NEBOSH says that gaining health and safety qualifications can help to advance careers NEBOSH is encouraging people throughout the world to make a vocational health and safety qualification their New Year’s resolution for 2014. The New Year is traditionally a time when people look at just how far they’ve come in their lives and then make a few changes for the better. NEBOSH says that gaining one or more of its suite of health and safety qualifications can help to advance careers at all levels. Last year there were more than 140,000 registrations to sit NEBOSH examinations, in one hundred and eleven different countries worldwide. “We know from feedback we receive from both employers and those who gain our qualifications that NEBOSH is held in high regard,” explained NEBOSH Chief Executive Teresa Budworth. “Our examinations are a true test of knowledge and application. As such they help people move forward into positions of greater responsibility in the workplace. In the UK, for example, a NEBOSH qualifications is required by employers in three quarters of all advertised health, safety and environmental management positions.” The professional level NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is at the same level as a British honours degree. There are around 3,000 enrolments on NEBOSH Diploma courses throughout the world each year. NEBOSH’s Certificate level qualifications are even more popular. These not only act as a stepping stone for those seeking a career in health, safety or environmental management, but are also often taken by people whose primary responsibility at work is not health and safety. “Health and safety is now recognised as a core management skill in organisations with high standards of governance,” said Teresa Budworth. Mechanical Engineer Sean Minnican was the 150,000th person to pass the NEBOSH General Certicate. The qualification helped him find the kind of work he’d dreamed of. “I sent my CV off after gaining my degree in Mechanical Engineering and got one or two replies,” said Sean. “As soon as I put NEBOSH on my CV I was offered four different positions straightaway. My NEBOSH Certificate has certainly opened doors for me.” NEBOSH also offers entry level ‘Awards’ such as its Health and Safety at Work qualification. These can help employers at all levels understand health and safety better, reducing accidents and illness at work. To find out more about NEBOSH qualifications visit www.nebosh.org.uk/Qualifications/

Logo: Street1: 16 Ribocon Way Street2: Progress Business Park City: Luton County /State/ Province: Bedfordshire Postcode: LU4 9UR Telephone: +44 (0)1582 491616 Email: sales@argonelectronics.com Website: www.argonelectronics.com

Released 27 January 2014 E2S Warning Signals have today published a new ‘Guide for Hazardous areas’ which is available as a free download from their website.   The guide has been put together with specifiers and hazardous area engineers in mind with matrix tables that enable fast cross-referencing of information between the main certification systems: ATEX, IECEx, North American and Canadian standards. Protection concepts are listed along with applicable zone, class or division and typical equipment protection level in an easy to read format.   In addition, the guide contains ample reference information related to gas and dust atmospheres and potentially explosive environments, such as: Gas and dust groups and typical substances according to the main certification systems Maximum surface temperature of equipment, temperature classifications and ignition temperature limits of gas / dust Apparatus groups and typical ignition temperatures for common gases, vapours and dust Type of protection and basic concepts of protection listed by zone according to ATEX & IECEx and class and division according to US and Canadian standards IP ratings and NEMA enclosure types Typical equipment markings of hazardous area signalling products from the E2S portfolio To download the guide for hazardous areas visit www.e2s.com.

Extension of contract with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department On January 16th a reception was held at the main fire station of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department to celebrate the extension of the contract through to the year 2017. As a sign of the trustworthy partnership and the smooth cooperation, Andy Chan, Director of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, presented the LHD Group, represented by Axel Nagel, CEO of the LHD Group of Companies, with an award and again reiterated the satisfaction of the Hong Kong Fire Service with the performance provided by the LHD Group. Among the guests were Chief Fire Officer Daryl Li, Hong Kong Fire Services Department as well as other high-ranking representatives of the Hong Kong Fire Service, Rüdiger Heeg, COO of the LHD Group of Companies and Daniel von Chamier, Managing Director of the LHD Group Hong Kong. During the visit, new innovations in the field of protective clothing and rescue service were discussed as well as further possibilities of intensifying cooperation. Within the scope of the TotalCare® contract with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department the LHD Group is responsible for the supply, cleaning and maintenance of more than 13,000 sets of firemen’s clothing for the ca. 6,500 members of the fire service, together with the logistics involved. “The continuous management of the clothing with our unique TotalCare® program ensures that every fireman wears a protective suit which is always “fit for the purpose” says Daniel von Chamier. “We are very proud that we have once again been able to convince the Hong Kong Fire Service, one of the services with the largest number of staff in the world, with our performance range and we are pleased that we can continue to serve them as our customers.”

