since he’s been two years old, he’s lived with diabetes, which has involved having to control his insulin every day through injectio...