LION partners with PSTrax to improve PPE inspection records and equipment tracking

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsPPE

PPE tracking and lifecycle management integration

LION and PSTrax have announced a partnership to support fire and EMS agencies in managing PPE tracking, inspections and service life through a combined equipment and digital platform approach.

The companies confirmed the partnership on 7 April 2026 in Dayton, Ohio, outlining plans to connect LION protective equipment with the PSTrax operations management system used by public safety agencies.

The integration links protective equipment with a platform that tracks apparatus checks, equipment inspections and asset maintenance across operational environments.

Fire and EMS agencies are required to maintain detailed records for PPE inspections, cleaning, repairs and retirement under National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards including NFPA 1851.

Manual systems such as spreadsheets or paper records can create challenges when departments need to produce documentation during audits or track equipment across its full service life.

“Fire and EMS agencies are under increasing pressure to maintain accurate records for PPE inspections and lifecycle management,” said Scott Bergeron, Chief Ambassador Officer and former CEO at PSTrax.

“Our partnership with LION helps departments connect the equipment first responders rely on every day with a digital system designed to support accountability, documentation, and operational readiness.”

Operational use and platform capabilities

Through the partnership, agencies using PSTrax can track PPE assignments, inspection history, maintenance activity and retirement timelines within the same system used for other operational equipment.

Departments using LION protective equipment can manage PPE data alongside existing apparatus and asset records within the PSTrax platform.

“Our focus has always been on supporting first responder safety through reliable, high-performance protective equipment,” said Adam Hall, Senior Vice President of LION’s Identity and Protection Systems business unit.

“By partnering with PSTrax, we’re helping fire and EMS agencies better manage the gear they depend on while supporting the documentation and accountability requirements they face.”

PSTrax and LION stated they will demonstrate the combined system capabilities at FDIC International for fire departments and EMS agencies.

The partnership centres on improving documentation consistency and visibility of equipment condition across agency operations.

NFPA Conference & Expo returns to Las Vegas with 130 sessions and 420 exhibitors

by Associations and OrganisationsEventsFeatured News

NFPA conference details and event scope

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will host its annual Conference & Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on June 22-24, 2026.

NFPA confirmed the event will include more than 130 educational sessions covering issues in fire, electrical and life safety, including code compliance, emergency preparedness and building safety.

The event will bring together thousands of professionals from across the sector to attend sessions on global safety issues, fire protection systems, industrial hazards and electrical safety.

Exhibitors, theatres and technical meeting programme

The NFPA Expo will feature more than 420 exhibitors presenting products and services aimed at supporting compliance with codes and standards in building design, construction and operation.

Attendees will have access to three NFPA Specialty Theaters covering topics such as fire protection system inspections, artificial intelligence in facility management and wildfire preparedness.

The Responder Theater programme includes updates on the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study, high-rise firefighting tactics, leadership accountability and survey findings from the Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service.

The NFPA Products and Solutions Theater will present information on NFPA tools, resources and product offerings.

A three-day Spotlight on Public Education programme will focus on public health topics and community risk reduction.

The Spotlight on Latin America programme will deliver Spanish language sessions on current industry trends affecting the region.

Dan Chuparkoff will deliver the keynote at the opening general session, drawing on experience in technology leadership roles across multiple organisations.

The NFPA Technical Meeting is scheduled for June 25-26, allowing members and registered participants to vote on certified amending motions relating to NFPA Standards.

2025 EU wildfire season sets record with over one million hectares burned

by Featured NewsResearchWildland Fire

Wildfire season sets EU record for burnt area

The European Union recorded its most destructive wildfire season in 2025, with over one million hectares burned across Member States and activity peaking during summer heatwaves.

The Joint Research Centre reported that satellite analysis from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed 1,079,538 hectares burned within the EU.

The total rises to 2,242,195 hectares when including areas across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa monitored by EFFIS.

The fire season began early, with more than 100,000 hectares burned by the end of March.

Fire activity increased from June and reached its highest levels in August as large fires spread across Mediterranean countries.

