Artificial Intelligence - News

BAFE is pleased to announce the SP207 Evacuation Alert Systems Scheme Document.  BAFE SP207 Scheme Supporting British Standard 8629 (Evacuation Alert Systems for use by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats), the BAFE SP207 Scheme document covers demonstrating quality evidence of competency for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of evacuation alert systems. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published the outcome of the cons...

Cool fall weather has arrived, winter is fast approaching, and Big Bear Fire Department encourages everyone to practice safe winter heating. Big Bear Valley residents and tourists alike will soon be lighting pilot lights and finding other ways to keep warm during the chill of the season. When not functioning properly, the heating appliances that are keeping users warm can turn deadly quickly. Carbon monoxide “Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and can kill its victims while they&...

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is joining forces with local authority partners and emergency services, in order to help keep people safe in the upcoming bonfire and fireworks season. With many organized events canceled across the county, emergency services are preparing for a busier night than usual. There is an emerging concern that more people will plan displays and bonfires to celebrate in their own gardens, which could pose significant risk for the people. Safety measures for Bonfi...

Renowned UK manufacturer of fire safety solutions, Application Solutions (Safety and Security) Ltd (ASL), located in Lewes, East Sussex has been recruiting apprentices since early 2012, via the UK Apprenticeship Service. Working with local training provider Sigta Training (SIGTA Limited), ASL currently employs three apprentices, across engineering and business administration, at ASL’s head office in Lewes. An apprenticeship is a genuine job combining practical training, while working with...

Former Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Director of Operations - Sean Bone-Knell and current Head of Procurement at KFRS, Tina Butler, have been recognized in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Sean Bone-Knell, who retired from KFRS in March 2020, after 33 years of service, has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal – a prestigious medal given to members of the fire services in the UK and Commonwealth for distinguished services or gallantry. Steering national pol...

A blueprint to improve competence for those working on higher-risk buildings and drive culture change has been set out by a cross-industry group representing more than 150 organizations in the fire and built environment industries. Setting the Bar is the second and final report of the Competence Steering Group (CSG) and is an update of its Interim Report, Raising the Bar, published in August 2019. The work was initiated by the recommendations in Dame Judith Hackitt’s review Building a Saf...

Denver-based crisis response software company, Incident Response Technologies, Inc. (IRT), also the developer of the Rhodium Incident Management platform, has received a personal investment from Chris Maloney, Founder of emergency services software giant, TriTech Software Systems (TriTech). The exact amount of the investment is not being disclosed, however, it brings Incident Response Technologies, IRT’s total capital amount raised till date to more than US $2.6 million. Maloney will also...

Bacharach, a globally renowned provider of HVAC-R gas instrumentation, has announced the appointment of Matthew Toone as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Matthew Toone joins Bacharach from Emerson, where he served as Vice President of Sales, Service and Solutions for Emerson’s Cold Chain Platform. New CEO appointed The company said Matthew Toone will be responsible for the further integration of the Parasense and Neutronics brands, and setting the company’s s...

Application Solutions (Safety and Security) Ltd (ASL) is pleased to announce compliance with Cyber Essentials, a government-backed scheme that ensures organizations are protected against a whole range of the most common cyber threats and attacks. Compliance with Cyber Essentials The accreditation demonstrates ASL’s commitment to cyber security and its security program that ensures best security practices are followed, devices and networks are protected, policies, processes, and procedure...

Along with global safety equipment manufacturers, MSA Safety Incorporated’s mission of protecting lives, staying agile, and being responsive to customer needs has been an unwavering focus for more than a century. Best IR Website Award The company announced that its efforts to leverage digital technologies to engage with the investor community were recently recognized by IR Magazine with the 2020 Best Investor Relations (IR) Website award. The award was presented on September 16, 2020, as...

Tickets are now on sale for ADAPT 2020, a three-day virtual summit presented by Emergency Reporting (ER), the globally renowned company in secure, cloud-based reporting and records management software (RMS) for Fire and EMS agencies. The virtual event will take place from November 17 to November 19, 2020 and will be sponsored by Microsoft. Ticket prices start at just US$ 99.00 per attendee, with group pricing available to make it easier for departments to send more of their personnel. ADAPT 20...

From the structural situation to the hazards to possible reactions for care management and staff: the Joint Committee on Fire Prevention Education and Fire Safety Education of the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV) and the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has worked up the topic of 'Behavior in case of fire in care facilities' with a technical recommendation. "Offered is an easy-to-read guide that provides the necessary background information to be able to make...

New COVID-19 restrictions have been introduced by the Government, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.  While this does not directly affect fire safety work, BAFE would fully support the advice that the stronger requirements for face coverings should be implemented consistently within the fire safety industry. This is especially important with technicians working on-site at care facilities and other buildings where vulnerable people may be exposed to the virus. Controlling COVID-19...

Motorola Solutions has announced the launch of the APX NEXT XE, its next-generation Project 25 (P25) radio with broadband capabilities, specifically built for firefighters. APX NEXT XE The APX NEXT XE combines mission-critical voice communications with data applications that bring together radio voice control, messaging, mapping, and vital new collaboration applications that can help improve situational awareness of those in the field. APX NEXT XE, and its predecessor, APX NEXT for law enforc...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (WYFRS) have given the go ahead to relocate the fire station in Hightown Road, in Cleckheaton, to WYFRS Headquarters in Birkenshaw, United Kingdom. The decision was made at the Full Authority meeting held on September 18, 2020 and will see an investment of £1.3 million to build a new facility, which will be closer to the more high risk areas, where fires and other emergencies tend to occur often. New Fire station The new station will also provide...

