Mergers & Acquisitions - News

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced the successful completion of the second phase of S&T's wildland-urban interface wildfire sensor technology program, part of the Smart Cities Internet of Things Innovation (SCITI) Labs initiative. On average, 60,000 wildfires occur across the U.S. each year, burning millions of acres. Providing early warnings of these fire events is critical to response and recovery efforts, both for communities and public safety. fire sens...

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) and local law enforcement and fire officials will conduct a media-only event that is designed to share fireworks safety messaging for the public. This information is of particular importance given current critically high fire danger and the large number of grass and vegetation fires occurring across the County. Media-only event to share safety measures The event will take place at the site of last Friday morning’s fireworks-caused...

Bosch is pleased to announce a new software release for Praesensa, the IP-based public address and voice alarm (PA/VA) system. The new software version 1.50 features an improved user experience and enhanced connectivity, especially for large installations requiring multiple controllers and subsystems, along with more options for system redundancy. New software update V1.50 for Praesensa PA/VA system System designers will receive more flexibility designing large system networks with this relea...

Barbour has published a round-up of recent fire safety legislation changes, following a busy year for parliament. The round-up aims to provide a short, digestible precis of the many updates seen in recent months, notably following recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report. key points in fire safety legislation changes Highlighting the key points from each, users can quickly catch up on the measures to improve fire safety, which aim to drive forward reform of the Fire and...

June 21 is the official start of summer and Gilbert Fire & Rescue along with the Gilbert Police Department want to share a few safety tips for users to keep in mind. Limit the time outdoors during peak heat hours. Stay hydrated - drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Take frequent breaks in the shade if users are required to be outdoors. Watch children and pets around water at all times. Don't leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle - look before locking. Check on elderly...

In order to inform an NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) Health and Wellbeing strategy, colleagues from Nottingham Trent University have been tasked with conducting a survey, to map health and well-being across fire and rescue service staff, in order to better understand current and future needs.  Health and Well-being strategy The NFCC Health and Wellbeing strategy will reflect the health and well-being needs of people in the fire safety industry, across all careers.  Led by Dr. R...

It is with a heavy heart that BAFE announces the passing of two friends and colleagues. Both, Peter Chilton and Dominic Cook passed away at the end of April 2022.  They both greatly assisted BAFE with fire extinguisher technician assessments/verification and exam invigilation as experts within their field. Peter Chilton Peter Chilton had more than 30 years of fire industry experience before working with BAFE, including 25 years with a fire extinguisher organization, Fire Protection Servi...

It is with a heavy heart that BAFE announces the passing of two friends and colleagues. Both, Peter Chilton and Dominic Cook passed away at the end of April 2022.  They both greatly assisted BAFE with fire extinguisher technician assessments/verification and exam invigilation as experts within their field. Peter Chilton Peter Chilton had more than 30 years of fire industry experience before working with BAFE, including 25 years with a fire extinguisher organization, Fire Protection Servi...

ACAIRE and ANRACI have signed a cooperation framework agreement with the objective of establishing the terms of cooperation for institutional exchange with the purpose of agreeing on and developing programs and projects related to: The improvement and strengthening of fire protection conditions for Colombians through technological, academic, regulatory, ethical and business development of all the actors in the sector. The promotion of technical excellence in each of the stages associated wit...

Rosenbauer presents the first L32A-XS on a fully electric series chassis at Interschutz 2022 event. When it first was introduced nine years ago, the standard aerial ladder with lowerable cage boom took aerial rescue operations to a new level - especially in confined spaces - and is now opening the way to the (electric) mobility of the future for fire departments. Volvo chassis The L32A-XS electric aerial ladder is built on a Volvo FE Electric chassis and powered by two electric motors, wit...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy and sustainable building solutions, is welcoming the amendments to The Building Regulations 2010 Section 15, Paragraph 15.17, in relation to evacuation alert systems in high-rise residential buildings. The amendment states that new residential developments over 18 meters tall will have to incorporate an Evacuation Alert System in accordance with BS 8629 to help fire and rescue services inform residents of a change in evacuation...

In recent months, expert awards panels across BigChange's key industries have been recognizing what customers are already telling the company: trades businesses grow stronger with BigChange. Pioneer security industry body, the British Security Industry Association, has shortlisted BigChange for its Best Use of Technology Award. A digital solution The customer Securitay told the panel how it was transformed by BigChange. “When we were looking for a digital solution, we needed something t...

One of the most important aspects of firefighter post-incident rehabilitation is mitigating heat stress. Firefighters work in high-heat conditions and personal protective equipment (PPE) carries a high-heat burden. Exposure to extreme heat situations usually occurs in limited, short doses for most firefighters but the effects of high heat on personnel are cumulative. Extreme heat from environmental conditions adds significantly to the risk of heat-related health emergencies. Acute risks The l...

The last few years have been challenging for everyone, including the fire industry. It changed everything, except our dedication to overcoming challenges. With everything returning to normal, the countdown to Interschutz 2022 has begun. Interschutz 2022 Exhibitors are looking forward to Interschutz 2022 after a long wait. It will allow them to interact and work collaboratively to sustain, expand, or form new networks. With only a few days till the doors open for the world's leading fire and r...

