Firefighter Health and Safety - News
Rainwear is a category of PPE that is as important as others. However, this category has often been put on the back burner in favor of other categories, namely safety shoes, gloves, eye & ear protection, etc. Why? Simply because rain isn’t an everyday thing. But businesses must understand that they can’t just discount the need for rainwear, simply due to the occasional nature of rain. If it rains and the need for rainwear pertains, they must have the ‘right’ PPE at t...
In anticipation of the upcoming Fire White Paper, the Fire Minister launched a new website called 'Fire England', where the government is now hosting 'trusted, transparent, and consistent' information about fire. Previous Fire Ministers have trailed the creation of a fire-focused website for England, but it has not materialized until now. Unusually, this new website is located at www.fireengland.uk and not part of the standard gov.uk domain. Fire Kills campaign Fir...
Big Bear Fire Department received a report of an aircraft down in a residential area at the corner of Meadow Lane and Nana Avenue in Big Bear City. Upon arrival at the scene, a single-engine plane was found to have crashed into a vacant lot. Fire crews observed a fire to the aircraft, nearby fence, and outbuilding that sustained minor damage. The pilot and passenger were pulled to safety by nearby bystanders. Bear Valley Electric crews Help restore power The victims sustained moderate to seri...
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) and National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have come together to produce a new Code of Practice to bring clarity to the use of premises information boxes for residential buildings. The Code of Practice for the Provision of Premises Information Boxes in Residential Buildings is in response to recommendations about fire safety information made by the Grenfell Inquiry. One of the recommendations focused on the provision of premises information boxes and this new Co...
MSA Safety Incorporated, the pioneer in the development, manufacture, and supply of sophisticated safety solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures, announces a new partnership with UK-based non-profit FIRE AID to help protect firefighters in developing countries. The program will help deploy repurposed Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to firefighters in developing countries, who oftentimes may have limited access to protective equipment. “MSA's mission is to see...
The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is partnering with technology firm - NBS to help architects and designers specify passive fire protection products and systems when looking at building safety design. In a win-win approach, those using the NBS cloud-based platform can now have access to appropriate high-quality guidance and technical content, helping them to produce accurate and structured specifications. Providing product information It will also assist ASFP member...
Working with industry experts, the FPA has published a concise guide for sprinkler owners and specialist sprinkler maintenance contractors to inspect, test and maintain sprinkler systems to meet the required standards. Sprinkler system service and maintenance: guidance, records and checklists is supported and funded by RISCAuthority and is endorsed by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA). Maintaining sprinkler systems The guide is freely available to download here and cont...
During Safety Stand-Down Week, June 21-25, IAFF showcases the efforts to support and serve the members in providing the best possible service to your communities. This week is to honor the members, as well as remember those who have been lost in the line of duty in service to the communities. The IAFF’s theme for Safety Stand-Down Week 2021 is 'Our Community’s Frontline'. During this week, IAFF asks members to focus on being their healthiest selves so they are prepared to respond...
Despite the many hardships faced over the last year’s dealer network successfully rose to the challenge of safely providing sales and service support to their customers. Pellerin Laundry Machinery Sales Company (PLMSCO), headquartered in Kenner, LA, was awarded First Place for overall machinery sales amongst the worldwide distributor network in 2020. Providing product solutions “The strength of our network of local dealers provided the reassuring availability of parts, service and...
Three fire and rescue staff from South Yorkshire are named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021. Jess Grayson Control room operator - Jess Grayson has been awarded the British Empire Medal. She was named a BEM for services to mental health, having used her own mental health experiences to spearhead attempts to tackle the well-being issues firefighters and other emergency services workers face. Alongside her day-to-day duties in the control room Jess, a Watch Manager, also trained resili...
Firefighters from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) will be supporting Sheffield GP practices by delivering COVID-19 vaccines. This comes just over a month after several fire service volunteers were trained up as vaccinators by St John Ambulance, and is part of a huge national effort from fire services across the country to help with the pandemic response. vaccinations at practices The agreement struck by Chief Fire Officer, Alex Johnson, and pioneers at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissi...
BAFE statement on the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire. BAFE would like to recognize the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire and pay respects to all the people who lost loved ones and their homes because of this event. Regrettably, the fire highlighted multiple areas where substantial change is required to maintain a safe environment for people in their homes. BAFE has strong objectives to be part of this positive change to improve the fire safety arena and will c...
Osage Beach Fire District hired 3 new firefighters. Probationary firefighters once hired are required to work a 40-hour week of training preparing them for their first 48-hour shift with their assigned shifts. Learning the basics During this 40-hour week, the newly hired firefighters learn the basics, including but not limited to, hose deployment, rope rescue, and auto extrication. This 40-hour week also gives the new firefighters a chance to meet everyone they may not wor...
Emergency responders will receive worker protections from COVID-19 under an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Occupational Exposure to COVID-19, Emergency Temporary Standard establishes protections for workers who are exposed to COVID-19 in settings where people with COVID-19 are reasonably expected to be present. Inclusions in ETS The ETS applies to healthcare workers, including emergency responders, while...
Some of CFA’s most experienced and distinguished CFA members have been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in recognition of their outstanding service to the community when the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honors List was announced. With more than 250 years of combined service between them, CFA’s seven recipients have contributed across bushfire management and community fire preparedness, incident management and operational command, training and development, and welfare...
