Fire Industry News for January 2024

Livingstone Academy Bournemouth is a brand-new all-through school that combines excellent education with an innovative skills development program, ensuring students from the ages of 4 to 18 have the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in modern life. The school has over 1800 occupants including students and staff and covers four stories of brand-new purpose-built facilities alongside historical buildings. This unique setting also includes a magistrates and coroners court, which will...

Two Texas Panhandle fire departments are implementing a new alert system to prevent collisions and improve road safety. Drivers encounter all sorts of hazards on the road that they are supposed to slow down and move over for, such as emergency vehicles and work zones. If an emergency vehicle is in route, the HAAS Alert. Safety Cloud system alerts drivers to slow down or move over. This year, both the Dalhart Fire Department and Hartley Fire and EMS have added this system to their dail...

With some of the first snow accumulation of the season expected this weekend, residents are reminded of winter weather safety precautions.  Stay Informed While snow totals may continue to change, much of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut can expect 6-12 inches with lower totals for cities and towns closer to the coast.  Visit weather.gov to see the most recent forecast as the storm approaches. Residents are reminded that the forecast can change quickly and at any point....

In November 2023, the first Million Dollar Club event was held in Barcelona, Spain. Customers, Partners, and Distributors joined from across Europe, Asia, and Africa, for a three-day experience. They were presented with the Kidde Commercial plan for 2024, along with new product innovations and timelines and of course, some entertainment and fun alongside the key commercial teams and senior management. European R&D Hub All attendees were also able to visit the European Research and Develop...

Fire risk assessments are very important for all businesses to do. Fire safety risk assessments are part of the fire safety procedures and they help keep everyone safe by avoiding fires and knowing what to do when one does break out. If they are a business owner, a fire safety risk assessment is something that can help keep them, their employees and their customers safe. Here is everything they need to know about fire risk assessment. What is the purpose of a fire risk assessment? Fir...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce it has moved to its new head office in Coventry. The new building provides the ASFP with greater capacity, enabling it to offer even more support and services to its members.  The new premises, which will be opened in two phases, provide office space, as well as housing the new ASFP training academy. It offers a practical training facility, catering facilities, meeting and break-out/rest areas, and ...

REMEDI8®, the national major of fire protection and compliance solutions, is proud to highlight its comprehensive fire barrier management survey and remediation services for healthcare facilities. With ongoing building maintenance and renovations, healthcare facilities risk dangerous non-compliant barrier penetrations. REMEDI8® corrects these costly mistakes and addresses risk before they happen with tailored end-to-end surveys, remediation, and maintenance programs for fire-stopping s...

Mann McGowan, the major intumescent seal technology specialists, is delighted to announce its successful merger into the Technical Fire Safety Group (TFSG), propelling both organizations into a new era of collaboration and growth. Situated in Aldershot, Hampshire, Mann McGowan holds a rich legacy and has been a trailblazer in intumescent seal technology for over four decades. This legacy, coupled with a shared commitment to excellence with the TFSG Group has set the stage for the next exciting...

This week is Electrical Fire Safety Week, which promotes electrical fire safety in the home. Half of all accidental house fires are caused by electricity, and nine out of ten electrical fires are caused by electrical products. The cost of living crisis is pioneering more people to use electrical products at night when power is often cheaper, but West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is warning that this could lead to dangerous fires. On Sunday, just before midnight, crews from were cal...

Firefighting involves more than just summoning courage during a crisis; it encompasses dedication to serving, rescuing, and protecting.   Six women from diverse backgrounds, including members from St. Paul, MN Local 21 and Edina, MN Local 1275, recently embraced this commitment during their mission overseas, joining over two dozen firefighters, emergency medical professionals, and volunteers from the state.  Capacity of fire departments It’s unique because we’ve bee...

Firefighters pledged to never forget the football fans who died 38 years ago in a devastating fire at Valley Parade.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) laid a wreath this morning at Bradford City Football Club to remember the 54 Bradford City supporters and two traveling Lincoln fans who died in the fire on May 11, 1985. Firefighters then joined dignitaries and the families of those who had lost their lives to lay wreaths at a service in Bradford’s Centenary Square. mem...

Crowds were given the chance to meet emergency service workers and see the vital work they do to keep the people of Yorkshire safe.  Emergency Services Day at The Piece Hall in Halifax on Sunday saw hundreds of people getting an insight into the work of 999 staff, including firefighters, police, and ambulance crews. Road traffic collision equipment The event saw West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) join forces with West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambul...

The fire at Manchester Road near Slaithwaite currently covers an estimated 2 km square of land. People are being advised to stay away from the area, and not to walk on the part of the Pennine Way which is close to the fire. Dozens of calls were made to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) at around 1.30 pm and three fire engines were in attendance with four wildfire units. The specialist wildfire Polaris vehicle has also been deployed to help tackle the blaze and prevent it from sprea...

More than 400 items of firefighting kit are traveling from West Yorkshire to Ukraine in a bid to support those battling on the frontline.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has contributed hundreds of items to the latest convoy, which leaves the UK (May 3rd, 2023). Among the items are 120 fire helmets and over 300 items of structural fire kit, which includes firefighting clothing, to offer as much protection as possible to firefighters in Ukraine. appliances and eq...

Jeff Naylor was the last firefighter to die in West Yorkshire when he ran into a burning building in a bid to save others. On the anniversary of that tragic incident, staff from the fire service came together at a special ceremony held in Keighley to remember his heroic actions, an act which will never be forgotten by the service. Jeff was part of a team that responded to a house fire in Keighley on April 27, 1983. He ran into the burning building to save children trapped inside, working a...

