Industry News

KFRS crews are advising residents to use smoke alarms after a man sustained burns at a house fire Firefighters are warning householders to cook with safety in mind following a fire in Minster, Ramsgate. Crews are advising residents to fit a working smoke alarm after a man sustained burns following a fire in his home in Way Hill, Minster. It is believed that the occupant, in his late fifties, fell asleep while using a chip pan, which caught fire shortly afterwards...

CDC is working with the U.S. DHHS and other federal and international agencies to help communities in Haiti CDC is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), various branches of the U.S. military, and other federal and international agencies to help communities in Haiti recover from the powerful earthquake that struck the country on January 12, 2010. CDC's current response focuses on collaborating with national and international partners to meet ur...

A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service has returned home from Haiti A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has returned home from Haiti. The six staff flew to the Caribbean island last week (January 13) to assist in the international effort to rescue survivors in the aftermath the earthquake which killed and injured thousands. Arriving back at their Maidstone base this morning (Saturday January 23), team...

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Jill Halfpenny have launched the 'Fire Kills Campaign' Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with celebrity, Jill Halfpenny, to launch the latest 'Fire Kills Campaign' from the Department of Communities and Local Government. As part of the London launch of the national 'Don't Drown in Toxic Smoke' campaign, Jill Halfpenny, was placed in a simulation unit provided by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. She then exp...

The FIA encourages formal involvement from Government (CLG), CFRAU and CFOA The FIA set up a Fire Risk Assessment Council in November 2008 and invited any company/organization who 'trades' by providing Fire Risk Assessments, on a commercial basis, to join the association as a member. This step was taken as its current members were reporting that there was a diverse range of 'Fire Risk Assessors' in the market. These organizations were offering very differen...

Young people were awarded at a special ceremony at the Brigade's Southwark Training Centre Over 80 young people from all over London have been recognised for their outstanding achievements while attending a firefighting skills course run by the London Fire Brigade. The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme is an intensive five day course that teaches young people between the ages of 13 and 17 firefighting skills alongside real firefighters. At a special ceremo...

Over 1 in 3 fatal house fires are started by cigarettes or other smoking materials The London Fire Brigade has warned against the fire risks associated with cigarettes and alcohol.In January, many people start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and, in a bid to become more healthy many give up smoking and drinking. However, most people don't realise that by cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol they will also reduce the chance of having a fire in their home. Londo...

  Selectric GmbH has won the tender for the supply of Sepura TETRA radios to the German federal state of NRW Selectric GmbH has won the tender for the supply of Sepura TETRA radios to the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The digital terminals will be delivered to the North Rhine-Westphalian Police. The contract awarded to Sepura's German partner Selectric Nachrichten Systeme GmbH is for c. 25,000 Sepura radios and accessories. On Friday the 15th of...

"Sugar House Earthquake Mitigation Return-On-Investment" shows how HAZUS assessment can be used The book will be released in July at the 2010 ESRI International User Conference in San Diego, California.Two of the FEMA Mitigation Directorate's maps, entitled "Sugar House Earthquake Mitigation Return-On-Investment" and "ShakeMap-Based HAZUS-MH Loss Estimation Maps," have been selected for publication in the 2010 ESRI Map Book, Volume 25. The poster "Sugar House...

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has announced that it will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2010, in Raleigh, North Carolina.The meeting will present preliminary findings from its investigation of the June 9, 2009, natural gas explosion and ammonia release at the ConAgra Food Slim Jim facility in Garner, North Carolina, that killed four workers an...

Secretary Napolitano has authorized the activation of up to 900 reservists for Haiti rescue mission  The Coast Guard will utilize more than 100 of the newly-activated reserve personnel to strengthen port security operations in Port Au Prince.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has authorized the temporary activation of up to 900 reserve U.S. Coast Guard service men and women to bolster the more than 500 Coast Guard personnel al...

USSTC is now accepting applications for the 2010 Operation Ranger grant program USSTC is now accepting applications for the 2010 Operation Ranger grant program. Founded in 2002, this program awards rugged, off-road utility vehicles to the nation's first responders. The application deadline is January 29. Since its inception, more than 460 vehicles have been awarded through Operation Ranger across all 50 states. Through this program, USSTC is able to recogn...

Ian Thornton was awarded with a medal for his dedication to protecting the capital's communities from fire Bow Crew Manager Ian Thornton was only 23 when he joined the London Fire Brigade, and after 20 years service to Londoners, was awarded with a medal for his dedication to protecting the capital's communities from fire. Ian, 43, joined the Brigade in 1989, when he changed his smart office suit to a firefighters uniform and rubber boots. He said: "I didn't really enjoy wo...

