Halma trading update reports continued growth across life safety technology businesses

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionSafety

Halma trading update points to full-year growth

Halma has reported continued progress ahead of the end of its financial year, with the group expecting mid-teens organic constant currency revenue growth for the year ending 31 March 2026.

In a trading update released on 12 March, the global group of life-saving technology companies confirmed that second-half trading to date remains consistent with the upgraded guidance set out in its half year results published in November 2025.

The group expects to deliver a 23rd consecutive year of record adjusted profit.

Growth has been broad-based across Halma’s portfolio of technology companies, which operate across sectors including safety, environmental monitoring and healthcare.

Order intake remains ahead of revenue in the year to date and also ahead of the comparable period last year.

Premium growth in photonics within the Environmental & Analysis Sector continues to support revenue performance.

Halma expects full-year cash conversion to remain in line with its KPI of 90%.

The appreciation of Sterling is expected to create a negative currency translation effect on the group’s results.

Halma continues acquisition investment across group sectors

Halma has completed five acquisitions during the financial year to date, including three since the half year ended on 30 September 2025.

These acquisitions span the group’s three operating sectors.

Total investment in acquisitions has reached a record £451m on a maximum total consideration basis.

The company reports that its acquisition pipeline remains active across all three sectors.

Halma will publish its full year results for the year ending 31 March 2026 on 11 June 2026.

Why Massachusetts is revisiting single-stair fire safety rules now

by ConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

Healey-Driscoll administration launches advisory group on single-stair fire safety rules

A new Massachusetts executive order will study allowing single-stair construction in some residential buildings above three storeys.

Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced the order on 13 February 2026.

The announcement described the current Massachusetts building code requirement for two exit stairs in buildings above three storeys or with long interior corridors.

The release said this requirement can make it harder to build mid-rise development on smaller parcels.

Driscoll said: “Building new housing that prioritizes affordability, enhancing the livability of our communities and keeping people safe couldn’t be more important as we respond to our housing shortage.”

“Our administration is spurring all kinds of housing production to meets the range of needs facing Massachusetts residents, so I’m eager for the advisory group to get started and study the feasibility of single stair construction while considering all possible safety risks.”

Advisory group remit and building code updates

The announcement said the Governor is establishing a technical advisory group to develop a process for evaluating whether, and under what conditions, single-stair multifamily residential buildings above three storeys can be safely permitted in Massachusetts.

The release said the group will include fire services, building officials, national architectural experts, accessibility advocates and public-safety professionals.

Its charge includes comparing single-stair and multi-stair buildings, identifying required fire and life safety precautions and recommending targeted updates to the State Building Code.

Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus said: “Every safe, evidence-based strategy to build more homes is needed to meet the housing demands we’re facing, and single-stair multifamily residential buildings could offer us a new way to increase our housing supply.”

“This executive order will bring together the right people – from fire safety officials to architects, accessibility experts and more – who will help us explore the possibilities and find the best path forward.”

Existing practice examples and land capacity estimates

The announcement said Massachusetts would be following an approach used in numerous U.S. states and in other countries if it adopts a single-stair standard for residential buildings above three storeys.

It gave examples including New York City and Seattle permitting single-stair buildings up to six storeys for decades and Honolulu legalising them in 2012.

It also said Tennessee, Montana and Connecticut have enacted legislation allowing single-stair buildings up to six storeys under specified safety conditions.

The release cited Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies identifying 4,955 underutilised parcels within ¾ mile of rapid transit that could host a mid-rise building.

It said the Joint Center for Housing Studies estimates these sites could produce up to 130,000 new housing units through urban infill alone if single stair is allowed up to six storeys and 24 units.

John Nunnari, Executive Director, AIA Massachusetts, said: “This is a thoughtful, evidence-driven step that brings together architects, fire-safety professionals and public officials to carefully evaluate how housing production, affordability and life-safety can be advanced together.”

“We look forward to contributing our expertise to a transparent, data-informed process that prioritizes both safe building design and the creation of much-needed housing across the Commonwealth.”

The release said the advisory group will study feasibility and safety risks as part of the executive order’s process.

Graham Oliphant joins Harmony Fire to lead its consultancy business

by Featured NewsPeople

Harmony Fire consultancy leadership appointment

Harmony Fire has appointed Graham Oliphant as Managing Director of its consultancy business.

