Siemens supplies fire control panels to apprenticeship scheme

by Featured NewsTraining

Siemens, a global leader in technology solutions, has shown its dedication to developing the fire engineers of tomorrow by providing fire control panels to Banham Academy, the leading specialist training provider in the Level 3 Fire Emergency & Security Systems apprenticeship scheme in England.

Siemens engineers are among the current 135 apprentices enrolled from 53 employers undertaking the apprenticeship at Banham Academy, which offers a 15-week coursework and training programme at its educational training centres over a three-year period. Successful completion of the course sees apprentices awarded an Electrotechnical Certifications (ECS) ID card and the letters ENG Tech TMIET after their name, providing them with valuable credentials for their future careers. Employers also benefit from having their employees officially recognised and accredited by the IET as engineering technicians, giving them a competitive edge in the workforce.

Practical sessions using the technologies that engineers will encounter in their day-to-day work are central to the apprenticeship programme. Siemens has supplied two panels from its Cerberus FIT FC360 range of compact addressable fire control panels for use at Banham Academy’s two locations in London and Derby, with further panels to be supplied in the coming months to extend availability to the apprentices.

Kevin Faulkner, Operations Director and Safeguarding Lead at Banham Academy, said: “Training remains a vital component in ensuring that we have a sustainable future for our industry. Commitment from manufacturers is fundamental, as it allows us to train the apprentices on the equipment they will face, enabling them to gain real-life experience and become familiar with developments in technology and how it is applied in actual systems. Banham Academy is grateful to Siemens for their ongoing support in enabling the next generation of engineers to train on the most relevant and highest quality systems to further enhance their learning.”

Rob Yates, Siemens Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland, said: “We recognise the importance of training, from the engineers installing the systems to the customers using them. Our work with Banham Academy is an illustration of our commitment to external training providers. Our Cerberus FIT FC360 systems are operating in a wide range of applications, and we offer guarantees against false alarms with our ASAtechnology™ detectors. This is only possible if our systems are installed by engineers who really understand the technologies and how important it is to recognise the environment that the system is protecting.”

IFSJ Comment

Siemens’ supply of fire control panels to Banham Academy demonstrates its commitment to helping develop the skills of the next generation of fire engineers, ensuring that they are trained on the most up-to-date and relevant systems available. The partnership between Siemens and Banham Academy is a shining example of how manufacturers and training providers can work together to build a sustainable future for the industry.

IFSJ Exclusive: Chronic Command Insomnia with Paul Calderwood

by Breaking NewsTraining

Paul E Calderwood, President of Calderwood Consulting International, talks about what is keeping commander officers awake at night

A command officer is always wondering if his soldiers are ready for battle. Are they well trained? Is their turnout gear going to protect them? Are their tools and equipment maintained and operational? Are all the vehicles in good condition and not going to fail during battle? I worry if my captains and lieutenants are requiring all members to be wearing their seat belts while riding in any vehicle and if my battalion and deputy chief is making sure that they are all dressed for battle – are SCBA’s properly secured, gloves on their hands, and hoods on their heads?

I worry if he and his department are well informed as to what is being stored in the buildings in their jurisdiction and what is passing through in trucks and trains. I worry whether my department can handle the ‘big one’ when it happens. Do we have the trained members to safely run the operation like technical rescue, hazardous material and mass casualty incidents?

When a firefighter gets serious hurt or killed there will be several agencies coming in to put the department under a microscope to find all the things that you did wrong: what training you did not do or document, what equipment you did not replace or upgrade and so on.

In the United States there is a program under OSHA called NIOSH and they have a specialised team that respond to incidents where a firefighter has been killed. They carry out a full investigation, at the end of which there is a published report of findings and I truly believe that every fire department should require every member to read these reports when they come out. If we do not change our future, we will only repeat our history.

Frequent issues

When you look at the NIOSH reports you will see several findings that keep repeating. Communication is one of the most frequent findings, where the command and control of the incident are not listening to radio for important messages, radio frequency are clogged with too many and sometimes unnecessary radio traffic or the radio system is old and not working the way it should.

Next is the command-and-control system used by the incident commanders, the lack of well trained and disciplined officers at all levels to give and follow commands. Company officers need to follow instructions and when completed they should report to command that they assignment is completed and get a new assignment.

