Public Education - News
FIA announced a new course in Evacuation Alert Systems (BS 8629), this training is the first of its kind and emanates from the work that has been done since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The training course can be taken online and, in the future, it will be able to be taken in class to enable learners to choose a teaching style that suits their needs. Evacuation Of Residents Ian Moore CEO of the FIA added, “The FIA has been involved from day one with the Evacuation Alert System concept."...
PACCAR recognizes its Columbus, Mississippi engine factory for 10 years of manufacturing excellence and a strong commitment to its community. “PACCAR is very proud of the Columbus, Mississippi engine factory’s achievements in the first 10 years,” said Preston Feight, PACCAR Chief Executive Officer. “Our excellent employees and the plant’s advanced manufacturing capabilities have created a great environment for building the industry’s best engines.” Pl...
A father of three is urging Kent residents to test their smoke alarms once a week, after a fire that left him and his daughter fearing for their lives, destroyed the family home. David Sercombe and his 22-year-old daughter Bronte, were the only ones home on the morning of 18 November, when a fire broke out in the stairwell leading to the basement of the property off Sandling Lane, in Saltwood, Hythe. Their smoke alarms didn’t sound, and instead, a builder made David aware of smoke...
Rapidrop is pleased to announce that they have successfully attained accreditation to the Made in Britain (MiB) organization. Made in Britain (MiB) Made in Britain brings together the British manufacturing community, united with the use of the registered collective mark. The mark is protected and can only be used by members of the Made in Britain organization. The Made in Britain membership organization aims to prove, wherever possible, that products made in Britain by MiB members are of the...
BAFE and BSI are pleased to announce that the first registration and Third Party Certification has been achieved for the new wet and dry riser service and maintenance scheme. A crucial service for high-rise buildings and the tall building environment to ensure these remain effective in the event of an emergency. Evidence Of Competency The Scheme, known as BAFE SP105 Service & Maintenance of Dry and Wet Riser/Falling Installations, offers evidence of competency for organizations who delive...
It will all be over by Christmas, at least that’s what everyone thought (and hoped) when COVID-19 first hit back in the spring season. However, adapting to life and work in a COVID-19 world has proved a longer and harder road than many ever anticipated. For many unlucky COVID-19 sufferers too, the effects of the virus have been long-term. Whether symptoms are very mild, or more problematic, for most people, COVID-19 infection is a brief, acute illness. However, it is now medically recogni...
Unused office space after coronavirus could cost London-based businesses almost £13bn, according to a new report by SpaceThreeTwo, a new office timeshare marketplace born out of lockdown. According to a survey of London office workers, employees want to spend an average of 2.7 days back in the office once all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, assuming they have the resources to work from home comfortably (e.g. the right equipment, home office set-up, etc). One in ten workers (11%) s...
Global safety equipment manufacturer, MSA Safety Incorporated has announced that its next-generation Advantage 290 LS Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) is the first of its kind, designed without an exhalation valve, to receive approval from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Advantage 290 LS APR An elastomeric half-mask device, the Advantage 290 LS Respirator covers a wearer’s nose and mouth and utilizes twin filters to provide respiratory protection. The U....
Chief Robert Valentine and Groveland Firefighters Association President Dave Evans are pleased to announce that members of the Groveland Fire Department delivered turkeys to dozens of residents in a modified version of its annual Turkey Night. Firefighters Traditional Event Traditionally, the Groveland Firefighters Association raffles off 40 turkeys at its annual Turkey Night the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Though the event had to be canceled this year due to safety concerns amid COVID-19, m...
Ground-breaking research has revealed the serious health risks to UK firefighters following exposure to toxic fire effluents, the chemicals emitted during a fire, in an independent University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) report commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The work is the UK's first and the latest in a growing body of international evidence suggesting an increased risk of firefighters developing cancer and other diseases. Fires produce a cocktail of toxic, irritant, and carci...
A firefighter needs to evaporate about 1 liter of sweat per hour to be able to regulate the body temperature when exposed to extreme heat. The human body is designed to function within a very specific temperature range between 36.5 and 37.5 Celsius. However, fighting fires test these limits and can increase a firefighter’s body temperature to over 38 degrees. Selection Of PPE While there are many factors to consider to reduce the impact of heat stress on firefighters – such...
What is considered one of any fire department's greatest challenges, when it comes to equipment carried on its apparatus? If anyone answers - how to get the most out of the available storage space, then theirs is the case with most fire departments. Fire departments have to make sure that all their fire apparatus is stored safely and is easily accessible at the same time. Ziamatic Corporation (Zico) has the right storage device for any equipment needed to carry aboard the fire apparatus. The na...
CU First Responders Finance (CUFR) is excited to welcome Firefighters First Credit Union as a lead lender to their business lending network. Firefighters First Credit Union will be originating commercial and business loans generated by the CUFR network of first responder credit unions. CUFR’s business lending solutions CUFR’s business lending solutions provide an online platform for member credit unions to refer their members’ business loan requests to a trusted lender. They...
Having the ability to effectively inspect, diagnose, and document trouble spots are crucial for property managers, facilities maintenance staff, building inspectors, contractors, electricians, service technicians, plumbers, and even homeowners. It requires the aid of effective tools, including thermal imaging, to quickly recognize and resolve those trouble spots. That’s why FLIR has introduced its latest entry-level Cx-Series camera, the FLIR C3-X™, a compact thermal camera packed w...
The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) is researching the impact of COVID-19 on first responder organizations and asking for your help. The START project hopes to measure the impact of COVID-19, identify and share best practices, and identify ways to strengthen first responder organizations for future pandemics. Research This research is part of a larger study funded by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorat...