The company announced the appointment as part of continued investment in consultancy in response to increased demand for its full service life safety capability.

Oliphant brings more than 23 years of life safety experience, most recently as Director of a UK national fire consultancy.

Harmony Fire said it operates nationally and provides life safety services to Housing Associations, Local Authorities and the National Health Service (NHS), spanning fire engineering consultancy, in-house design, delivery and ongoing maintenance.

Investment linked to demand and regulation

The company linked growth in its consultancy services to a more complex regulatory environment and said this required leaders to maintain continuous focus on life safety.

It also pointed to the launch of its open-source Life Guard Framework, which it said provides housing leaders with an approach to interrogate organisational risk assurance, and added that this has contributed to demand for its consultancy services.

Oliphant said: “Harmony Fire stands out in this specialist field as an innovative, agile organisation driving the transformational change that saves lives and makes communities safer.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be joining a business that is both bringing world-leading technology to the life safety market through its Auro brand, while simultaneously creating Life Guard, which demystifies leadership and organisational safety obligations to transform conversations and actions.”

“Our consultancy offer is rooted in our experience and technical expertise working across challenging and demanding property scenarios, recognising that life safety is not a tick box exercise but an essential element of an organisation’s asset management strategy.

“Applying our detailed knowledge of design, buildability, delivery and lifecycle considerations informs robust cost and scope analysis, eliminating uncertainty and future-proofing asset management decision making.”

CEO comments on consultancy direction

Warwick Melvin, CEO of Harmony Fire, said: “I’m thrilled that Graham has joined Harmony Fire at a pivotal moment for our business.

“We are committed to changing the outdated, inefficient and wasteful fire safety model that currently leads to sub-optimal safety outcomes for residents, blown budgets and increased legal and reputational risks.

“Working alongside many of the brightest and best within and outside the sector, our consultancy business and new framework approach is generating significant interest from housing leaders seeking a better way to efficiently invest in life safety assurance with real long-term legacy.

“As one of the UK’s leading fire safety engineering experts, Graham brings vast experience and a breadth and depth of knowledge and learning that can only enhance the service we provide to our growing customer base.

“I’m excited to see the impact that Graham will make within the business as we seek to transform cultures and approaches to life safety.”

The appointment adds a new managing director role within Harmony Fire’s consultancy business as the company continues to develop its Life Guard Framework and wider service offering.

Pye-Barker launches What Matters life safety platform across US branches

by Breaking NewsSafety

Pye-Barker launches What Matters community platform

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has launched its What Matters community impact platform in the US to align the work of more than 250 branches with its stated purpose of protecting what matters most.

According to the company, the initiative is structured around three pillars focused on supporting employees, providing peace of mind in local communities and backing fellow protectors in life safety and risk prevention.

The platform brings together branch-led activities under a common framework that links operational work in fire protection, life safety and security services with wider community engagement.

Pye-Barker described What Matters as an extension of its position as a fully integrated and full-service provider across these sectors.

The company said the platform is intended to connect internal programmes, charitable partnerships and local initiatives under one banner.

Pye-Barker has framed the launch as part of its broader approach to community safety and risk reduction through both services and voluntary activity.

Life safety focus in national partnership

A central element of the What Matters platform is a new partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the organisation created by the US Congress to honour fallen firefighters, support their families and work to prevent firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

Pye-Barker’s sponsorship is directed to the NFFF Staff Rides programme, which takes participants to the site of a line-of-duty death to study the incident.

During these Staff Rides, participants hear first-hand accounts from firefighters who responded to the incident and from members of the Fire Hero Families Network.

The programme is designed to strengthen decision-making and leadership skills by examining how events unfolded on the ground.

According to NFFF, Staff Rides are held at locations across the US and aim to help participants identify ways to prevent similar tragedies in future.

Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said: “Our Staff Rides program offers an essential opportunity for firefighters and their communities to honor those we have lost—learning from past experiences and carrying those lessons forward to protect more lives in the future.

“Pye-Barker’s support strengthens our ability to deliver this life-saving training and helps us advance our shared mission of reducing preventable death and injury.”

The company stated that its support for the programme reflects its purpose of creating peace of mind by protecting what matters most.

Employee support and local branch initiatives

Pye-Barker said the What Matters platform builds on its existing family culture and its Achieving Lasting Legacy Incentive (ALL-In) ownership programme.

