The stock has rallied 5% to Rs 61 on back of heavy volumes on the BSE Nitin Fire Protection Industries is trading higher by 5% to Rs 60.60 ahead of board meeting today to consider the share buyback proposal. The meeting of the buyback committee of the company will be held on February 26, 2014 to take stock of buy back of shares, to fix the date of closing the buy back and other related formalities, Nitin Fire Protection Industries said in a BSE filing. As on December 31, 2013 the promoters held 71.73% stake in the company. The foreign institutional investors held 13.92% stake, while the remaining 14.35% holdings are with the individual shareholders and others. The stock opened at Rs 64.90 and touched a high of Rs 66 in early morning deals on the BSE. A combined 831,700 shares have already changed hands on the counter till 0920 hours as against an average 700,000 shares that were traded daily in past two weeks on the BSE and NSE.

The system can cover 2-12 zones Industry-leading fire systems business, Advanced, has launched a new conventional and twin-wire fire system called QuickZone. Renowned across the globe for the quality of its intelligent fire systems, Advanced now also delivers the ease-of-use, flexibility and performance it is famous for to the conventional world. QuickZone, as the name suggests is quick on the wall, quick to configure and quick to maintain. The system can cover 2-12 zones and is EN54-2&4 approved. QuickZone comes in two panel formats, the standard and stand-alone QuickZone and feature-rich QuickZone XL which also features a passive or fully functional repeater. Both are compatible with a wide range of conventional devices and offer a host of flexible zone, input and output programming options. Both also offer test and false alarm management modes. Interfaces are simple, buttons are colour coded with management and programming accessible via code entry or keyswitch. QuickZone’s enclosure designs make installation and wiring simple and it supports a range of modular expansion zone cards. Product Manager, John Newton, said: “People like dealing with Advanced. We make things easy and we offer legendary service and support. QuickZone is a great system that offers scalability, performance and a wide range of configuration options. It can be specified and installed with confidence on conventional jobs of all sizes and budgets.” QuickZone is for sale in all of Advanced’s EN54 territories including the UK, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. For more information or to book a demo contact Advanced on +44(0)191 607 111 or via its website www.advancedco.com

Gallet F1 XF Fire Helmet  In 1985, Gallet launched the original F1 Helmet System, being the first manufacturer to introduce a Jet style, full coverage structural fire helmet and revolutionizing firefighter head protection. Since then, this iconic product has been selected and used by more than 1.7 million firefighters in more than 80 countries. For the past 28 years, Gallet, which was acquired by MSA in 2002, has refined the F1 Helmet design through innovation and expertise, offering several successful generations of market-leading Helmets to firefighters around the world. Today more than ever, MSA strengthens this commitment to the fire service by releasing the Gallet F1 XF, a new fire helmet developed for firefighters with firefighters. Benefiting from MSA’s unique expertise, the Gallet F1 XF is based on a brand new, modernized design and is approved according to EN443:2008 for firefighting in buildings and other structures. In addition, its face shield and ocular visor meet the EN14458 approvals. The Gallet F1 XF fire helmet is readily available in all continents to meet the toughest requirements of firefighters from around the globe. New and enhanced features include : a stylish, high temperature resistant shell, available in 2 sizes for a perfect fit for all user’s profiles a high temperature resistant face shield (clear or metal coated) with an extended coverage and field of vision a robust and user friendly head size adjustment system a padded, adjustable chinstrap with quick release buckle an adjustable mask connection system for use with a helmet-mounted breathing apparatus face piece a modular construction enabling quick, easy care and maintenance an extended impact liner providing side impact protection, with an Aramide reinforcement for higher resistance to penetration in hot environments a truly integrated, ATEX approved lighting module for proximity lighting an eye protection visor with ergonomic, dual adjustment system a flame resistant, ergonomic padded headband available in two materials (Leather or Nomex) a selection of helmet-mounted headsets for enhanced communication capabilities through long range PMR radios an interchangeable front plate, enabling helmet customization through badges or direct logo printing by tampography.   For further information please contact your local MSA affiliate or visit www.MSAsafety.com.

