New firefighters register will quantify health risks to first responders

Alongside researchers at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have launched a firefighters register that will quantify the health risks that firefighters face.

The new nationwide database will assess the potential link between exposure to fire toxicants and the increased occurrence of cancers and other diseases among firefighters.

The union is calling on every current and former UK firefighter suffering from a serious or chronic illness to add their name to the registry, to help save firefighters’ lives in the future.

Known as the UK Firefighters Cancer and Disease Registry (FCDR), the database will collect information on firefighters’ work routines, exposure to fire effluents, lifestyle and health. This will enable scientists to identify and recognise most common cancers and diseases related to firefighters’ work, and, in the future, offer preventative health screening, education and support that is specifically designed to protect firefighter’s health.

The project, initiated and co-sponsored by the FBU and clinicians working at the Royal Preston Hospital, will allow UCLan researchers to analyse data on a long-term basis. As part of this, they will track the number of cancer cases amongst firefighters over time, investigate possible causes of cancer and other diseases – such as exposure to fire toxicants – and evaluate the risk of different cancers among firefighters compared with the rest of the population.

This research will allow scientists to fully understand the link between the exposure to fire effluents that firefighters face at work and the prevalence of cancers or other diseases.  All firefighters, both serving and retired, as well as those that have or have not been previously diagnosed with an illness, will be invited to register.

This research follows an independent UCLan report commissioned by the FBU that provides guidance for fire brigades on how to minimise exposure to fire effluents, as well as highlighting the high levels of carcinogens present in the working environment of firefighters.

Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary, said: “Firefighters take on huge risks when tackling an emergency, but the hazard to their health does not stop when a fire is extinguished. Every current and former firefighter who has suffered a serious or chronic illness needs to add their name to this register so we can further expose the shocking numbers of firefighters suffering from cancer and other diseases.

“In Canada and parts of the US, the link between firefighting and deadly diseases has been recognised in legislation, allowing firefighters and their families to receive compensation where health has been affected or where firefighters have died as a result. We need to be doing far more to avoid contamination in the first place but also, as the body of evidence continues to grow here, politicians in the UK must be willing to step up and protect their own firefighters.”

Professor Anna Stec, Professor in fire chemistry and toxicity at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), said: “The UK’s National Cancer Registry and Analysis Service is currently not able to provide any reliable data on cancer incidence or mortality amongst firefighters. Setting up the UK Firefighters Cancer and Disease Registry will enable us to identify and keep track of all firefighters who have been diagnosed with the diseases and cancers, as well as identify any association between firefighter’s occupation and exposure to fire carcinogens.

“We are calling on all firefighters, including those new to the career and those that have moved on, to register with the UK FCDR. Filling in this registry will help us to track the rates of cancer and disease case over time, as well as helping us to recognise most common diseases and cancers related to firefighters work and exposure to fire toxins.”

The UK Firefighters Cancer and Disease Registry can be accessed here. All data is stored securely and anonymously, and firefighters can request that their data is withdrawn at any time.

Motorola Solutions Foundation reveals 2020 highlights

The Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions have announced more than $12 million granted to charitable organisations in 2020. Of this, more than $8 million was awarded through the Foundation’s strategic grants program supporting first responders’ programs and technology/engineering education across the globe, and $2 million was provided to support COVID-19 relief efforts.

“Our Foundation is committed to driving positive change,” said Karem Perez, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “Its purpose to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities – where people can truly be their best in the moments that matter – carried more meaning for us than ever before given the challenges the world faced.”

The Foundation supported those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical funding for hospitals to purchase personal protective equipment, supporting mental health programs for first responders and aiding teachers and students in underserved communities with virtual learning.

Additionally, the Foundation, which has donated $100 million over the past 10 years to first responders, students, teachers, veterans and community members, allocated the majority of its 2020 grant funding to programs that directly support people of color. Specifically, within technology and engineering education, 82% of funding directly benefited people of color and 62% directly supported females through partnerships with organisations like the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers.

The Foundation also strengthened its support for the children of fallen first responders, continuing its support of the Enhanced Scholarship Initiative with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to provide scholarships to qualifying students in need.