The ALL-In programme grants incentive awards at no cost to eligible full-time team members.

As part of What Matters, the company has introduced a Safety Net Fund to assist employees facing unexpected hardship.

Pye-Barker said the fund can provide support in situations such as illness, fire or natural disaster.

The aim is to help staff recover from personal crises and remain secure in their roles.

The company also highlighted the role of local branches in continuing their own community initiatives under the What Matters framework.

Branches already carry out activities such as providing firefighter care kits and free smoke detectors, contributing to local safety training, collecting gifts for Toys for Tots and fundraising for organisations including the American Lung Association.

Pye-Barker said branches will continue these activities, focusing on creating peace of mind and providing protection for their neighbours in ways that reflect local needs.

Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker, said: “We take our role in keeping our communities safe very seriously.

“It’s what motivates our team members to provide dedicated service and innovative solutions day in and day out.

“Our new program solidifies our commitment to what we value most: our people, our communities, and those who help protect both.”

How the What Matters platform relates to sector practice

The partnership between Pye-Barker and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation centres on the Staff Rides programme, which uses historical line-of-duty incidents to develop decision-making and leadership skills.

This is directly relevant for fire and rescue chiefs, emergency and disaster response managers, and training officers who use case studies and incident reviews to shape operational learning.

For standards and certification bodies, the NFFF focus on reducing preventable deaths and injuries through Staff Rides links practical training experiences with ongoing efforts to improve safety outcomes.

The creation of a Safety Net Fund for employees experiencing hardship is also pertinent to facility managers and fire-protection contractors who manage workforce welfare alongside operational risk.

At branch level, activities such as providing smoke detectors, supporting safety training and contributing to local health-related charities show how a large life safety provider aligns commercial services with community risk-reduction measures.

These examples may inform how other organisations structure staff support and community engagement around life safety objectives.

AEI Cables urges expert guidance on fire-safe cables amid market confusion

by Featured NewsPassiveSafety

AEI Cables highlights confusion over new rules

AEI Cables has urged those responsible for specifying and procuring fire performance cables to seek expert technical advice amid what it describes as growing confusion around new legislation and compliance.

The company said many decision-makers in the supply chain are facing difficult choices about fire-safe products and may be unsure how to interpret current requirements.

AEI Cables stated that technical specialists within the company and within member organisations are available to support project teams who are uncertain about product selection.

Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said: “There seems to be a lot of confusion in the marketplace at the moment around new legislation which makes the selection of cables even more difficult.

“We are advising those who are faced with making these decisions to ask the experts.

“We have technical experts and there are industry specialists attached to member organisations.

“We would ask the decision-makers to seek another opinion if they are in any doubt because the effects of installing the wrong cables can be catastrophic.”

Fire performance cable categories and their uses

According to AEI Cables, clarity on the different fire performance categories is central to making appropriate choices for individual systems.

The company explained that Category 1 fire performance cables provide 30 minutes of fire resistance and are typically used for emergency lighting circuits.

Category 2 fire performance cables are described as offering 60 minutes of protection and are commonly installed for fire alarm systems.

For firefighting situations, AEI Cables noted that extended circuit integrity is required, with Category 3 fire performance cables specified to withstand exposure to fire for up to 120 minutes.

These higher-rated cables are used to maintain emergency power for critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office developments, hospitals, shopping centres and large venues such as stadia.

Category 3 control cables in life-safety systems

AEI Cables highlighted that the guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables covers a range of life-safety applications.

The company said these applications include evacuation alarms for disabled occupants in care homes, emergency voice communication systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings.

Systems supplied by these cables also power smoke and heat extraction installations, which support firefighting operations and help maintain conditions for safe evacuation.

AEI Cables added that the specified cable designs are intended to reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread during a fire incident.

Firetec Enhanced and BS8519 compliance framework

AEI Cables reported that its Firetec Enhanced cabling range has been approved and certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to BS8519 Annex B as a Category 3 Control cable, as well as meeting Category 2 Control requirements.

The company said the British Standard Code of Practice BS8519 sets out six categories of cables, with three categories for power cables and three for control cables.

Each category in BS8519 is associated with a defined survival time of 30, 60 or 120 minutes, providing a framework for matching cable performance to the operational needs of different safety circuits.