A heatwave in early August triggered 22 very large fires in Portugal and Spain, burning 460,585 hectares which accounted for 43% of the EU total.

In total, 7,783 fires were recorded across 25 of the 27 EU Member States, with Luxembourg and Malta the only countries unaffected.

Germany, Spain, Cyprus and Slovakia each recorded their highest burnt area since EFFIS records began in 2006.

Burnt area across the EU was nearly double the average recorded between 2006 and 2024.

Around 39% of the total burnt area occurred within Natura 2000 protected sites, equating to 424,023 hectares.

Monitoring and response measures for wildfire risk

The Joint Research Centre outlined that EFFIS continues to support authorities with monitoring and preparedness through satellite-based wildfire data.

The 2025 season reflects a pattern of earlier fire starts, more frequent heatwaves and fires occurring at higher latitudes than previously observed.

Outside the EU, Ukraine accounted for almost 30% of the total burnt area and 39% of mapped fires within the wider monitored region.

The European Commission adopted a new integrated approach to wildfire risk management on 25 March 2026, covering prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The framework includes plans to improve early warning systems and fire mapping through expanded satellite data availability.

EFFIS forms part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service and provides standardised wildfire data across Europe.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) coordinates firefighting resources from Member States and participating countries.

Seasonal measures include prepositioning firefighters in high-risk areas and maintaining a shared aerial firefighting fleet under rescEU.

The Commission has allocated funding for 12 firefighting planes and five helicopters to expand the permanent rescEU fleet, with aircraft based across several European countries.

These measures sit alongside ongoing efforts to strengthen wildfire monitoring and response capacity across the region.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service deploys body worn cameras on frontline

by Featured NewsPPEProjects

Body worn cameras introduced across GMFRS operations

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is introducing body worn cameras for firefighters across 41 stations following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

GMFRS said the cameras will provide a real-time record of incidents, capturing video and audio to support decision-making and operational review.

A total of 233 cameras will be issued, with all 52 fire appliances carrying a device.

Frontline officers will receive the cameras first, followed by prevention and protection teams and the incident command academy.

The devices record high-definition video and audio during incidents, creating a record of what crews see and hear.

The cameras can livestream footage to senior officers, allowing incidents to be viewed as they unfold and supporting oversight during complex situations.

rollout informed by Manchester Arena Inquiry findings

The Manchester Arena Inquiry highlighted the need to capture clear information and record decision-making during major incidents involving multiple emergency services.

The cameras will be used at incidents including house fires and road traffic collisions, as well as larger emergencies.

Footage will support post-incident review and training, helping crews assess how incidents were managed.

The rollout follows a pilot in May 2025 where the cameras were tested in real incident conditions.

The trial showed the devices could provide a reliable record of events and give senior leaders visibility of incidents through livestreaming.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Carlos Meakin said: “Introducing body worn cameras is a significant step forward for our Service.

“It’s about giving firefighters the tools they need to work safely and effectively at complex or fast-moving incidents, while also helping to protect our crews by providing a clear record of the challenges they face on the frontline.

“The ability to livestream footage and review it afterwards will strengthen how we support crews on the ground, improve training, and enhance how we respond to major emergencies.

“This investment reflects our commitment to learning from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and continuing to strengthen how we respond to incidents across Greater Manchester.”

Fire Brigades Union representative Dave Pike said: “The Fire Brigades Union played an active part in supporting its members throughout the Manchester Arena Inquiry and supports the outcomes that were reached.

“It’s important that new technology supports our members in doing their jobs safely and provides a clear and accurate record of incidents.

“These cameras will help protect our members, support learning and ensure there is transparency about what happens at incidents.”

The rollout will continue across the service following the initial deployment to frontline officers.

UAE rescue facility to deliver helicopter emergency simulation training

by Featured NewsMENA - Featured NewsSearch and RescueTraining

Rescue training centre planned for UAE operations

A new Security and Rescue Training Center (SRTC) is set to be built in the United Arab Emirates, with completion scheduled for the first half of 2028.

