Turnout/Bunker Gear news

FBU says it is concerned by moves to arrest three managers over the deaths of four firefighters The Fire Brigades Union says it is concerned by moves to arrest three managers over the deaths of four firefighters killed in a warehouse fire in November 2007. All three were involved in the incident command process and may face allegations of gross negligence / manslaughter in relation to the deaths. All three have been told, by letter, to attend a Warwickshire Police statio...

CDC is working with the U.S. DHHS and other federal and international agencies to help communities in Haiti CDC is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), various branches of the U.S. military, and other federal and international agencies to help communities in Haiti recover from the powerful earthquake that struck the country on January 12, 2010. CDC's current response focuses on collaborating with national and international partners to meet ur...

Young people were awarded at a special ceremony at the Brigade's Southwark Training Centre Over 80 young people from all over London have been recognised for their outstanding achievements while attending a firefighting skills course run by the London Fire Brigade. The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme is an intensive five day course that teaches young people between the ages of 13 and 17 firefighting skills alongside real firefighters. At a special ceremo...

FDIC is the premier annual fire service event and plays host to the gathering of fire professionals in North America FDIC is the premier annual fire service event and plays host to the largest gathering of fire professionals in North America. The show is also attended by thousands of fire professionals from around the globe. Covering the issues and challenges most critical to the fire service, FDIC provides unparalleled hands-on training (H.O.T.) evolutions, in-depth works...

Secretary Napolitano has authorized the activation of up to 900 reservists for Haiti rescue mission  The Coast Guard will utilize more than 100 of the newly-activated reserve personnel to strengthen port security operations in Port Au Prince.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has authorized the temporary activation of up to 900 reserve U.S. Coast Guard service men and women to bolster the more than 500 Coast Guard personnel al...

NVFC is introducing additional awards to honour a junior firefighter and an exemplary junior firefighter program Each year, the NVFC honors one firefighter who has provided a lifetime of service to the volunteer fire service, as well as one volunteer firefighter whose accomplishments exemplify the philosophy of fire prevention. New in 2010, the NVFC is introducing two additional awards to honor an outstanding junior firefighter and an exemplary junior firefighte...

The virtual event will offer attendees the unique opportunity to interact with world-class leaders of the fire service This free and virtual event offers attendees the unique opportunity to interact with world-class leaders of the fire service. FDIC Online will host 7 educational opportunities, an interactive exhibit floor, a networking lounge and more. This is the perfect opportunity for those of you who cannot attend the live event in Indianapolis. For those of you w...

ICC and the NVFC will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes To further the relationship and their joint efforts, the two Councils signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the ICC's Annual Conference and Code Hearings in Baltimore in October. The International Code Council (ICC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes,...

In his 40 years, Harry has worked in a number of control rooms and has attended to major fires across London Harry Simmons, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, has completed 40 years in service, joining the Brigade in 1969. Control Commander Harry Simmons was taken by surprise when he arrived to work to a celebration organised by his fellow colleagues and family members, marking his 40 years with the London Fire Brigade. Harry, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, joined the Brigade in 1...

Recycled fabrics lead to aneco-appopriate range  Perfection Uniforms, which has pioneered the field of eco-friendly uniforms has introduced the PinnacleEcoSeries series of uniforms. While safety, fit, form and function are all prerequisites for creating the perfect public safety uniform, now departments have the option of making their uniforms also environment-friendly. Perfection Uniforms, which has pioneered the field of eco-friendly uniforms has introduced...

Green firefighting clothing fromPerfect Uniforms is a major change  If it’s true that change makes the world go round, Perfection Uniforms has tilted the uniform world on its axis. If it’s true that change makes the world go round, Perfection Uniforms has tilted the uniform world on its axis. In spring of 2009, the uniform company unveiled an unprecedented concept to their highly traditional industry: eco-responsible uniforms. Perfection also issued a sta...

Firefighters from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service tackled the fire throughout the night at Afan Lido The blaze was tackled by the use of ground monitors and main jets together with high volume pump and aerial appliances.Fourteen appliances and more than 100 personnel from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service attended a major fire at the Afan Lido Aquadome at Sandfields, Port Talbot with the additional support of three appliances from South Wales F...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging premises managers to review their fire safety procedures Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging managers of licensed establishments to review their fire safety measures to ensure compliance with fire safety law. The measure comes in the aftermath of a disastrous fire in Russia and a smaller restaurant fire in Swansea and the successful prosecution of a local nightclub owner. In the run up to Christmas and...