FEMA continues to support USAID and others in effort to save lives in Haiti Message from Deputy FEMA Administrator Richard Serino on the Haiti tragedy and the ongoing resuce efforts: "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. President Obama has instructed the federal government to undertake a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives in Haiti, and FEMA continues to support USAID and others in th...

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of Region VI FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of FEMA Region VI at the regional headquarters in Denton, Texas. "Regional Administrators are one of the most important positions in our agency, connecting our headquarters to the states and citizens we serve," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Tony is an experienced emergency manage...

NVFC is introducing additional awards to honour a junior firefighter and an exemplary junior firefighter program Each year, the NVFC honors one firefighter who has provided a lifetime of service to the volunteer fire service, as well as one volunteer firefighter whose accomplishments exemplify the philosophy of fire prevention. New in 2010, the NVFC is introducing two additional awards to honor an outstanding junior firefighter and an exemplary junior firefighte...

Over one-quarter of residential fires result from improper maintenance of equipment Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment. Carbon monoxide...

Kent Firefighters are working with the UK ISAR mission in Haiti Firefighters from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who are working with the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) mission in Haiti, have returned to Port-au-Prince. The team visited the town of Leogane which is approximately 25 miles west of Port Au Prince and is much nearer to the epicentre. Reports indicate that 80 to 90 per cent of the town has been destroyed. While there, the UK ISAR te...

ICC and the NVFC will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes To further the relationship and their joint efforts, the two Councils signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the ICC's Annual Conference and Code Hearings in Baltimore in October. The International Code Council (ICC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes,...

Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake For the second day Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake in temperatures of over 90 degrees. Along with other UK teams they are concentrating their efforts on collapsed buildings such as schools, churches and hospitals, and areas where there have been reports of survivors. Mobile communications are extremely difficult, but in a brie...

London's firefighters are reminding you to take great care in your home  With forecasters predicting the coldest winter for 100 years, London's firefighters are reminding people to take great care in their homes during the big freeze. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety, Andy Hickmott, said: "When the temperature drops and it's freezing outside, the chance of you having a house fire increases. Sadly, you're also more likely to die...

  Establishment Holmatro UK as of 1 January 2010 Establishment Holmatro UK as of 1 January 2010 Holmatro Rescue Equipment B.V., Dutch based manufacturer and worldwide leading supplier of high-pressure hydraulic rescue tools, opened an office in the UK on 1st January 2010; with immediate effect, customers can purchase their rescue equipment directly from Holmatro UK. They are also pleased to announce an ongoing agreement until October 2012 with Supply 999 Limited w...

KFRS hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for hoax calls Medway residents are being warned about the dangers of hoax emergency calls after a number of false or malicious shouts for fire crews. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for such a crime. "As well as wasting our valuable resources, hoax calls have the potential to divert us from a real emergency - just i...

A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti to help earthquake victims A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti yesterday, where it will form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake had struck the night before, and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one of...

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoPhotograph: Elissa Jun/FEMA Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released a statement describing ongoing US relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake."The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake - a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the F...

LLACC is supporting borough councils as they continue to deal with severe weather London Fire Brigade's 'London Local Authority Coordination Centre' (LLACC) is supporting borough councils across the capital as they continue to deal with some of the most severe weather in living memory. Based in Clapham, the 24-hours a day centre is activated by the Brigade's emergency planning team when there is a need for Councils to work together, coordinate resources, share informat...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, as one of the first call teams, has sent a group of six firefighters to Haiti A team of specialist firefighters from Kent has arrived in Haiti to form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday evening and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one o...

As the snow begins to melt, there could be new problems The Army units, which have supported Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) over the last few days are being withdrawn today but firefighters warn of new safety risks as the thaw starts. KFRS asked the military to be on standby over the weekend to assist with their heavy all terrain 4X4 vehicles, to supplement KFRS's own capability. That support was extended yesterday while some parts of Kent were still potentially diffic...

The law places the responsibility for fire safety on employers and other people who have control of premises Three years after changes to fire safety law, London Fire Brigade is warning that many businesses still don't have enough understanding of how the law affects their business or premises, and could be risking financial ruin or even prosecution. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into affect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 separate pieces of fire safet...

Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response and assist in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Haiti. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck last night and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.   Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS),...