COVID-19 - News
The Board of Directors of MSA Safety Inc. announced the election of Nish J. Vartanian to the position of Chairman, succeeding William M. Lambert, who will continue to serve the company as a Director. Mr. Vartanian, 60, is the sixth chairman in the history of the 106-year-old Pittsburgh-based company - a global provider in the development and manufacture of innovative technologies that help protect people's health and safety, and facility infrastructures. Mr. Vartanian became an MSA director in...
The Board of Directors of MSA Safety Incorporated declared a second quarter dividend of 43 cents per share on common stock, payable June 10, 2020 to shareholders of record on May 22, 2020. Combined with the company’s first quarter dividend, this represents a 4 percent increase on an annual basis compared to 2019. MSA has increased its dividend annually for more than 50 consecutive years. Over the past twelve months, the company has funded $65 million of dividends to shareholders and deplo...
The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (RBFRS) is supporting the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) week-long sprinkler campaign, taking place from 18-24 May, 2020. Sprinklers are widely recognized as the most effective method of fighting the early stages of a fire, can save lives and reduce damage to property. RBFRS’ Area Manager for Prevention and Protection, Doug Buchanan, said “Although times are challenging at the moment, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we w...
Oshkosh Corporation, an innovator of mission-critical vehicles and equipment, announced that John C. Pfeifer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Oshkosh, effective May 11, 2020. Mr. Pfeifer will continue to report to Wilson R. Jones, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Pfeifer joined Oshkosh in May 2019 and has been responsible for overseeing the Company’s Access Equipment, Fire & Emergency and Commercial segments...
Apollo Fire Detectors is delivering online training to members of the fire industry throughout the government lockdown thanks to a series of online events, including CPD webinars and virtual product training courses. Online fire focused CPD webinars Created in response to a significant volume of requests from consultants and specifiers for technical training, each week Apollo is delivering an online fire focused CPD, covering topics such as EN 54-23 Visual Alarm Devices (VADs) and An Introduct...
Residents across the county are being urged to stay at home and keep fire safe over the upcoming bank holiday weekend. With the weather set to be warm and sunny for most of the weekend, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to follow the government's advice to stay home, while also keeping fire safe. Protecting NHS Group Commander Paul Clarke, the Service's Head of Community Fire Safety, said, “This has been a challenging time for many people and we want to thank ev...
Evita V600 and V800, and Babylog VN600 and VN800 are Dräger's new devices for the intensive care ventilation of adults to premature babies. For the intensive care and neonatal ventilation devices, Dräger has developed an operating concept that makes orientation even easier and provides clearer user guidance. Evita and Babylog ventilators The user is intuitively guided through the individual menus with larger icons, important functions at the top menu level, and a clear, color-coordin...
FIREX International is proud to announce the free Digital Week content series to be held online from May 18 to May 20, 2020. This five-day digital gathering delivers interactive and curated webinars, video interviews, technical reviews and live Q&A sessions to keep you connected with one's fire safety colleagues. Digital Week content series The Digital Week content series program will address major industry issues, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the fire sector, sourcing PPE (...
The protection against fire, even in times like this, is still critical. And Apollo are here to meet the demand. The crisis has presented certain challenges to production, but Apollo remains committed to the customers. The company aims to meet orders, whilst at the same time, keeping the colleagues safe. Continued production Signage posted throughout detailing; the two-meter separation and the ‘one-way’ road guidelines With the aid of Government guidance, Apollo has been able to c...
According to their South African manufacturer ThoroughTec, CYBERDRIVE ARFF simulators are the perfect solution for organizations looking to dramatically improve ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) operational readiness while also cutting costs. When ThoroughTec first started out over 25 years ago, the founders had two overarching goals – ‘to always build great products’ and ‘to only employ thoroughbreds.’ To this day, these goals are enshrined in the corporate...
Kentec Electronics, a life safety system manufacturer, has strengthened its international in-country sales team with the appointment of Morné Müller as Business Development Manager Africa. Morné joins recent recruits Ibrahim Ariqat, Business Development Manager Middle East, and Eloi Del Valle, International Business Development Manager. Eloi, based in Barcelona, works within Kentec’s central European and Scandinavian markets, while Ibrahim, who is based in Dubai, operat...
Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted provider of solutions that empower community safety, is working with states, cities and counties nationwide to equip local authorities and first responders with the tools they need to communicate with the public and protect front-line workers as they respond to the coronavirus. Officials in Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chicago, Seattle, Suffolk County, New York and Kern County, California, among others, are leveraging Rave for critical public notifi...
If there’s one thing that everyone has learned in the last few months, it is that the world can change at a moment’s notice. While there will certainly be more surprises to come in the future, a few things are certain, including population and climate change. How will humans change the way they build to tackle these challenges? and How can fire safety be maintained in the buildings of the future? These are some of the key questions. Ageing global population The world’s popul...
Due to the rapid spread of coronavirus, the world's trade fair INTERSCHUTZ has been postponed to 2021. The motto, “#whateverthechallenge”, that has been proclaimed for this event however still remains as guiding principle for ZIEGLER. The company now presents the latest innovations in the context of the “Innovation Rollout 2020”. User interface operating concept After the ALPAS of the latest generation has been introduced to the market, the rollout now continues with t...
As of 6th May, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is changing its response to automatic fire alarm activations during the coronavirus pandemic. Full statement from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Pre-determined attendance at automatic fire alarm actuations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is taking all necessary measures to minimize disruption to the emergency response during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Demand on front-line resources...
