Rosenbauer set to deliver 15 aerial rescue devices for Australia

This year, Rosenbauer will deliver a total of 15 aerial rescue devices of various kinds to different Australian fire service organisations. In addition to vehicles from the L32A-XS and B32 standard series, these will include hydraulic platforms with a working height of over 40 m and compact aerial ladders with a rescue height of 24 m. All aerial rescue devices have been constructed on Scania chassis (6×4 or 8×4) and designed as multi-function or First Attack vehicles, which – some with full firefighting equipment on board – are already equipped for every application: rescue, firefighting and technical assistance.

New L24C FA compact aerial ladder

A completely new development is the L24C FA, deliveries of which to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Emergency Services Agency and to the Tasmania Fire Service are identical in construction. The C in the type designation stands for Compact, for two reasons: on the one hand, it has a pivot mounting that does not protrude beyond the vehicle contour when rotated 360°, while on the other the three-part ladder set is 120 mm lower than its four-part counterpart. This makes the L24C FA ideal for deployments in urban areas and in Australia’s increasingly densely populated inner cities.

It can also drive through lower restricted headroom areas and its full range of functions can be used in confined spaces. Another advantage of the compact pivot mounting is the possibility of installing extensive water technology without significantly increasing the vehicle’s dimensions. Both aerial ladders are equipped with a pump, foam proportioning system, tanks for water (1,800 or 1,500 l) and foam compound (200 or 200+50 l), waterway (Telescopic Waterway System – TWS), cage monitor and fast attack.

Hydraulic platforms with extended reach

Rosenbauer supplies multi-functional B42 2.0 hydraulic platforms to the ACT Emergency Services Agency and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. The vehicles have a four-part ladder set with a one-piece cage boom, and reach a working height of 42 m. They can also be braced to a width of 7.75 m, which means that they can reach a throw range of over 30 m (extended reach).

Risers for electricity (230/400 V), breathing air (4 bottles on the pivot mounting) and extinguishing agent (TWS) ensure that all media is available for all types of deployments in the rescue cage. The Queensland vehicles are also fitted with an on-board pump and tank.

The hydraulic platform’s rescue cage has a live load of 500 kg, can carry up to 5 people, and is equipped with a remote-controlled water turret, pressure outlets, a camera system (zoom and infrared camera) on the pan/tilt head and a high-voltage warning device. Automatic functions such as the Target Memory System (TMS) for repeating previously travelled routes, and the automatic retraction of the rescue cage (ARF) from positions with no line of sight make it easier to control the equipment. A rescue ladder attached to the arm set ensures the second escape route.

XS ladders for initial attack vehicles

In addition to the new hydraulic platforms, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have also put new aerial ladders into service. These are vehicles of the L32A-XS 3.0 P/FA type, with a firefighting pump with corrosion-resistant gunmetal design and foam proportioning system installed in the middle. Tanks for 1,200 litres of water and 200 litres of foam compound are housed in the equipment compartments over the rear axle, with extinguishing agent being discharged either via pressure outlets or via a remote-controlled water turret mounted on the cage. The turret is connected directly to the pump via the TWS, which means that the FA ladders can immediately be put to use for extinguishing work, and can therefore be used as an initial attack vehicle.

www.rosenbauer.com/

Telgian’s Russell Leavitt named NFPA 1st Vice Chair

Russell B. Leavitt, Executive Chairman of Telgian Holdings, Inc. was recently elected 1st Vice Chair by the Board of Directors for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA is a global, nonprofit organisation devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The organization focuses on fire codes and standards, as well as public education for fire safety, outreach and advocacy, training and essential research.

NFPA Board Members are selected based on fire industry experience, as well as the respect of peers in the safety community, a proven commitment to the association’s goals and an appreciation for the relationship NFPA must maintain with society as its needs evolve.

As NFPA 1st Vice Chair, Leavitt will work with the association as it delivers information, knowledge and training nationwide. In addition to this leadership position within NFPA, Leavitt also serves as chair of the NFPA 13 Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria Technical Committee, on the NFPA 13 Installation Technical Committee, as well as NFPA 3, NFPA 4 and the Cultural Resources (NFPA 909 and 914)  Technical Committees.

