Emergency Aircraft Act introduced to improve response to wildfires

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsProjects

US Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) have introduced legislation to make states eligible to receive excess planes from the Department of Defense (DoD) to increase their wildfire suppression and emergency response capabilities.

The Emergency Aircraft Act would also remove the current cap on how many excess planes DoD can transfer to other federal agencies for wildfire suppression purposes.

Currently, the DoD has a program to transfer excess aircraft to federal agencies for wildfire suppression, but this is capped at transferring only seven aircraft total to each agency. As wildfire fire activity has increased in recent years, states have stepped up and greatly increased their own wildfire suppression capacity.

States should now be allowed to utilise excess DoD aircraft to increase suppression capabilities, put fires out faster, and increase search and rescue capabilities.

The bipartisan Emergency Aircraft Act of 2022 would:

  • Remove the arbitrary cap (currently 7) on how many excess aircraft DOD can transfer to federal agencies for wildfire suppression efforts;
  • Allow states to receive excess DoD aircraft;
  • Expand the uses for these transferred aircraft from just “wildfire suppression purposes” to include purposes of “wildfire suppression, search and rescue, or emergency operations pertaining to wildfires;” and
  • Mandate an annual report from DoD to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on aircraft transferred during the previous fiscal year.

Senator Cramer said: “The Emergency Aircraft Act of 2022 removes arbitrary caps on the transfer of excess military aircraft to the Forest Service, states, and those on the frontline fighting fires. This bill is a no-brainer to aid our wildfire fighting capabilities.”

Senator Padilla said: “After years of increasingly catastrophic wildfires in California, it has become clear that the federal government must do more to support suppression efforts to get fires under control quickly, as well as support search and rescue efforts to keep our communities safe.

Padilla added: “This common sense bill will increase the tools at our disposal, including by allowing states – like California – to secure excess military aircraft to augment our aerial firefighting fleet.”

Rosenbauer America: electric vehicle fires and the BEST way to put them out

by Breaking NewsProducts

As the number of electric vehicles on the roads have risen so too have the number of electric vehicle fire incidents. For many car manufacturers creating electric options has become a priority, but the technology is quite clearly still a work in progress with the likes of GM, Hyundai and Ford all recalling large numbers of electric vehicles because of fire-related faults.

A recent study by AutoInsuranceEZ which used data from the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that electric cars in the US caught fire at a rate of 25.1 per 100,000 sales – significantly lower than compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles which saw a catching fire rate of 1,520 and 3,475 per 100,000 respectively.

Despite the relatively low risk of electric vehicle fires when compared to their ICE counterparts, it stands to reason that being able to extinguish them effectively is something that is going to become more and more important. As the number of electric vehicles on the road is undoubtedly rising so to will the fire service call outs to deal with electric vehicle fire, particularly as key issue that has been identified with a car battery fire is that it is more difficult to extinguish as in some cases the fire has reignited days after initially being put out.

In order to understand just how best to deal with this electric vehicle fires, IFSJ spoke to Rosenbauer America’s Field Demo Specialist Ernie Young – who has 28 years of firefighting experience – and Dealer Development Specialist Joe Caughey, who trains dealers on Rosenbauer America’s latest apparatus and fire service innovations, for some expert insights and to learn about Rosenbauer’s Battery Extinguishing System Technology.

What makes an electric vehicle fire different from a regular vehicle fire? Is one more prone to fire than another?

Both EV and traditional vehicles have a class A fire component to them (plastics, seating materials, carpeting, etc). It is the battery pack that is the differing aspect in the two. With an EV you have both a class A fire to extinguish and an electric battery pack. Statistically what we are seeing is that EV’s are less prone to fire events that their internal combustion (ICE) counter parts. However, the fire events are significantly more severe when a battery pack is involved due to fire intensity and duration.

Are there different things to consider when putting out electric vehicle fires?

Yes, a traditional approach will still be taken by the arriving crew to extinguish the class A vehicle fire. We must then identify if we in fact do have a battery fire as well. It should be noted, you can have a class A EV fire that does not involve the battery pack. However, if you have an EV battery pack fire you will ALWAYS have a class A vehicle fire as well. It is important to extinguish the class A vehicle fire to then deploy a thermal imager to scan the battery pack to identify heat level, while listening for the distinct EV pack noises that occur during a fire, as well as look for jet flames or low-lying white smoke emitting from the pack. If these are found, then we must address the battery pack fire component.

