COVID-19 - News
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released a new course in the Virtual Classroom on ‘Leadership in the Fire & Emergency Services’. NVFC’s on-demand course This on-demand course provides an overview of leadership roles, how anyone can be a leader regardless of rank, and tips to help in succeeding as an emergency service leader. Virtual Classroom courses are always free to al NVFC members, but this course is free for a limited time to all members of the fire a...
ASELSAN's turnover in 2021 increased by 25%, when compared to 2020 and reached 20.1 billion TL. Continuing its sustainable growth with its investments, the net profit of the company was 7.1 billion TL. While ASELSAN’s Profit Before Interest, Depreciation and Tax (EBITDA) rose to TL 5.5 billion, its net profit reached TL 7.1 billion. The company’s equity to assets ratio was 56%, while cash flows from its operations increased by 42%, when compared to the previous year and reached 2.4...
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2022 fire service achievement awards. Steven Klein will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by ADT, Chief John Buckman III will receive the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems, Kaylee Gianforte will receive the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, and the Rowlett Explorer Post One wil...
Hi-line Industries, an established and reputable UK manufacturer of high-quality compressed air purification equipment, announced that the company is now offering a fully-featured range of desiccant air dryers. The company’s series of class-leading HPSA heatless dryers includes new standard models, the recently launched HPSA-CT (Carbon Tower) version, plus the bespoke HP-HPSA (High Pressure) model. As a result, Hi-line Industries can fulfill the needs of any company that needs dry, clean...
A team of female firefighters is preparing for a record-breaking trek to ski Antarctica coast-to-coast with global Survival Technology pioneer Survitec as one of its sponsors. The six-strong Antarctic Fire Angels are undertaking the grueling expedition to showcase women's empowerment and tackle the stigma of talking about mental health. Gender equality awareness Martin Whittaker, Survitec CEO – Aerospace and Defence, said, “Protecting lives is at the forefront of everything we do...
Nothing beats a conference, when it comes to making new contacts or re-establishing old ones. The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd (BAFSA) has announced that the internationally renowned Fire Sprinkler International 2022 (FSI 2022) exhibition, taking place in London, from May 31 to June 1, 2022, will bring the international fire protection community together once again. Fire Sprinkler International 2022 At Fire Sprinkler International 2022 event, attendees will hear from renown...
Tim Edwards has been appointed as Norfolk’s new interim chief fire officer. The appointment follows existing Chief Fire Officer Stuart Ruff’s announcement of his intention to retire from the service, which he has been at the helm of since the Spring of 2019. Chief Fire Officer Edwards joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at the age of 16 in 1988 and served on various watches as an operational firefighter before rising up the ranks. Most recently he was appointed Assistant Chief Fi...
3M and Discovery Education are excited to announce that the 2022 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) is now open to entries. As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of ‘America's Top Young Scientist.’ Competition entries are accepted at the YoungScientistLab website unt...
Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic introduced the world to the concept of ‘the new normal’, nothing is normal anymore. A simple incident can be disastrous for something as vital as the supply chain, as we have seen with the blockage of the Suez Canal. The essence of that chain is to give companies the certainty that raw materials and components are available, in order to produce the finished goods. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns, and a high demand because of digit...
All homes in Scotland must have interlinked smoke alarms from 1 February. As the date nears, members of the Scottish Parliament have expressed their concerns about whether all homeowners will be able to comply. The Scottish Government gave Care and Repair Scotland £500k to help older and disabled homeowners install alarms. The daily record reported on 25 January that Care and Repair Scotland had struggled to meet demand and had closed its doors to new requests. Since September the se...
The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated the retirement of three civilian employees, during a ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Lauren Marie Lohr of the Medical supply chain, retired after 41 years of service, Robert DiPentima of the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after 40 years of service and Linda Farrell, also from the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after eight years of service. DLA Troop Support retirees honored Thei...
Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Special Commodities Branch has won the DLA’s Team Performance of the Year Award, in the medium team category. Within this dedicated group of 42 employees, over 530 years of practical floor experience and high levels of technical expertise combine to drive and shape the day-to-day operation of cold chain management for DDSP. The Special Commodities Branch The Special Commodities Branch is responsible for...
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, will open a Disaster Recovery Center on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Ferndale, Whatcom County, Washington, USA, in order to help survivors of the November flooding and mudslides. New Disaster Recovery Center The new recovery center’s location will be Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Cherry Street, in Ferndale, Washington The new recovery cente...
The Latvian National Armed Forces has awarded a contract to Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) for the supply of their market renowned CBRN respiratory protection, including FM50 mask systems, filters, spares and accessories. Latvia joins other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nations and partners, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and The Netherlands, in purchasing the FM50 to protect their armed forces. NSPA contract for CBRN personal respirator system S...
A report published reveals inspectors were left ‘impressed’ with how Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) had responded to the Covid-19 pandemic so far. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was commissioned at the end of last year by the Home Secretary to inspect all fire and rescue services in the country to see how the sector was responding to the pandemic. The inspection team visited CFRS and published its findings al...
Cases of arson are still commonplace in the construction industry and are widely believed to be the number one cause of on-site fires. An ongoing problem requires a proactive defense mechanism, as John Tyrer, Sales Director at wireless solutions firm Ramtech North America, explains. Causes of arson Irreplaceable heritage buildings lost, costs that go through the roof, and progress that cannot be recovered, the effects of arson are vast and uniquely upsetting. But these are concerns consi...