There has been a lot of talk about Zitko Talent lately, following its public launch in October 2020. In case missed, Zitko have forged an alliance of major Fire & Security employers, manufacturers, training companies, and trade bodies. The purpose? To attract and develop 1,000 technical entrants to the industry a year, via an intensive 12-month foundation training and paid experience program. It’s designed to open the door wider - to engineers from other sectors, to college leavers, a...
Victaulic, the globally renowned manufacturer of mechanical pipe joining systems, has announced various launches and upgrades for its suite of Autodesk MEP software offerings. These include: Now Available – Victaulic Tools for AutoCAD (VTFA): VTFA is an all-new, free tool that provides AutoCAD users the same classic routing features and drawing productivity gains that were previously only available in the Victaulic Tools for Revit platform. This add-on provides toolsets engineered for...
Jactone is delighted to announce the recent appointment of the company’s Managing Director, Craig Halford to the position of Chair of the Fire Industry Association Extinguishing Council. In turn, the organization is also delighted that as a result of the appointment, Craig Halford assumes his position on the Fire Industry Association’s Board of Directors. Jactone is committed to the work of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and is particularly interested in contributing to the dev...
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors have introduced the latest video interview in their six-part campaign series, Faces of Fire/Electrical hazard awareness campaign, which features personal stories of people impacted by electrical incidents, demonstrating the need for continued education and awareness about electrical hazards in the workplace and at home. Firefighter safety Awareness Luis Nevarez, Fire Chief in the City of Tulare Fire Depa...
E-ONE, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and a foremost manufacturer of fire apparatus, announce the delivery of an E-ONE HR 100 ladder truck to the Auburn Fire Department in Auburn, NY. To allow for ample equipment storage space, Auburn Fire Department chose a tandem axle, no-pump, no-tank design. Features and Design The body features full-height, full-depth compartments, and a large forward transverse compartment. A well-thought-out assortment of roll-out trays, shelving, and tool boards pro...
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is seeking U.S.-based fire departments for the second phase of their Community Risk Assessment (CRA) dashboard project. Much like Phase I, participating departments in Phase II will receive free access to a personalized NFPA CRA Digital Dashboard for three months, in addition to professional networking and development opportunities surrounding Community Risk Reduction (CRR), in return for feedback about the tool. NFPA CRA Digital Dashboard With...
Peterbilt is leading the charge in alternative powertrain offerings and is pleased to announce the Model 520EV is now available for customer orders. The Model 520EV can be configured through the SmartSpec® sales tool and ordered at one of Peterbilt’s dealer locations with production expected to start by Q2 2021. Model Comparison The Model 520EV combines the standout features the Peterbilt Model 520 is known for with the advanced technology of a zero-emission electric powertrain, pro...
Envirograf® hosts regular CPD training at the office based in Dover, Kent to provide knowledge as well as practical installation and use of passive fire products. Envirograf covers the basics across all of the 200+ products, including videos of products in action and case studies. The in-house fire specialist will also demonstrate how the products work when attacked with flames. For more information on the CPD training, contact Envirograf online or by telephone to make a booking.
Effective November 1, 2020, Robert (Bob) Caputo became the new President of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). Bob is a sprinkler industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience, ranging from owning a fire sprinkler installation company in San Diego, California to teaching technical seminars for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Fire sprinkler industry veteran Bob most recently served as Vice President for training and technical support for Fire & Life Sa...
The launch of Smarter Homes, Safer Communities powered by Aico. This virtual conference marks the beginning of Aico’s advance into facilitating and holding events within the housing sector. Smarter Homes, Safer Communities powered by Aico is a two-part virtual conference covering the current challenges the housing sector is facing, the advancements in technology, and the future of the Internet of Things (IoT) in housing. Spanning over two days, part one will take place on Thursday, Novem...
Carbon monoxide (CO), also known as the ‘silent killer’, is especially dangerous because it is not visible and cannot be smelt or tasted. The only way to protect against this potentially deadly threat is with a CO alarm. In honor of CO Awareness Month in November, First Alert and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered to create an online CO awareness and CO alarm training course for volunteer fire departments nationwide, supplemented by an alarm donation program f...
A residential structure fire was reported on Maple Lane between Eucalyptus Lane and Manzanita Lane in Sugarloaf at approximately 6:43 pm, on Monday, November 9, 2020. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a residential structure with heavy smoke and flames showing. Crews immediately went into defensive attack mode to the fully involved structure to provide protection to the adjacent structures. No occupants were in the home at the time of the incident. Big Bear Fire Crew carry out fire suppression...
Vestas rewards Hempel with the Sustainability Award 2020 for supporting them on their journey to become CO2 neutral by 2030. innovative solutions After a long‑term collaboration, Vestas and Hempel have recently extended their relationship to a strategic partnership focusing on developing innovative solutions for the surface protection of wind turbines. As a part of the partnership, Hempel has identified multiple initiatives that can reduce both CO2 and waste at the Vestas site in Pueblo...
Chris Watts of Eaton Lighting offers guidance for BAFE on behalf of the BAFE SP203 Monitoring Group. BAFE SP203-4 is for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems. Any period of shutdown generates potential problems and opportunities for testing and servicing of emergency lighting systems. The current lockdowns have an added dimension as it applies to sites that are not normally unoccupied and people responsible for the operation of the system should...
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has become the first UK fire service to receive professional recognition for its extensive incident debrief process. As part of its commitment to continuously learn and improve, the service has made significant and pioneering changes to its formal debrief process, making it more thorough and inclusive of all departments involved in an incident from the first 999 calls both operational and non-operational personnel. CPD recognition In light of the improvemen...
