Apollo Fire Detectors’ announce free online training courses

Hundreds of fire industry professionals from over 30 countries have benefitted from Apollo Fire Detectors’ free online training courses available throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period.

The weekly virtual CPD seminars and product focused webinars have proved so popular that the company has extended the initial six- week programme of events into July and August, and potentially beyond.

Warren Moyle, Senior Technical Support Engineer at Apollo Fire Detectors, who has been leading most of the online training said: “We wanted to support the industry during this difficult time by sharing our expertise and technical knowledge. We’re grateful that people from all over the world including Greece, Singapore and Egypt have been willing to invest in their professional development and learn more about our products. We’ve had some great feedback and we’re looking forward to delivering the next phase of courses that we’ll be running over the summer.”

Aimed at consultants and specifiers, Apollo is delivering online industry focused CPD accredited seminars covering topics such as An Introduction to BS 7273-4, EN54 Part 23 and An Introduction to BS 5839 Pts 1 & 6. Apollo has also condensed its existing full-day face to face CPD accredited training courses into one-hour CPD accredited courses to ensure that customers wanting to attend these sessions don’t miss out due to the lockdown.

Throughout July and August, there will also be a series of 30-minute product orientated webinars, providing useful advice and insights to installers, covering features and benefits, applications, demonstration videos and frequently asked questions for numerous Apollo ranges including XPander, AlarmSense and the Apollo Test Set.

Customer feedback so far includes: “The webinar was simply wonderful. Techno-filled experience of the trainers was really good. The Q&A session helped me to learn new things. Keep it up and boost our knowledge on Apollo products.”  Plus: “Thank you Apollo, these are great sessions without spending time travelling. Your experience in the field gives us many things to learn about the fire industry.” As well as: “Very informative presentation, with good definitions of terminology. Not an area I knew anything about previously.”

All webinars are being hosted on Microsoft Teams events, which allows attendees to watch live and interact with presenters via a moderated Q&A. All registrants receive a recording of the webinar after the event, so those who don’t make the live event still get the opportunity to watch it on demand.

Date Topic
Wednesday 1st July Hybrid Wireless CPD
Wednesday 8th July Test Set Loop Screen
Wednesday 15th July Introduction to BS7273-4
Wednesday 22nd July AlarmSense
Wednesday 29th July Detection principles and device selection /S65/XP95
Wednesday 5th August Xpander
Wednesday 12th August Introduction to BS5839 Pts 1 & 6
Wednesday 19th August Test Set Introduction
Wednesday 26th August Service, Test and Maintenance

For more information and to register for the free online training visit http://apollo.ly/9k

Streamlight® launches Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® Lantern

Streamlight Inc. have introduced a Class 1, Division 1 safety-rated lantern in its Vulcan® series for use in hazardous environments faced by many first responders. Lightweight, compact and waterproof, the Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® features a 24-hour run time on low, 180° articulating head, and two ultra-bright blue taillights for visibility in thick smoke.

“The Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® is an extremely bright lantern with rear taillights, designed to enable firefighters to operate safely in difficult environments, whether from smoke, inclement weather or other hazards,” said Streamlight Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Michael F. Dineen. “With its 180° articulating head, first responders and other users can aim the light beam precisely where it is needed for task lighting purposes. And because it is powered by a lithium ion battery, it is one of the lightest-weight lanterns in its category.”

Featuring a triangular-shaped face cap and rotating head, the Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® combines three white power LEDs for extreme brightness with cordless operation to eliminate trip hazards. Three deep-dish parabolic reflectors produce a tight spot beam with optimum peripheral illumination to aid in navigation, while two ultra-bright blue LEDs illuminate the lantern’s taillights. It delivers 400 lumens, 25,000 candela, a 316-metre beam distance, and a run time of 10 hours on the high setting. On low, it provides 130 lumens, 8,000 candela, a 128-metre beam distance, and a run time of 24 hours.

The light’s rotating head tilts 180° and features a locking mechanism to lock it in the upright position. The lantern’s rubberised cushion-grip handle and large, multi-function, push-button enables smooth handoffs and use even with gloves and offers a nonslip grip for easy carrying. Powered by a rechargeable 7.8Ahr lithium ion battery, the Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® fully recharges in 15 hours with battery status indicator. Its quick install charge rack fits the same footprint as other lanterns in both the Vulcan® and LiteBox® series.

