IFSJ mourns the loss of Jonathan O’Neill OBE

by Breaking News

International Fire and Safety Journal (IFSJ) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jonathan O’Neill.

Jonathan began his career in the insurance industry and was appointed Managing Director of The Fire Protection Association in 1999. During his time as MD, Jonathan oversaw two relocations and managed the organisation to financial independence from insurers. 

Jonathan served on numerous government, ministerial, and sector advisory bodies and was part of the strategic advisory group on the Fire Futures Review. He represented UK insurers on the Prevention Forum of Insurance Europe, was the UK’s representative at the General Assemblies of CFPA Europe and CFPA International and sat on the Executive of the Fire Sector Federation. 

In 2017, Jonathan was awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to fire safety and received his OBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on Tuesday 31 October at Buckingham Palace.

The directors and staff at Centurian Media Ltd Media offer their sincere condolences to Jon’s family at this difficult time. 

Firefighters tackle blazes across South of England as temperatures soar

by ActiveFeatured News

Firefighters across the south of England are being faced with large outbreaks of fire as the country records its hottest day ever.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has declared a major incident as fire has broken out in Wennington, Essex. The grass fire broke out and reports have said at least two houses have been destroyed.

LFB said it was under ‘immense pressure’ in response to a surge in fires across the capital today with 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters dealing with the Wennington blaze alone.

Essex Fire Service said it was called out to 130 incidents during Monday’s hot weather with Incident commander Nick Singleton commenting that it was “probably one of the busiest days of my 30-year career”.

In Upminster, around 175 firefighters have been battling a grass fire in east London that sent thick smoke over the M25. Around three hectares of cornfield and scrubland was alight in Pea Lane, Upminster, Motorway drivers have been urged to take care as their visibility may have been impaired by the columns of smoke.

More than 85 firefighters are also tackling two fires in Croydon woodlands in the south of the capital. Eight fire engines with 60 firefighters have been sent to tackle one of the fires in Shirley Hills. Four fire engines are dealing with a grass fire on Chapel View in South Croydon, where around one hectare (2.5 acres) of woodland and undergrowth is alight.

London Fire Brigade says the weather means grassland “will burn quickly”. A spokesperson said: “Common causes of grass fires include carelessly discarded cigarettes or matches, as well as rubbish left lying around such as glass bottles, which can start flames by magnifying the sun’s rays.

“Every one of us can help reduce the risk of fire and keep our communities clean, make sure rubbish is safely thrown away and cigarettes are always properly disposed of.”

In Hornchurch, two flats destroyed and a care home evacuated by a fire which led to 60 people being evacuated from an assisted living facility in east London. About 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were called to the fire on Mavis Grove, Hornchurch, at around 1am.

Yesterday afternoon a fire broken out on grassland at Lickey Hills Country Park, Birmingham as the heatwave continued to push temperatures higher.

The blaze spread from about 400 square metres (4,305 sq ft) of land to 50,000 square metres (53,820 sq ft) in the Rose Hill area within hours according to the BBC.

Roof fire breaks out at Eaton Place in Westminster

by ActiveFeatured News

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters have been called to a flat fire on Eaton Place in Westminster according to London Fire Brigade (LFB). 

LFB said in a statement that firefighters are tackling a fire in the roof of a four storey residential block of flats and a significant part of the roof and a flat on the fourth floor is alight.

The Brigade’s Control Office has received 26 calls about the fire. Residents in the area are advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke and advised to avoid the area as there are road closures in place. 

The Brigade was called at 1141. Fire crews from Clapham, Dowgate, Soho, Hammersmith and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

UK building safety reforms come into force

by Breaking NewsConstructionIndustry Sectors

Many leaseholders will for the first time be legally protected from unfair bills to make their homes safe as measures in the Building Safety Act 2022 have now come into force.

Those responsible for historical safety defects, and those who own buildings, will instead be required to fund essential repairs.

So far, 45 of the UK’s biggest homebuilders have agreed to fix life-critical fire-safety defects on all buildings 11 metres+ that they have played a role in developing or refurbishing in the last 30 years.

Stronger measures in the act include new powers for the Secretary of State to restrict irresponsible developers’ ability to build new homes, an extension of the Building Safety levy worth an estimated £3 billion and improving building owners’ rights to launch legal action against developers.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Today marks a major turning point for building safety in this country, as we introduce a tough new regime to make homes safe and help rid the sector of bad practice once and for all.