I am still troubled when I read a report where a firefighter is seriously injured or killed in a vehicle accident because they were not wearing a seat belt. A fire truck is no different than any other vehicle on the road, everyone wears a seat belt. It is a life safety device and every chief should be sure every company officer is making their crew wear them. The driver should not move the truck until the word is given that everyone is belted in and ready to go. If this does not happen, the officer, the driver and the member not belting in should be punished.

The training challenge

Training has to be the biggest nightmare that a chief must face. I still find it unclear what all the mandated training requirements are by topic and hours of all fire fighters and officers. We are supposed to do emergency medical training, hazardous materials, Incident Command System, self-contained breath apparatus and others.

There are several basic trainings that are also needed to be done but are not mandated such as stretching hoses, throwing ladders – but what does a fire fighter needed to be trained in each year, how many hours need to be assigned to that training, and who is checking to ensure that it is being done and done correctly? Some of the hours of required training make it difficult for volunteer fire departments to retain members because you cannot get all the training done during a short meeting on Wednesday night at the fire station or at a live burn on a Saturday.

The numbers just do not add up. A fulltime firefighter working 40-48 hours in one week will have only 12 – 16 hours available for training – that’s before we have to figure in time lost due to incidents, holidays, sick days and vacations. Someone needs to be in charge of training for the entire department and ensuring that it is being completed. Departments should also be looking at remote and online training so members can review training programs when they do have down time.

Command and control in the fire service is designed as a para-military style operation. Officers are placed in charge of several stations, apparatus, and firefighters. The officers are usually “friends” of these people and thus we find that all the rules may not be enforced or let slide. The lack of command in the fire station carries over to the fire ground. I have had firefighters tell me that I was holding them back and being too safe – that is my job. When the alarm sounds in a fire station, the crew have to respond, they do not have to return; it is the commander’s job to see that they return.

Financial strains

Money is the next nightmare that keeps chiefs awake at night. Most budgets have two parts, administrative and the other capital. The capital budget is where your large ticket purchases are going to come from like new apparatus, new or renovations for fire stations and tools and equipment. A chief has to have the mindset that everything has an expiration date like SCBA bottles, apparatus, hose, medical supplies and people.

Payroll is going to eat up the lion share of the budget and the remainder of the budget has to keep the operation going for a whole year. A chief has to closely monitor the spending from each of the accounts.

Firefighter health

Healthy firefighters are the key to any operation. The fire service has been dealing with many different forms of health issues over the years like heart disease, cancer, drug and alcohol addiction and suicide. The mental health of a firefighter is so hard to handle because they are the only person that can tell when they are not able to cope with the sights and sounds of the horrific incident they have to deal with.

Oftentimes, we do not recognise the signs that a firefighter is mentally doing well until it is too late. Firefighter also have to take the job serious enough to realise that they are asking their bodies to perform at an athletes level while fighting a fire and if they are overweight, dehydrated and not eating right then their body is going to turn against them.

Are they doing a good job of decontaminating themselves and their gear after each incident where they have come in contact with biohazards from a medical aid call or cancer-causing products from a fire? Are taking the time to properly washing their turnout gear? Has the department purchased turnout gear extractors to wash and dry the gear?

These are the things that keep commanders awake at night. Each of the items I talked about in this article could a stand-alone paper, each of them has so much research, standards, and budgetary concern to look at.

No matter what size department you work for, all of these things affect you and yes size does matter. The large departments with the big budgets have an advantage but that also means they will be facing bigger challenges from their community. No fire department can do it alone. We all have to pull together and work as a unified team to get the job done.

About the author

Chief Paul Calderwood is a 40 year veteran of the fire service and is now the president of an international consulting company that has worked with national governments including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, South Africa and others.

IFSJ Exclusive: Thermal Imaging Camera use for Hazmat

by Featured NewsTraining

Gavin Parker, Senior Station Officer with Fire Rescue Victoria, looks at using thermal imaging cameras in Hazmat incidents

While Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs) are commonly used for fires, they can also be used for Hazmat incidents providing information without contact of the product or substance that may otherwise be unavailable visually.

Some cameras are intrinsically safe and may have operating modes, features and functions suited to Hazmat use. An understanding of image interpretation and application of a TIC for hazmat incidents and their limitations is important to optimise the equipment’s use.