Due to pension tax changes  Reductions in pensions taxation limits from April this year mean that more senior firefighters retiring after 5 April or receiving a promotion could breach the Lifetime or Annual Allowance for tax efficient pensions savings. From 6 April 2014, the Lifetime Allowance (LTA), which is the maximum amount of pension savings that benefits from tax relief over a person’s lifetime, will reduce from £1.5m to £1.25m. The limit on the tax efficient pensions savings that can be made in any one year, the Annual Allowance, will also reduce from £50,000 to £40,000. Firefighters could breach the new annual allowance if they have more than 20 years’ service. The changes don’t just affect the highest earners; an Area Manager receiving a promotion could breach the annual allowance if he or she has over 20 years’ service. Deputy and Assistant Chief Fire Officers retiring on full pension from April 2014 could breach the lifetime allowance for the first time when it reduces from £1.5m to £1.25m. The warning comes from MyCSP, UK central government’s first mutual joint venture and administrator of the civil service pension scheme. MyCSP is advising the Fire and Rescue Service to support firefighters through the changes so that they are aware of how they might be affected, the options available to them and the action they need to take. Firefighters should consider their intended retirement date, the amount of lump sum they plan to take and their likely increase in pay. Crucially, members need to consider whether to apply to for fixed protection to protect the current lifetime allowance of £1.5m before 5 April 2014. To help employers communicate the changes, MyCSP has launched a new service that helps explain to senior roles the impact of the changes. The service incorporates seminars, projections for individuals showing the potential impact of the changes in various scenarios and one to one sessions with senior staff. Virginia Burke, business development director, MyCSP; “It is important that scheme members are aware of the upcoming changes in order to make informed choices about their options and ensure the correct HMRC reporting procedures are followed.” Key Deadlines 31 January 2014 • Deadline to complete a self assessment for those who have a tax charge to pay for 2011/2012 or 2012/2013 pension accrual, or face interest payments 5 April 2014 • Employees must apply for fixed protection 2014* 6 April 2014 • Annual Allowance reduces from £50000 to £40000. Lifetime Allowance reduces from £1.5m to £1.25m. • Individual protection becomes available and members retiring will be subject to the lower Lifetime Allowance July – October 2014 • Pension Savings Statements issued in respect of 2013.14 tax year * If members are affected by the lifetime allowance they can apply for Fixed Protection 2014 to retain the current Lifetime Allowance of £1.5m or Individual Protection after 5 April 2014. Fixed protection would require accrual of all future pension benefits to cease at 5 April 2014 therefore it is important members register before this date. If pensions growth has exceeded the annual allowance charge in 2011/12 or 2012/13 and a tax charge is payable, a self assessment return completed by 31st January.

Jim Pauley to succeed James M. Shannon The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to name Jim Pauley of Lexington, Kentucky as the next president of NFPA. Pauley is currently senior vice president of External Affairs and Government Relations for Schneider Electric and will assume his new role in July.   “For more than 115 years, NFPA has been a leader in fire, life and electrical safety through codes and standards development, research, training and education. This appointment ensures the continued pursuit of the critical mission of NFPA and positions the association to address the challenges of our times,” said Philip C. Stittleburg, chairman of the board. “Jim is an experienced leader and very knowledgeable on many of the issues important to NFPA.”   Pauley has been with Schneider Electric since 1985 when he began as an application engineer. He has held a number of positions through the years and was appointed to his present position in 2011. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Kentucky.   Pauley has served in a number of codes and standards-related activities including chairman of the board for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), chairman of NFPA’s Standards Council and chair of the High Performance Building Council for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).   “I am excited about the opportunity to lead such a terrific organization in a time when there is tremendous opportunity to have even greater impact on fire and other hazards facing all of us,” said Pauley.   Pauley will succeed James M. Shannon who has served as NFPA president since 2002. Shannon has been at NFPA for 23 years, having joined the organization as vice president and general counsel in 1991. He had previously served as a Member of Congress representing Massachusetts and as Massachusetts Attorney General.   “Jim Pauley is a great choice to be the president of NFPA. I have worked closely with him over the years and especially during his time as chair of the Standards Council. He knows the organization and is committed to our safety mission.”   About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