What are the main symptoms to look for when identifying an Electric Vehicle Fire?

Key signs and symptoms that you have a lithium Ion battery fire is: Low lying white smoke emitting from the bottom of the EV; crackling and popping sounds; if there is fire present you may notice jet flames either from the sides or rear of the vehicle where the packs safety blow of ports (burst valves) are located; you may also see the fire activity come and go in waves (also called a pulsating fire effect) as individual cells/modules release their energy. It is easy to assume the fire is out when it is in fact not, so take extreme caution.

Is there any equipment that can help with this process?

There is currently one product on the market in North America to address EV battery fires: the Rosenbauer Battery Extinguishing System Technology (BEST). Rosenbauer BEST is the most extensively tested and deployed system for this purpose worldwide and is trusted by manufacturers and the fire service.

What is BEST and why was it created?

BEST is the first system specifically designed to address the challenge of stopping thermal run-away events in EV battery packs. Conception and development of BEST began in 2016. After reviewing safety data sheets from automotive manufacturers, we found that they suggested a minimum of 8,000 gallons of water applied over the course of several hours. Anecdotal real-world stories, we heard cases using more than 30,000 gallons of water over 6 hours. Looking at the resource drain on the local fire department this would cause, along with significant environmental and safety concerns. We knew we needed to develop a fast, efficient, and safe system to deal with this new challenge.

How exactly does it work in putting out EV battery fires?

The BEST pierces the battery pack powered by a standard SCBA cylinder. Once the BEST has pierced the pack, a valve automatically opens beginning the flow of cooling water filling the pack. The BEST flows at just 8gpm at 100 psi per minute. Flowing just water we see cooling of the cells within the modules/pack come under the 260-degree temperature (the temperature at which thermal runaway begins within 15-50 minutes, dependent on state of charge, extent of thermal runaway event propagation, and the battery pack size/design.

Any other comments on Electric Vehicle Fires?

Electric vehicles are by in large very safe and are undeniably the direction we are heading. It is important to consider that the day your department will be asked to face an EV fire is not a matter of if but when. Consider the traditional “external cooling approach” and then consider where you can’t afford a single vehicle fire event to burn for 4+ hours in your community, i.e. on freeways, under bridges/overpasses, in parking structures, down-town or densely populated areas, or at charging infrastructure located at the main entrance to malls and other local infrastructure. BEST is the tool to meet the challenge in a fast, safe, efficient manner.

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

Dräger launches BG ProAir for longer firefighting operations

by Featured NewsProducts

Dräger has launched the Dräger BG ProAir, a closed-circuit breathing apparatus designed to protect firefighters attending long-duration deployments such as those in tall buildings, complex structures, basements and tunnels. 

The BG ProAir’s positive pressure breathing closed circuit prevents toxic substances from entering the breathing system. As a result, both inhalation and exhalation are optimised by cooling and enriching the air with oxygen before inhaling, and CO2 being absorbed when exhaling.

An even distribution of the breathing apparatus’ weight has also been implemented to enhance comfort and ergonomics which are especially important during extended missions. 

Oxygen is supplied according to the wearer’s personal workload, allowing more than 4 hours duration at low breathing rates and the new cooling concept also makes breathing easier and more natural, allowing the firefighter to manage the incident at a lower work rate.  

It also features smart onboard electronics including a low-pressure sensor. The integrated sensor warns when there is a lack of oxygen to ensure safe breathing and provides a low pressure leak test of the breathing system. 

The BG ProAir’s housing features reflectors and a buddy light system that can alert other firefighters to their team members’ vital information, such as cylinder pressure, and operating time.  

With a high contrast, full-colour display, user data is plainly visible even in the most difficult environments such as darkness, bright sunlight or smoke. An integrated Bluetooth module provides a short range connection to work with external devices such as gas detectors as well as a PC connection to download data and perform configuration.  

The BG ProAir’s integrated data telemetry and RFID assists the user in multiple scenarios such as entry control management and absorber status tracking. In addition to time calculations such as time to whistle, Dräger have also integrated recognised features like PASS, ADSU and temperature readings. 

With a fully sealed housing, the BG ProAir has been approved to the highest standards for heat, flame, and chemical resistance. For additional safety, it also comes with an optional buddy system enabling the user to safely share oxygen with those in need during rescue situations. 