Hazmat incident analysis

TICs can identify slight energy differences, presented in shades of grey and in some cases a hazmat specific colour palette selection that indicates surface energy variation at a fraction of a degree. Most fire service cameras can also display temperature differences with Direct Temperature Measurement (DTM) in 1° increments.

Typically, with camera use at fires, conditions may change rapidly requiring an extremely quick interpretation of the image and a fast-decision-making process using qualitative assessment that provides visual cues.

During hazmat incidents we may be able to make a detailed study of the scene. Observations can be done utilising comparative and trending assessment, quantitative and qualitative methods, using typically passive and sometimes active methods of detection.

Passive detection can be achieved when there is thermal contrast between the object of interest and its surroundings. An example of an active method could be external surface cooling to increase thermal contrast using a spray of water on objects such as containers to cool the airspace to indicate the product level.

The image and DTM of the object can be done from several viewing angles, utilising and comparing available operating modes. Baseline knowledge of the scene can also be used. As with all TIC use, when visible light is available, compare and consider what is detected in Infrared (IR) with what can be identified visually, together with other known information.

Uses and features

Generally, the use of TICs at Hazmat incidents falls into obtaining information for the following tasks: identifying product levels in containers; location and spread of spills and leaks; and monitoring chemical and physical change.

Features and functions that can be utilised for Hazmat incidents can include: intrinsic safety as not all cameras are intrinsically safe, labelling for intrinsic safety and certification will be located on the camera; DTM which allows for spot temperature measurement within the limitations of the cameras Distance to Spot ratio (D:S); and image freeze – to capture the image for detailed examination or to move to a shaded area to view without the effects from screen glare.

Other functions include: image capture and video recording and playback to record and on some cameras view previously recorded images/footage; laser pointer to indicate the centre of the field of view, as well as the location to others of product levels, extent or outline of leaks and spills; and  tripod mount to enable the camera to be fitted to a standard camera tripod for hands free use.

In addition: a visual sensor may allow a visual image and video capture, or the blending, edge definition or overlay of a thermal over a visual image; digital zoom can be utilised for viewing from a safe distance, improve accuracy of DTM and to reduce the field of view to manipulate the image to reduce or limit background energy dominating the image; hot and cold spot tracker displays a floating curser that automatically indicates the hottest or coldest item within the field of view and can be used to identify the source of some gas leaks and chemical reactions; and user selected cameras modes and screen palettes provide flexibility in detection and screen display options, particularly in low thermal contrast situations.

Screen palette selection

The choice between viewing in standard mode or other available modes will depend on a number of factors and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

White hot (standard mode) is the more commonly used palette. White hot displays warmer objects in lighter shades and cooler objects darker. Grayscale palettes offer simplicity for scenes with a high thermal contrast and generate images with realistic details.

User adjustable screen temperature colourisation or isotherm allows the operator to select the point at which screen temperature colourisation occurs usually a single bright colour; this can be a useful feature when a leak or product level in a container is expected to be in thermal contrast with the container or environment. If there is low thermal contrast it may be difficult to set the camera without it being oversaturated with colorisation.

Hazmat or colour screen palettes can be suited for leaks, spills and determining product levels when focusing on an area with low thermal contrast. This may allow the colour palette to indicate slight temperature variations. For fire use a full colour pallet may overwhelm and confuse us with information, but when used in a hazmat application it can be suited for scenes with minimal energy differences.

Reverse polarity of greyscale (black hot) may have benefits under some circumstances, particularly in cooler outdoor environments.

Temperature measurement

Be aware of the limitations of DTM. These readings can be falsely high or low, the magnitude of error can range from a few degrees to a significant error. Factors influencing temperature measurement includes; size of the area being measured and distance from the target, background energy, atmospheric conditions, limitations of the equipment, the condition and emissivity of the surface.

The emissivity of surfaces will impact the apparent temperature or how it appears and the DTM; particularly gloss painted, stainless steel or other shiny metals and finishes. Shiny surfaces with low emissivity may reflect background energy levels. This can produce an inaccurate image and DTM that can be falsely interpreted.