Sahra Group announced the project, which will be developed in partnership with AMST Group to deliver mission-based training for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement and commercial operators.

The facility is intended to operate as a regional training hub, supporting helicopter emergency response, water rescue and disaster response scenarios using simulated environments.

It will combine helicopter hoist systems, rappelling towers, Helicopter Underwater Egress Trainers (HUET) and maritime vessel simulators within a single commercial training site.

The centre will also include helicopter simulators mounted on cranes, alongside water pools and vessel simulators designed to replicate real-world operational conditions.

Training environments will incorporate darkness, rotor downwash and high noise levels to reflect operational pressures faced during emergency response.

Simulation systems designed to replicate high risk rescue scenarios

Sahra Group stated that the facility will support 24 hour training across multiple disciplines, with capacity for up to 4,500 personnel annually from sectors including civil defence, fire services and military operations.

The project represents an investment of AED 180 million (USD 50 million) and is designed to reduce reliance on live helicopter training, which can cost up to USD 10,000 per hour.

Synthetic training is expected to allow trainees to gain up to ten times more experience compared to live helicopter operations under controlled conditions.

The simulation systems are also expected to reduce CO₂ emissions per hour by over 99% compared to real helicopter use.

Jamal Alkaf, CEO at Sahra Group, said: “This facility represents a significant investment in the future of mission-critical training and positions the UAE at the forefront of global capability development.

“As the first facility of its kind, it brings together advanced simulation, integrated environments, and full-spectrum training in a way that simply does not exist today.

“Beyond its immediate impact, the SRTC is designed as a scalable platform for growth – capable of expanding its training offerings, technologies, and international partnerships over time.

“Our vision is not only to set a new benchmark for operational readiness, but to establish a global center of excellence that will attract organizations from across the region and around the world seeking the highest standards in safety, sustainability, performance, and efficiency.”

Wolfgang Lindlbauer, Senior Business Development Manager at AMST Group, added: “In every rescue, operation or critical response, the margin for error is measured in seconds – and in lives.

“This new facility will eliminate uncertainty by recreating the most demanding real-world conditions in a controlled, repeatable environment.

“Here, teams will master intense and hazardous scenarios, from complex helicopter hoist operations to high-risk water rescues and rapid deployment techniques.

“It will enable key personnel to build instinct, precision, and confidence to take forward into the field.

“The training starts with the basics and ends with the trainee completing mission simulation, very similar to reality.

“By combining advanced simulation with mission-based training, we are making world-class preparation safer, more accessible, and more cost-effective, ensuring that every crew member, responder, and operator is equipped to perform when it matters most.”

The centre is also expected to support helicopter-assisted industrial operations, including maintenance work on infrastructure such as power lines, wind turbines and offshore installations.

Britannia Fire calls for lithium-ion battery safety measures

by Featured NewsFire Suppression

Britannia Fire responds to battery fire figures

Britannia Fire has called for greater fire safety around lithium-ion batteries after new figures showed record numbers of e-bike and e-scooter fires attended by fire and rescue services in 2025.

Britannia Fire cited a Press Association investigation which found there were 432 e-bike fires and 147 e-scooter fires attended in 2025, up 38% and 20% on reports from the previous year.

Andy Spence, Managing Director of Britannia Fire, said: “Lithium-ion battery fires are by nature more unpredictable and intense than conventional fires.

“They are harder to extinguish, often behave differently to typical fires and can spread quickly, meaning that standard fire protection measures aren’t always adequate.”

The company linked the figures to the Government’s product safety consultation published at the end of March.

The consultation identifies unsafe e-bike batteries, conversion kits and chargers sourced from online marketplaces as a serious hazard.

It also proposes new duties on producers, suppliers and online marketplaces to improve safety standards in products containing lithium-ion batteries.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is also developing a fast-tracked Publicly Available Specification (PAS) for batteries used in e-bikes, e-scooters and conversion kits.

