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NFPA presents 2022 awards for fire and safety

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At its annual Conference & Expo, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) presents a series of awards recognizing outstanding achievements in the industry. The Harry C. Bigglestone Award and Standards Medal were among two of the honors bestowed at the 2022 NFPA Stars at Night gala, celebrating the brightest stars in fire and life safety. Harry C. Bigglestone Award The Harry C. Bigglestone Award is granted annually to a paper appearing in Fire Technology that best represents excellence in the communication of fire protection concepts. This award honors the memory of Harry C. Bigglestone, who served as a trustee of the Fire Protection Research Foundation and was a fellow and past president of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. The award is accompanied by a $5,000 cash prize from NFPA. The 2022 Harry C. Bigglestone Award winner, Dr. M. Z. Naser, is a tenure-track assistant professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences and is a member of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute for Science and Engineering (AIRISE) at Clemson University. He also serves on several international editorial boards as well as code building committees, including ASCE, ACI, PCI, and fib. Naser received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and holds M.S. and B.S. degrees from American University of Sharjah, UAE. Additionally, Naser’s research group is currently creating causal and explainable machine learning methodologies to discover new knowledge hidden within systems belonging to the domains of structural engineering and materials science to help realize a functional, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. Many of his current projects cover structural and fire engineering, tailoring properties of construction materials, and retrofitting of aging structures. As a first-generation minority in STEM, Naser is committed to diversity and inclusivity and is motivated to give back to his community. He is actively looking for challenging research questions and ideas, motivated collaborators, and students, especially those from disadvantaged, under-represented, and marginalized groups. Standards Medal The Standards Medal is the most distinguished award given by the NFPA Standards Council, recognizing and honoring outstanding contributions to fire safety. The 2022 recipient of the Standards Medal is Kerry M. Bell, a corporate fellow and principal engineer for fire sprinkler and pump equipment at UL. Since 1976, Bell has been involved in UL’s testing and certification activities related to a variety of fire suppression products, including portable fire extinguishers, special hazard extinguishing systems, as well as fire sprinkler and pump system equipment. He has authored dozens of technical articles/papers related to these products and has served as a speaker for numerous seminars and events sponsored by organizations such as NFPA, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), and other industry associations. Bell obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northern Illinois University. He was one of the key technical contributors in the design of UL’s award-winning large-scale fire test facility, which opened in 1996, and he has been a primary technical contributor on more than 50 UL standards, both new and revised. Finally, Bell was a member of NFPA’s Standards Council from 2004 to 2019, serving as chair for six years.  

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Ministers condemned for Grenfell-style cladding replacement

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Scottish ministers have been accused of “dragging their heels” in replacing flammable cladding, as the majority of the funding for removal work is allocated for 2025. The Scottish government’s spending review has pledged £180m over the course of three years to remove the cladding from affected buildings. A £30m budget has been announced for 2023/24, which will increase to £50m in 2024/25. However, £100m of the funding will not be allocated until 2025 and 2026, despite the remediation programme have been expected to roll out this year. More than 100 public buildings are believed to have potentially combustible cladding installed, with a Freedom of Information request revealing that 88 primary and secondary schools in Scotland are wrapped in the dangerous insulation. Mark Griffin, Scottish Labour’s housing spokesman, asked the Scottish government how many surveyors and fire engineers had been procured to carry out single building assessments. Housing Minister Shona Secretary said that 29 buildings had been contacted so far to offer the direct provision of fire engineers, adding: “Once we ascertain consent and details, we will move to the contracting process.” Mark Griffin has criticised the response, saying that the Scottish government is not working fast enough. He said: “It beggars belief that the SNP government still don’t seem to grasp the urgency of the situation. After years of needless dither and delay, they have finally accepted that this dangerous cladding needs to go – but they are still dragging their heels making it happen. “Every year that they fail to act is another year that people are left living and working in unsafe buildings. There is absolutely no more time to waste learning the lessons of the Grenfell tragedy – the SNP needs to stop this dangerous negligence and speed up this programme.” A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are taking priority action to address cladding safety issues, having expanded our Single Building Assessment programme so that more than 100 buildings will be assessed. The vast majority of buildings in the initial phase of our programme have secured fire engineers. “A new streamlined process for commissioning the assessments will help identify at-risk buildings more quickly. We still expect the vast majority of buildings assessed through this programme to be found to be safe. We have allocated almost £400 million to this programme of work. “We’ve also agreed with some of the country’s largest housing developers to work together to address cladding issues as part of our new Scottish Safer Buildings Accord, giving affected homeowners a clear path to ensuring their homes are safe. “Our ban on combustible cladding from domestic and other high-risk buildings applies on buildings of 11m and higher, whereas elsewhere in the UK it is 18m. We have also banned the highest risk metal composite cladding material from any new building of any height.” For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Ardent warns farmers of fire risk

