Industry News

Home heating systems are still a reason of home fires in US NFPA says: “basic safety precautions can minimize risk to associated fires.” As temperatures drop in the months ahead, home heating systems will soon kick into high gear. However, some of the heat sources that make us feel warm and toasty also represent a leading cause of U.S. home fires and fire fatalities. According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s latest U.S. home he...

FBU demands a legal change to guarantee resources with fire and rescue services to tackle emergencies FBU demanded for change in law to ensure fire crews have right equipments to face emergencies. As firefighters tackle flooding in Cornwall, the Fire Brigades Union have demanded a change in law to ensure fire crews have the right equipment to tackle such emergencies.Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “Firefighters have again acquitted themselves with distincti...

Ten U.S Fire departments earned $10,000 each from Liberty Mutual Insurance Community residents rally to earn $10,000 grants for their local fire departments by committing to fire safety at Be Fire Smart. According to a recent survey by the National League of Cities, 14 percent of cities across the country cut police and fire-protection budgets in 2009, usually one of the biggest-ticket items for local governments, with many other cities expected to take similar measures throu...

Welsh Assembly in Cardiff approves the proposal of requirement of sprinkler in all new Welsh housing Sprinkler Bill approved by Welsh Assembly in Cardiff. In Cardiff the Welsh Assembly in a plenary session approved the general principles of proposed legislation to require sprinklers in all new Welsh housing. Assembly Member Ann Jones, who put forward the proposal, has been giving television interviews all day. At 12:30 she gave a press conference, joined by Caroline Tucker,...

Put a freeze on all fires this thanksgiving and celebrate the holidays safety As our nation comes together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like to remind all residents to Put a Freeze on all Fires. According to data from the USFA, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of...

Emergency responders at higher risk of MRSA says the study of University of Washington UW study reveals firefighters and equipment are bringing bacteria into stations and living areas. A University of Washington study found responders may be at a higher risk for carrying methicillian-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than the average person. Researchers conducted the first-ever environmental health study on MRSA in Northwest fire stations and on personnel to determine t...

Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab may soon come to an end Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab's director says expenses have put the group in the red. After 11 years of providing assistance to local firefighters, Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab's service may soon come to an end. The group helps out the San Antonio Fire Department and many county departments by bringing out their bus, which is equipped with water, snacks, restrooms and first aid. "After Jan. 1, we will no...

Orange County and Laguna beach firefighters will benefit from the new grant for equipment New equipment will help firefighters better deal with situations that are already difficult and dangerous. In an effort to better serve the citizens of Orange County, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the Laguna Beach Fire Department (LBFD) have received a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Traffic collisions are responsible for many injuries and fatalities in Oran...

"Put a Freeze on Winter Fires" initiative by USFA and NFPA USFA and NFPA announced a jointly sponsored initiative to "Put a Freeze on Winter Fires" Citing recent fires in Pennsylvania and Florida which claimed the lives of nine children and one adult and may have been caused by space heaters, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced a jointly sponsored special initiative, “Put a Freeze on Winter...

Bullard T4MAX Thermal Imager was awarded in the video safety contest Winning fire departments successfully demonstrate their commitment to fire fighter safety. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and Fireman's Fund Insurance awarded the Bertrand Township Fire Department and Horry County Fire and Rescue Department each with an advanced Bullard T4MAX Thermal Imager for winning a video safety contest. Fire departments were invited to create a video that highlight...

Dairy farmers will benefit from the new fire toolkit provided to them by CFA Dairy Australia Managing Director Ian Halliday said many dairy farmers in Gippsland had bushfire survival plans and suffered less damage. Dairy Australia and CFA have joined forces to help Victorian dairy farmers prepare for fire threat on their farms. The pilot project has resulted in the 'Prepare your dairy farm for fire threat' toolkit, which provides a comprehensive checklist to protect farmers,...

The majority of firefighters protecting communities of 2,500 or less were 40 years of age or older Increased training standards make firefighters more effective at their job and ultimately reduce losses of life and property from fire. In October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released the U.S. Fire Department Profile Through 2009 report, providing a variety of national statistics about career, combination, and volunteer fire departments. NFPA has been publis...

Fire Safety Order 2005 is required so that big fire accidents can be avoided which cause huge damage North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service discovered breaches including lack of an adequate means of escape, a fire alarm, a fire detection system or an emergency lighting system. The landlord of a north Yorkshire property has pleaded guilty to eight violations of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Scarborough Magistrates Court. Lazlo Banki appeared at the court a...

Fire safety breaches often lead to catastrophic fires and subsequent loss of property and life Michael John Snow was slapped with a £24,000 fine earlier in the year at Nottingham Crown Court. Temporary events organisers are not exempt from complying with fire safety regulations as one individual found out after he was prosecuted for falling foul of rules. According to thisisnottingham.co.uk, Michael John Snow was slapped with a £24,000 fine earlier in the year at...

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson A meeting is due to be held to try to reach an agreement over new shift patterns for London firefighters and prevent further strikes. Members of the Fire Brigades Union have staged two eight-hour strikes in the capital in recent weeks and called off a planned Bonfire Night walkout at the last minute. A Resolution Advisory Panel met on Tuesday, hearing evidence from the union and the fire authority before making recommendations, probably ne...

