Industry News

Fire Corps advice - help communities deal with winter weather Fire Corps teams can help their community cope with inclement winter weather. If your Fire Corps team is able to safely navigate the community after a storm, there are several ways volunteers can assist and protect citizens: • Help shovel walkways, sidewalks, and common areas and lay salt or sand. This includes around fire stations so emergency vehicles can come and go safely. • Check on the elderly, d...

The new facility will provide professional instruction in fire fighting and disaster management Beginning in 2011, the new training facility will be the first of its kind organized by the private sector.   The Fire Science Academy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (FSAKSA) in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will, with ongoing consulting assistance from the University of Nevada, Reno Fire Science Academy Worldwide (FSAW), soon be breaking ground on its new train...

No Smoking Day (Wednesday 10 March), smokers are being urged to quit their habit To mark No Smoking Day (Wednesday 10 March), smokers are being urged to quit their habit or realise its danger, as national statistics reveal that cigarettes and smoking products are the biggest killer in accidental fires in the home. Despite this shocking wake-up call, less than half (40%) of smokers are aware that smoking is the biggest cause of deaths in accidental house fires.2 In the last...

FSA wildland fire classes meet all National Wildland Coordinating Group standards As areas of the West continue to struggle with drought conditions, another year of tinder dry grass and the threat of large wildland fires await. The University of Nevada, Reno Fire Science Academy (FSA) offers a set of Wildland Fire classes which meet all applicable National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards. The FSA's Wildland Fire curriculum consists of Wildland Firefigh...

Senators Carper and Collins have introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (S. 2947) The NVFC strongly supports the House and Senate versions of the bill.On January 22, Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE) along with original co-sponsor, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 2947, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, which would reduce the tax depreciation time on fire sprinklers installed in non-residential property from 39 years to only five years. Senators Carper and Collins...

  MD Volunteers launch Volunteer Fire-Rescue Recruiting Station in Montgomery county   The new volunteer fire-rescue recruiting station will meet the needs of the 19 volunteer fire and rescue departments in Montgomery County.Many departments across the country are struggling with a decline in fire-rescue and EMS volunteers while at the same time facing higher call volumes and increased demands on the department. The Montgomery County (MD) Volunteer Fire Rescue...

  Pierce delivers 12 industrial firefighting vehicles to Venezuela Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that it has delivered 12 vehicles - one rescue, one aerial platform and 10 industrial pumpers - to Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) through three contracts. All 12 vehicles will be placed into service beginning in March 2010. The total value of all three contracts is more than $15 million. "Pierce industrial firefighting appa...

Ten states have passed laws limiting or outright proscribing sales of novelty lighters On February 2, Maryland's House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on House Bill 191, which would prohibit novelty lighter sales in that state.Toy-like or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the country. Children are attracted to novelty lighters because they look like toys. A number of accidents involving novelty lighters have been documented,...

FIA has welcomed the publications of new Corporate Manslaughter Guidelines The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has welcomed the publications of new guidelines relating to the sentencing of organisations under a charge of Corporate Manslaughter. The new Guidelines, published on 9 February 2010, are long awaited and follow the draft guidelines distributed in October last year. They are designed to assist courts in dealing with those that cause death through a gross breac...

Firefighters convey the message that chip pan accidents can cause serious burns and injuries National Chip Week has the backing of Shropshire firefighters who are urging people to get a portion of their favourite food from the chippy or takeaway instead of cooking at home after a night out. Fire crews are aiming their fire safety message at revellers who often feel hungry after a night out but set fire to their kitchen after putting the chip pan on - and then fall asleep in...

  Most of the residents acted on hearing the mains smoke alarms and left the premises. Photo: Vicky Curtis, KFRS Folkestone firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire, caused by unattended cooking, resulted in a man being rescued from a block of flats. Three fire appliances were sent to the building in Marine Terrace, Folkestone just before 8.30 pm (18 February) after control room operators received emergency calls from a pass...

The President's budget request proposes funding allocations for all federal departments The President's budget request proposes funding allocations for all federal departments, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through which the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and other programs vital to the emergency services are funded. For FY 2011, the...

The briefing will provide the latest vision of the government's security procurement requirements Any company that has an interest in the security of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is invited to attend this exclusive second briefing. Following on from the success of the first Olympic and Paralympic Security Business Briefing which took place 12 months ago, and with the 2012 Games getting ever closer, this year's briefing event will give an up-to-date vision of the Gov...

Horton, AEV and Leader are some of the longest standing and most respected brand names with AIP American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV, L.P. ("AIP") has announced that it has acquired Horton Emergency Vehicles, American Emergency Vehicles, and Leader Emergency Vehicles through the purchase of Halcore Group, Inc. American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV, L.P. ("AIP") announced that it has acquired Horton Emergency Vehicles, American Emergency Vehicles, and Leader Eme...

  Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and California adopt sprinkler requirements National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) President Jim Shannon praised the work of fire officials and fire safety advocates after three states adopted the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) which will require home fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes. "The nation's fire service and other fire safety advocates deserve tremendous recognition for their ef...