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Safety experts Ardent warn farmers of fire risk following wave of machine fires during heatwave. Ardent have issued a warning to farmers following a surge in machinery fires as a result of the ongoing heatwave. The extreme heat and dry conditions experienced by the country throughout July and August have seen a dramatic increase in combine harvester fires. Ardent warns that the combination of grain dust and other debris, extreme heat from moving parts and electrical components, and combustible fuel presents a severe fire risk in hot weather. Neil Crowther, Managing Director of Ardent, said, “We would recommend farmers continue to take extra steps to maintain their machinery in the immediate aftermath of the heatwave, particularly in the case of combines and tractors. The hot, dry conditions make it much more likely a fire will break out as dust and other debris can clog hot components like particulate filters and torque converters. Where there is extreme heat, there is always an increased risk of ignition occurring. “Of course, if a fire is allowed to spread, it can put farm workers and millions of pounds worth of assets and crops at risk. When drought is already affecting crop yields, we recommend farmers take every reasonable step to protect against fires.” Farming insurers NFU Mutual reported a 35% increase in combine fire claims during 2021’s harvest. Following a swathe of reports of combine fires during this summer’s heatwave, the insurer began offering a discount for farmers who fit approved fire suppression systems to their equipment. Crowther added, “An automatic fire detection and suppression solution should be seen as essential, as it is clear extreme heatwaves are going to continue to be a factor in future harvests. Even with regular maintenance, the risk of a fire breaking out never goes away. An automatic suppression system will target fire at the point of ignition as soon as it breaks out, dramatically reducing the damage it can cause. “However, fire suppression systems are not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works on a static machine may not be appropriate for a tractor, for example. We would advise farmers to get in touch with an expert like Ardent – we arrange an on-site visit for bespoke technical support before every installation to make sure the right system and suppression agent are matched with the right machine.” Ardent’s Dual Agent Fire Suppression System was awarded the P-Mark SPCR 199:2021 certificate with an A+ rating – the highest grade available. To achieve this grade, a system must demonstrate a high level of performance in the most extreme conditions, making it the optimal solution for combine harvesters and other farm vehicles. To read the full interview, please see our latest issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Flame detector market predicted to grow

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Flame Detector Market size is expected to grow from USD 1.7 billion in 2022 to USD 2.1 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecasted period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The major drivers for the growth of flame detector market include growing adoption of flame detectors across major industries such as oil and gas, energy and power, pharmaceuticals, and automotive among others, technology improvement in the flame detectors, and implementation of policies, regulations, and government initiatives. The flame detector market is dominated by the major manufacturers such as Johnson Controls (Ireland), Carrier Global (US), Honeywell (US), Siemens (Germany), Halma (UK), MSA (US), Robert Bosch (Germany), Emerson Electric (US), Minimax Viking (Germany), and Draeger (Germany) among others. These companies have their manufacturing facilities spread across various countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, and Rest of the World. UV/IR flame detector to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The UV/IR flame detector is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the high reliability of the detectors. The UV/Ir flame detectors can detect flame in both UV and IR spectrums and offer minimum false alarms. The UV/IR flame detector have been present in the market for significant time and they are trusted by the consumers. Additionally, implementing UV/IR flame detectors reduces the operations cost as compared to implementing two different types of flame detectors within a fire protection system. This is one of the key factors driving the demand for UV/IR flame detectors. Wireless flame detectors to witness fastest growth during the forecast period. The wireless flame detectors are new and emerging market. Companies are still conducting research and product development in the wireless flame detector market. Yet, the demand or the wireless flame detectors rom various industries such as pharmaceuticals, marine, logistics, and chemicals is increasing due to the ease of implementing the wireless flame detectors to complex locations where wiring would be difficult. The demand for wireless flame detectors with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options are being rolled out in the market. As the wireless flame detectors are new and emerging technology in the flame detectors market and offering easy of operations to the operators it is witnessing the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Pharmaceuticals is the fastest growing industry for flame detectors. The demand for flame detectors is rapidly growing in the pharmaceutical industry the increasing usage of flammable products and chemicals for testing and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products is the leading factor for the fastest growth rate. Furthermore, the increasing funding into the pharmaceutical industry post pandemic has led to the rapid industrial expansion. This has also led to the growth in demand for flame detectors from the industry. North America is the largest region in the flame detector market. The North America region is the largest market for flame detectors. US and Canada are the key countries driving the demand or flame detectors in North America. The region has the presence of major flame detector manufacturers. Some of the key players have their headquarters in the North America region. Thus, new and innovative flame detector products are easily available in the region. Additionally, the region has strict rules and regulations for to safeguard human lives and protect assets from fire. The region has a robust supply chain for flame detectors from suppliers to end users. The growing oil and gas, energy and power and automotive industries in the region are also key drivers for the flame detector market. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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AXA UK warns of rise in e-scooter battery fires