General limitations using a TIC during Hazmat

Limitations include, by are not limited to the following: TICs will only identify surface energy and temperature; product levels in containers can only be determined with solids and liquids, not gases;  product levels, leaks, spills, and reactions may not always be able to be identified or determined;  environmental factors such as sunshine or other radiant heat may give a “false” thermal indication on surfaces by either reflection or absorption of energy; cold celestial radiation from either the day or night sky may also be reflected off shinny surfaces; and some vapour clouds near the source of a leak may be able to be identified but gas leaks may not.

Other limitation include: screen glare during outside use will sometimes make it difficult to clearly see the image displayed on the viewing screen – some cameras have accessory screen shrouds, otherwise shielding it with a hand or the use of a towel or jacket may cut down screen glare (alternatively, use the “image freeze” or capture function if available and view the screen in a shaded area); low sensor resolution and a lack of some specialist features and functions may limit the equipment’s suitability for hazmat applications; and finally not all TICs are intrinsically safe, and do not change batteries, or add powered accessory items to the TIC in a flammable atmosphere.

Decontamination and cleaning

Manufactures may list environmental and corrosion test standards in the equipment’s specifications. For decontamination, follow agency procedures and instructions in the camera’s operating manual for after use maintenance and cleaning.

A thermal imaging camera can provide information at hazardous materials incidents that may otherwise be unavailable. This can be gathered from a distance, increasing the safety of personnel.

It is important to remember that the information provided may not always be definitive and should be verified by other means if possible. Follow standard procedures and use in conjunction with PPE/PPC and other standard equipment. Experience, training, an understanding of the basics of thermal imaging and the camera you are using is critical in the effective and successful use and interpretation of images at hazmat incidents.

The views expressed are that of the author and not necessarily that of CFA or FRV.

IFSJ Exclusive: Filling the Gap with ARFF Driving Academy

by Breaking NewsTraining

Florian Kubowski, Managing Director and CEO of ARFF Driving Academy talks to IFSJ about aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle driver training

The recently launched ARFF Driving Academy (ARFFDA) provides specified Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) driver training to operators and manufacturers of non-commercial ARFF vehicles all over the world.

The training covers the needs of a beginner all the way through to an ARFF experienced expert, on offer seven days a week at any location, with training customised to each airport’s equipment and staff.

With a background of leading engineering, production and proceeding thousands of testing miles with ARFF vehicles, ARFFDA has developed a working knowledge of the daily challenges of airport fire and rescue services. When it comes to technology and driving of ARFF vehicles, the driving academy is designed to help operators to fill any gap from ARFF Driver Training and to increase safety and efficiency.

ARFFDA offers a modular training portfolio compliant to ICAO/EASA requirements, containing initial, recurrent and refresher trainings, supplemented by appropriate proficiency checks. It integrates worldwide normative requirements (such as NFPA 1002/CAA CAP 699) and is designed in line with the requirements of the councils to promote measures to improve road safety.

Florian Kubowski, ARFFDA’s CEO and Managing Director, has long history in the fire service world, having led innovative ARFF vehicle projects in the firefighting industry and accumulated thousands of testing and adapting miles with ARFF vehicles. IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey caught up with Florian Kubowski to find out more about the training on offer from ARFFDA.

Why was the ARFF Driving Academy established?

In recent years we recognised the need for Airport Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle driver training because accidents are known occur with these increasingly faster and heavier vehicles and efficiencyhas become more important than ever, and there was no real specified training for ARFF vehicles on non-commercial chassis to mitigate and train this.

These types of vehicles are different from the standard commercial chassis – they are different to handle, different to approach and different to use. It is mandatory to attend an emergency within three minutes at an airport. In these three minutes you need to bring a lot of extinguishing agents to the place, but in order to fulfil this requirement, you need to use the full potential of the vehicles on hand.

We have been working with customers worldwide who were asking not only ‘how do we use this vehicle, ’but also ‘how do we get the full performance of the vehicle?’. In an airport fire emergency you have to be fast and you have to be safe. These two things come together and nowadays they are accompanied by the need to reduce tear, wear and fuel consumption as far as possible.

General driver training is focused, most of the time, on safety. Being safe, fast and limiting the use of materials is Safe Efficiency in terms of the ARFFDA and our sole focus. This year we have the slogan that to ‘Fill the Gap’ of ARFF driver training. We know there is very little ARFF-specific driver training and it is unique  to exclusively  focus on ARFF non-commercial vehicles only. Our intention is to support to fill this gap  and to increase skills and knowledge so that you have raised safety, improved response time and lowered life-cycle costs

What training do you offer?

