Firefighter Health and Safety - News

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., announced the 2022 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees. Volunteer Fire Chief, Marshall Turbeville, of the Northern Sonoma FPD in Sonoma County, California, and career Fire Chief, Gary Ludwig, of the Champaign Fire Department in Champaign, Illinois, have been named this year’s honorees. The IAFC began recognizing one volunteer and one career Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. A selec...

The data shows 77% of the UK population deal with unwanted noise whilst in their homes, with almost a third (33%) said they have noticed more noise since COVID-19 lockdowns began in March 2020. Their research reveals that 31% of the UK population have had their sleep affected by unwanted external noise, with three in ten (30%) reporting that it stops them opening doors and windows, and a quarter (25%) saying it stops them relaxing. Impact noise pollution The increase in unwanted noise is also...

Technology and change do not need to be dirty words in the fire service. There are limitless applications of using technology, like virtual reality, to address the most pressing and potentially catastrophic challenges facing the fire service. From recruiting the next generation of firefighters to dealing with the unknowns of mental health, the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Recruitment, Training, And Mental Health: How To Embrace Immersive Learning Technology webinar, which is...

MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. This annual program, which began in 2012, has to date provided 611 sets of turnout gear to 134 departments. turnout gear and helmets In 2022, 13 departments will receive four new sets of turnout gear and four new helmets each to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applic...

Mike Cottam has been appointed as Sales Director at the globally renowned fire protection solutions company, Advanced. He joins Advanced from global science-based technology company, 3M, where, over the past 19 years, he has held a variety of roles covering sales and marketing, integration and Lean Six Sigma. In his latest position as EMEA Segment and Channel Leader within 3M’s Abrasive Systems Division, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mike Cottam successfully headed up the sa...

The UK Armed Forces defend the UK and its interests. They are busy working around the world, promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers, providing security, and fighting terrorism.  This is a chance to celebrate and recognize the UK Armed Forces community and particularly to champion the men, women, and families that make up the Armed Forces community within the NHS and here at NEAS. Look out for more about how what NEAS does to support veterans, reservists, and those se...

A leading UK politician has praised staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), after visiting their headquarters to learn how they are keeping children safe. On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the UK Shadow Education Minister, Bridget Phillipson MP, visited the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to discover more about their educational input into their community. The Chief Fire Officer at the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Chris Lowther spent time with Ms. Phillipson...

The cause of the fire between London Bridge and Waterloo East stations has been identified as a pedicab. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a commercial property under railway arches on Union Street in Southwark, which crews described as ‘completely alight.’ Smoke could reportedly be seen for miles around. Affected train services A railway arch in Southwark used as a garage, and another nearby unit storing vehicles, including electric scooters and bikes,...

Camden Door Controls is pleased to bring to market its 1500 line of Fire Rated electric strikes for mortise and cylindrical lockets. The line includes a CX-ED1500LP low profile strike with one latch monitor, as well as a CX-ED1500L2 strike with two latch monitors. They’re available in a range of faceplate packs for both deadbolts and latch bolts. UL1034 and UL 294 listed strikes Camden’s CX-ED1500 strikes for mortise and cylindrical locksets combine the high quality of European br...

The new Fire Safety Act 2021 came into force on 16th May 2022, and with it came a clearer direction about compliance. This article outlines the updates to the legislation and explain what this means for FMs. The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 and the subsequent enquiry highlighted the need for changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Sadly, it is only when events like this happen that legislation changes. New Fire Safety Act 2021 The new Fire Safety Act 2021, which came into...

As educational facilities revel in a summertime of empty hallways and classrooms, Sue Corrick of Allegion UK explains why it’s the perfect time to assess fire door hardware. The great British summertime has arrived, known for its quintessential rainy days, packed out beach fronts and extended educational term breaks. By the time its August, students of all ages - from primary schools to universities – would have dashed out the doors, in preparation for a summer of fun, leaving behin...

Cambridgeshire fire crews have continued to face challenging conditions and increased demand as the summer heatwave persists. Having already seen unprecedented temperatures and calls to incidents in July 2022, which include the two busiest days ever for the fire service, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service staff have continued to face record levels of calls and incidents. Busy July month for Cambridgeshire fire crews Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Commander, Stuart Smi...

Geofire is celebrating 50 years in business, a milestone that shows its commitment to innovation in the fire safety industry. Established in 1972, Geofire continues to expand its work force, design innovative products and diversify into new sectors. Originally established as an electromagnetic brake and clutch manufacturer in the north east of England, near Bishop Auckland, the company has grown significantly into a major specialist in electromagnetic fire door safety solutions and its products...

Firefighters have been praised for saving dozens of homes after a huge grassland fire in Newcastle threatened to spread into a village. Just after 3 pm on Thursday, 11th August, 2022, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) received a call about a grass fire in Walbottle. Deploy resources fast TWFRS Fire Control staff was quick to deploy resources and within minutes the first appliances had arrived on scene. It was evident the fire was growing and spreading rapidly, with more than 30 fi...

