Firefighter Health and Safety - News

Recently, BAFE published information discussing the roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions and that this should prompt reviews on fire safety.  Within this, BAFE reassured that fire safety service providers continue to operate as safely as possible following appropriate COVID-19 guidance to help clients meet their obligations. free rapid lateral flow tests The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has distributed important information that the Government is providing free rapid lateral f...

With warmer and dryer weather setting in, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service wishes to remind the public that lighting grass fires is not only illegal, but also a danger to its firefighters, following an incident that resulted in a firefighter sustaining a musculoskeletal injury. At 08:08 pm, on Tuesday, 30th March 2021, Joint Fire Control received the first call of a grass fire on Mynydd Cadle Common, in Penlan, Swansea, Wales and crews from Morriston and Swansea Central were deplo...

Airbus has launched ‘Advanced Superconducting and Cryogenic Experimental powertraiN Demonstrator’ (ASCEND), in order to explore the impact of superconducting materials and cryogenic temperatures on the performance of an aircraft’s electrical propulsion systems. The introduction of superconducting materials can lower electrical resistance, meaning that electrical current can supply power without energy loss. When coupled with liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures (-253 degr...

The BCI releases the 2021 BCI Horizon Scan Report, sponsored by BSI. Throughout the years, this report continues to demonstrate its value to business continuity and resilience professionals by providing trends on incidents faced by organizations over the past year; the top threats and their impacts to organizations according to professionals; the use of the ISO 22301 standard and the cost of disruptions to organizations. This year, the report also analyses the impact that COVID-19 has had on bu...

“We are very excited to move into our Hempel Campus, which is a modern, international workplace and architecturally attractive. It is based on our vision of how we want to work together in teams and cross-functionally. Our new facilities reflect our culture and give us the perfect work environment enabling us to deliver on our ambitious strategy and growth targets,” explains Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen, Hempel's Chief  People & Culture Officer. The new R&D facility will b...

Safety shoes are an essential component of every workplace. From protecting the feet of workers from unwanted slip & fall hazards to providing an extra level of support while standing, the PPEs protect workers’ feet from various life-threatening hazards they are constantly exposed. 'According to the US Department of Labor, 666 workplace injuries are associated with slips, falls, and trips. Injuries involving strains and falls are also among the major causes of missing work.'  sa...

A residential structure fire was reported on Yosemite Drive in Moonridge at approximately 2:35 am, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a two-story, single-family home well involved on the side of the house near the chimney stack. Through a swift fire attack, fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Two occupants were able to self-evacuate with no injuries. Due to close proximity of the structure fire, the shed was a complete loss. The structure fire...

Today’s firefighting and wildfire boots need to do more than just keep your feet dry, they need to keep you protected in many other ways. Firefighting boots have come a long way from those clunky rubber boots of old. Even though leather boots have been around for years, many fire departments opt to purchase rubber boots over leather boots. Many times, the decision frankly comes down to cost. While rubber boots are cheaper, cost should not be the only factor that comes into play. Boot Weig...

In 1965, Greater London Council ordered six Commer Cobs to be used BACVs (Breathing Apparatus Control Vehicles). DYC32C ended up, at least to start with, in Bromley. It remained with the Fire Brigade until 1977 when it was sold out of the service. Of the six ordered, DYC32C is believed to be the only one that survives today. The Commer was, at one point, owned by a builder who cared little for the fire-based heritage and then used it as a van. However, it survived the cement dust and was sold a...

As hospitals battle through the second major wave of the COVID-19 virus, concerns have been raised around the NHS’ on-going maintenance backlog and the impact on safety and infrastructure. In January 2021, figures suggested that the total backlog was the equivalent of the annual running cost of the entire NHS estate, which was around £9.7 billion in 2019/20. fire safety standards compliance Emergency hospital evacuations are inherently more complicated when compared to other publi...

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority welcomes and supports the ongoing work of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which aims to lead improvement across the fire and rescue sector at a national level. As part of this work, the Authority is pleased that Sir Tom Winsor, in the State of Fire and Rescue Annual Assessment in England 2020, has highlighted the outstanding work, which many fire and rescue services, including Royal Berkshire staff, have underta...

The following announcement was made by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy at 17.00 on Saturday 27th March 2021: "The Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy has decided that the Green Home Grant Voucher scheme will cease taking new applications from 5 pm on 31st March. We will refocus efforts and funding on an alternative approach to maximize the delivery of home retrofits and benefits to consumers and businesses." Green Homes Grant voucher...

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will join District 5 City Commissioner Regina I. Hill, Fire Chief, Benjamin M. Barksdale Jr., and Black Bee Honey student entrepreneurs to build a beehive at Orlando Fire Station One and announce a new honey product to the Black Bee Honey collection. After the beehive builds, the honey collected from this hive will be used for a new Black Bee Honey product, Flaming Hot Honey, a sweet treat infused with heat from hot peppers. The new product will be available this summer...

Figures released by Hill and Smith Holdings PLC, a group that includes UK road and security barrier companies Hardstaff Barriers and Asset VRS, show that the firms remained ‘robust’ in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial results for last year show a ‘Robust performance, strong cash generation, and positive long-term prospects’ across the group. Furthermore, the group has also paid back the £3.6m it received from the UK Coronavirus...

Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are teaming up for the third year to provide critical hydration to volunteer fire departments responding to wildfires through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program. The program is an expansion of Anheuser-Busch’s longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts. Anheuser-Busch is continuing its commitment in 2021 by pledging to donate 1.5 million cans...

Despite the challenges of 2020, business leaders' confidence in the resilience of their organizations has risen, according to BSI’s fourth annual Organizational Resilience Index report, which surveyed 500 senior leaders across the globe. Report Findings The index found that leaders remain cautiously optimistic, with more than half (57%) of businesses in the UK, US, and India expecting their financial performance to improve in 2021. The concept of Organizational Resilience refers to an o...

The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced their award honorees, and for the first time in its 56-year history, fire chiefs from the largest jurisdictions throughout the world have selected a female officer as Fire Chief of the Year. Mary Cameli, chief of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department in Arizona has earned the Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year ho...

Around 10 am on Sunday, March 14, 2021, Branchville Volunteer Fire Company’s E811B and Chief 811A pumper vehicles responded to a reported house fire incident in the 7500 Blk of 24th Ave in Co. 34’s area. Fire suppression operations First arriving units found fire showing from the rear of the house. E811B arrived as the 2nd due engine with 6 volunteers and stretched a backup line through the front door to support interior suppression operations. Crews operated on scene for approxim...

New community face coverings standard has benefitted from public comments, it has been updated to include new environmental considerations as well as enhanced guidance on labeling, cleaning, fitting, fastening, and breathing resistance. The second version of the standard, called Community Face Coverings – Specification, is freely available for use to help UK manufacturers, test houses, retailers, and consumers to ensure single-use and re-usable face coverings are safe and fit for purpose....

Granite Workwear stocks a wide range of products from many top brands that design the best, high-quality workwear. To celebrate the recent International Women’s Day and support the women in many different industries, Granite Workwear thought now would be a great time to highlight which workwear brands are the best for women. Carhartt Perhaps the most well-known and recognized brand on the list, Granite Workwear stocks a wide range of Carhartt products for both men and women, ranging in...

Globally renowned life-safety systems manufacturer, C-TEC, is heading up a live London Build Online panel discussion. Managing Home fire risks Featuring a host of top industry experts, innovators, and influencers, ‘Raising the grade: the evolution of fire protection in residential dwellings - how new fire detection and alarm system technology can better protect people and property’ webinar will take place on Thursday, 18th March 2021, at 1.30 pm and focus on the following key topic...

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) is providing the opportunity to Canadian fire departments to apply for $500 stipend, in order to help educate their communities about the benefits of residential fire sprinklers. Fire departments are welcome to combine projects, for example, use the $500 to buy a TV monitor, produce an educational pull-up banner, or boost Facebook posts. Other examples include: Build or refurbish a fire and sprinkler side-by-side burn demonstration. This may includ...

The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors has unanimously voted to rename their annual Lifetime Achievement Award the “Russell E. Sanders Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of Sanders’ leadership and continuous contributions to Metro Chiefs and the international fire service. Metro Chiefs is a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The Russell E. Sanders Lifet...

As the House of Representatives considers the American Rescue Plan as amended by the Senate, the nation’s state and local emergency managers applaud the inclusion of several items that will aid in the response and recovery to COVID-19 as well as other ongoing disasters. Grants allowance The $100 million included for Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) will allow for increased capacity at both the state and local levels. With these funds, emergency managers conduct coordinatin...

Evolution, the globally renowned integrated fire & security systems business, has opened a new office in Cork, Ireland, so as to service the increasing new business opportunities in the area. New Cork service and support base The new Cork office will provide a new account management, service and support base in the county and beyond for new and existing customers, and coincides with the appointment of two new members to the team. Mark Field has been appointed as a Key Account Manager resp...

Elbeco's new CX360™ uniform series offers ultimate performance. It is designed to stand up to the demanding conditions of the streets and maintain a professional public image. It has a superior 4-way stretch fabric combined with a performance-driven design that provides enhanced function, comfort, and versatility.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $285 million to help the Forest Service address critical deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure on national forests and grasslands. This $285 million investment is made possible by the newly created National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, established in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act. These funds will allow the Forest Service to implement mor...

European-based fire detection manufacturer, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), has appointed Sudeep Dalvi as Technical Support Engineer to cater to the company’s growing customer base in the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, and the Middle East. Sudeep will be responsible for providing advanced technical support for GFE’s partners’ installation and service teams, developing and delivering technical training, as well as writing technical specifications for GFE’s...

A residential structure fire was reported on E Barker Blvd in Big Bear City at approximately 2:35 pm, on Friday, March 5, 2021. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a residential structure with smoke visible from the front as well as smoke and flames from the rear of the structure. The resident of the house was able to self-evacuate with no injuries.   Units continued fire suppression activity with complete knock-down obtained within approximately 10 minutes. The fire was contained to the ki...

Although glass is a 97% recyclable material, end-of-life glass used in construction has often ended up in landfill rather than being recycled.  As the industry takes a more environmentally conscious approach, recycling and repurposing materials have become a major objective. Optima will look at what the industry is doing to utilize glass waste and why it is so important.   What is a circular economy?  The dwindling of non-renewable resources is nothing new, humans hav...