We work with a modular system and adapt our training to an airport’s needs. When we plan our training, we look four weeks ahead and begin talking to the airport or airfield about who is to be trained, what kind of airfield it is, it what kind of vehicles are involved.  

We are offering two types of customers the training. One is for manufacturers for who we offer the Basic Vehicle Handling (BVH) training. This training is for up to eight participants held over one day.

This BVH training has a second focus customer wise – the airport fire department. Airport firefighting teams need to be trained in what an ARFF is. The BVH level is for beginners. Its intention is so that after the training is complete the person completing it will be confident in knowing how to handle the vehicle in general and feel comfortable driving it around the airport. BVH lays the basis for our for our 411 training.

The 411 is for essential driving skills. The training is designed to be undertaken by four participants on one day and one trainer. It is about learning awareness of the limit of the vehicle and how to handle it within this limit. We offer BVH and 411 together as a two-day package.

Beyond that is the 411+: an advanced course that focuses on mitigation skills and advanced driving. For example, if you have driven into a bend too fast, 411+ teaches you how to how to rectify the situation and mitigate the potential consequences. We offer this as a two-day package with 411. Finally, after two years we offer a refresher training which is a combination of the 411 and 411 plus called 411R.

We offer an IASA (International Aviation Safety Assessment) training programme that can be integrated into an airfields training programme. Our training is totally focused on the driving of the vehicle to increase the operator’s capabilities. Doing this allows a vehicle operator to having more mental capacity for the other tasks like communication and observation.

We designed the training along the NFPA 1002 and the CAA standards. How we train is based on the German authority for driving training certification. We are working with them regarding how we create content and bring it to participant training.

What has the response been like so far?

We’re launching in April and we are experiencing a very good response so far. We have some highly interested potential customers and have had the first contracts to commence training at international airportswe and are already linked within a worldwide ARFF network and the interest to our training extends from North America to the middle east so far. We have experienced a specific request and need for our training, particularly as there are lots of new firefighters who are joining the airport firefighting team with less and less experience when it comes to driving any vehicle.

What is your plan for the future of the academy?

We have an open and worldwide focus with a clear plan to grow along a healthy path while always delivering the highest quality. That means establishing the ARFFDA way of driver training, continuously learning and evolving as company and qualifying further ARFFDA instructors bit by bit in order to deliver higher safety and efficiency to even more airports.

Quelfire launches passive fire protection for service penetrations in buildings training

by Featured NewsTraining

Quelfire, a leading provider of passive fire protection solutions, has announced the availability of their CPD training titled “Effective Passive Fire Protection for Service Penetrations in Buildings”. This training is intended to raise awareness and educate the construction industry about the importance of passive fire protection.

The CPD certified training is aimed primarily at specifiers, architects, designers, contractors, project managers, consultants, and surveyors. The training emphasises the importance of early engagement in ensuring compliant installations and effective design and specification of complete firestopping systems.

In addition, the training provides an overview of available solutions and what to look for to ensure suitability and compliance. The training is held by one of Quelfire’s fire containment specialists and typically lasts between 45 to 60 minutes.

The live presentation is mostly delivered virtually via Zoom or MS Teams and is offered to architect practices, main contractors, and other organisations that can bring in at least 10-12 participants to the training. To request a dedicated CPD, interested parties can complete the form on Quelfire’s website.

Quelfire is also delivering the same CPD training as an open webinar on the second Tuesday of every month. Interested participants can sign up on their website.

Quelfire said it is committed to educating the construction industry about the importance of passive fire protection solutions and helping to ensure safer building environments.

For those looking to register click this link.

Cygnus training academy launches

by Breaking NewsTraining

Developer and manufacturer of fully compliant and wireless fire detection and alarm systems Cygnus has officially opened the new Cygnus Academy – an in-person, high specification training hub for installers seeking to learn about the company’s new SmartNet wireless fire detection and alarm system.

Located at the company’s headquarters in Hereford, the Cygnus Academy provides a modern, fully equipped and comfortable environment where installers can complete the SmartNet one-day training course to become a Cygnus Certified Partner.