Nicki Vaca has been promoted to the position of Business Optimization Manager for HURST Jaws of Life, a unit of IDEX Fire & Safety, drawing on her two decades of experience and senior leadership roles with the industry’s major global manufacturer of rescue tools. Most recently, she held the position of Manager of Operations at HURST Jaws of Life’s Shelby, North Carolina headquarters. Nicki Vaca has also held key roles in operations, IT, facilities and planning, and customer care...

Johnson Controls, the global renowned solutions provider for smart and sustainable buildings, has announced an enhanced listing for its LFP Antifreeze. The industry’s first UL listed antifreeze is now listed for system volumes of up to 500 gallons. LFP Antifreeze LFP Antifreeze complements the full line of Tyco fire suppression products. Those offerings, along with other Johnson Controls products and solutions, help make buildings more safe, secure and sustainable. “With over 150...

Global Fire Equipment (GFE) appoints Vikrant Patil as Regional Director for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, in order to help drive further growth in this key market. Fire detection equipment manufacturer, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), has set its sights on further growth in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with the appointment of Vikrant Patil as Regional Director to help deliver the company’s ambitious growth plans for this key market. Long-term commercial partnerships In this newly cre...

Global Fire Group, which includes Global Fire Equipment (GFE), a global manufacturer of fire detection equipment, and Createch, specialists in emergency lighting equipment, have announced the appointment of Paul Pope as Group Business Development Director Worldwide. Paul will be responsible for overseeing the group’s international growth strategy, marketing and product management. International growth strategy Founded in Denmark in 1994 by João Paulo Ajami, Global Fire already ha...

A reminder to Schools that fire safety provisions and systems should be reviewed and maintained on a regular basis. IFSEC Global has reported that “according to new research from insurer, Zurich Municipal, schools in England are “nearly twice as likely” to suffer from a fire as other types of commercial buildings.” Life safety systems The data, from 28,800 schools in England alone, noted reasons including poor fire detection and the regular presence of cooking equipmen...

EEAST is joining their blue light colleagues in the police, fire and rescue service, and wider NHS to celebrate the National Emergency Services Day 2020. This annual event takes place to thank the heroic men and women who work or volunteer in the NHS and emergency services while promoting the wide range of career opportunities that are available. national Emergency Services Day The National Emergency Services Day event begins at 9 am on the ninth day of the ninth month with two minutes’...

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has published new guidance regarding “the end of recognition of the CE mark in GB and affix the UK marking using a UK-recognized ‘approved body’ by 1 January 2022.” Impact of BAFE Schemes  The guidance states “Businesses are being encouraged now to be ready for the full implementation of the new UK regime, as soon as possible after 1 January 2021. Businesses will be able to use the UK mark from 1 Ja...

With a large joint stand, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection eV (vfdb) will contribute to the international transfer of technology and know-how at Australia's largest trade fair for rescue and security. At the same time, the event, the AFAC - powered by INTERSCHUTZ in Perth, is intended to provide insight into the effectiveness of security defense in Germany. Fair participation The vfdb is looking for innovative companies and institutions that would like to present th...

BAFE and FireQual Ltd are pleased to announce that they have appointed Nic Preston as the FireQual Qualifications Manager from 1st September 2020. Nic Preston Nic Preston has over 14 years of experience in the training and development sector with a proven ability in quality assurance demonstrated in several roles influencing training environments within the UK. His most recent roles have been developing and implementing growth strategies as Chief Executive of SFEDI Awards, the Awarding Organi...

Predicting when a fire will happen is a difficult and complex task. Emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning tools could help predict the path and severity of fires maybe even the occurrence. But before these technologies emerge, can the statistics on house fires in the US and UK help us understand when most fires happen? UK Fire Statistics The good news is that, on the whole, fires in the UK are in decline. This is due to continuous improvement in fire safety education and buildi...

The FIA is pleased to announce that following extensive and detailed discussions with BAFE, the independent register of Third Party Certificated fire safety service providers, BAFE will be acquiring the operation of the FIA AO.   BAFE will be establishing FireQual Ltd as an OFQUAL-approved Awarding Body to run the existing Fire Detection and Alarm qualification examinations and to develop new qualifications across the fire sector that will support the call for greater competence and avail...

Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd. (Eurotech) is excited to announce a new product range added to their popular collection. Exclusive to Eurotech in the United Kingdom, Vigil Anti Slip Protection provides some of the best-in-class products, thereby offering unparalleled quality. Vigil Anti Slip Protection Occupational accidents, unfortunately, occur every single day and one-third of these incidents are caused by slipping, tripping, or falling. Not only do these incidents cause personal distress and in...

Eurotech is delighted to announce the appointment of James Aherne and Joshua Minter, both of whom have joined the company in the capacity of Regional Sales Managers. James Aherne joins Eurotech from a Commissioning Engineer background, based in Ireland and will be looking after the company’s existing customer accounts, in both Ireland and North West England, in the United Kingdom. Vast knowledge of Eurotech’s fire systems James Aherne’s expertise will enable him to assist t...

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have welcomed 12 new on-call firefighters to stations across the county. Despite the pandemic, the on-call recruits have completed a 10-week training course to enable them to get ‘on the run’ at the community fire stations. The group completed their phase one training course earlier this month and now have the core skills required to operate safely as a firefighter with their new stations. On-call firefighters are such a huge part of the fire a...

The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint William T. (Bill) Johnson to lead Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. Operations expert Bill Johnson has served for more than 26 years at the fire department, in which he has distinguished himself with his leadership and management skills. He is well-versed in the operations of the fire department, having served in various roles throughout his career. During his employment with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, Bill has advan...