Software news

In response to increased reports of fires caused by batteries and electricals containing batteries in the waste and recycling system. Material Focus is strengthening its work to help address this issue. A new public safety film ‘Stop Battery Fires’ created in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), has been launched and is available for local authorities to share. Material Focus is also calling on local authorities to participate in the 2023 ‘Stop Battery Fi...

The number of hazmat incidents occurring annually continues to increase based on 10-year incident summary data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This data underscores the need for firefighters to be trained and ready before an incident or emergency occurs. CHEMTREC® HELP Award Volunteer fire departments can now apply to receive US$ 10,000 in funds through the CHEMTREC® HELP Award to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities and improve resp...

The Home Office has introduced an important piece of work being conducted to improve its understanding of the people currently conducting fire risk assessments and will use the findings of the survey to inform policy development work by the UK and devolved governments. Please note the Home Office has stated while there has been a good response so far, they would like to ensure that the summer holiday season does not prevent people from having time to add their views and experiences. The decis...

Blackline Safety is delighted to announce that Manager, Client Success, Michael (Mike) Phelan, has been named to Canadian Occupational Safety’s inaugural Young Achievers List! This award highlights the top 40 emerging stars under the age of 35 in the occupational health and safety industry. Each recipient honored in 2023 represents a commitment to inspiring innovation and improving conditions in the workplace.   Mike’s Contributions to Blackline Mike is being recognized...

Kitchens are the seat of more fires than any other location in purpose-built blocks of flats, according to statistics from BAFSA’s Incident Data Report No 3. And the image, shared by Triangle Fire Systems, from an incident on June 25, at a residential block of flats in Birmingham shows the benefits of having sprinklers installed in these types of premises. Not only was the fire contained and controlled, smoke damage was limited to one area, reducing the impact on the resident’s abil...

Amid considerable interest from international and domestic companies in the security and fire safety fields, Secutech Thailand has outlined the market’s key drivers and innovations. Bringing some 13 years of experience in the country, the fair organizers continue to hold a positive outlook on the local market. Main features and key supporters At a joint press conference with the Thailand Building Fair in Bangkok on 11 July, the organizers will discuss the main features of the upcoming f...

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...

For companies and insurers, the storage of hazardous goods is often a "hot" matter in both senses of the word when it comes to fire protection and must be considered individually in each case. FeuerTrutz 2023 At the international FeuerTrutz trade fair in Nuremberg from June 21 to 22, 2023, WAGNER Group GmbH will be presenting a specific, VdS-tested solution for a high-bay warehouse belonging to KETTLER Alu-Rad GmbH. Other trade fair highlights at stand 317 in hall 4A include the OxyReduct &re...

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...