With almost four decades of industry experience, Leavitt has long been recognised for his expertise, which he shares as a sought-after speaker and presenter. Leavitt is a senior instructor for AFSA and Fire Smarts and conducts fire and life safety seminars nationally and internationally on a variety of related subjects. Examples include Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office fire sprinkler training events, such Fire Sprinkler Systems – Plan Review and Acceptance Testing for AHJ’s, Marketing for Contractors in Fire Protection for Expo Fire Protection Mexico & International Congress and NFPA 25 Step-by-Step Testing Procedures for FireCon, among others.

During the course of his career, Leavitt has also authored numerous industry training materials and informational articles including “Fire Safety Codes and Standards: What You Need to Know,”  “Understanding Fire Protection Classifications,” “International Fire Sprinkler Opportunity” and AFSA’s ITM Inspector Development Program.

Leavitt will hold the position of NFPA 1st Vice Chair for two calendar years.

www.telgian.com/

MSA launches Digital Week to bring new safety technology to firefighters

MSA Safety Incorporated recently launched a week-long event – called MSA: Connected – that used digital technologies to offer firefighters and first responders the latest information on various product and technology-based safety solutions. “The timing of MSA: Connected is not a coincidence,” said Yohan Morel, MSA Senior Marketing Manager, First Responder, Europe. “Interschutz, the world’s largest trade fair focusing on fire service and security, was originally scheduled for this week in Hannover, Germany. Because we recognise the value and knowledge our customers gain by attending conferences like this in person, our vision was to create a unique experience for customers that helps them stay connected with the latest in firefighter safety technology.”

Among the many activities scheduled were a series of live webinars that offered participants the opportunity to connect directly with MSA safety technology experts. Topics for these sessions included voice communications, technology standards, best practices to help reduce contamination risk, among many others.

The new M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) was also showcased in the company’s portfolio. Designed to meet the European Norm 137 (EN137) safety, health and environmental protection standards, as well as ATEX intrinsic safety standards for usage in hazardous or explosive atmospheres, the M1 SCBA is fully customizable and can be configured to meet a broad range of firefighter needs and brigade budgets.  Among its innovative features are a padded harness that is fully water-repellent, the industry’s lightest-weight backplate, and an advanced hip belt that evenly distributes SCBA weight for much improved ergonomics.

“Fighting fires requires durable equipment built to perform in extreme conditions,” said Jason Traynor, MSA’s General Manager for Global Respiratory Protection and Fire Helmets.  “Based on our extensive voice-of-customer research while designing the M1 SCBA, it quickly became clear that fire brigades want a range of SCBA options at a cost and configuration that’s right for them. Positive customer feedback and recent key order wins provide confidence that we’ve really hit the mark with our new M1 SCBA.”

During the week MSA provided an exclusive outlook on their new technologies coming in 2020/2021 and presented a vision for the future. MSA is dedicated to innovating on behalf of firefighters around the world to help ensure their personal protective equipment keeps them safer than ever before possible.

gb.msasafety.com/msa-connected

Xtreme Mask – the latest advance in respiratory protection for wildfires

Wildland firefighters are exposed to several labour risks; heat, humidity, radiation, incandescent particles, microparticles, nanoparticles, smoke, fog, aqueous dispersions, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, proteins, gases, organic and inorganic vapours, acids, amine and formaldehyde in slow combustion.

The lack of solutions to protect firefighters from these contaminant agents limits the time of fire management’s interventions and represents significant damage to the health of firefighters, with short-term consequences (causing discomfort, choking sensation and poisoning) and long-term sequel (continued exposure to CO and formaldehyde can lead to disabling occupational diseases and even cancer).

The Xtreme Mask is an effective solution to protect the face and the respiratory tract in extreme situations*.

A multipurpose device specifically designed for wildland firefighting

The Xtreme Mask adapts completely to every protection need that can occur in a wildfire. It allows the coupling of different filters according to the operative:

  • Firefighting – Reusable P3 particle filter (included). Protection against heat, humidity, radiation, incandescent particles, microparticles, nanoparticles, smoke, fog, aqueous dispersion, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, proteins.
  • Finish and interface – Reusable ABEK1P3 multigas filter (optional). Protection against heat, humidity, radiation, incandescent particles, microparticles, nanoparticles, smoke, fog, aqueous dispersion, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, proteins, gases and organic and inorganic vapours, acids, amine and formaldehyde in slow combustion.