The light is encased in a durable, super-tough nylon with the rotating head constructed from high grade aluminium and also encased in super-tough nylon. It is IP67-rated for waterproof operation to one-metre submersion and also floats.

Product Features:

Lumens: High: 130-400
Battery: Lithium Ion
Size: 7.43” (18.87cm) x 4.36” (11.07cm)
Weight: 2.45 lbs. (1123g)
Colour: Orange or Yellow

Available in in safety orange and safety yellow, the Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® comes with the Streamlight Limited Lifetime Warranty and has an MSRP that ranges from €300 to €361 depending on the configuration.

UAE reveals firefighting ‘shark’ to tackle boat blazes

A remote-controlled, fire-fighting speedboat is the latest high-tech addition to Dubai Civil Defence’s fleet of life-saving technology. Named ‘The Shark,’ the bright yellow 10-metre speedboat can be remotely controlled from a ground station, using an online map, to quickly reach a vessel on fire and keeps firefighters from potential harm.

Equipped with thermal imaging and night vision cameras, the boat also automatically records any information it picks up about the fire for use in investigations.

Cameras affixed to the boat provide the officer in the control room a direct and live broadcast of the situation.

The boat’s fire extinguishing system shoots out 1900 litres of water per minute. The amount of water, pressure and its direction are all adjustable from the control room.

With a maximum speed of 74kph, the Shark is expected to reduce response times to fires at sea.

It is not the first fire-fighting vessel to be unveiled by Civil Defence. In 2017, ‘The Dolphin’ – a jet ski equipped with a jetpack attachment – was revealed in a promotional video.

First fire truck fitted with oxygen tanks launched in Abu Dhabi

On 29th June, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence launched their first fire truck equipped with oxygen tanks, which firefighters can easily use if they experience breathing difficulties during an operation.

This truck is the first of its kind in the region, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence said. The equipment, which is similar to those used in ambulances, allows firefighters to recover quickly after being exposed to smoke while on duty. 

“If you had to handle a fire where you may be exposed to breathing difficulties due to chemicals or vapours, you can get an oxygen supply just from over your seats,” a civil defence official explained to firefighters. 

“The cylinder has a valve installed inside the truck and all firefighters have to do is turn on the cylinder valve.”

The fire truck has five oxygen outlets, with one outlet allocated to each firefighter. They can easily connect their masks to the outlet so they can breathe normally. 

Mine Draw Fire currently being fought six miles south of Mount Rushmore

Firefighters in the Black Hills are attacking a fire that was discovered at 11:19 Wednesday morning in Custer State Park six miles south of Mount Rushmore. The Mine Draw Fire had grown to 150 acres by 4:30 p.m. and was being attacked by firefighters on the ground and in the air north of Highway 16A and east of Highway 87.

The blaze is west of the Custer State Park maintenance shop on the north side of 87 and seven miles east of Custer. Map showing the location of the Mine Draw Fire June 24, 2020.Scott Jacobson, a spokesperson for the Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Centre said firefighting resources working on the fire included fire engines from several agencies, dozers, and the Tatanka Hotshots.

A variety of firefighting aircraft were seen over the fire Wednesday afternoon:Two large air tankers: T-02, a BAe-146; and T-162, an RJ85; they were dispatched from Pueblo, CO and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport near Denver, respectively. Three Single Engine Air tankers, all Air Tractor 802s;Two helicopters, a Sikorsky S-61A and an Airbus AS50; Plus a lead plane and air attack.The air tankers were refilling with retardant the Rapid City Air Tanker Base at the Regional Airport.

Aircraft over the Mine Draw Fire at 4:39 p.m. MDT June 24, 2020.The Black Hills are in a moderate drought, and the weather Wednesday has been on the high side of moderate from a firefighters’ point of view. Since the fire started, the weather station not far away at the Custer State Park airport has recorded temperatures in the mid 80s, relative humidity around 30 percent, and winds out of the east or northeast at 4 to 8 mph gusting at 12 to 16 mph. The Mount Rushmore area in the Black Hills of South Dakota is currently in “Moderate Drought.”

E-ONE introduces new 2020 CYCLONE® cab with voice recognition

E-ONE, a subsidiary of REV Group, has introduced the 2020 Cyclone® cab following feedback from firefighters, which features significant updates and refinements, including more interior space, greater visibility and easier access.

The new 100” wide cab provides more interior space, including a 4” raised roof for more headroom and a generous 27 inches between door and engine cover for both driver and officer.

The Cyclone cab provides excellent visibility for driver and crew with its low-profile dash, one-piece door glass, and a reduced profile interior A/C system.

The new rugged dash, constructed from heavy-duty cast aluminum, features a redesigned centre console area. It is available in both a low profile and a raised design for mounting of sirens, radios, and other electronic equipment. The officer’s side also has a very low-profile designed to provide additional legroom.

Other critical features of this new cab design include:

  • New vertical pull handles on cab doors along with extended lower and full-width intermediate steps
  • High-capacity air conditioning system, closer to the ceiling for greater visibility, with eight vents in rear and six in front.
  • LED strip lights configured as daytime running lights or turn signals, allowing for additional forward warning lights.
  • Heavy wall extrusions and 3/16” plate for the floor, roof, walls, and doors for maximum strength and durability.
  • Five cab length options with a flat roof (low or 4” raised) or one of four raised “vista” designs.

“We’re very excited about this new Cyclone cab. The increased interior space, combined with its rugged construction, and classic styling make the Cyclone cab a perfect choice for fire departments adding to their fleets,” said Joseph Belle, E-ONE Vice President, and General Manager.

www.e-one.com

Phenix Technology creates custom firefighting helmet

Firefighting equipment manufacturer, Phenix Technology, Inc., has created an exclusive custom TL-2 leather firefighting memorial helmet in honour of the Charleston 9. This helmet was created exclusively for the Charleston Fire Department.

The exclusive helmet features a unique Charleston 9 logo on the rear brim that was created in memory the 9 Charleston firefighters that were lost on June 18, 2007, in the Sofa Super Store Fire. Each helmet created will feature a 3-digit serial number with the very first helmet starting at serial number 010. The first 9 helmets will be dedicated to the Charleston 9 and will be placed inside of a new Charleston fire station that will be built in the near future. These helmets will be exclusively manufactured for Charleston firefighters.

“Phenix Technology, Inc. was honoured to have been asked to create this helmet. It will serve as a constant vigil for those who were lost and as a symbol of remembrance for the amazing men and women of the City of Charleston Fire Department. May we never forget our brothers, and may their families find peace knowing how deeply each of them were loved and how much they are missed today,” said Angel Sanchez, Jr, Director of Global Operations for Phenix Technology, Inc. This helmet is now available exclusively to City of Charleston firefighters.

phenixfirehelmets.com/

Encon enhances Fire Protection expertise with new Business Development Manager

With the growing importance of Fire Protection in the construction industry, Encon Insulation & Nevill Long has welcomed Neville White into the business. Neville White is taking on a newly created role, Business Development Manager – Fire Protection

White is taking on a newly created role, Business Development Manager – Fire Protection, with the aim to build and grow the team’s knowledge and expertise in the supply of fire protection products across all sectors.

White began his career working for the manufacturer Cape Boards in 1980 as a trainee. He progressed into a number of different job roles including Customer Services Manager, ASM, Regional Manager, National Projects Manager and Marine Manager.

In 2002 Cape Boards were purchased by Promat where he continued his roles in Regional and National Sales Manager positions. In 2016 Promat was amalgamated into the Etex Group and White helped the transition as the Business Development Director – Promat, before leaving at the beginning of 2019.

Prior to joining Encon in April 2020 he worked at Fire Protection on the development of its fire rated ducting systems.

White said: “I feel very excited about the opportunity of growing the Fire Protection business with all my colleagues up and down the country. Having provided sales and technical advice for over 37 years into this industry as a manufacturer, I am really looking forward to helping and supporting our customers, as well as working with and assisting my colleagues on fire protection opportunities.”