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AXA UK has warned of the growing fire risks associated with the lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters. Lithium-ion batteries pose a significant fire risk when damaged, over-charged or exposed to extreme temperatures. Over the past two months, AXA has covered almost half a million pounds of losses on two large claims caused by lithium battery fires. It is expected that the frequency and cost of these fires are likely to grow exponentially as transport via e-bikes and e-scooters becomes more popular. AXA’s claims data show that these fires most frequently occur within residential buildings where the associated damage can be devastating. One of the recent large claims was the result of a faulty e-scooter battery which was being charged in the kitchen of a ground floor terrace flat. An explosion occurred and fire spread through the home, reaching two storeys above. The second occurred in a block of flats where an e-bike battery was being charged. The fire totally destroyed the flat and caused smoke damage to the flats on either side. Thankfully, nobody was injured in either incident. To reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, AXA recommends: Never leave batteries charging in a building that is unattended or overnight when you are sleeping in the property Unplug or disconnect from the battery once charging is complete Do not allow the battery to overheat and ensure it is charged on a hard surface where heat can disperse Monitor and assess for damage to the battery and the charger, following the manufacturer’s guidance for replacement or repairs Ensure smoke alarms – preferably interlinked detectors around the property – are fitted where charging is taking place and, if possible, store and charge away from main living As well as the increasing danger of fire in residential properties, AXA is also alerting commercial businesses, such as shopping centres, retailers and e-bike and scooter storage and repair facilities, about the risks posed by these batteries. These businesses must ensure they have put in place reasonable precautions, reviewed and updated existing fire risk assessments and purchased specific fire extinguishers designed for use on fires involving lithium batteries. “Fire safety should be the top priority when it comes to charging and storing electric bikes and scooters. These forms of transport are becoming increasingly common due to the range of benefits they provide, however, this makes it even more essential that people understand the risks around storing them in the wrong way or using damaged batteries.” “As an insurer, we’re there for people when the worst happens, but we want to make sure these risks are managed and reduced so they can avoid the devastating consequences of a fire in their homes or business.” Said Dougie Barnett, Director of Customer Risk Management at AXA Commercial To read the full interview, please see our latest issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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NFPA appoints Dana Kamal as Intl. Director

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NFPA Names Dana Kamal as Director, International Business Development (MENA) to Further Safety and Enforcement Advancements in the Middle East and North Africa The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has named Dana Kamal as Director, International Business Development, who will oversee regional planning, direction, coordination, and support of the association’s international development functions in the Middle East and North Africa. Kamal, an engineer with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare business development and operations, is charged with cultivating meaningful alliances throughout the GCC states (the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf), implementing new strategies with existing and new stakeholders, and representing NFPA in regulatory, legislative, and technical circles. In 2017, NFPA established a Middle East North Africa (MENA) Advisory Committee with most members residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Advisory Committee works to expand safety and enforcement efforts and enhance communication between private sector leaders and government authorities. Kamal, who recently served as NFPA advisor to the MENA region, will work closely with the Committee and others to champion building, life safety and fire protection standards, and promote effective code compliance in the built environment. In addition to sharing NFPA resources and expertise, Kamal will serve as an authoritative representative for media, government, and other decision makers, and work to make training more accessible to local leaders and professionals in the region. She will also assist with the translation of NFPA codes for local use. Her technical review work with Professor Abdullah Al-Mhaidib, Faculty of Engineering at Kings Saud University, for NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, in Arabic, for example, was an important step for the association in the advancement of codes and standards in the local language. “NFPA has a long-standing presence in the Middle East, working closely with government officials and private entities conducting business in the Gulf region,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA president and CEO. “The region has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years therefore, it is critical for authorities, the workforce, and the public to ensure safety practices keep pace with progress. The experience and knowledge Dana Kamal brings to this role is vital to the work we do to provide relevant resources in Arabic for those charged with protecting people and property.” Kamal holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Ajman University of Science & Technology in the UAE and a master’s degree in healthcare management from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland in Dubai. In addition, Kamal holds numerous certifications in the areas of emergency management and fire safety, hospital planning, and design. Kamal began her career at GME Company as a biomedical engineer overseeing the setup of radiology and cardiology operating theatres. She later joined Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) to work on one of the largest health information systems projects in the country, connecting patients’ identification and records under one network for more than 13 government hospitals and 80 ambulatory service centers. Kamal later joined the DHCC business development department to assist in the launch of the Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education Dubai and the Boston University Dental Health Center Dubai, a state-of-the art medical facility offering expert dental education, research, and care in the Gulf region. She went on to enlist her managerial and technical knowledge toward the commission of The Dubai Mall Medical Center and other community-based clinics under Emaar Healthcare Community Services. Most recently, Kamal worked as senior manager of facilities systems and program support at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, strategizing and managing utility systems and life safety and clinical education programs for more than 10 years. To read the full interview, please see our latest issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Blackline signs $2m deal with Severn Water

