As a result of Vimpex successfully supplying helmet solutions to Air Ambulance Services in England, Thames Valley Air Ambulance reached out. The department‘s Helicopter Emergency Medics had become concerned about their current helmet due to its obsolescence and poor comfort, so the charity contacted Vimpex after the helmet solutions supplied to both Lincolnshire and Kent. Following meetings to identify product performance requirements, and a product trial by critical care paramedics and doctors, Thames Valley Air Ambulance chose the Pacific R6C Paramedic/Rescue Helmet, because it gives the charity a high performing future proofed solution that can also be fully customised. Vimpex Business Development Manager Steve Clelland explains, “Every part of the Pacific R6C Paramedic/Rescue Helmet can be quickly and easily removed without the use of special tools. Cost of ownership is therefore minimised as repairs and replacement of all components is simple. “Pacific helmets are tested in the most extreme conditions required for conformity to relevant clauses of the latest EN standards.” The fantastic life-saving work carried out by Thames Valley Air Ambulance when there’s a life-threatening injury or medical emergency, and relies on the skill and bravery of its team of doctors and critical care paramedics – some of the most highly skilled pre-hospital medics in the world – to deliver advanced trauma care to some of the most seriously injured patients across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire from its base at RAF Benson. Such exceptional individuals, who regularly put their own safety on the line to protect others, need the highest levels of equipment performance, including their head protection PPE, to ensure that their wellbeing is never compromised. Vimpex is an independent European manufacturer and distributor of high quality fire evacuation and alarm system products for installers, distributors and OEM manufacturers. The company is also a specialist in the supply of technical rescue and PPE equipment for UK fire, rescue, police, military and emergency services teams.

Bureau Veritas have shown their continued commitment to educating businesses on regulatory best practice in fire safety, by announcing its first ever Fire Safety Awareness Week. The awareness week will feature daily themes – including Building Regulations and Fire Risk Assessments – with each topic having its own webinar or educational video, offering expert insight on how to remain compliant. Starting on November 23, the week will then culminate in a panel discussion with some of the business’ top specialists. Building Regulations have seen a number of changes in 2020 with the outcomes of the Hackitt Review resulting in a new Building Safety Regulator and amendments to Approved Document B changing the the current trigger height for sprinklers in new residential flats. As such, Bureau Veritas is reminding construction firms of the importance of fire safety throughout building design, construction and operation. Fire Risk Assessments are an essential part of any fire safety system, designed to help protect people and property. When fire breaks out, the results can be disastrous if the fire safety installation chain breaks down. However, recent figures show that 60% of local authorities delayed fire door maintenance and inspection programmes in the first half of 2020, with 53% citing COVID-19 as the reason. Despite entering a second lockdown, Bureau Veritas is encouraging organisations to understand regulations around fire risk assessments and how to remain compliant. The awareness week will also cover topics such as Fire Science, Fire Engineering and the Building Safety Bill. Steve Highwood, Building & Infrastructure Market Lead at Bureau Veritas, said: “Despite COVID-19 being a major focus for everyone this year, we cannot ignore the other statutory health and safety procedures that must take place, to ensure the safety of employees and visitors. “Added to this, more than ever businesses are facing increased competition and pressure on their resources, and so achieving compliance and meeting best practice standards concerning fire and life safety may not always be easy. And, while fire safety should be at the forefront of many duty holders’ minds, a substantial proportion may not fully understand what their role and responsibilities truly entail. “Our Fire Safety Awareness Week has been designed with all sectors in mind, from Building Regulations and Fire Risk Assessments, to Fire Science and Fire Engineering. “The various expert webinars and educational videos on offer during this week will help local authorities, duty holders and business owners to garner a greater understanding of their responsibilities around fire and life safety, and take the necessary steps to ensure they are compliant.”

