UL Research Institutes updates search and rescue training course

by Featured NewsSearch and RescueTraining

FRSI training course adds new tactical lessons

UL Research Institutes and its Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) have announced a new version of the free online training course Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Family Single-Story Residential Structures on the Fire Safety Academy.

The updated training course reflects findings from full-scale burn experiments and adds three tactical considerations to the original Search & Rescue course.

One lesson covers simultaneous exterior and interior suppression operations when crews arrive to a fully developed fire with extension to the exterior and sufficient resources are available.

A second lesson covers local ventilation in compartments remote from the fire area, including pre suppression isolation of the compartment before ventilation.

A third lesson covers hydraulic ventilation immediately after suppression to increase the rate at which combustion gases exhaust from the structure.

New materials for officers and instructors

FSRI said the updated course also includes ready-to-use materials for training officers and instructors.

These include five scenario based drill sheets designed to reinforce decision making and coordination across search scenarios and victim removal.

The updated materials also include time-to-task sheets to track how long crews take to complete actions such as forcing entry, a single-room search and drag-and-carry.

Discussion guides have also been added to support post-drill or informal conversation intended to reinforce learning and improve retention.

Meghan Maloney, manager of education and training for the Fire Safety Research Institute, said: “The re-launch of this course builds on years of research and ongoing collaboration with the fire service to meet their training needs.

“On the fireground, every decision and every minute matters, and our free training helps firefighters at all levels be better prepared to make smarter, safer decisions that influence occupant survivability and firefighter safety.”

The course states that firefighters who complete it will learn how isolation and ventilation affect occupant survivability and firefighter safety, how the timing of suppression actions affects search and rescue operations, and how removal tactics and timing may influence survivability.

The Fire Safety Academy also provides free self-paced training on topics including fire dynamics, firefighting tactics, firefighter health, lithium-ion batteries and WUI fires.

The updated course adds new lessons and training materials to the existing search and rescue programme.

FSRI study expands search and rescue guidance for residential firefighting operations

by Featured NewsResearchSearch and Rescue
Image Credit: FSRI

Search and rescue report adds three tactics

UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) has announced a new technical report in its Study of Fire Service Residential Home Size-up and Search & Rescue Operations project, adding three tactical considerations to previous findings.

FSRI said the report is based on new full-scale residential fire experiments examining how crews should coordinate search, suppression and ventilation.

The new material adds Tactical Considerations 10, 11 and 12 to the original nine tactical considerations from earlier reports.

The report states that, where resources are sufficient, crews arriving at a fully developed fire with extension to the exterior should consider simultaneous exterior and interior suppression operations.

It states that a well-applied exterior stream can produce rapid interior improvement and that coordination with interior suppression can improve conditions for occupants and firefighters.

The report also says compartments remote from the fire area should be locally ventilated as soon as possible, with pre-suppression isolation of the compartment before ventilation.

It adds that rooms farther from the fire are often where victims are found and that conditions in those spaces can keep deteriorating after the fire is controlled if they are left unattended.

Search and rescue experiments informed updated guidance

Keith Stakes, principal research engineer, said: “The release of this report is the result of our continued collaboration with the fire service to deliver real, actionable insights that the fire service can take back to the fireground.

“We take seriously our commitment to answering the urgent questions facing the fire service every shift, knowing that improved understanding and insights leads to safer operations and improved outcomes for victims.”

FSRI said the new tactical considerations came from 10 experiments in purpose-built, fully furnished, single-story, single-family structures designed to represent today’s residential environment.

The homes used in the experiments included four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open kitchen and living area, as well as an HVAC system used to study smoke and heat movement.

Researchers collected measurements for gas temperatures and gas concentrations, along with gas velocities, pressure and heat fluxes in every room at multiple heights.

The structure, fuel loading and instrumentation remained consistent across burns, with tactical actions such as the timing and location of search, suppression and ventilation varied between experiments.

FSRI said the new tactical considerations will later this year be added to an updated version of the Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Story, Single-Family Residential Structures online course on the Fire Safety Academy.

Victorian search and rescue dog teams join Motorola Solutions radio network

by Featured NewsSearch and Rescue

Search and rescue dogs join Victorian network

Two Victorian volunteer search and rescue dog organisations have been added to the Victorian Radio Network (VRN), giving them direct radio access to the state’s primary emergency services during missions in remote areas.

