Johnson Controls funds community college programme for fire protection and HVAC careers

by Featured NewsPeopleTraining

Why Johnson Controls’ education funding matters for future fire protection professionals

Fifth year of the partnership programme announced

Johnson Controls has announced the fifth year of its Community College Partnership Program, providing $3 million in funding to 30 community colleges.

The company said the programme aims to expand career pathways in technical fields including fire protection, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R), security and digital technologies.

Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer at Johnson Controls, said: “The Community College Partnership continues to empower institutions to equip students for success in the skilled trades.

“It also creates real career pathways and drives meaningful progress in closing the skilled trades gap across North America.”

The initiative builds on previous rounds of funding launched since 2021.

Programme impact and key outcomes

According to Johnson Controls, the programme has awarded funding to colleges across North America since its inception.

In the 2024–2025 school year, 554 students received scholarships.

The company said that 4,998 students have enrolled in participating programmes to date and that 1,046 have graduated, with further completions expected as multi-year courses conclude.

Johnson Controls employees recorded 846 volunteer hours during the 2024–2025 school year through mentoring and classroom involvement.

The company said the programme supports workforce development by providing clear routes into employment in high-demand fields.

Focus on high-demand technical roles

The Bureau for Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that HVAC-R mechanics and installers are projected to see 8% employment growth and approximately 40,100 job openings per year through 2034.

Johnson Controls said the Community College Partnership Program helps address these workforce needs by collaborating with nonprofit colleges to strengthen teaching in HVAC, fire protection, security and digital systems.

Each college receives a grant renewable for up to three years to grow academic programmes and expand student access.

The company expects to have donated up to $15 million by the end of 2026 to support education in these disciplines.

Local engagement and 2025–2026 award recipients

Johnson Controls said that funding for the latest cohort prioritised colleges in areas where the company has a strong customer and employee base.

It added that employee volunteers play a key role as mentors and guest educators, giving students access to professional networks and hands-on learning opportunities.

The 2025–2026 award recipients include Kennedy King College in Chicago, Suffolk County in New York, Montgomery College in Maryland, Lone Star College in Texas, the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland, Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Georgia, Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin, Sinclair Community College in Ohio, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in North Carolina and George Brown College in Ontario.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program directly affects the development of skilled workers in fire protection and related technical disciplines.

For fire-protection contractors, system installers and engineering consultants, the initiative contributes to a more qualified labour pool trained in installation, maintenance and safety compliance practices.

Building services engineers and facility managers benefit from the programme’s emphasis on modern HVAC and fire-protection technologies that align with current safety standards.

For training officers and technical educators, the model provides a framework for integrating industry expertise into vocational education.

By supporting students in both HVAC and fire protection, the programme helps maintain workforce capacity in areas critical to building safety and system reliability.

Johnson Controls funds community college programme for fire protection and HVAC careers: Summary

Johnson Controls has announced $3 million in new funding for 30 community colleges under its Community College Partnership Program.

The programme, launched in 2021, is entering its fifth year and focuses on developing career pathways in HVAC, fire protection, security and digital technology.

The company reported 554 scholarships awarded and 4,998 students enrolled to date, with 1,046 graduates from participating colleges.

The Bureau for Labor Statistics projects 8% growth for HVAC-R jobs through 2034, which the initiative aims to help meet.

Johnson Controls plans to contribute up to $15 million by 2026 to expand access to technical education.

Ten community colleges across North America will receive 2025–2026 funding, supported by employee mentoring and local engagement.

This article contains information from the following source: Johnson Controls

Why Nova Scotia overhauled firefighter training after audit findings this summer

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsTraining

Province launches firefighter training advisory committee

Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management and Municipal Affairs department has announced the formation of a new Fire Training Advisory Committee on Monday 22 September.

The committee was created after a value-for-money audit identified safety and governance problems at the Nova Scotia Firefighters Training School earlier this summer.

Officials confirmed that the committee consists of 32 members drawn from across the province.