Products launched for lithium-ion fire response

Britannia Fire recently launched the P50 AVD fire extinguisher and the AVD fire blanket in response to the rise in lithium-ion battery fires.

The AVD fire blanket is available in three sizes for different battery-powered products.

It is designed to be placed over a device to contain flames, block heat radiation and prevent fire spread.

The P50 AVD fire extinguisher is the newest addition to the company’s P50 composite range.

Britannia Fire said the extinguisher can be discharged under the blanket edge to cool and extinguish the fire and prevent reignition.

The company added that the P50 AVD has a 20 year lifespan, requires servicing once every 10 years and is fully recyclable.

Spence said: “We welcome the Government’s recognition that the current framework needs strengthening, and the focus on online marketplace accountability is long overdue.

“While regulatory reform takes time, lithium-ion fires continue to endanger lives and properties today.

“It’s important for landlords, facilities managers and business owners to consider extra precautions, particularly for locations with charging stations or clusters of battery-powered devices.”

He added: “As a nation we are using many more products and devices containing lithium-ion batteries than ever before.

“It’s vital that we introduce measures to make these products safer at the point of purchase, and it’s also important that fire safety equipment keeps pace with this growing trend, to keep people and property protected.”

Britannia Fire said its AVD products are suited to locations including bike storage areas in residential blocks or offices, IT equipment rooms and office environments, schools, universities and public sector buildings.

Revised ASFP guidance sets out passive fire protection assessment changes

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsPassive

ASFP updates guidance for assessors

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has revised its Guide to Passive Fire Protection for Fire Risk Assessors, with updates reflecting legislative and regulatory changes following the Grenfell Tower fire.

ASFP published the revised guide in an article dated 7 April 2026 by Niall Rowan, ASFP’s Technical and Regulatory Affairs Officer.

The guide was first published in 2012 after a certification body asked ASFP to produce simple passive fire protection guidance for fire risk assessors applying for certification under its scheme.

It was written for those carrying out Type 1 fire risk assessments and became one of the association’s largest publication downloads.

The revised version keeps the same three-part structure.

It includes a general and regulatory section, a methodology section covering different types of passive fire protection and annexes with further information, links to third-party guidance and an example checklist.

ASFP guide reflects legislative changes

Rowan wrote that the main changes in the revised guide arise from the Grenfell Tower fire on 14th July 2017 and the legislation that followed.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 (England & Wales) brought flat front doors into the scope of fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

It also clarified that where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises, the fire risk assessment should include an assessment of the building’s external wall system.

Recommendations from Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry led to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

Those regulations mandated quarterly checks on fire doors in common parts of buildings and annual checks on flat front doors where possible, along with premises information boxes in blocks of flats containing building plans.

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced a new regulatory regime for higher risk buildings, which the source material defines as buildings over 6 storeys and 18m high plus some other categories.

ASFP said these changes meant the revised guide now contains enhanced checks on fire doors, procedures for evaluating external walls and a new annex on external wall construction.

Type 1 assessments remain the main focus

The guide is aimed at fire risk assessors carrying out Type 1 fire risk assessments, described in the source material as the most common type for multi-occupied buildings.

These assessments focus on communal areas such as hallways, stairwells and escape routes and are non-destructive visual inspections.

The source material states that assessors are still expected to look above ceiling tiles on escape routes and above fire doors at corridor ends where they can.

Where significant passive fire protection shortfalls are identified, the guide recommends further inspection by specialists or a full invasive fire risk assessment such as a Type 2 or Type 4 assessment.

It also includes material on improving the competency of fire risk assessors and explains procedures used in undertaking assessment of external walls from the Fire Sector Confederation.

New fire protection classification rule set for Abu Dhabi consultants

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringMiddle East - Breaking NewsSafety

Fire protection accreditation becomes mandatory

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has launched a mandatory accreditation programme for engineering consultancy offices in Abu Dhabi working in fire protection and life safety engineering.

Abu Dhabi Media Office reported that the scheme is described as the first regulatory model of its kind in the UAE and applies to consultancy offices submitting fire protection system designs in the emirate.

