Firefighter Health and Safety - News

Whelen Engineering is excited to announce the launch of its annual Everyday Champion Program for 2024. The program is officially open for nominations beginning June 3, 2024, and will remain open until September 6, 2024. Everyday Champion program Whelen’s Everyday Champion program celebrates and recognizes outstanding emergency service departments, individuals, or groups by honoring demonstrations of bravery and courage during an act of exceptional valor or tireless efforts to make a com...

The City of Victoria’s first electric fire truck has rolled into its new home at the Fire Department Headquarters. The newest addition to the firefighting fleet, the Rosenbauer RTX, is an agile and climate-friendly emergency response vehicle with enhanced features and safety for Victoria’s firefighters. Rosenbauer RTX fire truck The new fire truck marks a milestone in the City of Victoria’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by electrifying or renewably powering 80...

Firefighters serve their communities in a unique and impactful way, going into the emergency when everyone else is going out. But what many people don’t realize is that the majority of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers. These are neighbors helping neighbors when they need it most. It is this commitment to service and giving back that Mike Rowe highlights on the May 28 episode of The Way I Heard It podcast.  Episode #387 features Episode #387 features conversations with Dr. Ca...

Aldeburgh Fire Station and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are inviting people to get on their bikes and set off on 2024's Suffolk Fire Ride. The annual event is a popular fundraiser for the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps past and present fire and rescue service personnel and their families. Suffolk Fire Ride The event is on Sunday, July 7, 2024, and is being hosted by Aldeburgh station, from where two routes will start and finish via the beautiful countryside and the iconic coastline of...

Following their showcase at FDIC International 2024, Wylie Fire Rescue will be receiving and placing into service two new Rosenbauer Roadrunner elevated water towers. These apparatus are quintuple combination pumpers, or quints, featuring a pump, water tank, aerial device, and ground ladders. Wylie Fire Rescue is a four-station, fully paid department with 98 employees. These two new fire trucks, Quint 141 and 143, will be housed at Station 1 and 3, respectively. The department uses the elevated...

Over 50 countries came together for the first-ever World Fire Congress in Washington DC last week. Hosted by the United States (US), the Congress (7th–8th May, 2024) was aimed at increasing international collaboration on the growing challenges faced by fire and rescue services across the globe. The two-day event also saw nations signing the World Fire Congress Charter, indicating their continued commitment to work together to tackle pressing fire-related issues. At the close of the event,...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) continues to raise awareness on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed Emergency Response Standard and offer resources to help first responders take action. On February 5, OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to replace the agency’s ‘Fire Brigades’ standard with a proposed new ‘Emergency Response Standard’. This NPRM’s publication triggered the beginning of a public...

Responding to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) report – State of Fire and Rescue: Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England 2023 – National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham, said, “Our fire and rescue services undertake a vital role in keeping communities safe, they do this across a variety of different fire service roles often moving towards danger while helping others to escape it."...

Idaho Falls - The Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 1565 will continue their long-standing tradition of collecting critical funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) through the Fill the Boot campaign this weekend. critical funds for MDA Idaho Falls firefighters will be at the intersection of Hitt Road and 17th Street on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and May 11, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will ask pedestrians, drivers, and others to donate to the MDA, which raises funds...

Dräger, an international major in the fields of medical and safety technology, has been shortlisted for the FSM Fire Safety Innovation of the Year award, in recognition of the company’s commitment to enhancing firefighter safety through technological development and improvement.  The Fire Safety Innovation of the Year Award is open to any fire safety manufacturer or service provider and recognizes the products or solutions that have been developed for either active or passive fi...

MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the NVFC annually team up to provide volunteer fire departments in need with state-of-the-art turnout gear and helmets. In 2024, a total of 52 sets of gear and helmets will be awarded to 13 departments. To be eligible, the department must be over 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be legally organized in the U.S. or Canada, and the person applying or department chief must be an NVFC member. Apply by June 1, 2024.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and the NVFC extends their thanks to all of the volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, rescue workers, and support personnel, who make the communities better every day. This is a great week to recognize the work of the volunteers in the department, as well as plan initiatives for supporting the membership and recruiting more volunteers. Here are some resources to help: National Volunteer Week – 10 Ways to Recognize & Retain the Volunteers &nda...

Whelen Engineering, a global pioneer in the emergency warning industry for more than 70 years, Richard Childress Racing (RCR), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have teamed up to honor fallen fire heroes at FDIC International 2024, on April 18, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.  a special paint scheme At 12:30 pm ET in Whelen Engineering’s booth #3223 at FDIC International 2024, RCR’s No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet will debut a special paint scheme in honor of the 2...

Fire-Dex, a major innovator in personal protective gear for fire services, introduces the FDXL90 Boot offering best-in-class breathability and dual NFPA 1951 (Technical Rescue) and 1999 (EMS) certification. Designed solely for non-fire emergencies that constitute over 90% of calls, the new boot considers the modern firefighter who knows how different each mission can be. Combining versatile protection, lightweight design, and breakthrough breathability, the FDXL90 is set to redefine expectation...

To help improve the safety of volunteer firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with MSA Safety to award four NVFC members a personalized MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet in 2024. The MSA Cairns 1836 Fire Helmet showcases the iconic traditional design with innovative features that address the fire service needs. Efficient asset management The MSA Cairns 1836 Fire Helmet features a low ride height and a newly designed Defender Visor that adjusts in and out to fi...