“Hundreds of thousands of innocent leaseholders now have the legal protection they rightly deserve, freeing them from a financial burden they should never have faced.

“I’m pleased that most of the largest developers have agreed to play their part in solving this.

“But there is more to do – we are focusing intensively on work with lenders to unlock the mortgage market and empower leaseholders to take their next step on the property ladder, and we will remain vigilant if anyone fails to act on the pledges they have made.”

Where freeholders or owners of buildings over 18m with cladding related issues do not have clear plans to address these issues, they must have full assessments ready to submit to the Building Safety Fund, which will reopen for new applications shortly, helping to ensure applications can be handled in good time, reducing the disruption and stress to leaseholders.

They must inform and consult leaseholders throughout. If they do not do these things, responsible authorities now have the legal powers to compel them to remediate their buildings, and to ensure that they meet the costs.

Alongside this, the government has signed contracts for a new Professional Insurance Indemnity Scheme. This will help assessors conduct EWS1 assessments to identify whether buildings have fire safety risks, ensuring professionals can make sensible decisions and restoring common sense and proportionality to the market.

Leaseholder protections

For the first time, qualifying leaseholders living in buildings above 11 metres tall or with at least 5 storeys will be legally protected from building safety costs:

  • Qualifying leaseholders (those living in their own homes, or with up to 3 UK properties in total) will be protected, in full, from the costs associated with the remediation of unsafe cladding. They will also have robust and far-reaching protections from the costs associated with non-cladding defects, including interim measures like waking watches.
  • It will be illegal for freeholders to pass on the cost of historical building repair works or the removal of cladding to any of their leaseholders, including non-qualifying leaseholders, if they are or are linked to the building’s developer.
  • It will be illegal for freeholders to pass on any historical building safety costs to qualifying leaseholders if they pass the wealth test set out in law.
  • Where a developer cannot be held responsible and the building owner is not required to meet the costs in full, leaseholders with non-cladding related issues will also be protected by a cap on how much they can pay for these costs. The cap will only apply to non-cladding related work for those whose property is valued at more than £325,000 (London) and £175,000 outside London (owners of properties below this ceiling will pay nothing). Where leaseholders have bought through shared ownership, their cap will reflect their share of ownership in the property.
  • Any costs that are not recoverable from leaseholders will need to be met by building owners and landlords.
  • Buyers of new build homes will be able to hold their developer responsible for safety and quality issues under a new scheme from the New Homes Ombudsman.

Making industry pay

New powers for the Secretary of State have been granted to restrict irresponsible developers’ ability to build new homes, including if they refuse to take responsibility for fixing life-critical fire safety defects on all buildings 11 metres+ that they have played a role in developing or refurbishing in the last 30 years.

The Building Safety Levy has been extended to be charged on all new residential buildings. Expected to raise an estimated £3 billion over 10 years, this will fund a new government scheme to pay for the removal of unsafe cladding on buildings of 11-18m where the developer cannot be traced or has failed to agree to cover the costs upfront.

Building owners now have enhanced civil liabilities, enabling them to launch legal action against developers, contractors and manufacturers for shoddy construction works and defective products which have caused homes to be unhabitable in the past 30 years.

Extra powers for the courts in England and Wales have been granted to go after associated companies, meaning businesses who have hidden behind shadowy shell companies within their corporate structures can now be pursued to pay.

These new laws will allow the government to consider appropriate action to pursue these companies as part of a new Recovery Unit that is based in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Improving building standards

New regulations for the industry will enforce a higher quality of building standards – ensuring homes are made safer and that a proportionate approach is taken to safety:

  • A new Building Safety Regulator – overseen by the Health & Safety Executive – will enforce a new, more stringent regulatory regime on the safety and performance of high-rise buildings in scope, in England. It will also consult and respond to safety concerns raised by residents through a new Residents’ Panel.
  • A National Regulator for Construction Products will implement stronger standards on construction manufacturers in the UK. Part of the Office for Product Safety and Standards, this new regulator will conduct vital market surveillance to spot and remove unsafe materials faster, as well as confront poor practice by taking action against those that break the rules.

Welsh government launches cladding crisis support scheme

by Breaking NewsConstructionIndustry SectorsProjects

A new support scheme for those facing significant financial hardship as a result of the cladding crisis has been launched by the Welsh Government to provide tailored, independent advice to leaseholders in affected homes.

