Whole-system approach critical to product assurance
The new construction product regulator established within the Office for Product Safety and Standards certainly faces a complex and expanding task as it seeks to address systemic failings identified by the Hackitt…
Pork shoulders, fake motorways and ramping up the drama: my days reconstructing rescues for TV
Years of working with emergency-service crews on the BBC series 999 gave Tiggi Trethowan a unique insight into the world that many firefighters deal with day in, day out. Now living in…
Jewish George Cross hero receives remembrance plaque
Harry Ehrengott was born into a poor Soho immigrant Jewish family in Poland Street on 20 August 1910. His parents, Solomon and Bella, were tailors and Harry’s first language was Yiddish. Changing…
Pandemic PPE
In this article Brian Hesler, Consultant and Specialist Advisor at Draeger Safety UK discusses the lessons the industry has learned from the PPE supply challenges that resulted from the unprecedented demand during…
GBA: Unified Industrial Fire Service without management, autonomy in the port of Amsterdam
The sea-port area of Amsterdam ranks fourth in terms of economic significance in north-western Europe. Cruise shipping, tank storage, waste recycling, Seveso industry and renewable energy are just a few economic hotspots.…
FireQual aims to play a major part to deliver individual qualifications for the fire and safety sector
The newly established Awarding Body arrives at the perfect time to support recommendations made in both the report led by Dame Judith Hackitt and the subsequent ‘Setting the Bar’ document recently published.…
The Beirut explosion: an inconvenient truth for the industry and authorities
The devastating explosion in the Beirut harbour area was a dramatic wake-up call for the industry and (port) authorities worldwide. The cataclysmic event strongly proves the need for proactive risk management regarding…
Just brew-ti-ful: firefighting entrepreneurs serve up 20,000 cups of coffee to Covid-19 key workers
Two firefighter entrepreneurs handed out over 20,000 cups of coffee to frontline key workers during the peak of the coronavirus in the UK and are now gearing up for a second spike…
FireTreks – the final chapter
FireTreks has not only provided 10 months of pure adventure but a new outlook on the future of fire-safety design. The journey finished earlier than expected; on my final day in the…
Amplified role of SCBA to maximise firefighters’ safety and well-being
These days the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is a key piece of personal protection equipment that firefighters across the world take into a fire. Since the beginning, the primary focus and function…
The role of operational guidance in fire and rescue service improvement
In this welcome update from the National Fire Chiefs Council, we look at how fire and rescue services benefit from the continued evolution of National Operational Guidance, the influence of HMICFRS inspections…
All-consuming fire safety
As part 2 of the Grenfell Tower Public Enquiry gets underway, many members of the fire-safety community are asking themselves: How did this happen? And how can we prevent it from happening…
Are we asking the right questions when it comes to fire risk?
A recent study1 carried out by the Business Sprinkler Alliance confirmed that the uptake of fire safety sprinkler systems is low, with 68% of those interviewed having been involved in a decision…
The importance of fire extinguishers in hotels
Fire poses a risk in every setting in every industry. However, it’s an even more prominent threat in the hotel industry, given so many people occupy the premises 24 hours a day.…
Cancer – the current epidemic in the fire service
More firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the last two years than in the previous 10 years combined, and sadly, one in three firefighters will die of cancer. With a minimum…
Firetreks – the journey so far
Five months into my journey and I have explored three wonderfully unique countries in South America as part of the FireTreks project. I began FireTreks to gain a greater insight into fire…
Recruitment drive sees hike in female firefighters
This is the next generation of firefighters who will be keeping the communities of Hampshire safe – and the number of women has increased by almost 900%. This follows a proactive campaign…
Fire safety in the commercial sector
Fire can ruin a business and change things in an instant. According to a recent study carried out by the Business Sprinkler Alliance, only 16% of respondents considered the risk of fire…