In 2021, Optimum experienced another year of uncertainty within the construction industry. With both COVID and Brexit exacerbating material availability and putting unprecedented strain on the supply chain. However, Optimum is delighted to have navigated through the turbulence of 2021 and ended the year on a high, and are very proud to announce that the Optimum Fire Stopping team won Best Installation Project of the Year for their contribution to The Grange University Hospital (SCCC) project in...
A road safety barrier firm is now protecting the planet as well as people by recycling every item of PPE when it reaches the end of its life. Hardstaff Barriers, which manufactures and supplies vehicle restraint systems (VRS) and security barriers, is now ensuring that all personal protective equipment that can no longer be worn is recycled rather than disposed of. Personal protective equipment PPE has been widely used in the workplace for many years, but since the outbreak of COVID-19, its u...
As the World braces for another rapidly advancing mutating version of COVID-19, face masks are being used to reduce the chance of spreading or capturing COVID-19 once again. To limit the spread of the virus as much as possible, countries across the world are advising their citizens to consider making mask use mandatory both outdoors and indoors. As the world starts enforcing limited lockdowns it's important to understand the differences between various types of face masks. Three types of...
As the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus spreads rapidly, 3M has been providing information about the company’s 3M N95 respirators, including information on where to buy them, how to ensure a proper fit, and why they are considered the standard equipment for protection. “As we have throughout the pandemic, 3M is committed to making sure everyone who needs an N95 has access,” said Raymond Eby, the President of 3M’s Personal Safety Division, adding”3M's N95 respi...
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, has been widely used in the workplace for many years to protect employees from health or safety risks. But since the outbreak of COVID-19, the use of PPE has skyrocketed. While this protective clothing ensures the safety of the workforce, what about the effect that the increased production and subsequent disposal of this PPE are having on the environment? Textile destruction and recycling service In the UK, approximately one million tonnes of clothing is...
Cancer is a serious threat facing today’s fire service, but there are ways by which people can lower the risks. These include the 11 best practices for firefighter cancer prevention, outlined in the Lavender Ribbon Report. Firefighter cancer prevention This course explains how to incorporate these practices into daily routines, so as to reduce the exposure risks and protect themselves and fellow firefighters. For a limited time, interested individuals can take this course for free in the...
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority is asking residents to have their say on proposals to increase the fire service’s share of council tax for 2022/23. The Service is looking for a below inflation increase of £1.44 (around 2%) for the year, making the total contribution for the year £74.97 for a resident living in a Band D property. Following the financial settlement confirmed by the government at the end of December 2021, which confirmed the level of funding for th...
ImageTrend, Inc. released the second issue of the Collaborate Short Report: Pediatric Behavioral Health Incidents in the Pre-hospital Setting, from January 2018 to October 2021. Studies have found an increase in emergent pediatric behavioral health incidents over the last two decades and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborate Short Report This Collaborate Short Report focuses on how these incidents have changed across age groups and different regions from 2018 to 2021, by look...
Between the 16th and the 18th of January 2022, Argus Spectrum International will take part in the world’s premier trade fair for Security, Safety & Fire Protection - Intersec Dubai (UAE). Argus Spectrum International as being one of the world’s pioneers in the design and manufacturing of wireless fire systems will present certified in 83 countries wireless fire detection system Streletz-PRO at the stand A12, Hall 4. MESH-network Streletz-PRO is a new product line of wire...
More than half a million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given by fire and rescue services staff, according to a report by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). As reported, the figure as of now is at 510,540 – a testament to the hard work from all involved, and will only increase as fire services continue their efforts to support the national program. Additional vaccination sites It is estimated up to 2,500 members of staff are supporting this vital work to get everyone eligible pro...
The past 18 months have been transformational in many ways. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing safety legislation, and a squeeze on profit margins have been a catalyst for change, thereby leading to significant investments in new software. It’s also put the spotlight on productivity and efficiency. According to ONS figures, productivity levels in construction have remained consistently below the UK average, until more recently. New digital strategy However, civil engineeri...
A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) Project Manager has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to supporting the vaccination rollout in Cambridgeshire. John Barlow, who’s been with the Service for over 35 years, has been supporting the COVID-19 vaccination program since January 2021. In celebration of his efforts, John Barlow was invited by the Duchess of Cambridge on behalf of the Royal Foundation to attend a Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey. The event t...
Without significant warning, a vicious wildfire quickly destroyed hundreds of homes in just hours in Colorado. The American Red Cross is responding there, where tens of thousands of people have had to leave their neighborhoods. Spurred by strong winds, the fire spread very quickly. Thousands are without power and gas, leaving them without heat in single-digit temperatures and facing a winter storm warning. Red Cross Response Red Cross disaster workers, some of whom have had to evacuate their o...
Health officials have praised a North East Fire and Rescue Service after they helped set up a vaccination center in a matter of days. Millions of residents across the UK have been invited to receive their Coronavirus booster vaccination in the face of an increase in Omicron cases in recent weeks. The new strain has led to a spike in transmissions during the festive period and health officials have called on the public to protect themselves. But it has led to a huge demand for new vaccination...
