Bridger Aerospace appoints new Chief Financial Officer

by Featured NewsPeople

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, a leading independent provider of aerial firefighting services, has appointed Eric Gerratt as Chief Financial Officer.

The announcement comes ahead of Bridger’s planned merger with Jack Creek Investment Corp – a special purpose acquisition company – and subsequent listing on NASDAQ.

Tim Sheehy, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Bringing on a CFO with public company experience was important as Bridger makes this transition.

“Eric brings extensive financial reporting and management experience to our company, as well as acquisition and integration expertise, having helped grow his former company to nearly $1.0 billion in revenue.

“We look forward to him being a valued addition to the Bridger team as we expand throughout North America and globally to meet the rising demand for critical aerial firefighting services.”

Eric Gerratt joins Bridger from US Ecology, a leader in environmental services, where he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. He spent 15 years with US Ecology until its recent acquisition by Republic Services, during which time US Ecology’s revenue grew from $166 million to nearly $1.0 billion.

Prior to joining US Ecology, Gerratt served as Vice President of Accounting for SuperValu, Inc., held various director level accounting and finance positions at Albertsons, Inc. and spent six years with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Gerratt is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Idaho.

Commenting on his new position, he said: “I am excited to join Bridger, a company that has a strong track record of financial performance and significant opportunities for growth as it prepares to go public. As climate conditions evolve and wildfires grow in number and severity, the Company’s fully integrated aerial firefighting solution is critical to save property and minimize economic and environmental damage.

“With Bridger’s unique positioning, the potential for value creation is tremendous, and I look forward to working with its experienced management team to expand these critical services.”

SFPE appoints liaisons for European Committee for Standardisation

by Featured NewsPeople

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the world’s leading professional society for fire protection and fire safety engineering, has announced the appointment of four SFPE members as liaisons to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Axel Mossberg, PhD, PMSFPE; Gabriele Vigne, PhD, PMSFPE; James Bassett, PMSFPE; and Mohammad Heidari, PhD, will share their insight and facilitate communication between CEN and SFPE.

Axel Mossberg, PhD, PMSFPE; Research Director and Senior Fire Safety Consultant at Bengt Dahlgren Brand & Risk in Sweden – Axel is a member of the SFPE Committee on Performance-Based Design and has been appointed to serve as an SFPE liaison member on the CEN TC 127 Fire Safety Engineering.

Gabriele Vigne, PhD, PMSFPE; Director, Advanced Technology, JVVA in Spain – Gabriele is a member of the SFPE Subcommittee for Standards Oversight and the Computer Model Selection Task Group and has been appointed to serve as an SFPE liaison member on the CEN TC 156 Smoke Control.

James Bassett, PMSFPE; Projektleiter Brandschutz, SafeT Swiss AG in Switzerland – James has been appointed to serve as an SFPE liaison member on the CEN TC 191 Fixed Fire Suppression.

Mohammad Heidari, PhD, Fire Safety Engineer, CERIB in France – Mohammad is a member of the SFPE Fire Exposures Committee and has been appointed to serve as an SFPE liaison member on the CEN TC 250 Eurocodes.

 Nicole Boston, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, said: “Through these four new liaison appointments, Axel, Gabriele, James, and Mohammad will help ensure that SFPE’s engineering standards, guidelines, and public positions are known and widely shared throughout Europe.

“Similar to the long-standing work between the Society and the National Fire Protection Association and International Code Council, SFPE is committed to working together with the European Committee for Standardization to advance the use of engineering best practices, learn from each other, expand the scientific and technical knowledge base to reduce fire risk, and ultimately save lives.”

Sarasota County hires new Fire Chief

by Featured NewsPeople

Sarasota County has chosen a veteran fire administrator from Orange County to run its fire department. David Rathbun, the former deputy fire chief of Orange County Fire Rescue, will take on the role of Sarasota County fire chief in November.

Throughout his more than 30 years of service at Orange County Fire Rescue, Rathbun rose through the ranks, providing direction and leadership for nearly every division during the span of his career with the department.

 Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis commented: “Chief Rathbun brings valuable experience along with a deep knowledge of the fire service in the state of Florida to Sarasota County as the next fire chief. He has a strong understanding of leading a fire department that provides life-saving service to a community,” said

 “We are grateful to Mike Hartley, whose dedicated service in the role of acting fire chief was instrumental during the search for Sarasota County Fire Department’s new chief,” added Lewis.

Rathbun started with Orange County Fire Rescue as a firefighter/EMT in 1989 and has served as a lieutenant, battalion chief, assistant chief, division chief of logistics, division chief of operations and division chief of planning and technical services.  He retired as the department’s Deputy Fire Chief in January. 

 Throughout his 32 years with OCFR, Rathbun managed fire operations, emergency medical services and special operations, fleet and equipment needs for the department with more than 1,500 personnel. He developed standard operating procedures, long-term station location and facility capital improvement plans, implemented a strategic planning process and new computer aided dispatch system, as well as managed the department’s re-accreditation.

Commenting on his appointment Rathbun said:  “The opportunity to work with the heroes of Sarasota County Fire Department is an extraordinary one. I look forwarding to getting to know them and deepen the ties we have with our residents and visitors.”

 Rathbun holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing. He also proudly served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 1987.

 Rathbun is a native Floridian and is married to his wife Michele. Together they have five children and eight grandchildren.

 He is expected to start his new role with SCFD on Nov. 7, 2022.

London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner retires from service

by Featured NewsPeople

London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills took part in his final roll call at Stratford Fire Station on 3 October after 30 years’ service.

During his service, Mills played a key role in many changes to the Brigade’s operational policies and equipment, from overhauling the response to high rise firefighting, the introduction of the Fire Survival Guidance App and securing the Marauding Terrorist Agreement with the Fire Brigades Union.

The changes have enabled the Brigade to better serve the communities of London and adapt to the changing built environment. In recent times, Mills led the Brigade’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic through two exceptionally challenging years that required tough decisions to keep our service running for the people of London.

Over his career he has been involved in many significant incidents including the London riots, where he was the Borough Commander for Haringey, a large fire at the Mandarin Oriental hotel and the Grenfell Tower fire.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills said: “Over the years the role of a firefighter has evolved, it has been shaped by moments in history which have led to change.

“Historic moments such as the fire at Kings Cross Station, the 9/11 terror attacks, the 7/7 bombings and the Grenfell Tower fire have changed our direction of travel. We have learned and changed from these historic moments, and from every incident we attend.

“We have recognised the need to adapt, and I have seen many changes throughout my career in the ways we fight fires. There have been so many developments to our response over the years and the equipment we use that has enabled us to acclimatise to the changing environment and I am proud to have played a role in that transformation.”

Reflecting on his time in the service, Mills said: “One of the most important changes I have seen over the years is the improvement in the support firefighters now have access to. I have seen a wide variety of incidents during my 30 years. I have seen very harrowing sights that will stay with me – being a firefighter is not only physically challenging but mentally challenging too.

“When I first joined there wasn’t anywhere to go to talk about what you’d seen or how you were feeling, the views on mental health were very different to what they are now. Now mental health is something that is discussed more openly. The Brigade has a counselling service, which is accessible to all staff, after a challenging incident the crews can talk freely about it and we check on them.

“We aren’t machines, under the uniform we are human and can be affected by what we see – I think that can sometimes get forgotten. We are now in a position where we can openly discuss how we are feeling, which is a such a positive step forward.”

He added: “I am incredibly grateful for what the Brigade has given me – a career, development, life skills and opportunities I wouldn’t have had in any other job. I am proud of the changes and transformation I have seen. I am confident that the people and teams that I leave behind at the Brigade will continue to drive forward the change that is needed to ensure our communities get the services they need.

“I am honoured to have served at the Brigade and proud of everyone I have worked with. Regardless of anything, when there is a moment of adversity everyone always steps up. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile to serve the people of London.

