The psychological barrier: PlanRadar says digital fear is delaying UK construction projects

Rob Norton, UK Director at PlanRadar, explains how BSR’s new enforcement powers raise expectations for digital evidence across Gateways 2 and 3

On 28th January 2026, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) gained full independence and enforcement powers.

For the first time, the regulator can reject Gateway applications without appeal.

This is an urgent wake-up call for an industry that must now demonstrate digital competence at every stage.

For developers currently stalled at Gateways 2 and 3, this development could hardly be more urgent.

The era of the ring-binder is over.

The newly empowered regulator will no longer accept inadequate proof of safety; blurred photographs, missing signatures or incomplete fire safety records won’t satisfy compliance requirements.

But whilst BSR’s independence represents the final nail in the coffin for paper-based compliance, a surprisingly human barrier prevents the workforce from embracing the digital tools that would clear the Gateway 2 and 3 backlogs.

The deeper problem: the psychology of “digital shame”

Despite the regulatory shift, the construction sector remains trapped by what I call “digital shame”.

This is the fear of being permanently exposed by systems that record every mistake.

When portions of workers believe digital platforms exist to catch them out instead of supporting them, a massive disconnect emerges between prescribed processes for regulatory reporting and actual on-site reality.

This “psychological resistance” is expressed in several ways.

Site teams often revert to analogue habits, treating paper records as a safety net to hide errors.

For example, site managers will photograph fire door installations on their personal phones, storing images locally because they’re worried about uploading incomplete work to the official system.

The irony is acute; the evidence exists, but fear keeps safety observations inside notebooks instead of being entered in the Golden Thread.

The result is a workforce working in parallel to the very systems designed to protect them and the buildings they construct.

The consequence: the gateway crisis

The gateway crisis currently stalling UK construction stems directly from this mental disconnect.

The challenge centres on the lack of quality, tamper-proof evidence required to satisfy Gateways 2 and 3.

Without a robust Golden Thread of digital information, developers are playing Russian Roulette with their completion certificates.

Consider the practical reality: BSR requires comprehensive proof that fire stopping has been correctly installed throughout a 20-storey development.

Fragmented records spread across six different subcontractors, 18 months of work, thousands of installations, well-thumbed notebooks, spreadsheets, and email chains fail to provide a proper audit trail.

The project stalls.

The regulator’s independence means higher standards, but “digital shame” stops teams from creating the evidence trail that would provide assurance and demonstrate compliance.

This absence of complete digital documentation has become the biggest obstacle preventing projects from progressing through the Gateway process.

Strategic solutions: building “psychological safety”   

The answer lies in building psychological safety to encourage voluntary adoption of digital tools.

This requires three practical steps.

First, iterative transparency.

We must use data.

Site teams need to see that digital records can identify issues.

When the first use prevents the first problem, adoption follows naturally.

It must not be about punishment.

Second, frictionless compliance.

Digital workflows must be designed so that doing it right becomes the path of least resistance for site teams.

When capturing a fire door inspection on a mobile device takes less time than filling out a paper form, compliance becomes effortless.

Third, cultural de-stigmatisation.

We must reframe digital tools as a shield for the worker.

A digital record protects the individual contractor who has completed their work correctly.

It provides defensible proof of competence.

The way ahead

The construction sector must stop treating digital tools as extras bolted onto traditional processes.

BSR’s standalone status makes this absolutely clear: the record-keeping standards of the ‘80s cannot satisfy the safety requirements of the 2020s.

The newly empowered regulator will enforce higher standards.

The only realistic response is to embrace digital competence.

This means investing in platforms that capture quality evidence at source, building workflows that make compliance intuitive and fostering a culture where transparent data protects everyone involved.

Digital data forms the Golden Thread that protects the project and the person.

For fire safety consultants and principal contractors, the choice is binary.

Lead the cultural shift towards psychological safety, or fail to act and watch Gateway backlogs extend completion dates by months, while more efficient competitors secure their certificates.

The opportunity window is the 2026 calendar year.

After that, you’re playing catch-up.