Workshop on SMART buildings and Fire Safety to be featured The Fire Protection Research Foundation’s 18th annual Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Symposium (SupDet 2014) will be held March 4 – 7 at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida.   This year’s program is aimed at professionals in the fire alarm, suppression and emergency communications industries, and provides the opportunity to exchange ideas, best practices, and the latest research. Symposium attendees have the option to choose between the Detection and Signaling Program or the Suppression Program and can participate in more than 30 compelling presentations on the latest developments in research, technology and applications for the fire protection community including:   · Sprinkler protection with research on material failures in fire protection systems, a track dedicated to protection of high-hazard challenges, and an analysis of water distribution efficiency from a sprinkler head.   · Research on environmentally friendly fire suppression agents with a feature on U.S. Army hand held extinguisher development, along with recent developments of zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP) clean fire suppression agents.   · Signaling and notification, with research related to mass notification, nuisance alarms, new fire test sensitivities and computer modeling of detection systems, and parameters for indirect viewing of visual signals used in emergency notification.   In addition, a special workshop, "SMART Buildings and Fire Safety," will be held March 5 at the conference site, which all attendees are invited to attend free of charge. The smart buildings of tomorrow and their sensor-rich environments offer great fire safety potential to building owners, occupants, emergency responders, and all other participants in our built environment. The goal of this workshop is to establish a needs assessment of the use of systems in SMART buildings for fire safety.   SupDet 2014 is co-located with the International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference (ICRC Conference) held March 3 – 5, and hosted by the Nicholson School of Communication at UCF.   Register today for the full symposium or choose either the Suppression Program or the Detection and Signaling Program. All registration options entitle participants to attend the “SMART Buildings and Fire Safety” workshop on Wednesday, March 5.   For more information and to register online, contact Eric Peterson at +1 617 984-7271.   About the Fire Protection Research Foundation The Fire Protection Research Foundation plans, manages, and communicates consortium-funded research on a broad range of fire safety issues in collaboration with scientists and laboratories around the world. The Foundation is an affiliate of NFPA.   About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

Brand new department serves fast-growing community Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, has delivered four apparatus to Tennessee’s Mt. Juliet Fire Department. The vehicles include a Pierce® Velocity™ 100-foot aerial platform, a Pierce Velocity 105-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder, and two identical Pierce Impel™ pumpers. The fleet of vehicles was acquired through a government tax-exempt program with a 10-year lease-to-purchase option. “The performance of our new Pierce vehicles is excellent: they’re easy to operate, and our firefighters appreciate the overall build quality and safety technologies, such as the side roll protection system and TAK-4® independent front suspension,” said Fire Chief Erron Kinney of the Mt. Juliet Fire Department. “We visited the Pierce plant during construction, and I was impressed by the commitment to excellence you feel from every person working at Pierce. I left reassured about the investment our community has made.” “After previously being protected by a neighboring community’s fire department, the Mt. Juliet Fire Department was recently formed, and Pierce is honored to be selected as its apparatus brand of choice,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “These Pierce custom vehicles are an excellent showcase of the leading edge technology and rugged reliability we’re known for.” The 105-foot heavy-duty ladder is built on a Velocity chassis and features TAK-4 independent front suspension, the Pierce-exclusive Detroit Diesel DD13 engine with 500 hp, Command Zone™ advanced electronics, and seating for six firefighters. The apparatus also features a 2,000 GPM single stage pump, a 500-gallon water tank, a Husky™ 3 single agent foam system, and a full complement of ground ladders. The 100-foot Pierce aerial platform is also built on a Velocity chassis equipped with TAK-4 independent front suspension, the Pierce-exclusive Detroit Diesel DD13 engine with 500 hp, and a raised roof cab (notched for the aerial device). The aluminum body offers a 300-gallon water tank, a 2,000 GPM single stage pump, a full height and full depth compartment on the driver’s side, full height compartments on both sides, and a wide array of adjustable shelves and slide-out trays to carry emergency equipment. The pair of Pierce Ultimate Configuration (PUC™) pumpers are built on the Impel chassis, each featuring a Cummins ISL9 450 hp engine, TAK-4 independent front suspension, a raised roof cab, seating for six firefighters, and Pierce’s side roll protection system. One pumper features a 750-gallon water tank while the second carries a 1,000-gallon water tank. Both feature the PUC pump and a Husky 3 foam system with 20-gallon foam cell. Pierce dealer, Emergency Vehicle Specialists (EVS), Memphis, Tenn., provides local service and support. “EVS and their team have been awesome, and they’ve done phenomenal work for us,” added Chief Kinney. “They have been very attentive to our needs, and we get first class, top-of-the-line service.” A combination fire department with 12 career personnel and 28 volunteers, the Mt. Juliet Fire Department was formed less than one year ago. To read more about the department and its new apparatus, visit the Situation Solution at Pierce’s website.

