Stacks for Giving Back: Grants and breakfast kits announced for volunteer fire departments

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

Fire departments funding programme opens for 2026

Nutella, Pearl Milling Company and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have launched the 2026 Stacks for Giving Back programme, which will provide $50,000 in grants and 350 pancake breakfast fundraiser kits for local fire departments.

The NVFC announced that 10 departments will each receive a $5,000 grant, with Nutella providing $25,000 and Pearl Milling Company adding a further $25,000.

The programme is open to departments that are more than 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, are based in the US and have an NVFC member.

Applications for the grants are due by 30 April.

Consumers can also nominate departments to receive a Pancake Breakfast Kit for a local fundraiser.

A total of 350 departments will receive kits containing supplies and ingredients, including Nutella and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix.

Fire departments cited as facing funding pressure

The announcement states that volunteer fire departments often face difficulty securing funding for equipment, firefighter recruitment and retention, and the demands linked to rising call volumes and new training requirements.

The programme was launched to help departments secure operational necessities and support local fundraising activity.

Examples from the 2025 round were also included as part of the announcement.

The Landis Volunteer Fire Department in Marshall, Arkansas used its grant to buy SCBA tanks and wildland fire protection equipment and gear.

Lucinda Rolen, department treasurer, said: “Leveraging the grant money by purchasing new and pre-owned personal protective equipment from online suppliers allowed us to provide more equipment to better protect our firefighters when they are protecting the community.”

The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department in Alabama used its grant to purchase equipment and tools that allowed all of its trucks to return to service.

David Hackworth, Assistant Fire Chief, said: “Morale has improved, training has improved, and members can now work on and train on a truck that was out of service and unavailable until we received this grant, which enabled us to get the equipment we needed to move enough resources to use this valuable truck.”

Chili Fremont Fire & Rescue also described how the funding supported a broader equipment purchase than first planned.

“By explaining the grant’s mission and goals, the vendor was able to adjust pricing, reduce shipping costs, and help maximise the impact of the funds.

“Being transparent with vendors can stretch grant dollars while maintaining the grant objective.”

The 2026 grant applications and department nominations for the fundraiser kits both close on 30 April.

Siderise named in Building’s Good Employer Guide for second year running

by ConstructionFeatured NewsPassive

Siderise recognised for second year

Siderise has been named in Building’s Good Employer Guide 2026 for the second consecutive year and remains the only product manufacturer included on the list.

The guide recognises organisations for their commitment to people, culture and workplace experience.

Siderise linked the recognition to its work on employee wellbeing, safety and inclusion.

It also cited professional development routes, internal progression and flexible working policies.

The statement said its workplace culture is shaped by collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement.

Siderise highlights workplace policies

Siderise said the recognition reflects the contribution of teams across the UK and internationally.

Mark Hendy, Cheif HR Officer, said: “I’m really pleased to see Siderise listed within the Building Good Employer Guide for a second consecutive year, particularly as we are once again the only construction products manufacturer included.

“Our culture is the result of the daily actions and behaviours of each and every colleague, and I’m really proud that we’ve once again seen this recognised through our inclusion on this prestigious list, alongside many reputable peers.”

The company said it will continue its workplace focus through 2026.

New research shows North America wildfire seasons moving in different directions

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsResearchWildland Fire

Wildfire study tracks regional timing shifts

A new study has found that climate change is changing the timing of wildfire seasons across North America, with earlier fire seasons in northern forests, limited change in prairie regions and later activity in parts of the western United States and California.

The research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, examined wildfire activity across 18 ecological regions using burn area data collected between 2001 and 2020 from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites.

Researchers combined the satellite data with environmental variables including temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, vegetation conditions, wind speed and lightning potential.

The analysis found that ecosystems are responding in different ways, with boreal and taiga forests across Alaska, Canada and parts of the Great Lakes region showing wildfire seasons that are shifting earlier in the year.

The study links that change to earlier snowmelt and faster drying of vegetation, which exposes flammable fuels sooner in spring.

It also found that boreal ecosystems are especially sensitive to atmospheric dryness, which was identified as the main driver of wildfire activity across several fire regimes.

Hongliang Zhang, environmental scientist at Fudan University in China, said: “It’s very region-specific.”

