Fire and Rescue news

Fire detection and prevention is obviously paramount in buildings which are historical. Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII infamous second wife, is kept safe from the threat of fire thanks to an alarm servicing contract with Chubb Fire. Chubb Fire is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.  The oldest part of Hever Castle dates back to 1270 and consisted of the gatehouse and a walled bailey. This was converted into a manor in 1462 by G...

Sepura's TETRA digital system plays essential role in Gorgon natural gas project The Gorgon Project is one of the world's largest natural gas projects and the largest single resource of natural gas in Australia's history. ComGroup, Sepura’s Australian partner, has won the competitive tender for the delivery of a TETRA digital system to the remote Gorgon Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility in Western Australia. The Gorgon project will develop the Greater Gorgon Area gas...

Draeger's X-Zone ushers in a new era in gas detection technology Transportable gas detection has entered a new era with the launch of the Draeger X-zone 5000 wireless monitoring unit. Easily positioned and providing clear alarms, these robust, waterproof units ensure increased levels of safety by detecting and communicating the presence of a wide range of toxic, combustible and explosive gases over longer distances. Bringing Zone 0 ATEX performance, longer sensor life, en...

Nuclear facilities require special security measures, as they are prone to hazards and fatal accidents ASL Safety & Security have supplied a high-integrity building evacuation system (BES) to Sellafield Ltd at the company's nuclear processing facility in Cumbria. Sellafield currently performs multiple tasks geared towards decommissioning the UK's nuclear legacy as well as fuel recycling, manufacture and waste management. As a key safety system at this nuclear-licensed sit...

Everyone should take steps now to help keep themselves and their family safe during a hurricane Staying informed about ever-changing conditions and instructions is critically important in any emergency. The 2010 hurricane season begins on June 1, and experts predict it will be more active than usual. With hurricane season upon us, officials from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management urge residents to ensure that their famili...

John McAuliffe truly exemplifies outstanding lifetime achievement in the fire and emergency services Chief John McAuliffe was awarded the NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award during the NVFC Spring Board Meeting on April 30 in Alexandria, VA. With over fifty years in the fire service and an abundance of leadership roles and accomplishments to his credit, McAuliffe truly exemplifies outstanding lifetime achievement in the fire and emergency services. McAuliffe joined the Wethersfiel...

Fires caused by barbecues can be avoided by following a few simple fire safety rules National Barbecue Week fast approaching, London's firefighters are advising people to take care with barbecues. Every year the Brigade is called to fires caused by barbecues, but by following a few simple fire safety rules, this situation can be avoided. Andy Hickmott, London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Community Fire Safety, said: "We want people to enjoy the warm weather but a...

Senator Dodd has been honoured for the support he provided to volunteer emergency responders Dodd was the Senate sponsor of the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA), which was enacted in 2007. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) named Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) the 2010 Legislator of the Year at the Spring Board Meeting. The NVFC Legislator of the Year award is given annually to a member of the U.S. House or Senate for their support...

Jeff Cash was honoured for setting high standards and values at NVFC The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Board of Directors honored Chief Jeff Cash with the E. James Monihan Director’s Award. Cash, who is the Second Vice Chairman of the NVFC and the Director from North Carolina, was recognized for his extraordinary involvement in the NVFC and for going above and beyond in his service and commitment to the Council. The award was presented during the N...

The junior firefighter program was founded in the year 2004 The Westhampton Beach Junior Fire Company is an outstanding example of what a junior firefighter program can achieve. The Westhampton Beach (NY) Fire Department’s Junior Fire Company has received the 2010 NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award. The award, which is sponsored by Tyco International, was presented on April 30 during the NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA. Paul Hoyle, junior fir...

A new study shows residential fires cause much damage to life and property  A landmark study issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that the size of firefighting crews has a substantial effect on the fire service's ability to protect lives and property in residential fires. Performed by a broad coalition in the scientific, firefighting and public-safety communities, the study found that four-person firefigh...

Smoke alarm donation programme can help Fire Corps to prevent fires Fire Corps teams can help by utilising the Fire Corps smoke alarm donation programme sponsored by First Alert. If smoke alarms are needed in your community, Fire Corps teams can help by utilizing the Fire Corps smoke alarm donation program sponsored by First Alert. Your registered Fire Corps program may apply for these free smoke alarms by simply filling out the Smoke Alarm Request Form. Please keep in mind t...

The leadership award is named after Paul S. Sarbanes, a retired senator who stood for US firefighters CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation selected NVFC for its work on the national level to establish and promote the Volunteer Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) received the Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Safety Leadership Award on April 29 during the Congressional Fire Services Institute's (CFSI) annual National F...

NFA is going to modernise some of its popular courses to meet emerging issues in fire and EMS Located on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the NFA has trained more than 120,000 students in 2009. The United States Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) has completed a top-to-bottom review and update of its Management Science curriculum. This comprehensive review includes new course content, addressing emerging issue...

EMS would concentrate its resouces on improving emergency medical service at a national level The new EMS section of the NVFC will more effectively address the needs of the volunteer emergency medical services. The Board of Directors for the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has voted to create a new EMS section of the Council. This new section would consist of members of the NVFC but would be its own separate group dedicated to representing the interests of the vol...