The new apparatus is designed to be easy to assemble, disassemble and clean – vital for Fire Services that are now further prioritising thorough and consistent cleaning processes to deal with contaminants.  

Liz Millward, Marketing Manager at Dräger Safety UK, commented: “Dräger’s BG ProAir is evidence of our commitment to continual improvement. It delivers new functionality that has the potential to save lives and will improve wearer comfort, especially important when attending the most challenging, longer-duration incidents.’’ 

South Fulton firefighters secure wage increase and better working conditions

by Featured News

South Fulton, GA Local 3920 recently signed its first collective bargaining agreement – the second of its kind in Georgia’s history. The new contract includes significant wage increases and improvements in employment conditions for members.

“We have accomplished a great deal,” said Capt. Andrea Hall, former Local 3920 president, who negotiated the agreement alongside 12th District Vice President Walt Dix and Randy Wyse, IAFF District Field Service Representative and president of Jacksonville, FL Local 122.

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Ed Kelly attended the signing, emphasized the day’s significance. He said: “You’ll find that when we go to the table and we use our voice, the people that benefit the most are the very people that we took an oath to protect. More often than not, the citizens we serve in municipalities and counties where they have collective bargaining agreements, where they can recruit and maintain their workforce, have a safer city.”

“As sure as we took an oath, our elected [officials] took an oath. And, we will, through this process, live up to the oaths we took to the citizens we swore to protect. We will only get better as fire fighters, as a fire department, as paramedics, as EMTS, as first responders, through the advocacy that collective bargaining provides us.”

Both Hall and Eric Patterson, current president of Local 3920, credited the collaboration among city officials. “They fought for us,” said Patterson. “If it were not for the City Council of South Fulton, we would not be here today. Hopefully, together, we’ll keep it moving [forward] and make a better 3920 than we’ve ever had. We’ll support the city, the citizens and everything about South Fulton.”

Alberta Fire Fighters Association changes its name to include paramedics

by Featured News

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) delegates voted to change the Alberta Fire Fighters Association’s name to Alberta Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association (APFFPA), in recognition of several dual-mode integrated services that exist in the province. In fact, virtually all members perform medical duties.

APFFPA President Matt Osborne said: “We’re extremely proud to have paramedics in our ranks who offer efficient and high-quality emergency medical care and have done so for a long time. Our new name better reflects who we are as an association, and the range of emergency response skills our members actually provide to the people of Alberta.”

6th District Vice President Mike Carter commented: “The APFFPA has always represented our members regarding firefighting and emergency medical response. This name change will add clarity for decision-makers as to the breath of the representation the APFFPA conducts. I applaud the APFFPA’s continued efforts to ensure that all fire services within the province are properly resourced to maintain the high level of fire and EMS services. The IAFF will continue to work closely with Matt and the executive on these important initiatives.”

Using cross-trained fire fighter-paramedics to deliver fire, rescue and EMS in the same department is not a new initiative. Lethbridge, Alberta has used this model since 1912, making it the U.S. and Canada’s oldest dual-mode system.

Other Alberta locals currently using dual-mode integrated systems, including patient transport, are Red Deer Local 1190, St. Albert Local 2130, Strathcona County Local 2461, Fort McMurray Local 2494, Spruce Grove Local 3021 and Leduc Local 4739. In all, there are 1,000 cross-trained members who protect over 500,000 Albertans as both fire fighters and paramedics. Members of Yellowknife, NWT Local 2890, who also belong to the APFFPA, also work in a dual-mode system.

A majority of the Alberta IAFF members working in dual-mode integrated systems are trained as advanced care paramedics (ACPs), which is the highest category in the province. But in some cities, like Calgary and Edmonton, IAFF members assist with rapid medical response through the province’s Medical First Responder (MFR) program, which sets provincial standards for the medical skills they can use in the field and how they coordinate with the overall EMS system.

Like many other provinces, Alberta is experiencing serious EMS resource issues that are impacting response times and patient care.

Osbourned continued: “EMS is in a crisis in Alberta because there aren’t enough ambulances and paramedics. We see ambulance waits over two hours in some situations. So what’s happening is fire medical response is playing a significant role because we’re spending a lot more time on scene, which really emphasizes the need for a high level of medical care within the fire service. But this also stretches fire-rescue resources.”

He said the situation is difficult and something needs to be done. One way the APFFPA is working toward a solution is by joining the Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee (AEPAC), a joint stakeholder group created by the Minister of Health that works to identify short- term, medium-term and long-term solutions to the province’s EMS resource problems.

