COVID-19 - News
As those first on the scene to respond to disasters and emergency events, first responders prioritize the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. This often means first responders are facing dangerous and challenging situations, leading to high-stress levels and possible development of burnout, compassion fatigue, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently featured 2 behavioral health resources for first responders....
BigChange, the globally renowned field-service management software solutions company, has announced that it has signed almost 200 new customers and £14 million worth of new contracts in the first half of 2022. This was the company’s most successful half-year of sales in its ten-year history of existence. In addition to the strong growth reported in the United Kingdom (UK), BigChange has also secured its first customer in Canada and expanded its international presence across France,...
The staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has been praised, after inspectors rated the service as one of the top performing in the country. Tyne and Wear’s most senior fire officer has praised firefighters and fire staff after the Service was rated as ‘Good’ by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). It is the second inspection in a row that the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has been graded ‘Good&...
The National Collaborative PPE Framework is celebrating five years of success in delivering high-quality PPE to Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) across the UK. Launched in June 2017 to streamline the PPE procurement process, the scheme has since delivered protective clothing to around two-thirds of FRSs across the country, equating to more than 30,000 firefighters. Created with a view to sharing best practices and delivering efficiencies, the National Framework is managed by the National Fire Ch...
Zitko Group has dedicated July to focusing on and improving the EDI policies, specifically regarding mental health and disability awareness. The pandemic caused a shift in society’s perception of individual needs and, as the effects from the disruption are still being felt, the need for empathy and special considerations is greater than ever. This need rightfully extends to the treatment of staff by management. Unprecedented upheaval The unprecedented upheaval of the last few years has...
Fire prevention remains essential even in the current economy. However, the design, installation, and maintenance of critical life safety systems have come under new price and process pressures. Costs must be optimized, while time on site and person-to-person contact minimized. Italy’s home-grown Argus wireless fire systems offer fire professionals the optimal solution in the current environment. Wireless fire detection and alarm systems Wireless fire detection and alarm systems offer k...
DuPont (Dupont Personal Protection) has partnered with a renowned UK fashion design university to develop Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that is fit for today’s changing workforce. The collaboration between Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design and DuPont Personal Protection aims to innovate protective clothing in line with evolving worker needs. Evolving demographic makeup of the workforce The demographic makeup of the workforce is evolving. The share of Eur...
WAGNER Group GmbH (WAGNER) has been awarded the ‘Innovative through Research’ seal by the Stifterverband, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This seal is awarded to companies that participate in the survey on research and development (R&D). The aim is to obtain a picture of the German research and innovation system in the business sector. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, WAGNER has been able to significantly increase its spending on the R&D dep...
DripDrop and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed up for the third year to provide dehydration relief to firefighters, as they battle wildfire and other strenuous response situations. In 2022, DripDrop has donated 400,000 servings of its oral rehydration solution (ORS) to volunteer fire departments across the U.S.A (United States of America). DripDrop – NVFC partnership While the program is now closed, volunteer firefighters can still receive a 20 percent discount on o...
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) made available details of the fire and EMS activity, much of it fireworks related, occurring across the District during the Independence Day holiday weekend. For the four-hour period from 9 p.m., 4th July 2022, to 1 a.m., 5th July 2022, the District dispatched crews to 38 fire incidents. This represents at least a 300 percent increase over other Mondays, which in June, averaged nine such fire dispatches per day. For the entire Independence...
During these years, lots of additional safety measures have been installed in most workplaces. Whether this is in shops, warehouses, or offices, everyone is having to take extra precautions to stay safe from the virus. Fire risk assessments are vital for every business’ safety and there are laws to ensure a safe working environment for all. These laws and procedures are in place to keep staff safe and reduce the impact that a potential fire may have on a business’ stock, equipment,...
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) has posted 2 user notices that may impact certain respirators used by fire and emergency medical services providers. The NPPTL issued a May 2022 notice PDF for 3M Scott SCBA Air-Pak models manufactured between Nov. 1, 2019 and April 12, 2022. 3M Scott has received reports on the Air-Pak X3, Air-Pak X3 Pro and X3-21 Pro models referencing the primary and/or secon...
There have been significant improvements in the NHS and social care over the past few years, but there are major challenges ahead. Life expectancy varies across England. People are living longer, but not always healthier lives. There are more frail elderly people with complex needs and more children, young people, and adults with mental health challenges. The challenge is significant On 1 July 2022, the way health and care services are planned, paid for, and delivered is changing to better me...
When it comes to chemical protective clothing, industrial workers have a lot of factors to consider. They need a garment with barrier fabric that will prevent hazardous chemicals from permeating through, along with seam construction that won’t compromise the garment at potentially vulnerable areas, and a garment design that is appropriate for the task and potential exposure. Within the Tychem line of protective apparel from Dupont Personal Protection (Dupont), Tychem 6000 F is a popular c...
Avon Protection's priority is the health and safety of its employees, customers, channel partners, and suppliers. It is focused on continuing to protect the capability of Militaries and First Responders around the world. Avon Protection has been classified as “critical infrastructure” by the UK and U.S. Governments and as such its manufacturing facilities have remained open during this time. Avon has closely followed the advice of Governments and health authorities in the locations...
