Industry News

London Fire Brigade hailed for its support of women in the fire service Award celebrates commitment to supporting female firefighters London Fire Brigade is the first organisation to a win a prestigious ‘Networking Women in the Fire Service Gold Award' for its "exceptional commitment" to supporting women in the fire service. Five female Brigade employees - past and present - were also presented with the highest individual award possible, for their work on behalf of wo...

Kelvin Cochran's confirmation as USFA Administrator has been applauded by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate releases statement Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Kelvin Cochran as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration. "As the Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department as well as the former chief in Shreveport, LA, Chief Cochran brings extensive...

CSB will investigate the accidental releases of propane and hydrogen fluoride from an ExxonMobil refinery CSB to investigate cause of a run of similar incidents A four-member investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the site of a release of propane and hydrogen fluoride at the ExxonMobil refinery in Joliet, Illinois.At approximately 12:30 pm on Thursday, there was a sudden release of propane and hydrogen fluoride (HF) from the vicinity of...

The IAFC has strongly endorsed Kelvin Cochran's nomination for U.S. Fire Administrator IAFC strongly endorses Cochran's nomination The IAFC has endorsed the nomination of Chief Kelvin Cochran to be U.S. Fire Administrator and has called on the Senate to move quickly to confirm him once hearings begin in August as anticipated. On July 17, IAFC President Chief Larry Grorud wrote to Senators Joseph Lieberman (I/D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the chairman and the ranking...

LFB urges Londoners to perform pre-holiday fire safety checks LFB reminds Londoners to check homes for fire hazards before departure London Fire Brigade is reminding Londoners of the importance of protecting their homes from fire when leaving the capital for their well deserved summer break. By carrying out some simple checks before leaving your home, you may be able to avoid coming back to the devastation that fire can cause. The precautions advised (in...

Democrat Representatives have introduced bills progressing key issues for federal firefighters Democrats introduce historic pair of bills for federal firefighters With strong support from the IAFF, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD) have introduced a pair of bills that would make historic progress on two key issues for federal firefighters: retirement pay and trade time agreements. Representative Connolly introduced HR 3186, the Federal Firefight...

80 percent of Essex firefighters voted for industrial action opposing cuts Essex firefighters show opposition to cuts 8 out of 10 firefighters and fire officers in Essex have voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike against plans to cut one in ten frontline firefighters based at stations. Fire crews also want managers to negotiate other changes rather than impose them without agreement. Keith Flynn, Essex FBU brigade chair said: "Essex fire crews have s...

FEMA is urging residents of homes affected by recent US wildfires to take extra precautions FEMA issues advice and safety tips to guard against unseen dangers The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges residents and business owners to take extra precautions when returning after wildfire-caused evacuations. Dennis Hunsinger, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington warns that unseen dangers may linger long after the flames die dow...

FEMA has authorized the use of federal funds to aid firefighting in Union Valley Approximately 250 homes are under threat from the fire The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help Washington State fight the Union Valley fire burning in Chelan County. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger said the state's request for federal fire management assistance was approved aft...

Public Affairs Specialist Neily Chapman shows children a disaster kit during a FEMA classroom presentation Program educates children on preparing for and preventing disasters Nearly 2,000 children in Mississippi's lower six counties know a little more about preparedness thanks to the FEMA in the Classroom program. The Mississippi program developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency educates and involves children in disaster preparedness as a way to also engage pare...

FEMA community relations officers talk to OK citizens affected by wildfire Post-wildfire disaster assistance increases again Disaster assistance provided to those affected by Oklahoma wildfires now exceeds $2.9 million, state and federal emergency management officials announced today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration officials also urge residents to apply for assistance befo...

A church organisation has been prosecuted for fire safety breaches Organisation admitted guilt on three contraventions of fire safey requirements A church organisation have been ordered to pay £30,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to serious breaches of fire safety legislation following a prosecution brought by the London Fire Brigade. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International admitted guilt on three contraventions of the Regulatory Reform (Fi...

Maine firefighters, IAFF and government representatives sign the new legislation Legislation will benefit Maine firefighters who contract cancer Flanked by IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, IAFF 3rd District Vice President Mike Mullane, Professional Fire Fighters of Maine (PFFM) President John Martell and several Maine fire fighters, Maine Governor John Baldacci signed new state legislation - An Act Allowing Workers' Compensation Benefits for Fire Fighte...

President Obama's approval of new SAFER rules will increase the funding available for fire departments In an economic crisis, changes will allow fire departments to use SAFER grants to retain fire fighters President Obama today approved new rules that govern how fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, an important change during an economic crisis that is responsible for widespread layoffs of fire fig...

The Fire Service College has appointed Kim Robinson as Chief Executive New appointee will head UK's leading fire training organisation Fire Minister Shahid Malik today announced that Kim Robinson has been appointed as Chief Executive of the world renowned Fire Service College at Moreton in Marsh. Mr Malik also announced the appointment of two non-executive members of the College management board: Bill Griffiths as the new Chair and Martin Bryant as a board member. Kim R...