Cuts are stretching fire service’s ability to respond says FBU

by Featured News

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said that cuts are stretching the fire service’s ability to respond as the UK experiences record heat. Firefighters and control staff have been stretched to the limit, responding to wildfires and other incidents as the country faces record temperatures. 

15 fire and rescue services declared major incidents, highlighting the scale of the challenges firefighters and control have faced. Each of these services have had firefighter numbers slashed.

The FBU said Firefighters are working in extreme heat and conditions for excessive periods of time. Employers have had to ask people to give up leave to assist because of staff shortages. There have been a number of injuries to FBU members over the past two days, including hospitalisations.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “Firefighters are at the forefront of the climate emergency. The demands of the job are increasing but our resources have been under attack by government cuts for over a decade. 11,500 firefighter jobs have been slashed since 2010. 

“We have warned of the growing threat for years but our concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The brutal truth is that government ministers and Chief Fire Officers have ignored the warning signs which have been obvious for all to see. They are guilty of criminal complacency. 

“The fire and rescue service should plan for foreseeable risk. The stark reality is that frontline firefighters and local communities have been let down by a combined failure of Chief Fire Officers and politicians to face up to the scale of the challenge. It is simply untrue to say they have not been warned year after year of the risks posed by climate change.

“The same people then tell frontline firefighters to tighten their belts and accept a cut in their pay. We will not accept a paltry pay offer of 2% when the demands of the job are increasing, and the cost of food, fuel, energy and almost everything else is soaring. 

“There is a growing anger at the way firefighters have been treated for more than a decade and at the way our service is being dismantled in front of our eyes.”

Volume Control: mitigating the risk of occupational noise

by Breaking NewsProducts
Craig Storey, Noise Measurement Expert at Cirrus Research, discusses the importance of monitoring firefighters’ noise exposure

Occupational noise exposure is a hazard associated with many professions. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, sets out clearly defined exposure limits for noise that all employers must ensure their personnel do not breach. This is key to protecting people from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) amongst other debilitating conditions, such as tinnitus, hyperacusis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Firefighting is arguably one of the most hearing-critical occupations. The hearing health of firefighters concerns much more than just the conservation of hearing, however. Hearing is crucial in preventing injury in the firefighting environment. Smoke minimises visual cues, and high levels of background noise and stress-related distractions can affect the safety and ability of personnel.

Firefighters should have adequate hearing acuity to hear someone call for help; the low-pressure alarm from self-contained breathing apparatus that indicates that the device is running out of air; sounds associated with imminent building collapse; and to hear sounds associated with changes in a fire pattern.

The key to ensuring the safety of firefighting personnel is to understand what noise levels they are exposed to while carrying out their duties. Firefighters must have their hearing protected from the loud noises associated with their duties, while ensuring that any PPE provided does not obscure their hearing for the reasons referenced above. To get this balance right, it means monitoring personnel’s noise exposure in all work scenarios correctly and accurately and using the data to inform choices on the hearing protection they need. However, this is not an easy task when there is a huge variety among the many roles carried out by firefighters.

How to assess the risk of noise effectively and accurately

The most effective solution to assess firefighters’ noise exposure is to use a noise dosimeter that features octave band filters. A noise dosimeter, often called a personal noise exposure meter, is a small wearable device that fixes to a person’s shoulder. It is a compact and lightweight instrument that can be worn throughout the course of the wearer’s shift while gathering all the noise data required to comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

Octave band filters break the recorded noise levels down into their frequency bands, which when analysed using specialist software, can be used to select the most appropriate hearing protection specific to the noise levels recorded.

Contrary to what many people think about hearing protection, it is entirely possible to be either under or over-protected. Both come with their own set of risks. In the case of under-protection, the chance of a firefighter developing noise-related health conditions increases. Over-protection may inhibit their ability to hear important sounds related to the safe and effective discharge of their duties.

A noise dosimeter, such as the Advanced doseBadge5 from Cirrus Research, provides all the functionality required to effectively measure and monitor personal noise exposure for fire and safety professionals. With octave band filters as standard and the ability to measure all occupational noise parameters simultaneously, the Advanced doseBadge5 makes personal noise monitoring straightforward.