“One thing you realise with firefighting is no matter whether you attend the richest or poorest address, no matter the value of the property it is a traumatic experience that effects everyone the same way. I remember an incident where a man had started a fire to heat a can of beans, which was all he had, after we dealt with the fire the crews took it upon themselves to go away and buy him some food. Sometimes being a firefighter is about doing the right thing not what’s in the job description.”

Fire Sector Federation appoints John Spencer as Chair

by Featured NewsPeople

The Fire Sector Federation has announced that John Spencer is its new Chair, taking over from Michael Harper. Spencer, who has been Vice Chair since joining the Board in May this year, assumes responsibility as part of a planned succession process with Michael Harper, who will remain on the Board until the Federation’s next AGM in May 2023.

Commenting on his appointment, John Spencer said: “I am delighted and honoured to be Chair of the Fire Sector Federation and look forward to working with the Board and all our members as we drive forward fire safety and continue to shape future policy and strategy for UK Fire.

“While we are now seeing significant new legislation and policy change appearing in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, there is no room for complacency and much work remains to be done to address the policy and practice gaps that remain across fragmented sectors.  Our focus continues on bringing together and improving the knowledge, skills and experience available within the sector.”

Spencer has considerable experience in senior leadership roles spanning the fire and property sectors. He served Managing Director of Chubb Fire and Security for 11years and served as CEO with a several major property companies including MWB, Regus UK, Landmark and BizSpace.

Michael Harper, Chair of the Federation for the last four years, commented: “I have much appreciated the contribution and support of members to aid the development of the Federation, which has now become established as a strong and influential voice for the fire sector. I am very grateful to the Board for their support and particularly to Dennis Davis and his small team for their tireless work on our behalf. My very best wishes go to John, the Executive Board and all our members as the Federation continues to press ahead and face the challenges ahead.”

Exclusive Interview: Russell Leavitt, NFPA Chair of the Board

by Breaking NewsIFSJ ExclusivesPeople
IFSJ caught up with Russell Leavitt, Executive Chairman of Telgian Holdings, to find out about his new position as the National Fire Protection Association’s Chair of the Board

Congratulations on your appointment to Chair of the Board. How does it feel?

I am deeply humbled by my appointment to serve as the Chair of the NFPA Board of Directors. The list of previous chairs is distinguished and filled with some of the champions of our industry. I have had the honour and privilege of having been led and mentored by previous chairs including Dr Ernest Grant, Randy Tucker P.E., Keith Williams former CEO of Underwriters Laboratories, and Amy Acton President of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. These individuals, along with all the board members with whom I have served, come from a variety of backgrounds but share a common passion for making the world a safer place to live. I am looking forward to doing all I can during my two-year term to assist NFPA in living its vision and fulfilling its mission.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your background in the fire industry?

I started my career in fire and life safety as a fire protection system design trainee in 1980 and worked in many roles including those of lead designer, project estimator, and general manager of a fire protection contracting firm. In 1990, a co-worker and I founded a fire protection system design company. We merged with a small fire and life safety consulting group in 1991. We eventually branded the company as Telgian Corporation which is now a part of Telgian Holdings, Inc. and I served as the CEO for six years. I became the Executive Chair of Telgian Holdings in 2009 and continue to serve in this capacity.

Throughout my career I have been heavily involved in the education and training of fire protection and life safety professionals including engineers, designers, contractors, and enforcers. I have conducted hundreds of training sessions throughout the world for organisations such as American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), and NFPA. I have also had the privilege of standing before audiences in diverse locations such as Lagos Nigeria, Cairo Egypt, Frankfurt Germany, Mexico City Mexico, Panama City Panama, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Buenos Aires Argentina, Istanbul Turkey, Jeddah Saudi Arabia, Paris France, and Rotterdam Netherlands, to name a few.

