Fire Industry News for January 2023

“To rise to the challenges of the 21st century, we need to harness our full potential. That requires dismantling gender stereotypes. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s pledge to end the gender imbalance in science,” said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General.  Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science-related fields, with only 35% of STEM students being women in higher education. Inspiring youn...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while also emphasizing the impo...

The unique set of stressors encountered on the job by first responders can create mental health challenges for them and their families. To address this reality, first responders must learn how to take care of their mental health and they need a support network tailored to their individual requirements. 3 agencies' programs 3 agencies' programs have recently been updated with new resources to help first responders take care of their mental health and support the mental health of their families...

Available now, these Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) Fire Safety Research Institute courses are focused on coordinated ventilation and suppression tactics for structure fires. Each course focuses on a unique occupancy type, covering: The findings from the experiments in the Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures (Coordinated Fire Attack Study), a UL research study supported by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The courses The 3 courses are: Impact of Ventilation...

When people store and charge their mobility devices inside their homes, garages, or businesses, there is the potential for battery fires to lead to structure fires. Just one example is a recent apartment fire in New York City that resulted in injuries to 12 citizens and a Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighter. Best practice tips Motivated by the surge of fires started by batteries in mobility devices, the FDNY has created best practice tips for firefighters confronted by...

NIST released the WUI Structure/Parcel/Community Fire Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM) PDF to provide guidance for homeowners and communities to protect themselves from wildfires. Integrating the latest post-fire field observations and fire science research, this report defines dozens of clear, measurable, and cost-effective protective actions homeowners can take to defend their homes. Wildfires can spread through a community very quickly, especially one with dense housing. Often, the progr...

The limit switch is activated by an eccentric cam disc mounted with a set screw on the shaft for lever and weight. The set screw enables adjustment of the cam disc position that gives the signal. Since the disc will move slightly up and down in the flow in an open position, it does not make sense to get a signal indicating an open position. Kits containing limit switch and mounting bracket are available as accessories. The swing check valves can be installed with lever and weight or with bare...

CISA has designated April as Emergency Communications Month to recognize the critical role of emergency communications personnel in public safety. Emergency communications have evolved to be so much more than just dialing 911. It is a complex ecosystem that allows people to share critical information in real time during an emergency. Today, emergency communicators include 911 telecommunicators, first responders and even cyber professionals. Throughout the month, CISA will highlight emergency c...

16 emergency responders have been killed in struck-by incidents in the first 3 months of 2022. Last year, 65 emergency responders were struck and killed while assisting others on roadways. An unknown number of others were injured. One can help reduce these tragic incidents by sharing the “In Our Boots” public service announcements (PSAs) widely with the public in the community, through social media, local news outlets, and community events. Public education on safe driving practice...

The MOBOTIX M16 VdS Thermal TR solution consisting of a thermal imaging camera, special firmware, and additional components has been approved by VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH, Europe's largest institute for corporate security, since March 2022. MOBOTIX customers can therefore be sure that they will be warned of fire damage as early and as effectively as possible and know that, despite the optimum protection, any damage that occurs will be settled quickly and comprehensively by the insurance co...

Tom Morgan, Josh Hollebon, Tom Woods and Stuart Long from the Yare Valley Churches running club have each run 92 miles during February to complete the virtual challenge by surpassing the mileage an ambulance covers on an average shift. The team chose the mileage clocked-up by crews at their local station in Longwater. Completing the target We have completed similar feats previously and were keen for something new" Tom Woods said: “We have completed similar feats previously and were kee...

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is the first NHS Trust to have signed up to UNISON’s new Anti-Racism Charter, which aims to help tackle racism in the public sector. The charter commits organizations and their leaders to a raft of pledges designed to prevent all forms of conscious or unconscious racial bias.  This includes championing a racially diverse workforce, recognizing the impact of racism on staff well-being and regularly reviewing its strategies to improve racia...

Even if budgets are drastically reduced, state, local, tribal and territorial public safety agencies need reliable and interoperable communications to respond effectively when events disrupt normal operations. To help address these critical requirements, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has published the Contingency Planning Guide for Emergency Communications Funding, in partnership with SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators. Co...

The Mayor of Cambridge visited Cambridge Ambulance Station to find out more about a project that has been helping Community First Responders (CFR) support patients across a broader area of the region by introducing designated vehicles for them based at stations. The Mayor, Councillor Russ McPherson, inspected the recently delivered Vauxhall Crossland which has already responded to 60 patients since it was delivered to Cambridge Station in December 2021. The car is one of six operating across th...

For the last few months, Global has been hard at work putting together the plans for the re-launch of Composite Fire Doors manufacturing program. With this, the company hopes to be able to provide clients with a complete approach to their fire door requirements, being able to both supply and fit fully compliant and secure doors on their projects. Global understand the importance of the integrity of fire doors, which is why the company continue to strive to develop its skills around fabrication...

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has released its fourth National Fire Service Research Agenda with over 300 research recommendations broken down into 3 topical domains: hiring, retention and advancement; effective operations; and health and safety. Enhancing abilities With a goal of enhancing the ability of all fire service members (career, volunteer, wildland, industrial, etc.) to protect their communities, while protecting their own health and safety, these recommendations...