This was originally published in the April 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

The Last Word with Kelly Nock: How Xact Consultancy and Training is addressing fire safety skills gaps

Kelly Nock, Director of Xact, discusses how Xact Consultancy and Training is responding to growing competency demands in fire safety

Can you provide an overview of Xact Consultancy and Training?

Xact was founded in 2004 with a mission to provide quality fire safety training, qualifications and apprenticeships which support individuals and stakeholders to maximise their business potential by enhancing their workforce’s competence and skills.

Our offering includes a range of industry recognised and regulated qualifications from level 2 to level 5, targeting a range of fire safety professionals.

As well as bespoke learning opportunities in niche areas of the industry, including hospitals and sports grounds.

Our portfolio offering also includes apprenticeships at Level 3 and 4, providing employers an opportunity to tailor training pathways for their workforce.

How is Xact’s offering meeting the growing demand for competency in the industry?

Post Grenfell, the increased legislative and industry requirement for competency is reflected in the growing service offering Xact provide.

Qualifications and training pathways are now in unprecedented demand, fuelled by the continued shift beyond the traditional competency requirements of fire safety professionals and the need for upskilling across the built environment.

The launch of the Fire Risk Assessment suite of qualifications is just the beginning of Xact’s continued commitment to meeting these expanding training requirements within the industry.

What do Stakeholders tell you is their biggest barrier to learning and how are you addressing this?

Stakeholders report that their biggest barrier to learning is keeping pace with the speed of centrally produced updates.

While they welcome the improvements, many find it challenging to ensure that staff members are continually up to date with legislative updates.

This has highlighted the need for employers and learners to treat professional development as a planned and continuous element of business continuity rather than something reactive.

They also identify ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining competent individuals within the fire‑safety sector.

Employers increasingly recognise the importance of engaging potential professionals earlier and developing a sustainable talent pipeline.

To address these challenges, we are promoting apprenticeships as a practical and forward‑looking solution.

Apprenticeships allow employers to use available funding, provide structured learning beyond qualifications and grow talent from within.

This approach supports workforce stability while helping organisations keep pace with evolving standards.

What is the future for Xact Consultancy and Training?

Xact have recently joined the CERTANIA group, an international group working within the TICC environment.

As part of the newly launched UK Buildings and Infrastructure division of which Xact form an integral part of their overarching goal.

Training and development are not a nice to have, it’s fundamental to ensure the entire built environment can continue to expand, upskill and ultimately provide a dedication to the protection of everyday life.

This was originally published in the April 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Public protection or market competition? Fire services expand commercial roles amid governance scrutiny

As fire services expand commercial training and consultancy, important questions arise about the boundaries between duty to public protection, private markets and fair competition, writes Duncan J. White

Across many jurisdictions, fire and rescue services are facing a complex strategic dilemma: how to maintain operational capability and financial sustainability in an era of tightening public budgets.

One response gaining momentum is the expansion of commercially delivered services, ranging from specialist training and consultancy to fire risk assessments and event safety management.

While these activities can generate valuable revenue and broaden professional expertise, they also raise an important question for the sector: are fire and rescue services blurring the boundaries between the public and private sectors?

Traditionally, the role of fire and rescue services has been clearly defined.

Funded through taxation, their responsibility to protect life, property, and the environment through prevention, protection, and emergency response.

Commercial activity, by contrast, has historically been the domain of private fire safety consultancies, training providers, and risk management firms.

Yet financial pressures on public services have encouraged many fire authorities to explore new income streams that capitalise on their operational credibility and technical expertise.

Examples increasingly include accredited fire safety training for businesses, consultancy on complex risk environments such as petrochemical facilities, and event safety planning for major public gatherings.

Some services have even established dedicated trading arms or commercial subsidiaries.

Advocates argue this evolution is both logical and responsible.

Fire services possess highly specialised knowledge, real-world operational insight, and trusted reputations, assets that industry values.

When managed well, commercial activity can generate income that is reinvested in public protection while strengthening engagement with high-risk sectors.

However, the expansion of commercial services is not without controversy.

Private-sector fire safety professionals sometimes question whether publicly funded organisations should compete in markets where independent businesses already operate.