How cable selection guidance affects building and safety projects

The information provided by AEI Cables is directly relevant for electrical contractors, system installers and fire-protection contractors who are tasked with choosing suitable fire performance cables for projects.

These groups often need to match cable survival times to specific systems such as emergency lighting, fire alarms and emergency voice communications, making the distinctions between Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 products central to their work.

For fire engineering consultants, mechanical and electrical engineers and building services engineers, the clarification around BS8519 categories provides a reference point for design decisions on critical safety circuits in tall buildings, hospitals, office complexes, shopping centres and stadia.

Facility managers in these settings also rely on compliant cabling to keep evacuation alarms, emergency voice communication and smoke and heat extraction systems operational during a fire, which AEI Cables noted can affect firefighting and evacuation conditions over 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

By drawing attention to available technical support, AEI Cables has indicated that specifiers and decision-makers who are uncertain about new legislation or about how to apply cable categories can obtain additional guidance before making purchasing decisions.

Auro by Harmony launches Auro Lume emergency lighting platform for UK landlords

by Featured NewsLightingProducts

Auro by Harmony launches Auro Lume emergency lighting

Auro by Harmony has launched Auro Lume, an Internet of Things (IoT) self-testing emergency lighting system for landlords that aligns with the updated BS 5266-1:2025 standard in the UK.

The company described Auro Lume as a plug and play range of luminaires that removes the need for manual emergency lighting inspections.

According to Auro by Harmony, the system provides 24/7 auditable golden thread compliance data on operational readiness from first installation.

The launch follows extensive testing in housing and wider public sector environments, the firm said.

Auro Lume is intended to support life-safety resilience and provide regulatory assurance for asset owners responsible for residential and public buildings.

The system is positioned as an alternative to retrofit self-testing modules that can create compatibility questions and affect existing warranties.

Auro by Harmony said Auro Lume installs in the same way as a standard fitting and self-validates from the first day of operation.

New emergency lighting system automates testing

Auro by Harmony stated that Auro Lume connects to a secure Auro central compliance portal via IoT infrastructure.

Through this portal, landlords and facilities management teams can schedule emergency lighting tests across their property portfolios.

Testing can be automated floor by floor or according to other patterns that match the layout and usage of individual buildings.

The dashboard is described as highly configurable to reflect different asset management requirements.

Active system monitoring tracks the operational condition of luminaires and flags issues in real time for follow-up.

Annual power down inspections no longer require direct observation on site, the company said.

Sensors within Auro Lume fittings measure power supply, light levels and battery performance and send data back to the portal.

These readings form part of the recorded golden thread of information on system status and testing history.

Predictive maintenance and reduced site visits

According to Auro by Harmony, Auro Lume runs continuous checks on both emergency lighting function and wider asset condition.

The system gathers predictive maintenance data on light output and battery charging status.

This data is intended to help landlords and facilities teams identify performance changes and plan interventions before failures occur.

The company said the move to automated self-testing removes the requirement for annual manual emergency light tests.

This change is described as a cost and resource saving for landlords managing large property portfolios.

Auro by Harmony estimates that automating this single aspect of testing could reduce engineer site visits by up to 85%.

The firm added that fewer site visits can also cut associated indirect costs such as travel time.

Auro Lume is presented as contributing to sustainability efficiencies alongside compliance and maintenance outcomes.

Auro connected life-safety range expands

Auro Lume is the latest connected life-safety product in the Auro by Harmony range.

Earlier in the year, the company unveiled Auro Door, which it describes as the world’s first fully integrated and certified IoT fire door.

Auro by Harmony is also preparing to introduce Auro Myco, a connected solution to monitor damp, mould and environmental conditions within homes.

These devices form what the company calls a growing universe of smart, connected life-safety systems across the built environment.

The firm said all three devices are conceived, designed and built in the UK by its fire safety specialists.

Ged Moore, Managing Director at Auro by Harmony, said: “The constantly evolving life-safety regulatory regime demands more of landlords than ever before to further reduce risk to residents from avoidable incidents.

“A central theme of these reforms is the requirement for golden thread compliance data to provide assurance for residents, landlords and the regulator that there is constant and pro-active vigilance and action around life-safety risk.

“Auro Lume is the latest in an expanding universe of IoT connected devices developed by our in-house research and development teams to address critical life-safety challenges.

“We have an uncompromising approach to developing best of breed solutions, underpinned by real-time safety assurance that protects residents and landlords from risk.”