It is currently targeted at leaseholders who are owner occupiers and those who have become displaced residents, but the Minister confirmed applications would be monitored and eligibility kept under review to ensure ‘those who need support most have access to the scheme’.

Climate Change Minister Julie James, who confirmed the Leaseholder Support Scheme would open at 10am on Monday, June 27, said: “Today, we are launching the Leaseholder Support Scheme which will help those who need support the most.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the external partners and sector experts who have assisted us in developing this scheme at pace.

“Their support and hard work have been critical to establishing the right qualifying criteria and support processes.”

All leaseholders eligible for this scheme will now receive advice from an Independent Financial Adviser, with the costs fully covered by the Welsh Government.

The advice will support them in making the right choice for them and, if the sale of their property is the right route, the Welsh Government will enable them to sell their property at a fair market value.

Full guidance on the scheme, including the eligibility criteria, will be published on the Welsh Government website at 10am today.

The Minister continued: “Addressing fire safety defects in medium and high-rise buildings must go beyond cladding to make these buildings as safe as they can be.

“This has been our premise from the outset and, although it makes identifying, addressing and resolving issues significantly more complex, it is the right approach.

“There are no quick or easy fixes, but we cannot compromise on achieving the right, sustainable solutions. 

“Anything less leaves the door open to the risk of further issues arising and it is important to me that, once these issues are resolved, they remain resolved.

“We must do this properly, to get it right now and for the future.”

Gas explosion destroys homes in Birmingham

by ActiveFeatured News

At 20:38 on Sunday 26 June, fire crews responded to multiple reports of an explosion on Dulwich Lane, Kingstanding, Birmingham. The explosion, now thought to be a gas explosion, destroyed one property and caused damage to other properties and vehicles nearby.

Dulwich Road is closed and is expected to be for some time. West Midlands Police managed evacuations in the area.

In a statement, West Midlands Fire Service said they believed the incident which completely destroyed one property and significantly damaged three adjoining properties, to be a gas explosion.

The statment said: “One man was rescued prior to the arrival of the fire service and was taken into the care of West Midlands Ambulance, and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Four other people have been treated at the scene for minor injuries.

“We have evacuated the affected and surrounding properties with our colleagues from West Midlands Police. Our search and rescue dog and handler have been mobilised to the scene and an additional search and rescue dog from Lancashire has been requested and is also en route to assist us.

“Birmingham City Council planning officers are standing by to assist residents that may need rehousing. A structural engineer has also been requested.

“We continue to ask the public to avoid the area and follow the instructions of on-scene emergency service officers.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “One property has been completely destroyed with three others badly damaged. Cars have also been damaged.

“A man was helped from the property by people at the scene but had suffered very serious injuries.  After assessment and treatment at the scene, he was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the MERIT team travelling with the ambulance.  His condition on arrival at hospital was described as life threatening.”

Fire protection system market to grow 6.7%

by Breaking NewsConstructionIndustry SectorsProducts

The global fire protection system market size, which was valued at USD 72.72 billion in 2021, is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2022 to 2030.

In recent years, the market was negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and knock on supply chain disruption across countries and regions. However, the post-pandemic market is expected to grow as the rising urban population which will likely boost demand for fire protection systems.

Fire protection systems include equipment such as fire detectors, fire response systems, fire analysis software, fire suppression systems, and fire sprinkler systems. These systems are installed in various infrastructures, including industrial buildings, residential buildings, and commercial buildings, to safeguard people and reduce the loss of destruction from fire hazards.

The adoption of fire protection systems in several developing countries was initially slow compared to developed nations due to the lack of awareness among consumers regarding the product as well as reduced regulatory pressure. However, the launch of fire safety programs and the use of targeted marketing explaining the benefits of a fire protection system have drawn the attention of large as well as small and medium enterprises, leading to steady market growth in recent years.

Construction of new properties, including residential and non-residential, is expected to offer new opportunities for installing fire alarm and detection systems. An increase in the number of property damage due to fire accidents is also driving the market.

The market for fire protection systems is also being driven by the regulations, standards, and codes imposed by different regulatory bodies as the growing standard has resulted in organisations installing up-to-date fire protection systems. These factors are expected to boost the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Detection

The fire detection segment accounted for more than 50.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. A fire detection system comprises various devices working collectively, which help detect and warn people through video and audio equipment during an incident involving smoke, carbon monoxide, fire, or other emergencies.

