Breathing Apparatus news

Diesel exhaust emissions can spread toxic gases and soot particles throughout a firehouse anytime a diesel-fueled engine is operated. When diesel fuel is burned, it produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and diesel soot. Both of these substances are classified as carcinogens. Ultrafine particulate can penetrate deep into the lung and is absorbed through the skin, carrying toxins into the bloodstream. Exposure to this type of pollution can increase the risk of developing cancer, and respirato...

PGI, the provider of technology-driven protective gear, develops and manufactures innovative clothing for firefighters and rescue workers. The American company has now enhanced its COBRA BarriAire Gold hoods to provide extremely effective particulate protection. Highly topical and causing considerable controversy right now, the issue of nose and mouth protection is one that firefighters and rescue workers have long been discussing given that they're often confronted with heavily contaminated ai...

Big Bear Fire Department personnel are wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) during 911 medical calls for service, as a part of their updated safety procedures, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Out of an abundance of safety, Big Bear Fire Department staff members are wearing PPE that includes, masks, eye protection, gowns, and gloves, during many patient contacts. They feel it was important to let the public know, that although their appearance might not be typically what they...

When it comes to the public fire brigades’ services, the equipment used is generally governed by a set of national regulatory and operational requirements that vary slightly between countries. However, it’s also important that the private fire crews within airports, ports, oil and gas and petrochemical installations also conform to fire safety guidelines within their specific industries. Among these essential safety measures that must be adhered, is ensuring that the communication t...

Cleveland-based apparel manufacturer and parent company of DRIFIRE®, National Safety Apparel® (NSA) announce its contributions to the US Department of Health and Human Services PPE initiatives in the fight against COVID-19. Providing protective masks National Safety Apparel has committed to help achieve the coalition goal to make 1.5 million+ face masks per week In partnership with the Hanes / Parkdale coalition of USA textile companies and small and medium-sized apparel manufacturers...

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority (SYFRA) has appointed a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer. Chris Kirby was appointed following a selection process, which included a written application, leadership team presentation, interview by staff group and trade union representatives and panel interview with members of the Fire Authority. Barnsley-born Chris Kirby will join South Yorkshire later this spring from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, which he first joined as a Firefighter in 199...

The worldwide spread of the corona virus is also a concern for Dräger (Drägerwerk Verwaltungs AG). They are seeing a significant increase in demand worldwide for ventilators, the corresponding accessories and personal protective equipment for especially health staff and frontline workers, along with the general global population at large. Employee safety and protection At the same time, Dräger (Drägerwerk Verwaltungs AG) stated that it is the company’s duty of care to...

MSA Safety Incorporated the global provider in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures, announced that Nish Vartanian, President and CEO, and Kenneth Krause, Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, will host the company’s fourth quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Investors and interested parties will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live via the Internet. A replay of th...

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of man-made chemical compounds found in a wide range of consumer products, such as nonstick products, polishes, waxes, paints, and cleaning products. Two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), may be present in firefighting aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) solutions. Certain PFAS can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time. Long-term exposure to PFAS/PFOA/PFOS, in h...

When performing decontamination, maintenance, inspection and cleaning work, handling oil or filling and transferring materials, there is often a risk that skin may come into contact with solid or liquid chemicals. Only a full-body protective suit can prevent this. Dräger has expanded its portfolio with the new splash protective suits SPC 4400 and 4800 made from innovative-coated CPM and CLF material, offering users the best protection possible in different conditions. All suits offer prote...

Two family pets sparked catastrophes when they unknowingly turned on hobs with their paws adding to the list of kitchen blazes tackled by Kent firefighters in January. In Sittingbourne, on 28 January, Moss the border collie jumped up at a cooker to reach his owner’s leftovers and turned on three gas rings, two of which ignited and set fire to a cushioned tray left on top of the hob.  Since, Kent Fire and Rescue Service had previously visited the property to carry out a Safe and Well...

It is now widely recognized that regular cleaning of PPE is important and helps reduce firefighters’ long-term exposure to harmful contamination. However, it’s not always possible to use off-site cleaning services for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Most firefighters share SCBA and often this vital equipment needs to be kept onsite in case of a major incident. This is where the Solo Rescue decontamination machine comes in. stainless-steel machines Bristol Uniforms is the...

MSA has come close with their G1 SCBA. Every firefighter or officer who enters a structure fire has integrated PASS, communications, and TIC capabilities. And it’s all in an SCBA that’s been designed from the ground up to work with the firefighter, not against them. Comfort Features The G1 SCBA incorporates ergonomic principles in a big way. First, MSA stripped away all the electronics from the facepiece to make it more comfortable to wear, reduce potential snag hazards, provide an...

Avon Rubber is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of 3M’s ballistic protection business and the rights to the Ceradyne brand. Over the next 12 months, 3M will transition the critical business functions to Avon in a phased and controlled manner. During this transition phase, the business will be operating as usual as a stand-alone business alongside Avon Protection. Provider & Supplier As a reminder, the business is the foremost provider of next-generation armo...

Long Island, NY MacArthur Airport Fire-Rescue uses a variety of GearGrid storage systems, in order to keep their turnout gear and equipment organized. The fire rescue service stores their turnout gear with the standard free standing lockers, with bolt-down floor supports, which ensures the lockers stay in place at all times. GearGrid's Storage Solutions  The addition of stainless steel hang bars and hangers allows Long Island, NY MacArthur Airport Fire-Rescue to properly dry and store the...