Wildfire seasons extend later in western regions

The study found that Mediterranean-type climates and desert regions in the western United States are seeing fire seasons that continue later into the year.

In California and the warm desert Southwest, increased late-season burning is pushing wildfire activity further into autumn and early winter.

The research links those patterns to prolonged drought conditions and changes in vegetation dynamics that increase fuel availability later in the year.

Prairie ecosystems and humid forest regions including the Appalachian Mountains and the southeastern United States showed only limited shifts in wildfire timing.

Researchers said these regions may be more stable because of stronger precipitation influences and different vegetation structures.

Wildfire projections point to further seasonal change

The researchers also used climate model projections to assess how wildfire seasons may change in future decades.

Under a high-emissions climate scenario, the study projects that boreal wildfire seasons could begin around a week earlier on average.

Some northern regions could shift by more than three weeks.

California’s wildfire season could extend by more than a month beyond the traditional June-to-October window, and desert regions in the western United States may also see later seasonal expansion.

The source material also states that the modelling framework could be used to assess vegetation change, along with human activity, in wildfire ignition.

According to the source material, about 85% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by human actions, including arson or unattended campfires.

Zhang said: “That model is really good at predicting wildfire.

“So now we want to predict the emissions of wildfire to the atmosphere.”

The study concludes that climate change is reshaping the seasonal distribution of wildfire activity across North America in ways that differ sharply between ecosystems.

JD Vance outlines support for firefighters at IAFF conference

by AmericasAssociations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsHealth and Safety

Firefighters hear renewed federal backing

Vice President JD Vance told firefighters in Washington, D.C., that the Trump administration will continue to support fire service priorities raised at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference.

The IAFF said Vance used the address to point to recent federal action on Social Security and line-of-duty death recognition linked to occupational cancer.

Vance told attendees: “There is no group of people that is harder working and more important for our communities than our fire fighters.”

General President Edward Kelly said federal backing had helped secure measures supported by the organisation and its members.

Kelly said: “When the passage of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act was in jeopardy this winter, the White House made it clear that they would stand with the families of our fallen.

“And they went to work.

“The White House removed every stumbling block that was put in our way.

“Occupational cancer is now recognized as a line-of-duty death.

“And federal death and education benefits are given to the families of our fallen because of the Trump-Vance administration’s steadfast support.”

The conference brings together fire fighters from across the United States to meet lawmakers and advocate for federal policies affecting public safety and emergency services.

Vance became the second sitting U.S. vice president in recent years to address the event.

Firefighters in focus across benefits, grants and health risks

The IAFF said Vance also referred to the Social Security Fairness Act, which restored Social Security benefits to retired fire fighters and other public servants.

He said President Donald Trump had pushed congressional Republicans to stay focused on the legislation after the 2024 election, and he noted that the bill passed on the final day of the 118th Congress.

Vance said: “One of the reasons why that happened … is because the President of the United States made sure that congressional Republicans stayed on top of that legislation and we worked to get it done.”

He also referred to federal support for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, which help departments hire personnel and purchase equipment used in emergency response.

On firefighter health risks, Vance pointed to his support for the Railway Safety Act following the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

He said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working to better understand the health effects of toxic chemical exposure on fire fighters.

Vance said: “We want you all to know if, God forbid, you run into harm’s way, what are the consequences going to be to you over the long haul?

“And, importantly, what are the kinds of medical treatments that you’re going to need if you’re in that situation so that the sacrifice you make doesn’t become more than it has to be.”

Vance also shared a childhood memory of fire fighters responding to an emergency involving his mother in Middletown, Ohio, during her struggle with opioid addiction.

Vance said: “I picked up the phone, and a number of brave, professional, compassionate fire fighters from Middletown, Ohio, showed up.

“They made a kid who was scared to death feel like he had an ally in this world.

“And I will never forget that.”

He closed by linking the work of fire fighters and EMTs to community safety and said Washington should honour that service through its own actions.

US fire truck orders face five-year delays

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsVehicles

Fire trucks face longer waits and higher costs

Fire departments across the United States are facing delivery delays of up to five years for new apparatus as prices continue to rise.

InvestigateTV reported that the issue has become a national challenge affecting response capability, fleet management and long-term procurement planning.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, fire departments typically waited around a year for a new fire engine after placing an order.

