Fire and rescue air support: the past, the present, the future
Air support for the UK Fire and Rescue Services has always been limited due to extortionate setup and operating costs; that is, until recently. The introduction of drone technology has offered a…
Advancing fire protection in historic structures
Historic structures may seem to be an unlikely setting for contemporary advances in fire protection, but some of the most historic buildings in Greater New York City have inspired advances that continue to have application worldwide. I was thinking about…
Green, greener, watermist
After three decades of rigorous testing and scrutiny of systems and equipment, the watermist community has never been more ready to face the eco-challenge. Sustainability and eco-friendliness are en vogue. Everybody talks about climate change. People who have tried to…
PPV as a support for firefighting in subways
Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fans are widely used by the fire service during firefighting operations in buildings. Fans are positioned to create a flow through the enclosure. This flow can remove the smoke after the fire or affect the direction…
Ventilation fan considerations
When it comes to fire ventilation tactics, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. Every fire ground is different. Compound that with the ever-changing dynamics of the structures being protected – building size, room geometry, interior contents and construction materials – and…
The London Riots, ten years on
The 5 August 2011 saw the start of three days of rioting and civil unrest in London resulting in a number of fires and other incidents across the capital over the three-day period. London Fire Brigade’s operational response was fully…
Fighting contamination
This article discusses the importance of thoroughly and consistently decontaminating firefighters’ kit, how the pandemic has thrown the subject into the spotlight and the ways we’re using technology to drive best practice. The equipment used by a firefighter, from personal…
How rugged technology is driving transformation in fire and rescue
Equipment has always played a key role in firefighting. From the humble bucket and hose through to the advanced vehicles and pumps used today, better equipment means a more efficient response, helping firefighters deal with incidents faster and save lives. …
Outthink Wildfire – Part 2
Responding to hydrofluoric acid exposure
Hydrofluoric acid forms when hydrogen fluoride, a colourless gas, is dissolved in water. Hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen fluoride have a reputation of being among the most feared chemicals that responders can encounter during incidents involving hazardous materials. In this specialist…
Thermal imaging: breaking down the scan – Part 2
In Part 1 of our article, we discussed the importance of proper interpretation of the image along with understanding the key attributes of thermal imaging. We also discussed some ‘behavioural problems’ that occur during a scan such as failing to…
The fall and rise of the GRP composite fire door
It’s been a challenging time for the GRP composite fire-door industry. Issues with consistent fire-resistant performance have been a catalyst for change – robust testing, third-party certification and transparency in the supply chain. During the post-Grenfell investigation, two undamaged flat…
Optimising emergency response with location intelligence
Geographic information is a vital strategic and operational resource for helping fire and rescue services to operate effectively. This article explains how integrating data within a Geographic Information System (GIS) enables fire services to match resources with demand to provide…
Let’s get personal
A key factor when choosing a personal flashlight for firefighting is versatility – from brightness and runtime to multiple operating modes – as leading provider of professional lighting tools, Streamlight® Inc. explains. The ‘intended use’ of a flashlight can vary…
Creating and maintaining quality PPE
Good firefighter PPE offers excellent protection from heat, flame, flashovers, particulates, water ingress and blood-borne pathogens, but how is it made and how can fire services ensure it remains fit for purpose throughout its lifetime? MSA Bristol has a proven…
Emergency One Group – Returning to the UK’s largest event for emergency services
Emergency One Group Ltd (E1) are looking forward to their return to the UK’s largest event for emergency services, The Emergency Services Show, taking place at the NEC Hall 5 where they will be on stands L12 & 0S10. To…
Use of foam for firefighting in tank farms of the oil and petrochemical industry – Part 2
Part One of this article described the typical incident scenarios at tank farm fires and presented foam as the most suitable extinguishing agent together with the firefighting equipment most commonly used. In Part Two we look at foam concentrate proportioning…
Hand protection that is up to the task
The modern firefighter needs gloves that are made for the job they are tasked to perform, but, with recent changes to the rules covering PPE, are the gloves currently issued to firefighters compliant and fit for purpose? Ask any firefighter…