Training & Education - News

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has welcomed the Fire Minister’s address to the NFCC Spring Conference this week, in which he set out the Government’s priorities for fire and rescue services and committed to reform being driven forward in collaboration with the sector. National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said, “We are really pushing decision makers to recognize the huge value and contribution of our fire and rescue services, so we welcome the Mini...

FeuerTrutz 2025 has once again proven itself as the central platform for preventive fire protection. With new formats, a strong congress program and intensive expert discussions, the trade fair provided important impetus for the industry. Two days full of exchange, innovation, and practical insights characterized the trade fair in Nuremberg. The 15th round of FeuerTrutz impressed exhibitors and trade visitors alike. Trade fair for preventive fire protection The trade fair for preventive...

Oshkosh Airport Products, an Oshkosh Corporation business, is proud to announce the delivery of three advanced Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), serving both Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). These new vehicles will enhance the Authority’s emergency preparedness and firefighting capabilities across its network of high-traffic airfields. The de...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, is proud to announce the continued momentum of the 2025 Pierce Road Rally as it nears its midpoint, visiting locations across the United States. Since kicking off in April, the Road Rally has brought Pierce’s latest fire apparatus and technology directly to fire departments across the U.S. and now enters an exciting summer stretch of events in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast. Lineup of advanced fire apparatus Each stop pr...

FeuerTrutz will be setting new standards on 25 and 26 June 2025 at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, not only with its exhibition floor space, but also with the diversity of the supporting program. Around 270 exhibitors from 21 countries will be presenting their latest preventive fire protection products and solutions over the two days of the trade fair. organizational fire protection solutions The spectrum of products and services ranges from structural and plant engineering to organizational...

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...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and administration staff have raised a staggering amount of donations for children suffering serious burns. The volunteer fundraisers today presented a cheque for $215,406 to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) at FRNSW’s official number ‘002’ Station, The Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The significant total is the culmination of year-long efforts by FRNSW’s ‘Beat the Burn&rsquo...

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...

Over 100 representatives from across Illinois’ fire service organizations recently gathered in Glenview, IL, for the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association of Illinois’ 19th Annual Fire Services Home Day, held this year at Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA.) The fire professionals were joined by elected officials and staffers from several state and federal offices with 20 fire service vendors displaying key equipment used in the fire service. Paul Darley, P...

In the lead up to National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), and to celebrate 30 years of its Community Fire Units (CFU) program, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has unveiled a new uniform for its dedicated members. The new uniform is in line with the current standards of protection for firefighters which came into effect following the 2019/20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires. They will be initially rolled out to CFUs in the Blue Mountains, with the rest of the state to follow. As a nod to the histo...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have played a leading role in a multi-agency bus crash exercise at Lake Macquarie. The simulated bus rollover was staged at the Edgeworth depot of bus company, CDC NSW, to allow firefighters and other first responders to fine tune their skills in emergency vehicle rescues. According to the weekend mock scenario, two buses and a utility collided on a road, causing a rollover. Firefighter training Firefighters from Morisset, Toronto and Lambton, working alongs...

Volunteer first responders balance demanding schedules, making it challenging to pursue personal goals like higher education. Fortunately, online learning offers greater flexibility, helping emergency services personnel advance their education while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Two educational scholarships To support volunteer responders in reaching their academic goals, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) are once again partnering to...

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is changing the way it responds to Automatic Fire Alarms in certain types of buildings as of 01 August 2025. Following a public consultation, HIWFRS will no longer automatically send crews when there is an automatic fire alarm notification in buildings with no sleeping risk, during the hours of 08:00 and 18:00hrs, unless there are confirmed signs of fire. Automatic fire alarm notifications  This policy applies to commercial, no...

Fire and Rescue NSW is inviting people who are passionate about making a difference to their communities to consider becoming a full-time firefighter at Australia’s busiest urban fire and rescue agency. The permanent firefighter recruitment drive opens next month, and you can find out more at information sessions in Sydney. The events will also be livestreamed so potential applicants can tune-in from across New South Wales. Behind the Flames Staff will guide attendees through the recrui...

The Task Group Domestic Life Safety of Euralarm has issued a new guidance document on fires caused by unattended cooking and how to avoid them. Many residential fires start in the kitchen and/or are related to cooking. In Europe, the Zurich insurance company mentions cooking equipment as first in an overview of common causes of house fires. New guidance document The new guidance document on fires caused by unattended cooking and how to avoid them In the USA, where the NFPA has actively resea...

The Fire Safety Event 2025, a cornerstone of the industry calendar, is poised once again to present a comprehensive display of the most advanced fire detection and suppression technologies. Taking place at the National Exhibition Center (NEC) in Birmingham, the event is expected to welcome well over 12,000 fire safety professionals, including fire safety officers, building managers, architects, engineers, and other key stakeholders. Future of fire protection Hochiki has held a major role at t...

