Public Education - News

In the COVID-19 era, where digital tools and virtual platforms have become more important than ever before, global safety equipment manufacturer, MSA Safety Incorporated has announced that they will host free, online safety seminars from September 14 to September 18, 2020. Free, online safety seminars The sessions are being conducted by MSA Safety to support National Safety Stand-Down week, an annual week-long event, organized by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), t...

A reminder to Schools that fire safety provisions and systems should be reviewed and maintained on a regular basis. IFSEC Global has reported that “according to new research from insurer, Zurich Municipal, schools in England are “nearly twice as likely” to suffer from a fire as other types of commercial buildings.” Life safety systems The data, from 28,800 schools in England alone, noted reasons including poor fire detection and the regular presence of cooking equipmen...

Abbot Fire Group is delighted to once again be supporting Fire Door Safety Week, running from 21st to 27th September. The aim of Fire Door Safety Week is to raise awareness of the importance of fire doors. Checking that they are properly maintained and therefore ensuring they can work effectively in the event of a fire, helping to protect lives and property.

EEAST is joining their blue light colleagues in the police, fire and rescue service, and wider NHS to celebrate the National Emergency Services Day 2020. This annual event takes place to thank the heroic men and women who work or volunteer in the NHS and emergency services while promoting the wide range of career opportunities that are available. national Emergency Services Day The National Emergency Services Day event begins at 9 am on the ninth day of the ninth month with two minutes’...

Incident Response Technologies, Inc. (IRT), makers of the Rhodium Incident Management Suite, have partnered with Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), developers of the critical communication and collaboration platform that customers count on when it matters most, to incorporate integration of the Rave Panic Button app into Rhodium Incident Management suite of solutions. Rave Panic Button app The Rave Panic Button app provides instant communications and situational awareness for emergencies to 9-1-1, on-...

Erickson Inc. and Bell Textron Inc. have announced the signed agreements to initiate the transfer of type certificates for the model 214ST and B/B1 helicopters to Erickson Incorporated. The transfer will be processed through the FAA and is expected to be completed near the end of the year. The agreements replace the previous license and product support agreement signed between the companies in 2015. As one of the largest operators of 214STs, Erickson is poised to take the next step in supportin...

Retention has long been a challenge for many volunteer and combination fire and EMS departments, yet little research has been done on the subject. volunteer fire service retention Thanks to support from a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has conducted a study to identify institutional drivers that cause volunteers to leave, the differing perceptions between leadership, current volunteers and former volunteers and what c...

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has published new guidance regarding “the end of recognition of the CE mark in GB and affix the UK marking using a UK-recognized ‘approved body’ by 1 January 2022.” Impact of BAFE Schemes  The guidance states “Businesses are being encouraged now to be ready for the full implementation of the new UK regime, as soon as possible after 1 January 2021. Businesses will be able to use the UK mark from 1 Ja...

Chief Robert Valentine is pleased to announce that the Groveland Fire Department was awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to hire two full-time firefighters, who will be the first full-time members in the department’s history. Groveland Fire, which has historically been a call department, received a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in the amount of $464,490 to cover the salaries and benefits of two new full-time firefighters. Fund...

BAFE and FireQual Ltd are pleased to announce that they have appointed Nic Preston as the FireQual Qualifications Manager from 1st September 2020. Nic Preston Nic Preston has over 14 years of experience in the training and development sector with a proven ability in quality assurance demonstrated in several roles influencing training environments within the UK. His most recent roles have been developing and implementing growth strategies as Chief Executive of SFEDI Awards, the Awarding Organi...

On 7th September 2020 fire protection solutions manufacturer, Advanced, is presenting a webinar on the versatile features and benefits of its EN54-approved range of fire system products.  Axis EN: The high-performing fire system approved to EN54 will be presented by Vladimir Zrnic, Advanced’s Regional Sales Manager for Southern Europe in conjunction with media partners MDM Publishing. Robust Fire Protection During the 30-minute session, Vlad will explain how features of Axis EN, in...

Predicting when a fire will happen is a difficult and complex task. Emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning tools could help predict the path and severity of fires maybe even the occurrence. But before these technologies emerge, can the statistics on house fires in the US and UK help us understand when most fires happen? UK Fire Statistics The good news is that, on the whole, fires in the UK are in decline. This is due to continuous improvement in fire safety education and buildi...

As part of a continuing campaign, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA), Business Sprinkler Alliance, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and European Fire Sprinkler Network (EFSN) have been involved in to influence the Review of BB100 Sprinklers in Schools in England. Zurich Municipal analysis of data on over 26,800 schools in England shows the average fire risk in schools is almost double when compared to that of non-residential buildings. Schools in England are nearly...

As of 1 September 2020, Eva Klinger is taking over at the helm of Messe Frankfurt’s Sales Guest Events department. A BA graduate, she has held various positions, at Messe Frankfurt, since 2007, most recently as a Project Manager at Business Process Management. Sales Guest Events head In this position, she was responsible above all for optimizing company processes, in which connection she was instrumental in restructuring Sales Guest Events. She is replacing Silke Calder, who is leaving t...

BAFSA, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd is delighted to report that the London Assembly has launched a powerful and comprehensive report calling for the mandatory installation sprinklers in all new homes in England. London Assembly Report In the opening statement of this proposal, Navin Shah, Chair of the London Assembly, stated “We pay our respects to all those who have died in fires in their place of residency and those who’ve been affected. Our thoughts are p...

