Firefighters to engage public on fire safety campaign plan

by Featured NewsPeopleProjectsSafety

Philippines: A ranking official of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Tuesday said firefighters will continue to engage the community to make the residents feel safe and secure from fires and any forms of man-made and natural calamities.

In his speech, chief Supt. Felixberto Abrenica, BFP director for operations, said bureau personnel should be visible to the public even beyond March of each year when the entire country is celebrating Fire Prevention Month.

Abrenica is in Cebu, the country’s to lead the Central Visayas version of the simultaneous kick-off ceremony of the Fire Prevention Month 2022 with the theme “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog Hindi Ka Nag-iisa”, held at the BFP-Region 7 headquarters on N. Bacalso Avenue here.

“I encourage you to be more visible in your communities. Initiate programmes and activities that would make the public feel safe and secure,” Abrenica said, reading the message of BFP chief, director Louie Puracan, urging firefighters in the region to interact with schools, children, and other civic leaders in initiating fire safety programmes and activities, and train them for emergency response.

Senior Supt. Mary Joy Candelario, BFP-7 deputy regional director for operations, said during the kick-off programme ensuring safety during fires is a responsibility of everyone, not only the personnel of the BFP.

“We are dreaming (that) to fight against fire is no longer a fight of the bureau but the fight of every Filipino, of every Cebuano, Boholano, Negrosanon, and Siquijodnon. Let us altogether work hand in hand to practice fire safety, take part, and be cautious in preventing unwanted fire incidents and always remember that the key to fire prevention is awareness and vigilance,” she said.

As the BFP modernization law mandated innovation and transformation of the agency, Puracan signed Memorandum Circular 2022-003 as guidelines in institutionalizing the bureau-wide Fire Prevention Month campaign.

The BFP’s flagship contingency planning model called community fire protection plan directed every fire station in the region to choose a target barangay under its area of responsibility where they can conduct hazard evaluation, hazard elimination, and tactical defense.

In this programme, the barangay will be guided in creating a community hazard map, a detailed guide for the exit routes, evacuation routes, and predetermined evacuation areas when any form of emergency strikes.

The 2,354-strong BFP-7 reported 1,891 fires in 2019 with damage pegged at PHP257.4 million, with smoking, open flame from rubbish, bonfire to structural fire as main causes.

But the figures dropped during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, the agency recorded 918 fires with PHP231.3 million value of the damage, with electrical ignition as the main cause.

It further decreased in 2021 with only 905 fires but pegged a higher value of the damage at PHP335.5 million, with electrical ignition caused by arcing as the main reason.

NVFC and Anheuser-Busch to hydrate US fire volunteers

by Featured NewsPeople

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has joined hands with Anheuser-Busch to provide hydration to volunteer fire departments responding to wildfires.

For the fourth year running the initiative, which is held under the name of the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters programme, will help volunteer departments that struggle with limited budget and resources.

The programme is an expansion of Anheuser-Busch’s longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts. Anheuser-Busch is continuing its commitment in 2022 by pledging to donate 1.5 million cans of clean drinking water to help keep wildland firefighters hydrated as they protect and strengthen their communities.

Since the program began in 2019, nearly 4.9 million cans of water have been distributed to more than 960 departments across 49 states.

To apply for the emergency drinking water, departments must be based in the USA, annually respond to wildfires, be over 50% volunteer, and serve a population of 25,000 or less. Departments in declared emergencies due to wildfire will also be able to request water outside of the application period to help with their immediate wildfire response needs. The application period is open through March 15 and can be applied for on www.nvfc.org/water.

MAF Associates makes three key appointments

by Featured NewsPeople

Fire risk assessment and consultancy specialist MAF Associates has unveiled three key appointments, strengthening its office and technical teams. The firm claims its gearing up for demand for its services expected to grow as enforcement of the Fire Safety Act 2021 begins, PAS9980 is unveiled, and the Building Safety Bill passes into law.

