Level C foam is the project of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which has put together a workstream to develop a new specification of level C foam. Tests that had been drawn together by Transport Canada and the UK Civil Aviation Authority took place in September in testing laboratory CNPP’s facilities in Saint Marcel, France.

Groveley Detection recently launched a new concept ultrasonic gas leak detector at ONS (Offshore North Sea) 2008 in Stavanger, Norway.

A Vetter lift

Vetter has launched a new lifting bag which achieves a 25 per cent increase in lifting power compared to its 85-tonne solution.
The new S Tec bags achieve this powerful performance through a new operating pressure of 10 bar/145psi as opposed to the previous 8 bar Mini Lifting bags.
New practical design features include: reflecting centre and edge markers for improved visibility: up to three uniquely raised position aids on each side of the bag enabling easy handling, even in the dark: rounded side profiles to simplify insertion under a load.

Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products has secured what is believed to be the largest single order ever placed in Turkey for HYGOOD FM-200 fixed fire suppression systems. 

The US Chemical Safety Board has released two new case-study safety videos.
The first is a safety video on the July 2007 explosion at the Barton Solvents distribution facility in Valley Center, Kansas.

Houston, USA, July 18. Four dead and seven were injured in Houston Refinery after a crane capable of lifting 800,000 pounds fell over at a LyondellBasell refinery in southeast Houston. The 300 feet tall crane (with a 400-foot boom) belonged to Louisiana-based company Deep South Crane & Rigging.

General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has ordered nine Oshkosh HT-Series snow tractors, three Oshkosh H-Series snow blowers and two Oshkosh Striker aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) vehicles.

In August news came of the horrific aeroplane accident in Madrid airport that killed 154 people. Around the same time ICAO was preparing for the testing of a new standard for airport firefighting foam, ICAO level C.

Buncefield Board calls for reform of major hazard sites

Groupe Leader has unveiled a new concept of PPV fans based on its Easy Pow'Air Technology, which provides a powerful and concentrated airflow.

Winch specialist Rotzler has launched a new website to make choosing the right solution for hoisting and pulling heavy loads easier than ever.

Nine people are killed and nearly ten times as many are seriously injured every day on UK roads. Fire services can further help to save lives and support people affected by road crashes by taking part in National Road Safety Week (10-16 November 2008), coordinated by road charity Brake.

A Scottish firefighter that had been fired for being overweight was reinstated after meetings between unions and management.

Rather than taking second hand vehicles to a traditional auction house, brigades can now manage the appliance-selling process themselves. According to Richard Berry, marketing manager for munie.co.uk, the UK's first online municipal vehicle selling website, there are several benefits to be gained by selling fire apparatus online.

A report by Sir Michael Pitt has recommended that fire and rescue services should have a statutory duty for dealing with flood events.

The next generation of flash protective hazmat suits has been unveiled by Trelleborg Engineered Systems.

One of the largest municipal fire service SCBA orders ever placed in the US has been won by Sperian Respiratory Protection and its distributor LN Curtis & Sons.

Stuttgart Airport Fire Department have just ordered two Mega-Voice public address systems with UHF wireless technology.

The new battery powered ACC Power Ascender could be set to revolutionise rope rescue operations.

Four new fire pumps have been introduced by Armstrong.

On average there are 40 people applying for every firefighter position at any given UK Fire brigades The UK’s national firefighter selection process has been written with those aspiring firefighters in mind who want to step ahead of the game and prepare themselves better for the new UK firefighter selection process.

PageOne, the UK’s leading messaging technology company, has launched a free-of-charge, dedicated priority paging channel for blue-light emergency applications.

Fire safety products and services company Fireco is reducing the price on all its fire safety products by 3.5 per cent throughout the month of August.

A UK fire service is targeting its fastest growing migrant population to ensure it has the same level of fire safety knowledge and access to prevention advice.

Firefighters called to a barn fire in Pine Plains, New York, found themselves having to dodge bullets as a result of stored ammunition. For 20 minutes the firefighters had to sit tight and watch helplessly as the barn burned.

Unmanned drone
An unmanned drone is the latest tool in California’s arsenal against wild land fires.
The drone developed by NASA scientists has already proved useful. After spotting a flare-up near the town of Paradise, evacuation orders were issued for 10,000 people. Other aircraft were prevented from patrolling the area by the smoke and heat.

