IAFF shows support for firefighters during US riots

Protests and riots have been spreading throughout the United States in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman.

In Richmond, Virginia, rioters blocked a fire truck from responding to a burning home. Protesters had intentionally set the fire at the home, and there was a child inside. In Philadelphia during a 24-hour period, the fire department responded to dozens of fires, including a two-alarm fire in North Philly after a weekend of looting.

In Sacramento, California, crews battled a fire that spread through the back of a business; while fighting the 5-alarm fire, 200 personnel worked to keep the flames away from small propane tanks and dozens of cars. When Grand Rapids, Michigan, firefighters arrived to put out a dumpster fire, someone threw a large firecracker or other explosive toward a firefighter as he jumped out of a truck. The explosive knocked him to the ground, and he clutched at his ears.

In Minneapolis, firefighters raced from one blaze to the next, often with police along for crowd control. One night during the protests, the Minneapolis Fire Department responded to 30 fire events including at least 16 structure fires. Department vehicles were damaged from thrown rocks and other projectiles. The level of the unrest prompted the International Association of Fire Fighters to issue a statement.

Throwing rocks, fireworks and directing violence toward fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs is never acceptable”

“Peaceful protests by our neighbours exercising their First Amendment rights across America are being interrupted by violence and unrest,” said Harold A. Schaitberger, IAFF General President. “In the middle of the challenges and turmoil, I am proud of our IAFF fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs who are once again proving their dedication to keeping their communities safe when they are needed most.”

“Throwing rocks, fireworks and directing violence toward firefighters, paramedics and EMTs is never acceptable,” he added. “As always, the safety of our members Is our top priority. So, it was with disappointment and outrage that I witness our members – who are integral to keeping everyone, including protesters, safe – attacked over the weekend.”

Schaitberger citied incidents in Atlanta, Austin, Cleveland, Minneapolis and St. Paul in which members were subjected to having bricks and large fireworks hurled their way, simply for doing their jobs.

“Firefighters will continue to respond when needed; it is their job and their calling,” said Schaitberger, who offered a plea on behalf of the 320,000 IAFF members: “Please allow your fire fighters on the frontlines to do that job, keeping everyone safe, without violence or incident.” He added: “To our members, stay safe and know that this IAFF has your back.”

Sea-Fire launches new MN-Series NOVEC 1230 fire suppression system

Sea-Fire Marine has introduced the first US Coast Guard-approved 3M™ Novec™ 1230 engineered fire suppression system available at 725 psi (50 bar). The new fully customisable MN-Series provides greater flexibility when designing or retrofitting a vessel’s fire suppression system and is ideal for commercial or recreational vessels up to 300′.

The primary benefit of the Sea-Fire MN-Series is the ability to employ the system into almost any vessel layout. The increased psi allows for longer pipe runs, meaning the tanks can be located away from the protected space and still provide for multi-zone applications. The cylinders themselves are 10″ or 16″ in diameter for a reduced footprint and the ability to fit through standard manholes.

According to the manufacturer, the seamless and welded cylinders are powder coated for corrosion resistance and have an integrated valve protection cap for shipping and servicing. They are refillable and meet US DOT, TC, TPED, UN and dual specification options.

Adding to the MN-Series’ versatility is its actuators. Electric solenoid, pneumatic and manual/pneumatic/cable versions are available to meet any application requirement.

As an engineered solution, the MN-Series is configured for the specific vessel and they are tested and approved in accordance with IMO/SOLAS requirements. In addition to USCG, the system additionally carries type approvals from ABS and FM Global.

Novec 1230 has a negligible global warming potential – electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive, it’s safe for human exposure without any reduction in fire extinguishing capabilities.

www.sea-fire.com/

Russia helps Turkey in fight against forest fires

The Russian government has loaned two Beriev Be-200 seaplanes to Turkey to help the country’s fight against forest fires. Planes staffed with Russian crews will be on duty in Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum, two cities and a town that have been gripped with forest fires in the past years.

Turkish media outlets reported that Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry sought assistance from Russia for the prevention of forest fires and in extinguishing them. Be-200 seaplanes are already in use against forest fires in several countries, including France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Indonesia and Israel.

Statistics released by the government show that many of the forest fires in Turkey begin due to lack of care for the forests demonstrated by people who randomly dump garbage in wooded areas, leaving flammable materials behind. Last year, 11,332 hectares (28,000 acres) of forest were lost to fires. Firefighters fought 2,688 forest fires last year. Figures by the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) show that the cause of a majority of them was undetermined, but 883 fires stemmed from “negligence,” while 372 were sparked by natural causes. Another 124 fires were the result of arson, according to the investigations. Negligence led to the devastation of 6,529 hectares of forest.

The government, meanwhile, stepped up its fight against forest fires by providing better firefighting equipment to firefighters, including thousands of new boots and fire trucks, while it rented 30 firefighting helicopters to aid efforts to contain fires.

From 2015 to 2019, firefighters battled an average of 2,521 fires each year while gradually increasing their response time, which currently stands at 12 minutes.

US army soldiers and Bavaria firefighters participate in firefighting training

US Army soldiers assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade have recently participated in fire prevention training with the US Army Garrison (USAG) Bavaria firefighters in Germany.

Chief Warrant Officer Thomas McNamara said: “We’re going to be picking up the Bambi Buckets over here to practice aerial firefighting. We’ve got the Grafenwöhr firefighters with us. We are going to be co-ordinating with them and practising fighting fires with them on a range in areas that may be inaccessible or too dangerous to get (from) the ground.”

The goal was to time the water drop effectively so the firefighters could easily handle the fire from the ground. McNamara commented: “The bucket is far below the helicopter. It’s just a visual judgment error to be able to bring that bucket and place it over the fire.”

Josef Rodler, Fire Chief at USAG Bavaria, added: “All my firefighters are host nation firefighters. This is the first time (we’ve done) real training with the pilots. Invite them to the next exercise so they can see how we do it and share the experience.”

The exercise will continue to help with fire prevention on USAG Bavaria and the experience gained for the participants of this exercise will continue to pay off.

Johnson Controls launched TYCO pressure control valves for fire protection systems

Johnson Controls announces the launch of two new TYCO® pressure control valves for fire protection systems: the TYCO® Model RV-1A Pressure Relief Valve and the TYCO® Model PRV-1A Pressure Reducing Valve. The new valves offer simple, low-maintenance solutions for controlling and maintaining optimal water pressure within commercial fire protection systems.

The TYCO® RV-1A Pressure Relief Valve automatically relieves excess pressure in fire protection systems to maintain a relatively constant system pressure as flow demands change. Its simple design eliminates the need for users to bleed trapped air from the diaphragm chamber. The valve offers users a nominal relief “set pressure” range of 30 to 250 psi (2.1 to 17.2 bar).

The TYCO® PRV-1A Pressure Reducing Valve reduces a higher inlet pressure to a lower outlet delivery pressure in water-filled pipes. It automatically maintains the outlet “set pressure” (static and residual) within a close range, regardless of fluctuations in the higher-pressure inlet line or varying flow rates.

“We developed both valves using the same diaphragm design as the TYCO® DV-5A deluge valve, said Gijsbert van Rooijen, global product manager, Johnson Controls. “With a simple trim configuration and just one moving part, just like the DV-5A, these new valves provide optimal pressure control with minimal maintenance and dependable, consistent operation over time.”

The RV-1A and PRV-1A valves are UL and ULc Listed and FM Approved. Both valves are factory assembled and fully trimmed. They are available in sizes ranging from two inches to eight inches, with flange-by-flange and grooved-by-grooved end connection options.

www.tyco-fire.com

Titan Security Europe launches range of armoured vehicles

Titan Security are now offering a new range of armoured vehicles for use in corporate, government and private security sectors across Europe. Titan are now able to provide custom built armoured cars including Range Rover, Mercedes Benz and Toyota Land Cruisers.

The standard range offers full body armouring with B6 level protection, B6 overlaps to provide protection from bullets following linear and angular trajectories, upgraded suspension, wheel assemblies, slotted discs on all wheels to enhance heat dissipation.

  • Armoured Range Rovers

Range Rovers are the most popular armoured vehicle as they offer exceptional all terrain mobility, high performance engines and high impact resistance. The range offers upgraded suspension and wheel assemblies, full armour coverage to B6 as standard, slotted discs and 20” wheel assemblies. Ballistic glass offers B6 level protection with armour plate overlap at key areas. Internal engine and vehicle components are fitted with additional plating, protection and redundancies to keep the vehicle moving.

  • Armoured Mercedes Benz

The S Class sedan is the pinnacle of luxury car and we are able to offer the new W221 generation in a variety of customised configurations including the S400 hybrid, S600, S63 and S65 AMG. The range offers complete armour coverage for all four sides and the roof, windshield and doors with ballistic overlaps and reinforced hinges to prevent potential misalignment of plates. The chassis has been fully reinforced and brake systems and suspension systems upgraded to provide increased mobility with armour plating.

  • Armoured Toyota Land Cruisers

Toyota land cruisers are the company’s popular flagship product and are available in left, and right hand drive with engine sizes from 4.0l V6 – 5.7l V8 Petrol and 4.5l V8 diesel offering exceptional power and speed.

The armoured land cruiser is incredibly versatile for all terrain and offers Smartarmour single piece armour design for sidewalls, overlapping Firewall armouring to minimise welding points, custom fabricated door panels, spall liner for bullet catching, updated armour to provide additional protection for batteries, engine wings, ECU, brake cylinder and radiators. The vehicle has been designed to act as a roll cage in the event of cars flipping and can be fully customised to customer’s specifications.

Automatic Fire Suppression Systems

As well as the standard features, Titan’s armoured vehicles can be fitted with CEN B7 level protective armour to protect from armour piercing rounds, ballistic radiator protection, certified blast protection, automatic fire suppression systems, communications systems, escape hatches and PA systems. They provide the most versatile armoured vehicles in the market today. All Titan’s vehicles are fully customisable and made to order so the client always receives a tailored armoured vehicle.

www.titansecurityeurope.com/

Viking Electronics launches 30AE-70V Ceiling Speaker

Viking Electronics has recently announced a new ceiling speaker – the 30AE-70V for 70-Volt and 25-Volt paging systems that are economical and dynamic. The speaker distributes sound evenly, accurately, and affordably.

“The 30AE-70V efficiently produces high quality audio and is a great addition to Viking’s paging collection,” said Paul Speltz, Senior Engineer, Viking Electronics, Inc.

30AE-70V Ceiling Speaker

Viking’s new 30AE-70V ceiling speaker is designed to evenly distribute sound from a 70-Volt or 25-Volt paging amplifier. It mounts into an 8.25 to 10-inch diameter cut-out or enclosure which is neatly concealed by the speaker’s faceplate.

According to the manufacturer, the 30AE-70V has an excellent frequency response for high quality sound reproduction. Five selectable power taps enable each speaker’s volume to be set to an appropriate level for its location. Each 30AE-70V can handle up to 10 Watts of power.

www.vikingelectronics.com/

Ontario Government increases funds for forest firefighting

The Ontario government has taken additional steps to protect people and property during the wildland fire season, including an increase in base funding for emergency forest firefighting by $30.2 million, and ensuring safety measures are in place to protect Ontario’s highly trained fire rangers from COVID-19.

In mid-May, Ontario lifted Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) designation that was put in place last month across Ontario’s fire region. The province will continue to assess forest fire hazard conditions and an RFZ designation may be reinstated in higher risk areas if conditions deteriorate. These restrictions are put in place in order to reduce the number of preventable human-caused fires and lower the risk of wildfires impacting the public.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19 fire rangers will be required to follow the health and safety guidelines recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and daily self-assessments by staff.

“This is an extraordinary period. As we put measures in place to protect our staff and the public from the pandemic, we have been taking additional steps to prepare for the wildland fire season,” said John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Nothing is more important than protecting the safety of people and communities across the province. Although we want people to enjoy themselves, lifting the Restricted Fire Zone designation does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused forest fires.”

The province has also implemented a more aggressive approach to fighting wildland fires this season with a focus on detecting fires early, combating them with full force and keeping them as small as possible.

“Despite the challenges of these unprecedented times, Ontario’s emergency management personnel have been proactively working with partners to prepare for potential evacuations due to the wildland fire season,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General.  “Public safety remains our top priority and our Provincial Emergency Operations Centre will continue to monitor forest fire situations with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and be ready to coordinate a response if called upon for evacuation assistance.”

SA Fire Protection launch the ‘Robot-TINO’ for firefighters

SA Fire Protection, Italian manufacturer of fixed firefighting systems and equipment, have recently developed a highly customisable emergency response unit named the “Robot-TINO” for firefighters. The Robot-TINO allows fire fighters to get closer than ever to the fire while remaining at a safe distance.

The Robot-TINO was specifically designed for fighting fires in industrial process areas, tunnels and storage terminals, but it can also be used for terrorist incidents, urban areas, and whenever firefighters need to deal with hazardous substances or extreme temperatures. The unit is protected against heat radiation with a cooling system which allows the Robot-TINO to get closer to the fire origin to suppress it with higher probability of success. In this regard, the fire brigades are better equipped to deal with fires while keeping the risks to firefighters at a minimum.

In terms of manoeuvrability, the Robot-TINO gives the user complete flexibility to adjust direction (left/ right; forward/ backward) and height (up/ down movements & tilt). In addition to the high-visibility LED headlights and blinkers the Robot-TINO comes with, the unit can be fitted with cameras or sensors which can be used as a means of gathering intel when assessing the risks in inaccessible or dangerous areas, as well as assisting in search and rescue operations.

Due to its robust and durable design, the Robot-TINO can enable emergency responders to perform their duties better and more safely. Furthermore, this remote-controlled solution including the firefighting monitor can be installed with other accessories to allow complete operation from a remote location. Depending on what is required, it is possible to fit the Robot-TINO with a wide variety of accessories to suit the needs of the fire brigade such as monitors, dry chemicals, foam, gas detectors or Infrared camera systems. All options available can be tailored and adapted to the specific application and requirements of the Emergency Response Team.

With robotics already playing a key role in firefighting, it is the duty of manufacturers like SA Fire Protection to ensure that there are reliable solutions available to meet the needs of modern firefighters while keeping them as safe as possible.

www.safireprotection.com/

AMKUS Rescue Systems launches new tool range

AMKUS Rescue Systems has introduced a line of high performance, battery powered and twin-lined rescue tools. The cutters, spreaders and combi-tools are constructed from solid aluminium and are ready for service in the severe duty challenging first responders.

The new battery powered ION tool’s onboard pump system delivers amazingly fast performance under both loaded and unloaded conditions.

The tools are compact to access tight spaces and require less room on apparatus. In addition, they utilise the DEWALT FLEXVOLT platform, so the affordable batteries can be shared with other fire rescue tools like saws, lights and drills.

Like the ION tools, the new AMKUS LINE tools bring superior operator safety and performance to a family of tools long recognised as versatile and reliable. The all-metal bodies include ergonomic operator controls and the ability to reposition the tool at any time with minimal effort.

According to Kyle Smith, AMKUS president, “What really sets these tools apart, both ION and LINE, is their ability to deliver reliable performance in real world extrication scenarios. They’re powerful, quick, and versatile.”

Contact your local AMKUS dealer for a local demonstration or for more information. AMKUS Rescue Systems develops and manufactures a wide range of hydraulic and battery powered rescue tools and accessories.