Cirrus Research supplies every noise dosimeter with its licence-free data download, analysis and reporting software, NoiseTools. NoiseTools features an extensive database of hearing protection that, based on the octave band data captured by the Advanced doseBadge5, provides a comprehensive list of the most suitable PPE based on the specific noise levels and frequency measured.

Where does the noise risk to firefighters come from?

Noise is a part of the causal mechanism leading to hearing injury and can cause hearing loss. Firefighters are exposed intermittently to high-intensity noise. However, firefighters can tend to accept noise exposure as inevitable.

When you look at the potential occurrence of exposure to high noise levels on a typical firefighter’s day, the risks can come from three main categories of activity. These are scheduled activities such as BA tests, compressor tests, and siren tests; training exercises on various pieces of equipment; and actual call-outs.

Typical noise levels from, for example, BA board tests within a fire engine’s cabin can often breach the Upper Action Level of 85 dB(A). Similarly, the routine testing of airbags, loud hailers and sounders also creates noise levels above the Upper Action Level. Measurements taken while testing field equipment, such as spreaders and cutters, also generate noise levels well above the Upper Action Level of 85 dB(A).

With the varied nature of firefighters’ daily work, knowing which equipment can pose a danger to them from a hearing perspective is essential. Effective and successful identification of the noise levels generated by specific pieces of equipment can then allow health and safety managers to take proactive measures to minimise the risk. For example, in a daily testing environment, it may be beneficial to ensure that firefighters wear hearing protection for specific tests.

How to reduce the risk of noise

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations aim to mitigate the risk of occupational noise through a hierarchy of control. In order of effectiveness, this emphasises the elimination of noise at its source; substituting the noise source for quieter equipment, for example; isolating people from noise; and changing the way people work. All of this should be considered ahead of reliance on PPE, such as hearing protection products, which the regulations consider a last resort. The reason for PPE being the least effective method of protection is that managing the correct use of hearing protection solutions is difficult.

The correct product needs to be worn in the correct manner for it to do its job effectively. Having a hearing protection product that is damaged in any way, or is not fitted correctly will greatly reduce its ability to adequately protect its wearer. When selecting suitable hearing protection products, consideration must also be given to their use in conjunction with other PPE that is being worn, such as headwear. In an ideal scenario, of course, the noise is completely eliminated from daily work.

Clearly, in the case of firefighters, some of these approaches are not practicable. The nature of their work is such that noise cannot be controlled to the same extent that it can in a more conventional environment such as a factory or warehouse. Even so, there are things that health and safety professionals can do to mitigate the noise levels that firefighters are exposed to.

One of the most effective things that health and safety professionals can do is source equipment that is proven to be quieter than existing tools. Many organisations operate Buy Quiet schemes that mandate purchasing tools and equipment that produce noise levels below a specific threshold. Appropriate training on the correct use of these tools can also ensure that noise levels are kept to a minimum.

Another effective means of controlling firefighters’ noise exposure is to ensure that nonessential personnel are kept at safe distances during noisy tests. Staff rotation is also a useful way to reduce personnel’s noise exposure. By sharing noisy activities among staff, you can ensure that no one person is exposed for longer than necessary. Knowing the noise levels from equipment and systems that personnel are exposed to can provide helpful information to generate procedures that ensure that they are not unduly exposed. Clearly, in an emergency situation, noise levels cannot always be controlled, but knowing typical noise levels in

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

Southern Colorado establishes Interagency Wildland Fire Team

by Featured News

In response to the increase in fire activity a group called the Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team has been established led by Superintendent Shane Coyne.

The ‘South Group’ is made up of people from Security Fire Protection District, Hanover Fire Protection District, Fountain Fire Department, Stratmoor Hills Fire Protection District, Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services, and Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection District.

This newly formed team will consist of highly trained, motivated, and experienced wildland firefighters from across the region.

“I am sober to the work that continues ahead but honoured and excited by this opportunity to create a new wildland fire team,” said superintendent Shane Coyne of the Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team.

“On these red flag days were actually manning extra apparatus or combining it with apparatus that are already down here. So that when the fire call does come out, we’re on scene way quicker and we’re not trying to respond from various locations throughout the county to get here.”

Chief Robert Fisher, Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services said the formalising the partnership will allow them to cut the number of calls they will need to make to agencies to source available emergency responders.

Coyne continued: “In the big picture we just have to realise that fire season is all year long and that we can get a big fire anytime of the year. We can’t let our guard down, there’s no time to rest really. We always have to think that even if it’s December and we think there’s snow on the ground, we think it’s cold that fire could get up and move.