Motorola Solutions announced that Australian Search and Rescue K9 (ASAR-K9) and Search and Rescue Dogs Australia (SARDA) can now use APX 8000 portable two-way radios on shared channels with emergency services.

The change allows both groups to communicate directly with police and other agencies during rescue operations in isolated terrain.

Motorola Solutions said the addition is intended to improve the speed and safety of missions involving volunteer dog teams.

Suarez said: “Our dogs are trained to search through thick bushland to locate missing persons, often in highly challenging and time-critical situations.

“These new radios enable us to communicate securely with police and other emergency services, significantly improving safety for our members and our effectiveness in bringing loved ones home.”

Shared channels for remote operations

Representatives from Victorian emergency services and the company joined search and rescue dog teams at the ASAR-K9 headquarters to mark the donation of the radios.

Motorola Solutions said the equipment supports interagency communication in rugged and remote parts of the state.

Con Balaskas, managing director, Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand, said: “Providing these exceptional search and rescue dog teams and public safety agencies with resilient communications helps them to work safely and efficiently, coordinating their responses when it matters most.

“This collaboration has already proven its value; in one recent search, rescue dog teams located critical items belonging to a missing woman, leading police to find her safe and well at a remote location.”

Motorola Solutions said the addition of the dog teams to the VRN follows the Victorian government’s 10-year contract extension with the company to maintain and enhance emergency communications across the state.

Team Wendy bump helmets and accessories now available through GovX

by Featured NewsPPE

Helmets now available through GovX

Team Wendy announced that GovX verification is now integrated into its online checkout.

The company has made its full line-up of helmets and accessories available through GovX, with a 10% discount for eligible customers who complete verification.

Eligible users include military members, first responders and search-and-rescue (SAR) professionals.

Verification can be completed in a few clicks at checkout, with the discount applied automatically and no requirement to email identification or request a code.

Hatgas said: “Our focus is building head protection systems people can trust when the stakes are high,

“We wanted the discount process to be as dependable as our gear fast verification, automatic savings, no extra steps.

“GovX lets us meet customers where they are.”

How customers access the discount

Customers can obtain the 10% reduction either by verifying through GovX during checkout on TeamWendy.com or by beginning their purchase on GovX.com and being directed to Team Wendy’s store.

The same discount can be reused on future orders when customers log in via GovX.

Products available through the platform include ballistic helmets, bump helmets and a range of accessories.

The line-up covers the RIFLETECH rifle-rated ballistic helmet alongside the EXFIL Rescuer and EXFIL Maritime Rescuer models, which are designed for search-and-rescue operations on land and water.

Also included are liner systems, retention systems and add-ons such as helmet covers, face shields and rail mounts for mission-specific configurations.

The update extends an existing discount scheme that Team Wendy has long offered to active duty and retired members of law enforcement, fire, military and SAR communities.

Darley to supply rescue and communications gear for Ford Bronco donations

by Featured NewsSearch and RescueVehicles

Darley supports Ford’s Bronco donation programme

Ford has announced a nationwide search to donate five Bronco Badlands models with the Sasquatch Package to under-resourced search and rescue organisations in 2026.

The announcement was made at the Detroit Auto Show.

Two recipients are already confirmed as Kern County Fire and Rescue in California and Teton County Search and Rescue in Wyoming.

Applications are now open for the remaining three vehicles.

Equipment and application details

Ford said it is working with Darley and Public Safety Direct to make the vehicles mission-ready.

The vehicle fit-out may include Starlink satellite connectivity for communications in remote or disaster-impacted areas.

The fit-out may also include integrated drone technology for real-time aerial reconnaissance and situational awareness.

The specification may also include advanced lighting, winches and recovery systems.

Peter Darley, Executive Vice President and COO of Darley, said: “We’re proud to collaborate with Ford because we share a commitment to innovation and supporting those who serve.

“By combining Ford’s legendary vehicles with Darley’s expertise in rescue and communications gear, we’re helping search and rescue teams operate at their best, even in the toughest conditions.”

Kevin Sofen, Technology and Innovation Manager for Darley, added: “Search and rescue teams don’t need complicated technology, they need tools that work every time they show up for work.