GoalSpan services have reduced the paperwork within  fire organizations Fire Districts using GoalSpan are in front by implementing what is considered to be "best practices" within their industry. GoalSpan announced today that it has updated its website to reflect the growing number of industries it serves, placing special emphasis on Fire Service Organizations. GoalSpan is targeting Fire due to the tremendous benefits these entities achieve when automating their employee...

The Didcot Railway Center attracts 5000 visitors annually The centre will now be protected by a fire detection and emergency lighting system.The Didcot Railway Centre in Oxfordshire now features a new fire solution thanks to the installation of an addressable fire detection system aimed at protecting visitors, but also historic machines. The centre's collection of Great Western Railway steam engines, coaches, wagons, buildings and relics, which attract 50,000 visitors annuall...

Pondstretcher has been found of violating the Fire Safety Order 2005 According to Judge Reid, who presided over the case, Poundstretcher had not made the premises safe despite having been reprimanded for similar offences earlier. A store in Yorkshire described as a "death trap" has been handed a fine of more than £50,000, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.The Poundstretcher branch in Castleford's Carlton Street was penalised £51,500 for seven breaches of the Fire...

The UL study reveals some of the most toxic gases and particulates harmful for the health of firefighters The study conducted multiple tests of three different types of fire scenarios, during which firefighters performed duties such as suppression and overhaul. Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc. (UL) recently completed and published a 16-month study on the effects of smoke and gas exposure to firefighter health. Funded by the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Fir...

The London Fire Brigade has withdrawn 27 fire engines from its fleet The sudden withdrawal of fire engines has brought fire safety at stake within the city of London. FBU has strongly criticized this stand. The Fire Brigades Union condemned the London Fire Brigade for withdrawing 27 fire engines from use the day before the FBU strike ballot is due. FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said: "This is nothing but provocation. The result of our strike ballot is not even out yet, bu...

FEMA and American Red Cross came together to provide care during disaster FEMA and American Red Cross partnership will strengthen mass care during a disaster. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that sets the framework for the Red Cross and FEMA to jointly lead the planning and coordination of mass care services, which will strengthen and expand the resour...

FEMA helps and prepares in overcoming the effects of natural disasters which cause much distress FEMA publications can point you in the right direction for information about how to reinforce your home against high winds and flooding. Weather happens. Sometimes it's severe enough to be a disaster, like the flooding and wind damage Tropical Storm Nicole caused in eastern North Carolina. You can take steps before the next disaster to protect your family and minimize property da...

Fire Service-Based EMS Electronic Tool Kit: Resources for Leaders New Fire Service-Based tool kit is provided as a cooperative effort between the IAFC, the IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Association. A new resource for fire and emergency service leaders looking to strengthen or protect their department’s position as a fire service-based EMS provider is now available. Fire Service-Based EMS Electronic Tool Kit: Resources for Leaders is a brief, web-bas...

Firewise Communities program to help property owners reduce their risk of wildfire damage NFPA report shows toll of brush, grass and forest fires on private property and local fire departments. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released findings of a report on local fire department responses to brush, grass and forest fires from 2004 through 2008. Local fire departments in the U.S. responded to an average of almost 1,000 such fires every day during that...

Large number of fires occur in residential buildings on Thanksgiving Day celebrations causing much damage The report is part of the Topical Fire Report Series and is based on 2006 to 2008 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fire...

Eureka and Crescent Valley the first communities in Nevada to join the program and earn distinction Eureka / Diamond Valley and Crescent Valley / Beowawe are first in state to join the program. Two Nevada communities have proactively taken steps to prepare their residents for wildfire protection by becoming Firewise Communities. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) voluntary initiative protects local residents, their property and natural resources f...

FEMA officials have heralded a new era to bridge experience and fire service One of the biggest things people wanted was better opportunities for training and how to expand their role within FEMA. For close to a year now, FEMA has firmly had its finger on the pulse of the fire service. In what is believed to be a first for the agency, four senate-appointed positions are held by former first responders. "It's been rare that in the FEMA leadership you have people (with experie...

Illegal fireworks seized by joint operation between GMFRS and MFRS Joint operation between Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services seized thousands of illegal fireworks. Thousands of illegal fireworks have been seized following a major joint operation between Greater Manchester and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services, the Police and Trading Standards. The haul, thought to originate from Spain, was removed from premises in Bury New R...

Families should prepare themselves to cope with disasters and their effects A few simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together can go a long way toward keeping families safe. With Daylight Saving Time coming to an end, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the November 7 time change as a reminder to make sure their families are prepared for a possi...

Supermarket shoppers to get safety advice from firefighters The firefighters in Canterbury, and Folkestone Whitstable will visit supermarkets to spread safety awareness among the shoppers. Firefighters in Canterbury, and Folkestone Whitstable have teamed up with their local Sainsbury’s stores so that shoppers can do their grocery shopping and pick up vital community safety advice, when crews visit the stores. The local crews, plus community safety officers will be...