“Every time we’ve had a challenge or something to work through, we’ve made it through that and it has come together actually very quickly.” He added: “This team’s journey will always be a mountain with no top but we are driven by the desire to serve others.”

Danger Detection Devices: The latest products from Teledyne

by Breaking News
IFSJ sat down with Teledyne at INTERSCHUTZ to find out about its latest products for the fire market

Last year, American provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software Teledyne Technologies Incorporated completed the acquisition of thermal imaging camera manufacturer FLIR Systems, Inc. At INTERSCHUTZ this year, Teledyne FLIR and Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection united on one stand to showcase their latest technologies for hazard detection and keeping firefighters safe.

IFSJ spoke to Stephen Grondman, Key Account Manager Public Safety EMEAI at Teledyne FLIR, and Halim Uzun, Regional Sales Manager Portable Gas Detection for Western Europe at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection, to find out more about the acquisition, what each brand was presenting at the trade show and plans for the future.

Teledyne FLIR

Fire fighters are regularly faced with extreme temperatures and poor visibility on the job and they need special equipment to aid them through hazardous environments. Thermal imaging cameras can help emergency responders navigate these environments and maintain a better level of safety by giving them the best solution to carry out their job. Thermal cameras see through smoke, offering invaluable situational awareness while evacuating or searching for victims.

Teledyne FLIR designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes technologies that enhance perception and awareness, bringing innovative sensing solutions into daily life through thermal imaging, visible-light imaging, video analytics, measurement and diagnostic, and advanced threat detection systems.

The company has a diversified portfolio serving a number of applications in government and defence, industrial and commercial markets. Its products help first responders and military personnel protect and save lives, promote efficiency within the trades, and innovate consumer-facing technologies, strengthen public safety and well-being and increase energy and time efficiency.

For Teledyne FLIR, INTERSCHUTZ was not so much a launchpad for new product as it was a showcase of the key products it has to offer to the fire industry. Its range can be split into two categories: fixed thermal imaging cameras and portable thermal imaging cameras, such as the FLIR K-Series which is designed to see through smoke, measure temperatures and find hot spots.

Grondman says that FLIR’s fire tech cameras have an unrivalled image quality across their entire range: “Our main focus is thermal imaging. That is what we do. That is what we live and we breathe. A lot of the other cameras that are available on the market are from manufacturers of other products which also supply thermal imaging cameras but their focus is something else.”

Clarity of image is extremely important for people assessing fire in potentially dangerous situations. “The benefit to having a clear image, it can see through smoke – smoke has no effect on the image. A thermal image will always be there whether it’s day or night it doesn’t matter,” he explains. “It will show up because you have the temperature difference.”

The most recent product launched by Teledyne FLIR was an ATEX certified AX housing for its FLIR C5. “ATEX means that it needs to be explosion proof, so for instance take the oil and gas industry, chemical industry: ATEX is a general European certification standard,” Grondman explains.

Looking ahead, he adds: “There are ideas in development, but it is difficult to say where they will lead to. There is a shift towards every firefighter having their own thermal imaging camera, but equally there are moves towards a more sophisticated thermal imaging camera to be used by certain teams in a fire department.”

Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection

Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection’s brand is backed by more than 100 years of gas detection experience and has become a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality and innovative portable gas detectors, specifically designed for the oil and gas, chemical and shipping industries world-wide. Its manufacturing site in Renfrew, Scotland, has supplied over 200,000 devices across the UK and many more across the globe.

At INTERSCHUTZ, was launched its Gas Laser with highly advanced laser technology, designed to detect natural gas with the aim of enhancing safety and improving detection for fire services, and first responders.

Frequently, fire personnel and first responders are called to natural gas emergencies using equipment that puts them close to potentially dangerous structures. The Gas Laser was created to support remote detection by allowing the operator to work at a safer distance from the hazard location. When access to a property cannot be established, the Gas Laser gives the user an audible and visual indication to the presence of methane.

It performs a quick scan which enables fire personnel and first responders to make rapid decisions and establish control of the gas and ignition sources should a gas escape be detected. It is able to detect gas from a distance of 30 metres, has an eight-hour runtime, features highly visible, sunshine resistant guide laser equipped for location accuracy, graphical interface for easy user interpretation, colour camera with Bluetooth, WIFI, and datalogging onboard and is Certified Intrinsically Safe to Class I, Division 2, Group D, T4.