RedLine Gear Cleaning and 15-40 Connection have come together recently for a first of its kind Early Cancer Detection and Prevention Program for firefighters. RedLine works with first responders to professionally clean and inspect contaminated personal protective equipment. 15-40 Connection is an education and advocacy organisation that is saving lives by teaching first responders how to detect cancer early and how to be active partners in their healthcare. Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health. According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), cancer caused 61% of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths between 2002 and 2016. Recent research sponsored by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% greater risk of dying from cancer than civilians. During the November 6 session at the Marlborough Fire Department, Ed Kelly, Boston firefighter and General Secretary-Treasurer of the IAFF and Mark Buchanan, the District Chief of Health Safety and Wellness of Boston Fire Department, joined the group. “When you think about our job and the exposures we have, the likelihood that we are going to have cancer, we all have friends who have died of cancer, every one of them wishes they caught it earlier,” said Kelly. 15-40 Connection presented their 3 Steps Detect education, which teaches firefighters how to identify early symptoms of cancer, gives a timeframe for action, and empowers them to collaborate with their doctors for best health outcomes. “When detected early, the survival rate for cancer is much greater than when detected in late stages,” said 15-40 Connection President & Executive Director Tricia Laursen. “Teaching firefighters, who are at risk because of exposure to smoke and chemicals, as well as from their equipment, about symptoms to watch for and how to work with their doctors to get the necessary care and screenings is critical to improving their cancer survival rates.” The program was sponsored by The Last Call Foundation and also included RedLine on-premise cleaning of the Marlborough firefighters’ gear. Their Mobile Extraction Units feature an O-zone cleaning station to ensure all contaminants are removed. “RedLine was founded by firefighters and employs active and retired firefighters,” says career firefighter and RedLine founder, Mike Matros. “We’ve seen firsthand what dirty gear and contaminates can do to our fellow brothers and being able to play a role in the fight against cancer is a huge part of why we do this.” Marlborough Fire Chief Kevin Breen believes, “It is imperative that we continue to make progress with developing and enforcing policies to clean and care for PPE and also that we keep our members clean and decontaminated after every exposure.”

Welshpool Firefighter, Chris Birdsell-Jones wins Supporter of the Year at the prestigious Spirit of Fire Awards, held virtually by The Fire Fighters Charity. Chris Birdsell-Jones, the brains behind The Fire Tones, was the driving force in organising Firefighters from across the UK, to perform a version of the classic Band Aid hit Do They Know It’s Christmas in 2018, raising thousands of pounds for the Fire Fighters Charity. For the first time ever, due to the current pandemic, the Fire Fighters Charity held their annual award ceremony virtually, enabling everyone to tune in online to watch and support all those nominated.  Viewers got to watch a host of well know celebrities announce the winners of each category, with former footballer Les Ferdinand MBE, announcing our very own Chris as Supporter of the Year! Speaking about the award, Welshpool Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas said that everyone is extremely proud of Birdsell-Jones for the award and that he has done wonders for the reputation of the fire department. “We are all so proud of Chris on receiving this award, a fantastic accolade in recognition of all the hard work and passion that he and the rest of The Fire Tones put into this fundraiser,” Thomas said. “A truly worthy winner in our eyes, putting Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service well and truly on the map!”

Analog Devices, Inc. have introduced a reference design and algorithm that enables small form factor, low power, smoke detector designs to be rapidly prototyped and brought to market faster at a reduced cost. The new CN0537 reduces design risk and has been tested and verified to pass the UL 217 Standard for Smoke Alarms, 8th edition. The reference design uses Analog Devices’ ADPD188BI high performance optical sensor core combined with precision smoke chamber for reduced nuisance alarms. Download circuit note, order algorithm, UL-217 certified datasets, source code and reference platform hardware: analog.com/CN0537  Watch a video about the CN0537: https://www.analog.com/en/education/education-library/videos/6195684962001.html Learn more about ADI’s Smoke Detection Solutions Connect with engineers and ADI product experts on EngineerZone, an online technical support community: http://ez.analog.com CN0537 Reference Design Key Features: UL 217 8th edition tested and verified smoke and fire algorithm Data package for algorithm development including more than 1,000 smoke datasets taken at UL-217 certified facilities Software providing data pre-processing, initialisation, calibration and environmental compensation source code Arduino form factor smoke detector reference design for rapid prototyping and development Low power hardware design and low computational algorithm extending battery life and reducing battery size and cost Analog Devices is a global high-performance analog technology company dedicated to solving the toughest engineering challenges. The company enable their customers to interpret the world around them by intelligently bridging the physical and digital with unmatched technologies that sense, measure, power, connect and interpret.