Concerns centre on potential competitive advantages if publicly funded infrastructure, training facilities, or institutional credibility indirectly support commercial offerings.

There are also deeper governance questions.

Fire and rescue services must ensure that commercial ventures never divert attention, personnel, or strategic focus away from statutory duties.

Transparent governance, clear financial separation, and robust accountability frameworks are therefore essential if public trust is to be preserved.

Yet the most important issue may not be whether fire services should participate in commercial markets at all.

The real question is whether the sector is prepared to define clear rules for doing so.

Without them, the risk is not simply market tension; it’s the dilution of roles.

If fire and rescue services are to engage in commercial activities, they must do so with clear guidelines: transparency on costs and subsidies, fair competition with private providers, and an unwavering commitment that public safety, not revenue generation, remains the primary mission.

The sector cannot afford ambiguity.

As financial pressures intensify and fire risk becomes more complex, the credibility of fire services will depend not only on how they respond to emergencies, but on how clearly they define the limits of their role in the marketplace.

Stay safe!

This was originally published in the April 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Restorative remediation: Global HSE Group outlines Injectaclad cavity barrier repair method

Global HSE Group examines Injectaclad, its installation process, applications and key benefits for restoring cavity fire barriers

A building with significant defects in its external wall fire safety systems present serious risks to both the structure and the people inside.

For example, a structure with missing or defective cavity barriers can experience rapid fire spread within wall cavities, causing devastating consequences for businesses, property owners and residents, while also posing a serious threat to critical infrastructure and occupant safety.

For the responsible stakeholders, amending buildings to become safe can be both costly and disruptive, with many projects requiring a full-scale removal of the external façade which often leads to disruption.

One solution available that enables non-intrusive works is Injectaclad, a remediation system for missing or defective cavity fire barriers to be retrospectively installed using a pumped system.

How it works

Injectaclad, for which Global HSE Group is a QA-approved installation contractor, is installed through small access openings created along the required compartment lines.

These can run vertically, horizontally, or around features such as windows and doors.

The openings are typically formed at approximately two-metre intervals horizontally and generally at floor levels for vertical installations.

At these locations, 4mm stainless steel InjectaPins are inserted into pre-drilled 6mm holes within the cavity.

A cylindrical acrylic mesh sleeve, known as InjectaMesh, is then positioned on the pins to establish and maintain the required compartment line.

Once the mesh and pins are in place, Injectaclad SS17 is pumped into the InjectaMesh.

The material expands to fill the cavity void, forming a continuous cavity barrier that reinstates the intended fire compartmentation within the external wall system.

The system, which can be used on a variety of buildings, including high-rise, commercial and residential, works by creating a fire-stopping barrier inside hidden wall cavities without removing the external façade.

By filling the cavity at specific compartment lines with a pumped, fire-resistant material, Injectaclad helps prevent the spread of fire and smoke through the building’s external wall system.

Once fitted, it has been tested to have a working life of 50 years, offers up to 120 minutes of fire resistance and is designed in accordance with fire safety regulations such as BS EN 1366-4 and BS 8414-1 &1366 part 4.

Visit www.globalpassivefire.co.uk/our-services/injectaclad-cavity-barrier/ for more information.

This was originally published in the April 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Report says data centres may add to PFAS pollution pressures

Data Centres and PFAS use

Data Centres are contributing to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances pollution through cooling systems, semiconductors and fire suppressants, according to analysis published by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute on 9 April 2026.

The article states that Data Centres host tens of thousands of servers that run 24/7 to support virtual networks, cloud storage and computing, with equipment that depends on PFAS-based materials.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are described as a group of more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick products, water-resistant materials and firefighting products.

The article says the carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS are resistant to breaking down in the environment, leading to their classification as forever chemicals.

It adds that PFAS are present in air, soil, drinking water and the food chain, and that they can accumulate in the environment and in the body over time.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute writes that Data Centres primarily use PFAS in server cooling systems and in clean agent fire suppression systems, with FM-200 and Novec 1230 identified as common examples.