Envirograf has announced testing its latest solution, Envirowall, a fire-resistant eco panel that offers effective passive fire protection, thermal performance, as well as sound absorption. Envirowall eco panels Over 50 experimental tests have been carried out for Envirowall eco panels, achieving 133 minutes of fire integrity, insulation, and load-bearing. Acoustic performance has been tested, in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2:2010:45 (-2;-7) dB, achieving a thermal U-value of 0.40 W/sq. m...
The point detector is the most common of all fire detection devices. Sometimes taken for granted, it is the first line of defense for fire protection. Many elements are taken into consideration when it comes to fire protection. However, the most critical decision is not the chosen brand or its open or closed protocol, but the type of point detector selected. This verdict determines the safety of staff, customers, and the property. 6000PLUS addressable point sensors The 6000PLUS range is Prote...
CIC has inaugurated Justin Sullivan as its new Chair at its Council Meeting. Justin succeeds Stephen Hodder MBE in this role for a two-year term of office starting with immediate effect. Stephen now becomes Deputy Chairman for a year, by CIC’s rules and by-laws. Justin Sullivan Justin Sullivan is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with more than 30 years of experience Justin Sullivan is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry and foun...
Following the success of FireQual in gaining regulated status from both CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland and SQA Accreditation in Scotland, are not standing still. Attention is now turning to the subject matter of Fire Detection and Alarms. FireQual is developing a series of qualifications that will look to provide the underpinning knowledge required by those who work within the area of fire detection and alarms. industry-led qualifications In addition, reflecting on the core messages of t...
The UK Home Office on Monday (07/06/2021) published an update regarding guidance covering fire safety in purpose-build blocks of flats. The UK Home Office states that ‘this document is a guide to ensuring adequate fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of age’. how to assess fire risk Practical advice is offered on how to assess the risk from fire and how to manage fire safety in such buildings. The document also includes case studies based on the commonly found i...
Entries are now open for the new Fire and Security Matters Awards organized by Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters magazines – both of which are published by Western Business Media – and are supported by BAFE. The Fire and Security Matters Awards are free to enter and recognize excellence and innovation in the fire and security sectors. The winners of the Fire and Security Matters Awards will be revealed at a gala dinner and ceremony to be held at the Ricoh Arena in Cov...
A London Fire Brigade investigation into a residential high-rise fire in Poplar revealed that the building’s ventilation systems failed to clear toxic smoke from escape routes putting the lives of residents at risk. In a report published on 1 June, fire investigators found that smoke detectors on the floor of the fire failed to operate the Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) and the cross-corridor fire doors. This meant that the smoke collected in the hallways and prevented the safe escape...
BAFE is sad to hear of the passing of Paul Fuller CBE, former Fire Sector Federation Chairman. Paul Fuller died on Monday 7th June 2021. Paul’s contribution Dennis Davis, Executive Officer of the Fire Sector Federation, states “Paul, who was serving as Chief Fire Officer Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Chief Executive Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, died early this morning in hospital whilst receiving treatment for a recently diagnosed illness.” BAF...
Global research company, JCMR confirmed that the VPS Site Security Ltd. (VPS) was one of a select group of companies that leads the market worldwide in providing construction site security systems. VPS is the only UK site security company to have been shortlisted every year since 2014 for the peer reviewed IFSEC Security and Fire Excellence Awards, winning a ra...
Four C-130 aircraft from the California and Nevada Air National Guard, worked alongside the U.S. Forest Service, during annual refresher and certification training with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), from May 4 – May 7, 2021. During the training, these aircraft, equipped with MAFFS units, practiced dispersing water in rugged, mountainous terrain, as they are guided by lead planes flown by members of the U.S. Forest Service. Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System MAFFS...
The new edition of the biannual BAFSA member publication, Focus provides a round-up of work taking place in the sprinkler industry. John McCann, BAFSA Chairman welcomed members to the June 2021 edition of Focus magazine, the voice of the automatic water-based fire suppression industry. He reflected on the pressures faced by the construction industry resulting from pent-up demand from COVID-19, as well as the ensuing scarcity and rising costs of building materials. He is delighted that mo...
A court has quashed an appeal brought by a restaurant owner against a hefty fine after a fire revealed major fire safety breaches in the premises. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service originally brought a prosecution against Beta UK Ltd who owns Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire. The case was heard by Reading Magistrate’s Court in October 2020. Fire at Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire Police have said they think the attack was an attempt to endanger lives"...
The Big Bear Fire Department has a new way to report illegal fireworks. The new Illegal Firework Reporting System offers an easy and anonymous way to report the use and sale of personal fireworks. Anyone can now go on to the Department’s website or simply scan a QR Code and anonymously report the use or sales of illegal fireworks by completing a simple online reporting form. Fire Department Investigators will respond promptly to the reported location where fireworks are currently in use,...
As California continues to recover from the historic 2020 fire season, and faces continued severe fire threat and extreme drought conditions in 2021, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is deploying new resources to protect California communities and augment the state’s fire and rescue mutual aid system. Currently, Cal OES transferred nine new Type VI engines and one Type III engine to local fire jurisdictions as part of the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Sy...
A firefighter has teamed up with MSA Safety and Rosenbauer to create and release a series of handcrafted miniature helmet gifts exclusively for The Fire Fighters Charity, to raise funds to support its vital services. Adam Tubby, a whole time and retained firefighter with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, wanted to create a lasting memento for firefighters like himself once they retire from the service – by recreating their most vital piece of equipment. The miniature replica helmets &ndas...