“These Broncos are purpose-built with reliable connectivity and integrated rescue capabilities designed specifically for how SAR teams operate.

“It’s a vehicle teams can rely on in demanding conditions, without having to question whether it’s going to hold up when lives are on the line”

Search and rescue organisations interested in applying can find details at the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) webpage.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand celebrates 30 years of USAR capability

by Featured NewsSearch and Rescue

National events mark three decades of USAR

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has marked 30 years since the creation of its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capability.

Celebrations took place this week across the organisation’s Northern, Central and Southern USAR bases.

The milestone brought together current and former personnel who have contributed to the development of the programme since its inception in 1995.

The first USAR course in New Zealand was held that year at Linton Army Camp with instruction from a team of trainers from the United States.

Some of the original trainees and instructors attended the anniversary event in Palmerston North.

Programme origins and international partnerships

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the event recognised the contributions of the original programme architect, United States instructors and the New Zealand personnel who completed the first USAR training course.

The collaboration between New Zealand and the United States in 1995 laid the foundation for a specialised national search and rescue capability that has since developed into a key component of Fire and Emergency’s disaster response operations.

The anniversary events were held to acknowledge both the early foundations and the continuing service of the teams that operate across the country.

Expanding role in national and international emergencies

Fire and Emergency National Manager Response Capability Ken Cooper said the USAR teams have been deployed to major domestic and international disasters.

Ken Cooper said: “Our USAR team has been deployed to disasters such as the Christchurch earthquake, the Kaikoura earthquake, Cyclone Gabrielle, and overseas assisting at tropical cyclones in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, floods in the Solomon Islands, and to Papua New Guinea to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Both locally and globally we are seeing an increase in both the frequency and severity of the effects of natural hazards.

“All of these phenomena will see an increasing need for the skills and expertise of our USAR teams.”

The anniversary week also served as an opportunity for the service to reaffirm its role in national emergency preparedness and regional humanitarian support.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The 30th anniversary of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) in New Zealand highlights how structured training and international collaboration have strengthened response capabilities across multiple hazards.

For emergency response managers and training officers, the event demonstrates the long-term impact of sustained investment in technical rescue skills.

For fire and rescue chiefs, it underscores the operational value of maintaining multi-agency partnerships and specialised deployment readiness.

USAR’s history of responding to earthquakes, cyclones and floods also illustrates how integrated response frameworks can adapt to increasing natural hazard risks.

This article was informed by information from the following source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Offshore safety enhanced by AI detection system from Zelim

by Featured NewsPorts & MaritimeSearch and Rescue

AI-based tracking system installed on second offshore rig

Zelim has reported that its AI detection and tracking system, ZOE, has been deployed on a second offshore jack-up rig to support safety efforts in man overboard incidents.

The company said the installation follows more than a year of operation on a North Sea rig managed by an offshore drilling contractor.

ZOE combines onboard camera hardware with machine learning software to detect and monitor man overboard events in real time.

According to Zelim, the system identifies a person entering the water and continuously tracks their position, assisting response teams with faster localisation and retrieval.

The company said the second deployment marks a shift from fixed-site use to more variable environments, where the rig regularly relocates and encounters a range of lighting and sea conditions.

System trained using bespoke maritime visual data

Zelim said ZOE is trained using a proprietary dataset built specifically for maritime detection.

The dataset was first developed in 2020 while Zelim was working on its Guardian unmanned rescue vessel.

Drone-mounted cameras were used to gather images of people in the water under different angles, lighting, and sea conditions.

According to Zelim, these visuals were manually annotated to help teach the system how people appear in non-ideal maritime environments.

The company said the dataset now contains over 7 million labelled images and is one of the most extensive of its kind in maritime safety applications.

Zelim CEO and founder Sam Mayall said: “A person in the water may be wearing dark clothing, face down, partially submerged, or obscured by foam or spray.

“AThese aren’t fixed profiles.

“We had to ensure the system could recognise a human target from a range of angles and distances, under real-world conditions.

“That meant building a dataset that reflected how people actually appear in the water, not how they’re modelled in ideal circumstances.”

Detection module supports other safety operations

Zelim said ZOE integrates with existing onboard systems including navigation and emergency response tools.