Jason Shivers, division chief of Forsyth County Fire Department in metro Atlanta and chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ emergency vehicle management section, said: “Before 2020, the fire chiefs of North America could fairly accurately know how long it was going to take.”

Shivers said: “You could expect to get a fire engine in about 12 months, maybe 14, maybe 16. That was consistent for many years before the pandemic.”

Supply chain disruption slowed manufacturing, shut down plants and delayed parts shipments, pushing delivery windows from months into years.

Shivers said: “Today, unfortunately, an order may take up to four years, sometimes five years.”

Harold Theus, fire chief of Alachua County Fire Rescue in north-central Florida, said the price of a fire engine in his department rose from roughly $550,000 in 2022 to $915,000 by December 2025.

The increase represents a 64% rise over four years for equipment that has remained largely unchanged.

Shivers said the national price floor for a new pumper engine is now at least $1 million.

Theus said: “I keep thinking we’ve hit the ceiling. I don’t know where the ceiling is. For the taxpayer, it needs to be soon.”

Why delays in fire trucks orders have grown

InvestigateTV reported that fire service leaders said the backlog has worsened as departments placed extra orders to secure production slots.

As delivery timelines stretched, many departments tried to get ahead of longer waits by ordering earlier or ordering more than they once would have.

Shivers said: “The chiefs of America have been part of the problem.

“The natural reaction was to say, ‘If I’ve got to wait that long, maybe I need to double that order.

“Maybe I need to triple that order.’”

Shivers said: “It’s cyclical. And we’ve aggravated the problem because of the number of orders we’ve tried to put in to get ahead of the next guy.”

Industry leaders also said the custom-build model for fire apparatus has slowed production.

Fire engines are often built to the specifications of individual departments rather than produced through a standardised assembly process.

Shivers said: “Firefighters hate two things: change and the way things are.

“We are very, very stuck in the tradition of the fire service. We are very proud of being stuck in the tradition of the fire service.”

Some departments are now purchasing stock vehicles or demonstration units through dealer allocations to shorten delivery timelines.

Forsyth County has used that approach for trucks, and Alachua County Fire Rescue bought seven stock ambulances with a 12-month delivery timeline.

Theus said: “We did have to give some things up. We were in a situation where we didn’t have enough ambulances on the road.”

Older fleets stay in service as parts remain hard to source

InvestigateTV also reported that departments are facing shortages of replacement parts for existing vehicles, leaving some apparatus out of service.

Keith Durden, a fire apparatus service technician with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry, said some trucks are waiting on components that are no longer made or are unavailable.

Durden said: “There are fire trucks on the road right now that if a part fails, there isn’t a replacement part still manufactured or in stock.”

He said two fire trucks in the Caribbean were sitting out of service while crews waited for a part to arrive.

In Alachua County, a 2009 ladder truck due for retirement in 2024 remains in frontline service while the department waits for its replacement, which is expected in January 2027.

When that vehicle is out of service, the department has no backup aerial apparatus.

Asked whether crews still respond to incidents without an aerial ladder available, Theus said: “without aerial device? Yes, we do.”

Theus said smaller departments are especially exposed when a single breakdown or crash can remove a vehicle from service.

Industry groups including the International Association of Fire Chiefs are looking at standardised apparatus specifications for different operating environments as departments continue managing ageing fleets and longer procurement cycles.

Johnson Controls graduates first HVAC data centre technicians

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringTraining

First graduates complete HVAC data centre training

The first cohort of technicians has graduated from the HVAC Data Center Apprentice JCI Academy following a training programme at Lincoln Tech’s Denver campus.

Johnson Controls (JCI) announced the completion of the inaugural class on 13 February 2026.

This workforce development initiative provides a six-week course focused on the technical requirements of cooling systems in data centre facilities.

Students participate in classroom instruction and hands-on training with chiller equipment similar to systems found in operational environments.

The curriculum includes electrical and HVAC fundamentals along with safety procedures and preventative maintenance.

Graduates enter the workforce with experience specifically aligned to JCI equipment and operational practices.

Addressing technical workforce shortages in digital infrastructure

JCI established the academy in 2023 to create a structured pathway into technical careers within its service network.

