Ladders news

Family and friends are a big support for children affected by disasters and catstrophes  Children can be especially vulnerable to stress following a disaster, such as the severe storms and record-setting flooding between April 30 and May 18. Of the 61,375 households that have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to date, nearly a third include children younger than 18. Preschoolers, children and teenagers who witnessed their home being damaged o...

ICC Awards will be presented at ICC Annual Conference 2010 at Charlotte, NC ICC Awards will be presented in five categories to honor individuals and organizations for their accomplishments and service to ICC. The International Code Council (ICC) is now accepting nominations for the ICC Awards, which will be presented at the 2010 ICC Annual Conference on October 25–28 in Charlotte, NC. Nominations must be received by June 15. ICC Awards will be presented in five categor...

Mike Anslow and Richard Brindley receive their certificates The Young Driver Improvement Scheme,  which has seen 30 young drivers aged between 17 and 25 take up the offer for advanced driver tuition at county fire stations has proved fruitful for the younger generation of drivers. A scheme to turn novice young drivers into advanced motorists in Shropshire in a bid to cut road deaths has proved a success, said the Chief Fire Officer, who is responsible for road...

Rob (right) and Chris DayDay2 Day has become the 300th member of BAFE SP 203-1 scheme BAFE are pleased to announce that Day2Day have become the 300th installer company to achieve its accreditation under the SP203-1 scheme. This modular scheme for fire detection and alarm systems allows companies to prove their competency within the Fire industry. All scheme members are independently verified as competent through UKAS accredited Certification Bodies, who work to the scheme and...

Safety guidelines should be adhered while using fireworks In 2008, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 7,000 people for fireworks-related injuries. Every year in the United States, Fourth of July is celebrated with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from fireworks use. The safest way to enjoy them is through public display...

CCTV video smoke detection has been developed with new enhancements by D-Tec  Hilson Moran Partnership enquiries led to D-Tec, the inventors and developers of the CCTV Video Smoke Detection (VSD) technology. The new headquarters for Swiss Re's UK operations in the City of London is a remarkable building rising to 180m the 40-storey structure, incorporating advanced methods of planning, design and construction. One unique design feature is the six lightwells on every floo...

Brian Coleman has been reappointed as chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Mayor of London Boris Johnson has reappointed Councillor Brian Coleman AM FRSA as Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. Brian Coleman said: "I will continue the work that I have started, to modernise the London Fire Brigade to bring it into the 21st Century. In these harsh economic times we will not waste taxpayer's money, but continue to provide the most eff...

London will get a security boost from the newly introduced DIM anti-terror vehicles The new vehicle will be on-call in strategic locations 24-hours a day, ready to respond to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incidents. A new rapid response Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) vehicle – capable of tackling terror attacks and other major emergencies - hits London's streets this week, reinforcing the capital's position as one of the best prote...

The Labor-Management Initiative Conference will be held between 20 and 21 January, 2011, Phoenix An education program is being planned for the 2011 LMI conference. The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters are currently planning the education program for the 2011 Labor-Management Initiative (LMI) Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., on January 20-21, 2011. Mark your calendar now and make plans to attend this unique networking an...

Navistar International Corporation is a world leader in vehicle manufacturing In a head-to-head, hands-on test of their technical skill and speed, eleven of the top service technicians in the international dealer network will compete to determine who is the best of the best at the fourth annual Navistar Service-Technician Rodeo on June 8, 2010. To test their skills in key areas of commercial truck and engine service, International dealer technicians from across North Am...

VSD has got an image processing technology which has boosted up security measure across the city The key benefit of the VSD, now being applied in Sydney, is its ability to use image-processing technology and extensive detection. D-Tec's advanced Video Smoke Detection (VSD) system is being used to provide a rapid response to potential fires in the AU$554 million Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Retrofitted to 80 of the tunnel's CCTV cameras - 40 in each tube - VSD offers a vital early w...

The NVFC spring board meeting was held in Alexandria, VA, with 38 fire associations in attendance The Board members heard from speakers on a variety of topics from grant programmes to partnerships, to recruitment ideas. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors heard from a wide array of distinguished speakers during its annual NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA, April 27-May 1. Thirty-nine state fire associations were represented at the meeting....

Awareness should be spread about preparation against hurricanes FEMA continues to work with its state, local and federal partners to increase preparedness and coordinate response against hurricanes. June 1 marked the official start of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season that runs through the end of November. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spent the day urging American families, businesses and communities to take every possible precaution to prep...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

UK is a world leader in fire safety industry Now in its third year, the apprenticeship scheme is designed to bring young people into fire protection in a bid to ensure that the UK retains its reputation as one of the world's leading lights in fire safety. Graham Ellicott, CEA of the FIA, comments: "In the UK we are justifiably proud of our fire safety record and the expertise that we have here.  But we know the vital importance of attracting new blood to ensure that this...

Regulatory Reform Order was discussed at Community Link with London's business community London Fire Brigade will outline how important it is for businesses to understand the law and their role in fire safety. Forging stronger community links and explaining important fire safety legislation were top of the agenda when London Fire Brigade hosted a reception for an organisation that represents Islington's minority business community on Friday 23 April. The event, called Commun...

The annual conference is a meeting ground for volnteer and non-profit organizations The annual conference brings volunteer organizations together to share knowledge and coordinate to help disaster survivors and their communities. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate on Thursday addressed the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) conference in Orlando. FEMA and National VOAD also signed a Memorandum of Understandin...

AFG applications must be received by May 28 The grant meets the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. The application period for Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) has opened. 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 eq...

Residential properties suffer major losses due to fire accidents involving grills and barbeques Grills, hibachis, and barbecues in residential properties continue to carry a high fire accident risk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics of grill fires on residential properties. The report, Grill Fires on Residential Properties (PDF, 663 Kb), was...

Cute suspect? Pet Fire Safety Day will remind people to keep a watch on pets and prevent pet started home fires Pet Fire Safety Day is designed to educate pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home. Pet Fire Safety Day is on July 15, and the National Volunteer Fire Council is partnering with ADT Security Services to raise public awareness about pet fire hazards. NVFC is seeking examples of pets that have started home fires to use in the public safety a...