The article says direct PFAS pollution from Data Centres is difficult to measure and likely limited because cooling systems generally operate as closed loops.

It also states that discarded microchips and other electronic equipment can release PFAS into the environment when they enter landfill.

Cooling systems and fire suppression

The article says water has historically been used as the main coolant in Data Centres, and that operators have been adopting alternative systems as 45% of facilities are located in water-stressed regions.

It identifies two-phase immersion cooling as a popular option because it is cost effective and highly energy efficient, adding that the technology uses carbon and fluorine.

These PFAS are said to break down into trifluoroacetic acid, which the article describes as a toxic chemical linked to reproductive health risks.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute also says Data Centres are exposed to fire risk because of the heat produced by servers and the amount of electrical equipment on site.

It cites analysis of fire outbreaks at Data Centres since 2021 that identified causes including lithium-ion battery failure in semiconductors, water damage to electrical equipment and other equipment failures.

The article states that clean agent systems are typically used in place of water-based systems because they are non-conductive and residue-free, and because water can damage servers.

It adds that 3M announced in 2022 that it would stop producing PFAS, including Novec 1230, by the end of 2025, and that the company has since confirmed it has ended all PFAS manufacturing.

Regulation and costs

The article says regulation remains difficult because PFAS are used across everyday products and industrial applications, raising questions over where responsibility should sit.

Matt Dunn, a PFAS scientist at Tetra Tech, said: “Do you go after the user, or do you go after the manufacturer,”

“And understanding the difference there is very important.”

The article says many emerging technologies aimed at destroying PFAS are energy intensive and expensive, adding that this has raised debate over who should bear the cost.

It points to state-level action in Maine and Minnesota, including product restrictions and future bans affecting intentionally-added PFAS in some sectors.

The article also says there is no single direct federal route for PFAS regulation as of 2026, even though existing legislation provides several ways to address contaminants at different stages.

It adds that Congress has introduced measures including the PFAS Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2025 and the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2025, which it says could be applied to PFAS contamination from Data Centres.

The analysis presents PFAS use in Data Centres as part of a wider regulatory and operational issue linked to cooling systems, semiconductor production and fire suppression.

The article concludes with possible routes for future action including reporting standards, product bans and research into alternatives to PFAS.

UK launches product safety review covering online marketplaces and furniture rules

Product safety consultations open

The UK Government has opened three consultations on changes to product safety rules, including online marketplace obligations, enforcement reforms and a review of furniture fire safety regulations.

The Department for Business and Trade announced the proposals on 31 March 2026 using powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025.

The measures would apply to products sold online so online marketplaces are held to the same standards for product safety as bricks and mortar stores.

The first consultation includes proposals to widen the scope of the new framework so it covers more products and reduces gaps in consumer protection.

It also includes proposals to update how a safe product is defined and assessed.

Definitions for businesses in scope would also be clarified so those involved in product supply have responsibility to protect consumers from dangerous products.

The Government said the current system has been stretched by globalised supply chains, technological change and the growth of online shopping.

It said serious incidents, including fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in products such as e-bikes, show the risks linked to unsafe products.

Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Consumer Protection, said: “These reforms are about making our product safety system fit for the modern world – shutting loopholes, clamping down on unsafe online sales, and giving responsible businesses the certainty they need to grow.

“People need to trust the products they buy and use every day, so I’m urging consumer groups, businesses and the public to have their say and help us build a safer future.”

Enforcement and labelling proposals

The Department for Business and Trade also published a second consultation on reforms intended to simplify enforcement of product safety rules.

The proposals are intended to support consistent and swift action when issues are found.

Alongside this, the Government said it will introduce legislation to give businesses more flexibility in how certain products are labelled.

This would allow information such as the UKCA marking and importer details to be provided in different physical formats and in digital form.

The Government is also consulting on extending digital labelling flexibility to additional products and businesses.

Furniture fire safety review

A third consultation published on the same day will review the UK’s furniture fire safety regulations.

All three consultations are open for 12 weeks and will close on 23 June 2026.

The Government has invited stakeholders, businesses, consumer groups and members of the public to respond.