Throughout April and into the foreseeable future the FIA will continue providing its online CPD sessions across the breadth of the fire industry with '99% of delegates saying that the training meets their needs well to extremely well and 98% are satisfied or very satisfied with the CPD content. Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates took part in the FIA’s second industry-recognized online CPD day. The fire industry has adapted incredibly well to the impacts of COVID-19 and it has not hindered...
On Monday, May 4, 2020, a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site will open in the parking lot of the Walmart store located at 5991 Goldenrod Road, Orlando, FL, 32822. The site is made possible through a partnership with the City of Orlando, Walmart, Quest Diagnostics, and state agencies to expand testing to those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and all health care providers and first responders in the Orlando community. We’re proud to partner with Walmart and Quest Diagnostics to be abl...
Life during and immediately after COVID-19 will change the way one lives, especially the work patterns. Marketers have historically done everything in their power to get people to read their stories, watch their videos and absorb their advertisements. The enemy is the lack of time in the working day. In the last 2 months, there has been a paradigm shift in what is now labeled as the ‘new normal’, as an unprecedented amount of people have had the majority of their work and/or social...
Throughout April and into the foreseeable future the FIA will continue providing its online CPD sessions across the breadth of the fire industry with '99% of delegates saying that the training meets their needs well to extremely well and 98% are satisfied or very satisfied with the CPD content. Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates took part in the FIA’s second industry-recognized online CPD day. The fire industry has adapted incredibly well to the impacts of COVID-19 and it has not hindered...
In line with current government guidance, Europe’s door manufacturer, Hörmann, has released a video outlining how professionals can keep themselves, their colleagues and their customers safe while installing its popular range of garage, entrance and internal doors. Available to view on Hörmann UK’s YouTube Channel, the video provides installers with guidance on the measures they should take before, during and after an installation to ensure the wellbeing of all individuals...
With the current pandemic resulting in the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events, charities all over the UK are struggling and need help more than ever. In a bid to help raise vital funds for local charity The Movement Centre, Aico has joined the UK wide 2.6 Challenge. In place of the London marathon, the 2.6 Challenge commenced on Sunday 26th April 2020 and the challenges can consist of any activity to suit all ages and abilities. The team at Aico have gotten stuck in with a variety...
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy offer guidance. The Business Intelligence and Readiness Directorate, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will be hosting a webinar 05/05/2020 to advise on the coronavirus financial support schemes available. The webinar will cover: Eligibility for small business grants Applying for a loan Tax Claiming for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
April 30th is the day the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) was supposed to host the 32nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner, an event to have been attended by 1,500 fire and emergency services leaders across the country to pay tribute to the dedication and commitment of our nation’s firefighters and emergency services personnel. Back in the latter part of 2019, CFSI considered different themes for the 2020 program and selected “Recognizing Our Nation&rsqu...
In the first three months of 2020, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Dräger) has announced reporting an extraordinary increase in order intake, as well as a rise in net sales. Earnings were up significantly year on year. Order intake saw a sharp rise, increasing by 116.7 percent (net of currency effects) in the first three months. High order intake At EUR 1,392.7 million, order intake was up 115.1 percent year on year in nominal terms (3 months 2019: EUR 647.6 million). Orders increased...
Fire Chief Michael Patterson and Police Chief Michael Kent are pleased to announce that the Burlington Police and Fire Departments will be among several first responder agencies throughout the region paying a special visit to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center of Burlington, on May 4, 2020, to show their appreciation to the hospital’s employees. tribute to frontline medical staff The Burlington Police and Fire Departments, which are organizing the event, will be among several neighborin...
A Cottenham based firefighter rallies his local community to donate face masks to a hospice charity. Crew Commander Roger Pake raised more than £2,000 to cover the cost of 700 N95 masks for staff at Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge. Roger said, “I saw the plea from the charity on Facebook and felt I could help. I know people that have family members looked after by the hospice, plus my wife works there so I am fully aware of the great work they do. This is why I was very keen to do...
Property fires across South Yorkshire look to have dropped by almost a quarter during lockdown, according to the county’s fire service. 23% reduction The reduction, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue says, is pleasing with firefighters expecting a slight increase due to large amounts of people spending more time at home. Latest figures show that crews attended 157 primary fire incidents across Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley, between 23 March and 23 April. This, when compar...
Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated reported results for the first quarter of 2020. Quarterly Highlights Revenue was $341 million, increasing 5 percent from a year ago on a reported basis and 7 percent on a constant currency basis. GAAP operating income was $59 million or 17.2 percent of sales, compared to $32 million or 9.9 percent of sales in the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income was $64 million or 18.7 percent of sales, compared to $58 million or...
The Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) is temporarily taking up to 12 suppression units out of rotation since they are experiencing a significant reduction in calls for service, particularly in the Las Vegas Strip resort area. Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck said the factors considered for the temporary shutdown include call volume, fire response, patient transporting, and additional in-station or surrounding resources. This is a very fluid situation. A unit that makes sense to temporar...
The campaign highlights how everyone at the company must continue to take an uncompromising approach to health and safety as Knauf Insulation adjusts to a new working environment shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Knauf Insulation’s CEO Jean-Claude Carlin, said: “Knauf Insulation must always be ‘As Safe As Home’ and this new campaign underlines everything that we have learnt from the COVID crisis.” Well-Being of colleagues “Safety has always been our first pr...