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Blackline Safety Corp has announced a $2 million (£1.3 million) deal with Coventry, England-based Severn Trent Water — the United Kingdom’s second largest water company — for connected personal gas detection devices to protect its employees and support its digital transformation. With this new deal, Blackline Safety will protect more than 10,000 workers across six of the 12 U.K. water and wastewater authorities that now use Blackline’s industry-leading technology. Earlier this month, Severn Trent began the deployment of the first 1,650 Blackline G7c wearable devices. Over the coming months, the water authority will replace their existing gas detection units with more than 2,600 Blackline Safety G7c wearable devices and associated services. Blackline’s G7 lone worker and personal gas detection devices are intelligent connected wearables that detect gas hazards, instantly notify both workers and managers in real time, and enable contact tracing as well as corrective action to be taken to mitigate future incidents. The devices are supported by Blackline’s 24/7 live monitoring service, which provides automated safety incident and health event monitoring, including features such as no-motion and fall detection, and missed check-ins. The three-year investment, secured via Blackline Verwood, U.K.-based distribution partner Breathe Safety, includes an option to extend for an additional five years of service, which would bring the total value to more than $4.2 million (£2.7 million). Breathe Safety is leading the implementation and device rollout with Severn Trent. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Euralarm welcomes ANPI as new member

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Following a decision of the Board Euralarm has welcomed ANPI as their newest member. The Belgian association will become member of the Euralarm Security Section. Located near Brussels, the heart of Europe, ANPI is a non-profit organization founded as an initiative of insurance companies. More and more professional associations and associations of industry interested in the fields of fire and theft prevention are becoming members of ANPI. Public authorities are also represented within ANPI. The purpose of ANPI is to promote its activities through its 5 divisions: Information Regulation and Standardization Laboratories Certification Inspection Gain expertise on markets and opportunities Companies joining Euralarm get a unique insight into what is happening on other European markets and the opportunities that they might offer. They not only tap into the political expertise and understanding of the EU policy but can also make personal connections with technical and political experts and potential business partners. Being a member of Euralarm enables companies and associations to gain expertise on standardisation. Members have their voice heard in Brussels and can support and direct standardisation and legislative processes. Security Section The Security Section represents the intrusion, access and video sector and is a key stakeholder in organisations such as CertAlarm, CEN-CENELEC, IEC and the European Commission. The section’s has liaisons and is closely involved in standardisation groups. The Security Section meetings have been honored with the presence of experts presenting on actual topics such as the standardisation landscape on video surveillance. In parallel, the section closely follows technological developments, regulations and standardisation. Concerning standards, Euralarm continues informing members of changes and lobbying activities at both national and EU levels. To read the full interview, please see our latest issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Dräger to showcase 5 new products at ESS 2022

