Public Education - News

From 2nd February 2022, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) will be increasing the number of GoodSAM volunteers notified of patients in cardiac arrest. GoodSAM application The GoodSAM application has been used at EEAST to notify appropriately trained staff, volunteers and registered health care professionals of patients in cardiac arrest, within 800 meters of their location. EEAST commenced a trial to deploy staff trained in basic life support (CPR) to these patients. This...

Chubb’s global business and CriticalArc have joined forces to enable SafeZone, CriticalArc’s award-winning cloud-based safety, security, and emergency management solution to be offered to Chubb customers through its connected services offering, Chubb VisiON+. Chubb is a part of APi Group, a global business services provider of safety and specialty services. The investment by both companies in the development of a streamlined, cohesive offering delivers far-reaching be...

Registration is now open for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2022 Health & Safety Training Summit. The Summit will take place from Friday, June 24 to Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, USA. The conference is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel from across the United States. 2022 Health & Safety Training Summit This two-day classroom-based training is an opportunity to learn from lea...

The search for power solutions to decarbonize commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment took an exciting turn in the summer of 2021, with an announcement from Cummins, Inc. Cummins’s hydrogen-fueled engine development program is one of the company’s latest steps to advance zero-carbon technology. Customers are taking notice and so are governments. Indeed, judging by some reactions, it's almost as if Cummins has just reinvented the internal combustion engine (ICE). Of course, pro...

Regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from motor vehicles are tightening around the world. With this, both hydrogen engines and hydrogen fuel cells are receiving an increasing interest. Net zero CO2 emissions goals Given medium and heavy-duty trucks are major sources of CO2 emissions, the transportation sector’s journey to destination net zero CO2 emission features both technologies. As more truck makers join the ranks of auto companies developing CO2-free or CO2-neutral...

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated the retirement of three civilian employees, during a ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Lauren Marie Lohr of the Medical supply chain, retired after 41 years of service, Robert DiPentima of the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after 40 years of service and Linda Farrell, also from the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after eight years of service. DLA Troop Support retirees honored Thei...

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Special Commodities Branch has won the DLA’s Team Performance of the Year Award, in the medium team category. Within this dedicated group of 42 employees, over 530 years of practical floor experience and high levels of technical expertise combine to drive and shape the day-to-day operation of cold chain management for DDSP.  The Special Commodities Branch The Special Commodities Branch is responsible for...

Passed in January 2022, New York's new Family and Firefighter Protection Act regulates the use of flame retardant chemicals. New York joins 4 other US states (Delaware, Georgia, Iowa and West Virginia) in passing this type of regulation according to Safer States, a network of diverse environmental health coalitions and organizations. New York's legislation regulates specific chemicals in upholstered furniture, mattresses and electronic enclosures. Reasons behind the legislation These che...

Paul Wilkinson, the Chairman of Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association (IFEDA), has commented on behalf of the trade association, in support of the BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) campaign – ‘Don’t Just Specify, Verify’. Paul Wilkinson stated, “IFEDA has witnessed that there are companies operating across the industry claiming to have, for example, fire alarm expertise with over 20 years of experience. When checked, however, you fin...

As the UK Government’s appointed contractor for the National Barrier Asset (NBA) framework, employing some of the experts in event security and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) Hardstaff Barriers were involved in a large-scale operation for the Conservative Party Conference in October 2021. The 4-day event was held at the Manchester Convention Complex and Hardstaff Barriers were involved in securing the event space and hotel with fencing, gates, pedestrian portals, and barriers to mitigat...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, will open a Disaster Recovery Center on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Ferndale, Whatcom County, Washington, USA, in order to help survivors of the November flooding and mudslides. New Disaster Recovery Center The new recovery center’s location will be Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Cherry Street, in Ferndale, Washington The new recovery cente...

The Latvian National Armed Forces has awarded a contract to Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) for the supply of their market renowned CBRN respiratory protection, including FM50 mask systems, filters, spares and accessories. Latvia joins other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nations and partners, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and The Netherlands, in purchasing the FM50 to protect their armed forces. NSPA contract for CBRN personal respirator system S...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has announced the launch of the Tyco Series LFII Residential 4.9 K-factor Lead-Free for 13D Sprinkler. Concealed pendent sprinkler The concealed pendent sprinkler is manufactured with a polymeric material that carries anti-heat and anti-corrosion properties, making it ideal for long-lasting dependable fire protection in residential occupancies. It is the first fire sprinkler to be certified to ANSI/...

