Fire Industry News for May 2024

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is consulting on two options: the reinstatement of operations and closure of the station. The public and stakeholders can take part between Monday, 10 July, and Friday, 18 August, 2023. The South Lanarkshire-based station has not been operational for more than eight years due to incident data, building maintenance issues, recruitment challenges, and best-value considerations, with nearby fire stations providing cover at this time. The lease of the bui...

The project has been created by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Forensic Services, as well as the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and the Danish Police. The Joint Scottish Fire Investigation Training and Research Facility in Porthlethen opened on Wednesday, 5 July and will support forensic scene investigation techniques used by firefighters, police, and forensic services personnel. Implementation of...

The future of a fire station in South Lanarkshire is under review as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) prepares to launch a public consultation to gather views from the community. The SFRS will consider options for Leadhills Community Fire Station based on robust data, delivering community safety, value for money and feedback from the public and stakeholders. Views of the local community SFRS will gather the views of the local community on a way forward for the station The building...

Opening on Thursday, 29 June, the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is a new attraction designed to charm people of all ages and interests. Visitors will be able to explore five themes within the museum, which brings a touch of modern technology and interactive displays to the experience. The museum is located at the site of McDonald Road Fire Station in the heart of Edinburgh. The entrance can be found via Dryden Terrace. Kelly McMeekin is the Manager of Museum and Heritage at the...

A firefighting water safety expert has issued an urgent plea to water sport enthusiasts to prioritize their safety over selfies in summer. Piotr Gudan is an on-call firefighter with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, responding to emergencies via a pager system in his hometown of Blairgowrie. water-based emergencies The dad-of-one splits his time between responding to emergencies and running his own water sports business. Piotr, who has been a qualified water sports instructor fo...

Northwest Highland has been given a ‘very high’ warning, while all other areas of Scotland face an ‘extreme’ rating. An increased risk of wildfires begins today (Thursday, 15 June) and runs until Saturday, 17 June – however could be extended further as the warm weather continues. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warns that many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage. R...

The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals. From 1 July, 2023, an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as dutyholders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed. This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, who require a confirmed fire before they send fire appliances. Cu...

The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals.  From 1 July, 2023 an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as dutyholders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed. This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, which require a confirmed fire before they send fire applianc...

Firefighters across the North of Scotland responded to more than 6,600 unwanted fire alarm signals last year - the equivalent of around 18 a day. The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals (UFAS).  fire safety responsibility From 1 July 2023, an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as duty holders, to investigate the cause of...

From 1 July, 2023 an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as duty holders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed. This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, which require a confirmed fire before they send fire appliances.   The change in response will affect all premises and businesses that do not provide sleeping accommodation. Hospitals, care homes, hotels, stude...

A ‘very high’ warning for an increased risk of wildfires begins today (Wednesday, 7 June, 2023) and runs until Saturday, 10 June, 2023. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warns that many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage. risk awareness Station Commander - John Harvey, said, "We know that many people will be hoping to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good, but we urge everyone...

Crews are working to dampen down the area and will remain at Cannich, near Inverness until the area is made safe. The burn area covers approximately fifteen square kilometers (approx. 1,500 hectares). At its height, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) mobilized nine appliances and a number of other resources to bring the fire under control. The emergency response included the use of helicopters to water bomb the affected area. Impacted on the rural community SFRS Group Commander - Nia...

A wildfire warning that has been in place since Friday, 26 May has been extended across many parts of Scotland until Monday, 5 June. The warning, which has been graded as ‘very high’ as the warm weather forecast continues, covers the majority of East, Central and Southern Scotland. The ongoing wildfire at Cannich near Inverness is entering its fourth day, after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was alerted on Sunday, 28 May at 12.46 pm. Firefighters had previously att...

At this time of year, there is still a build-up of dead grass and heather left over from last year which can dry very quickly as temperatures increase and pose a heightened risk of fire. People who live, work, or visit rural areas are being urged to exercise caution over the next few days. The very high warning – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – remains in place until Monday, 29 May, 2023. This covers East, Central, and Southern Scotland. High intens...

A firefighter running the Edinburgh Marathon after a cycling accident says he’ll ‘dig deep’ to complete the race to raise funds for the charity that helped him recover. Piotr Gudan, who lives in Perthshire, had been with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as an on-call firefighter for a mere six months when he was told his arm may need to be amputated following a cycling accident. Piotr Gudan The dad-of-one, originally from Poland, moved to Blairgowrie with his new wife in...

The specialist Portsafe board has been installed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) at Aviemore's Loch Morlich and is one of the first of its kind in Scotland. coded padlock system Designed to reduce the vandalism or theft of life-saving equipment, the board uses a coded padlock system to protect a water rescue throwline contained within. In the event of an emergency, a member of the public can call 999 and quote their location. They will then obtain a code from Operations Control...

UKAS welcomes the UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement, which was signed by the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch and the Ukrainian First Minister. This agreement will further support reconstruction efforts within the region, as well as the facilitation of cross-border data flows and enhanced trade with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts. business and regulatory needs The use of technology to overcome technical barriers to internation...

