Firefighter Health and Safety - News
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) advises that a funeral will be held for Firefighter, Michael Kidd, following his death in a house fire last week at Grose Vale, in Sydney’s north-west. The 51-year-old On-call FRNSW firefighter and veteran Rural Fire Service volunteer is survived by his wife and two adult children, who have accepted an offer of a FRNSW funeral with full honors. Provisions have been made for the funeral, and outlets are requested not to approach family members for comment...
Ballyclare, a major designer and manufacturer of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), announces a raft of strategic appointments as it focuses on further expansion in the UK market. The family-owned company, based in Cheshire, has long been a reliable supplier of high-quality PPE to UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), securing major contracts with significant end users including the North West Region, All Wales and All Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services. New appointments The...
The Engineered Solutions division of Dräger, an international pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology, has designed a breathing air panel for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue to protect firefighters working at height on aerial platforms and ladders from smoke and toxic fumes during an incident. The panel protects firefighters positioned on and operating a fire rescue vehicle’s aerial ladder platform (ALP) and turntable ladder. Risk of smoke and toxic fumes When firefigh...
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is reminding travellers heading to and from the snowfields this winter to exercise patience and safety on the icy roads. The FRNSW crews of permanent firefighters, seconded to the Perisher Valley Fire Station for the next few months, along with local On-call firefighters, are undergoing additional alpine training this winter, familiarising themselves with the Hagglund tracked fire appliance, skidoos and six-wheel All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), used by the fire service...
Three veterans of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have been recognized in this year’s King’s Birthday honors for their commitment to the fire service and community safety. The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) was established in 1988 to recognize the distinguished service of firefighters – permanent or volunteer – to their organizations. The medals are awarded on the King’s Birthday each year by the Governor-General, on recommendation of Commonwealth and State mini...
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced the Frederick County, Maryland Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) has placed an order for a Pierce® Volterra™ electric fire truck, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and firefighter health and safety. The order, secured through Pierce dealer, Atlantic Emergency Solutions, includes six additional fire apparatus to enhance operational readiness and emergency response capabilities acros...
Rescue Intellitech, a major provider of innovative cleaning solutions for the fire and rescue industry, has launched advanced, dual-drying cabinets for PPE, which will help fire and rescue services in the UK improve firefighter safety and operational efficiency. Many UK fire and rescue services, including Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, already use Rescue Intellitech’s highly acclaimed Solo Rescue® or DeconWasher™ Pro S machines, which m...
Dräger, a pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology will be exhibiting at the Blue Light Show to showcase a wide range of technologies that support emergency responders to perform their critical roles safely and effectively. Taking centre stage will be Dräger’s next generation Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), the PSS AirBoss. The apparatus combines best in class ergonomics and an ultra-light design for optimal firefighter comfort and uncomprom...
Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) responds to national wildfire rise with launch of innovative workwear to protect crews and help to keep the public safe. Firefighters responding to wildfires across Kent and Medway will be wearing the latest high-performing kit, specifically designed to offer greater protection when tackling outdoor fires in extreme heat. KFRS rolls out new advanced PPE Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) has rolled out the advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) t...
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, proudly announces registration is now open for the 13th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. Co-sponsored by the Green Bay Metro Fire Department and Pierce Manufacturing, this year’s climb will occur on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Open to all who wish to honor the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, all funds raised from the event will benefit the National Fall...
Fire-Dex, a pioneer in PPE for first responders, is gearing up for its next chapter, announcing a leadership succession as CEO Steve Allison looks toward retirement in early 2027. Effective at the start of 2026, Lauren Burke DeVere, Fire-Dex’s current President, will move into the CEO position, sharing duties with Allison for 15 months as part of a phased transition. In a parallel move, John Karban, current VP of Operations, will assume the title of President. Leaning into its core valu...
Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety, Inc. announced it has secured a $10 million contract to provide respiratory protective equipment to the Orange County Fire Authority in Southern California. With this order, MSA continues to strengthen its breathing apparatus market presence in the Southern California region. Over the past two years, MSA Safety has secured similar breathing apparatus contracts with both the Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles City Fire...
Innovation in the fire service is a continuous journey, where changing customer needs are driving forces in developing the newest safety solutions. For MSA Safety, that means taking the best and making it even better with the latest edition of its market-pioneer self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and designing an all-new turnout jacket. This week at FDIC International, MSA Safety will do just that by announcing the MSA® G1™ SCBA XR Edition and all-new Globe® G-XTREME®...
Darley, in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Fire Service Thought Leadership Essay Contest – Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind Mental Health in the Fire Service. Now in its fourth year, this initiative challenges firefighters nationwide to explore the critical yet often overlooked mental health issues within their ranks. 2025 Fire Service Thought Leadership Essay Contest Competition seeks to uncover...
Rosenbauer America, a pioneering manufacturer of fire apparatus and firefighting equipment, will be showcasing its latest advancements in technology at FDIC International 2025 in Indianapolis, IN. Attendees are invited to visit Rosenbauer's indoor exhibit (booth #3413) at the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and the outdoor demonstration area on South Street to experience firsthand the company's commitment to unmatched operational performance and firefighter safety. Featured Fire Apparatus Ros...
Fire-Dex, a globally renowned company in PPE for first responders, understands that performance, safety and comfort all start with gear that fits correctly. That's why the company is excited to launch the Virtual Sizer, a first-of-its-kind tool for the fire services that revolutionizes how firefighters get measured for their turnout gear. Fire-Dex’s Virtual Sizer The Virtual Sizer brings science to sizing using AI-driven algorithms and simple questions Fire-Dex’s Virtual Si...
