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…
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 Unfortunately, the scientific knowledge base that we have today is becoming outdated and inadequate.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.
Cross-over trainings: A unique approach to unifying the fire service
If all the fire service divisions within a fire department can combine their training, education, and experience, then it will strengthen the fire department as well as make fire service more effective within the industry as a whole. On June…
Trust in PPE
With a host of firefighting PPE available on the international market, varying in cost and quality, how can Fire & Rescue Services ensure they are providing their crew with the best protection? Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director of Bristol Uniforms,…
International collaboration is never the wrong answer…
As the UK draws closer to an uncertain Brexit, the prospect of many existing international partnerships surviving is starting to seem less likely. The UK’s automatic inclusion in many of the international programmes and research activities it has previously enjoyed…
How optimized initial attack strategies are winning a new wildfire war
Around the world, wildfire behavior is changing. In the U.S., climate change, unhealthy forests and human development in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) are combining to create more frequent, fast-burning blazes. As crews on the ground battle these dangerous and increasingly…
High Reach Extendable Turrets (HRET) – Beyond airports
The high reach extendable turret or HRET as known in the firefighting industry greatly enhances any fire department’s emergency response experience. It has been a game-changer for ARFF apparatuses used to respond in airport emergencies because of its various capabilities…
Realistic multi-agency training and exercising
Realistic training is an often-used phrase in the emergency services. Most would define this as training in an environment that looks and feels as close to that which the participant would experience if undertaking that activity ‘for real’. So why…
Scotland’s hottest fire dog is set to go viral
Diesel will tell his fans about how he works to protect Scotland’s communities and it is expected the Springer Spaniel will further assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to reach out to followers with safety advice. Diesel’s expertise is…
Fire service reform – A global issue
In 2014 I received an enquiry from a man claiming to represent a large corporation in Mexico. He wanted me to review and evaluate a fire department in the city of Culiacan, Sinaloa. Some of your readers might already think…
Offsite laboratory tests recommended by NFPA 25
The National Fire Protection Association Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (NFPA 25) details recommended practices to prevent system failure and ensure fast and effective response in a fire emergency. Most of the recommended…
An overview of the Tehran Fire Department
With the recent disaster in Tehran where 16 firefighters were killed in the line of duty, while fighting a fire in a 17-story building, that collapsed on them, we thought it appropriate to give you an overview of the Tehran…
Fighting back on heat stress
Heat stress is especially life-threatening for firefighters and remains the number-one cause of firefighter casualties. Thankfully, the industry is fighting back with the development of several new weapons in the battle against this dangerous condition. Heat stress is caused by…
The UK fire appliance helping to change the face of firefighting
Over the past few months, one fire and rescue service in the UK has been putting a brand new fire appliance to the test. This single truck — which is the only one of its kind in the country —…
Preserving victim dignity while protecting first responders
Throughout the world each year, hundreds of first responders die or suffer serious injuries due to secondary accidents caused by distracted, impaired, or speeding drivers flying around an existing accident. Current accident response protocols are not serving to protect those…
LNG in your Port
I have written about Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the past. Earlier, I discussed the large quantities of this liquid which was being imported into the USA. Then, with the discovery of large amounts of natural gas being found, we…
The team approach to vehicle extrication: time for change
The team approach to vehicle extrication is nearly as old as I am, which begs the question: why has it never been revised? No one can doubt that it is a checklist that has served us well for nearly three…
Subscribe to International Fire Fighter today for FREE!