The fires that lit up vast areas of Marsden Moor last Thursday are being investigated as arson. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is working with West Yorkshire Police to get to the bottom of these crimes that caused damage to areas of moorland and wildlife. Risk of wildfires Richard Hawley, temporary group manager and WYFRS’s lead wildfire officer said: “We are working with the police to try and identify the people responsible for these horrific fires and bring them t...

Military veterans and firefighters Kev and Mike Sutcliffe are undertaking the challenge to raise funds for The Grenfell Foundation and The Firefighters Charity. Kev works for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) while his brother works for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS). The duo will be conquering Bridgewater Place as they climb 24 stories 72 times. The 24 storeys symbolize the height of Grenfell Tower, and the 72 times symbolizes each life lost at the devastating tow...

Most apprentices don’t get a chance to ride on a fire engine, work in vaccine centers, and make a difference in communities across West Yorkshire.  Lewis Bell But then, working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) comes with a few exciting perks, as 22-year-old Lewis Bell has discovered. After completing his apprenticeship in ICT Project Management with the fire service he has been nominated to receive an Employer Choice Award as part of National Apprenticeship Week....

Trade Bathroom and Tiles Ltd on Saville Road in Castleford will be opening its doors this weekend after almost of year of work to rebuild following the fire last year. The company, which has been in business for 26 years, was gutted following the blaze, which was triggered by a lithium battery in a tool that was charging overnight. Owners Sandra and Paul Marchington said they will never forget that night, on April 28th, when they were called by crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Servic...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) partnered with The Prince’s Trust to deliver the Get Started with Boxing program aimed at 16 to 30-year-olds not in employment, education or training.  The Get Started Programs are part of an ongoing partnership between WYFRS and The Prince’s Trust. Each one sees young people spend a week developing the confidence and key skills they need to make the next positive steps in their lives. The most recent week of activities took p...

Crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) spoke to students at colleges and universities across the county and gave them a chance to take part in a quiz focused on road and fire safety. The winner was University of Huddersfield student Fengyn Zai. In total 4,388 students entered the competition which looked at various safety messages, from wearing a seat belt to being careful around quiet electric vehicles and scooters. Matter of water safety The quiz highlighted the importanc...

Lorna Dodd, from Queensbury, only took part in her first triathlon last summer, but her second triathlon saw her take part in qualifying races and make the cut to represent her country later this year.  As part of the Super-Sprint Distance team, Lorna will be swimming 400 m, cycling 10 km, and running 2.5 km in the 30-34 age group. Lorna United WYFRS Lorna joined West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) in 2016 after her sports science degree led her into a range...

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said: “The decision to take this action has not been taken lightly, especially given the resultant upheaval it has caused for many people. We had no choice but to act in this way after our investigations highlighted serious concerns and risk to life." “We were called in after a survey of the building revealed several potential fire risks. The risks were so serious that it would have been dangerous to allow people to continue to stay in the build...

Alex Abrams will be tackling the London Marathon in April and then will also run the Leeds Marathon just three weeks later. She has also decided to continue her fundraising efforts by doing the Great North Run in September. Alex is taking on the challenges in a bid to raise funds in memory of her dad, Darren Abrams who died suddenly in November. Darren worked with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) as a firefighter for nearly 20 years and was part of the Red Watch Team at Hunsl...

A newborn baby had to be treated for smoke inhalation following a fire at a West Yorkshire home caused by a faulty tumble dryer.  This incident, which happened in Hatfield Road, Bradford, is one of several similar incidents where fires appear to have been caused by faulty electrics on appliances across the region. Testing appliances Firefighters are urging the public to get their appliances tested, especially second-hand machines, to stop any further incidents. This warning coincides wit...

The legal requirements mean that those responsible for high-rise buildings need to provide information on their building to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS). This can be done via the WYFRS website and should include details of the external walls, buildings and floor plans and information on known faults with key firefighting equipment. Fire Safety Regulations 2022 Coming into force on January 23rd, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, will implement the majority of re...

Officers at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) have thanked Luke Hartshorn for springing into action during the hair-raising incident on Saturday morning.  The 66-year-old woman, who does not wish to be named, is a volunteer guide dog walker. She got into difficulty in the River Calder just before 10 am after the trainee guide dog she was out walking slipped into the water. As she was trying to get the dog out, she too slipped down the bank and into the ice-cold water. Only by...

People across the region are facing more flooding, rain and freezing weather over the next few days. The Environment Agency has issued two flood alerts for the county and fire chiefs are warning that icy water and floods could be a lethal combination. It comes as the Met Office puts a yellow weather warning in place as the risk of snow and hail showers increase leading to icy conditions and disruption to transport.  Hazardous conditions The cold but settled weather looks likely to be wit...

High inflation rates and vastly increased energy bills could mean less for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority to spend next year. Now the public is being asked if they would support an extra £5 average precept on their council tax bill to pay for fire service costs. This would allow the service to be able to keep its current commitments, all aimed at making West Yorkshire safer for all who live, work, and visit it. The Authority is the publicly accountable body responsible for provi...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) worked with police, local authorities, youth workers, and schools on prevention activities in a bid to tackle the problem of the misuse of fireworks and attacks on firefighters. These partnerships led to a reduction in call-outs for fire crews on November 5 being compared to recent years. In the lead-up to Bonfire Night West Yorkshire Police and WYFRS worked together to hand out consequence cards to youths in areas where there are high levels of...