How automated compliance data can be used in practice

Auro Lume’s focus on automated self-testing and golden thread records is directly relevant to landlords and facility managers responsible for housing and public sector buildings.

By creating a continuous audit trail on emergency lighting status and test outcomes, the system provides evidence that can be used to demonstrate alignment with BS 5266-1:2025.

The ability to configure test schedules by floor or other groupings may support building services engineers and fire safety officers who need to coordinate checks around occupation patterns.

For system installers, fire-protection contractors and electrical contractors, the plug and play design and absence of additional cabling requirements may affect installation planning and labour estimates.

Predictive maintenance data on light levels and battery charging status can inform planned maintenance regimes for facility managers and maintenance teams.

The estimate that engineer site visits could be reduced by up to 85% may influence how organisations structure call-out arrangements and internal inspection workloads.

Integration with Auro Door and the forthcoming Auro Myco product means specifiers and consultants can view emergency lighting, fire doors and environmental monitoring within a single connected life-safety approach.

The Last Word with Richard Parker, Group Head of Sales at Amthal

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Richard Parker, Group Head of Sales at Amthal, discusses the company’s 25-year journey, investment in skills, and future goals in life safety technology

Can you give us a brief introduction to Amthal and its place in the fire and safety industry?

Amthal is an independent life safety and security technology company that’s been operating since 2000.

We provide a full range of services from system design and installation to maintenance and monitoring; all with a focus on making sure buildings stay safe, secure and fully compliant.

What defines Amthal is the clear strategic mission where we combine technical knowledge with a practical, down-to-earth approach.

We work closely with clients across sectors, building long-term relationships based on trust.

It’s a company that values doing things properly and takes real pride in the work and the people behind it.

Can you share some highlights of your journey with Amthal so far?

Although it’s only been a short time since I joined Amthal in February, I’ve already learned a great deal not just about the business, but also the people who make it work.

What’s impressed me most is the level of professionalism and pride across the team.

There’s a real commitment to doing things the right way right from the start, which creates a strong foundation for delivering quality and building trust with customers.

The openness and support I’ve experienced have made it easy to contribute from the outset and I’m genuinely looking forward to what we can achieve together.

Amthal is celebrating 25 years this year, how has it navigated the industry over this period?

Over the last 25 years, Amthal has responded to industry change by evolving its focus from traditional fire safety to presenting life safety systems.

This reflects how customer needs have shifted, with greater emphasis on integrated, people-first solutions.

We’ve adapted by investing in technology, strengthening compliance and building a structure that supports consistent service across the UK.

What’s driven this progress is a practical mindset: listening, learning and improving.

From day one, we’ve aimed to deliver work we’re proud of, with the flexibility to grow responsibly alongside our customers and partners.

How is Amthal working with the industry to tackle the skills shortage?

We operate in a very busy sector, striving to address the skills shortage in life safety and fire protection by developing skills, building expertise and shaping future leaders in fire and security.

Our new Fast-Track Programme is designed to accelerate technical knowledge, compliance and hands-on experience, with direct involvement from our senior management team.

We continue to invest in apprenticeships and run a rolling recruitment programme to bring in and support new talent.

We’re also proud members of The 5% Club – an industry-led initiative committed to ‘earn and learn’ opportunities – which reinforces our pledge to long-term skills development across the business.

It’s a team effort focused on practical learning, real progression and long-term development to ensure we continue to deliver safe, compliant solutions.

What are Amthal’s primary goals for the future of the fire and safety industry?

Looking ahead, we aim to continue to grow as a trusted life safety partner by continually enhancing how we protect people and property.

We’re embracing the latest technologies, including AI, machine learning, cloud-based platforms and IoT, to deliver smarter, more responsive fire detection and monitoring solutions.

Our partnership with industry leaders like Honeywell Gent strengthens our technical capabilities and supports our commitment to compliance and quality.

By investing in our team and working closely with our customers, we continue to provide tailored solutions that meet evolving safety needs and set the standard for reliable, future-ready fire protection.

This was originally published in the July 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here. 

Percheron launches US fire and life safety platform with Carmine Schiavone

by Featured NewsSafety

Fire and life safety platform established in United States

Percheron Capital has announced the creation of a new fire and life safety platform in the United States, partnering with former Johnson Controls executive Carmine Schiavone.