An online tutuorial provides information on firefighters grant applications About $390 million will be distributed through the current AFG grant cycle. The application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) opened on April 26, and applications must be received by May 28. AFG meets the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations by funding critically needed equipment, protective gear, em...

Disasters officials often stress on the need to prevent rumors and false information among disaster hit people During the first few weeks following a disaster, survivors, still dazed by the trauma, may be easily misled by half-truths and rumors. Common misconceptions can lead to slow recovery and possibly prevent some eligible survivors from getting help. Stresses and uncertainties caused by the tornadoes that stormed across Mississippi in April and May make it easy for rumor...

Fire Corps teams can coordinate with salons and groomers to set up a hair donation system Fire Corps teams across the nation can assist in the clean-up effort by collecting a resource most everyone possesses: hair.  The Gulf Coast oil spill is an environmental disaster that will negatively impact the region for decades. Fire Corps teams across the nation can assist in the clean-up effort by collecting a resource most everyone possesses: hair.  Hair naturally a...

IRIS will meet customer demands for proof of maintenance and FIA initiatives to raise safety standards Drax has launched IRIS, a new web-based service management system that delivers industry-leading level of maintenance support for fire detection and alarm installations. "Enabling users to demonstrate that every possible step has been taken to protect both life and property has become much more important as a result of enforcement of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)...

The EMS week celebrates and honours the contributions of emergency service providers EMS Week provides a great opportunity for Fire Corps volunteers to publicise the importance of fire safety, and honour those who provide day-to-day lifesaving services. The National EMS Week recognizes the contributions and dedication of the emergency medical service providers in the community. This year May 19 was set aside as Emergency Medical Services for Children Day to foc...

Boyce is an experienced emergency manager both at state and local level Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate has applauded President Obama's appointment of Don R. Boyce as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region I, which encompasses Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  "Regional Administrators are crucial to our ability to respond effectively to emergencies based on the needs of the communities we s...

39 respondents (63%) said their companies had at some time used flammable gas to blow out piping A CSB public meeting is planned next month in Connecticut to consider new safety recommendations. The practice of using flammable natural gas to clean power plant piping, which led to the fatal explosion at Connecticut-based Kleen Energy on February 7, has been commonly used across the gas-fired power generating industry, CSB investigators have said. The explosion,...

The new SCBA is expected to improve the safety of fire fighters on the frontlines. Photo: Justin DiPierro The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Prince George’s County, Md., Fire/EMS Department have conducted a field test of a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). “These important field tests give us the information we need to ensure that this cutting-edge technology is safe, reliable and ready to be deployed. This is one of th...

High Sheriff Hugh Trevor-Jones  “launches” a new water rescue truck while Rev Peter Barnes blesses it in a dedication ceremony  A bottle of Shropshire beer was cracked open by the county High Sheriff to “launch” the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s new water rescue truck and boat. Brigade chaplain Rev Peter Barnes said a prayer to dedicate the new vehicle, which replaces an 18-year-old truck, and will be used to save lives on t...

New schools in Kent will be fitted with fire sprinklers Kent Fire and Rescue Service is working with council planners and architects to promote installation of sprinklers. New schools in Kent are to be fitted with sprinkler systems, following a decision by Kent County Council to improve fire safety. The move will see officials from Kent Fire and Rescue service working with council planners and architects to encourage the installation of systems in all new or large renova...

Shopping centres present a unique set of challenges in fire safety Chubb Fire won the contract, on competitive tender, to replace both the existing fire alarm and Public Address/Voice Alarm (PAVA) system at the Howard Shopping Centre. Chubb Fire's flexible working practices have been highlighted and praised by managers of the Howard Shopping Centre in Welwyn Garden City, following completion of a successful project to upgrade an existing fire safety installation. Chubb Fire i...

Planning and practising an escape route can vastly increase chances of surviving a fire Planning an escape route could be the difference between life and death if there's a fire in your home, according to London Fire Brigade. Andy Hickmott, London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Community Fire Safety, said: "Firefighters attend around 110 accidental home fires in London each week, some of which are serious and sadly sometimes even fatal. Fire can strike wh...

Video smoke detection is gaining popularity in the fire detection field Video smoke detection is still in the process of research and development. A VSD guidance has been published by the FIA. Although it has been in use for a number of years, until recently VSD was still seen as an emerging technology. Research into this area continues and few commercial systems are available, but it is increasingly becoming a recognised solution for both interior and exterior appl...

The annual preparedness grants will go towards preparation for meeting disasters and emergencies The critical infrastructure and preparedness grants announced include specific steps undertaken by DHS to improve the ability of grant applicants to maximize funding and also incorporate inputs. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the fiscal year 2010 Preparedness Grants for nine federal programs including critical infrastructure-related gran...

New fleet of trucks from Crimson Fire will boost fire fighting capability of Buffalo city The city of Buffalo has signed a multi-year contract to purchase as four new fire trucks from Crimson Fire, Inc. The Brandon, S.D based manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles said that it has already begun work to build two new custom pumpers and one aerial for Buffalo, which is the second largest city in New York state. One aerial demonstrator was purchased to...