Dräger, a pioneer in medical and safety technology, is launching its ‘Health for the Firefighter’ campaign to support fire services in driving the cultural changes that are required to protect firefighter health. Impact of exposure The launch follows a survey of UK firefighters that found considerable concern over the impact of exposure to contaminants on long-term health. Some 84% admitted they were concerned about the risk of cancer – a disease highlighted in some scie...

BAFE and the FIA announced the acquisition of the FIA AO by BAFE FireQual Ltd. BAFE strongly believe this will be a significant opportunity for the fire industry to develop an exciting range of accredited qualifications to meet the demand for quality assurance of individual skill and expertise required by the industry. This necessity was heightened by the Grenfell tragedy and its subsequent reports outlined by Dame Judith Hackitt and the Competency Steering Group. Dame Judith Hackitt stated: &l...

In October 1993, the American Heart Association appointed the Task Force on Automatic External Defibrillation. The task force was charged with conducting a conference on automatic external defibrillation, evaluating research needed for broader community use of automatic external defibrillators, and overseeing evaluation of the feasibility and desirability of their use by healthcare professionals and the lay public. In December 1994, a conference on public access defibrillation was held in Washi...

As historically large wildfires continue to burn across California, Oregon and Colorado, Morneau Shepell has opened its 24/7 crisis support hotline for anyone affected by the ongoing devastation. "During this time, we offer our deepest sympathies to all who've lost loved ones, been displaced by or are battling, the hundreds of wildfires across the states," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer. "The resiliency shown by all communities, families, and firefighters is truly h...

Carl Bryan, Managing Director WAGNER UK, offers CPD accredited training as part of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) online training on 10 September 2020. For one hour he will talk about the fire prevention solution with oxygen reduction. He will explain the technology behind and the advantages of using a hypoxic environment as a fire prevention solution. Participants will also be informed about the key considerations when specifying, designing and operating such systems. Interested parties s...

Messe Frankfurt South Africa, a subsidiary of one of the world’s pioneering trade fair organizers, is proud to announce the acquisition of Hobby-X, the premier event for the hobby, arts and crafts supplies sectors in South Africa. Hobby-X In March 2020, Hobby-X celebrated 23 years. It is a visual, interactive, creative and entertaining event. In 2020, the event featured around 140 exhibitors across the hobby, craft and leisure industries and welcomed more than 14,500 trade and public vis...

Nevada Air National Guard aircrew equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, saw their firefighting activation orders extended this week as fires continue to threaten life and property across California. Members of the 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, also known as the ‘High Rollers,’ activated July 29, the unit’s first firefighting activation in two years following a 2019 season that saw little need to request...

The FIA is pleased to announce that following extensive and detailed discussions with BAFE, the independent register of Third Party Certificated fire safety service providers, BAFE will be acquiring the operation of the FIA AO.   BAFE will be establishing FireQual Ltd as an OFQUAL-approved Awarding Body to run the existing Fire Detection and Alarm qualification examinations and to develop new qualifications across the fire sector that will support the call for greater competence and avail...

The Kentec Installer Program (KIP), launched by the manufacturer of life-critical control systems at last year’s Firex, is now expanding to include Kentec’s vast international installation customer network. To date it has registered more than 100 installers, making it one of the largest partner programs in the fire industry. The scheme provides Kentec’s registered customers with a wide-ranging program of bespoke training and best-in-class technical support, as well as dedicate...

Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd. (Eurotech) is excited to announce a new product range added to their popular collection. Exclusive to Eurotech in the United Kingdom, Vigil Anti Slip Protection provides some of the best-in-class products, thereby offering unparalleled quality. Vigil Anti Slip Protection Occupational accidents, unfortunately, occur every single day and one-third of these incidents are caused by slipping, tripping, or falling. Not only do these incidents cause personal distress and in...

Eurotech is delighted to announce the appointment of James Aherne and Joshua Minter, both of whom have joined the company in the capacity of Regional Sales Managers. James Aherne joins Eurotech from a Commissioning Engineer background, based in Ireland and will be looking after the company’s existing customer accounts, in both Ireland and North West England, in the United Kingdom. Vast knowledge of Eurotech’s fire systems James Aherne’s expertise will enable him to assist t...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. In 2020, 13 departments will each receive four new sets of turnout gear and four new helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA. The latest recipients of MSA’s and DuPont’s 2020 Globe Gear Giveaway are the...

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have welcomed 12 new on-call firefighters to stations across the county. Despite the pandemic, the on-call recruits have completed a 10-week training course to enable them to get ‘on the run’ at the community fire stations. The group completed their phase one training course earlier this month and now have the core skills required to operate safely as a firefighter with their new stations. On-call firefighters are such a huge part of the fire a...

The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint William T. (Bill) Johnson to lead Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. Operations expert Bill Johnson has served for more than 26 years at the fire department, in which he has distinguished himself with his leadership and management skills. He is well-versed in the operations of the fire department, having served in various roles throughout his career. During his employment with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, Bill has advan...

As front line fire fighters and first responders strive to keep their work areas free from bacteria and viruses, one company has introduced several cost effective ways to help keep them and their patients safe. Neu-Tech Energy Solutions, LLC provides an assortment of Bacteria Killing Blue Lights and UVC lights to help them fight MRSA, Staph, Strep and now the COVID-19 virus in their vehicles and firehouses. Initial cleaning methods Before the COVID Virus, Firefighters and EMS personnel were m...