According to Percheron Capital, the platform aims to work with companies that prioritise service quality and staff development in the fire and life safety sector.

Leadership background and strategic goals

Percheron Capital stated that Carmine Schiavone brings over 30 years of industry experience, having led the largest fire and life safety business in North America through roles at Johnson Controls and Tyco International.

The firm explained that during Schiavone’s tenure, the business achieved strong technician retention and safety records while also generating multibillion-dollar annual revenue.

It also noted that Schiavone later served as Chief Executive Officer at SavATree, where he oversaw multiple acquisitions within five years.

Statement from Percheron Capital on partnership

Chris Collins, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Percheron Capital, said: “We are thrilled to work with Carmine to build a market-leading fire and life safety platform.

“Throughout his career, Carmine has cultivated high-performing, unified cultures that translate to exceptional results.

“We believe the fire and life safety space is resilient with multiple industry tailwinds driving growth, and we look forward to partnering with like-minded, high-quality companies to accelerate their growth and expand their delivery of mission-critical services to more customers and communities across the country.”

Statement from Carmine Schiavone on new role

Carmine Schiavone said: “I am excited to partner with Percheron and establish a leading fire and life safety platform.

“It is a privilege to support trusted fire and life safety companies in providing essential services that protect lives and property daily, and I am focused on cultivating the talent and culture of our field technicians and team members by providing them with the technology, training and support they need to accelerate their careers while delivering exceptional customer service.

“I am confident we will become the employer, provider and acquisition partner of choice and help exceptional companies accelerate growth while protecting the legacy and culture that have driven their success to date.”

Percheron launches US fire and life safety platform with Carmine Schiavone: Summary

Percheron Capital has announced the formation of a fire and life safety platform.

The platform is based in the United States.

It has been launched in partnership with Carmine Schiavone.

Schiavone previously led the largest fire and life safety business in North America.

He worked at Johnson Controls and Tyco International.

Percheron stated that the new platform will support companies committed to safety, service quality and staff development.

The company said Schiavone will lead the initiative.

It added that the platform will work with fire and life safety companies to expand services and growth.

New data reveals scale of job cuts in fire and rescue services across UK

by Featured NewsFire Brigades UnionHealth and SafetySafety

New figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union reveal that 12,000 firefighter posts have been lost to cuts since 2010, leaving the UK without the resilience needed to guarantee public safety. (1)

One in five firefighter jobs (21%) across the UK have been axed in the last 14 years. One in three fire control staff, who take emergency calls and mobilise crews, have been cut.

Meanwhile, response times to life-threatening fires have slowed by three minutes, from 6.11 minutes in 1995 to 9.13 minutes in 2023.

England was the worst impacted, with 10,000 jobs cut (22%). In the same period, Scotland lost 1,400 firefighters (18%), Wales lost 500 (13%), and Northern Ireland lost over 200 (12%).

12 fire and rescue services in England have lost a quarter or more of their workforce. The worst hit service was Buckinghamshire, which has been cut by over 40%.

The FBU has also found that 4,000 firefighters have both a full-time and an on-call contract, meaning that they will be counted as two firefighters in the data. This double counting means that the numbers employed and available at any one time are significantly lower than official figures suggest.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:
“Fourteen years of austerity have devastated the fire and rescue service. Every region has been hit, with 12,000 firefighters lost to cuts across the UK.
“With flooding, wildfires and storms on the rise as a result of the climate emergency, firefighters are being asked to do more with less. 999 response times are slower than ever before, putting homes and lives at risk.
“To protect the public, Labour must invest in the fire and rescue service as a matter of urgency.”

(1) A full breakdown of the data by fire and rescue service, obtained by Freedom of Information requests, can be found below.
(2) According to annual Home Office data on average response times Fire statistics data tables – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Fire and Rescue Service 2010 numbers 2024 numbers Number of firefighters cut % decrease