Respiratory comfort with a high level of protection

Set consisting of a half mask with two exhalation valves (so that carbon dioxide escapes faster, increasing respiratory comfort), an interchangeable filter and a textile mask, certified according to EN 15614: 2007, which offers high protection against radiation.

The excellent fit and sealing of the half mask to the face and its direct connection to the filter multiply its degree of filtration, offering protection of up to 99.92%.

Comfortable and lightweight
Low nasal profile mask, adjustable on Caucasian, Asian, African-American and American faces. Compatible with most glasses available on the market.

Perfect integration with the rest of the protection equipment
Quick adjustment without removing the helmet, thanks to its double velcro® system.

All the components that make up this product have been manufactured following the requirements of the European Regulation.

Textile
EN ISO 11612:2015 – Protective clothing. Clothing to protect against heat and flame. Minimum performance requirements
EN ISO 13688:2013 – Protective clothing. General requirements.
EN 15614:2007 -Protective clothing for firefighters. Laboratory testing
methods and requirements for forestry clothing.

Half mask
EN 140:19998 – Respiratory protection equipment. Half mask.

P3 R Filter
EN 143:2004 + A1:2006 – Respiratory protection equipment. Filters against
particles. Requirements, testing, marking.

ABEK1P3 Filter
EN 14387:2004+A1:2008 – Respiratory protective devices. Gas filters and combined filters. Requirements, testing, marking

* Standards and regulations regarding labour risk prevention must be observed, as well as the suitability of their use and possible limitations.

For more information, visit: www.vallfirest.com

INTERSCHUTZ postponed until June 2021

INTERSCHUTZ, which was scheduled for June 2020, will be postponed by one year. This is the mutual decision of the organisers and partners of the trade fair for fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security. The reason is the coronavirus, which directly affects both exhibitors and visitors of INTERSCHUTZ and requires them to be available for duty at other locations. INTERSCHUTZ will now take place from 14 to 19 June 2021 in Hannover.

About three months before the actual start of the event, it is now certain that the next INTERSCHUTZ will take place in summer 2021. “The people who under ordinary conditions would have come to INTERSCHUTZ in June this year are precisely those who are most needed due to the coronavirus crisis,” says Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the Managing Board, Deutsche Messe AG. “As INTERSCHUTZ, we are part of the industry. With our decision, we, therefore, take responsibility and provide security in planning”. More than 150,000 visitors from all over the world attend INTERSCHUTZ. However, in times of pandemic, helpers and rescuers are needed to maintain supplies and security.

The same applies to exhibiting emergency aid organizations or authorities with security tasks whose capacities are needed elsewhere. But also exhibitors from the industry are directly or indirectly involved in the crisis situation, such as manufacturers of protective equipment, suppliers of digital deployment technology or even vehicle manufacturers whose customers cannot or are not allowed to visit a trade fair in this situation. “We were on an excellent path – and we are aiming for a strong INTERSCHUTZ,” says Gruchow. “Under the current conditions, however, this is not possible. We, therefore, would like to wish all the players and the entire INTERSCHUTZ community all the best and every strength for the tasks ahead. We will see each other in Hannover in June 2021, where we will have the opportunity to take a detailed and analytical look at the pandemic – and what we can learn from it”.

Postponing a trade fair on the scale of INTERSCHUTZ has an enormous number of organizational consequences. The 29th German Firefighters’ Day will also be postponed until next year: “The synergy between the trade fair and the top firefighters’ meeting is important to us – the postponement is a joint decision,” explains Hermann Schreck, permanent representative of the President of the German Firefighters’ Association (DFV). The most important questions arising from such a postponement for exhibitors and visitors of INTERSCHUTZ will be published in an FAQ on the INTERSCHUTZ homepage. Further questions will be clarified via the usual communication channels.

INTERSCHUTZ has a network of strong partners who have also voted for a postponement and who will now work with Deutsche Messe to set the course for a successful event in June 2021.

