Fire Protection - News
USFA launched an effort to encourage everyone to install and maintain home smoke alarms and sprinklers The nationwide ‘Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign' will emphasise how important smoke alarms are to the saving of lives. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has launched an effort to encourage everyone to install and maintain home smoke alarms and, if possible, sprinklers. More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year, and the majority of them have...
NFPA warns people to be aware of Halloween fire safety risks Add important fire safety tips to your bag of tricks Halloween plans typically include frightful activities, and paying attention to a few safety tips can make the difference between having a frightfully-fun experience versus a frightfully-tragic one. Decorations were the first item ignited in an estimated average of more than 1,000 home structure fires per year during 2002-2005, according to the National Fire Pr...
A firefighter adjusting her SCBA. USFA and NIST are investigating whether SCBA facepieces can be made safer Study follows incidents of SCBA face piece failure The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have started a research study to examine the enhancement of thermal performance of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) face pieces to increase the protection of firefighters. "There have been incidents o...
FPA Australia will continue to implement the Ozone Protection act Contract will uphold FPAA's leadership position on environment FPA Australia has recently signed a four year contract to continue operating as the implementing agency for those parts of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 that relate to the fire protection industry. Scott Williams, CEO of FPA Australia says, "The fire protection industry will continue to take a leadership po...
The BBC estimates nearly half of England's new schools are without fire sprinklers BBC says almost half of England's new school buildings are without fire sprinklers Following up stories on Radio 4's Today programme and on Radio 5 Live, the BBC has criticised local authorities which are still building new schools without sprinklers. Almost half of new school buildings in England do not have fire safety sprinkler systems, the BBC has learned. The government...
Fred G. Allinson has been given the NVFC's Lifetime Achievement Award Award presented at NVFC Board Meeting The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) bestowed its 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award to Fred G. Allinson, a volunteer firefighter from Washington State. With a distinguished record of service, including six years as NVFC Chairman and 39 years as a volunteer firefighter, Allinson's accomplishments exemplify outstanding performance. The NVFC Lifetime Achievement Awar...
The NVFC urges you to vote to retain a provision requiring fire sprinklers in new residential construction Join ICC by October 14 to be eligible to vote Vote to retain a provision in the International Residential Code (IRC) requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in new residential construction at the International Code Council's (ICC) Code Development Hearings on October 28 in Baltimore, MD. You must join the ICC by October 14 in order to participate in the vote....
The ESC says fire protection in tower blocks must be prioritised Statement follows BBC report into fire risks Fire integrity of tower blocks must be made a priority, says safety charity, the Electrical Safety Council (ESC). Commenting on the BBC's report on the fire risks in London's tower blocks, Phil Buckle, director general of the ESC said: "It's crucial that electrical work undertaken on behalf of council landlords is rigorously checked to ensure that fire regulations...
As part of Fire Prevention Week the NVFC is issuing tips on preventing kitchen fires, burns and injuries New tips aim to increase fire safety in the kitchen It's Fire Prevention Week, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Fire Corps have joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), firefighters, and safety advocates nationwide to increase awareness about fire safety. This year's campaign focuses on burn awareness and prevention. Visit th...
The scene following the explosion at the Slim Jim plant in June 2009 Advice follows fatal June, 2009 accident at processing plant In a new safety bulletin based on preliminary findings from the ConAgra Foods natural gas explosion in Garner, North Carolina, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) urged companies, gas installers, and contractors to follow safe practices during gas purging operations, including venting purged gases outdoors whenever practicable.The explosion, whi...
Fire Corps is highlighting the need for awareness of increasing wildfire risks Fire Corps urges action on wildfire risk Throughout National Preparedness Month Fire Corps has been releasing weekly information bulletins regarding a particular preparedness topic. September is the peak of wildfire season, and, according to The Blue Ribbon Panel on Wildland/Urban Interface, it is estimated that 100,000 wildland fires destroy nearly 1 million acres every year in the United States...
This year's Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 - 10, 2009 Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 - 10 Fire Prevention Week is October 4 - 10, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), along with local fire departments and other safety advocates nationwide are urging people to "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned." Fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in 2008. These fires resulted in 3,320 civilian fire fatalities, 16,705 civilian...
An image taken after the explosion at the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia in February 2008 Report concludes inadequate equipment design, maintenance and housekeeping led to explosions In a final draft report released today, CSB investigators said the February 7, 2008, explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, resulted from ongoing releases of sugar from inadequately designed and maintained dust collection equipment, conveyors, a...
Two firefighters were honoured with the title of Canadian Fire Chief of the Year at the CAFC conference Firefighters honoured at closing ceremonies of CAFC conference Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Fire and Emergency Services Chief Les Karpluk and Selkirk, Manitoba Fire Chief Dan Thorsteinson have been respectively named Full-time Career Fire Chief of the Year and Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC). Both awards were announced la...
The DHS has announced new grants for increased preparedness initiatives including fire station construction Grant funds made available by Recovery Act Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced more than $380 million in grants - funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - to pay for fire station construction and port and transit security initiatives nationwide while creating jobs and stimulating local economies. "Inf...