As one of the most recognized and treasured pieces of firefighting safety equipment, the fire helmet stands as a point of pride and tradition in the fire service.  MSA Safety, Inc. launches the new MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet. In the North American fire service market, the Cairns 1836 is one of the lightest weight traditional-style fire helmets available that meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Cairns 1836 features  The Cairns 1836 features a reduced ri...

In a ground-breaking development for the fire services, Fire-Dex has become the first PPE manufacturer to offer a non-fluorinated moisture barrier option for turnout gear. The new barrier, Stedair® Clear™ from Stedfast, is the first non-fluorinated moisture barrier available to the fire services and Fire-Dex now offers it in their portfolio. NFPA 1971 test Stedair® Clear™ is the newest breakthrough in barrier technology to meet and surpass NFPA 1971 test requirements Sted...

Drager, an international major in the fields of medical and safety technology, has supported the City of Derry Airport in modernizing its suite of personal protection equipment (PPE) and protocols to safeguard its specialist Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) from incident-based safety risk and the risks posed by carcinogens to which they are often exposed. City of Derry Airport The City of Derry Airport is northwest Ireland’s largest airport which, at its pre-pandemic peak, provided over 20...

In the current fast-paced world, safety on the job is paramount for every professional, from seasoned professionals at work sites to day-to-day tradespeople. Recognizing this need, Twiceme Technology, a Swedish company dedicated to revolutionizing safety solutions, is proud to announce its collaboration with Diamondback to introduce the new Diamondback 701 Vest with Twiceme.  Help the Helper Technology This innovative partnership combines Twiceme's Help the Helper Technology with Diamond...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual fire service achievement awards, which recognize fire service volunteers who have gone above and beyond in service to their department and community. The 2024 recipients are Stephen Austin, Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group; Chief John Swan Sr., Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems; Joseph Val...

Trustee Fire & Security (TFS) recently visited the head office of their main security supplier, Orisec, extending their gratitude for their unwavering service. TFS and Orisec partnership In a remarkable display of reliability, Orisec, a UK-based company, seamlessly navigated the supply & distribution challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, ensuring uninterrupted support for Trustee Fire & Security (TFS). Orisec play a critical role in maintaining th...

It's time to walk through a step-by-step overview of how to clean the helmet effectively. Proper fire helmet maintenance is crucial for both exposure reduction and extending the life of the gear. So, let's dive into the process and ensure the helmet is in top-notch condition. Safety First Before embarking on the cleaning journey, it's important to prioritize safety. The individual cleaning the helmet should don a pair of examination gloves, an apron, and safety glasses or gogg...

Protective hand gloves are of various types. However, not all of them may cut all kinds of conditions! Some may subject the worker to more cuts, lacerations, and abrasions than heavy impact or flying objects. The category of hand protection that deals with such challenges is Cut-Resistant Hand Gloves. But, where are these challenges most prevalent?  The following shows some of the hazards encountered by some industries: F & B: Chopping vegetables, handling k...

Informa PLC, the world’s largest exhibition organizer, has announced that the co-located exhibitions; Facilities Show, FIREX, IFSEC, and Safety & Health Expo will become part of the newly launched Anticipate London, taking place from the 2nd to the 4th December 2024, at ExCeL London, in London, United Kingdom (UK). Anticipate London Anticipate London emerged as a result of insightful conversations with members of a future-focused advisory board that includes pioneers in security, saf...

Fire-Dex, dedicated to safeguarding everyday heroes since 1983, is thrilled to announce a new era in advanced turnout gear with AeroFlex™, a groundbreaking leap in firefighter comfort and safety designed to decrease the risk of heat stress and cardiac-related issues, the two primary contributors to line-of-duty fatalities within the fire service. The Peak of Technical Brilliance At the heart of AeroFlex™ is Fire-Dex’s AeroVent™ Technology, an ingenious one-way-stre...

Companies all over the world across various industries understand the paramount importance of industrial safety products in fostering a secure working environment. This commitment extends to the implementation of specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed for chemical handling. This is where the role of safety manufacturers becomes critical in producing authentic, competent and cutting-edge PPE solutions against potential hazards, especially in c...

Proper personal protective equipment is critical to the safety, health, and effectiveness of firefighters, yet many volunteer fire departments struggle to find the budget to provide their firefighters with adequate, up-to-date turnout gear. MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) team up each year to help volunteer departments meet this need through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. NVFC membership MSA will provide the first 500 applic...

Twiceme, a Swedish safe-tech company committed to empowerment through safety before and after an accident, is excited to announce its strategic partnership with the National Ski Patrol (NSP) of the United States of America (USA). This collaboration not only exemplifies Twiceme's dedication to aligning with influential global rescue organizations, but also serves as a pivotal step in raising awareness of how to implement and utilize Twiceme's safety technology within ski patrol teams and for a g...

When the Oshkosh® MB-5 was produced in the late 1960s for the U.S. Navy, Oshkosh began on its path to becoming a global pioneer in the aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) industry. Ever since Oshkosh Airport Products has consistently produced vehicles with unmatched quality. Striker® ARFF vehicle As years passed, Oshkosh Airport Products started to make major improvements to the already technologically advanced line of Oshkosh ARFF vehicles, eventually pioneering the evolutio...

Increasing safety is at the top of the agenda for both Twiceme Technology and POC Sports. This combined vision and aim, to create safer adventures for people, has generated this latest product at the cutting edge of innovation and safety. This broadens the areas of application of Twiceme® yet again and is another step towards creating safer adventures for people. New Collaboration Between POC and Twiceme More awareness increases the likelihood of a fast and efficient emergency response T...