Responses to the consultations will inform the next stage of the Government’s proposed regulatory changes.

Innovation on the frontline: MSA G1 XR SCBA targets mobility and endurance

Kate McGraw, Senior Product Line Manager, and Patti Tavelli, Segment Marketing Manager at MSA Safety, reveal how the MSA G1™ SCBA XR Edition improves comfort, mobility and on-scene safety for firefighters

What are the most significant advancements in the MSA G1 XR 2025 Edition SCBA?

Kate McGraw: The XR edition is the culmination of extensive VOC (Voice of Customer), and we’ve spent a significant amount of time talking to our customers.

The original G1 was developed in partnership with our firefighters and what we’ve done with the XR is taken the last 10 years of experience that we have with our firefighters and looked at ways to enhance the comfort and weight of the unit, as well as understand the finer details of that firefighter experience.

We have done everything from a 25% reduction in the weight of the lumbar pad, should you choose the low-profile option, all the way down to the minor details of how we sew our pull strap end terminations so that it’s easier for the firefighter to put on the unit.

We really want to focus on where we’ve advanced weight reduction and comfort and the smaller details to make sure that every day that firefighters who are using this SCBA, they have the best experience possible.

Patti Tavelli: We understand that different fire departments have different needs and preferences.

Through our partnerships working with departments around the world, we’ve incorporated that feedback into the enhancements made in the G1 platform today.

What you’ll see at FDIC is that the G1 platform offers individualised options for departments based on their needs and preferences.

The feedback that we’ve received is that customers really value that ability to customise their experience.

Our goal is to ensure departments have the solutions and support that fit them best.

Weight reduction and comfort are key for firefighters. How have you evolved the SCBA to improve firefighter endurance and mobility?

KM: We know that ounces equal pounds for each piece of equipment a firefighter wears.

Last year we launched the XR edition, featuring our low-profile swiveling lumbar pad featuring a 25% weight reduction compared to our adjustable height lumbar pad.

Each deliver on comfort in a different way.

Our adjustable height allows you to choose which of the positions work best for you.

For example, I would choose the shorter version, but I have stood next to a firefighter who is 6’8” and needs the exact opposite.

That’s a big part of comfort and mobility with the What we’ve been hearing from firefighters is that it almost feels like a back brace and is very comfortable firefighters.

But what we saw was an opportunity to offer a lower weight option.

There are some departments who choose not to change their adjustable height and typically leave it in the middle position.

We took that feedback and the opportunity to remove the metal carrier which removes 25% of weight compared to the adjustable height.

Removing the adjustable assembly also means it is sitting about a half inch closer to the body.

What we’ve been hearing from firefighters is that it almost feels like a back brace and is very comfortable.

Another change we introduced last year is our smaller lumbar pad that allows you to more easily adjust the pull straps to get the SCBA cinched in close to the body.

All these small changes – the smaller lumbar for better adjustment, or the elimination of the carrier for reduced weight – make it significantly more comfortable.

PT: We place strong emphasis on listening to our firefighters.

Details some might overlook; we focus on them as significant because they directly impact how a firefighter performs in extremely challenging conditions.

How have enhancements to end of service time PSI system and soft goods improved usability for firefighters?

KM: These are both driven by NFPA standards.

With NFPA 1970-2025, all porous soft goods have to be removable by the end user so that they can be laundered per the department’s protocol.

This is an advancement focused on health and wellness of the firefighters and all of our soft goods are removable and can be washed.

The end of service time indicator is basically bringing the standard in line with the original intent.

Essentially, there is the actual volume or time remaining, and then there’s what the SCBA unit can read in PSI.

When the NFPA made the change, they wanted to give the firefighters more time to get out of the building once they hit low air.

They had previously changed the end of service time to 35%, but what they realised was when it’s 35% of pressure remaining, you actually have significantly more time remaining.

What they’ve done is change the way that you measure it such that you have 35% of your time remaining, and now the end-of-service indicator makes the unit alarm at a different PSI.

Search and rescue functionality is important. What updates have been made to support firefighters in challenging conditions?

KM: As part of our soft goods updates, we made some changes to the pull straps and some of the soft goods to better enable firefighter removal.