C-TEC is exhibiting at Housing 2022 exhibition, which is taking place from June 28 to June 30, 2022, in Manchester Central, Manchester, United Kingdom (UK). With over 300 exhibitors and an action-packed program of seminars, networking events and debates, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual Housing event is the place to be for a local council, housing association, developer or housing professional. C-TEC’s innovative solutions at Housing 2022 C-TEC will be exhibiting a host...

In May 2022, the Environment Agency’s Waste Industry Regulatory Services and Chemical Compliance Team (EA) advised the Fire Industry Association (FIA) that they are applying a restriction on persistent organic pollutants entering sewerage systems and the water environment. This group of chemicals is known to have adverse long-term effects on the environment and human health, and can be found in some fire extinguishers. Chemicals in fire extinguishers The chemicals, often known as POPs,...

The Optimum Group (Optimum Drywall Systems Ltd) is delighted to share the changes that have been underway, as part of their fire-stopping team restructure. They have recently secured some great projects with clients, both old and new, and are excited to deliver them with a fresh and talented Fire Stopping Team. They have a new leadership structure, promoted from an established and experienced management team, and added some exceptional new talent to create a department that can provide a reliab...

Frontline firefighters in Tyne and Wear are benefitting from a ground-breaking new scheme, which sees them being trained in first aid and trauma support by a leading North East paramedic educator. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have teamed up with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), in a scheme believed to be the first of its kind in England. TWFRS – NEAS partnership It has seen Paramedic Educator, Phil Barlow, who has 15-years frontline experience being seconded to...

Angus Fire is pleased to announce that the company has donated a wide range of much needed firefighting hose, branch pipes and other firefighting equipment to firefighters in Ukraine, in order to help them protect buildings, critical assets and help them to save lives.

Fire safety checks will need to be redone on more than 1,600 council homes, because of concerns previous inspections may have been conducted by unqualified officials. The revelation is the latest twist in a long-running saga, which emerged last year when Norwich City Council admitted hundreds of people in its properties were potentially put in danger because crucial safety inspections of fire, water, and electrics had not been done. Overdue gas checks Since then, £1.2 million has been s...

Fire safety checks will need to be redone on more than 1,600 council homes, because of concerns previous inspections may have been conducted by unqualified officials. The revelation is the latest twist in a long-running saga, which emerged last year when Norwich City Council admitted hundreds of people in its properties were potentially put in danger because crucial safety inspections of fire, water, and electrics had not been done. Overdue gas checks Since then, £1.2 million has been s...

Recent research from Duke University involved firefighters wearing silicon wristbands on and off the job. The silicon absorbs any semi-volatile organic compounds the firefighters may have been exposed to. The wristbands worn by firefighters were analyzed for 134 different chemical compounds, including phthalates, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), all of which have been linked to increased...

Briggs & Stratton has announced that Kristina Cerniglia has joined the Company as Senior Vice President (SVP) & Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She joins Briggs & Stratton after serving eight years at Hillenbrand, Inc., as Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Hillenbrand, Inc., she spent 23 years in the financial organizations at Stanley Black & Decker and United Technologies Corporation. Kristina Cerniglia currently serves on the Board of Directors for L...

The government has published its response to the consultation on the use of cladding in buildings over 11m in England. Combustible materials Combustible materials have been banned for use in external facades of buildings higher than 18m since 2018, following extensive lobbying in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. In early 2020, the government suggested also banning the use of such materials for buildings above 11m in height, and ran a consultation on this in May 2020, the response to...

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is in serious need of funding to tackle the building safety crisis, according to Commissioner Andy Roe. A total of 1,100 of London’s buildings above 11 meters are currently listed by the LFB as having serious fire safety issues. While this represents a slight drop from 1,174 in March, the capital has had more than 1,000 unsafe buildings for almost a year, and the real number of unsafe buildings could be much higher. City Hall Plenary meeting At a City Hall...

Harshad Saujani, a Community Educator at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to fire safety. The fantastic news was announced on 2 June, where over 1,000 individuals were awarded as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honors list, which recognizes the achievements and service of people across the UK. Targeting vulnerable individuals Harshad joined the service in 2005 as a Community Educator, a role that ha...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is proud to announce the Queen has recognized Paul Grimwood, a KFRS Senior Principal Fire Engineer, in the 2022 Birthday Honors List. Paul, who has a career spanning over 50 years in firefighting and fire engineering, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire). High-Rise buildings He is highly regarded within the fire industry as an expert and pioneer for new operational tactics, as well as for his meticulous work when it comes to ensuring resi...

Over 2,300 first responders have taken an online instructor-led live course from the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the number is growing. The NFA suspended its on-campus and field courses in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2020, the NFA and USFA’s partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives launched the first online instructor-led live 2-day course, “Fire Investigation: First Responders,” using the Zoom video conferencing app. Ad...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while also emphasizing the impo...

CHEMTREC and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are teaming up for the fourth year to provide volunteer fire departments with the CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Award to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities and improve responder safety. CHEMTREC HELP Award The 2022 application period is now open until September 1, 2022. Two U.S. volunteer fire departments will each receive US$ 10,000, through the CHEMTREC HELP Award in 2022. Fire departments m...