At the trade fair Interschutz, Rosenbauer will present a solution for simply and efficiently combating the spread of easily communicable infectious diseases in high-traffic sites and public hotspots. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically demonstrated one thing. Wherever a lot of people gather, germs always have an opportunity to thrive: at airports, train stations, trade fairs, hotels, stadiums, hospitals, or shopping malls. With the Rosenbauer RPS AeroGate disinfection bridge, which reliably...
Further to the announcement on 7 August 2019, Avon Rubber is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of 3M’s ballistic protection business (the “Business”) and the rights to the Ceradyne brand. Over the next 12 months, the company will transition the critical business functions to Avon in a phased and controlled manner. During this transition phase, the business will be operating as usual as a stand-alone business alongside Avon Protection. As a reminder, th...
The National Volunteer Fire Council and Color Health, in partnership with the CDC, are supporting free COVID-19 lab testing for under-resourced communities across the nation. Your fire department can play a critical role to increase access in your area by becoming a testing location. It takes little effort from your team and no certification is required. Participation benifits In exchange for your participation in this program, your department will receive $250 for participating, $50 for ev...
June 21 is the official start of summer and Gilbert Fire & Rescue along with the Gilbert Police Department want to share a few safety tips for users to keep in mind. Limit the time outdoors during peak heat hours. Stay hydrated - drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Take frequent breaks in the shade if users are required to be outdoors. Watch children and pets around water at all times. Don't leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle - look before locking. Check on elderly...
In order to inform an NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) Health and Wellbeing strategy, colleagues from Nottingham Trent University have been tasked with conducting a survey, to map health and well-being across fire and rescue service staff, in order to better understand current and future needs. Health and Well-being strategy The NFCC Health and Wellbeing strategy will reflect the health and well-being needs of people in the fire safety industry, across all careers. Led by Dr. R...
It is with a heavy heart that BAFE announces the passing of two friends and colleagues. Both, Peter Chilton and Dominic Cook passed away at the end of April 2022. They both greatly assisted BAFE with fire extinguisher technician assessments/verification and exam invigilation as experts within their field. Peter Chilton Peter Chilton had more than 30 years of fire industry experience before working with BAFE, including 25 years with a fire extinguisher organization, Fire Protection Servi...
Dr. Harry Carter lost his battle with cancer on June 17, 2022. He was a dedicated member of the CVVFA serving in several roles as the NJ Representative to the CVVFA Presidents Council and as Editor in Chief of www.Respondersafety.com, where he oversaw highway incident struck-by reporting and authored the editor’s column. CVVFA paying tribute Dr. Harry Carter helped launch Respondersafety.com and contributed to its now 10 thousand pages of content. “He wrote until his declining heal...
As part of its 10-year strategic plan, ‘Transformation Morgan 2030: Leading the Future,’ Baltimore-based Morgan State University (MSU) has partnered with Siemens on its journey to becoming a smart and connected campus of the future. Modernisation upgrades Improvements currently underway include implementing a series of modernization upgrades to the university’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), security, and fire and life safety systems with a focus on energy...
Having a robust supply chain is an essential element of modern business. Verifying that potential suppliers hold essential accredited certifications (such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 14001 for environmental management) is a key part of building a reliable network. Many organizations in both the public and private sectors specify that prospective suppliers must hold UKAS-accredited certification. procurement best practice Independently checking the authenticity of each applicant&...
RESCUE Intellitech AB, the innovative Swedish manufacturer of decon washers for SCBAs, face masks and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), such as boots, gloves, and helmets, has announced that their recently launched DeconWasher Pro S will be available for orders on the global market as of now. After a successful introduction on the North American market earlier in 2022 spring season, RESCUE Intellitech AB will now showcase the new machine at INTERSCHUTZ 2022, which is taking place in Ha...
Frontline firefighters in Tyne and Wear are benefitting from a ground-breaking new scheme, which sees them being trained in first aid and trauma support by a leading North East paramedic educator. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have teamed up with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), in a scheme believed to be the first of its kind in England. TWFRS – NEAS partnership It has seen Paramedic Educator, Phil Barlow, who has 15-years frontline experience being seconded to...
Fire safety checks will need to be redone on more than 1,600 council homes, because of concerns previous inspections may have been conducted by unqualified officials. The revelation is the latest twist in a long-running saga, which emerged last year when Norwich City Council admitted hundreds of people in its properties were potentially put in danger because crucial safety inspections of fire, water, and electrics had not been done. Overdue gas checks Since then, £1.2 million has been s...
Recent research from Duke University involved firefighters wearing silicon wristbands on and off the job. The silicon absorbs any semi-volatile organic compounds the firefighters may have been exposed to. The wristbands worn by firefighters were analyzed for 134 different chemical compounds, including phthalates, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), all of which have been linked to increased...
Research by Luxfer Gas Cylinders into how back, joint and limb pain affect firefighter health is released, ahead of Interschutz 2022. Fire services could be losing an average of 25 staff days per year, for each team member affected by poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health – thought to be around one in four firefighters. Luxfer, the industry-renowned manufacturer of lightweight, durable, high-performance SCBA cylinders, investigated the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal health issues, i...
Over 2,300 first responders have taken an online instructor-led live course from the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the number is growing. The NFA suspended its on-campus and field courses in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2020, the NFA and USFA’s partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives launched the first online instructor-led live 2-day course, “Fire Investigation: First Responders,” using the Zoom video conferencing app. Ad...
