Software news

ComLink Fire & Security are thrilled to have been recognized as one of the top 50 businesses in Wales for growth in 2022 for a second year running. It’s brilliant to see such robustness and resilience in businesses throughout Wales among so many different sectors during what has continued to be challenging times for businesses to operate in.   ComLink Fire & Security thanks customers, staff ComLink Fire & Security offers thanks to their brilliant customers, staff and su...

Research has revealed that the cost of avoidable fire alarms, such as false alarms, is costing SMEs in the UK £696 million every single year. The figure comes from research conducted by Red Fox, a pioneering and independent expert in technology and B2B research, commissioned by Hochiki Europe to understand the impact of false fire alarms on UK businesses. Over 300 SME businesses were asked how much they estimate an evacuation caused by an alarm not caused by an actual fire, cost their org...

Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions has completed its integration of industry-renowned SimpliPhi Power. Briggs & Stratton acquired the California-based energy storage systems manufacturer in late 2021 and has fully incorporated the company into its business, market strategy and brand. As a result of the acquisition, Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions now markets a full line of standby generators along with scalable, intelligent energy storage products under the Briggs & Stratton&...

With around 300 road traffic collisions each year involving vehicles used for commercial purposes, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Vision Zero Partnership is looking to educate businesses during National Commercial Vehicle Month. Throughout July, the partnership will be running a local campaign to highlight the importance of commercial vehicle road safety. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Vision Zero Partnership The aim is to help educate local businesses on why road safety is important, b...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the McEwan Fire burning in Mason County, in the US state of Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator - Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at 11:28 p.m. PT. He determined that the McEwan Prairie Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Regional Administrator has authorized the use of federal funds on June 27, 2023, to assist the US state of Arizona to combat the Diamond Fire burning in Maricopa County, in Arizona, USA. On June 27, the US state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 100 homes in and around Scottsdale and required the mandatory evacuation of more than 1,100 people. T...

From 1 July 2023, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service is adopting a new ‘Call Challenge’ policy, whereby it will stop attending automatic fire alarm (AFA) call-outs to commercial premises, such as factories, offices, shops, and leisure facilities unless a fire has been confirmed. This policy step-change is to reduce unwanted false fire alarms. False fire alarm systems  Fire alarm systems provide an early warning of fire and are one of the most effective ways to keep peopl...

Rosenbauer has redesigned its app for operations management (RDS Connected Command) and equipped it with additional features. The newly developed skills management provides a quick overview of the qualifications of the available emergency crews. An improved chat function or schedule and event management help simplify communication and coordination. RDS Connected Command app redesigned Operational events are becoming increasingly digital, and with the RDS Connected Command app Operational eve...

Hanoi is poised to become the focal point of the security and fire safety business as Secutech Vietnam returns to the city for the first time in seven years, from 19 July to 21 July 2023. The sold-out fair will welcome 350 exhibitors from across the globe, including Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK, and the US, while Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam will be...

The G4S Fire and Security team is working in partnership with award-winning building services contractor, Briggs & Forrester, on three large, high-profile real estate projects across the United Kingdom (UK). The Cocoa Works in York, 135 Park Street in London, and Phoenix in Leeds will provide a mix of residential, office, and retail space, and are being undertaken with sustainability and urban regeneration at the core. G4S - the primary system provider Operating in full support of these o...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Tunnel Five Fire burning in the state of Washington, USA. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 10:01 p.m. PT.  He determined that the Tunnel Five Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster....

From 1 July 2023, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service is adopting a new ‘Call Challenge’ policy whereby it will stop attending automatic fire alarm (AFA) call-outs to commercial premises, such as factories, offices, shops, and leisure facilities, unless a fire has been confirmed. This policy step-change is to reduce unwanted false fire alarms. unwanted fire alarm signals Fire alarm systems provide an early warning of fire and are one of the most effective ways to keep people an...

Mr. Shinsuke Kubo, Hochiki Europe’s Commercial Director steps into the role of Managing Director (MD) from 3rd July, 2023, with Graham Lowe, the outgoing Managing Director, remaining in the business part time to support Mr. Kubo during his first year in the role. Shinsuke Kubo has been part of the Hochiki global operation for close to three decades, moving from Japan to the US and Middle East, before joining the UK team a year ago. Extensive industry experience Shinsuke Kubo will call u...

As the retired head of Industrial Design for Blackline, it was a true honor to attend Red Dot’s Awards Gala last week in Essen, Germany. The Red Dot Awards are a globally recognized symbol of product design excellence, celebrating innovation and creativity across various industries. On behalf of Blackline, Barry Moore proudly accepted the award for innovative design for G6, a product that Blackline collaborated with Advanta Design on for many months.  Red Dot Awards To see Blacklin...

As the threat of wildfires increases, Ford Motor Company and the Bronco Wild Fund are donating a Bronco Badlands® SUV with Sasquatch® off-road package to the National Park Service for use in Bandelier National Monument, where it will operate a firefighting command vehicle.    fire response and disaster relief “For more than a century Ford has supported fire response and disaster relief efforts by deploying vehicles to provide emergency transportation and power and deliver es...