The new Rosenbauer RFC CAFS Cube compressed air foam system presents itself almost like a cube, with very compact dimensions. It offers the highest flexibility in fire fighting operations. It can be used to carry out a pure water attack, for example in situations where foam compounds are not allowed to be used. With RFC CAFS Cube, heavy, medium, and expansion foam can be produced to combat classic solid and liquid fires or to flood cellars and storage rooms. Wetting agent operation is also possible, for example to extinguish burning bales of straw. And the system provides high-quality compressed air foam, which can be used to quickly fight car fires, for example. RFC CAFS Cube is an all-in-one device for all types of firefighting operations. Universal extinguishing system In RFC CAFS Cube, a firefighting pump operates with a delivery rate of 800 l/min at 10 bar. This corresponds to a medium-sized portable fire pump according to PFPN 10-750, and RFC CAFS Cube can also be used as such. In addition, a pressure foam proportioning system is integrated, with which up to 600 l water/foam compound mixture can be produced per minute (at 6 bar). Three proportioning ratios (0.3%, 3, and 6%) are available, which means that RFC CAFS Cube is also suitable for wetting agent operation. This leads to a considerably improved extinguishing effect because the surface tension of the water is broken and the extinguishing agent is able to penetrate better into the flammable material. In addition, RFC CAFS Cube foams the water/foam compound mixture into wet or dry compressed air foam as required. The CAFS mixing chamber has a capacity of 400 l/min at 6 bar and produces up to 1,600 l of compressed air foam, allowing at least two nozzles to be operated. Optimal extinguishing effect A particularly good extinguishing effect is achieved with compressed air foam. The very fine and homogeneous foam adheres to the flammable material for a long time (even on vertical surfaces), the water can evaporate almost 100%, the oxygen is effectively displaced by the flammable material, and the seat of the fire is cooled to a maximum. The kinetic energy of the compressed air foam and the reduction of surface tension also ensure that the extinguishing effect is optimised. Moreover, compressed air foam achieves almost the same throw range as water (20 meters and more). Firefighting can therefore be carried out very efficiently with a large safety distance to the burning object, even in inaccessible places. Simplest handling RFC CAFS Cube is operated via the new and largely self-explanatory RBC LCS Compact operating system and is ready for operation at the touch of a button. Only the proportioning ratio is set if needed. The system features automatic priming, which switches off when the pump is filled. Water can either be supplied via a hydrant or drawn from any water source and from vehicle-based tanks. The fuel and foam compound is supplied via external canisters, the extinguishing agent is delivered via two pressure outlets, a universal one for water, water/foam compound mixture, and compressed air foam and one for water only. The discharge pressure is automatically kept constant by a pump pressure governor. The Rosenbauer RFC CAFS Cube can therefore be put into operation very quickly and easily and operated safely. The stand-alone system has a very robust design, can be used on the move and, thanks to its own engine, can also be installed in vehicles that do not have a power take-off. The Rosenbauer RFC CAFS Cube is a high-quality, high-performance extinguishing system and ideally suited for the firefighting moments when flexibility is crucial to the success of the operation.