Defence and support services company VT Group has singed an expansive contract with Firebuy Limited, on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), to provide capability management for the New Dimension fleet of emergency vehicles and equipment modules. The New Dimension fleet is available for deployment around England in the event of major incidents. VT was named selected bidder for the programme earlier this month.

SembCorp Utilities (UK) has signed a long-term emergency response and preparedness deal with Petroplus, which produces ultra-low sulphur diesel and bio-diesel, kerosene, gasoil, and petrochemical feed stocks at the 40-hectare North Tees site on Teesside.

Following the recent acquisition of the UK based Blue i Ltd., Peli Products, a manufacturer of robust cases and lighting systems, has announced the official launch of the Advanced Area Lighting Group (AALG), a new division that will bring next generation LED technology (Light Emitting Diode) to market. The Advanced Area Lighting Group drives primary R&D to bring portable, powerful, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible lighting technology to remote and general area applications.

Fire & Rescue advertising sales manager, Gary Poolman will be taking part in the World Firefighting Games in August to raise money for the Beichuan Fire Service, in one of China’s worst-hit earthquake areas. Dressed in a Liver bird costume – the symbol of Liverpool – Gary will attempt to finish a half marathon for the first time. “The good thing is that no-one knows me in Liverpool, so it’s not so bad,” said Gary.

Scandal has erupted in a town in Connecticut after the fire chief resigned and six firefighters – including his sons – were charged with arson.

This fully kitted fire tender has travelled from Manchester (UK) to Macedonia, part of an ongoing mission to provide fire equipment and training to communities in need across the world.

A report by Cornell University’s Institute for Women and Work (New York) has found that less than three per cent of US firefighters are women, and more than half of paid fire departments have never employed a female firefighter.

The 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (2008 ERG) has been published and includes a number of revisions and expanded/added sections.

News from the industry:

Kochek Company introduces a new highly compact and light weight Floating Strainer with a poppet style check valve for forest fire (wild fire) and other applications.

Retailer, Halfords launched a bike initiative in which especially designed bikes are provided to emergency services. London Fire Brigade’s Feltham Fire Station was one of the first to sign up for the Halfords 999 bike initiative.

The Xgard IR LPG from Crowcon is a new, low cost infrared (IR) fixed gas detector designed to detect LPG – Liquified Petroleum Gas – gas hazards before concentrations reach flammable levels. Typical environments requiring LPG monitoring include petroleum refineries and many manufacturing processes.

At the recent Industrial Fire Safety and Security Exhibition in Houston, Texas, photoluminescent safety egress system manufacturer Ecoglo received much interest from high risk facility safety managers. Is there a gap in your safety plan, too?

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, has officially opened the new London Fire Brigade Headquarters at Union Street, Southwark (London).

LPCB, part of BRE Global, announces the certification of the Gent by Honeywell Epsilon system designed specifically to meet the needs of Heathrow Terminal 5. The system has been approved to EN54-2:1997-Control and indicating equipment, and EN54-4:1997- Power supply equipment.

Garry Briese has been named board member of the new International Fire Service Research Center and Policy Institute.
The centre has been established by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (www.iafc.org) to build capacity and adaptability of fire organisations. “Garry is one of the most innovative leaders in national public safety and a distinguished professional whose first hand experience in emergency management makes him an invaluable member of this new and important institute,” said Mike Byrne, an ICF senior vice president.

A storage tank containing more than seven and half million litres of petrol in South Durban, South Africa, caught fire at the Engen refinery after it was apparently struck by lightning according to Engen refinery spokesperson Willem Oosthuizen.
The tank where the fire broke out did not have a solid top but a floating roof that rose or fell as it emptied or filled. It appears that the floating roof and seals had collapsed into the tank soon after the fire had begun, which meant that it was "a bit like fighting a fire burning in a cup". In an effort to prevent the fire spreading, adjacent tanks were being doused to keep them cool.

A fire that took place at a refinery in Coryton, Essex (UK),  in October occurred 24 hours after an inspection by safety inspectors took place. The Health and Safety Executive’s hazardous installation inspectors carried out routine inspections, but a spokesperson pointed out that there was no link between the areas  inspected and the blaze. Refinery managers have said that the fire broke out following a leak of petroleum gas.