The frontline team has been boosted with the hiring of Mark Wells as facade project manager and Ben Mason as fire risk assessment manager, while Trudy Pickard joins the team at MAF Associates’ Leicestershire head office as client services coordinator.

Mike Fox, founder, and managing director of MAF Associates said: “…2021 was a relatively quiet year as we waited for legislation to be passed and guidance to be published, we can expect 2022 to be a busy one, which is why we wanted to ensure we had the right people in place to meet demand. With new legislation coming into force and rapidly evolving government policy on the issue of defective cladding, our surveying and fire risk assessment teams are going to be very busy, so it was vital to find people with the appropriate skills and experience.

Trudy Pickard.

“One thing that has become clear since Grenfell is that the UK does not have enough professionals to meet demand for all of the inspections and surveys that are required, especially when it comes to external inspections and cladding in particular. We take pride in being one of the few companies that can offer a full range of internal and external fire risk assessments, and the latest additions will further enhance that capability.”

Wells, an industry veteran, has joined the company after spending a decade in the Middle East. He said: “After working in the Middle East for a decade, and subsequently on projects as diverse as the Abu Dhabi F1 Circuit and the Walkie Talkie in the City of London, I have found my skills to be in unprecedented demand over the last five years. I am pleased to be joining the MAF Associates team, where there is a clear mission to support bringing all UK buildings up to the proper fire safety standards, while also offering the training and support to bring more people into the industry.”

Fox launched MAF Associates in 2010, initially focusing on the provision of expert witness services for insurers and construction companies. Before founding MAF Associates, he had worked for three decades in the construction sector, including posts with roofing, cladding and building products companies.

Ben Mason.

Birmingham university launches UK-first fire apprenticeship programme

by Featured NewsPeople

A fire engineering degree apprenticeship – the first of its kind in the UK – is growing its student and employer base to meet national demand for fire engineers and in line with new Government legislation.

The part-time Higher-Level Degree Apprenticeship in Fire Engineering, offered by Birmingham City University and developed in partnership between the National Fire Chiefs Council and the UK’s commercial fire engineering industrial sector, is a response to new Government legislation and recommendations and requirements for a workforce to address the shortfall.

The public inquiry and the investigations into the dreadful loss of life at Grenfell in 2017 identified a massive competency gap and an opportunity for people to acquire new skills in fire engineering across the UK, with the Government currently progressing a new Fire Safety Bill and Building Safety Bill through Parliament.

One of the UK’s first fire engineering apprentices received a boost to his studies after being invited to join a recent virtual call with Minister of State for Building Safety and Fire Lord Stephen Greenhalgh.
David Cooper, a firefighter based at West Midlands Fire Service’s Northfield station in South Birmingham discussed his career journey so far. He said: “It has been a brilliant journey for me so far, and to speak with the Minister early in the course was a great experience. We’re grateful that he gave his time to find out more about our work and to share encouragement. As with any challenge, I’d say to anyone considering this apprenticeship to grasp the opportunity with both hands.

The degree course is ideally suited to those currently working in the Fire and Rescue Service and in Fire Engineering consultancies, works to a national standard and employers can use the Apprentice Levy Fund to pay for the course, with students combining full-time employment with four years of part-time study to achieve a formal qualification.

Area Commander Steve Ball, of West Midlands Fire Service, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Birmingham City University for this apprenticeship degree opportunity. West Midlands Fire Service is committed to reducing risk across our communities, and this includes a focus on the built environment. We wish Firefighter Cooper and his fellow students every success on their fire engineering journeys.”

Mike Leonard, visiting professor of Manufacturing and Construction at Birmingham City University said: “Birmingham City University has recognised the need to close the competence gap by becoming the first UK university to offer the Fire Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, allowing new entrants and experienced professionals to future develop their skills.

The majority of the first intake are mature students, who can often draw on in-depth experience and overlay this with the learning from the course to become more rounded and qualified professionals.

Alabama Fire College programme will benefit firefighters globally

by Breaking NewsIndustry SectorsPeople

Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, USA has developed a way to help firefighters focus on their main mission while easing the paperwork burden. Firefighters like fighting fires and caring for sick and injured people, but they are not overly fond of paperwork, the US-based college justified.