“I will be forever grateful for receiving this scholarship from the NFFF,” said Cayla Fenwick, a recipient of the Motorola Solutions Foundation’s Enhanced Scholarship Initiative. “It has not only lessened the financial burden of my education, but it has also lessened stress and has allowed me to focus on my academics, especially during these difficult times.”

In addition to the Foundation’s contributions, Motorola Solutions employees found creative ways to give back safely, virtually and in their local communities. During the company’s Global Months of Service, a virtual volunteerism competition during September and October, the Foundation awarded volunteer grants based on the number of challenges employees completed, resulting in nearly $135,000 in donations to nonprofit organisations and 14,000 volunteer hours logged. Employees were also incredibly generous with their charitable donations, entering a record number for Foundation matching, which resulted in nearly $1 million in matching gifts through the “Donations for Donors” program.

“When much of the world was forced to shut down, Motorolans rose up in meaningful ways to help those most affected by 2020’s unprecedented challenges,” said Cynthia Yazdi, chief of staff to the Motorola Solutions Chairman & CEO and senior vice president of Marketing, Communications and the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We’re so proud of the efforts of both our Foundation and employees to make a difference in their communities and around the world.”

About The Motorola Solutions Foundation
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose to help people be their best in the moments that matter. The Foundation gives back to the community through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

Mapping technology by ADP to support emergency response

Pioneering mapping technology has been launched to optimise emergency services’ response to incidents and enable blue light teams to reach locations rapidly with pinpoint accuracy.

APD Maps is a cutting-edge cloud-based software platform which supports emergency services to deploy the right resources, to the right locations, at the right time.

It is the latest innovation launched by control room technology leader APD Communications to empower police, fire, ambulance and other critical services to better serve and protect the public.

APD Maps locates emergency responders, callers, vehicles, incidents, points of interest and even the nearest defibrillators anywhere at the touch of a button, providing enhanced visibility for both control room dispatchers and frontline teams.

It allows control room operators to identify locations using what3words, a system designed to identify any position within three square metres across the world using a unique combination of three words.

APD Maps is accessed through a simple web browser and can be used alongside other control room applications. The software integrates with Google Street View, CCTV camera locations, real-time traffic flow information, highways data and automatic number plate recognition to help emergency services deploy the right resources to an accurate location as quickly as possible, thereby streamlining response and maximising efficiency.

By integrating with Google Maps technology, APD Maps is simple for control rooms to incorporate into their everyday systems and can also operate as a standalone product, reducing the need for major investment in additional training and resources. No incident metadata is shared with Google and data is stored securely in Microsoft Azure Data Centres.

Mike Isherwood, Managing Director of APD Communications, said: “We’re excited to launch this world-leading solution which combines multiple data and intelligence sources to support informed and confident decision-making.

“Using APD Maps, control room personnel can dispatch multiple emergency services and public agencies to the same incident, by sharing a single coordinate pin to ensure they all receive the same information.

“Estimated times of arrival can be clearly viewed and provide the operator with immediate and accurate details in real time, supporting them to reassure the caller until help arrives. It can also help plot the quickest route to an incident, saving time and potentially lives.

“Event replay is another element of this reliable and secure software, giving organisations the ability to review footage to support investigations and enquiries following incidents.”

APD Maps can be used as a standalone product or to complement other APD products and integrates with existing command and dispatch (CAD) systems, with flexible costs tailored to each individual organisation’s requirements.

Part of the NEC Corporation, a global leader in information and communications technology, APD develops critical, life-saving software used by the police and other emergency services organisations across the UK, as well as transport and aviation operations nationally and internationally.

More than six million emergency calls are handled using APD technology each year and one in every two UK police forces uses APD’s software.

Bosch introduces Avenar all-in-one 4000 range

Bosch has introduced a new range of signaling devices, the Avenar all-in-one 4000, that combines visual and audible alarms in a single unit. Optionally, any fire detectors from the Avenar family can also be combined with the signaling device in one unit, creating a cost- and space-saving complete solution that significantly reduces installation and maintenance effort. The signaling devices are certified to EN54-3 and EN54-23 category C, for ceiling mounting, and W, for wall mounting. Due to IP 42 protection they are suitable for almost all indoor applications.