NFPA and DRI have created a new certification program available to those leading preparedness programs Certification available for professionals responsible for preparedness programs The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) have joined forces to create an education and certification program that will qualify participants to audit disaster/emergency management and business continuity programs against existing sta...

A tent lit up at night: fires in tents or caravans can spread very quickly Fires in tents and caravans can spread rapidly If you are heading off for a relaxing weekend in your tent or caravan this summer, Kent Fire and Rescue Services (KFRS) is suggesting some simple guidelines to keep your trip safe. KFRS Head of Community Safety, Stuart Skilton, said: "Holidays should be an enjoyable time for all the family but some outdoor activities, such as camping, can bring risks. F...

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, has met with US governors to discuss emergency preparedness Preparation for and first response to emergencies and disasters highlighted This week, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met with several of our nation's governors to discuss emergency preparedness and ensure that as many resources and plans as possible are in place prior to any potential emergency. "FEMA is...

The DHS has revamped its website and launched a YouTube channel New tools will provide a forum for open dialogue with the public The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today launched the DHS YouTube Channel and announced the redesign of DHS.gov - steps to enhance the Department's web presence, increase transparency and provide accurate, up-to-date information to the public. "Social media plays an increasingly large role in our engagement with the public, especially in...

L to R: Sir Michael Craig-Cooper CBE, TD, DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London and Bernie Higgins London Fire Brigade applauds officer's lengthy career Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bernie Higgins has been presented with a long service award by London Fire Brigade for more than 30 years of service to the capital. Bernie is head of the team which manages the Brigade's specialist equipment used at major incidents in London and nationally. He joined the Brigade in Octob...

The Greater Manchester 'Battle of the Badges' charity boxing event raised over £16,500 On Saturday 4th of July 2009 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and the Greater Manchester Police took part in the ‘Battle of the Badges’ charity boxing event, which raised more than £16,500 for charity. The event took place at the Premier Suite of the Reebok Stadium in front of 1500 people, the turn out was better than we could ever imagine, a...

Oklahoma residents have one month left to apply for wildfire disaster aid from FEMA and the U.S. SBA Deadline for Oklahoma wildfire victims to register for help from FEMA and the SBA Oklahoma residents have one month to register for wildfire disaster help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline for residents to apply for disaster assistance for damages or losses caused by April wildfires is Tuesday,...

The DHS needs inputs to inform the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review DHS calls for inputs to inform new policy as part of review Now is your opportunity to help shape our nation's homeland security policies and priorities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting the first ever Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) that will establish the strategic foundation for homeland security activities over the next four years. Secretary Napolitano views t...

OK Wildfire Disaster Recovery Centers are now transitioning to US SBA DisasterLoan Outreach Centers New home for wildfire disaster assistance and information The Disaster Recovery Centers in Midwest City and Ratliff City will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers beginning on Monday, July 20, State and Federal disaster officials announced today. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Managem...

HazMat responders at work: CSB will investigate the fatal release of ammonia at Tanner Industries HazMat incident has tragic consequences The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying an investigation team to the site of an anhydrous ammonia release that occurred earlier today at Tanner Industries, located south of Swansea, South Carolina, the agency announced. According to media reports, a woman driving her car near the facility was overcome by the ammonia vapor and w...

According to a new NFPA report, the presence of fire sprinkler ordinances doesn't lessen housing development County-wide mandates for life-saving sprinklers do not result in reduced housing supplies The results of a new study conducted for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) concluded that the presence of sprinkler ordinances has no negative impact on the number of homes being built. Conducted by Newport Partners, 'Comparative Analysis of Housing Cost an...

The latest edition of NFPA 1600 is now available as an iPhone application iPhone users can access interactive version of standard for emergency preparedness The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced today the availability of an iPhone application for the latest edition of NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, which has been adopted by the Department of Homeland Security. The NFPA 1600 application is availab...

Arriving on-scene: US firefighters can expect a reduction in AFG funding Reductions in firefighter funding grant program passed The House and Senate versions of the FY 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act both contain sizable reductions in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Both the House - passed bill (H.R. 2892) and Senate - passed bill (S. 1298) would provide $390 million in funding for AFG - a $175 million decrease f...

  The IFRM has sent donated firefighter gear to a Papua New Guinea fire dept. IFRM sends equipment donated by fire departments across US In late June, the International Fire Relief Mission (IFRM) sent one pallet of donated fire and EMS equipment to the Ukarumpa Fire Department in Papua New Guinea. Later this year, IFRM will send a team of fire and EMS professionals to train members of the fire department on the safe and proper use of the equipment. IFRM is a nonpr...

Pet Fire Safety Day is designed to help reduce the tragic incidence of fire-related pet deaths July 15 event intended to reduce fire-related pet deaths at home Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club to educate pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone as well as provide the public with fire prevention and home safety measures to ensure the...