For Ferrara Fire Apparatus Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., America’s premier custom fire apparatus manufacturer, has named First Choice Fire & Safety as its dealer in North Carolina. First Choice, with President Mike Bordeaux and sales representative David English, has serviced the fire departments in the state for over two decades.   Ferrara Fire Apparatus President/CEO Chris Ferrara commented on his newest dealer, “We’ve known Mike and his team at First Choice for many, many years. He is known to his customers as a man of his word and has an excellent reputation across the state and region. Mike has his own service department to take care of vehicles sold by First Choice. Like the other dealers we’ve brought on board recently, First Choice embodies everything we are looking for in a partner: dedicated service and sales personnel who bring a passion for the fire industry.”   “We are very happy to be a member of the Ferrara team, and look forward to offering Ferrara’s full line of heavy duty fire apparatus to our customers in North Carolina,” said Mr. Bordeaux.   Ferrara Fire Apparatus manufactures a full line of fire, emergency and rescue vehicles. The company offers the Ultra, Inferno, Igniter, Cinder, Ember and Intruder custom fire chassis, pumpers, tankers, rear and mid-mount aerial ladders and platforms, rescues and incident command vehicles and high-flow industrial apparatus. A leading innovator in the industry, Ferrara takes pride in offering such firefighter safety items as the MVP Multi-Vocational Pumper, On-Site Tilt Table Testing, Cab and Body NFPA Compliant Crash Testing, Independent Front Suspension, Complete Airbag Protection, and SmartWheel steering systems. Additionally, the Ultra, Inferno, Igniter and Cinder chassis are available with the popular F-Shield corrosion protection system, which has proven extremely popular in northern climates that are concerned with corrosive materials used on winter roads.   For more information on Ferrara Fire Apparatus please contact Paul Christiansen, VP-Sales & Marketing, at 800.443.9006, via e-mail at paulc@ferrarafire.com or by regular mail at Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., PO Box 249, Holden, LA 70744.   To contact First Choice Fire & Safety, call Mike Bordeaux at 1-800-753-2350 or send an email to mikebordeaux@mindspring.com.

Wisconsin company will replace departing Air National Guard unit  Des Moines airport officials voted Tuesday to privatize the airport’s fire protection services, a move that drew protests from union leaders and a city councilman. The vote ended a labor dispute that erupted last month when the airport announced plans to hire Pro-Tec Fire Services, a Wisconsin firefighting company that serves nearly 20 other airports nationwide. Pro-Tec will replace the Iowa Air National Guard’s fire department, which will disband later this year when the guard stops flying jets from Des Moines. Union members asked the airport to create its own fire department and hire Air Guard firefighters, but airport officials opted for a private contractor, saying they were not in the business of managing a fire department. The debate often focused on how many firefighters would serve the airport. Pro-Tec would employ about 10 firefighters and have three on duty at all times, while the National Guard employed about 30, with five to seven on duty. “The fact is aircraft do come down … and we need to be staffed for when that does happen, and three personnel is just not enough,” said Gary Sanders, a National Guard firefighter. Airport Executive Director Don Smithey, however, said the staffing levels would exceed federal regulations that require two firefighters on duty. More firefighters are required when military aircraft are flying. Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Iowa Council 61, which represents the guard firefighters, claimed Pro-Tec would be required to douse flames, not provide medical assistance. “They will spray chemical on the crash and they will drive around people lying on the ground,” he said. Carl W. Thiem, general manager with Pro-Tec, said that was not true. “If we can rescue someone, we will,” he said. “It’s the flight crew’s primary role to get passengers off the plane. It’s our job to clear a path through the fuel so they can get those passengers out.” The Airport Authority Board voted unanimously for the two-year contract with Pro-Tec, which starts at $921,000 a year. The board amended the contract to require one paramedic on duty, rather than EMTs, which have a lower level of medical training. Des Moines Fire Chief John TeKippe had raised concerns that city firefighters would be called to the airport more often if no paramedic was on duty. The airport’s firefighters cover the airfield, while city firefighters serve the terminal. Union members also raised concerns about wages, claiming Pro-Tec firefighters at other airports make less than $10 an hour. “We don’t need any more low-wage jobs in our community,” said Mark Cooper, president of South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. “We are already overburdened with those types of jobs.” Thiem said Pro-Tec’s firefighters generally make a starting salary of $40,000 to $45,000 a year. City Councilman Skip Moore asked the airport board to delay the decision. Airport officials said they needed to approve a contract so Pro-Tec will be ready when the Guard fire department leaves. “If we are not up and ready, we effectively close the airport,” said airport board member Mark Feldmann.