The company covers tuition costs and provides accommodation alongside relocation support for graduates.

Approximately 300 technicians will be onboarded each year through these academy programmes to meet rising demand.

Industry forecasts indicate the United States could face a shortage of 1.4 million skilled trades workers by 2030.

Alison Neuman, workforce development programme manager at JCI, said: “Today’s data centers require a new generation of technicians trained on advanced, energy-efficient systems.

“Through the Johnson Controls Academy, graduates gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge cooling technologies that are designed to reduce energy consumption, conserve water and operate more efficiently.

“That’s good for our customers, communities and our future.”

The company plans sustained investment in training that combines technical and safety instruction as digital infrastructure grows in complexity.

Additional cohorts are expected to enter the workforce as demand for skilled technicians continues to rise across the data centre sector.

Gold Innovation award recognises Chester Rows fire detection project

by Featured NewsFire DetectionHeritageProjects

Innovation award recognises Chester Rows fire detection project

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Cheshire West and Chester Council have won Gold in the Innovation in Public Sector Award at the IESE Public Sector Transformation Awards in Westminster for a fire protection system installed on Chester’s historic Rows.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service reported that the project installed an aspirating smoke detection system across the outdoor heritage site, marking the first use of this type of early warning technology at an outdoor historic site in the UK.

The work involved collaboration between the council, heritage specialists and the Protection Department at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

In January, the system detected smoke from a fire at a commercial premises on Music Hall Passage more than 100 metres away.

The blaze had also been reported through a 999 call.

The early alert demonstrated how the system could provide warning if a fire occurred at night, when the Rows are more exposed.

Project partners and national recognition

The installation was carried out with Charles Thomas Heritage Fire Protection Specialists, Donald Insall Associates, Recclesia and specialist consultants, with part funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Steve McCormick, Head of Prevention and Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are incredibly proud to see this innovative project recognised on a national stage.

“The system installed on the Rows brings together cutting edge technology and expert heritage protection, providing a level of early warning fire detection never before achieved on a historic site like this.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of all partners involved, including our Technical Fire Safety Heritage Officer, James Scott, whose work has been fundamental to the project’s success.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “I’m delighted that the introduction of our Aspirating Smoke Detection system is not only helping to protect the Chester Rows, but the technology and innovation could play a part in protecting many more heritage sites across the country.

“The new system plays a vital role in our fire protection action plan.

“Winning this gold award will help to showcase the system to far more sites. Congratulations to the many people involved in developing, installing and running the new system.”

The system is now being considered by councils and conservation bodies as a possible approach for heritage fire protection at other sites.

AddSecure expands dual-path fire alarm signalling range in the UK

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

AddSecure launches DP4 signalling product

AddSecure has launched the NGP Advanced Extra DP4, a dual-path fire alarm signalling device designed to meet the latest BS 5839-1:2025 requirements.

The company announced the product on 5 March 2026 and said it uses LAN and 4G with dual SIM capability to provide DP4-grade signalling for fire alarm systems.

Under BS 5839-1:2025, alarm transmission equipment for Category L systems must meet specific performance criteria for summoning the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS).

Single-path failures must reach the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) within 90 seconds.

Any catastrophic failure – defined as the loss of both signalling paths – must be indicated at both the ARC and the control and indicating equipment within three minutes.

AddSecure said the Advanced Extra DP4 meets those requirements through 90-second single-path failure reporting, step-up reporting on the secondary path when the primary path fails and three-minute catastrophic failure indication.

Nicholas Whiting, VP Alarm Signalling, AddSecure UK, said: “The launch of NGP Advanced Extra DP4 reflects AddSecure’s commitment to supporting the industry through critical changes such as the PSTN switch-off and the move to IP networks.

“By meeting the latest BS 5839-1:2025 requirements and offering dual-path resilience, this solution ensures life safety systems remain reliable and compliant.

“Installers can trust that Advanced Extra DP4 combines robust performance with third-party certification through the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), our BSI Kitemark and ISO 27001 certification for advanced cyber security standards,”

AddSecure expands its DP4 portfolio

The new device joins two existing DP4 products in AddSecure’s range.