Previously unavailable safety services will now be provided to the Santa Clarita motion picture industry Within the next three to six months, Southern California FIRE & EMS and Symons Event Safety will be expanding by providing basic and advanced life support services to the Santa Clarita motion picture industry.With the news of Disney's plans to build studios at Golden Oak Ranch virtually transforming Santa Clarita into the next Hollywood, Southern California FI...

NFPA's new digital catalogs allow users to access information in a new interactive format The first two catalogs released center around NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® and NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®.The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched new high-resolution digital catalogs to allow users to access information in a new interactive format. Items related to specific topics or codes and standards ar...

The BRE Global research investigates the spread of fires in car parks with sprinkler systems BRE Global has recently completed a research project for The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA). The project investigates the growth and spread of a fire in and between cars in a car park stacking system installed with a sprinkler system. This follows the 'Fire Spread in Car Parks' testing BRE Global completed for Communities and Loc...

24-7 Fire is the new professional education and fire training series from HSI 24-7 Fire is a new series of professional training programme developed with the assistance of the new 24-7 Fire Advisory Board.Health and Safety Institute (HSI) family of brands, inclusive of American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI), MEDIC First Aid, 24-7 EMS, is proud to announce the release of 24-7 Fire. This new professional education and fire training series from Health & Safety Instit...

Southern California FIRE & EMS will be adding additional staff and services to meet the high demand Southern California FIRE & EMS has announced the addition of new training classes, services, and staffing for the year 2010 that are geared to give the company a more solid footing in the fire/ems industry as well as the motion picture/events industry. As one of the fastest growing motion picture/event safety companies, they have announced the following staffing addit...

Setcom's calendar provides a "one-stop shop" experience for fire industry professionals Setcom Corporation, an industry leader in wireless communications equipment and accessories for public safety vehicles, including fire apparatus and police motorcycles, has released their 2010 calendar of fire training and conference events (www.SetcomCorp.com/events.html). With over 30 events listed currently, additional dates are continuously being added to provide a one-stop calend...

The Fire Protection Research Foundation has appointed new trustees New trustees will each begin a three-year term in January 2010.The Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has named Donald P. Bliss of National Infrastructure Institute Foundation and Steven T. Edwards of the University of Maryland as new trustees. Foundation trustees are selected and appointed by the NFPA board of directors. Dona...

  B.E.S. along with other fire and rescue agencies extricated a wolf trapped in a steel pipe. Photo: Larkin Carey The several hour ordeal saw the wolf emerge in fine condition with only some minor cuts and scrapes.Boulder Emergency Squad, B.E.S, along with other agencies, rescued a wolf which had gotten its head stuck in a steel pipe. With medical care provided by a veterinarian, the pipe was carefully cut from around the animal's head. The...

  Holland's Groningen province has recently signed a contract for the supply of Bristol's firefighter PPE The contract calls for 600 sets of fire coats and trousers which will provide protection for all Groningen's firefighters in towns across the province. Holland's Groningen province has recently become the third in the country to sign a contract for the supply of Bristol's firefighter PPE under the European Tendering Process adding substantially to the company's cover...

Sarah Brown has thanked KFRS and other search and rescue team for their contribution in Halti Sarah Brown hosted a tea at Downing Street to thank a specialist search and rescue team - including staff from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) - for their contribution to the rescue effort in Haiti. The six staff flew to the Caribbean island in mid-January to assist in the international effort to rescue survivors in the aftermath of the earthquake which killed and injured thous...

KFRS is repeating its call to residents to stay safe during this prolonged period of cold weather Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) repeats its call to residents to stay safe during this prolonged period of cold weather. In the last two days temperatures have plummeted and some areas of the county have been struck by heavy snow. However, there are simple yet effective ways to help keep you, your family and your home safe during this inclement weather. They are: • I...

  London's first new additional fire station was officially opened by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson The new station has state-of-the-art all weather training facilities.London's first new additional fire station for over a decade was officially opened by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Thursday 11 February. Harold Hill fire station on Ashton Road in Romford will improve attendance times of firefighters responding to emergencies in the north east area of Havering...

Debris removal is a major challenge following natural disasters.Photo: Casey Deshong, FEMA FEMA is urging residents to become "Earthquake Prepared" by exercising a few safety measures.Midwesterners expect and prepare for a variety of seasonal hazards such as extreme snow, ice, flooding, tornadoes and severe weather. But the non-seasonal threat of earthquakes may not register on every family's hazard scale. That's why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VII...

KFRS issued a few simple tips to keep homes and residents safe from the risk of cooking fires With many households flipping pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (16 February), the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) issued a few simple tips to keep you and your home safe from the risk of cooking fires. Nearly a third (30.4 percent) of accidental dwelling fires that KFRS attended last year were cooking related.* Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilt...

The warning comes after a student was injured by toxic smoke inhalation Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly - that is the stark advice from Shropshire firefighters to avoid dying from toxic smoke in a house fire. Just two to three breaths of toxic smoke and "you're unconscious," warned community fire safety officers at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service just days after a Shropshire student was critically injured after suffering toxic smoke inhalation. "Toxic smoke af...