Its members include experienced firefighters, emergency management leaders and representatives from municipal departments.

They have been tasked with designing an interim firefighter training plan covering a wide range of operational skills and safety standards.

Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management, said: “The safety of our firefighters and the quality of their training are paramount.”

She added: “The establishment of the committee marks a decisive step toward rebuilding trust, enforcing rigorous safety protocols and enhancing governance to meet and exceed national standards.”

Details of the interim firefighter training plan

The interim plan will include modules on firefighter safety and survival, fire behaviour and suppression techniques, ladders, ventilation, forcible entry and search techniques.

Other areas include personal protective equipment (PPE), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), incident command, live fire training and vehicle extrication.

The plan will also cover water supply and fire streams, hazardous materials awareness, communications and emergency vehicle operation.

According to the province, the training will provide consistent access to core courses, standardise delivery methods across the province and support safe entry-level firefighter education.

The programme will also build a collaborative network of trainers and leaders to strengthen regional training capacity.

All courses will adhere to recognised safety standards.

Leadership and collaboration with Mi’kmaw fire chiefs

The committee is led by two co-chairs: Mark Bettens, Chief Director of Cape Breton Regional Fire Service, and Paul Maynard, Director of Client Services at the Department of Emergency Management.

They will be supported by an executive team including Greg Jones, President of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia, and representatives from regional fire services, the provincial Fire Marshal’s office and occupational health and safety officials.

The committee will also work with Mi’kmaw community fire chiefs to ensure that interim and long-term provincial training plans address their operational needs.

John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs, said: “We all depend on firefighters being ready to respond when we need them.

“For all they do and risk for us, we need to do everything we can to make sure they have the training and support they need to be safe and successful.

“I want to thank everyone involved with this committee for taking on this important duty.”

Greg Jones, President of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia, said: “The formation of the Nova Scotia Fire Training Advisory Committee and the development of an interim training plan is a vital step forward.

“This will ensure that our fire service personnel receive consistent, effective training that supports their safety and preparedness.”

Wider review of fire services governance

The Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia is leading a separate review into fire services governance.

This review will assess operations, training, communications, funding and related matters.

According to the province, the review is expected to be completed later this autumn.

The advisory committee’s work will contribute to this broader review and inform future provincial decisions on fire service training and governance.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The development of a province-wide firefighter training plan in Nova Scotia is relevant to fire chiefs, training officers and municipal fire departments.

The interim plan establishes a standardised approach to entry-level firefighter education, which will support consistent delivery across regions.

For training officers and instructors, the initiative provides a framework to align programmes with recognised safety standards while ensuring collaboration between local trainers and provincial leadership.

Municipal fire departments are directly supported through consistent access to basic training, which helps maintain firefighter readiness and safety during the transition period.

Engagement with Mi’kmaw fire chiefs also shows the importance of tailoring training frameworks to meet the operational needs of different communities.

Nova Scotia launches firefighter training committee after audit raised safety concerns: Summary

Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management and Municipal Affairs department announced on Monday 22 September the formation of the Fire Training Advisory Committee.

The committee was created after a value-for-money audit identified safety and governance problems at the Nova Scotia Firefighters Training School earlier in the summer.

It consists of 32 members, including fire chiefs, emergency management professionals and occupational safety representatives from across the province.

The committee will design an interim firefighter training plan that covers safety, fire behaviour, equipment use, suppression techniques, incident command, hazardous materials and vehicle extrication.

The plan will standardise basic training delivery across Nova Scotia, build networks of trainers and ensure all courses follow recognised safety standards.

The committee is co-chaired by Mark Bettens of Cape Breton Regional Fire Service and Paul Maynard of the Department of Emergency Management.

Officials confirmed that the group will collaborate with Mi’kmaw community fire chiefs to ensure training meets their needs and supports long-term planning.

A broader review of fire services governance led by the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia is expected to conclude later this autumn.