The fire analysis segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 13.6% from 2022 to 2030. The segment growth can be attributed to the increasing need for fire analysis, which helps make proper decisions during fire prevention.

Installation and maintenance

The installation and design service segment accounted for more than 40.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. This refers to the practice of outsourcing the solution for design, development, upgrades documentation and installing processes of the fire protection system. Fire protection systems are being installed across buildings of all sizes as inhabitants increasingly understand the benefits they offer in small, mid-size, and large buildings.

The maintenance services segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2030. Fire protection systems play a vital role in detecting and alerting people in the event of smoke or fire; however, any fault in the system may lead to accidents and asset losses.

Application Insights

The commercial application segment dominated the market and accounted for more than 45.0% share of the global revenue in 2021, which includes applications for retail, BFSI, government, healthcare, and telecom and IT educational institutions. The demand for fire protection systems in commercial applications is increasing due to the formulation of stricter government rules for fire prevention and control being put in place across the globe.

The industrial application segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 7.8% from 2022 to 2030. The industrial application covers major sectors such as oil and gas, mining, energy and power, and manufacturing. The need to safeguard automated systems from fire accidents is expected to fuel the growth of the segment.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market for fire protection systems and accounted for over 35.0% share of the global revenue in 2021, which can be attributed to the rising demand for intelligent houses and smart buildings.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period, with countries including as India, China, and Japan expected to drive the regional market. Growing urbanisation and rising awareness among the consumers are also expected to contribute to the growth of the market in this region over the forecast period.

Global fire extinguishers market to grow at rate of 5.6%

by Breaking NewsProducts

The fire extinguishers market is expected to witness market growth at a rate of 5.60% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 according to a Data Bridge Market Research report.

The market report provides analysis and insights regarding the various factors expected to be prevalent throughout the forecast period while providing their impacts on the market’s growth, with rapid urbanisation cited as a key driver for escalating the growth of fire extinguishers market.

Another cause for market growth is the increase in the number of fire fatalities in homes and businesses across the globe as the introduction of new safety norms by government to prevent any unexpected incident on account of fire outbreaks.

The expansion from prominent companies of product portfolio by including compact, lightweight and cost-efficient fire extinguishers, and investment in merger and acquisitions to expand their consumer-base is also likely to influence the market.

Additionally, increase in food expenditure, change in lifestyle, surge in the disposable income of people and growing awareness positively affect the fire extinguishers market.

Furthermore, increases in preference for eco-friendly and gas- or powder-based fire extinguishers are expected to extend profitable opportunities to the market players in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029.

However, increased price of raw material is expected to cause issues for the market growth as the report says that risk in terms of mild respiratory, skin, or eye irritation is projected to challenge the fire extinguishers market in the forecast period of 2022-2029.

North America dominates the fire extinguishers market because of the rise in construction activities within the region.

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness growth during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 due to the implementation of strict fire norms in the region.

Cutting edge solutions: Weber Rescue Systems showcases smart rescue equipment

by Breaking NewsProducts

The slogan “Let’s create future” has been WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS’ motto for quite some time. With the presentation of the new battery tool series at Interschutz 2022, the slogan has at last been realised. The innovative rescue equipment manufacturer demonstrates how digitalisation and networking – the leading theme of the trade fair – are also making their way into the fire department.

Just in time for the firefighting international trade fair, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is presenting the new SMART-FORCE tool series, which marks a milestone in rescue tool technology. Revolutionary cutting technologies, high-performance batteries from Milwaukee and the use of smart additional functions will make accident rescue significantly faster and more efficient in the future. In addition to digitalisation, underwater use, service and training are also taken into consideration with the new product series.

Intelligent rescue

With the introduction of the new device series, smart functions are integrated into the rescue device itself for the first time. The SMART-FORCE devices enable communication via WLAN/UMTS connection and offer numerous additional functions for device control and management within their own app, including a pressure display, a training and theft mode, and the ability to analyse the current device status.

“Visitors to Interschutz can look forward to a wealth of new possibilities here, which we will be demonstrating live at our booth,” says Patrick Allinger, Product Manager responsible for the smart features of the new rescue equipment.