Funds to support wildfire risk reduction projects for communities  Nature is both beautiful and dangerous. As more and more people choose to live in and around the forests and grasslands of this country, the challenge of preparing communities for the devastation of wildfire becomes more complex. To help communities prepare residents for the possibility of a wildfire, State Farm® is providing funding to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Wildland Fire Operations Division. Local organizations will receive monetary awards through this grant to support and implement wildfire risk reduction projects. State Farm has a long history of proactive wildfire safety education to its policyholders in high-risk regions, including the use of NFPA’s Firewise materials and concepts. "This is a valuable partnership to help save lives and protect property. It just fits with our ‘Good Neighbor’ beliefs,” said Vickie Hodges, Loss Mitigation Analyst with State Farm Insurance. “It is appropriate for State Farm, the largest home insurer in the United States, to take a leadership role in homeowner safety and property protection.” The Bloomington, Ill.-based company insures one out of five homes in the U.S. NFPA’s wildfire division is sponsoring two high-profile national campaigns aimed at encouraging residents to take action to make homes and neighborhoods safer. State Farm is providing monetary support for both campaigns. The Firewise Challenge is a campaign that began in 2013 as a way to encourage increased neighborhood participation in the national Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program. Communities in ten states with the most participation will receive funds provided by the State Farm grant to implement safety projects. Five communities in Arkansas, Washington, Pennsylvania, California, and New Jersey are receiving a grand prize of $5,000 to be used for mitigation activities, including chipping of brush, removal of vegetative material, and similar activities that will reduce wildfire hazards. Five additional communities in Virginia, Colorado, Oregon, Tennessee, and Maine will receive a runner-up prize of $900 to use on safety gear, tools or mitigation projects. The second major campaign focusing on wildfire education is the first nationwide Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, slated to take place May 3, 2014. The national Preparedness Day gives people of all ages a chance to participate in a risk reduction or wildfire preparedness activity that makes their community a safer place to live. A portion of the State Farm grant funding will be awarded to 20 neighborhood wildfire safety projects being implemented during the May 3rd event. Information on how to apply for an award can be found at www.wildfireprepday.org. "What’s exciting about State Farm’s funding support goes beyond mere dollars," said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “NFPA’s public education goal is to empower residents to take action with regard to fire safety. One way they accept ideas and act on them is to hear the safety message from multiple, credible sources. Working on wildfire safety issues with such an influential partner like State Farm sends a very powerful message." Wildland fires are a serious threat to lives and property. The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) cites more than 72,000 U.S. communities are now at risk from wildfire. The combination of drought, mild temperatures, high winds and an excess of dried vegetation in forests and grasslands has made fire seasons progressively worse over the past 50 years. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 2012 saw one of the worst fire seasons in decades with over nine million acres burned. For more information about the Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program Challenge and National Wildfire Preparedness Day, please visit www.nfpa.org/wildfire.

for virtual incident training  The Cheshire Fire Authority and VSTEP renew their partnership for training of fire & rescue personnel through use of the virtual incident management platform RescueSim. The partnership reconfirms RescueSim as the virtual training software of choice at the high-tech Cheshire Fire Authority training centre in Winsford. The decision to renew the partnership and continue working with RescueSim was taken by the Fire Authority after careful evaluation of the other virtual incident training programs currently available in the market. Following this comparison, RescueSim was again selected due to its realism, ease of use, excellent customer service and its continuing development and innovation which allows the Cheshire Fire Authority to maintain their status of delivering the best command training in the UK and having the facilities to support this. VSTEP and the Cheshire Fire Authority have been working together since 2010, when a partnership was signed to use VSTEP’s incident management platform RescueSim to enhance the incident preparation and response training for Fire & Rescue personnel at the state-of-the-art training facility in Winsford. The virtual training suite at the training centre gives the incident command teams the most realistic training environment possible, incorporating a range of innovative features to maximize immersion and training efficiency. Peter Walsh, Business Development manager UK at VSTEP: “We are extremely proud to continue our technology partnership with the Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service. RescueSim being selected as the virtual incident training platform of choice at the most innovative virtual reality training facility in Europe is a recognition of the enhanced training value our virtual training offers to emergency incident responders. We look forward to continuing this partnership with the Cheshire Fire Authority for many years.” Cheshire’s Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock acknowledges that while there would always be a need for practical training in using equipment to fight fires and rescue people from vehicles, the use of virtual reality facilities is also a vital element in the future: "Cheshire is now far safer than it used to be with major reductions in the number of fires and incidents we attend. That means far less practical opportunities for staff to develop their skills so our suite is essential in providing a completely safe environment for people to become competent in managing a whole range of emergency incidents,” he said. RescueSim allows emergency crews to train in virtual environments and experience any incident as they would in real-life. They assess the situation and determine the best response strategy, implement it and then observe the consequences of their decisions. The RescueSim virtual incident training platform is currently used in over 20 countries worldwide and its customer base continues to increase as more emergency services and safety professionals recognise the positive effect virtual training has on their incident response effectiveness and as enhancement of their practical training. More info about the RescueSim virtual incident simulator can be found on www.rescuesim.com For more info about the Cheshire Fire Authority, visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk