Posts in category: Events

The first virtual event in the conference and exhibition’s 26-year history attracted more than 2,500 attendees, featured 120 sessions across seven streams, 9 keynote presentations, and 37 virtual exhibitors.

AFAC21 Virtual Conference and Exhibition concluded with more than 2,534 registered delegates in attendance over four days, with presentations that shared insights and tackled the tough issues and affecting the fire and emergency service sector.

The conference and exhibition ran from 5-8 October 2021 and was hosted on a state-of-the-art, interactive platform as a result of COVID-19 necessitating an alternative to a face-to-face environment. The AFAC21 conference was complemented by The Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) Australia Conference and the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference (ADRC) as well as a day dedicated to the Professional Development Program.

The highly attended sessions covered diverse topics around the theme Balancing Impact and Expectations and included:

•          Prescribed burning

•          Simulation and data

•          Cultural land management

•          Community engagement

•          Mental health and wellbeing

•          Climate change and environment

•          Volunteer capability

Unforgettable keynote presenters included Turia Pitt, Stan Grant, Dominique Hogan-Doran SC, Bronwyn Ray, Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM Dr Michelle Dickinson, and Adriana Keating. (See below for 7 of the most inspiring quotes from these sessions).

The Professional Development Program focused on managing extreme wildfires and offered delegates the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding, while being able to virtually connect with colleagues. .

One-of-a-kind virtual exhibition

AFAC21 was delivered virtually in in a state-of-the-art virtual environment that was designed to emulate the physical aesthetic of the ICC, Sydney venue. This one-time virtual event showcased the latest and best equipment, technology and services of 37 innovative exhibitors via an easily accessible, feature-rich platform.

ANNOUNCING AFAC22 ADELAIDE

Off the back of the phenomenal success of AFAC21 Virtual, preparations have already begun for AFAC22 due to be held in a face-to-face environment in Adelaide, 23–26 August 2022. More information to come on www.afacconference.com.au

7 Inspirational Keynote Quotes from AFAC21

The most stirring AFAC21 talks have a way of creating energy and giving pause for reflection. In less than 30 minutes they can make you think deeply and empower you to act. 

Here are 7 thought-provoking quotes from this monumental virtual event:

#1

“It can be really powerful if you’re going through something tough, to lean in to that and say, ‘what I am going through right now is really tough’, and there is nothing wrong with that, you don’t have to find a silver lining. It can be really powerful to just own how are feeling.”

Turia Pitt – Mindset Coach, Author and Athlete 

Day 3 Keynote: Never, ever give up: overcoming adversity

#2

“While ever we don’t tell the truth of our history, while ever we don’t deal with the legacy of our history, history festers, and where that festers, violence and conflict follows.”

Stan Grant – ABC’s International Affairs Analyst

Day 3 Keynote: Talking to my country

#3

“You need to have strong systems of transparency and accountability because of the connection it has with public confidence. The next time, in the absence of these structures being really well resourced, supported, acknowledged and engaged with, if that does not happen, then there may be a real push for the next Royal Commission to be a ‘blame game’.

“It’s a big call for this sector to try and achieve all of these things, given the pressures that you’re under. Something I came away with from this Royal Commission is a sense of pride in how much people give – not just in their voluntary time in preparing and defending their own communities from disasters – but also the leadership. We only look to you in times of disaster, we need to trust you, and we need good reason to do so. I hope you get to take this time to network virtually and to take comfort in each another. Going forward, you will certainly have my support.”

Dominique Hogan-Doran SC – Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

Day 2 keynote: Australia’s Royal Commission into national natural disaster arrangements: insights, experience, lessons to be learned

#4

“Preparing for extreme climate events means we need better information on how weather extremes will collide, with what frequency, and with what intensity. Future compound events could look nothing like events we’ve seen in the past and will almost certainly have a larger footprint.”

Bronwyn Ray – Program Director, Australian Climate Service

Day 1 keynote: Australian Climate Service – better understanding societal impacts of our changing climate and natural hazards

#5

“Community has to be at the heart of all our thinking, of all our planning, of all our investments, of all our decisions in the full cycle of disaster management from planning right through to recovery. Remembering that recovery is more than rebuilding, repair and reconstruction of houses, property, infrastructure and things – one of the most critical parts of recovery is healing and the emotional and psychological wellbeing of communities, individuals and families.”

Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM – Commissioner, Resilience NSW

Day 2 keynote: Resilience NSW: a new approach

#6

“It’s not about what we know, it’s about how useful it is to others. Creating a language and experiments that are inclusive allow more people to help you problem solve, which is a way better way of getting a diverse set of answers and solutions to a problem. It’s crucial for long term success.”

Dr Michelle Dickinson – Nanotechnologist and Materials Engineer

Day 1 keynote: Communicating for impact: the power of curiosity

#7

“All this thinking about the importance of collaboration comes down to value. There’s a challenge with investing in research on risk reduction and risk reduction itself because the return is in what doesn’t happen. Estimating that can be very difficult. If researchers can build their competence in projecting and reporting on damage costs avoided, we will start to see more bang for our buck in disaster research because more research will be funded, and this will lead to enhancing our risk reduction activities.”

Adriana Keating – International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and RMIT University

Day 1 keynote: The value of CRC research

These sessions are an important but small selection of the AFAC21 conference presentations that took place at AFAC21. Pass holders can view these and all other AFAC21 presentations on demand until 31 January 2022. 

Find more information about AFAC on www.afacconference.com.au

Firefighters have brought large amounts of smoke billowing out from an electrical room at Westminster under control. Firefighters from London Fire Brigade were called to the station at around 11:29am as reports emerged that smoke could be seen coming from the room, which is located in the basement. Around 100 people were evacuated as firefighters were on the scene prior to the incident being brought under control 12:49pm.

A statement released by London Fire Brigade stated: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to smoke issuing from an electrical room at Westminster Station on Bridge Street in Westminster.

“Firefighters were called to a large amount of smoke coming from an electrical room within the basement of the station. Around 100 people left the station before the Brigade arrived. 

“The Brigade was called at 1129 and the incident was under control by 1249. Fire crews from Lambeth, Euston, Old Kent Road and Soho fire stations attended the scene. The cause of the smoke will be investigated.”

MSA was excited to be back in person at the Emergency Services Show to engage with fire brigades from around the United Kingdom and showcase LUNAR and MSA’s Connected Firefighter platform – a suite of products that work together to help keep firefighters on duty safe, connected, and accounted for.

With LUNAR in hand, visitors could experience the device’s unique features, which include:

• Exclusive Firefighting Assisting Search Technology (F.A.S.T.), which combines distance and direction data enabling firefighters to locate separated teammates faster;
• Personal thermal imaging enhanced with edge detection for improved situational awareness;
• Direct cellular cloud connectivity to send real-time stats, including estimated air pressure, time remaining, and battery life, to Incident Command and remote monitoring personnel for a complete safety point-of-view; and
• A unique LUNAR-to-LUNAR network that automatically keeps each device connected to all others on-scene.

Over the two days of the show visitors could also discover the other products composing Connected Firefighter platform:

• M1 SCBA specifically designed for the U.K. and International markets;
• The MSA HUB base station – a small, modular device that enables on-scene data and asset management;
• FireGrid – a cloud-connect software which gives incident commanders the ability to evaluate and manage multiple situations at one time from any location;
• A new M1 Control Module for monitoring the proper functioning of a respiratory protective device;
• A dedicated Entry Control Board for incident monitoring; and
• The C1 voice communication module that allows for exceptional voice transmission when wearing breathing apparatus.

In addition, the company showcased industry-leading fire helmets, the iconic GALLET F1XF, fully recharged, and the GALLET F2XR rescue helmet designed to meet the demanding requirements of the fire and rescue services caused by climate change.

This year’s show also marked the first time MSA and MSA Bristol exhibited products together as one organization showcasing the latest offerings in fire protective clothing – including the EOS line of firefighter protective apparel, representing the latest addition to the structural firefighting equipment. 

MSA was also an official sponsor of expert seminars at the Health & Wellbeing Theatre and the Emerging Technologies Theatre with a special presentation of:

• Chris McCall, CEO at Fotokite, on drones and situational awareness in the fire service; and
• Matthew Quigley, Global Product Group Manager for Fire Service Technology and Connectivity from MSA who explained how connectivity can enhance capability beyond the fireground.

Global functional footwear specialist HAIX has announced its sponsorship of Team GB at the British Firefighter challenge, an event that pushes firefighters to their limits while raising funds for the Fire Fighters Charity. As the official footwear sponsor of Team GB, HAIX demonstrates its commitment to providing functional and protective footwear to fire service professionals ahead of the highly anticipated competition.

The annual sporting event, taking place at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh October 9-10^th, will see firefighters from around the world come together to compete in a series of gruelling strength and endurance challenges, including a three-story tower stair ascent and decent in full PPE gear, angus fire hose drag, and a casualty rescue of a 70KG dummy.

Sales manager for HAIX UK, Simon Ash, says; “The last British Firefighter Challenge raised around £7,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity, helping operational or retired firefighters and their families with physical, financial or mental health support. We want to help where we can, supporting Team GB, and acting as the official footwear sponsor.”