NFPA Firewise Learning Center now offers a new tool to improve community wildfire safety Firewise Learning Center offers new online seminar free to all Fire and forestry professionals have a new tool to help make communities safer from wildfire. "Conducting a Community Assessment in the Wildland/Urban Interface: Beginning the Firewise Process" is the latest offering of the NFPA's Firewise Learning Center. The online course is aimed at fire and forestry professionals an...
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has unveiled a new YouTube channel offering online training videos Educational, how-to videos available for emergency responders Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has launched a new YouTube channel devoted to instructional training for individuals who work with hazardous materials. The channel was created as part of a broader effort to provide fire-fighters, military and other emergency response teams with educational tools on how to effec...
Governor Schwarzeneggar talking to firefighters in California after recent wildfires Directs Cal/OSHA to carry out largest heat enforcement effort in its history Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today mobilized the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to prepare for increased wildfire potential as unseasonably hot and dry conditions are forecast for much of California this week. Additionally, the...
ROSENBAUER's new mobile information system was developed in the course of a research project New information system developed to provide the emergency services with mobile operational management Together with its project partners, the Austrian Fire Services Association, the Upper Austrian "Fachhochschule" in Hagenberg, mobilkom austria and Siemens, in the course of a research project, ROSENBAUER has developed an information system for mobile operational management. The focus...
The Fire Protection and Safety in Tunnels conference brings road and rail tunnel professionals together Upcoming conference will advise attendees on industry standards The Fire Protection and Safety in Tunnels conference, taking place 17 - 18 November 2009 in Paris, France, will help you to comply with industry safety standards, optimise your risk management and achieve safety excellence. This exceptional conference brings together road and rail tunnel professionals under...
US fires in 2008 caused over $15.5 billion in direct property loss NFPA Journal publishes new fire loss statistics In 2008, fires caused more than $15.5 billion in direct property loss throughout the United States; fires in residential properties accounting for $8.6 billion of the total. Findings from the newly released report "U.S. Fire Loss in the United States in 2008" appear in the latest issue of NFPA Journal®, the official magazine of the National Fire Protection...
Forty percent of US home fire deaths throughout 2003-2006 occured in homes without smoke alarms NFPA releases report on smoke alarms in U.S. home fires Four of every ten home fire deaths resulted from fires with no smoke alarms in 2003-2006, according to a new report released today by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). "Smoke alarms are one of the greatest fire protection devices of our time and have significantly contributed to the decline in home f...
The 2009 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship has been awarded to student Benjamin Eschner OSU student was nominated as "outstanding rookie" by his peers The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association (FAMA) has awarded the 2009 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to Oklahoma State University student Benjamin Eschner. Eschner, a sophomore from Chicago majoring in fire protection and safety technology, will receive a $3,000 scholarship in recognition o...
FPP and IFSTA have announced two new leadership appointments New leadership appointees named for IFSTA, FPP Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection Publications (FPP) and the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) are pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Hannan as Interim Director of OSU Fire Protection Publications and Mike Wieder as the permanent Executive Director of IFSTA. Both of these positions were previously held by Chris Neal who left...
Navistar DuraStar, WorkStar trucks now offer an NFPA compliant data recorder International® DuraStar® and WorkStar® emergency vehicles now offer NFPA compliant data recorder As part of its commitment in meeting the highest fire truck standards in the industry, International® DuraStar® and WorkStar® fire trucks and emergency vehicles now offer the first factory-installed vehicle data recorder fully-compliant with National Fire Protection Ass...
Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service has commissioned head-to-toe ICP PPE by Bristol Uniforms Bristol's ICP range will provide a long term solution for Norfolk FRS's PPE needs Norfolk's 820 firefighters will be wearing Bristol Uniform's ICP PPE from early 2010 following the recent decision by the county's Fire & Rescue Service to adopt the new national identity protective clothing available as part of the ICP. Some 1,750 sets of complete head-to-toe PPE will be...
The NFPA is calling for submissions for next year's Conference & Expo NFPA calls for submissions for next year's event Can you share a real life challenge and the solutions you found in a case study or best practice format that relates to the fire, security, electrical or building & life safety industries? NFPA invites you to share your knowledge at the 2010 NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, June 7-10, 2010. Be a part of the leading conference in your indu...
Saint-Gobain's ONESuit Pro has been awarded EN 943-2 Type 1a certification Affordable, lightweight, flame-resistant suit is now certified globally Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is pleased to announce that its ONESuit® Pro hazmat suit has earned the highest level of certification recognized within the EU and Asia. The British Standards Institute has deemed the suit compliable with the recognized benchmark in fire and hazmat safety for 30 different member countries...
TriTech's Imc Fire Records solution helps Melrose Fire Department win a SAFER grant Grant to be used to increase firefighter staff by 10 percent over the course of five years With the assistance of the Imc Fire Records solution from TriTech Software Systems, the Melrose Fire Department in Massachusetts was awarded the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in March 2009. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities...
NFPA and DRI have created a new certification program available to those leading preparedness programs Certification available for professionals responsible for preparedness programs The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) have joined forces to create an education and certification program that will qualify participants to audit disaster/emergency management and business continuity programs against existing sta...