The SmartNet course, combining both theoretical and practical training, provides detailed insights into the ground-breaking SmartNet technology and the skills required to carry out a successful installation. Areas covered in the first part of the course include an overview of SmartNet wireless technology, site and system configuration and SmartNet installation.

The second part focusses on setting up the mobile app as well as diagnostics and fault finding. It will give installers an in-depth overview of Cygnus and SmartNet and allow them to design and fit a system correctly whilst offering the best services to their clients.

‘Huge growth opportunity’

Cygnus brings a strong heritage with over 10 years developing wireless technology, beginning with the launch of the original Cygnus radio evacuation systems for constructions sites, which became renowned for its range and reliability.

Training dates include 4, 11, 18, and 25 April and 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 May and can be booked via: help@cygnus-academy.com

Austen Wells, Sales Manager at Cygnus said: “Reliable, robust and easy to install wireless fire detection and alarm systems are a huge growth opportunity for installers. The Cygnus SmartNet system transforms that opportunity into a business reality, with a system that is quick and simple to install and can be scaled effectively from small to large installations. SmartNet is also supported by expert in-depth training through the Cygnus Academy and ongoing first-class technical support from Cygnus.”

About Cygnus SmartNet

The Cygnus SmartNet system comprises a comprehensive range of EN54 compliant and Construction Products Regulation (CPR 305/2011) certified fire detection and alarm devices suitable for permanent installation across all types of building environment.

These include a choice of Radio Bases, with and without Sounders and Visual Indicators; Optical Smoke, Type B Heat Detectors, PIR Detectors and a Combi detector, which has a smoke and A1R sensor, together with Ceiling and Wall-Mounted Visual Alarm Devices, Call Points and Interface.

NASFM launches online training to prepare for civil unrest

by Featured NewsTraining

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has launched an awareness and prevention training course focused on helping fire prevention agencies to prevent intentional fires in times of civil unrest.

The course offering was made possible through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant program—grants aimed to support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal of the funding is to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations.

Phil Oakes, NASFM Chief of Operations and Training, commented: “In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in injuries and deaths of firefighters and others responding to public events that have turned violent.

“First responders, including firefighters, are trained to expect the unexpected when responding to emergency calls. This new online training gives them additional awareness and strategies to help them better protect themselves and others while dealing with incidents of civil unrest.”

NASFM partnered with AliveTek, Inc., to design and build this training. AliveTek Chief Creative Officer Marc Hugentobler said: “Our new course, Bridging the Gap: Preparing Your Jurisdiction for Civil Unrest is next-level. It reflects an extremely collaborative and interactive design by NASFM and our creative team. The scenarios within the course engage learners and give them a new perspective and the tools they need to plan for safer communities.”

This course is freely available at the NASFM eLearning portal at no charge to fire prevention agencies across the United States. For more information, visit:https://nasfm-training.org.

Amthal delivers dedicated CPD seminar on fire technology

by Featured NewsTraining

Amthal has delivered its first dedicated CPD seminar “Comply, Stay Alive!” on fire technology, to a leading integrated property consultancy.

In partnership with Honeywell Gent and Motorola Avigilon, the CPD was followed by the successful delivery of the Marlborough Science Academy Full Site Wide Fire Alarm Upgrade using GENT’s latest technology including Connected Life Safety Service.

Marlborough Science Academy is one of Amthal’s flagship CCTV installations, presenting a fully integrated 50 camera end-to-end Avigilon system deployed to protect pupils and staff and help maintain a friendly safe environment.

Paul Rosenthal, Sales Director Amthal Fire & Security commented: “We’re thrilled to have delivered our first CPD seminar. As a highly interactive and eye-opening event, its aim was to introduce a real life application of dedicated fire technology and how it has made a real difference. 

“With over 30 consultants in attendance, we were able to explore all the different components that made this such a successful installation, including an overview of technology advancements in high end CCTV Surveillance and Analytics from Motorola Avigilon.”

Amthal is able to offer a complete portfolio of CPD courses with leaders in fire safety and security including Honeywell Gent and ASSA ABLOY covering all aspects of the fire detection and security industry, including legislation, building regulations and standards, each seminar aims to provide a better understanding of the key considerations surrounding a particular subject area.

Paul Rosenthal added: “All professionals need to adapt to rapidly changing environments by acquiring new knowledge and improved skills. By working in partnership, we can maximise the opportunity to commit to an educational role and to use our expertise to provide a full CPD programme for the fire safety and security industry.”

SFPE opens registration for Practice of Engineering Fire Protection Exam

by Featured NewsTraining

 The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has opened registration for its first 2023 Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Fire Protection Exam Review Course.  

Taught by 12 expert instructors with backgrounds across all areas of fire protection engineering, the SFPE PE Exam Review Course and leverages the deep knowledge from SFPE’s member community to prepare candidates for the PE Exam in Fire Protection Engineering. 

All courses are live, online, and conveniently offered twice weekly beginning in June 2023, with recorded sessions available on-demand afterward. Additional review sessions, online discussions, practice problems, and office hours with the instructors are included – providing the comprehensive preparation needed to head into the exam with confidence. 

An additional SFPE PE Exam Review Course will be scheduled in late 2023 to prepare engineers for the new spring exam schedule commencing in 2024.

Stephen Dale, Chair, SFPE PE Exam Review Subcommittee commented: “The SFPE PE Exam Review Course focuses on the fundamentals of each topic area of fire protection engineering while preparing attendees to think critically, adapt to the exam, and be successful Professional Engineers.”

Nicole Boston, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Fire Protection Engineers added: “Past participants of the SFPE PE Exam Review Course report a 90% pass rate on the exam – notably higher than the NCEES reported first-timer pass rate of 74%. Our instructors are some of the most recognized and well-known engineers practicing today, and they ensure that course participants are well-equipped with the knowledge to pass the exam.”

IAFC selects participants for the 2023 Fire Service Executive Development Institute

by Featured NewsTraining

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced the names of the individuals who have been accepted into the 2023 Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI), funded for the eleventh year by a grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation.

The Fire Service Executive Development Institute is a year-long leadership-development program developed by the IAFC to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures. The members of the cohort will meet three times during the year.

They also will be attending the Fire-Rescue International conference in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of the program. The group will communicate, share information between sessions, and continue their learning process using an on-line community on the IAFC website.

Their on-site sessions are scheduled at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia, with the first meeting scheduled for the week of March 11 – 17, 2023.

The FSEDI program is a premier training program designed to prepare individuals to be successful chiefs and develop the next generation of national/international fire service leaders. Those accepted into the 2023 program are:

  • Acting Asst. Chief Monty Armstrong, Dist. of North Vancouver F&RS (British Columbia)
  • Chief Earl Borden, St. Bernard Parish FD (Louisiana)
  • Interim Chief Todd Carson, Olympia FD (Washington)
  • Deputy Chief Kristin Eckmann, South Metro Fire & Rescue (Colorado)
  • Assistant Chief David Griffin, Charleston FD (South Carolina)
  • Assistant Chief Amy Hanifan , McMinnville FD (Oregon)
  • Deputy Chief Matthew Henss, Indianapolis FD (Indiana)
  • Battalion Chief Adam Hopkins, Hagerstown FD (Maryland)
  • Chief Michael Hussey, Jackson Co. FD #3 (Oregon)
  • Chief Robert Jennison, Livonia FR (Michigan)
  • Assistant Chief Carol Key, Greensboro FD (North Carolina)
  • Deputy Chief Zachary Lardy, Bernalillo Co. FR (New Mexico)
  • Chief Rich Llewellyn, Lawrence-Douglas Co. FR (Kansas)
  • Deputy Chief Jermaine McFarlane, Miramar FR (Florida)
  • Deputy Chief Doug McGlynn, Palm Beach FR (Florida)
  • Deputy Chief T.J. McGovern, Orange Co. Fire Authority (California)
  • Deputy Chief Jeremy Metz, West Metro FR (Colorado)
  • Assistant Chief Felicity Morgan, Wayne Twp. FR (Indiana)
  • Assistant Chief Holly Mulholland, Rochester FD (Minnesota)
  • Assistant Chief Christopher Nash, Horry Co, FR (South Carolina)
  • District Chief Cedric Patterson, U.S. Navy RM-A FES (Military)
  • Deputy Chief Phillips, St. Louis FD (Missouri)
  • Assistant Chief Travis Preau, Loudoun Co. FR (Virginia)
  • Deputy Chief Tiffanye Wesley, Arlington Co. FD (Virginia)