Dirk Aschenbrenner, President of the German Fire Protection Association (vfdb):
“vfdb as a strong supporter of INTERSCHUTZ welcomes the decision. As a network of experts for protection, rescue and security, we spoke out without hesitation in favor of postponing INTERSCHUTZ after the latest developments. Especially as organizers of the non-commercial segment of INTERSCHUTZ, we know that thousands and thousands of members of the fire brigades, rescue services and disaster control have been waiting for the world’s leading trade fair with enthusiasm. But we also know that they, in particular, are sympathetic. After all, they will be facing special challenges in their daily work over the coming weeks and months. Our greatest concern is the safety of the population. The postponement of INTERSCHUTZ is both responsible and appropriate in view of the current situation. We are also aware that even if the situation eases, the numerous exhibitors from Germany and abroad will still need sufficient time for their INTERSCHUTZ preparations. As vfdb, we will use the remaining months to process and communicate this event, which is highly relevant for civil protection. As regrettable as the current, unprecedented situation is, we will learn from it. And INTERSCHUTZ 2021 will undoubtedly be supplemented by a further topic.”

Hermann Schreck, permanent representative of the president of the German Fire Brigade Association (DFV):
“We were very much looking forward to the 29th German Firefighters’ Day and INTERSCHUTZ. However, in view of the development of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, maintaining the operational readiness of the fire brigades and rescue services has top priority for us in all considerations. The planning for the DFV’s large joint exhibition stand and the accompanying events will of course continue at national and international level.”

Dr. Bernd Scherer, Member of the VDMA Executive Board, and Managing Director, VDMA Fire Fighting Equipment:
“INTERSCHUTZ is the future forum for the firefighting technology industry, an industry that produces safety for people. In the current situation, this applies even more – to emergency and rescue services, but also to industry. After all, manufacturing companies also face ambitious challenges in economic terms, for example when proven supply chains are interrupted or production sites are affected by quarantine measures. Fortunately, none of this has yet been the case for manufacturers of firefighting technology. On the contrary: We are still in a unique economic boom phase. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, we would like to hold an INTERSCHUTZ trade fair in which all forces are concentrated on what makes this unique exhibition of our industry so special: innovative technology and committed people who are completely dedicated to fire protection and rescue services. We look forward to it – together with you in June 2021!”

www.interschutz.de

Perimeter Solutions gains presence in Middle East

Perimeter Solutions, producers of fire retardants, foams, and water enhancing gels for managing wildland, industrial, and municipal fires, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Tamer Gaber as Regional Sales Representative for the Middle East and Sandeep GR as Regional Sales Representative for India.

Mr. Gaber brings more than twenty years’ experience to Perimeter Solutions having worked for Gamewell, FCI and Notifier – Honeywell Fire Safety MEA. In his new role Tamer will be responsible for sales and business development of AUXQUIMIA® and SOLBERG® brand foam concentrates and SOLBERG foam suppression systems.

Mr. Gaber will lead the company’s sales efforts in the Middle East as it pertains to channel segmentation and management, client management and retention strategies and sales planning.

Sandeep Gulur joins Perimeter Solutions from NAFFCO where he held the position of Research Engineer and Head of Foam Equipment. NAFFCO FZCO is among the world’s leading producers and suppliers of top-tier firefighting equipment, fire protection systems, fire alarms, security and safety engineering systems.

Mr. Gulur previously worked for Newage Company where he liaised with consulting and design engineers and Intertek and Underwriters Laboratories India Pvt Ltd as a Project Engineer where he led approval certification projects in support of fire suppression and containment products.

Sandeep will now be responsible for sales and technical services of AUXQUIMIA® and SOLBERG® brand foam concentrates and SOLBERG foam suppression systems in India and Pakistan.

The expansion to establish a factory sales office in the Middle East and India was a natural next step for Perimeter Solutions to support the company’s growing fire safety business,” stated Perimeter Solutions EMEA Region, General Manager Javier Castro. “We’re thrilled to have a respected industry veteran like Tamer and a tech savvy engineer like Sandeep join the Perimeter Solutions family.”

Perimeter Solutions holds a major manufacturing position in Class A foam products for municipal and wildland firefighting in North America and is a top innovator with superior technology capabilities in the Class B foam market globally.

perimeter-solutions.com/

TFT releases new working Fire Nozzle

The new TFT Working Fire nozzle reportedly delivers revolutionary performance when you need maximum flows for a “working fire.” For every day use, it is a true 150 gpm @ 75 psi Fixed GPM Nozzle, but when you need even more GPM, the nozzle’s exclusive pressure relief system dramatically limits nozzle reaction.

When you achieve the 150gpm rate, the nozzle flows great, and there is about 65lbs of nozzle reaction force. However, when you need a lot more GPM, that is where the Working Fire excels.