In addition, I authored training programs for AFSA, NFPA, and Fire Smarts LLC. In 2013, I was honoured with the Parmelee Award by the AFSA for my contributions to the fire sprinkler contractor industry and by my nomination to the NFPA board of directors, on which I continue to serve.

You’ve been active with the NFPA for a number of years, can you tell me about your work with the Association prior to your appointment as Chair?

I was appointed to my first NFPA technical committee in 1992. It was my first active participation in the association and began my long history of technical committee service. NFPA publishes over 300 codes and standards, each of which are overseen by a technical committee, or panel in the case of the National Electric Code. These groups work as volunteers and review proposed revisions to a code or standard and, through a very strict process, determine the final content.

The most active codes and standards are revised on 3-to-5-year cycles and often involve many hours of work, travel, and research on the part of each volunteer. I have worked on, including serving as chair, technical committees for over a dozen codes and standards over the years including the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13), The Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Suppression Systems (NFPA 25), and the Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties (NFPA 909), to name a few.

As a result of my technical committee work, I was given the opportunity to become an instructor for the NFPA Professional Development Education Series, serve as a contributor to NFPA handbooks, and work as the subject matter expert for the development of live and on-line training programs.

What are your plans for the Association as Chair for the next two years?

This is an easy question to answer. I simply want to use my role as chair to continue to support the Association’s CEO Jim Pauley and his executive leadership team as they meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world. NFPA is made up of stakeholders from all facets of the fire and life safety world including standards enforcement, firefighting and prevention, manufacturing, and risk management. NFPA assists its stakeholders as they deal with issues such as the impact of climate change on fires in the wildland-unban interface, active shooter incidents, automatic retrieval storage facility fires, energy storage, and the introduction of codes and standards in the developing world. The mission is wide ranging and dynamic.

Although NFPA is a non-profit organisation, it self-funds its mission. NFPA does not support itself with charitable contributions, endowments, or government support. One of the most important functions of the board is to assist the organisation in maintaining the balance of generating revenue to achieve its altruistic objectives.

The board is actively involved in assisting the organisation as it moves into this challenging next phase of its existence. At the same time, the association is looking at other ways to fund its ever-growing mission and the experience and knowledge of the board members is an invaluable source of assistance in the transformation.

Do you have any initiatives or issues you’re looking to promote through your position?

I am a big supporter of the NFPA mission, and I have no qualms about promoting my belief that NFPA provides the best fire, life safety, and electrical standards in the world. The process is consensual, balanced, and most of all, transparent. The needs of all stakeholders are given their due in the development process and this is a rather unique approach and one in which I am very proud to participate.

I am also committed to the promotion and development of the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem. This holistic approach to fire and life safety perfectly sums up the way in which we will finally create a world that is free of the negative impact from fire and other risks to living safely. For example, we can create standards, but if a community has no method for formally adopting the standards or lacks a means for enforcement, the standards are simply words on a page.

How has the fire industry changed during your career?

When I started designing sprinkler systems in 1980, we had one type of sprinkler (spray), several orifice sizes, temperature ratings, etc. Now we have many types such as residential, ESFR, CMSA – the list is almost endless. We have standard-response, fast response, many orifice sizes, etc. NFPA 13 has grown from a pocket-sized pamphlet to a standard sized book of over 600 pages. At times I feel as though the complexity of designing and installing a sprinkler system has become almost untenable for all except the most expert of users. We need to look at how we can simplify things a bit, particularly as we move into developing countries.

I realise I am dating myself, but I started my career working with graphite and vellum. We created our designs by hand, we hydraulically calculated systems manually, and we developed individual details and diagrams. I am concerned because many of our young engineers and designers do not understand the basics. For example, we utilized computer hydraulic software programs without understanding how the software works. As a result, we often miss efficiencies that could be had because we are one-dimensional in our knowledge.

That said, I would not trade where we are today for where I started. We are producing better fire protection products, methods, and processes than ever before and the reduction in fire and life safety risks bear this out. We just need to make sure that we keep the pace and we do not sacrifice the gains we have made for purely economic reasons. We must never lose sight of our mission for the elimination of injury and death due to fire and other risks to life safety.