In recent years, battery-powered devices have become the standard in firefighting technology, proving over time that they are in no way inferior to hose-bound devices. By switching to the Milwaukee M18 High-Output battery technology, this offers a major advantage for rescue forces as one battery can be used for all operations currently across the range of 17 SMART-FORCE rescue tools from WEBER RESCUE and over 200 compatible Milwaukee tools.

Additionally, thanks to a robust, waterproof and dustproof housing, the new devices are submersible regardless of whether it is fresh, salt or dirty water, thanks to the IP 68 design. This enables work even under extreme conditions, such as high water or vehicle recovery under water.

Smooth Cut technology

In addition to the SMART-FORCE devices, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is presenting a new cutter series with innovative cutting technology at Interschutz.

“The new SMOOTH CUT technology represents a quantum leap in cutting performance,” explains Product Manager Hannes Buchner. It allows us to ensure quiet, low-stress and therefore safe cutting performance with low weight.” The new technology has now also enabled the device capable of cutting through the strongest standard material F7 according to the American NFPA 1936 standard.

The new shape of the blade inserts means that only one roll pin needs to be changed. “This saves time and money. The Plus blade inserts can be changed by anyone in one minute directly at the point of use, and immediately resume working,” Buchner points out.

WEBER RESCUE continues to rely on forged blades that can withstand extreme loads. The forging process pre-shapes the material in the direction of the load, meaning the risk of blade breakage is greatly reduced even under extreme stress.

The new extreme U-shape makes it possible to grip the vehicle pillar even better, featuring an acute angle making them even sharper with two continuous teeth bite into the material and hold it at the pivot point during cutting.

Systemised crashing

The crash system presented as part of this year’s roadshow, the WEBER RESCUE Experience Tour, will also be presented to an international audience for the first time at Interschutz.

In co-operation with the S-GARD SAFETY TOUR, practice vehicles will be crashed live on the outdoor exhibition area. The crash system can be used to realistically recreate various scenarios for exercises. In addition to frontal, side and rear impacts on passenger cars, accident patterns on larger vehicles such vans and truck cabs can also be simulated. This is designed to make the exercises more realistic and optimally prepares firefighters for accidents like those that happen every day on our roads.

Flexible applications

Other product highlights from WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS at the show include the Handvario RIT-Tool, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS’ recently developed hand-operated combination tool for rapid intervention teams (RIT) which functions completely independent of a power supply with hose or battery, enabling flexibility. The interchangeable tips and a wide range of accessories make it suitable for use in a variety of situations, from opening doors to pulling loads or pushing away obstacles.

The device can also be used under water up to a depth of 25 meters and its small size makes it easy to stow away and quick to deploy. Optimum cutting performance is ensured via high strength, forged lightweight blades. For user-friendly operation, the headpiece can be rotated 360-degrees.

The company is also promoting its compact battery-powered unit with an XL-sized hydraulic oil tank, which features a usable volume of five litres and allows the operation of any equipment combination. In Eco mode, the unit can run for up to ten hours and a connection to the external continuous power supply is also available.

Digital solutions

Digitalisation has long been a core topic for WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS. To drive development in this area, a separate subsidiary was founded – RESCUE DIGITAL SYSTEMS GmbH. The company develops individual and easy-to-use apps and software applications in the areas of: alerting, administration, training, accident prevention, rescue and many more.

The new product configurator for the RIT tool makes it possible to configure necessary accessories such as battery and tips as well as additional gadgets online. From this, a pdf document is automatically created, which can be sent to WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS as a request with one click.

With WEBER RESCUE System’s seismographic measurement via app, RETTERSeismo, vibrations and movements are detected via smartphone, enabling an early acoustic warning of the emergency forces in the event of uncontrolled changes in the situation. In addition, the data can also be evaluated for training purposes. The app’s multimode makes it possible to network up to 16 sensors that are attached to the object and track the operation or exercise in detail using mobile, providing data for handling the patient during the rescue of persons from buildings or accident vehicles and is a valuable support for the training of aid organisations.

Remote learning

Coronavirus and social distancing have shown that e-learning is an ideal complement to the training of rescue workers. WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS offers two platforms that are also available as an app: RETTERAcademy and WEBER RESCUE Academy

RETTERAcademy, the individual e-learning platform, allows organisations to create their own e-learning platform. In addition to creating their own learning content, the layout can also be customised to suit the organisation in question, with customisable colours or logos able to be selected to ensure a unique appearance. In the backend, organisation’s own courses, videos, knowledge tests and certificates can be stored. The courses and videos can be completed independently of time.