By integrating TFT’s exclusive pressure relief, a 33% increase in flow rates only yields a 33% increase in reaction force. Compare that to a traditional fixed nozzle, which increases 78%. With the Working Fire nozzle, TFT is able to deliver high GPM (200 gpm) with reportedly 30lbs less reaction force than other nozzles.

The Working Fire is available in a break-apart or integrated, stainless steel ball valve configuration. Pistol grips, bail handles, and stream shaper are available in colours and spinning teeth are an option. The nozzle has a rugged, black hard coat finish with a black reflective Scotchlite trim. There is a tactile indicator and detent for straight stream that prevents unintended rotation into other streams.

Dräger reaffirms commitment to Aberdeen operations

Dräger (or Draeger) Marine and Offshore, a division of The Dräger Group, has confirmed a new phase of investment in its Aberdeen office.

The latest phase of investment will focus on significantly expanding the company’s rental fleet of offshore safety equipment, which includes its fire and rescue apparatus. The company’s safety products are employed by many operators in the North Sea, and its Aberdeen base is home to the UK’s largest direct to customer rental fleet of Dräger equipment with over 1600 items.

The company has also announced the appointment of David Donaldson to head up its Marine and Offshore UK office, based in Aberdeen. Twenty five staff are based at the Aberdeen office, which in addition to its rental fleet, is also home to an international offshore safety training academy and state of the art service workshop. Dräger is the only safety manufacturer with a base in Aberdeen, and the firm also has premises at Grangemouth.

Donaldson, who brings to the company over 30 years’ experience working in the offshore, oil and gas industries, said: “Dräger has had a presence in Aberdeen for almost ten years, and the company has weathered many challenges through this time. The ongoing investment in Aberdeen reaffirms our commitment to the local business community, as well as our staff, who have been working hard to maintain our customers’ critical safety operations throughout lockdown.”

As well as continuing to service offshore equipment such as rigs throughout lockdown, Dräger staff have also adapted safety training courses to be delivered online to enable its customers to continue operationally-critical work during the pandemic.

The adoption of new technology has resulted in Dräger Marine and Offshore winning a new contract to install the largest wireless gas detection system ever employed by a North Sea operator. Work will commence on the project, which includes the installation of over 120 wireless gas detectors, in September, and will be fully operational by November.

Donaldson concluded: “Despite the great challenges that face the oil and gas industry as a result of Covid-19, there is growing optimism for the future, particularly amongst medium-sized organisations that are large and robust enough to weather the storm, but small and nimble enough to respond to new and emerging opportunities that the current crisis is presenting. We see real opportunity in this area of the market, and look forward to playing our part in supporting future growth here as business starts to resume.”

www.draeger.com/

Haix Group interviews firefighter Bec Meachin

Firefighter, Bec Meachin is on a mission; to consistently better herself, mentally and physically, and to support those training to be Firefighters in doing the same. Part of HAIX sponsored Team GB in last year’s British Firefighter Challenge, Bec has continued training even during the Covid-19 lockdown in order to keep pushing to be the best. We spoke to her about her approach to training her body and mind for both endurance challenges and the trials of her ‘day job’.

  • Can you tell us a little bit about your background in the Fire service?

I joined Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in September 2016 as an on-call firefighter. In January 2018 I relocated and joined Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. During my time at Notts I have helped lead and teach on a Fire and Police Cadets Programme and I am the Women in the Fire Service’s rep, helping to encourage and promote women in the fire service. I’ve managed to secure a new position with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service as a Wholetime Firefighter Training Instructor, which I start in June, so I’m very excited about that!