When the 2018 edition of NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting was published, one of the more noteworthy additions was the optional requirements for manufacturers to work within developing particulate blocking protective hoods for firefighters. The driving force behind that addition was and continues to be, the growing awareness across the fire services in the U.S. and Canada about the skin absorption risk that firefighters face fro...

Avon Protection is pleased to announce that the UK MOD General Service Respirator (GSR) is now in production and work has begun to deliver the first order. Avon Protection was awarded the 5-year contract to resupply and in-service support for the GSR in February 2018. After a year of development, samples of the GSR were provided to DSTL for laboratory testing and User evaluation. These tests were successfully passed and the GSR was accepted into service in September. New Manufacturing Lines...

Chief Fire Officer Mick Crennell and a GAFSIP team have delivered three fire engines and other equipment and uniform to the Gambian Fire Service. As part of the Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP), the service has been helping to enhance the capabilities of the Gambian fire service for nearly 30 years by providing lifesaving equipment, capability and training. Fire engines and breathing apparatus Avon Fire & Rescue Service has donated three fire engines along with breath...

Acting Fire Chief Bill Johnson announces the provision of new, enhanced protective equipment for Cobb County firefighters. Cobb County and MSA Safety Incorporated, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, released a $3.5 million joint contract to provide state-of-the-art respiratory equipment to the Cobb County Fire Department, which will replace the department’s ten-year-old equipment. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep the residents of Cobb County safe, and...

It’s only been in the past several years that thermal imaging cameras (TIC) have moved up in the firefighting equipment hierarchy from “nice to have” to “must-have” status. Two big factors in this greater acceptance of TICs are a lower cost per unit and growing support for TICs as life-safety equipment on the same level as SCBA and PPE. Cost-effective cameras More fire departments were able to buy thermal imaging cameras due to the low cost and use on a regular b...

MSA, the global provider in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures, announced that it will host an Investor Day on Monday, November 11, 2019, at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City. At the event, MSA's management team will provide an in-depth look at the company's growth strategies and innovative new products. Investor Day is by invitation only and advanced registration is required. A real-time audio and slide webcast...

Securitas welcomed top Fire Cadets to the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, for an action-packed firefighting weekend giving graduate cadets a safe and realistic insight into firefighting. Securitas’ fire and safety instructors In addition to classroom demonstrations, the young cadets gained hands-on experience as they took part in real-life scenarios under the supervision of the Securitas’ highly skilled, trained fire and safety instructors.  Scenarios included tackli...

MSA Safety Incorporated announced that its next generation G1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) has received U.S. government approval from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and certification from the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) as compliant to the 2018 Edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 1981 performance standards. With this approval, the company can begin shipping the new NFPA-compliant SCBA immediately. Earlier this y...

Each year in Birmingham, fire brigades from around the United Kingdom come together to learn about the latest trends and emerging technologies in the fire service market. That’s why MSA Safety Incorporated, a global provider of firefighter safety, selected the Emergency Services Show to showcase its new M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the overall depth of MSA’s fire service product portfolio. With the U.K. firefighter safety market identified as a key strategic grow...

Each year in Birmingham, fire brigades from around the United Kingdom come together to learn about the latest trends and emerging technologies in the fire service market. That’s why MSA Safety Incorporated, the provider of firefighter safety, selected the Emergency Services Show to showcase its new M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the overall depth of MSA’s fire service product portfolio. With the U.K. firefighter safety market identified as a key strategic growth opp...

Avon Protection is pleased to announce the launch of its next-generation tactical SCBA, the ST54, specifically developed for the tactical operator. The ST54 was designed and built for the global tactical SCBA operator, delivering state of the art scalable respiratory protection in the most austere of environments. Protection From Threat ST54 combined with FM54 mask provides an advanced modular breathing apparatus Combined with Avon Protection's FM54 mask, the system provides an advanced modul...

The first firefighters recruit course at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service in almost a decade draws to an end this week. After 15 weeks of intensive training, Recruit Course 49/18 will close this Friday. The 23 recruits had their Passing out Parade which took place on Wednesday 13 February. The Parade is a long standing fire service tradition allowing the successful recruits the opportunity to showcase a small selection of their new skills. This includes a number of fire ground scenarios an...

A review of how a fire spread through a West Midlands hotel is being carried out by West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS). Firefighters arrived at the Holiday Inn near Walsall within 4 minutes of being mobilized. They immediately started to tackle what was already a significant fire, which soon consumed much of the building. West Midlands Hotel Fire 999 calls started to be received shortly before 4pm on Friday 2 August 2019, to the site near Junction 10 of the M6 motorway. WMFS were supported at...

Bristol Uniforms will be unveiling a new provision for Fire & Rescue Services (FRSs) at this year’s Emergency Services Show, to specifically help with the swift and safe cleaning and decontamination of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). A global renowned designer and manufacturer of PPE for the emergency services, Bristol Uniforms will be supplying specialist decontamination machines to Fire & Rescue Services for use on-site at fire stations, as well as enhancing its manag...

MagneGrip is exhibiting at two conferences in August 2019: Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in Atlanta, GA August 9-11 and South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh, NC August 23-23. MagneGrip exhaust removal systems and AirHAWK air purification systems products will be on display in booth 1323 at FRI and in booth 421 at SAFRE. Sales Representatives will be available to answer questions and demonstrate product features during both conferences. MagneGrip manufactures air-cleaning systems...