A care home business run by private health and care provider - BUPA has been ordered to pay more than £1 million after a resident died in a fire, while smoking at one of its care homes. In what is thought to be the largest ever fine for fire safety breaches in the UK, BUPA Care Services (ANS) Ltd was fined £937,500 and ordered to pay £104,000 costs at Southwark Crown Court on 5 January. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order London Fire Brigade brought the prosecution under t...

Cases of arson are still commonplace in the construction industry and are widely believed to be the number one cause of on-site fires. An ongoing problem requires a proactive defense mechanism, as John Tyrer, Sales Director at wireless solutions firm Ramtech North America, explains. Causes of arson Irreplaceable heritage buildings lost, costs that go through the roof, and progress that cannot be recovered, the effects of arson are vast and uniquely upsetting. But these are concerns consi...

A new code of practice for the fire risk appraisal of external walls and cladding of multi-occupancy residential buildings has been published by BSI. The code has been developed to support the changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 brought about by the Fire Safety Act 2021, which provides for the fire performance of exterior walls and cladding to be a material consideration. PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal The code, PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal of external wall...

Advanced’s industry-renowned MxPro 5 fire alarm control panel is now compatible with Hochiki’s most sophisticated addressable multi-sensor device, the ACD. The new development enables Advanced’s customers to install its EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13-approved MxPro 5 fire panels, alongside an even wider range of detection devices, delivering increased choice and flexibility. MxPro 5 fire panels As an open protocol fire panel manufacturer, we understand how important choice is to our...

Streamlight, Inc., a globally renowned provider of high-performance lighting, has introduced the BearTrap, a high-power work light that delivers up to 2,000 lumens for automotive and other inspection, identification and repair uses. Featuring both spot and flood beams, the light can rotate 270 degrees in its frame and clamps to virtually any surface or stands on its own for hands-free task illumination. It also features a magnetic base and a hanging hook for additional hands-free lighting optio...

Inspect Point, a globally renowned company that offers cloud-based business management software for the fire inspection industry, has announced a US$ 28 million investment from Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm that invests exclusively in fast-growing, bootstrapped software companies. Inspect Point, end-to-end business solutions Utilizing capital invested by Mainsail Partners, Inspect Point intends to invest further in its product Founded in 2014, Inspect Point is an end-to-end business...

AQUASYS is very pleased to have MECTRON International LLC as a new partner in Oman. The very dry and desert characterized country relies on AQUASYS' high pressure water mist (HPWM) technology for firefighting. MECTRON International LLC is a multi-disciplined engineering, professionally managed engineering solutions company that specializes in HVAC & Ventilation system, Fire Alarm & Fire Fighting Systems, ELV & BVM Systems, Industrial Kitchen & Laundry Equipments, Duct Manufactur...

As the World braces for another rapidly advancing mutating version of COVID-19, face masks are being used to reduce the chance of spreading or capturing COVID-19 once again.  To limit the spread of the virus as much as possible, countries across the world are advising their citizens to consider making mask use mandatory both outdoors and indoors. As the world starts enforcing limited lockdowns it's important to understand the differences between various types of face masks. Three types of...

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....

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...

The National Fire Protection Association was founded in 1896 to help prevent injury, death, and economic losses resulting from fires. NFPA is a global nonprofit organization with a membership of over 60,000 worldwide. NFPA’s consensus standards and building codes are a recognized benchmark around the world for quality fire safety construction practices. Fire safety education In addition to its standard-setting work, NFPA also serves the public with information, advocacy, and outreach pr...

Following a thorough recruitment drive, the BAFE Fire Safety Register is proud to announce the appointment of their new Managing Director, Dr. Justin Maltby-Smith CEng FIET CMgr FCMI. Since BAFE’s establishment in 1984, and subsequently going fully independent in 2009, the registration body continues to have a core role in establishing methods to evidence competency within the fire safety arena. With this comes to its significant responsibility of ensuring the BAFE portfolio of schemes av...

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...