Any opinions expressed by Leavitt in this interview are his alone and do not represent an official statement or position of the NFPA.

This article was originally published in the September edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

NFPA announces Vice President of Corporate Development

by Featured NewsPeople

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the appointment of Steve Scala as Vice President of Corporate Development. 

In this new role, Scala will be leading efforts to build NFPA’s global growth business through inorganic growth methods, primarily partnerships, mergers, and the acquisition of other business entities.

Most recently, Scala served as executive vice president of Corporate Development for DiCentral, a software services company. During his eight years in that role, and in other strategy and development positions he has held at GXS, General Electric, and IBM over his 40-year professional career, he has executed corporate merger and acquisition plans – from start to finish.

NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley commented: “Steve is an experienced global business leader with an extraordinary track record of helping organizations envision, build, and implement strategies for growth. His unique skill set, knowledge, and experience will help NFPA have a bigger and more direct impact in achieving our safety mission.”

Pauley added: “The world evolves quickly and so do the fire and life safety risks. As a recognized leader in reducing loss, NFPA seeks to greatly expand our ability to help solve the persistent and emerging fire, life, and electrical safety problems through our current work as well as adding an aligned portfolio.”

Chief Brian Fennessy named California Fire Chief of the Year

by Featured NewsPeople

Chief Brian Fennessy has been named California Fire Chief of the Year.

The Ronny Jack Coleman Award is given in recognition of exceptional leadership in fire and rescue services. Fennessy received multiple nominations to receive the for the award from the leaders of other firefighting agencies.

Mammoth Lakes Fire Chief Frank Firevalt, said Fennessy served with “genuine humility” and described him as an example “of what ‘right’ looks like over decades of service.”

Fennessy began his career with the US Forest Service as a member of a team assigned to tackle the most dangerous wildfires. He went on to join San Diego Fire-Rescue in 1990 and was eventually promoted to the chief of that department in 2015.

He became the head of the OCFA in April 2018, just months before the 23,000-acre Holy fire broke out in the Trabuco Canyon area. He stood at the helm of the agency through numerous major disasters, all while seeking to modernise it in the face of consecutive years of climate-change driven drought.

Chief Fennessy said in a statement: “I am humbled to accept the 2022 Ronny Jack Coleman Award on behalf of the OCFA firefighters and professional staff who collectively embody the tenets of professionalism and care this honour signifies and represents.”

Fire Brigades Union unveils plaque for Frederick Charles Willoughby

by Featured NewsPeople

A plaque has been unveiled for a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty. Leading Firefighter Frederick Charles Willoughby, of Twickenham, was overcome by fumes whilst fighting a four-hour fire in the basement of the Royal Palace Hotel in Kensington, London, on February 22nd 1956. He died in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

Commenting, Liz Acris, Mr Willoughby’s niece, said: “I never got the chance to meet my uncle Frederick Willoughby. His death in the line of duty, protecting his community, meant I only know him through stories told to me by my Auntie Edna. But through her I understand how brave he was, and how he had a tremendous sense of duty. This plaque will help keep his memory alive for future generations to come. It is important that history is present in the spaces where it was lived, and this will help with that.”

Newspapers from the time report that Mr Willoughby is believed to have become lost and was then suffocated, even though he was wearing breathing apparatus.

At the inquest the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) raised questions around the breathing apparatus used, and the union asked the Home Office to seek ways of improving breathing apparatus following the death.

The Fire Brigades Union is still campaigning around breathing apparatus. It is fighting a fire service proposal to have firefighters go into some fires without their breathing apparatus switched on.

Willoughby served in the Marines during World War 2, and was decorated for gallantry and devotion to duty in operations in Norway. This included volunteering to remove ammunition from a dangerous area during the last moments of an evacuation, according to the recommendation for the award.

Members of Mr Willoughby’s family flew in from Gibraltar to attend the plaque unveiling, with his niece Liz Acris speaking at it.