The company stated that its detection and alerting process is handled locally, without reliance on remote cloud services.

ZOE is also part of a wider software platform.

Zelim said other modules include Watchkeeper, which identifies navigational hazards, and Shield, which monitors restricted areas for intrusions or unplanned vessel activity.

All modules are based on the same core AI system and have been developed for different safety and operational scenarios.

Mayall said: “If you can reliably detect a person in the water, you can also detect other objects or risks.

“The same system can support navigation, perimeter monitoring, or safety watchkeeping.

“That’s where we see this technology heading – not just detection, but situational understanding.”

System tested in collaboration with US Coast Guard

Zelim has worked with the US Coast Guard to test and validate the AI system.

According to the company, one driver for the partnership was Coast Guard research showing that visual detection by human crews can be inconsistent.

Mayall said: “AI doesn’t fatigue, doesn’t blink, and doesn’t overlook what’s in plain sight.

“That consistency makes it a reliable component in a broader safety system.”

The company said the aim is not to replace human judgement but to support it through faster detection and real-time awareness.

Coast Guard studies cited by Zelim found that visual identification rates for people in the water can fall below 20 percent depending on environmental conditions.

Offshore operators now investing in consistent monitoring

Zelim stated that uptake of the system across offshore platforms reflects a wider shift toward integrated monitoring.

The company said intelligent detection tools are increasingly seen as part of routine safety assurance, not just emergency tools.

Operators are reportedly investing in systems that reduce the time needed to identify and respond to incidents.

Zelim said its long-term development has focused on combining automation with on-site responsiveness.

The company said the use of onboard AI improves both personnel safety and asset awareness, especially in high-risk maritime settings.

Offshore safety enhanced by AI detection system from Zelim: Summary

Zelim has installed its ZOE AI detection system on a second offshore jack-up rig.

The system detects and tracks man overboard incidents in real time.

Its first installation was on a North Sea rig managed by an offshore drilling company.

Zelim said ZOE was designed specifically for maritime safety conditions.

The system uses visual data collected from drone cameras during earlier product development.

This dataset includes over 7 million manually annotated images.

ZOE integrates with onboard infrastructure to function without cloud connectivity.

Other modules, Watchkeeper and Shield, use the same detection engine for separate monitoring tasks.

Zelim collaborated with the US Coast Guard to test the technology.

The company said AI can detect people and hazards with more consistency than human crews.

According to Zelim, detection systems reduce response time and improve operational oversight.

Operators are beginning to adopt such systems as part of their standard safety equipment.

New rope rescue vehicle supports Kent firefighters’ response

by Featured NewsSearch and RescueVehicles

Kent firefighters deploy new rescue vehicle

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has added a new rescue vehicle to support its technical rope rescue operations across Kent and Medway.

According to KFRS, the unit responds to incidents involving rescues from height, depth, and complex lifting situations.

The new vehicle, based on an Iveco 4×4 chassis cab, replaces a previous Land Rover that had limited capacity.

The Land Rover required a second vehicle to transport all crew members and equipment, limiting efficiency during mobilisations.

KFRS stated that the new vehicle allows full crew transport and improved storage.

Crew input shapes vehicle configuration

KFRS said the vehicle was designed and built by Angloco, a UK-based manufacturer, with direct input from Kent firefighters.

The service explained that operational staff visited Angloco’s facility during the build process to influence layout and equipment access.

According to KFRS, the result is a vehicle configured specifically to meet the needs of technical rope rescue deployments.

The new cab includes a second row of seating, which the service said allows for full crew transport in one vehicle.

KFRS stated that this upgrade allows for greater flexibility in mobilisation and improves incident readiness.

Existing challenges with previous vehicle

Before the arrival of the new vehicle, the rope rescue team operated with a Land Rover.

KFRS said this limited unit lacked sufficient space for both personnel and equipment.

The service explained that a secondary vehicle was required to transport additional crew members and tools.

According to KFRS, this arrangement restricted rapid deployment and added logistical complexity during emergencies.

The new vehicle was introduced to resolve these specific operational limitations.

Service comments on collaborative build process

Jack Keogh, Workshop and Maintenance Manager at KFRS, said: “This new vehicle for the line rescue unit demonstrates KFRS’ ongoing commitment to the development of our specialist capabilities to help keep people safe.