FLAME-SIM allows AFD firefighters to understand and follow SOGs and safety procedures on the fireground With budgets tightening and the number of fires decreasing, more departments are turning to the benefits brought about by simulation software.  Allen Fire Department, in Allen, Texas, has been working with FLAME-SIM since October 2008. They have seen the cutting edge simulation software positively impact their training program, as well as their budget. Th...

LFB is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way Hundreds of people across Britain are injured in incidents involving fireworks each year and more than half of those injured are children.London Fire Brigade is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way, and they work with partner agencies across London in preparation for major events such as Guy Fawkes Night, Di...

National Fire Academy Course application period closes December 15 Take advantage of an opportunity - there has never been a better time to apply to the National Fire Academy. Due to the current economic conditions, many governments are invoking "no travel" policies. Even though the National Fire Academy reimburses the cost of travel to and from the campus and provides the training and a dorm room at no cost, some governments are not making any exceptions. No travel means "...

Secretary Napolitano announces grant guidance for more than $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2010 grant programs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7 billion-funds. The funds are meant for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen USA's ability to prevent, prot...

KFRS and the Canterbury City Council will work together to keep the streets clean  KFRS Firefighters and Canterbury City Council call on shop owners to help stamp out arsonists putting innocent lives at risk. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is appealing to business owners to work alongside it and the council in a bid.  It is hoped that by keeping the city clean and tidy, firefighters will be called out to fewer arson-related rubbish fires. These...

Flood damage inspection in ArkansasPhoto by Patsy Lynch/FEMA The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Arkansas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on October 29, 2009, and continuing. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain priv...

Our mission is to assist states in rapidly connecting restoring victims to  a pre-disaster level of self-sufficiency  This agreement is a component of FEMA's interim two-phase disaster case management model.To better assist individuals recover from disasters the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Children and Families (ACF) and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have signed an interagency ag...

  The Fourth London Safety Plan includes new performance targets   The plan will now be subject to a twelve week consultation to collect the views of Londoners and key stakeholders. Members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority have recently approved a range of proposals made by London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, paving the way for public consultation on the future of the capital's fire and rescue service. The London Fire and Emergency Plann...

FEMA will host a flood risk information open house for Calhoun County residents Those interested may drop in at any time during the event to discuss mapping issues with MDEQ representatives. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, will host a flood risk information open house for Calhoun County residents on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, f...

Canada's professional fire fighters are concerned about their risk of infection during influenza pandemics Firefighters are concerned about their ability to maintain critical public safety services during the height of any type of influenza pandemic. With the influenza A / H1N1 (human swine flu) pandemic now impacting Canada, a new survey of The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) found that Canada's professional firefighters are concerned about their risk...

Canterbury firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire Canterbury firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire, which was caused by unattended cooking, left student accommodation damaged. Two fire crews were sent to Heaton Road, Canterbury just after 9.30 on 26 November after control room operators received a distressed emergency call from the residents. Once at the scene, firefighters in breathing apparatus made the...

NFPA 1600 and 14 other NFPA first responder codes and standards have received DHS's QATT designation  This is the first block of standards to receive this “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology” designation by the DHS. NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs and 14 other NFPA codes and standards have been designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as "Qualified Anti-Terrorism Tec...

New Look was fined £400,000 after pleading guilty to breaches of fire safety Sentencing of New Look took place at Southwark Crown Court on 25 November, 2009 after they pleaded guilty to two breaches of the RRO. The high street retailer New Look has been fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £136,052 in costs after pleading guilty to serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the "RRO"). It is the largest fine under the RRO. Lon...

North Kent firefighters recently took part in a training exercise to learn tackling fires in high rise buildings North Kent firefighters have been back to college for a training exercise to tackle blazes in high rise buildings. Around 25 staff and four appliances were involved in the drill which simulated a fire and required the rescue of people trapped on the sixth floor of a special tower at Dartford's North West Kent College. The practice is part of ongoing training tak...

NFPA Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving others The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is celebrating the milestone achievement of surpassing 500 communities participating in its national Firewise Communities Program. The program is an interagency effort designed to encourage wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others at the local le...

  Waterproof socks, gloves and hats, especially manufactured for emergency service markets The new range of waterproof socks, gloves and hats to be unveiled at the Emergency Services Show 2009. Leading outdoor accessories manufacturer SealSkinz will introduce its revolutionary waterproof technology to the industrial, emergency service and corporate clothing markets, with the launch of the new SealSkinz Duty range of socks, gloves and hats. Sold under the tag...

 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano ( Manuel Broussard, FEMA) The meetings were held to discuss critical infrastructure security. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today hosted the first in a series of roundtable meetings with private sector leaders. She also unveiled a new web site designed to inform the public about the Department's critical infrastructure protection, readiness and resiliency e...