One thing that a lot of departments will do is unbuckle their waist strap and put it through their legs to make a harness so they can drag the person out.

We made some changes to our waist belt, such as extending it, so that people can more easily do that packaging technique.

We also have some exciting changes related to search and rescue that we’ll be bringing to show firefighters at FDIC in Indianapolis.

With the NFPA introducing Bluetooth indicators, how do those features enhance situational awareness and overall safety?

KM: The standard requires that any 1802 radio that is Bluetooth connected to the SCBA have a Bluetooth indication in the HUD as well as on the control module.

We’ve taken the step of any radio that’s connected to the G1 has that Bluetooth indication.

The reasoning was in most after-actions, a common theme is communications.

The G1 is a platform that focuses on crystal clear communication, and we want to make sure that the firefighter is aware if they’ve lost their connection.

Because of this we have repurposed a position in our HUD to use that indication to let a firefighter know that their communication is connected.

How do you go about working with firefighters to come up with a solution that works for them?

PT: We focus on continuous improvement and relentless innovation by building on 10 plus years of the G1 platform.

We have formal solicitation feedback processes in place, in addition to always observing and listening.

We’re always asking for current feedback as well as always looking ahead because we never stop innovating.

We strategically plan far out ahead, addressing what is right in front of us, with every decision based on what matters most to firefighters.

KM: This is a process that is holistic with all of our employees.

Patti is more customer facing and she interacts with people constantly.

Our sales team is always sharing information back.

My job as the product manager is to take all that information from the field and translate it to the engineers so that we can come up with design changes and strategy.

Additionally, even though they’re not customer facing, every one of our designers and engineers is eager to speak with our firefighters to learn how we can improve.

Every single interaction with a customer, whether it’s a formal development process or a research project, is an opportunity to collect more information and to improve that product.

Where do you see the next stage of demands coming from firefighters?

KM: I think the biggest thing is meeting the departments where they are because there’s a wide range of departments, both large and small.

Some are very technological forward, and there are some that are not quite there yet.

We need to make sure we are continuing to innovate and understand where the space can lead us but also recognising that we have to meet our departments where they are in their journey.

There’s a lot of exciting space for exploration.

There’s also a really great opportunity, even with some more basic technology, to help some of the departments that are out there.

This was originally published in the April 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Exel Composites introduces fire-rated composite for building and infrastructure use

Fire-rated material meets two European standards

Exel Composites has developed a new non halogenated fire-rated composite material that meets key European building standards and has been validated through independent third-party testing in France and the UK.

Exel Composites said the material was tested in accordance with EN 13501 1 and achieved a Euroclass B s2, d0 reaction to fire classification.

Testing by British and French laboratories found the material made a limited contribution to fire, with low smoke production and no flaming droplets.

The material also meets EN 13706 mechanical performance class E23 for pultruded composite profiles.

The company said this addresses a long standing issue in construction applications, where fire retardant composite materials have often lacked clearly defined mechanical classifications aligned with European standards.

Neil Dykes, Technical Sales Manager at Exel Composites, said: “This development is significant due to the removal of the traditionally used halogens which are heavily regulated because of health and safety issues.

“The new material formulation has demonstrated Euroclass B fire performance in external laboratories, while still complying with EN 13706 E23 mechanical requirements.”

Fire-rated composite designed for multiple applications

The formulation can be applied across different profile designs, starting from a wall thickness of three millimeters upwards.

Applications named by the company include façade and envelope elements and frames for fire rated doors.

The material is also intended for technical joinery and modular housing structures.

Dykes added: “This gives designers and engineers a clear and reliable basis for specification, alongside CEN/TS 19101:2022, which defines the European design rules for FRP composite structures.”

The company said the non halogenated solution is already available across its production sites in Europe, Asia and North America.

By validating fire behaviour and mechanical performance through recognised European standards and independent testing, the material is positioned for construction and infrastructure applications in Europe.

Wildfire mitigation saves money, says Megafire Action

Wildfire costs and household bills

Megafire Action released a new primer in Washington, D.C. on 14 April stating that strategic investment in wildfire management can reduce costs linked to insurance, utilities and disaster recovery for American households.