The plaque has been unveiled around 100 metres away from where the hotel stood, at Kensington Fire Station, and is a Red Plaque. The Red Plaque scheme aims to memorialise firefighters who have died in the line of duty and is administered by the Fire Brigades Union.

David Shek, FBU executive council member for London, said: “Every firefighter that dies in the line of duty deserves to be remembered. The London firefighting community will always make sure that people it has lost will never be forgotten. The FBU is proud to be a part of remembering Mr Willoughby and his sacrifice. The placing of this plaque will ensure that future generations of firefighters are aware of this history.”

Tam McFarlane, FBU national officer, said: “The Fire Brigades Union will always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The bravery and courage of firefighters is something that should always be highlighted. Red plaques make sure that these vital parts of history are never forgotten, no matter how much time has passed. Sacrifices of yesteryear still retain a huge poignancy and importance for firefighters.”

The Red Plaque scheme is one of a number of projects funded by the FBU’s Firefighter 100 lottery.

The money raised by the lottery is supplemented by money from the FBU itself. The Firefighter 100 lottery the can be entered by anyone who wishes to help by using www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk.

Picture credit: Fire Brigades Union

IAFC honours leaders with President’s Award for promoting cancer awareness

by Featured NewsPeople

The International Association of Fire Chief (IAFC)’s honored IAFF General President Edward Kelly, Canadian Trustee Alex Forrest, and Halifax, NS Local 268 President Brendan Meagher with President’s Awards at its Fire-Rescue International (FRI) Conference and Expo earlier this month.

The awards are given to individuals who have made profound contributions benefiting the firefighting community.

Chief Ken Stuebing, outgoing IAFC President said: “General President Kelly, Trustee Forrest, and Halifax Local 268 President Meagher are working tirelessly to spread awareness and to protect fire service personnel from occupation-related cancers. It is my honour to recognize their valiant efforts to save lives and to build a safer future for fire fighters.”

Stuebing commended Kelly for the partnership he developed with the American Cancer Society, as well as the recent adoption of a convention resolution providing $500,000 annually to expand occupational cancer research.

Kelly commented: “We need to stop cancer before it starts, and until that day, the IAFF will work tirelessly toward extinguishing cancer from the fire service. I am humbled by the IAFC’s recognition for what this IAFF does, and honored to receive the President’s Award from Chief Stuebing, who has been a true partner and friend.”

IAFF Canadian Trustee and Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association (MPFFA) President Alex Forrest has also been a long-time champion, fighting against the threat of occupational cancer.

Thanks to his Forrest’s advocacy, Manitoba became the first province in Canada to enact cancer presumption laws for fire fighters in 2002. When first passed, the presumptions included four cancers: brain and kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and leukemia. Forrest has pushed the province to expand that list to include 19 cancers in the years since.

Forest commented: “Our fight against occupational cancer is not done. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), just classified the firefighting profession as a Group 1 carcinogen. The IARC is acknowledging the extreme risk fire fighters have of developing cancer. We can now take this ruling and successfully lobby for the passage of cancer presumption laws in areas they could not before.”

Halifax Local 268 President Meagher, who also received a 2022 IAFF Leadership Award, has been a tireless advocate for occupational cancer presumption laws in his home province of Nova Scotia.

Thanks to Meagher’s continued advocacy, the province recently added 13 types of cancer to Firefighters Compensation Regulations, including esophageal, lung, testicular, ureter, breast, multiple myeloma, prostate, skin, ovarian, cervical, penile, thyroid, and pancreatic. This supplements the existing coverage for bladder, brain, colorectal and kidney cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Meagher said: “Fire fighters in Nova Scotia spent a long time with very little protection in case of cancer. Now, protections are in place in case the of the cancers most common in fire fighters.

“I am grateful for outgoing IAFC President Stuebing’s recognition. But I did not do this alone, I share this recognition with all of the Nova Scotia members who dedicated their time to fight for cancer protections.”