Setting the scene
Most of us can walk around our own homes in the dark with relative ease, but when you’re navigating somewhere you have never been before it’s a whole different story – especially…
MSA Bristol: Expert protection from head to toe
The new year marked a new era for two of the most respected and well-established brands in the firefighter PPE industry. MSA Safety, a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility…
Trends in recruitment and retention: factors that impact Volunteer Fire Service staffing
Recruiting volunteer firefighters and EMS providers in the United States is a complex issue because of the number of fire departments and the fact that there is no single model for organizing fire departments. Each of the 50 US states…
Now AFFF is defunct, what’s the way forward?
As fluorosurfactants termed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in firefighting foams since the 1960s are being discovered in drinking water, above safe levels in multiple countries, it’s clear that the use of all PFAS (C6 and C8) firefighting foams…
Getting in service quickly to provide help is the mission; making it happen is the challenge
The fire service today takes on more responsibilities and provides more special services than it did 35 years ago when I started my career as a rookie firefighter. Our fire apparatus, though safer, is much larger and carries more equipment…
Training during and after the pandemic: what some feel may be the new norm
As we started 2020, the pandemic was just getting a grip on the world and it seemed as though everything was coming to a standstill. Most were confused with what the future looked like, and some were not even thinking…
Outthink Wildfire – Part 1
3D technology and firefighter training
The global pandemic is generating changes to our daily lives that no one imagined could happen. One of the consequences of Covid-19 is the need to establish security measures to protect us from infection. Measures such as social distancing and…
Illuminating the scene
One of the easiest tasks to overlook at emergency incidents is providing adequate scene lighting. Firegrounds, hazardous material scenes, highway incidents and technical rescue operations all need sufficient lighting to illuminate work areas and add to the safety of those…
Fire-alarm systems: what you need to know about pre-incident planning and response
Responses to fire-alarm activations are common occurrences for fire-department personnel. Having knowledge of building fire-protection systems can make these types of calls less of a burden and make a difference when seconds matter. You do not have to look extremely…
Today’s personal protective envelope for motorsports response – Part 2
The ramifications of hybrids and electrics in motorsports is a significant concern. These vehicles bring a drivetrain type that would appear to be a major hazard to the casual observer. It is my belief that with the correct education and…
PPV as a support for firefighting in subways
Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fans are widely used by the fire service during firefighting operations in buildings. Fans are positioned to create a flow through the enclosure. This flow can remove the smoke after the fire or affect the direction…
Fit for action
Roger Startin of MSA Bristol looks at the importance of high-quality, well-fitting PPE and how to achieve the correct size and fit. When it comes to good-quality PPE, the key elements for keeping firefighters safe are fabric, design and fit.…
Types of vehicular stabilization
Due to new technological advances in automotive engineering, both mechanical and electronic, and with the incorporation of new vehicle propulsion systems (GNC, LNG, Autogas, hybrids, electrics and hydrogen) we have to constantly update our knowledge to ensure, as far as…
How to choose structural firefighting gear that reduces the impact of heat stress
A firefighter needs to evaporate about 1 litre of sweat per hour to be able to regulate their body temperature when being exposed to extreme heat.* The human body is designed to function within a very specific temperature range –…
Post-traumatic stress disorder killed our firefighter… or did it?
This article is not to diminish the effects of post-traumatic stress on our brothers or sisters but to bring about an awareness that many issues play a role in the lives of our first responders. A role we, the fire…
Despite advantages of using Class A foam to battle wildfires, use is down – that needs to change
The frequency and intensity of wildfires is on the rise around the world, and companies in the fire-safety industry are working tirelessly to introduce new, technologically advanced products that will help firefighters to better contain and put out these fires.…
Today’s personal protective envelope for motorsports response – Part 1
Ever since the late 1990s when hybrid vehicles took to the streets globally, we have watched their slow progression into the field of motorsports, from Formula 1 to World Endurance Championship (WEC) to now having their own open-wheel series, Formula…
Organizational success for your next target hazard
As everyone across the world is watching, we are just past 12 months of dealing with Covid-19 as a global pandemic, the question should be asked ‘What’s next?’ While we may not be able to predict everything that could possibly…
Recommendations to reduce fire fatalities
From the previous phase of this work a number of recommendations were made to reduce fire fatalities. These were assessed to identify their potential effectiveness during a review of Fire Investigation reports. The review resulted in further recommendations and a…
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