This article contains information from the following source: Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Municipal Affairs

How BESA is reshaping ductwork competence in the UK

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsFire EngineeringTraining

BESA publishes new ductwork competence toolkit

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has released its second practical guide to support competence in the UK building services industry.

According to BESA, the toolkit provides support for professionals in industrial and commercial ventilation hygiene, following an earlier guide for industrial and commercial ductwork.

The association explained that the resources are designed to help firms and individuals meet obligations under the Building Safety Act and existing standards.

It added that the guides are free to download and show how to evidence Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) in practice.

BESA said the new guide offers a template of “what good looks like” at both individual and organisational levels, with advice on applying experience and knowledge as evidence.

Context of competence frameworks after Grenfell Tower fire

BESA reported that the failure of collective competence was identified as a contributing factor in the Grenfell Tower fire.

The organisation noted that national skills frameworks are being developed in response to the Hackitt Review recommendation.

It added that the new guides are intended to offer immediate support while broader frameworks are finalised.

The association said that clients increasingly need to see evidence of competence and compliance, making the guides directly relevant to current practice.

BESA indicated that the resources provide immediate help for engineers and contractors working in high-risk building environments.

Alignment with wider industry and regulatory bodies

According to BESA, the toolkit content aligns with work led by the Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority and Sector Group 10 of the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG).

It said that future guides in the series will also align with the ICSG’s work across all building engineering sectors.

BESA added that the approach is part of sector-wide collaboration to improve competence and compliance.

The association noted that this will support the goal of a consistent national competence framework for the industry.

Development with industry partners

BESA reported that the new ventilation hygiene guide was developed with ADCAS and Milford & Marah.

It explained that the guide provides specific support for industrial and commercial ventilation hygiene operatives, including air and grease hygiene technicians.

The association said that the guide covers cleaning requirements in critical healthcare environments and outlines safety considerations for high-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act.

It added that the toolkit reflects collaborative work between trade and consultancy organisations to strengthen competence across the sector.

Toolkit content and guidance for professionals

According to BESA, the guide sets out principles such as accurate record keeping, third-party validation, and regular compliance reviews.

It said that the toolkit also explains the role of training, qualifications, and on-site records in providing evidence of competence.

The association noted that supervision under the Building Regulations is included, alongside organisational processes for managing competence.

It added that ventilation hygiene operatives are given examples of qualifications and assessments needed for different tasks.

BESA explained that the toolkit provides clear pathways for evidencing competence and professional behaviour.

Industry response to the new guides

BESA’s director of specialist knowledge Rachel Davidson said: “The guides in this series are all designed to help individuals and companies simplify the process of measuring and assessing competence in a practical and easy to understand way.

“They form the first step towards creating a much-needed competence and compliance culture and are designed to support the more in-depth work being carried out by the ICSG to produce a national competence framework for the whole industry.”

Jon Vanstone, chair of the Industry Competence Committee, added: “These toolkits are a clear and practical example of what good looks like when sector-led initiatives meet the ambitions of national policy.

“This work provides an essential foundation for ensuring individual competence can be properly demonstrated and supported — both now and in the future.”

Davidson added: “There is still a lot of work to be done to help our industry develop a true competence and compliance culture.

“However, these ‘starter guides’ provide an important first step.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The guides are linked directly to competence and compliance requirements under the Building Safety Act.

They provide practical examples of how engineers and contractors can meet safety obligations when working on ductwork and ventilation systems.

The resources also give context for understanding how competence frameworks apply in high-risk buildings, including healthcare facilities.

Fire and safety professionals can use these guides to support training, demonstrate compliance, and prepare for future regulatory requirements.

BESA publishes new ductwork competence toolkit: Summary

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has published a second competence toolkit.

The toolkit is for the UK industrial and commercial ventilation hygiene sector.

The first toolkit in the series was for industrial and commercial ductwork.

The new guide provides examples of competence requirements under the Building Safety Act.

It includes guidance on training, qualifications, supervision, and record keeping.

The content aligns with frameworks developed by the Industry Competence Steering Group.