Up to 125 devices on one ring bus

Avenar all-in-one 4000 features a low power consumption of 865 µA, allowing up to 125 devices to be installed on just one ring bus. The devices do not require complex and expensive E-30 cabling to ensure functional integrity and uninterrupted alarming in the event of a bus failure. This is possible thanks to the integrated battery with a service life of up to 10 years.

“With up to 125 devices on one ring, we are defining a new category in fire protection,” comments Sebastian Wehr, product manager at Bosch Building Technologies. “For planners, installers and operators, this opens up completely new possibilities and significant savings potential.”

Focus on usability

While developing Avenar all-in-one 4000, Bosch placed particular emphasis on ease of installation and handling as well as flexible deployment options. For example, the signaling devices can be pre-assembled and are equipped with plug-in terminals, which significantly simplifies and speeds up installation compared to screw terminals. For different areas of application, users can choose between three intensities for both visual and audible alarms. Optionally, any fire detector of the Avenar family can be combined with the signal transmitter. This allows fire detectors to be replaced separately as part of maintenance if required, even without replacing the signaling device, saving operating and maintenance costs.

Wide range of applications

The combination of visual and audible alarms makes Avenar all-in-one 4000 particularly suitable for use in office buildings as well as in buildings with a lot of public traffic. It is in such environments that the new alarm devices really come into their own, as the dual alarm with visual and audible signal enables all persons to be warned – including the elderly or persons with disabilities. Due to the high protection class IP 42, even demanding production environments can be secured.

Avenar all-in-one 4000 is available in four versions – in combinations of red or white housing with red or white LED flashing light for visual alarm. The service life of the battery and detectors are matched to each other, so that no additional maintenance is usually required when the detector is replaced at regular intervals in accordance with the applicable standards. The new devices are integrated into Bosch’s “Safety Systems Designer”, a tool for easy planning of fire alarm systems.

CertAlarm partners accredited for EN 54-5 and EN 54-7

With the EU changing its standards for point heat detectors and point smoke detectors, CertAlarm have updated its standards to offer its partners the EN 54-5 and EN 54-7 certfications.

Whilst many manufacturers are currently working on understanding the requirements of UKCA, the new marking for placing relevant regulated products on the market in England, Scotland and Wales, it should not be forgotten that there is another deadline coming up for the certification of point type heat and smoke detectors.

The Technical Committee CEN/TC 72 released in 2018 the two common standards EN 54-5: 2017 + A1:2018, “Heat detectors – Point heat detectors”, and 54-7: 2018, “Smoke detectors – Point smoke detectors that operate using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization” and the European Commission cited them in the OJEU in 2019. The updated provisions include, above all, increased requirements for the EMC-resilience of the products.

Signing_certificate

Both updated norms are mandatory for products sold throughout the EU from the end of the transition period on August 31, 2022. That means that all manufacturers can start with the update of their corresponding external certificates and internal declarations by applying the latest version of EN 54-5 and EN 54-7 to their products. 

In due course, all manufacturers of heat and smoke detectors will be required to apply to authorised Notified Bodies for a Certificate of Constancy of Performance to the new revisions enabling them to update their DoPs (Declaration of Performance).

The majority of CertAlarm partners have been accredited by their national Accreditation Bodies and notified by the EU for the testing and certification based on the two harmonised norms and can now fully support manufacturers in obtaining the respective certificates.

“We want to provide a comprehensive, competitive and time-saving support to manufacturers by offering all relevant testing and certification services as a one-stop solution which is valid throughout Europe. We’re therefore pleased to announce that we also cover these new certification requirements”, says Anja Kinsky, General Manager of CertAlarm

NFPA appoints 3 members to Standards Council

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Board of Directors has appointed three new members to the NFPA Standards Council: Richard A. Gallagher of Zurich Services Corporation, Wilmington, Del., David P. Klein of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., and Catherine L. Stashak of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall, Chicago, Ill. are each serving three-year terms effective January 1, 2021.

In addition, two current council members were reappointed to serve a second three-year term: Jack Poole of Poole Fire Protection Inc., and Rodger Reiswig of Johnson Controls. Both reappointments are effective January 1, 2021.