The ability to trade across borders is vital to the UK’s success. To do so, businesses need to understand the rules-based system of trade and have confidence in market frameworks based on standards and accredited conformity assessment.  In signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and the Institute of Export and International Trade have agreed to strategic cooperation in sharing knowledge and supporting the dissemination of good business pract...

The development team received a significant number of enquiries from a range of stakeholders in 2021/2022, notably regarding personnel certification, stemming from government initiatives such as Net Zero.  UKAS accredited the first Certification Body delivering an ICO-approved GDPR scheme, alongside work on new projects in Data Assurance Identity and Internet of Things. New accreditations were also granted in the food/farming and environmental sectors, such as Protected Food Names, FAMI-QM...

In order to meet increased demand following the introduction of the statutory code, all forensic work previously managed by the Corporate Customer Team (CCT) at UKAS, has been taken into the Forensic section with immediate effect. This handover has been supported by a re-deployment of key staff from CCT to Forensics. Consolidate forensic operations within a single team This will consolidate the majority of forensic operations within a single team to allow them to focus on the expansion requir...

Following on from the November announcement made by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that it was introducing legislation to continue recognition of the CE marking and reversed epsilon marking until 31 December 2024 for most goods being placed on the GB market, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has now confirmed that it shall be following suit with respect to construction products. DLUHC has now stated its intention to en...

A super-hospital in Glasgow is set to begin a multi-million-pound remediation project to remove cladding from the exterior of the building. The work, which will start on 27 November 2022, is expected to continue until 2027. With a total cost of £33 million, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital project will involve the removal of panels from the atrium alongside other remedial work. cost of remedial work According to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), the Scottish government is...

A memorial garden to celebrate the life and legacy of fallen Senior Firefighter Louise Hincks will be officially unveiled today outside the Happy Valley CFS Station - a space to be enjoyed by the community in Louise's honor. The garden - which is located on the grounds of the Happy Valley CFS Station, where much-loved and respected brigade member - Louise volunteered - has blossomed thanks to generous donations facilitated by the CFS Foundation, State Government and the time of CFS members. Pa...

At approximately 3:30 pm this afternoon, CFS crews responded to reports of a structure fire on Katarapko Crescent, near Winkie, in the Riverland.  Upon arrival, CFS crews found a house fully engulfed in flames. Three CFS trucks and a CFS Bulk Water Carrier were supported by three MFS trucks and an MFS Bulk Water Carrier from Renmark and Berri. CFS crews respond to structure fire on Katarapko Crescent Crews were unable to save the house, however, worked to stop the fire from spreading to...

Just after 1:00 pm this afternoon, CFS was alerted to reports of a structure fire on Kangaroo Flat Road, Koorine, approximately 30 km northwest of Mount Gambier. Upon arrival, CFS crews found a house fully engulfed in flames. Five CFS trucks, 1 Bulk Water Carrier, and a Farm Fire Unit worked to bring the fire under control. The collaborative effort from crews, contained the fire, minimizing the damage in areas of the house. Thankfully there are no reported injuries, and SA Police and SA Ambulan...

At approximately 2:45 pm, CFS crews were alerted to a structure fire on Mulga Place, Fregon, in the state's APY Lands. estimated damage Two CFS trucks from Fregon and Ernabella supported by SAPOL, arrived on the scene to find the duplex fully alight. Fortunately, there were no occupants home at the time. Damage is estimated at $400,000 with the cause yet to be determined. Fire Cause Investigators will attend to the scene tomorrow morning.

CFS brigades from the Heysen group are attending a structure fire at the butcher shop and adjoining residential property on Mawson Road Meadows. 6 trucks and approximately 20 firefighters have contained the fire to the ceiling, stopping it from spreading to the rest of the building and home. estimated damage Fortunately, the occupant was safely able to evacuate the property, with SA Ambulance Paramedics treating them for shock. Losses are estimated at $200,000 and fire cause investigators ha...

CFS crews from the Halidon and Galga brigades have responded to a hay shed fire at Copeville. 2 trucks attended the incident but unfortunately, the shed was unable to be saved with losses estimated at $230,000. storing and monitoring Firefighters have left the scene but remain on standby as the landowner continues extinguishing the fire. CFS encourages farmers to take care in storing and monitoring the moisture of hay this season. Just one damp bale is enough to ignite a haystack. If bales b...

At 12h 24 AM on Saturday morning, 5 November 2022, SACFS crews were altered to a structure fire at the Struan Research Center, 16 kilometers south of Naracoorte, South Australia. Approximately 30 SACFS firefighters responded in 7 fire trucks and 2 specialized HazMat response vehicles. Fire crews found the research center and laboratories engulfed in flames upon arrival. Cause and damage from fire Unfortunately, the fire caused the ceiling of the structure to collapse and ultimately caused mor...

At approximately 06h 45AM on Saturday morning, 5 November 2022, SACFS firefighters were alerted to a fire in a 10x15 meter shed on a commercial property outside of McLaren Flat, South Australia. damages due to fire Twenty SACFS firefighters responded to the incident on 7 fire trucks. The fire caused approximately $200,000 in damage to the shed as well as to a vehicle and a forklift. The cause of the fire is unknown and fire cause investigators will attend the scene on Saturday morning.