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…
The decline of the suburban American paid-on-call fire service
For generations, the American paid-on-call firefighter has faithfully stood as a civic sentinel, tirelessly safeguarding the wellbeing of an ever-growing nation’s citizenry. At the behest of a pager’s shrieking siren, and with nary a pause, these brave men and women…
Bristol Uniforms past and present
Today, Bristol Uniforms is a global leader in the design and manufacture of PPE for firefighters, providing cutting-edge protective garments to fire services in 110 countries across the world. But the company also boasts a rich history stretching back more…
Ladder lockdown is making the worlds most dangerous tool safer
My name is Troy Kumprey and I am the founder of Ladder Lockdown. I’d like to introduce you to the Ladder Lockdown All-in-One Saddle. This is a revolutionary safety device that I created simply to make laddering safer. Growing up…
LTE to 5G: Future-proofed critical communications for public safety
Public Safety organisations have always relied on high-quality critical communication voice services, built on specialised technologies with dedicated network implementations and spectrum. With the wide availability of high speed broadband, the potential for harnessing a new range of critical data…
When the loss isn’t gone
As is typical, much of what we learn regarding mental health in our field finds genesis within the military. And, the idea of Ambiguous Loss is no different. Lead by researcher Pauline Boss, Ambiguous Loss grabbed foothold in the grief…
The firefighter cancer epidemic: Protect yourself and your crew
Over the past few years, it has been increasingly clear that the fire service is facing an epidemic. Cancer has quickly become the leading health threat facing firefighters. Almost every firefighter has been impacted by cancer in some way, whether…
Surviving the fire service – what we know
The fire service has evolved into an “all-hazards” provider of service to protect the public which it serves. Modern hazards include terrorism, biological, chemical, nuclear and explosive traditions in addition to more traditional “bread and butter” core services of fire…
Donations: An essential guide – Part 1
It’s a sad fact that less privileged Firefighters often reach out to developed nations asking if any unwanted equipment could be donated to help their situation. Some stories are heart wrenching and many organisations respond, sending all kinds of equipment…
Common misconceptions of thermal imaging use – Myths versus Facts
The fire service has been using thermal imaging cameras successfully since the 1990’s. Many lives have been saved through the tactical use of thermal imaging cameras (TIC). And since the first implementation of these devices they have been greatly improved…
What you don’t know can hurt you!The First Responder vs. Autism
This article is not intended to be a replacement for first responder autism awareness training; its purpose is to show the need for such training. There is an old saying “A little knowledge is dangerous”. It would be hard to…
The Pathfinder – Search and Rescue way-finder system
The International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation was established in 2014. The Forum is an organization of government leaders from across the globe, focused on enhancing and expanding the development of affordable, innovative technology for first responders worldwide. The…
Why we need more support for wildland fire research
The threat to people and property from wildland fires is increasing, fueled by a combination of urban sprawl, climate change and lack of understanding. Unfortunately, the scientific knowledge base that we have today is becoming outdated and inadequate. We need…
Live streaming video – A new depth of situational awareness
In Europe, 2 million to 2.5 million fires are reported per year, resulting in up to 25,000 deaths. These can incorporate anything from a blaze in an urban high-rise building to a remote wildfire, each of which requires access to…
Sizing-up hazmat incidents
In the world of fire and emergency services, hazardous materials incidents have some of the most devastating outcomes in regard to life, property, and environmental losses. For years, emergency responders and specialists have collaborated in an effort to limit these…
Understanding policy and procedure: A must for station design
A synergetic relationship between policy and design are extremely important in the layout of Fire Stations. The article will address this relationship and the effects on the long-term health of the firefighters that live and work there.
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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…