  • Which Firefighter endurance events have you competed in in the past, and what was the most recent one?
    In 2019 I did my first Firefighter event, at the Cheshire Firefighter Challenge, the first regional British Firefighter Challenge (BFC). I then went on to do the main BFC in Watford later in the year. This year I competed in a charity stairs run, the Lorus Stairs Run, 20 floors, and was the first female firefighter to complete this since it’s been running.
  • What drives you to compete in such gruelling events?
    As a firefighter, we never know from day to day what we are going to have to deal with. We might be asleep in bed one minute, and fighting a fire the next. I’m only 163cm tall, and weigh 59kg, so have to work on my fitness every single day to be able to achieve the standard the fire service requires to be able to carry out all the activities I need to. The firefighter challenges really help focus my training, and cover all aspects of what we might need to do at a real incident. As a woman, I do find people ask how I would be able to rescue them in a fire, how I’d be able to be strong enough and fit enough to do the work. Well these challenges help prove to both colleagues and the public that I can do this, and I can achieve.
  • Is there a particular event stage (e.g stair run, casualty dummy rescue) that you find the most challenging?
    That dummy drag has to be the most challenging! The dummy in the BFC weighs 11kg more than me, and with a BA set on your back and all your kit, it’s very difficult to pick up, let alone drag it 50m! The challenges always put the dummy drag at the end of the event, so you are already exhausted from the rest of it! I practice a lot of deadlifts and squats to try and improve this area!
  • What do you think the benefits of Fire endurance events are, both for the competitors and the wider firefighting community?

Everyone who competes in these events are the fittest people I know. They push themselves every day to be better. The camaraderie is amazing, and you are encouraged so much to compete and achieve. It doesn’t matter where you come on the leader board, the fact that you have stepped up to the challenge earns you a lot of respect. The more firefighters who do the challenge, the more others are encouraged to do it. Places go extremely quickly for the challenges, and there are a lot more women competing too, which is great to see. In the end we are doing a job that requires us to be very fit, so practicing for competitions is always going to help with that.

  • Can you tell us a little bit about what sort of training you undertake for each event?

I am always training, no matter when the next event is, trying to get stronger and fitter! I have my own gym in my back garden, and I’m in it most days! I am lucky enough to have a great coach, who sets me workouts to do. They are a mixture of strength training (I love a good deadlift!), endurance workouts and cardio workouts. A little look at my diary this week, and I have a tyre workout, legs session, deadlifting session, chest and arms session and finish the week off with some more legs! I have a stair master in my gym, so I regularly do some interval training on that, mixing it up with gym kit, fire kit and weight vests. When it gets closer to an event, the best way to practice is to get the actual equipment out and practice the elements of the circuit. Adding just fire kit makes a big difference, so it’s important to practice with the gear.

  • Has the ongoing lockdown situation affected your training regime? Are you still training while at home?

I am so happy I invested in my own gym! I’ve got everything I need to keep training, and pushing myself. I have also been training at the fire station with the actual kit. The thing I have missed is having the one to one sessions with my coach, or just having someone to spot you so you push yourself a bit further. But I don’t think it has stopped me working hard and pushing myself every day. We can always do bodyweight work, so there’s no excuse really to keep fitness up!

  • Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you, your training or your job as a firefighter?

When I first started in the fire service, I only weighed 52kg, and really struggled with the fitness tests, especially the strength side. I struggled to deadlift my own bodyweight. But I’ve worked hard every single day on my fitness, and never stopped. I’ve got fitter, and so much stronger (I can almost deadlift double my weight now, and I weigh a lot more!) I think the competitions have really pushed me to keep working hard at my training so I can be the best I can possibly be. I am a big believer that if you have the perseverance to work as hard as you can at something you want, then you can achieve it. I encourage all men and women to push themselves every day to be better.

The Fire Safety Event postponed until 2021

The Fire Safety Event and The Security Event have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now take place on 27-28 April 2021.

The events were originally scheduled to take place in April 2020 and were then subsequently moved to September 2020 due to COVID-19. They will now take place on 27-28 April 2021 at the NEC in Birmingham and still be co-located with The Facilities Event, The Health & Safety Event and The Emergency Services Show.

In a letter sent to exhibitors, which has been shared with Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters, Nineteen Group said: “Thank you for bearing with us during this incredibly difficult time. Your feedback across all shows, along with that of our visitors, has understandably been mixed, ranging from ‘supportive for September’ through to ‘not sure’ and on again to ‘prefer to postpone’.”

The Nineteen Group statement continues: “Also, as stated previously, our venue the NEC requires authorisation from Government to open for shows which, at the time of writing this letter, they unfortunately still do not have.”

Further, the statement reads: “This lack of Government authorisation and guidance means that we cannot commit to September as we are prevented from having sufficient time to ratify exactly what, and how, we can work with the venue and partners to finalise what a COVID-secure event looks like.”

The Nineteen Group concludes: “Ultimately, safety must come above all else. Given this continued uncertainty, we are left with no option other than to postpone allowing us to safely deliver our events.”

www.firesafetyevent.com/