The organisation said the report was issued ahead of the traditional start to the wildfire season and focuses on affordability alongside fire risk.

The primer states that wildfires cost the United States between $100 billion and $500 billion each year, including direct damage and longer-term economic effects.

It states that home insurance premiums rose by an average of $648, or 24%, nationwide between 2021 and 2024.

In high-risk Western states, many families have seen their insurance bills rise by more than 50%.

The report also states that wildfires increase electricity costs for ratepayers as utilities cover repairs, legal fees and rising insurance costs.

Spending and legislation in focus

According to the primer, spending on landscape resilience and home hardening can reduce future losses and recovery costs.

It states that every $1 spent on targeted forest management and fuels removal can save up to $7 in future damages and costs.

It adds that each $1 invested by the government in fire-risk reduction grants saves about $3 by avoiding more expensive disaster recovery efforts.

James Campbell, Megafire Action’s Director of Federal Affairs, said: “Investing in wildfire mitigation is smart across the board: it protects our wallets, our homes, and most importantly, our lives.

“As we head into another wildfire season, it’s imperative we tackle the dual wildfire and affordability crisis.

“The Fix Our Forests Act is a key step to address wildfire-driven spikes in insurance and utility bills that are draining family budgets.”

Congress is considering the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act (S. 1462), which has passed out of committee with bipartisan support and is awaiting consideration by the full U.S. Senate.

If enacted, the bill would modernise forest management, streamline permitting for critical safety projects and establish a Wildfire Intelligence Center to improve inter-agency data sharing.

Megafire Action said the act is backed by governors, state agencies, conservation groups and businesses.

Fire Service Essay Competition returns with artificial intelligence prompt

Essay Competition opens with AI prompt

Darley has opened the fifth annual Fire Service Thought Leadership Essay Competition in collaboration with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), focusing on how artificial intelligence could improve firefighter health, wellness and safety over the next two years.

Darley announced that submissions are now open for the Essay Competition.

The prompt asks fire and rescue personnel to address how artificial intelligence can be applied in operational contexts.

The competition receives over 90 entries each year from firefighters, company officers and chief officers across the country.

Identified areas include incident reporting and staffing models.

The brief also highlights wildfire prediction, roadway risk forecasting and fire-based EMS operations where artificial intelligence tools are already in use.

Essay Competition rules and topic areas

Darley said the competition follows a Tier 3 AI usage standard.

Writers may use generative AI tools to brainstorm, organise thinking and refine outlines.

All final text must be written by the author in their own words.

Any use of artificial intelligence must be disclosed.

Entries may be screened using AI-detection tools.

Suggested topics include virtual and augmented reality staff rides.

Other areas include predictive analytics for wildland and all-hazard incidents.

Further examples include decision-support tools for EMS, hazmat and technical rescue operations, along with fatigue tracking and injury trend analysis.

Essay Competition prizes and comments

Darley Chief Executive Officer & Chairman Paul Darley said: “The people best positioned to shape how AI gets used in the fire service are the ones on shift.

“Sometimes the best ideas in the fire service don’t always make it past the apparatus bay.

“We built this competition because writing is an act of leadership, and we want you to use this platform to spotlight your ideas and create discussion amongst industry peers.”

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Director of Fire Programs Danny Kistner said: “Artificial intelligence is not a replacement for firefighter judgment; it is a force multiplier for firefighter survivability.

“By combining AI with immersive staff rides, predictive modeling, and resilience-building programs, we can help departments see risk sooner, train with greater realism, and support their people long before and long after the call.

“This directly aligns with the NFFF mission—to honor our fallen by doing everything possible to reduce preventable deaths and injuries.

“We invite you to join this competition and submit your ideas for how AI can further this mission in the fire service.”

Winners receive cash prizes, present at events including the Texas A&M Leadership Conference and FRI and are published by Fire Engineering, Firehouse, CRACKYL and FireRescue1.

The competition was conceived by Garry Briese and is sponsored by Darley in collaboration with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.