Hard hitting nozzle types – Fact from fiction
Task Force Tips has engineered a test method to accurately measure the impact of a fire stream. Which nozzles hit hardest? “A fire stream can be defined as a stream of water…
Capability is key
Australia’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) is one of the world’s largest volunteer firefighting organisations with over 35,000 volunteer firefighters and 1,300 career firefighters supported by more than 21,000 non-operational volunteers and staff across the state of Victoria; one of the…
S-GARD – Firefighter protective clothing made in Germany
We would like to introduce you to a manufacturer that in recent years has become the leading provider of modern, high-end fire service protective clothing in the German-speaking countries of Europe and is now garnering plenty of attention well beyond…
Extrication Planning – Part 2
In the previous article we looked at the initial stages of extrication planning and focussed on the gathering of information, establishing our priorities, contriving the plan based on the initial and ongoing needs of the patient and communicating our findings.…
Buying high value equipment – The in’s and out’s of the procurement process
So, you’re in the market to make a purchase, maybe a large purchase at that. Have you completed all your homework? Do you have the answers to the questions the procurement department approving the purchase will ask? We could go…
Powering Global SuperTanker to suppress extreme wildfires
Wildfires are an unfortunate reality in California, and the Western United States. Larger and more destructive wildfires year-round result in 6,870 wildland fires that burn an excess of 1.5 million acres on average each year. To battle these blazes, the…
A look into the past and the future of advancements in the firefighting industry
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history”. When looking forward into the future of firefighting, observing past historical fire events helps to illuminate where the future lies with new technological…
PPV – Arm yourself with knowledge
Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) has become a very common practice in the fire industry, and as the benefits from it continue to become more documented and validated, its practice continues to grow worldwide. Evidence of this is seen in the…
Knowing your atmosphere
While some of us in the fire service are fortunate enough to have a dedicated Hazardous Materials Response Unit (HMRU) in our department, many agencies throughout the world do not. However, that does not mean we are exempt from responding…
Learning from near-miss events
Near miss, close call and near escape are a few of the terms used to describe a scenario where, if conditions were just slightly different, an outcome could have been catastrophic. No matter what you call these events they create…
Buying an aviation rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicle
On 19 November 1987, I commenced my career in the field of Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and what a journey it has been. I have been primarily involved in the total asset life cycle of ARFF vehicles including…
The connecting link between company and emergency services
The Netherlands accommodates about 400 companies that fall under Seveso regulations according to their risk profile. The risks that these companies pose to their surroundings require special attention from both the companies themselves and the government. The emergency services need…
The strains of ineffective leadership
As anyone who has ever donned a set of turnout gear and saddled-up on a rig can attest, the sense of accomplishment that responding to an alarm—however routine or severe—can bring is unmatched in its profoundness. The simple knowledge that…
Donations: An essential guide – Part 2
Following on from the first part of this article in the previous issue, in addition to PPE and SCBA, I have seen other items of equipment that require regular, specialist care and statutory control but that have arrived in the…
Protecting the protectors: ensuring firefighter safety with live video
A new law, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, is currently passing in the UK that will increase sentences for those who assault crucial emergency workers to up to six months and/or a fine in a magistrates’ court and…
A crude oil tanker exploded – Why is that unusual?
On August 15, 2018 an explosion rocked the VLCC Desh Vaibhav. The vessel had just off-loaded 270,000 mt of crude from the Persian Gulf and her tanks were empty at the time of the explosion. Tragically, several crew members were…
It’s time to change the way the public thinks about fire safety
As a result of open floor plans and synthetic furnishings and building materials, house fires are spreading faster than ever before. But research tells us that a simple behavior change by residents could save lives and aid firefighters. There’s a…
Fire protection of containers at sea
As new ships out of the dockyard boast ever greater capacities, container ship fleet sizes are also expanding rapidly in accordance. With growing volumes comes increased responsibility, meaning the safety of these ships is more important than ever. Despite having…
Extrication Planning – Part 1
Vehicle extrication is an extremely complex discipline which requires a high level of skill, knowledge and understanding in order to ensure a safe and successful outcome. Whilst it is heavily reliant on teamwork and multi-agency working, its ultimate success requires…
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The need for more multi-agency training
Seldom if ever, is vehicle extrication carried out by a single agency. In every single one of the over 100 countries where I have delivered training, the role of the other agencies is discussed and considered and is always done…