Tracy McNair, the college’s database administrator, led a team to come up with a data management system that is changing the way fire departments manage and track their training, certifications and record keeping.

The system turned what has been a frustrating paper-based system into a sophisticated online records management system that will benefit every paid fire department in Alabama and many around the world, Tuscaloosa News reported.

McNair’s system is set to benefit people who must deal with the administrative side of the fire service.

The first phase of the programme involves the development of a new website. The second phase, which came online in November 2021, was the rollout of a new department dashboard, which allows officers and administrators to manage most of the training and certifications, class registrations and record keeping. This means that all that information can now be accessed and controlled by each individual fire department.

The third phase of the rollout is the development and will allow individual firefighters to create a profile and manage their own records and personal information.

The Alabama Fire College is accredited through Pro Board, the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications and through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

From UFC fighter to US firefighter, who is Stipe Miocic?

by Americas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsPeople

Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has been sworn in as a full-time firefighter. Miocic has devoted the last 12 years to an American fire station where he works as a firefighter.

The 39-year-old has been made fulltime firefighter after being put through several rounds of tests and checks. He now serves at the Westlake Fire Department in Ohio.

City mayor Dennis M. Clough described the occasion as a “a historic day for the city of Westlake.”

He previously worked part-time for Valley View Fire Department where he cleaned the toilets the morning after his fights.

Miocic last fought in March 2021, where he squared off against Francis Ngannou, which ended in a victory for the later. The loss also meant Miocic lost his heavyweight honours.

IWMA Scientific Council welcomes new member

by People

The International Water Mist Association (IWMA) have announced that Kemal Sarp Arsava (RISE Norway) has joined the IWMA Scientific Council. Kemal Sarp Arsava graduated from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA, with a Ph.D. degree in Civil/Structural Engineering. He has worked for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and for The US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

His main competences include pool fires, oil spill response and large-scale fire experimentation. He has an extensive list of publications under his belt and says about having been accepted to sit on the IWMA scientific council: “I am very happy that the scientific council have accepted my application. I look forward to joining the team and support their efforts in developing standards and building collaboration between the water mist and safety communities.”

The IWMA Scientific Council evaluates the submissions for the annual International Water Mist Conference and for the IWMA Young Talent Award. The members also answer questions from the industrial community and the interested public.

Iwan Cray appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

by People

Iwan Cray, current Assistant Chief Fire Officer, has been confirmed as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Following the announced retirement of Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies, who will leave the Service in April 2022, and the subsequent appointment of Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas to the role of Chief Fire Officer; Assistant Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray was appointed by the Authority’s Appointments Committee on Monday 31 January 2022.

Councillor Elwyn Williams, Chair of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority said: “It is with great pleasure that I can confirm that Assistant Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray has successfully been appointed as our new Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

“Iwan has a great track record in executive leadership here at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and we are incredibly fortunate to be able to appoint an individual of his calibre to the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

“Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies leaves our Service on April 2022 following an illustrious career and I speak on behalf of the Fire and Rescue Authority when I say that we have full confidence that both Iwan Cray and Roger Thomas will form a strong and forward-thinking team, who will drive this organisation forward.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “I want to extend my gratitude to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority in affording me the opportunity to become the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

“Whilst I have no doubt that it will be an incredibly challenging position, I am excited to work with our newly appointed Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas and develop and enhance an organisation that continues to deliver an exceptional service to our communities.”

ASFP 2021 Passive Fire Protection Award winners announced

by People

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) announced the winners of the 2021 Passive Fire Protection Awards, at the Association’s Awards Lunch at the Edwardian Hotel in Manchester. Broadcaster, naturalist and marine biologist Monty Hall presented awards to the winners in six categories, each recognising excellence within the passive fire protection industry.