Richard A. Gallagher is an AVP Property Technical Director with Zurich Services Corporation’s technical team in Wilmington, Del. In this role, he provides support and guidance to the Risk Engineering property staff. He received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Zurich in 2003, Gallagher held various property loss prevention roles with both the Industrial Risk Insurers and CIGNA. He is a member of NFPA, and a member of the NFPA technical committees related to sprinklers, boilers, and industrial ovens and furnaces.

David P. Klein, PE has over 35 years of experience as a fire protection engineer in the federal government, including 15 years as the Fire Protection Program Manager for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in Maryland and Delaware.

He has been a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers for over 35 years. Klein is a member of the NFPA 101/5000 Technical Committee on Fundamentals, as well as a member and former chair of the NFPA 101/5000 Technical Committee on Health Care Occupancies and the NFPA 99 Technical Committee on Fundamentals. He is also a member of the Healthcare Interpretations Task Force (HITF). Klein is currently the National Director of Occupational Safety and Health for the Veterans Health Administration.

Catherine L. Stashak is currently employed as an engineer with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) in Chicago, Ill. Stashak is retired from the fire services after serving 20 years with the Des Plaines (Illinois) Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic and a firefighter/inspector. She graduated from the Fire Protection and Safety Engineering program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in 1985.

She obtained an MBA from IIT in 1997. Currently, she serves as the Section Chief for the OSFM Technical Services Division, supervising staff that provides engineering services as support for other operating divisions within the OSFM as well as providing assistance to design professionals, the fire service, and the general public with technical and engineering expertise in the form of code interpretation and plan/application review.

Technical Services also provides expert advice in the agency’s variance process and their rulemaking processes for a variety of subjects, including aboveground tank storage regulation, LP-gas regulation, motor fuel dispensing facility operation, fire and life safety rules, safe cigarette rules, and myriad of other fire protection, petroleum, and chemical safety-related issues. Stashak has been active in the NFPA Life Safety Project since 1991, as well as several other NFPA Technical Committees, and represents the fire service on various national and international working groups.

The NFPA Standards Council, appointed by the NFPA Board of Directors, is comprised of 13 members. The responsibilities of the Council include overseeing NFPA standards development activities, ensuring compliance with the NFPA Regulations and Rules, and serving as the appeals body over matters related to standards development.

Mann McGowan appoints Sales and Marketing Manager

Mann McGowan, one of the pioneers in the passive fire protection industry for over forty years, is delighted to welcome Tim Foster to the position of Sales and Marketing Manager.

Tim brings UK and Export success in the fire stopping, plastic and rubber extrusion industries, and will work alongside Managing Director Jamie Scott, Technical Director Russell Smith and Commercial Manager Dave Boulton to further expand the company’s worldwide commercial and strategic partnerships.

Jamie Scott, Managing Director of Mann McGowan commented “I’m extremely pleased that Tim has joined our team and add further credibility to the organisation. Mann McGowan is growing in strength year on year and this is another commitment to the industry and our customers that we are here to offer our skills, knowledge and expertise to them and Tim enhances the company’s ability to deliver. I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome Tim to the team and I wish him all the luck for the future.”

” It is an exciting time to be joining the team at Mann McGowan” said Tim. “I feel their experience and product range is second to none, and I have been very impressed with their response to the challenges and opportunities the construction industry faces during these unprecedented times. I look forward to contributing to its future success.”

Since 1977 Mann McGowan has been one of the principal pioneers in intumescent technology, designing, manufacturing, supplying and installing a comprehensive range of ground-breaking products including fire, smoke and acoustic door seals, glazing seals, ironmongery fire seals and the range of Pyrogrille Air Transfer Grills. Mann McGowan are UK distributors of the BASF Palusol® and BASF Wolman® range of intumescent products.
For further information, please contact Tim Foster on +44 (0)783 3052920 or tim@mannmcgowan.co.uk

IDEX Corporation appoints Lakecia N. Gunter to the Board of Directors

IDEX Corporation have announced the appointment of Lakecia N. Gunter to the company’s Board of Directors. The appointment of Ms. Gunter, effective immediately, increases the size of the board from 10 to 11 directors. She will serve on the board’s Compensation Committee.

