Firefighter Health and Safety - News

Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, and research suggests firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population. Educating fire service members To educate fire service members about this problem and empower them to take steps toward detection, treatment, and prevention, there are several new resources available from: The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) - In partnership with the International Association of Fire Fight...

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...

Comelit-PAC has upgraded its entire fire system range with the launch of LogiFire, which represents a complete technical and aesthetic evolution of its innovative addressable platforms. LogiFire, from newly formed Comelit-PAC, is guaranteed by a new range of control panels.  The systems can be expanded from 1 to 8 loops and support up to 2000 devices on an 8-loop system and have a greater loop capacity of 700 mAh. The panels are feature rich and have many onboard fault-finding diagnostics....

Following the unprecedented year prior, 2021 continued to present significant challenges for everyone, but Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service continued to deliver its vital services, while also providing support for partner agencies. The year began with mopping up from significant flooding across the county over the Christmas period. The country was also in the midst of another national lockdown, with those that were able to still working from their homes. Staff across the Service pulled o...

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...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is joining the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) and International Association of Fire Fighters in recognizing January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Chances are someone in the department or a firefighter who has battled cancer. This is a very prevalent and serious issue facing the fire service. The good news is that there are actions taken to lessen the risks and prevent future tragedies so members don’t lose more firefighters...

Cummins Inc. has announced that Bonnie Fetch has been named the Vice President – Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing, effective February 1, 2021. Bonnie Fetch currently serves as Vice President – North America Regional Operating Team and Distribution Business Supply Chain Services. Navigating supply chain challenges “Bonnie is the right person for this role, as we continue navigating supply chain challenges and executing our Supply Chain transformation,” said Jennifer...

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...

Personal Protective Equipment, vernacularly known as PPE, is a term they have all come across several times amidst the global pandemic. From the shortage of PPE kits to countries ramping up the manufacturing process, are some of the only topics that made headlines most of 2020 and through the latter 2021. In between all this, the cardinal question of “What is PPE?” comes to mind. From being used by beekeepers as reported in ancient literature, to 16th-century plague doctors in Europ...

Personal Protective Equipment, vernacularly known as PPE, is a term users have all come across several times amidst the global pandemic. From the shortage of PPE kits to countries ramping up the manufacturing process, are some of the only topics that made headlines most of 2020 and through the latter 2021. In between all this, the cardinal question of 'What is PPE?', comes to mind. Personal Protective Equipment From being used by beekeepers as reported in ancient literature, to 16th-century p...

Ten people from across the fire sector have been named in the New Year Honors 2022 lists, in recognition of their services. The honors system recognizes extraordinary people, who in accordance with the list's criteria, ‘made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.’ Ongoing impactful work The FPA would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and congratulations to everyone named in the New Year Honours list for 2022, for their ongoing impa...

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...

EEAST Paramedic, Paul Chittock, has been awarded a Station Commander’s Commendation, marking 15 years of voluntary support for RAF colleagues based at Marham air force base in Norfolk. Paul’s volunteering has seen him working on everything from events and first aid training to critical incident scenarios, this is all alongside his day job with EEAST as a Paramedic, based at Kings Lynn. Over the years of service, Paul Chittock has provided medical cover and education for Family and F...

'Challenge Your Potential' and apply for a Regional (Retained) Firefighter role with the MFS. The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) is dedicated to providing an efficient and effective emergency service to the South Australian community. Being a MFS Firefighter is one of the most highly respected careers in South Australia. The MFS is looking for community-minded individuals who are fit, healthy, and possess personal and professional values that align with themselves....

Chate Singh pleaded guilty to six offenses under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Nottingham Crown Court. According to the fire service, a judge said Singh's actions could have had 'catastrophic consequences'. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service noted that the breaches included failing to provide adequate fire safety training for staff, failing to implement procedures such as safety drills, and failing to...

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...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds, in order to help with firefighting costs for the Marshall Fire burning, in Boulder County, Colorado, USA. Fighting Marshall Fire FEMA Acting Regional Administrator, Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), after receiving the request and determining that the fire threatened such a level of destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. At...

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...

A landlord has been found guilty of a series of fire safety failings that left residents with only one option to escape a fire: via a restaurant with a metal shutter that was closed at night. Inspection London Fire Brigade inspectors visited the takeaway restaurant on New North Road in Islington after concerns were raised by one of the tenants and the local council.  There was residential accommodation on the first and second floors of the building with the takeaway on the ground floor....

Throughout the pandemic, everyone at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has been proud to support the blue light partners, NHS colleagues, local councils, and community organizations. People from across KFRS have volunteered to offer their services whenever possible, including during the mass roll-out of Covid-19 testing and more recently, vaccinations. In the last week, officers have been helping to collect thousands of vaccines from hospitals across Kent and Medway, and delivering t...

Experts are highlighting the importance of installing crash-rated barriers in roadworks after the latest figures showed there have been 347 road worker casualties on the UK’s roads in the last four years. Vehicle restraint system (VRS) manufacturer and supplier, Hardstaff Barriers, has issued the advice after examining the STATS19 road casualty data, published by the Department for Transport each year. Road worker casualties Between 2017 and 2020, six pedestrian road workers were killed...

The Extinguishing Section of Euralarm has published a guidance document on maintenance of extinguishing systems/equipment, controlled by electronic detection systems. Unlike a production tool, a fire protection system is on operational standby and is only activated in the event of a fire. Some faults may appear without being detectable, by a non-specialist operator. This is why it is necessary to carry out regular maintenance visits by specialists, to confirm the level of performance of the ins...

Continuing to invest in the training and development of colleagues, Checkmate Fire Solutions (Checkmate Fire) is delighted to finish 2021 in style – with a veritable bouquet of new qualifications and accreditations! As an ongoing process, the company ensures that their people have the opportunity to further both their careers and their expertise within the business. Through additional training and qualifications, Checkmate Fire aim to have the most motivated and knowledgeable team possibl...

AW Hainsworth is proud to announce that they have been accredited with ISO 45001:2018, which focuses on occupational health and safety in the workplace. ISO is recognized worldwide as a respected standards body, and this standard focuses on improving employee safety, reducing workplace risks and creating better, safer working conditions. This reinforces the company’s commitment to their workforce by ensuring they provide their employees a healthy and safe place of work. ISO 45001:2018 ac...

UKAS is the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom. UKAS is appointed by the Government, to assess and accredit organizations that provide a variety of services including certification, testing, inspection, and calibration based on compliance with international standards and demonstration through objective evidence of competency and impartiality in the performance of defined activities. At the beginning of the pandemic reliable testing was quickly identified as a key component in th...