“When we are talking about our products, their main function is to protect the worker,” explains Uzun. “The Gas Laser is important because it enables them to stay at some distance from the area of risk. Before going in they can use the Gas Laser to check if there is methane inside, which is a flammable, explosive gas.” The Gas Laser was launched at the show and by the second day Uzun says they had already had a lot of firefighters coming and testing it and have given lots of positive feedback about it: “Already a lot of firefighters who want to see it in action – they want us to come onto the field to see how it works in more detail.”

Integral to the design of the Gas Laser, says Uzun, is how easy it is to use: “When we are promoting the Gas Laser to our customers they know that their worker will be able to use the product easily because it is not difficult to use. It only has three buttons on it: you switch it on, you start to use it, you use it where you want to check and see if it is safe or not.”

Also on show from Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection at the show was its improved GT-Fire: an innovative, hand-held solution designed for the fire industry to help isolate gas leaks quicker and easier than before. After normal evacuation procedures are complete, the GT-Fire portable gas detector enables firefighters to conduct more specific leak detection investigations while they wait for gas utility companies to arrive. With this, firefighters have additional information to secure a scene more effectively.

With increased sensitivity and flexible probe, firefighters have enhanced capabilities within a single instrument, meaning they can react faster and with more knowledge. The large backlit display provides meaningful and accurate data, giving them confidence and assurance at the scene.

Uzun adds: “In a world today where a lot of companies are trying to reduce the cost by moving away from Europe, we managed to stay in Europe which is for our customers very important. We are able to answer very quickly any requests from our customers where they are.”

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

National Collaborative PPE Framework celebrates five years of success

by Featured NewsPPEProducts

The National Collaborative PPE Framework is celebrating five years of success of delivering high-quality PPE to Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) across the UK. 

Launched in June 2017 to streamline the PPE procurement process, the scheme has since delivered protective clothing to around two thirds of FRSs across the country, equating to more than 30,000 firefighters.

Created with a view to sharing best practice and delivering efficiencies, the National Framework is managed by the National Fire Chiefs Council’s National Procurement Hub’s Lead Authority for PPE and Clothing Category at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, with PPE supplied by MSA Bristol – a global leader in the design and manufacture of PPE for firefighters.

The PPE range includes Full Structural Ensemble, a Layered Jacket, Rescue Jacket and USAR Ensemble, with selected styles combining innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibres from leading suppliers such as WL Gore, PBI Performance Products and Hainsworth.   

By taking part in the scheme, FRSs have access to high quality PPE with the reassurance that it has been independently evaluated and tested.  Whilst purchase-only contracts are available, the majority have opted for managed services contracts, whereby kit is regularly cleaned, inspected, decontaminated and repaired at one of MSA Bristol’s three in-house UK Service Centres.

Fire and Rescue Services that have recently signed up to the scheme include North Yorkshire FRS, Leicestershire FRS and Oxfordshire FRS.  

Sarah Walsh, Framework Manager, commented: “The National Collaborative PPE Framework has proved a huge success, resulting in time and cost efficiencies for Fire Services around the country, whilst providing robust and comfortable PPE protection for firefighters on the ground, as well as longer-term health protection through the regular professional servicing of these garments.

“From the outset, the Framework’s Strategic Board Team has worked closely with MSA Bristol to ensure the provision of a top-quality service from sign-up, to delivery, to ongoing after-care, ensuring continuity of service despite the disruptions and challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The scheme is an excellent example of successful partnership, collaboration and service delivery. Both ourselves and MSA Bristol are always looking to innovations, as well as to the sector’s requirements, to ensure that any technical refreshes are looked into further for the benefits to end users. It is even more relevant now than it was in the beginning of the Framework, when more research is published on subjects like contaminants, we look at how we can incorporate the recommendations made into the Framework.”

Philip Tasker, UK and Ireland Sales Director at MSA Bristol, added: “Over the past five years, the Collaborative Framework has succeeded in significantly improving and simplifying the procurement process for UK FRSs, making it easier and more affordable for fire services to access the best quality PPE as well as essential managed services. 

“MSA Bristol has been privileged to work alongside Kent FRS to deliver these services, and we’re looking forward to continuing this relationship in the years to come.”

Further information can be found at: https://gb.msasafety.com/MSA-Bristol