Those products are Ultimate with Access Line, which includes a managed broadband service and router intended to remain operational during power outages, and Ultimate without Access Line, which uses customer-managed broadband.

The company said its dual-path products are certified for both fire and security applications, allowing installers to use one device across both areas.

AddSecure also said the range includes zero upfront costs, with billing on activation or after 60 days.

It added that its dual-path products have third-party certification through LPCB and a BSI Kitemark for IoT cyber security.

The company also said its cyber security measures exceed the requirements of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act, and noted that it holds ISO 27001 certification.

AddSecure entered the UK alarm signalling market in June 2024 following the closure of BT Redcare, and said its Next Generation Portfolio builds on its telecoms, security and cloud communications background.

Vallfirest appoints Croatia safety division partner

by Featured NewsPPEWildland Fire

Vallfirest names exclusive partner in Croatia

Vallfirest has appointed Mi Star d.o.o. as the exclusive partner for its Safety Division in Croatia.

The wildland firefighter specialist announced the agreement as part of its international expansion across European markets.

Mi Star d.o.o. will represent and distribute Vallfirest’s Safety solutions in Croatia.

The company will also provide technical knowledge and project support for local stakeholders.

Partnership strengthens Southeast Europe presence

Vallfirest said the agreement forms part of its wider international development strategy.

The partnership adds to the company’s presence in Southeast Europe and places a local partner at the centre of its Safety Division activity in Croatia.

The announcement states that the agreement is intended to support closer coordination in the market through Mi Star d.o.o.’s experience in Croatia.

Multi-agency investigation expected after Glasgow building fire

by Featured NewsIncidents

Investigation planned after Union Street fire

A multi-agency investigation will be conducted into the cause of the fire at a commercial building on Union Street in Glasgow after the four-storey structure partially collapsed.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the fire began on the ground floor of a commercial unit and that it cannot speculate on the cause at this stage.

More than 200 firefighters have been involved in operations since the alarm was raised at 3.46pm on Sunday 8 March.

There have been no reported casualties among members of the public or SFRS personnel.

The fire caused extensive damage to the building and led to the loss of the building’s dome.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “This has been a significant incident in Glasgow city centre, which has involved hundreds of firefighters working tirelessly since yesterday afternoon.

“We have now scaled back and eight appliances, including three high-reach vehicles, remain in attendance.

“The initial response involved crews from Glasgow and Lanarkshire, however any incident on this level would need to draw on resources from across Scotland as we bring in relief crews to take over.

“We cannot speculate on the cause of the fire at this time.

“In line with fire investigation protocols, a multi-agency investigation will be conducted, however due to the significant damage that has occurred this may be hampered.”

Firefighters remain at scene

Eight fire appliances and three high reach vehicles remained at the scene on the morning of Monday 9 March.

At the height of the incident, 18 fire appliances and specialist resources were deployed, including a high-volume pump drawing water from the River Clyde.

Firefighters are continuing to cool hotspots within the stonework and are assisting structural engineers assessing the stability of the remaining structure.

Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area where possible and nearby residents have been asked to keep windows closed as a precaution.

Glasgow Central Station remains closed due to the proximity of the fire to railway infrastructure and the presence of debris around the site.

Commentary highlights vulnerability of historic buildings

Commentary reported by The Guardian has linked the fire to wider concerns about the vulnerability of historic buildings in Glasgow city centre.

Architect and critic Rory Olcayto said: “Yesterday’s fire looks like a tragic accident but it highlights a brutal reality: Glasgow historic architecture is extremely vulnerable and too often those who make this point are called out as nostalgia buffs.

“Until Glasgow treats its built fabric as part of its social fabric, these crises will keep happening.

“Too many senior decision makers in Glasgow still act as if the city has to choose between looking after people and looking after its buildings.”

The Guardian reported that many vacant commercial properties in Glasgow city centre are located in pre-1919 buildings that can be more complex and costly to convert for new uses.

Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust and a specialist conservation architect, said: “Everyone assumes that this is a council problem.

“In actual fact, it’s the owners of the building – they’re the ones who are meant to be maintaining the building.”

Murphy said the trust has been working to promote earlier maintenance of historic buildings so that risks are addressed before buildings deteriorate further.

The cause of the Union Street fire remains unknown and a multi-agency investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.