Gunter currently serves as Vice President and General Manager of IoT (Internet of Things) Global and Strategic Engagement at Microsoft Corporation. She will bring a new level of technology and digital innovation expertise to the IDEX board.

Idex Corporation
Lakecia N. Gunter

“As we continue navigating further digitalisation of our product and service offerings, including the select strategic incorporation of IoT technology, we look forward to the experienced guidance Lakecia will provide,” IDEX Corporation Chief Executive Officer and President Eric D. Ashleman said. “Innovation is literally the first initial in our name and continuing on that path today increasingly involves the intersection of new digital technologies with our highly engineered industrial products.”

“Lakecia’s strong business acumen, leadership development skills, strategic insights and customer orientation will expand the breadth of our board’s expertise. She’s a welcome addition who I’m confident will help propel IDEX forward,” Ashleman said.

At Microsoft, Gunter is responsible for growing and scaling the company’s IoT business, from revenue growth to technical adoption and acceleration. Prior to joining Microsoft, she was Vice President of the Programmable Solutions Group and General Manager of Ecosystem Development and Operations at Intel Corporation. While at Intel, she served in several leadership roles, including Chief of Staff and Technical Assistant to the CEO.

“The perspectives Lakecia can bring about longer-term opportunities and challenges to IDEX businesses posed by technology-related trends will undoubtedly be a unique and valuable asset to our already experienced board,” said William M. Cook, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

Gunter earned her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of South Florida and her master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and for iUrban Teen, a STEM-Arts education program. In addition, she is a member of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC). Gunter was named one of the “26 Most Powerful Female Engineers” in 2016 by Business Insider and, in 2015, she received the Society of Women Engineers’ Prism Award for demonstrating outstanding technology and community leadership.

IFSEC International announces plans for 2021

IFSEC International, one of the largest gatherings of security professionals, has announced it will now take place from 12 – 14 July, 2021 at ExCeL, London and will be run in line with the industry recognised and Government approved AllSecure standard, to ensure attendee safety.

Chris Edwards, Group Director at Informa Markets announced: “The safety and wellbeing of our attendees and exhibitors is our foremost priority which is why we have moved the date to the summer of 2021 and will be looking to operate under the highest possible level of health and safety standards, which Informa AllSecure enables us to do.”

AllSecure was piloted in September 2020 and approved by the UK Government on 19 November 2020 as a model for running large events safely. It involves several health and safety measures, including deep cleaning, social distancing on-site, staggered arrival times and PPE, such as face masks.

In addition, IFSEC International has also announced plans for a variety of online events, set to take place in June, 2021. Chris Edwards commented: “While 2020 had its challenges for in-person events, IFSEC International was able to innovate and bring the industry together remotely via online platforms and we are looking to further build on that success in 2021.”

IFSEC International’s online experiences will provide opportunities for audiences to organise live video calls with exhibitors, browse solution providers and products via an online marketplace while some of the very latest in tech innovation, industry best practice and thought leadership will be showcased.

Rosenbauer E-Technology Development appoints Managing Directors

Rosenbauer E-Technology GmbH have appointed two new Managing Directors: Markus Schachner and Michael Kaiser. Together, they succeed Michael Friedmann, who is leaving the company of his own volition to take on a new challenge. In the future, Schachner will be responsible for product development, quality, cooperation’s and supplier management for Rosenbauer E-Technology, while Kaiser will take over product management, marketing, sales policy and order processing at RED.

Dieter Siegel, CEO of Rosenbauer International AG, said, “I am very pleased that we have recruited two highly experienced managers in Markus Schachner and Michael Kaiser from within our own ranks for this important role in our Group.

“Following the successful global sales launch of the RT model series last September, the task is now to transition this product into series production without any obstacles. I would like to thank Michael Friedmann for his many years of excellent cooperation and for his commitment, and I wish him every success in his future career.”

Markus Schachner graduated in mechatronics from Johannes Kepler University in Linz. After holding various positions in the German automotive industry, he joined Rosenbauer International in 2012 as Head of Engineering Vehicles. He will continue in his current role as Head of Product Development. Michael Kaiser graduated in automotive engineering from FH Joanneum in Graz and has worked for Rosenbauer International since 2012. Following various management positions within the Group, he has held the role of Head of Project and Order Centers since 2018.