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announces the completion and opening of Fire Station 86 in Bay Point. The new station became operational on August 10, replacing the historic Fire Station 86, located one mile to the east, which had been in continuous use since 1949. Strategically located adjacent to the Highway 4 interchange at Willow Pass Road, Fire Station 86 supports the unincorporated areas of Bay Point, nearby Pittsburg, and other communities along the busy Highw...

The agenda for this year’s AFAC22 Conference and Exhibition (AFAC22) is loaded with big topics, such as reducing risk in the changing climate, the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, women in emergency management, lithium battery fires and so much more. It is the first time since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic that the Australian and APAC emergency management industry is coming together in person. AFAC22 Conference and Exhibition will be held in 2022 at the Adelaide Conve...

To use the fluorine-free foams currently on the market safely and effectively, fire departments will need to adopt different tactics and new training on how to select, use and dispose of these new foams. Fire Service Roadmap outlines the transition from the fluorinated aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) currently used to extinguish flammable liquid (Class B) fires to fluorine-free foams (FFFs). AFFFs going away AFFFs use of a class of chemicals containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,...

Safe Fleet’s Fire, EMS, and Industrial divisions (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce the addition of Chris Thwaits as the Southeast Regional Sales Manager. In his new role, Chris Thwaits will continue to build and strengthen relationships with Fire & EMS customers in the Southeast US region. His territory will include the US states of Florida and Georgia. Vast industry experience Chris Thwaits brings many years of industry experience to Safe Fleet. That experie...

Crews from two Norfolk Fire Stations are working with the East of England Ambulance Service to respond to some medical incidents in Norfolk, United Kingdom (UK). The scheme, which is currently underway, sees Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) crews responding to adult cases of cardiac arrest within areas surrounding Sheringham and North Walsham Fire Stations. The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service crew are co-responding to incidents, along with the East of England Ambulance Service. The trial...

Con Fire’s automated phone system helps working media more quickly and easily reach the on-duty public information officer (PIO) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Pushing timely information Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the media line will direct to voicemail unless the on-call PIO is responding to an active incident. For overnight periods when there is no working incident requiring PIO presence, voicemails will be returned before 8 a.m. the next morning. RSS feeds continue to...

Fires remain the greatest threat facing those responsible for safeguarding the built heritage. While other risks such as theft, flood and even insect or fungal infestation can damage buildings and their contents, only fire can destroy them completely. Each year, throughout the world, there are fires in all types of historic and heritage buildings – in 2019 alone there were 400 serious fires recorded in such properties. A number of these fire outbreaks reach serious proportions, where mea...

Fire chiefs in Tyne and Wear have called on their communities to work with them and behave responsibly, as the United Kingdom (UK) braces itself for another heatwave. The UK Met Office have issued an Amber weather warning for Tuesday, August 9, 2022, in some parts of the United Kingdom (UK), with temperatures due to pass 30 Celsius again in the week. A yellow weather warning is in place across Northern England from midday today until Saturday, August 13, 2022. Dry weather conditions could lead...

AW Technology strives to provide their clients with high-quality support, as part of which they’re introducing a regular ‘Inside your tunnel’ feature, in order to help clients get the very most from the company’s products and keep them performing well for years to come. AW Technology’s first feature focuses on how to keep backing up all the important data, such as calibration factors and test profile parameters. LabTunnel, powerful, flexible, easy to use software...

The great British summertime has arrived, known for its quintessential rainy days, packed-out beach fronts, and extended educational term breaks. By the time users reach August, students of all ages from primary schools to universities have dashed out the doors in preparation for a summer of fun, leaving behind empty academic facilities in the process. extended summer break For most of the 32,163 schools, 277 colleges, and 164 universities in the UK, the extended summer break is seen as...

In the May issue of Builders’ Merchant News, Encon's Merchant Development Director Mike Beard reflects on the Government’s new Energy Security Strategy and explains the lost opportunity to combine green energy with energy efficiency. Brexit, Global Pandemic, War… they say ‘things come in threes’ but I imagine few predicted this trio. In 2019 the potential of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit clouded confidence, and the full impact of exiting the EU was yet to be rea...

International Paramedics Day has been launched by the College of Paramedics to recognize and celebrate the work that paramedics and first responders around the world do, in order to give their patients the best possible treatment and care, and improve the outcomes for those who are injured or unwell. North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) employs 812 paramedics across the region, working in both front line and support service roles, touching the lives of thousands of members of the public every ye...

Coronavirus was first discovered in 2019, it has since spread across the globe. It is believed to be transmitted in a similar manner to the normal flu/cold virus. APE takes very seriously the safety and welfare of all its staff, and any clients that they may come into contact with and consequently they move swiftly to maintain everybody’s safety. No member of APE staff will knowingly be sent to any client site if the staff member is infected with a virus. Self-Isolation procedure If a m...

At 9:25 a.m. on August 4, 2022, Big Bear Fire Department was dispatched to a call of a fall victim on the Castle Rock Trail in Big Bear Lake. With limited access in rugged terrain, personnel from Big Bear Lake Station 281 utilized its heavy duty off-road Polaris Ranger 6x6 to access the start of a 1.5 mile hike to reach the location of the victim. Local area hospital The patient was treated at the scene for moderate injuries, transferred to a backboard for stabilization, and loaded on a one...

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....

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, 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. Disast...