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Dräger, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, will showcase five fire safety technologies designed to further firefighter health and wellbeing at this year’s Emergency Services Show (ESS): the FireGround Accountability System; the newly launched BG ProAir (Long Duration); the PSS AirBoss; Dräger’s cleaning solution; and the FireCore thermal imaging camera. With a focus on how connectivity and firefighter communications are critical to protecting firefighters, Dräger’s FireGround Accountability System will take centre stage; a system that provides emergency teams with the ability to monitor, communicate and report incidents involving active users of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). It provides a real-time view of all firefighters deployed at an incident through the web portal, and the app facilitates on-site image capture. For rapid deployment, PSS AirBoss Connect has auto logon technology which communicates all relevant vital data and alarms automatically to FireGround when opening the cylinder valve of their SCBA. Through providing continuous status updates and automated incidents reports, these technologies minimise the need for voice communication via radio, delivering a vital tool in protecting firefighters and emergency teams. Dräger’s next generation SCBA, the PSS AirBoss, will also be an important focus of the stand alongside the new Dräger BG ProAir. Designed to protect firefighters attending long-duration deployments, it prevents toxic substances from entering the breathing system using a positive pressure closed-circuit apparatus. The advanced solution delivers new functionality with the potential to save lives and improved wearer comfort – critical in longer-duration deployments. The Dräger team will demonstrate how both the PSS® Airboss and the BG ProAir connect to the FireGround Accountability System to enable incident commanders to remotely manage incidents as they unfold in real time, with a user-friendly interface for post incident interrogation. The UCF FireCore hands-free thermal imaging camera will also be exhibited on the stand. Attached to a firefighter’s helmet and feeding images directly to a display within Dräger’s FPS 7000 full face mask, it provides faster orientation and hazard identification within immediate surroundings, significantly enhancing situational awareness. Visitors to Dräger’s stand will also receive information on its mechanical cleaning solution. As more is understood about the dangers of exposure to carcinogens and other contaminants embedded in firefighting equipment, the cleaning solution provides service personnel with the confidence of a consistent and thorough cleaning approach. Alongside mechanical cleaning equipment, Dräger offers consultation on cleaning workshop design and logistics to ensure that it provides a holistic offering to support the health and wellbeing of firefighters. Liz Millward, Marketing Manager Emergency and Rescue Services at Dräger Safety UK, says that the ESS will be an opportunity for the team to highlight Dräger’s dedication to ensuring firefighters return home safely at the end of each shift: “With a focus not just on connectivity, but also supporting increased workforce diversity, our latest technologies are designed with all genders, ages and ethnicities in mind; consolidating our commitment to the health, safety and welfare of our emergency service personnel in an industry where they risk their lives for the safety of others.” “We are excited to return to ESS and look forward to showcasing the advanced capabilities of our latest products.” The ESS will take place on the 21 and 22 September at the Birmingham NEC. Dräger’s stand number is A40. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Mayor welcomes new fire boats on the Thames

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The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has welcomed London Fire Brigade’s new fire boats to the Thames as part of a £40 million investment made by City Hall to expand the Brigade’s fleet of equipment and vehicles. The two new boats are named after Auxiliary Fireman Harry Errington and Auxiliary Firewoman Gillian Tanner, who in the Second World War were both awarded medals for bravery. The Mayor has committed to modernising and transforming the Brigade’s rescue resources – which includes investing in Europe’s first 64m ladders, new 32m ladders and two new replacement fire boats – so that the Brigade is better prepared, organised and equipped to fight fires and save lives anywhere in London. This morning (Thursday), the Mayor met crews from Lambeth River Station and was shown some of the high-tech equipment on board. The new boats are twice as fast as the two previous vessels and can reach speeds of forty knots. They can carry more life-saving equipment than ever before. As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats are fitted with a hydraulic crane for carrying out rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera. After he disembarked the boat, the Mayor visited a range of some of the Brigade’s latest equipment, including our new 64m and 32m turntable ladders, our new fire rescue unit and a Heavy Demountable Unit (HDU) unit (capable of transporting large quantities of foam to extinguish large fires). London Fire Commissioner, Andy Roe, said: “The Brigade is transforming for London and our brand-new fire boats are the latest improvements to the new equipment we are rolling out. “Our investment of around £40 million on our fleet over the last few years is part of our commitment to do all we can to meet the changing needs of our communities and keep Londoners safe long into the future; the fireboats will be a fantastic new addition to our fleet.” The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to see first-hand the new state-of-the-art fire boats, which are part of London Fire Brigade’s expanding fleet of specialist vehicles and high-tech equipment which will be used to help keep Londoners safe. They are part of a £40 million investment I have made as Mayor over the past three years as part of my commitment to modernise and transform the Brigade so that it is better prepared, organised and equipped to fight fires and keep all Londoners safe. “The demands on London Fire Brigade have never been higher due to the extreme temperatures and terrible flash floods we have seen as a result of climate change. That’s why, as Mayor, I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure our frontline emergency services have the right resources, policies and equipment to serve all of London’s communities.” Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience, Dr Fiona Twycross, said: “I welcome the significant upgrading of vital rescue vehicles, appliances and equipment, which will help save more lives. “The new fire boats are a brilliant addition to safety on the Thames and mean that the Brigade can tackle incidents of all kinds with dedicated teams on the water and on land, providing vital information to the fire service’s control room and emergency service partners to coordinate rescues. “Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, our fire service has transformed the way it responds to incidents – especially fires in high-rise buildings across the capital – and it’s so important that we ensure that this progress continues at pace so that we deliver the very best fire service for London.” The call signs for the boats are H23A and H23B, a reference to Adam Mere and Billy Faust, two London firefighters who died fighting a fire in 2004. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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