The programme was launched in collaboration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

It requires engineering consultancy offices to obtain a classification in Fire Protection and Life Safety Engineering Consultancy by completing the Certified Fire Protection Engineer (CFPE) programme.

The requirement is intended to improve the quality of engineering designs related to fire protection and safety systems and compliance with approved standards.

Certification deadline set for September 2026

Engineering professionals within consultancy offices in Abu Dhabi will complete an internationally recognised training and professional accreditation programme to obtain CFPE certification.

The certification will also be included within the classification management system of the DMT.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority said the requirement will become mandatory when consultancy offices submit fire protection system designs in Abu Dhabi.

The deadline for completing the training programmes and obtaining official certification is 1 September 2026.

After that date, preliminary engineering design submissions from consultancy offices will not be accepted unless the registered engineer holds a valid CFPE certification.

Standards and design review requirements

The accreditation programme is intended to standardise design, review and compliance practices in line with NFPA standards.

It is also expected to improve the quality of design and review processes for fire protection systems in buildings and facilities.

The authority said the programme forms part of its work on fire protection and life safety systems in Abu Dhabi.

England building safety funding to train inspectors and fire engineers

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringSafety

Building safety funding for workforce gaps

A £70 million funding package has been announced to address shortages in building safety professions and support the delivery of 1.5 million homes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Samantha Dixon MBE MP published the announcement on 26 March 2026.

The funding is set to increase the number of Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) by up to 700, including inspectors at Class 3H level who can inspect High-Risk Buildings.

It also includes funding to increase the number of fire engineers and expand the availability of Fire Engineering education.

The announcement states that shortages in building control and fire engineering are limiting housing supply and were highlighted as an area of concern in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The three-year programme responds to recommendations from the House of Lords regulatory committee for the government to increase capacity in building control and fire engineering.

It also follows points raised by the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel and responses to the Building Control Independent Panel’s call for evidence on the need for suitably qualified and trained professionals.

How the funding will be allocated

The funding is split between Building Control, which will receive £55 million, and Fire Engineering, which will receive £15 million.

For Building Control, the funding will support local authorities’ building control teams in England to recruit new RBIs and train them to the required Class 2 standard.

It will also support local authorities’ building control teams in England to upskill existing RBIs, with many trained to the standard required to inspect High-Risk Buildings at Class 3H.

Further funding is intended for the training of new entrants in Registered Building Control Approvers and local authorities.

For Fire Engineering, the funding will support higher education provision through postgraduate bursaries as well as research and academic development.

Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy Samantha Dixon said: “We’re boosting the building safety workforce to get more skilled building inspectors and fire engineers into the system quickly to keep people safe and unlock the new homes this country needs.

“This is a vital step in building 1.5 million safe homes and ensuring we continue to deliver on lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”

The mechanisms for applying for the funds are under development and more information will be published in the coming months.

New Sharjah safety committee targets warehouse fire risk and compliance

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyMiddle East - Breaking NewsSafety

Safety inspections approved for Sharjah warehouses

Sharjah has approved a specialised committee to inspect commercial and industrial warehouses across the emirate and address violations linked to safety compliance and fire risk.

Gulf News reported that the decision was taken during a meeting of the Executive Council of Sharjah chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council, and attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council.

The committee will carry out comprehensive inspection campaigns covering all commercial and industrial warehouses.

Its role includes assessing compliance with safety and security standards.

It will also oversee corrective measures and enforce preventive procedures aimed at reducing fire incidents.

Committee membership and enforcement powers

Sharjah Police will lead the committee.

It will include representatives from the Civil Defence Authority, Department of Town Planning and Survey, Sharjah Economic Development Department and Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority.

The council said stricter penalties will apply to violators.

This includes those failing to meet regulations on the storage of hazardous and flammable materials.

Other decisions from the council meeting

The same meeting also approved a new framework regulating media activities in the emirate.

Entities engaged in media-related work will be required to obtain prior approval from the Sharjah Media Council, which will also receive revenues from related fees and violations.