As workplaces have evolved over the past year or so companies should have a flexible mind as to how to best keep the office/workplace compliant. The first point is often to check the risk assessment is up to date and make sure it stays adaptable to reflect the current working practices. If users have implemented a new hybrid working practice, altered the building layout, or changed how the building is used there is an onus on the Responsible Person to consider in the Fire Risk Assessment; Ch...

Hannay Reels will showcase its line of custom hose and cable solutions designed for fire and emergency applications at the 2025 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC). Located at booth 4069 in the Indianapolis Convention Center, Hannay will exhibit reels manufactured with extremely durable materials that can be customized to meet vehicle requirements. Innovations for Emergencies Hannay can be customized to meet vehicle requirements with extremely durable materials Hannay will exhibit...

Based on industry experience and consolidating existing standards, the new IMO resolution MSC 402 (96) and related regulations provide mandatory higher-quality standardization for companies performing maintenance services throughout the maritime industry. The new resolution is an improvement from the previous guidelines because it sets clearer criteria for both safety equipment services and service suppliers. This way, it will help the maritime industry move away from a subjective manufacturer...

It would be difficult to find someone with more energy, enthusiasm, and warmth than Scott Finco. A born-and-raised Wisconsinite, Scott is the kind of guy who makes everyone feel like an old friend within minutes of meeting him. Equal parts charismatic storyteller and level-headed problem solver, he is as quick with a laugh as he is with a life-saving solution. And for more than three decades, he has poured that boundless energy into protecting others, earning him the title of 2024 Whelen Everyd...

Hochiki, a pioneer in life safety solutions, is celebrating the first anniversary of its Training Academy. This milestone marks a significant achievement in Hochiki's commitment to education and advancement within the fire safety industry. With over a century of experience, Hochiki has earned a reputation for manufacturing reliable and innovative life safety products. The Training Academy builds upon this legacy, providing fire safety professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to eff...

Elite Interactive Solutions, a remote video guarding pioneer using proprietary intelligence and integration to achieve proven crime prevention, announces the company and its many California customers safely made it through the wildfire disaster. With its headquarters and Security Operations Command Center (SOCC) located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Elite remained on high alert for its operations, personnel and their families, and its many local clients during the unprecedented fire t...

A million-dollar upgrade is underway at Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) Ulladulla Fire Station on the state’s South Coast, as part of a major investment in bushfire preparedness. Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, Member for the South Coast Liza Butler, and FRNSW Assistant Commissioner – Regional Operations Cheryl Steer have visited Ulladulla Fire Station to review the final stages of the work today. The $1.2 million improvements include a larger dual-engine bay to house tw...

The only objective of any Fire Suppression System is to extinguish a fire as quickly as possible. Firstly, the system should alert occupants of the site to the presence of a fire, then the system will begin to emit a concentrated substance to suppress the flames. The exact nature of this substance can vary, based on the environment the system is designed to protect. Common examples include inert gas, as well as a range of liquid agents. defining features One of the defining features of...

Fire safety is a critical concern in urban areas like Kolkata, where high population density and rapid urbanization increase the risk of fire-related incidents. Implementing effective fire safety measures not only protects lives but also safeguards property and ensures compliance with legal regulations.This article delves into the comprehensive range of fire safety services available in Kolkata, their importance, and how to choose the right service provider. Types of Fire Safety Services Offere...

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) released its third annual Industry Trends Survey, which reveals skilled worker sentiments around the current state of labor, training, and technology on the jobsite. The survey provides a look at what the skilled trades industry can expect in each of these areas in 2025.  Major Challenges in 2025  Exactly half of skilled tradespeople identified a shortage of qualified candidates as the top challenge for workers this year. This...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, is pleased to announce its authorized dealer, Safety Source Fire, has launched a new fire apparatus service division, Safety Source Mechanical, to serve customers throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Safety Source Fire, headquartered in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will offer a range of maintenance and repair services for fire apparatus, further enhancing its support for the firefighting community across Atlantic Canada. Safety Source...

Dräger, an international pioneer in medical and safety technology, has renewed its sponsorship of the National Breathing Apparatus Challenge (NBAC), as part of its commitment to supporting the firefighting community and promoting industry best practices. In its 16th year, The Challenge sees teams of five firefighters from across the UK competing where success depends on the expert use of breathing apparatus to manage an incident and the deployment of intelligent strategies such as tactical...

Both Braintree and Witham Fire Stations will be hosting recruitment taster sessions this month for those considering joining their team of on-call firefighters. Witham Fire Station will host its session on Saturday, 25 November, 2024, while Braintree Fire Station will hold its event on Sunday, 3 December, 2024. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to learn more about this vital role in the local community. Recruitment taster sessions During the taster sessions, attendees will meet with...

The Historical Novel Society Australasia, in collaboration with the ARA Group, proudly announced the winners of the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize at a celebratory event, held at NSW Parliament House, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize This prestigious award, boasting the largest individual literary prize in Australasia with a total prize pool of $150,000, honors the exceptional talents of novelists who bring historical narratives to life, offering insights into t...