Fire Industry News for August 2019

Three North East fire and rescue services (FRS) have all signed a collaboration agreement to increase the opportunities for joint working in the future. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) will all potentially face similar financial and operational challenges in the future. Previous collaboration projects between the services in recruitment, promotions, mental health suppor...

Motorola Solutions announced the appointment of Avraham Ben David (Benda) as general manager of Motorola Solutions Israel. Ben David joined Motorola in 2008 and has since managed direct sales for the Israeli market, leading sales of Motorola Solutions products to government bodies, public security and commercial customers in the local market. Ben David replaces Shimon Dick, who previously served as general manager of Motorola Solutions Israel and recently retired after 40 years with the company...

The Severe Service ST™ was built with compact areas in mind. The main feature is that the cab can be tilted inside almost any fire station for access to the engine. The 96” cab width makes this an ideal choice for urban environments, yet still provides ample space up for the driver and officer with a specially designed engine enclosure to maximize spacing at the elbow, hip and knee areas. This new cab design also extends the crew area making it possible to house a command unit. Ano...

FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that Daniel Gundlach has been named Vice President (VP) and General Manager (GM) of the Security division within FLIR’s Commercial Business Unit. Gundlach will lead all facets of the security business, including strategy development, product innovation, sales and marketing, and operations. Gundlach joins FLIR from Apollo, a United Kingdom-based fire detection company, where he served as VP of Sales and Marketing. Prior to Apollo, he spent nearly 20 years at Bo...

The moment a 9-1-1 call is received, the influx of data begins: incident information from the caller, dispatcher notes, location of first responders, historical records, sensor data and more. To bring together and make sense of multiple data sources, Motorola Solutions announced enhancements to CommandCentral Aware, its situational awareness application that provides one cohesive view of an incident as it unfolds. features of CommandCentral Aware CommandCentral Aware now offers enhanced: M...

FLIR Systems, Inc. announced the FLIR K1 handheld thermal imaging camera (TIC), FLIR’s most affordable TIC for first responder officers and fire investigators. At $599, the K1 detects heat and provides visibility through smoke and in total darkness to enhance situational awareness for use in wildland fire control, search and rescue missions, structure damage evaluation, and investigative work. “FLIR is committed to providing first responders with lifesaving technology and solutions...

Task Force Tips (TFT) released two new master stream nozzles at this year’s FDIC International. The VORTEX 2 and 2 ER ( Electric Remote) big water nozzles offer multiple options and superior stream and flows. Master stream nozzles Task Force Tips’ latest VORTEX 2 and 2 ER (electric remote) are designed for flows up to 1250gpm (4500 l/min) for water or firefighting foam solutions. The VORTEX is designed to be installed behind stacked tip or smooth bore nozzles and offers increased f...

At LAAD (Public and Corporate Security International Exhibition), Motorola Solutions is presenting the concept of end-to-end integrated security and defense with the most advanced sensors, handheld devices, software, cameras, radios, and artificial intelligence to create safer cities and help public safety and defense officers in emergencies or as they handle their daily duties. The visibility, communication and logging of field operations have always been paramount for security force commander...

Motorola Solutions’ local partners Aksel and Siltec have been selected in a tender by the Polish Prison Service to fulfill the public contract to modernize the communications system. Under the contract, all penal institutions in Poland will be equipped with state-of-the-art MOTOTRBOTM Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) technology from Motorola Solutions to replace the analog radio infrastructure with a proven digital radio communication solution. The experienced consortium will modernize the publ...

Motorola Solutions has been selected by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust,  one of the largest ambulance trust in England, to equip 450 community first responders with Motorola Solutions ADVISOR TPG2200 TETRA two-way pagers as part of the TPG Messenger managed service. The new Motorola Solutions TETRA pagers will modernize the mission-critical alerting of volunteer first responders on the Airwave public safety network and improve critical response times during medical emerge...