Spartan Emergency Response, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc., have announced that REV Technical Center (RTC) will sell and service the full portfolio of Spartan ER fire apparatus including Aerials, Pumpers, Rescues, Tankers, and Wildland units throughout Florida. Headquartered in Ocala, FL, RTC also represents fellow REV Group brands for fire apparatus and ambulances. The experienced sales team works closely with customers to determine the optimal product designs for their specific needs. RTC also serves as a one-stop shop for after-market parts support, including major component and accessory manufacturers to support customers’ fleet maintenance operations. In addition, RTC stocks spare parts unique to the fire service vocation including emergency lighting, plumbing, electrical systems, and hydraulic components to ensure customers’ apparatus stays on the road. With satellite facilities in Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, RTC provides full service technical repair and maintenance services including complete apparatus refurbishment, collision repairs, and remounts.  Additionally, the RTC has mobile service technicians who are available 24/7 to keep apparatus in mission-ready condition. RTC technicians are factory-trained, EVT certified as well as ASE certified. “We are excited to partner with REV Technical Center to expand our apparatus sales in Florida, including our new product such as NXT Custom Pumper™ and NXT 110’ Aerial™,” said Chris Wade, Director of Sales of Spartan Emergency Response. “In addition to sales capabilities, RTC is the right fit for Spartan ER with its complete service and after-market parts infrastructure to support existing Spartan units as well as future new deliveries.”

In support of the men and women who protect American citizens, OTTO has launched an adaption of most popular speaker microphones with new Thin Red Line and American Flag designs that support firefighters. The Illinois based company has gained a reputation for rugged, reliable, and professional grade equipment and these speaker microphones live up to that. The Revo NC2 is a corded speaker mic and is an on-the-job must have. Revolutionary noise-canceling technology delivers optimum voice clarity even in high-noise situations. The Revo NC2 features large and rugged PTT buttons that are easy to use even when wearing heavy gloves, as well as an intuitive, side-mount high/low slider switch that adjusts volume easily. As a proud American based company, OTTO’s General Manager, Dan Stanek, has been acutely watching the news and became increasingly aware of the dangerous spread of wildfires that have been plaguing our nation. It was during this time the idea to launch a speaker microphone that specifically shows pride for the men and women on the frontline came to fruition. While a firm believer OTTO’s speaker mics already supported the industry, Stanek’s goal was to provide a way for our brave firefighters to carry it on their chest. The American made products have received praise from users. “The Revo NC2 from what I can tell, is one of the best shoulder mics on the market. The microphone is noise-cancelling, and the audio clarity on the speaker is significantly clearer and cleaner than the standard shoulder mic that I was issued by my department,” says J. Nguyen. These patriotic and fire pride speaker mics are compatible with almost all major radio manufacturers and OTTO has officially launched these microphones for pre-order. Visit: https://www.otto-comm.com/products/speaker-microphones/speakermicrophones for more information.

E-ONE has received an order for 70 Active Air Purification Systems to be installed into existing fire and rescue apparatus by Marion County Fire Rescue in Ocala, Florida. The Active Air Purification System kills 99% of pathogens, including COVID-19, in the air and on surfaces delivering better air quality and a safer cab environment. Designed with advanced photohydroionization (PHI) and UV technology, this system also offers: Proven reduction in sneeze germs by 99% within three feet Proven efficiency on microbes (3rd party tested on H1N1, Avian Flu, sneeze test) Proven impact on odour reduction The compact design of the Active Air Purification System allows it to be placed in multiple locations within the cab while still achieving the same results, giving the Marion County fleet management team the flexibility needed when retrofitting the system into its existing vehicles. Funding for the units is made possible through the county from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “Marion County Fire Rescue has put in place a plan to outfit all transport units and fire apparatus with the air purification units,” said Division Chief Drew Rogers with Marion County Fire Rescue. “These units safely sanitise the interior of the apparatus and combat communicable diseases.  This addition to our frontline apparatus will increase safety for both our first responders and the citizens we transport.” “E-ONE is proud to partner with Marion County Fire Rescue on the industry-leading Active Air Purification System,” said Larry Daniels, E-ONE’s Director of Sales. “Our first responders deserve every defense possible against harmful pathogens. This technology will provide a safer environment to and from incidents and anytime they are in the truck.  Protecting the safety of our first responders is a priority for Marion County and for E-ONE.  We are proud to serve our first responders as they protect and serve our citizens.” For more on the Active Air Purification System, go to e-one.com.