Firefighter Health and Safety - News

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its signature annual conference, the NVFC Training Summit 2024, on June 21-22, 2024, in Buffalo, New York, USA.  The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical issues in the fire and emergency services. Submit the proposal by October 1, 2023. NVFC Training Summit The NVFC Training Summit provides an opportunity to sh...

Teledyne FLIR will use its appearance at SPE Offshore Europe 2023 (Aberdeen, UK, 5-8 September) to shine the spotlight on its comprehensive and industry-proven array of optical gas imaging (OGI) camera solutions for the oil and gas market. These advanced cameras help users to detect methane, sulfur hexafluoride, and hundreds of other industrial gases quickly, accurately and safely, without shutting down systems. Teledyne FLIR OGI cameras can scan broad sections of equipment rapidly and detect l...

A range of customers in the supply chain are often confused when it comes to the selection of the correct cabling for many critical applications, says AEI Cables. The company has been communicating the dangers of not following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020. Category 3 Control fire performance cables Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke...

Global wireless solutions provider - Ramtech has launched its WES3 Wireless Evacuation and Nurse Call System in Australia, expanding the firm’s international reach within a new territory.  The emergency system is paving the way for worker safety in construction sites, having already had successful drills with some of the country's pioneering contractors. WES3 system Through its territory partners, Ramtech has recently deployed its WES3 system at a Built construction project in Pert...

Armstrong Priestley are the first company to have employees pass the BAFSA Inspection and Commissioning Course, which allows them to apply for the new Industry related CSCS SKILLS card. “The new Blue Skill Card for ‘Commercial Fire Sprinkler Engineers’ is a first and we are proud to have our engineers qualified and be amongst some of the very first people to carry the new trade related card,” says Steve Brailey, Joint Managing Director at Armstrong Priestley. Blue Skill...

The Fire Safety and Organisational Statistics report shows 3,490 wholetime operational firefighters in 2022-23, compared with 3,530 the year before, around a one percent reduction. SFRS Interim Deputy Chief Officer and Director of People, Liz Barnes, said, “We are fortunate to have a wealth of experience in our workforce with over half of wholetime operational staff serving 15 years or longer." decrease in wholetime firefighters Liz Barnes adds, “The longer-term picture shows an o...

The Scottish Government has provided funding of £56,000 to enable firefighters based in Scotland to participate in a UK-wide health screening program, which is being facilitated by the Fire Brigades Union and the University of Central Lancashire. Around 1,000 UK firefighters will take part in trials, which will include blood tests to look for early signs of illness and cancer and these trials will help to inform the evidence around potential future annual health screening arrangements. S...

Briggs & Stratton is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Liotine as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 29, 2023. Extensive experience Mr. Liotine joins Briggs & Stratton after serving 18 years in senior roles at Whirlpool Corporation, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), where he led the Global KitchenAid business, had global responsibility for product development, R&D, sourcing, and IT, and was instrumental in building world-class o...

Anheuser-Busch has released the latest chapter in its “That’s Who We Are” campaign with a tribute to the dedicated network of employees, partners, and first responders who support local communities in times of need. drinking water program Launching in time for National Preparedness Month in September, the new “We Can’t Predict. We Can Prepare.” spot builds on Anheuser-Busch’s 35-year commitment to disaster relief efforts. This ad spotlights those who...

This September, fire service staff and volunteers will be hosing down cars at Cambridge, Burwell and Chatteris Fire Station to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes are welcome. Previously, cars, bikes, vans, trucks, and even tractors have been known to come along. Fire Fighters Charity The event will be raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which is currently celebrating 80 years of providing support and rehabilitation to both serving and retired...

25 August 2023 commemorates the 51st anniversary of the Kilbirnie Street fire, a tragic incident in Glasgow that claimed the lives of seven firefighters. On Friday, 25 August 1972, at 11.20 am, the Glasgow Fire Service dispatched crews to the Sher Brothers warehouse on Kilbirnie Street in response to an ongoing fire. Upon arrival, the firefighters were confronted with a vicious blaze that had engulfed the building. loss of all seven firefighters Tragically, Firefighter James Rook became trapp...

Firefighters from both ends of the county had a busy morning on August 23, 2023, tackling fires caused by incorrect disposal of batteries. A crew from Cambridge was called just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning to a fire involving refuse from a lorry on Hauxton Road in Trumpington. Local recycling center Less than an hour later crews from Dogsthorpe and Stanground were called to a lorry fire in Bretton, Peterborough. Both fires were caused by batteries being discarded in household refuse. Ac...

A contribution from Dow has increased the number of volunteer fire departments to receive US$ 10,000 through the 2023 CHEMTREC® HELP Award in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). The CHEMTREC® Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness (HELP) Award is designed to help volunteer fire departments increase local preparedness and response capabilities for hazardous materials incidents. Thanks to Dow, a total of five recipients will be selected to receive US$ 10,000 each i...

The US state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator - Willie G. Nunn on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 10:00 p.m. PT. He determined that the Liberty Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the second FMAG declared in 2023 to help fight Oregon wildfires. At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Liber...

Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect the communities, facing various risks in their line of duty. To ensure safety, it's crucial that the gear remains in top-notch condition.  3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material, Series 5680 Fire Coat Comfort Trim, plays a significant role in enhancing visibility during firefighting operations. However, like any other equipment, wear and tear may occur over time, necessitating proper inspection and repairs. Here are some ways to...

Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection will showcase its latest technology developments for any utilities involved in hydrogen transition projects. From booth E25 in hall 7, the company will highlight the brand new high-performance GS700-Hydrogen gas detector and the recently launched ultra-fast Spyglass SG50-F-IR3-Hydrogen flame detector. Gat | Wat Gat | Wat is the largest annual meeting of the gas sector, providing a central forum for industry professionals to discover the latest technological...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus, the Pierce dealer for South Carolina, has marked its milestone 50th year with an exclusive celebration at the South Carolina Fire Conference in June 2023, and plans for future expansion. In preparation for the 2023 South Carolina Fire Conference - Fire-Rescue 2023, Spartan Fire team members dedicated months to compiling a rich history of customer photos, ranging from the 1970s to the prese...

As the global workplace safety market continues to grow — estimated to reach $42.96 billion by 2032, with an annual growth rate of 11.8%, according to Polaris Market Research — pioneering safety technology provider - Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a 50% increase in its fire-hazmat personal and area gas monitor business in the last year alone. This translates to more than $2 million in total contract value of Blackline’s real-time, cloud-connected safety devices and servi...

As the warm weather looks set to continue for the coming days, leading up to the bank holiday weekend, residents are being urged to stay fire safe, while enjoying the sunshine. Many people may be looking to dust off the BBQ, as opportunities have been limited so far this summer, along with lighting bonfires or firepits. As much as these can be enjoyable, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service wants to ensure residents are aware of the risks and keep themselves and their families safe. Basic sa...

3M has announced the appointment of Bryan C. Hanson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the independent health care company, when it is spun off from 3M. Bryan Hanson will join 3M on Sept. 1 as CEO of the Health Care Business Group. Hanson comes to 3M from Zimmer Biomet, a global MedTech innovator with annual revenue of more than US$ 7 billion. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2017, and Chairman since 2021. Extensive industry experience Bryan Hanson is a proven exe...

Each year, MSA Safety Incorporated, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partner to award volunteer fire departments much-needed personal protective equipment through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Since the program began in 2012, 663 sets of turnout gear have been donated to 147 departments. In 2023, an additional 13 volunteer fire departments will be selected to each receive four new sets of turnout gear and four new helmets. The first 500 ap...

For the first time, SentrySafe, the global pioneer in fire storage and security solutions, has teamed up with Master Lock, the enduring name in padlocks, to launch the new Next Generation Fire Safe. Available to purchase, the Next Generation Fire Safe is a first-of-its-kind product from the brand featuring all-new exclusive “Master Lock Security, Built-In” technology that empowers consumers to be ready for the unexpected. With unparalleled fireproof and waterproof storage for docume...

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has been assessed as 'Outstanding' in one of eleven categories inspected earlier this year by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). They also received six Goods, three Adequates and one Requires Improvement. The inspection team, who visited the Service in April, gave the highest score possible for how CFRS manages its resources, highlighting innovative practices for its ‘comprehensive financial and r...

Staying dry is not only a great concern but also a major hurdle within heavy-duty industries. It is a prerequisite and a tall ask for heavy-duty industries that expose the workforce to the forces of nature like excessive rain. This holds especially true in tropical countries like India. Whether faced with torrential downpours, splashes of liquid, or rigorous work conditions, maintaining dryness becomes a critical priority. In such demanding environments, where the interplay between safety, comf...

The Fleur Lombard Bursary aims to advance the education of junior members of the fire and rescue service, by the grant of bursaries to enable them to travel and study fire and rescue service-related issues at other fire and rescue services elsewhere in the UK, Europe, or worldwide. If interested in finding out more about an issue affecting fire and rescue service or want to improve the understanding of fire and rescue service issues, may be interested in applying for the bursary. Members o...

Johnson Controls, the pioneer of smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announces the launch of Simplex Foundation Series fire detection systems for small to mid-size building protection. The Foundation Series is a complete, off-the-shelf fire detection solution featuring both addressable and non-addressable models and a full range of reliable, proven Simplex devices. Complete fire detection solution “Today’s installers are busier than ever and don’t always have time to...

Just before schools broke up for the summer holidays, Safety Zone made its welcomed return after being put on hold following the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme first returned to St. Neots Fire Station, where more than 300 pupils from St Marys, Little Paxton, Middlefield, Buckden, Bushmead, Priory, Great Paxton, Eynesbury CoE, and Whinhills took part. road safety, CPR, fire safety Various partners attended the day, including, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire County Council, Woodgreen...

Zenitel, the globally renowned supplier of intelligent and interoperable communication solutions, announced the hiring of a key relationship executive in its Americas Onshore Business Unit. Allan Barinque has been named Southwest Regional Sales Leader.   Extensive industry experience Allan Barinque is an experienced Sales Executive and Account Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the security integration and fire life safety industry. He is a seasoned professional who...

Crew Commander - Kevin Macrae, based at Port of Ness Community Fire Station, has been an on-call firefighter for nearly 25 years. He also runs his own business, Kevin Macrae Electrical where he employs three people. One of his employees, Alasdair MacLeod – is also an on-call firefighter - he’s a Crew Commander at South Lochs Community Fire Station. On-call firefighter role Kevin, who started his business 23 years ago, is always looking to promote the on-call firefighter role and w...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds on Aug. 9 to assist the US state of Hawaii to combat the Mauna Kea Beach Fire burning in Hawaii County. On Aug. 9, 2023, the US state of Hawaii submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 100 homes in and around Mauna Kea Beach, with mandatory evacuations for approximately 100 people. The fire also...