WEBER RESCUE Academy, the learning platform, provides courses, expert videos and materials on various WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS topics. This content can be purchased via the WEBER RESCUE online store and accessed in the individuals own account. A certificate of participation is issued upon completion of a course. WEBER RESCUE Academy and RETTERAcademy are also available as APP.

On WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS RETTER AR application, training takes place in a virtual environment. Exercises and scenarios such as a head-on car collision, a rear-end collision or a house fire can be projected into the real environment and trained without any risk. In addition, technical data on the respective equipment used can be called up. With the Pro version, it will soon also be possible to connect to multiple devices.

Raising the alarm

Finally, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is showcasing its RETTERAlarm offers a perfect supplement to alerting via radio detectors or the siren. RETTERAlarm makes it possible to alert emergency forces individually, in groups, or even subsequently again in a targeted manner, via either push notification, e-mail, SMS or voice call as appropriate to each emergency worker. It also offers other practical tools such as calendar for events or training services, readiness query, chat function, integration of smart home, alarm monitors for the fire station.

As an extension of RETTERAlarm, ZEUS offers even more efficient, comprehensive and detailed mission management. The display of situation maps as well as the display of deployment plans is possible. ZEUS offers the possibility to make an operation documentation, which can be used afterwards for the operation report. 

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

INTERSCHUTZ opens its doors

by Breaking NewsEvents

INTERSCHUTZ officially opens its doors today in Hannover. Brand-new topics, innovations and a broad supporting program consisting of conferences, competitions, workshops and live training are all on show at the trade fair for fire brigades, rescue services, civil protection and safety/security which will runs until June 26.

What to expect

Against the backdrop of the current geopolitical challenges, the accompanying humanitarian crises and the increasing natural disasters caused by climate change, INTERSCHUTZ provides the urgently needed framework to engage in international discourse and jointly develop solutions to protect human lives.

“INTERSCHUTZ is more important today than ever before,” emphasized Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG. More than 1,300 exhibitors from over 50 countries are looking forward to seeing their customers at the exhibition.

Parallel to INTERSCHUTZ, the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV) is organizing the 29th German Firefighters’ Day, to which the citizens of the city of Hannover and all international exhibition guests are invited. The event will kick off with a “Blue Light Mile” on Sunday in advance of the exhibition in the Hannover city center.

DFV President Karl-Heinz Banse is also looking forward to INTERSCHUTZ: “This is going to be a successful exhibition, indeed it is going to be a great 29th German Firefighters’ Day! At last, we can meet in person again, discuss technical issues, set the political course, and maintain and expand our national and international network of fire brigades. I’m really looking forward to the big events: Hannover will be the center of the firefighting world from 20 – 25 June 2022.”

Digitalization, population protection and sustainability

With the lead theme “Teams, Tactics, Technology – Connecting Protection and Rescue” , INTERSCHUTZ makes it clear where the journey is headed in the future. The digitalization of the firefighting and rescue sector is driving innovation and making a significant contribution to enabling emergency services to work even faster, more purposefully and more effectively. Visitors can get an overview of the wide range of solutions.

The first port of call on the subject of digitalisation is Hall 16: From the “digital twin” to modern communications and control center technology, it is full of innovations. The use of drones for reconnaissance flights, rescue and firefighting robots, the latest 5G applications and digital features on personal protective equipment will also be on display here and in the other halls.

“Speed, safety and quality are essential criteria for successful firefighting and rescue service operations,” said Dirk Aschenbrenner, President of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb). “Today, digitalized processes are already helping to improve operational procedures.” A look at industry and the economy gives an idea of the possibilities that can be exploited in the future to digitally optimize the emergency response system.

INTERSCHUTZ will also focus on other important topics, including civil protection. In times of increasing crisis situations, disaster management organizations are facing challenges as never before. The latest developments in robotics and the prototype of a pontoon boat at the stand of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief show the direction in which civil protection will be heading in the future.

The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, together with numerous partners, will present the pilot project “Laboratory Care 5,000”. At the voluntary humanitarian organization Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, rescue missions are simulated via virtual reality, making the new demands on teams visible.

Product innovations also await guests at the exhibition in the area of vehicle technology. Alternative drive systems for emergency vehicles, for example, will play a major role at INTERSCHUTZ in Hannover. The pioneer here is the global Rosenbauer Group, which will be presenting, among other things, the world’s first fully electric turntable ladder at its stand in Hall 27.

