Fire Industry News for August 2020

In order to fulfill their diverse tasks, fire departments need more and more equipment and devices that cannot be accommodated in conventional firefighting vehicles. With the equipment vehicle for hazardous material, the fire department now has a vehicle at its disposal which on the one hand has a large volume in the equipment compartment and on the other hand offers a system rack for firefighting equipment. Up to six roll containers can be loaded. The UP 4, which was also newly delivered, is a...

United Safety, a global manufacturer of safety and survivability solutions, announced the acquisition of QTEC Fire Services Pty Ltd, effective July 1st. QTEC, an Australian-based manufacturer of pre-engineered fire suppression systems for mobile plant and equipment for the mining, construction, transportation, and forestry industries is the second fire protection acquisition the company has made in recent years. United Safety President and CEO Joe Mirabile stated, "We are extremely excited to w...

Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA, would like to inform that the long awaited update to The Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document. B (ADB): Fire safety, Volumes 1 and 2, is now available from the Government website. The changes highlighted in this amendment take effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England, until then the 2019 edition will continue to apply (within certain listed constraints). The changes focus on the fire safety provisions in blocks of flats for water-based extin...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that its members will receive a discount on entry passes for Interschutz USA 2020 event, which is slated to take place from October 13th to October 17th, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. NVFC stated that this would include free exhibit hall passes and savings on both three-day and one-day conference passes, as well as pre-conference workshops and hands-on training. In addition, early bird tickets’ discount rates have been ex...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that Firehouse Expo has been rescheduled to take place from October 30th to November 1st, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. National Volunteer Fire Council members can take advantage of free exhibit hall admission and US$ 50 off the three-day conference package.

On June 17, Marc Warren will complete a one-day, 150-mile bicycle ride through the Great Allegheny Passage to raise awareness about the importance of firefighter/EMS behavioral health. Inspired by his daughter, Ali Rothrock’s work for first responder mental health, Warren is hoping to raise US$ 2,500 to support the NVFC’s Share the Load program. As a lifelong athlete, Marc Warren is no stranger to physically grueling endeavors. But this time he is using his skills to raise money for...

On May 15, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which would provide approximately US$ 3 trillion in assistance, to help the nation deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes a number of provisions to assist fire, EMS, and rescue departments, including: Provides US$ 500 million through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, for the purchase of personal protective equipm...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) created a survey to better understand the experiences of volunteers and combination fire, EMS, and rescue departments in dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 and related social distancing measures. Fire/EMS survey The NVFC asked individuals to take a few minutes to complete the COVID-19 Impact on Fire/EMS Survey and is also encouraging re-taking the survey periodically (no more than once per week), so that the company can track changes in the respons...

Rescue Squad 741B and Chief 741F from Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, along with other units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, were dispatched to the inner loop of the Capital Beltway between Connecticut Avenue and Georgia Avenue for the reported collision, possibly involving an overturned tractor trailer. Initial arriving units found a jackknifed tractor trailer with the cab overturned and heavily damaged. The sole occupant was determined to be severely pinned and barely visib...

In April 2020, the ZIEGLER Group delivered four identically constructed TSF-W on an IVECO Daily chassis to the fire departments at Butzbach, Ostheim, Fauerbach and Hausen. The vehicles were manufactured at the ZIEGLER plant in Mühlau. Especially for the fire departments in rural regions it is very important to have a vehicle that ensures a successful first operation – no matter if there is a fire or just a minor technical rescue. The chassis has a wheelbase of 3,750 mm and is equipp...

DuPont Personal Protection announced that face coverings made with DuPont Nomex may be used along with (FR) garments, such as those made of Nomex, in response to the protection needs of COVID-19. When used as face, nose and mouth coverings, properly designed masks, balaclavas, gaiters and hoods made with Nomex may help meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing guidance on wearing masks in worker environments that also require FR protection. Nomex is a trusted F...

FIA are committed to listening to the members and the wider fire industry and through offering online examinations hope this enables fire professionals from around the country, and the world, to take advantage of their time at home to complete the industry-recognized qualifications as there is no other way to raise the knowledge and gain qualifications right now. From June 1st the FIA will provide online examinations where required for their training Full requirements to take the exams will...

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...

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...

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 call was dispatched for a vehicle overturned with 4 patients possibly 2 pin in the vehicle. Andy Webster Chief of Cool Springs arrived on scene and confirmed double pin in. Deputy Chief Brandon Lester of Iredell Rescue arrived on scene and started assessment of vehicle. Delane Mcwhorter arrived on scene with crash truck and all personal above started assisting with deploying tools and assist with cribbing vehicle. Deputy Chief Brandon Lester from Iredell Rescue started extraction efforts on...

FIREX International is proud to announce the free Digital Week content series to be held online from May 18 to May 20, 2020. This five-day digital gathering delivers interactive and curated webinars, video interviews, technical reviews and live Q&A sessions to keep you connected with one's fire safety colleagues. Digital Week content series The Digital Week content series program will address major industry issues, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the fire sector, sourcing PPE (...

Life during and immediately after COVID-19 will change the way one lives, especially the work patterns. Marketers have historically done everything in their power to get people to read their stories, watch their videos and absorb their advertisements. The enemy is the lack of time in the working day. In the last 2 months, there has been a paradigm shift in what is now labeled as the ‘new normal’, as an unprecedented amount of people have had the majority of their work and/or social...

Throughout April and into the foreseeable future the FIA will continue providing its online CPD sessions across the breadth of the fire industry with '99% of delegates saying that the training meets their needs well to extremely well and 98% are satisfied or very satisfied with the CPD content. Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates took part in the FIA’s second industry-recognized online CPD day. The fire industry has adapted incredibly well to the impacts of COVID-19 and it has not hindered...

Steve Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), has been named as an advisor to the Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award (STACVA) program. This new national award, scheduled to launch June 1, will honor extraordinary public service volunteers in small localities (under 5,000) nationwide and help shine a spotlight on a growing national problem: a decline in the availability of citizens to fill important public safety and service roles. Advisory team members will help desig...

First Responders Children’s Foundation is providing support to first responders, including volunteer firefighters and EMS providers, who are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. The Foundation is a Regional Partner of the ‘One World: Together at Home’ concert and was also featured in the ‘Fox Presents iHeart Living Room Concert for America.’ Financial support programs To help first responder families who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundat...

May 5 is #GivingTuesday, and National Volunteer Fire Council ask that people consider a donation to the NVFC’s Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund. This fund provides a stipend to help eligible volunteer firefighters and EMS providers who have been impacted by a large-scale disaster, home fire, or have suffered loss of wages due to COVID-19. The fund relies entirely on donations, and 100 percent of donations go to help responders in need.

EMS Week is May 17-23, and year 2020’s theme of “Ready Today - Preparing for Tomorrow” is especially meaningful as EMS providers are on the front lines of COVID-19 response while continuing to provide everyday lifesaving services to their communities. One can use this week to thank and celebrate the EMS providers as well as let the community know all they do. 

In a story in the Irish Times, the use of technology using satellites and drones is being used to detect and deter wildfire starters. Conditions for the spread of fires in uplands areas, which break out annually in March and April are said to be “perfect” for forest fires after a long dry spell. Winds could also cause fires to spread faster. Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed warned that satellite imagery was being “carefully monitored” to detect when farmers or...

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, and that to re-take the survey each week so that NVFC can track changes over time. Based on survey and other feedback from NVFC members, answer choices related to responder mental health, morale, fun...