The winner of the ASFP Installation of the Year Award was Optimum Drywall Systems for its SCCC – Grange University Hospital project. As one of the largest passive fire protection projects in the South-west and Wales, this project presented many design challenges that were resolved with innovative solutions. It demonstrated that a positive collaboration of design, client, supplier and installation professionals can be achieved.

The Passive Fire Protection Innovation of the Year Award was presented to Global HSE Solutions for its Independent Scrutineer Service.This monitors fire safety at the three gateways of construction: design, construction and pre-occupation. At each stage, Global provides desktop analysis and site visits to ensure that all design and actual build details are compliant and installed correctly. Evidential, auditable records are provided for the O&M manuals.

Neo Property Solutions received the ASFP Training and Development of the Year Award for its extensive programme of training activities delivered to numerous stakeholders. The business has demonstrated its commitment to its staff and the wider community by developing passive fire protection knowledge, with significant investment in training initiatives. In the past year, Neo has delivered over 4,729 hours (197 days) of training while evolving career development and apprenticeship programmes.

Joe Cilia of the FIS (Finishes and Interiors Sector) was awarded Advocate of the Year for his work in bringing together several industry trade associations, including the ASFP, to develop the Firestopping of Service Penetrations, Best Practice in Design and Installation Guide. This guide aims to assist in the design, specification and installation of building services penetrations through fire compartment walls and floors in new buildings to ensure that fire compartmentation is maintained.

The Individual Rising Star of the Year, which recognises those earmarked as future industry leaders,was named as Kieran Carlisle of Checkmate Fire. Kieran joined Checkmate as a graduate in 2017 and has quickly developed a sound technical knowledge. Having taken advantage of all of the training opportunities available to him to expand his knowledge of the passive fire protection industry, he has been rewarded by receiving a quick succession of role promotions.

The Lifetime Contribution Award was awarded posthumously to Jim O’Hagen of Structural Fireproofing Systems, a hugely respected stalwart of the industry who died during 2021. Jim was a pioneer of the nascent fireproofing industry in the 1970s, eventually establishing Structural Fireproofing Systems in the early 1990s. With a lifelong association with the ASFP, Jim served on the Council, always striving to improve standards in the industry. The award recognises his huge contribution to both the ASFP and the wider passive fire industry.

ASFP CEO Steve Davies offered his congratulations to all the shortlisted individuals and companies:

“The ASFP Passive Fire Protection Awards highlight excellence in passive fire protection and reward those who contribute to the advancement of the sector. I would like to congratulate all of the winners who proved their expertise and value. I must also thank everyone who entered, since the very high standard and the variety of nominations served to demonstrate the outstanding achievements, expertise, professionalism, and commitment of our members.

“After the challenges we have faced throughout the pandemic, the 2021 PFP Awards were particularly poignant, marking the huge achievements of ASFP members and the passive fire protection industry as a whole; from innovative new projects to incredible individuals.“

For further information on the ASFP and for passive fire protection advice, visit www.asfp.org.uk

E-ONE appoints Jeff Aiken as Director of Engineering

by PeopleUncategorized

E-ONE , a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc., and a business unit within REV Fire Group, announces Jeff Aiken has joined the company as the new Director of Engineering, covering both the Ocala, Florida and Hamburg, New York operations.

Aiken has held multiple engineering director roles, previously at New York Air Brake and Pierce Manufacturing. Prior to those roles, Aiken also spent 20 years at E-ONE, with seven as the Engineering Manager, R&D, and led the engineering research and development research for chassis and aerial products.

“As we continue to look for ways to grow our business and meet our customer’s expectation, it is critical to evaluate our technical processes and improve our product offerings, specifically in the areas of product design and platforming, general bills of materials, and our overall approach to design for manufacturing,” said Gary Pacilio, VP/GM of E-ONE. “I’m excited for Jeff to return to our team and look forward to his leadership as we continue to reduce complexity and optimise our business performance across all of E-ONE.”

Aiken received an MBA from Nova University, MS in Materials Engineering from the University of Florida, and BS in Mechanical Engineering from LeTourneau University. He will be based in Ocala, FL.