Kidde, North America’s major home fire safety brand, recently introduced three new HomeSafe™ enabled devices, adding to its comprehensive suite of fully integrated home health and safety product offerings. Connected to the Kidde app by Kidde HomeSafe technology, these additional smart detection products can provide instant notification of home safety threats such as smoke, carbon monoxide (CO) and indoor air quality (IAQ) issues. New HomeSafe™ enabled devices At a time when...

Eptura, the global work tech pioneer announced an enhancement to its visitor management software with the new Emergency list feature to improve occupant safety and streamline the building evacuation process during emergencies. Emergency list feature The enhancement is intended for organizations that find themselves lacking data that indicates who is present in the building or on the job site between flexible working arrangements, external contractors, and guests amid the current evolution of...

Kentec Electronics, a global manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has announced the largest wireless installation to date across 37 high-rise towers owned and operated by Solihull Community Housing, providing residents with reliable, early warning fire detection and alarms. Since the incident in Grenfell Towers, the local authority in Solihull has made fire prevention and safety a priority, in order to better protect its residents in similar accommodation blocks. Kentec’s K-Mes...

Recruitment and retention are vital elements for the success of any volunteer fire or emergency medical services (EMS) department. Volunteer departments play a critical role in safeguarding communities, but without enough dedicated volunteers, these departments struggle to fulfill their mission. Volunteer fire and EMS departments across the country are struggling to attract and retain qualified members. Recognizing this challenge, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the Nat...

Ambulance crews are using virtual reality (VR) headsets to immerse themselves in traumatic situations such as domestic violence to better prepare them for real-life situations where vulnerable people are in need of help. London Ambulance Service (LAS) has developed training using headsets that are loaded with true-to-life scenarios to help clinicians understand the impact of various types of abuse and trauma on the physical and mental well-being of vulnerable adults and...

Safe Fleet: Fire, EMS, and Industrial (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce the addition of David Hawkins as the Regional Sales Manager - Industrial. In his new role, David Hawkins will be responsible for business development in the United States of America (USA), except for the states of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana & Mississippi. Extensive industry experience David Hawkins has a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Belhaven University and brings over 24 years o...

For companies as well as for insurers, hazardous goods storage is often a "hot" matter in double literal meaning it comes to fire protection, which must be considered individually in each case. VdS-tested solution At the international trade fair FeuerTrutz in Nuremberg from June 21 to 22, 2023, WAGNER Group GmbH will present a specific, VdS-tested solution for a high-bay warehouse of KETTLER Alu- Rad GmbH. Other trade fair highlights at booth 317 in hall 4A include the OxyReduct® cabin, i...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published three new Advisory Notes and updated another. The documents cover a range of topics related to fire-stopping, penetration seals, and smoke seals.   Advisory Note (AN) 13 Advisory Note (AN) 13 covers the testing of partial penetrations, for example, socket boxes, which are installed into drywall systems. Firestopping products are made to help maintain the performance of a wall where such electrical boxes have been a...

Residents and business owners are being encouraged to give their views to help shape Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s plan for the next five years. The Service is looking ahead and starting to draft its plan, known as the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), which covers its key focus areas until 2029. The plan will identify the fire and rescue related risks in the county and how the Service will mitigate them, as well as the opportunities that exist to continue improving its se...

Coopers Fire is proud to announce that they have achieved FIA approval for CPD material for active curtain barriers. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plays a vital role within the fire safety industry, keeping industry professionals updated with the latest knowledge and advancements. Coopers Fire recently received approval from the Fire Industry Association (FIA) for their CPD material. This achievement reinforces Coopers Fire’s commitment to educating fire safety professionals a...

Convergint, a global pioneer in service-based systems integration announced it has acquired Ballou Fire Systems, LLC, a Houston-based integrator that designs, installs, and services electronic life safety, security, and communications systems. The acquisition brings an expert team to Convergint, expanding the company’s capabilities in the Houston and South-Central region and bolstering its service offerings with a focus on the healthcare, education, and commercial markets.  Cultural...

As part of their commitment to measuring their impact on society and the environment, DetectorTesters (DT) have recently taken the first steps in developing their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy. At the start of the year, Aliola Balla was appointed to the role of ESG Manager and since that time, has made rapid progress in identifying the issues that need to be focused on and bringing members of the team together, in order to understand the actions they need to take. ESG (En...

May has been declared National Wildfire Awareness Month in 10 western states to increase prevention and preparedness for wildfires throughout the country. Ready campaign In 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency launched the Ready campaign to provide resources on wildfires, including information on recognizing warnings and alerts, making an emergency plan, strengthening home protection, and gathering supplies.   ALCHERA X, a global pioneer in AI software to detect wildfires, suppo...

Education can open more doors for members of the fire service. However, traditional in-person learning can be too time-consuming for volunteers who already lead busy lives. Many volunteer responders are choosing to pursue online education, which is more convenient, allows for a flexible schedule, and helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. Scholarships to two NVFC members To help more first responders achieve their educational goals, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia...

ImageTrend, LLC. has been selected by Pinellas County Safety & Emergency Services to provide integrated EMS and fire data management solutions for its 18 Fire Rescue Departments and Sunstar EMS. The county is currently working toward a full implementation with a scheduled go-live this Fall. ImageTrend Elite™ Rescue Once live, ImageTrend Elite™ Rescue will enable Pinellas County first responders to efficiently collect, manage and report data related to the approximately 250,0...