FireRite now offer a virtual fire risk assessment tool for care homes and other businesses who need one. In these unprecedented times, access to premises can be heavily restricted to protect staff and residents/occupants. Although it does not replace a full fire risk assessment, their virtual interim fire risk assessment tool will help users keep pace with the changing circumstances inside their care home which may impact fire safety. Virtual fire risk assessment Users will also get the adde...
At FireRite they have always offered a range of fire safety training in different formats. They’ve offered a range of standard training packages as well as bespoke and tailored training to meet their specific needs. The way that they approach training delivery needs to adapt and change as the world moves into ‘the new normal’. The requirements and legislation relating to fire safety for businesses have not gone away or been relaxed during the lockdown. Fire safety training is...
21st-27th of September marks Fire Door Safety Week, a week to raise awareness around a critical element of passive fire safety. Fire doors a part of the furniture in public buildings, their homes and other residential buildings. Most members of the public see fire doors all the time, but don't truly appreciate how much thought and strategic planning goes into fire doors, and how vitally important they are to their safety. Fire Door Safety Week aims to highlight the importance of fire doors to t...
Since the onset of the pandemic, most companies have become familiar with issuing alcohol gel in the form of hand sanitizer for staff, customers and visitors. This is understandable because it’s a good way of ensuring no germs, viruses and bacteria are passed on when surfaces are touched. But, as a manager or procurement officer, just how au fait are users with storing these highly-flammable liquids? It’s important to do so carefully because of the high alcohol content in the gel &n...
Marine Evacuation Systems (MES), served by liferafts, is an efficient and widely used method for mass evacuation at sea. With passenger ship capacities increasing, the ability of MES to evacuate hundreds of people in a matter of has been tested exhaustively in Beaufort Sea State 6 conditions. MES and liferafts–five things To be compliant, liferafts must be designed in accordance with SOLAS Chapter lll and the LSA Code. All VIKING liferafts are compliant with these standards and are ful...
Ship fires are on the rise, posing serious risks to crews, vessels, and operations. Ensuring firefighting equipment meets the latest safety standards is not just essential — it’s lifesaving. The latest update to the Marine Equipment Directive (MED), (EU) 2024/1975, mandates significant changes to the approval and use of firefighting suits onboard European vessels. Here's what users need to know to stay compliant and protect the crew. Enhanced crew safety What does this mean for sh...
Each year, MSA Safety and DuPont Personal Protection partner with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to provide Globe turnout gear and MSA fire helmets to volunteer fire departments in need. In 2024, 13 volunteer fire departments across the U.S. and Canada each received four new sets of turnout jackets, turnout pants, and helmets to help increase the safety of their responders. MSA also provided the first 500 applicants with an NVFC membership. Compliant with safety standards The do...
FDSOA’s Annual Fire Apparatus Conference looked a little different this year given it was held on Zoom rather than in person like the previous years, but that did not stop the organization from striving towards their mission to ‘educate and bring safety to the streets.’ The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA)’s Chairman of the Board Eric Valliere – current Assistant Fire Chief in Scottsdale, Arizona who has been a part of the association for eight...
Immersion suits are a crucial safety tool for survival in cold water, designed to protect the wearer by minimizing body heat loss. These suits are available in two types, offering either one-hour or six-hour insulation, which helps to prevent hypothermia in freezing waters. made using waterproof materials Made from waterproof materials, immersion suits cover the entire body, except for the face Made from waterproof materials, immersion suits cover the entire body, except for the face, ensuri...
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have battled a dramatic house fire at Mudgee, in the state’s Central West overnight, saving neighboring homes during the wild storms that lashed parts of NSW. Around 7.15 pm, a power pole and ‘live’ wires fell onto a house in Redbank Road, setting it ablaze, during the damaging weather. FRNSW crews respond to house fire at Mudgee FRNSW crews from Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and Bathurst, assisted by local SES were quickly on scene as flames, fan...
Dräger, an international major in the fields of medical and safety technology, is providing Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) with 220 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) PSS Airboss® sets supported by Dräger’s FireGround accountability system to protect firefighters from the inhalation of dangerous gases during live incidents and training events. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process, involving extensive market research, and suppl...
After being closed more than seven years ago, Milwaukee’s Fire Station 31 on the city’s south side has reopened. The station is located at Eighth and Hays. In addition, Fire Station 28 at 30th and Saint Paul celebrated the launch of a new paramedic unit, designed to address the city’s increasing demand for emergency medical services. Milwaukee’s Fire Station 31 reopens Milwaukee Fire Department’s Fire Chief - Aaron Lipski told WISN that the additional city funds...
A woman has suffered severe burns in a house fire in Kingswood Park near Penrith this afternoon. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) received numerous Triple Zero (000) calls to the blaze in Lethbridge Street just after 2.00 pm. More than 30 firefighters and eight fire trucks responded to the incident and upon arrival, crews found the two-storey home well alight. Firefighters quickly got to work and contained and extinguished the fire on the ground floor in approximately 15 minutes. Firefigh...
VIKING Norsafe rescue boats are used every day by thousands of maritime operators in the commercial shipping, cruise and ferry, defense and professional sector. The design and construction of these boats showcase all of VIKING Norsafe’s ability and experience. The company’s rescue boats and fast rescue boats provide excellent maneuverability with low maintenance standby and operation providing the means for effective search and recovery for people at sea. VIKING Norsafe rescue boat...