“And, working closely with the manufacturer and including our crew’s firefighting insights has led to this vehicle’s precise design, making us all the more able to respond to emergencies across the county.”

Technical rescue capabilities in Kent

KFRS’s technical rope rescue team provides specialist support for incidents that cannot be addressed using conventional means.

The team handles complex situations where trained personnel are required to access difficult locations.

KFRS said that these can include cliff rescues, lifting casualties from confined spaces, or accessing infrastructure at height.

The new vehicle will support these operations by improving the speed and coordination of team deployment.

Further details on the specialist rescue teams are available on the KFRS website.

New rope rescue vehicle supports Kent response: Summary

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has introduced a new rescue vehicle for its technical rope rescue team.

The team operates across Kent and Medway.

The vehicle is based on an Iveco 4×4 chassis cab.

It was designed and built by Angloco.

KFRS firefighters contributed to its design.

The new cab allows full crew transport.

It replaces a smaller Land Rover unit.

The Land Rover required a second support vehicle.

KFRS said the upgrade supports faster, more flexible deployments.

Jack Keogh of KFRS praised the collaborative design process.

The vehicle is intended for rescues from height, depth and confined spaces.

KFRS said the update strengthens its specialist rescue capabilities.

Semmco to present escape breathing sets at UK Blue Light Show

by Breathing ApparatusFeatured NewsSafetySearch and Rescue

Semmco to exhibit UK-made rescue breathing equipment

Semmco Life Protection Systems (LPS) has confirmed it will take part in the 2025 Blue Light Show, held on 18–19 June at Olympia London.

According to Semmco LPS, the company will showcase its short-duration escape and rescue breathing apparatus, including models already in use with the English and Irish Prison Services.

The Blue Light Show will mark Semmco LPS’s first time exhibiting at the event.

The company stated that it will use the opportunity to demonstrate equipment benefits for Search and Rescue teams, with a focus on operational use during chemical spills, tunnel collapses and other high-risk incidents.

Equipment supports fire, rescue and custodial operations

Semmco LPS explained that it manufactures devices for both escape and working rescue functions.

According to the company, its HEAD and EEBD breathing sets are used in multiple emergency scenarios including road traffic collisions, tunnel or structural collapses, and environmental hazards.

Semmco LPS confirmed that its HEAD 15 “Cell Snatch” Rescue set has been used for more than a decade by both English and Irish Prison Services. It added that a leading UK fire service’s Search and Rescue team is currently trialling the product range.

Breathing durations suit varied operational needs

Semmco LPS stated that its product portfolio includes equipment with durations of 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes, tailored to different environments and response needs.

The company said the products are designed for quick donning, ease of use and low maintenance requirements, with a long shelf life to support long-term readiness.

Semmco LPS explained that this makes them a cost-efficient option for public safety and emergency organisations looking to reduce service burden while maintaining preparedness.

Attendees to view live kit demonstrations

Visitors to the 2025 Blue Light Show will be able to meet Semmco LPS product specialists at Stand R40.

The company confirmed that its experts will demonstrate the features of its escape and rescue sets to attendees across the emergency services sector.

Richard Young, a representative of Semmco LPS, said: “The escape and working rescue sets are fully compliant and trusted across a wide variety of sectors, including most recently by those in a leading fire service’s Search and Rescue team.

“We look forward to attending the Blue Light Show to connect with the leaders from other services and to demonstrate the incredible benefits our products can give.”

Semmco escape kits showcased at UK Blue Light Show: Summary

Semmco LPS has confirmed it will participate in the 2025 Blue Light Show in London.

The company will showcase short-duration escape and rescue breathing kits used across multiple sectors.

Products on display will include the HEAD and EEBD breathing apparatus.

Semmco stated that its HEAD 15 “Cell Snatch” Rescue set has been in use by English and Irish Prison Services for over 10 years.

A leading UK fire service’s Search and Rescue team is currently trialling Semmco equipment.

Available kit durations range from 10 to 30 minutes.

The company said these are designed for fast donning, ease of use and minimal maintenance.

Semmco confirmed it will present the products on Stand R40.

Company representatives will be available to discuss product specifications with attendees.

Live demonstrations will be held during the event.