Scotland 7,712 6,306 -1,406 -18%
Northern Ireland 1,994 1,762 -232 -12%
Mid and West Wales 1,196 1,119 -77 -6%
North Wales 883 724 -159 -18%
South Wales 1,666 1,404 -262 -16%
Cleveland 629 409 -220 -35%
Durham 579 512 -67 -12%
Northumberland 430 322 -108 -25%
Tyne and Wear 940 637 -303 -32%
Humberside 1,053 833 -220 -21%
North Yorkshire 773 599 -174 -23%
South Yorkshire 936 748 -188 -20%
West Yorkshire 1,720 1,103 -617 -36%
Cheshire 746 660 -86 -12%
Cumbria 738 490 -248 -34%
Greater Manchester 1,992 1,397 -595 -30%
Lancashire 1,336 1,070 -266 -20%
Merseyside 1,204 1,010 -194 -16%
North West Fire Control 0 69 69 N/A
Derbyshire 779 734 -45 -6%
Leicestershire 796 624 -172 -22%
Lincolnshire 757 612 -145 -19%
Northamptonshire 575 410 -165 -29%
Nottinghamshire 973 651 -322 -33%
Hereford & Worcester 723 622 -101 -14%
Shropshire 573 485 -88 -15%
Staffordshire 930 695 -235 -25%
Warwickshire 457 429 -28 -6%
West Midlands 1,933 1,417 -516 -27%
Bedfordshire 499 458 -41 -8%
Cambridgeshire 695 535 -160 -23%
Essex 1,415 1,171 -244 -17%
Hertfordshire 842 725 -117 -14%
Norfolk 861 781 -80 -9%
Suffolk 782 595 -187 -24%
London 6,018 4,669 -1,349 -22%
Berkshire 579 464 -115 -20%
Buckinghamshire 625 369 -256 -41%
East Sussex 734 552 -182 -25%
Hampshire & IW 1,837 1,402 -435 -24%
Kent 1,663 1,189 -474 -29%
Oxfordshire 652 563 -89 -14%
Surrey 753 621 -132 -18%
West Sussex 825 632 -193 -23%
Avon 970 750 -220 -23%
Cornwall 647 576 -71 -11%
Devon and Somerset 2,058 1,688 -370 -17%
Dorset and Wiltshire 1,297 1,007 -290 -22%
Gloucestershire 523 403 -120 -23%
UK 59,298 47,003 -12,295 -21%

Data is from Home Office, Stats Wales, SFRS, NIFRS and FBU Freedom of information requests. 2024 figures except for Nottinghamshire, London, Avon, who failed to provide these.

Dräger calls for increased use of fire escape hoods in evacuation safety.

by Breathing ApparatusBreathing ApparatusFeatured NewsProducts

Dräger, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, is calling for fire escape hoods to become part of any fire safety plan where evacuation takes more than a couple of minutes – including educational facilities, hospitals, hotels and high-rise buildings.

Fire escape hoods are designed to provide wearers with crucial minutes of protection from fire-related vapours, particles and gases, including carbon-monoxide. Dräger’s PARAT smoke hood range provide wearers with up to 15 minutes of protection.  According to the UK Government, nearly one in three (30%) of fire-related fatalities are the result of being ‘overcome by gas or smoke’[1], which makes fumes a fire’s most deadly killer.

Dräger therefore believes it is essential that fire escape hoods are used as a supplementary support to other fire safety evacuation measures, e.g., fire doors and disabled refuge areas.

Indeed, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) recently found in a study of more than 100,000 fire door inspections that three in four, or 75% of all fire doors failed to meet required standards[2]. Buildings that had the highest number of fire door inspection failures included healthcare buildings, local authorities and housing associations, and private housing, but across the board the research supports the need for supplementary fire safety measures.

Ian Gil-Rodriguez of Dräger Safety UK says the Industry has a responsibility to promote the increased use of fire escape hoods “The fact that Fire and Rescue Services globally and in the UK are now using fire escape hoods is evidence of their critical importance,” he says. “Our Industry needs to come together and join forces to push this change, for the good of public safety. Fire Escape Hoods should be a standard component of evacuation plans, a complementary part of the complicated puzzle, as opposed to a standalone solution.”

For more information on Dräger or its product offering, please visit www.draeger.com  

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/detailed-analysis-of-fires-attended-by-fire-and-rescue-services-england-april-2021-to-march-2022/detailed-analysis-of-fires-attended-by-fire-and-rescue-services-england-april-2021-to-march-2022#:~:text=2.4%20Causes%20of%20deaths%20and%20injuries&text=In%20the%20year%20ending%20March%202022%2C%20where%20known%2C%20the%20most,of%20fire%2Drelated%20fatalities).

[2] https://www.ifsecglobal.com/fire-news/three-quarters-of-fire-doors-fail-inspections-according-to-fdis/