Motorola Solutions launched MOTOTRBO Nitro for commercial customers, delivering an end-to-end enterprise communications solution with premium voice communications and lightning-fast private broadband data. The Nitro solution and devices will be on display this week at the company’s 2019 Channel Partner Expo. “Commercial operations such as hotels, universities and warehouses rely on instant voice communications as the backbone of their workforce, and they need their broadband data to...

When a 9-1-1 call is placed, information needs to be shared quickly and accurately with first responders who are dispatched to the scene. Motorola Solutions was selected by Springfield, Ohio and Clark County, Ohio to provide command center software to take incoming 9-1-1 calls, share and manage critical incident information, and communicate across agencies to coordinate a response. Integrated software There is no doubt that Motorola Solutions’ integrated software offers the best options...

Motorola Solutions has announced Dr. Mahesh Saptharishi as the company’s new chief technology officer. Saptharishi, who has more than 20 years of technology leadership experience, will lead innovation across the company’s platforms in mission-critical communications, video and command center software. Areas of focus will include applications that bring together artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence to rapidly interpret vast quantities of data, as well as new user inter...

Motorola Solutions, Inc. announced it has acquired Avtec Inc., a U.S. provider of advanced dispatch solutions for public safety and commercial customers. Based in South Carolina, Avtec provides voice over internet protocol (VoIP) dispatch services over land mobile radio (LMR) and broadband networks. Its services enable customers, including airlines, railroads and energy companies, to connect operations center personnel using Avtec dispatch solutions with workers in the field using two-way radio...

Push-to-talk (PTT) is essential to communicate across extended teams who use a variety of devices on either land-mobile radio (LMR) or LTE networks. Motorola Solutions is introducing new features to its PTT platforms for commercial carriers, public safety ASTRO 25 radio users and commercial MOTOTRBO radio users. These PTT solutions will be on display at IWCE 2019 along with new communication solutions such as the MC-Edge to monitor remote sensors and enable automated alerts over ASTRO 25 networ...

When first responders are on the road, they need to be able to share data in real time, regardless of where the mission takes them. Motorola Solutions, Inc. is teaming up with Sierra Wireless to deliver LTE broadband in-vehicle communications as part of its integrated platform for mission-critical communications. Incorporating Sierra Wireless’ AirLink LTE in-vehicle routers into Motorola Solutions’ offerings will allow police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel to...

Firefighter Darren Fenton, from Gateshead Blue Watch, plus Blue Watch crews from Byker, Gateshead and Newcastle Central Community Fire Stations – led by watch manager Lee Denny – have been recognized following the brave and successful water rescue of a man who had jumped into the River Tyne on 15th December 2018, at 5 am. The Blue Watch crews received Chief Fire Officer’s Commendations, while Darren received a Tyne and Wear Fire Authority Meritorious Conduct Award. Using skil...

A major chemical company in the UK had been running a large spray drying process for many years. They thought the explosion risk had been mitigated by installing suppression systems on the main dryer and cyclone and flameless venting on the filter. These had activated over 30 times, for real explosions, and the system had so far done its job. However, the frequency of activations increased and eventually an explosion in the main filter led to damage in the plant, despite the protection system....

In partnership with the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, VFIS is proud to sponsor the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award annually. The award is designed to honor organizations that provide outstanding contributions to firefighter safety and wellbeing. This year, co-recipients have been selected, and these incredible organizations are set to formally receive their award at the 31st Annual National Fire and Emergency...

VFIS and the IAFC's volunteer-combination officer section are pleased to announce Avon (Connecticut) Fire Department as the 2018 VCOS-VFIS Illness and Injury Prevention Award recipient. The Avon Fire Department has successfully undertaken and implemented a comprehensive health and wellness program for all members. It begins with compliant annual physical exams, and includes physical performance qualifications which determine which job tasks each member can and should perform. Wellness and fitn...