Firefighters in Florida have been posting videos on YouTube of actual incidents including ones with such titles as “SWAT team and firefighter look for drug dealer in house fire,”
However, the videos have since been taken down after fire chiefs became aware of the activity. Barry Baker, head of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, said, “I had no idea anything like this was going on, but I can see some problems with it right away. As you can imagine, we’re pretty busy when you’re dealing with an emergency, and having somebody shooting video instead of doing something else could cause some problems.”
The videos had been traded among firefighters and enthusiasts who used them to discuss techniques, share ideas and recognise brave rescues; many of the videos were shot in the midst of burning houses and horrific roadside rescues.

A major fire incident was averted at the Shell Malaysia oil refinery after two crude oil storage tanks struck by lightning then caught fire. Shell’s own emergency response team responded to the incident and managed to stop the fire getting out of control and becoming a major incident.
A statement issued by Shell Refining Company Berhad said, “Our emergency response team was immediately deployed on-site to control the situation.” The team was joined by municipal firefighters who managed to put out the fire at one of the tanks within an hour. There were no casualties reported.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) says the huge fire that sent a tower of smoke over central London was caused by the ignition of insulation material and as a result has suspended hot working during demolition of buildings.
Demolition is being undertaken strictly by cold work processes after the ODA said the fire was caused by the ignition of insulation material within the walled cavity of the building during demolition work.
The material caught fire while steel piping was being cut using an oxy-acetylene torch. The ODA has confirmed the fire was an accident and there were no suspicious circumstances.
Although the building contained asbestos, the substance has not been detected in the air around the building during or after the fire or in dust and debris following the direction of the smoke plume.

A three-year investigation and the inspection of nearly 100 offshore installations has resulted in the offshore industry receiving a stark warning from the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The sector was told that while significant improvements had been made, “more must be done!”.
The message came at the launch of the KP3 report, a major investigation carried out by the HSE’s Aberdeen-based Offshore Division into the safety and integrity of offshore installations and the equipment on them.
Speaking at the launch of the KP3 report, Health and Safety Commission Chair, Judith Hackitt said, “The KP3 report is an incredibly thorough investigation into the integrity of the assets in the offshore industry and was wide ranging in its scope. While the sector has co-operated fully with us over the last three years, there can be no mistaking our message to those in the board rooms of the oil and gas offshore companies – there is still much more to do.” The report is available on www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/kp3.pdf

Twenty-eight people were killed after an explosion and fire on a gas pipeline in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Saudi national oil company Aramco said the fire broke out while contract workers were joining a new pipe to the line on the 18th of November. Five of those killed were employees of Aramco. 
Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer, located on the country’s east coast, and the Hawiyah plant produces 310,000 barrels of ethane and liquefied natural gas daily.

A report published by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that looked into the major fire that took place on April 7th, 2003 in Oklahoma, has discovered it was caused by static discharge.
An 80,000-barrel floating roof storage tank exploded and then burned while it was being filled with diesel at a petroleum product storage terminal.  The fire burned for 21 hours and damaged two other nearby storage tanks, and schools and residents were evacuated for two days. There were no injuries or fatalities but the amount of lost oil amounted to nearly two million dollars.
 The fire was thought to have initially been caused by a lightning strike but the investigation discovered the causes included an improper procedure for switching the content of the tank from gasoline to diesel oil and an unsafe filling procedure. Because the flow rate of material into the tank was too high, and the tank level too low, the incoming liquid discharged into the vapour space of the tank and caused static electrical discharge in the tank vapour space and so creating a flammable atmosphere.

Based in Montreal, Canada since 1985, Tornatech has been supplying electric and diesel-driven fire pump controllers built to the latest NFPA 20 standard, listed with UL and approved by FM.

PPE supplier Cosalt:Ballyclare’s new technical rescue suit received plenty of attention at the Extrication Challenge organised by the UK Rescue Organisation in Brighton in July.

An explosion and fire occurred in a building preparing chemicals for the production of penicillin at the same plant in 1999.  The company was fined £20,000 after that incident.

As the US hurricane season inches ever closer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is busy preparing for the disaster that must inevitably hit America’s Gulf Coast.

December 5th, 2005 - Sweden: The giant wooden goat that has been erected in the Swedish town of Gavle to mark a special festive has been burned prematurely for the 22nd time.

October 8th, 2005 - Pakistan: The earthquake that struck Pakistan has now caused nearly 75,000 deaths and the toll is still rising with the impending winter. Officials say that the damage
might take about a decade to repair.

The JOIFF Executive is delighted to support JOIFF Secretary Kevin westwood, who, over a 10-day period starthing on 20th October, 2005, will take part in the Firefighter's Trek Challenge 2005, across the contrasting landscapes of the south-east corner of Australia.