The Berlin Fire Brigade is also bringing a Rosenbauer fire truck with electric drive to Hannover. In addition, electric vehicles for emergency command or transport of injured persons will be on display at the exhibition.

These, as well as other topics, can be covered in live, hands-on training sessions for emergency personnel at INTERSCHUTZ.

Six days of excitement and information

INTERSCHUTZ highlights also include the Holmatro Rescue Challenge (Monday to Friday) and the Firefit European Championships (Monday to Saturday), in which the best international firefighters compete against one another. In full gear and with breathing protection; among other things, they will have to climb a twelve meter high tower and pull up a fire hose.

After the impact machine, participants will run through a short slalom course and then pick up a filled fire hose to extinguish a target fire. In the final sprint, the goal is to rescue an 80 kilogram dummy and carry it to the finish line. It will be interesting to see whether the world record of 1:11 minutes will be broken at INTERSCHUTZ 2022.

Things will also get exciting at the new Hackathon@INTERSCHUTZ – a competition on the topic of civil protection and disaster control (23 – 25 June). This is about who comes up with the best ideas and strategies to incorporate artificial intelligence into crisis and situation management.

Civil protection will also be the focus of the CP Symposium on 21 – 22 June. In addition, there are various presentation stages at the stands of partners and exhibitors. The central INTERSCHUTZ Forum in Hall 26 will offer visitors more than 130 presentations where they can join in the discussion.

The conference covers all important aspects of the exhibition and focuses on one topic area each day: Preventive fire protection (Monday), Civil protection and disaster management (Tuesday), Forest fires and firefighting (Wednesday), Digitalization (Thursday) and Rescue services (Friday). The conference program will be broadcast live on the web, giving interested parties who cannot be on site this year the opportunity to follow INTERSCHUTZ live with all its exciting topics.

Digital participation also includes the networking feature, which allows out-of-town visitors to connect digitally with attendees at the exhibition via the INTERSCHUTZ website.

Platform for international exchange and mutual learning

Networking and exchange is also the goal of numerous international firefighting and civil protection delegations. Globe-trotting experts from more than 15 countries, including Australia, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Korea, plan to use INTERSCHUTZ to gain an overview of the industry’s advancements and expand their network.

“INTERSCHUTZ is the industry’s Number 1 platform for international exchange,” Mr. Köckler emphasized. He is particularly looking forward to the three Partner Countries France, Italy and the USA, which will be in the spotlight from Tuesday to Thursday. Experts will report on the special features of fire protection, safety and rescue in their countries at the joint country stands and in the stage program.

Italy, for example, is one of the countries with the highest natural disaster risk. In addition to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, floods and storm surges, the country also frequently has to contend with forest fires – an issue that is increasingly becoming a challenge in Germany as well under the influence of climate change.

Help for Ukraine

In addition to the three Partner Countries, Ukraine will also be in the spotlight at this year’s INTERSCHUTZ. Many fire brigades and aid organizations are doing their best every day, not only in the country but also in neighboring countries where Ukrainian refugees have been sheltering since Russia launched its war.

INTERSCHUTZ has launched a fundraising campaign in order to make an active contribution and to support the people in Ukraine, as well as the fire brigades and rescue units based there: “We will donate one euro to the good cause for every visitor to INTERSCHUTZ,” Köckler announced.

100 percent of the donations will go to the “Firefighters Aid for Ukraine” fund organized by the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV), and the donation check will be handed over to the responsible persons on Saturday, 25 June within at the DFV Delegates Meeting.

Tickets & COVID policies

Tickets for INTERSCHUTZ can be purchased on the INTERSCHUTZ website (www.interschutz.de) or at the box offices at the entrances (North 1, West 1 and 2, South 1). Day tickets cost 24 euros, concessionary tickets are 19 euros. The season ticket for the entire duration of the fair is 54 euros. Admission is from 9 AM to 6 PM Monday to Saturday. The digital offerings (conference, networking) can be used free of charge.

There are no longer any COVID-related access restrictions to the exhibition grounds. No vaccination status is requested, nor is evidence of a negative COVID test required. In addition, there is no general requirement to wear a mask, but for personal protection, wearing a mask indoors is recommended. The specifications of the respective exhibitors apply at the exhibition stands. Masks are still compulsory on public transport.