Prime Minister warns £25m cut to London Fire Brigade

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has vowed to fight “unthinkable” proposals to cut the budget for the London Fire Brigade by £25m over two years, as part of the Mayor of London’s £500m saving plans.

The FBU has condemned the “huge damage to the fire service” left over from Boris Johnson’s time as Mayor of London. Central government have so far refused to bail out the GLA’s budget shortfall accrued during the coronavirus pandemic.

The union has criticised Mayor Sadiq Kahn for “passing on Tory cuts to the very emergency services that keep people safe” and has vowed to hold him to his commitment to protect frontline services.

David Shek, FBU executive council member for London said, “London is the epicentre of the UK’s building safety crisis and there is no safe way to manage funding cuts of this magnitude. A £25 million cut to London Fire Brigade’s funding is unthinkable and we will fight it to the bitter end.

“We have just marked the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire and in the years since have dealt with a number of fires in buildings with similar combustible materials. The dangers of cutting the fire and rescue service right now are blatantly obvious.

“The Mayor has committed to protected frontline emergency services and we will hold him to that. We will not accept any reduction in frontline services – whether that be crewing reductions, shift changes, or a recruitment freeze. Make no mistake – any reduction in fire cover will put lives at risk.”

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said, “The scale of these cuts is devastating and is a gross insult to firefighters in London who have gone above and beyond to support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public will not support these cuts, and we intend to fight them.

“Sadiq Khan made a commitment to protect vital frontline services and he must do that. The government should support regions facing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19 but there is no excuse for a Labour Mayor to be passing on Tory cuts to the very emergency services that keep people safe across the capital.

“Boris Johnson did huge damage to the fire and rescue service as London Mayor by pushing through the biggest cuts in history. These cuts impacted the response on the night of the Grenfell Tower fire and the London Fire Brigade has still not fully recovered. To be considering more spending cuts is downright reckless and would show contempt for the public’s safety.

“This pandemic has demonstrated the value of the fire and rescue service and we should actually be talking about new investment to make the service better and safer. The government must step up to provide whatever financial support is necessary or the prime minister’s talk of ending austerity will ring hollow across London. If that support is not forthcoming, the Mayor must pledge to scrap these dangerous cuts.”

www.london-fire.gov.uk/

Aico celebrates 30th anniversary

Aico recently celebrated 30 years of renowned market presence in Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) protection solutions.

Incorporated in 1990 in Oswestry, Shropshire, United Kingdom, Aico has grown over its 30-year history, with the growth being marked by the move to a new, bespoke head office.

The new 7-acre site came as a necessity as Aico’s growth and success has seen significant expansion to the team and operations. The new building provides a bold welcome to company visitors and passing traffic.

More than half of the overall site is taken up with landscaping, paying homage to the wider county’s famous green countryside, which is a key theme throughout the new build, aiming to preserve current eco-systems and encourage wildlife to flourish.

The building was designed to facilitate the company’s key goal of a healthy work environment with employee wellness to the fore. Multi-functional rooms make space for the company’s core people development practices and team building, something Managing Director, Neal Hooper attributes to being the strength of the company.

Aico MD, Neal Hooper said, “We have a passion for developing people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. Each member of Aico understands that this new site is theirs and for their teams’ infrastructure to grow and develop in for years to come.”

At the beginning of the year, the Lion Quays Resort in Shropshire played host to an event marking the special occasion, with employees treated to a surprise guest speaker in the form of footballing legend Kevin Keegan. Mr. Keegan took to the stage to congratulate Aico on its 30-year anniversary and regaled staff with anecdotes from his impressive career.

Reiterating Aico’s ethos of Education, Quality, Service and Innovation, Mr. Keegan spoke of the importance of teamwork, attitude and commitment.

Technical Advisor for Aico, Dave Jennings has an impressive 26-year career with the company. He commented, “I started my career with Aico in 1994 and seeing the company’s growth over the past 26 years has been incredible. Aico has advanced and expanded and it’s great to see the new apprentices coming in now so that Aico has a future for generations to come.”

/www.aico.co.uk/