The guide was produced in collaboration with ADCAS and Milford & Marah.

Rachel Davidson of BESA said the guides simplify measuring and assessing competence.

Jon Vanstone of the Industry Competence Committee welcomed the toolkits.

The ventilation hygiene SKEB toolkit is available free on the BESA website.

Webinar seeks to explain why EV parking garages pose unique fire safety challenges

by Featured NewsResearchSafetyTraining

Euralarm to hold webinar on EV fire safety

Euralarm has announced a webinar on fire safety in electric vehicle parking garages to take place on 14 October.

According to Euralarm, the session will review fire risks linked to EVs, the differences between electric and combustion vehicles, and measures that can help mitigate incidents in enclosed parking environments.

The organisation explained that electric vehicle design creates barriers to delivering extinguishing agents to battery cells, making thermal runaway events difficult to contain once started.

It stated that the session will be led by Gerd Hülsen, Vice Chair of the Euralarm Extinguishing Section, and will focus on practical steps to address identified challenges.

The group added that the event will be relevant to both technical specialists and decision makers at local, national and European levels.

Focus on thermal battery risks

Euralarm reported that thermal runaway inside traction batteries is one of the most difficult aspects of EV fire safety.

It explained that while EV battery enclosures protect against water spray, weather and impacts during normal use, these same protections create obstacles to applying extinguishing media during a fire.

The organisation advised that once cells enter runaway, it is extremely challenging to stop the process or prevent propagation between cells.

It added that this creates risks that differ from those typically encountered in internal combustion engine vehicles.

The body confirmed that these topics will form part of the October session.

Comparing EVs and combustion vehicles

Euralarm outlined that the webinar will review differences in fire behaviour between EVs and conventional combustion engine cars.

It said that combustion vehicles present known risks based on liquid fuel ignition, whereas EVs involve battery-specific dynamics that require different strategies.

The organisation noted that the event will provide context on how both vehicle types can behave during a fire in parking garages.

It added that the comparison aims to clarify where additional measures may be necessary in EV contexts.

The group confirmed that safety measures for both categories will be considered.

Target audience for the session

Euralarm explained that the webinar is intended for a wide audience of stakeholders.

It reported that fire safety professionals, parking facility operators, and facility managers are among the key groups expected to benefit.

It added that policymakers and regulators at municipal, national and EU levels may also find the information relevant.

The organisation stated that technology specialists, system integrators and installers will also be addressed.

The body noted that the session is positioned to provide factual information for varied professional needs.

Presentation and content

Euralarm confirmed that the webinar will be presented by Gerd Hülsen.

It said Hülsen will outline factual information on fire risks of EVs in parking facilities in comparison with other vehicles.

The organisation explained that the session will guide participants through available solutions and mitigation measures.

It added that the agenda includes fire behaviour discussions and safety measures relevant to both electric and combustion vehicle categories.

The body indicated that the information will be structured to support technical understanding and operational decision making.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

Fire safety professionals will receive technical insights on challenges specific to EV incidents in enclosed parking structures.

The session will provide comparative data on electric and combustion vehicle fire behaviours.

It will also set out mitigation measures that can be applied in operational and regulatory contexts.

Professionals may find the information relevant for designing, managing, or regulating parking facilities with growing EV use.

Fire safety webinar to examine EV parking garage risks: Summary

Euralarm will hold a webinar on fire safety in electric vehicle parking garages on 14 October.

The webinar will focus on fire risks linked to EV traction batteries.

Euralarm explained that battery design makes extinguishment during thermal runaway difficult.

The group added that the webinar will compare EV and combustion vehicle fire risks.

It confirmed that solutions and mitigation measures will be discussed.

The session will be presented by Gerd Hülsen, Vice Chair of the Euralarm Extinguishing Section.

It is intended for fire safety professionals, parking facility operators, facility managers, policymakers, and system integrators.

The organisation reported that the content will provide factual information for operational and regulatory use.

The group advised that the webinar will take place online.

It added that participants will receive structured technical guidance.