HAIX’s commitment to quality has been well received by Team GB, as event organiser John Gregory explains; “Team GB love their HAIX Fire Eagle boots. The lightweight boots have been the ideal solution in keeping Team GB both comfortable and agile during training ahead of the competition”.

As well as providing Team GB with footwear, HAIX will be giving away various goodies at the event and will have the full range of Fire Eagle boot sizes on display, so that visitors can feel for themselves why Team GB wear them for competition and training.

For more information about HAIX’s range of EMS boots visit, www.haix.co.uk/ems/

Hannover Fairs USA, Inc., producer of the new INTERSCHUTZ USA event, have announced that they are rescheduling the launch of INTERSCHUTZ USA to October 20-22, 2022, in Philadelphia, PA.

”After seeing the performance of fire service events that staged over the summer, it was clear that the fire service community isn’t attending events in large numbers in 2021,’ said Ed Nichols, CEO of Hannover Fairs, USA. “The economic impact of COVID and COVID related restrictions on the fire-service, its manufacturers and providers, coupled with the fact that COVID-19 cases around the country have increased, the decision became clear.

“Protecting the health and safety of exhibitor and attending participants is of the utmost importance, and in consideration of the time and investment of all participants and the obligation INTERSCHUTZ USA has to deliver value against that investment, we felt it best for all involved to reschedule the inaugural edition of INTERSCHUTZ USA,” said Nichols.

“At its essence INTERSCHUTZ USA has always been about bringing together global fire service perspectives, strategies and tactics, and people from all over the world to improve the fire service in a way that no one is currently addressing,” said Nichols.  “We knew that would be compromised in 2021 with reduced participation domestically as well as the restriction of international travel.  While our plan was to replicate this sharing via digital communication, we were aware that what key voices are missing and our vision for the inaugural event would be limited given the current conditions.”

The event will now take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, with exhibit dates October 20-22, and pre-conference and Hands-On Training offered October 18-19.  The event promises to be an even more comprehensive event, like INTERSCHUTZ (Hannover,) announcing a recent partnership with ROC Exhibitions for 2022.  ROC will bring a co-located event to INTERSCHUTZ USA 2022.

Apollo Fire Detectors are the Headline Sponsor for The Women in Fire Safety Awards on 4^th November.

New to 2021, the awards have been set up to honour the outstanding achievements and contributions of women within the fire safety community. These awards will also be supported by some key industry names such as IFSM, the FPA and the ASFP.

The purpose of the awards is to address an historical gender imbalance and champion a more progressive industry with the aim to continuously motivate and promote women who exceptionally improve fire safety standards.

Wendy Osborne, Director of Talent and Culture at Apollo Fire Detectors said “At Apollo Fire Detectors we recognise the value of a diverse workforce for sustained future success.  Promoting females and addressing gender underrepresentation, in a typically male dominated industry to help achieve a diverse and inclusive culture is a key component of Apollo’s People Strategic Initiative.  So, we are extremely thrilled to be involved, and sponsor these awards.

“As with the Women in Fire Safety Awards, we actively encourage women in other industries, and the next female generation to seek a career in fire safety by highlighting how varied, inclusive and rewarding the industry really is. We’re very excited about the awareness the event will raise.”

For more information, visit www.womeninfiresafety.com/.

E2S Warning Signals design and manufacture alarm horn sounders, Xenon strobe and LED warning beacons and combined signalling units; wide area sounders for site protection and civil emergency warning; PA loudspeakers; break glass and push button manual call points; application-specific status assemblies and junction boxes. Stand 8620 will feature examples from its extensive product ranges for installation in hazardous area, marine and industrial environments.

E2S audible and visual signals employ a common sound or light engine housed in 316L stainless steel, robust GRP or corrosion proof, marine grade copper free LM6 aluminium enclosures, giving specifiers an unrivalled choice of housing materials to best suit the intended application. All devices feature highly efficient circuits that offer low inrush and running current consumption. Alarm horn sounders have outputs up to 125 dB(A) and beacons with over 1,250 effective Candela. Beacons are available with both Xenon tubes for ultra-bright flash requirements and LED arrays with five flash rates and two steady modes. All products feature multiple third-party approvals from the world’s leading international and regional authorities.

E2S is the only warning signal manufacturer able to offer a complete range of alarm horn sounders, Xenon strobe beacons and manual call points with SIL2 compliance to IEC 61508 in three different housing materials. This unique capability gives system integrators the ability to choose the best device to meet the application’s environmental requirements and gives them greater confidence when specifying a complete signalling and activation package for critical life safety systems requiring an enhanced safety integrity level.

Also on show will be examples of the company’s factory-configured alarm bars and status lights that reduce procurement and installation costs in gas detection and process control applications where the indication and warning of multiple conditions is required.