The Coplay (PA) Fire Department needed to replace a 30-year-old engine and an equally aging rescue truck. But instead of purchasing two new vehicles, it decided to merge their functions into a single rig, a rescue-pumper. “We were replacing a 1986 Mack engine and a 1984 rescue squad,” says Brandyn Bechtel, Coplay’s assistant chief. “The engine was an open-cab model, and there were lots of mechanical issues with the rescue squad, and it was no longer feasible to keep repa...

In April, 2009, a financial institution located in downtown Chicago was protected from the possibility of a large fire. Earlier that evening, an electrical component in the self-contained air conditioning unit had overheated and caught fire. The AC unit was located in close proximity to highly sensitive equipment in a computer room. Fortunately, the computer room was protected with a Fike clean agent suppression system, using the gaseous chemical suppressant, DuPont™ FM-200® — d...

The Hammersmith Hospital in London, UK, has a very busy radiology room for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray procedures. The different apparatuses within this room and its corresponding data control room are very expensive equipment which were protected from fire by a Halon fire suppression system. Regulation 2037/2000 We know that Halon is damaging the ozone layer and adding to the global warming problem. Therefore, the European Community has issued a regulation 2037/2000 which makes...

In 2005, the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD) updated the dispatching system at its Adams Dairy Parkway location in Blue Springs, Missouri. The updates included creating a state-of-the-art 911 call center complete with a sophisticated computer, CAD network and emergency response equipment. Mindful of the necessity to protect the high-value, new equipment and its important service to the community, CJCFPD called on long-term partner, Fike Corporation, and their local dist...

Fike Corporation recently earned the right to protect a large and unique library complex located in Mexico. The library is a four story structure built to house millions of literary volumes, and also includes an auditorium, administrative offices, library stacks and reading rooms. The library also boasts large centralized computer services designed to bring greater computer access to the library visitors. The unique library architecture, high-tech equipment and massive literature collection pre...

Zeeshan Ayub has been presented with Youth Focus North East’s Most Inspirational Young Person of the Year award after being nominated by West Denton Fire Cadet Leader, Prevention and Education Manager Karen Soady. Zeeshan joined the Fire Cadets aged 11 and rose to the rank of Watch Manager, which is the highest rank within the cadet program. Karen nominated him for the award in recognition of his ongoing commitment to creating equal opportunities for all. Goal to become TWFRS’ CFO...

A U.S.-based division of a cosmetic manufacturer employs high-value data center technology to maintain their day-to-day operations. Protecting this high-value asset equipment from fire is essential and had been accomplished with a Halon fire extinguishing system. However, it is now known that Halon is damaging the ozone and adding to the global warming problem. In response, the European Community issued regulation 2037/2000, making the removal of Halon mandatory by 2003. The European-based corp...

The new Mystique Community Ice Center opened its doors in Dubuque, Iowa just in time to meet the chill that’s in the air. Home to the United States Hockey League’s expansion team, the Fighting Saints, the 3,200 seat arena is dedicated to all things ice. Since the Ice Center, like any sporting venue, may contain large amounts of people at any given time, the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) required a voice evacuation system be included in the overall life safety solution pr...

In 2003, Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC), the coal-fired plant in Kansas, was recognized by the Powder River Basin (PRB) Coal User’s Group as its PRB Plant of the Year. Industry recognition was achieved through plant safety, plant performance, environmental achievements and overall plant cleanliness. Over the years JEC has undertaken a number of projects and process changes to further improve the plant. Enhancements to the fire detection and suppression systems have been a vital part of the p...

A Louisiana-based paint additive manufacturer experienced a Halon 1301 system discharge in their Rack Room that is vital to the day-to-day operations of the company. Seeking a Halon refill, the company called Fike’s distributor, C & S Safety Systems, in New Iberia, Louisiana who in turn presented ECARO-25®. After learning the many advantages of ECARO-25, this customer agreed to install this exciting product as long as the installation time would be equal to that of recharging the...