The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) has launched a new nationwide platform that collects detailed information directly from first responders about incidents on the roadway where responders or their equipment were struck by a vehicle while operating at a scene. By improving first responder reporting, this new tool will help ERSI track and analyze struck-by incident data, gain a better understanding of exactly how and why these incidents are happening, and help prevent future incident...

Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, and research suggests firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population. Educating fire service members To educate fire service members about this problem and empower them to take steps toward detection, treatment, and prevention, there are several new resources available from: The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) - In partnership with the International Association of Fire Fight...

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority is asking residents to have their say on proposals to increase the fire service’s share of council tax for 2022/23. The Service is looking for a below inflation increase of £1.44 (around 2%) for the year, making the total contribution for the year £74.97 for a resident living in a Band D property. Following the financial settlement confirmed by the government at the end of December 2021, which confirmed the level of funding for th...

Wildland firefighting is a physically and mentally demanding job, with many stressors that can take their toll on a wildland firefighter's mental health. To address this issue, a new module, Wildfire Mental Health, has been added to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) RT-130: Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR). The new module The new module emphasizes the importance of asking for help, offers information about accessing mental health care resources, and provid...

A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) Project Manager has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to supporting the vaccination rollout in Cambridgeshire. John Barlow, who’s been with the Service for over 35 years, has been supporting the COVID-19 vaccination program since January 2021. In celebration of his efforts, John Barlow was invited by the Duchess of Cambridge on behalf of the Royal Foundation to attend a Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey. The event t...

EEAST Paramedic, Paul Chittock, has been awarded a Station Commander’s Commendation, marking 15 years of voluntary support for RAF colleagues based at Marham air force base in Norfolk. Paul’s volunteering has seen him working on everything from events and first aid training to critical incident scenarios, this is all alongside his day job with EEAST as a Paramedic, based at Kings Lynn. Over the years of service, Paul Chittock has provided medical cover and education for Family and F...

As an organization invested in industry-led qualifications developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of individuals working within the fire safety sector, FireQual sees the development of a fire and security apprenticeship in Wales as a key step forward in demonstrating the importance of education and training within fire safety. Authority comment FireQual Chair, Lewis Ramsay, commented on this latest development, “Since its inception, FireQual has been keen to not only provide a n...

Education is the future and requires top performance. G-TEC, as a globally renowned specialist in the planning of technical building equipment, defines this claim for itself as follows: ‘Innovative building concepts that meet user requirements over the entire service life are indispensable’. G-TEC’s new school center projects Two large school projects currently planned by G-TEC in Weinheim and Heilbronn show how energy efficiency can be consistently implemented for the best p...

Ardent is proud to announce that they have now obtained the latest version of P-Mark SPCR 199 certification for the Ardent Dual Agent Fire Suppression Systems. The P-Mark SPCR 199:2021 certification assesses the performance of fire suppression systems against realistic fire conditions and vehicle environmental aspects in engine compartments with combustion engines. The 2021 certification standard presents a new rating classification system over the previous 2017 version. SPCR 199:2021 certific...

Cambridge fire station welcomed visitors to the station as part of Open Cambridge on Friday, September 10th, 2021. The city’s fire station, on Parkside Place, took part in the longstanding event along with many other venues across the city Due to precautions taken in response to the pandemic, the station itself remained closed, but the fire engines were parked outside and staff was on-hand to welcome visitors. The event During the event, members of the public could meet firefighters, lo...

The new training year 2021 has begun and with it three new trainees have joined G-TEC. The company warmly welcomes - Anna Katharina Bücking, Lara Steindecker and Tim Henrichs, who will complete their training as Technical System Planners. While Lara Steindecker and Tim Henrichs started their training in Siegen, they are also pleased to have won the first trainee for their Hamburg location. G-TEC wishes all trainees every success and fun with many interesting projects. G-TEC announces star...

Howe & Howe Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. company, unveiled its latest innovations for the firefighting community – its next-generation Thermite EV2, an all-electric firefighting robot, as well as its new, handheld controller. The Thermite EV2 is an all-electric firefighting robot operated by a software-driven controller to effectively target fires with a modular design, including a multi-position nozzle and additional attachments. Thermite EV2 Ho...

Wildland firefighters are exposed to many of the same naturally occurring respiratory hazards as structural firefighters. They are also exposed to many of the same man-made respiratory hazards, especially when fighting fires in or near the wildland-urban interface. However, unlike structural firefighters, wildland firefighters are unable to use the current standard respirator systems. They are heavy and bulky, taking up valuable carrying capacity needed for the tools and supplies required for w...

G2 is very proud to announce that Nichola Allan was voted in as Executive Chairperson of the SAQCC Fire. Nichola has been actively involved in the Detection and Gas sub-committee from its beginnings in 2011, as a member, treasurer and chairperson. She has been directly involved in making fire detection and gas training available throughout the country. Her aim as executive chair is to make training further available and SAQA certified, up lifting the industry and its technicians.