The fire killed over 240 people Never again, officials vowed a year ago, would Brazil see a horror like the nightclub fire that killed 242 young men and women, all suffocated by toxic smoke that filled a windowless bunker of a building with no emergency exits. Yet as Brazil marks the anniversary Monday of the deadly blaze at the Kiss nightclub, almost nothing concrete has been done at any level of government to improve fire safety. That’s stoking fears that another tragedy awaits, especially as tourists and locals pack clubs during the World Cup football tournament starting across the country in June. "What killed those kids at that nightclub was our culture, a culture of not liking to obey laws," said Luciano Favero, a fire prevention specialist based in Rio Grande do Sul state, where the Kiss fire occurred. "Brazil is a country that reacts; it does not prevent." It was about 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 27, 2013, when soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire in the overcrowded nightclub in the university town of Santa Maria. The lead singer of a country band onstage had lit a flare as part of a pyrotechnics show, sparking the blaze. Investigators said the burning foam released cyanide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that quickly killed. Dozens of bodies were piled in twisted knots inside the club as hundreds stampeded through darkness, trying to reach a single row of four doors that served as both entry and exit. Aside from the dead, 630 people were injured, and about 90 of them still face grave health problems from smoke inhalation. A day after the fire, President Dilma Rousseff presided over a previously scheduled meeting of new mayors from across Brazil, where she told them about the "indescribable pain" she witnessed upon visiting with victims’ families just hours after the blaze. "I speak of that pain to remind all of us with executive powers of the responsibilities we have toward our population," Rousseff said. "In the face of this tragedy, we have the duty to make the commitment, to ensure that this will never happen again." Those promises came to nothing, said Rodrigo Tavares, a private engineer and fire-safety consultant in Brazil. "At first, we had this national uproar and many plans to make changes," Tavares said. "However, in practical terms, the situation of security and fire protection remains the same." What Tavares and other experts agree is the single most important step needed is the passage of a national fire safety code to impose and enforce the same standards across Brazil. The Santa Maria blaze exposed deep flaws in Brazil’s system, which gives states and even individual cities in some cases the right to determine their own fire codes and how to enforce them. That leaves most of the country at the mercy of poorly trained and overtaxed inspectors working in a system with widespread corruption, where a payment is an easy way around inspections and where widely varying safety demands exist mostly on paper. Congressman Paulo Pimenta, a member of the governing Workers Party who is from Santa Maria, has tried unsuccessfully to push a national fire safety code through Congress during the past year. He says a bill hasn’t passed because leaders quickly forgot about the tragedy and turned to other matters as the sting of the tragedy faded. Pimenta’s bill would force buildings to install more emergency exits, which are rarely used in many parts of Brazil, and ensure that materials like the soundproofing in the Kiss club are approved by government regulators. His bill would also make it easier to hold local officials accountable for approving inadequate fire plans for clubs, hotels and other establishments. Both the Santa Maria mayor’s office and fire department say they’ve stepped up inspections in the city, but say they’re waiting on the state or legislature or national congress to put into action any stiffer safety demands. In relation to the Kiss blaze, the club’s two owners and two band members face homicide charges, but are free pending trial. A guilty verdict could bring a prison sentence of up to 30 years, although the complexity of Brazil’s legal system and the ability to present numerous appeals generally means several years can elapse before someone convicted of a crime is put behind bars. State prosecutors say four other people face lesser charges related to false testimony and fraud in documents related to the fire. Five firefighters face trial in military court on negligence charges, while three are accused of falsifying public documents related to the case. Many in Santa Maria fear nobody will be held accountable. "Justice hasn’t been done, and until it is this culture of impunity will win out. Nobody will have learned any lessons because nobody will be punished," said Douglas Medeiros, a university student whose 18-year-old girlfriend, Thanise Correa Garcia, died in the fire. "Here in Santa Maria, there have been no changes to the law, nothing that would force officials to feel compelled to really take action."

For Central & Eastern Kentucky  Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., America’s premier custom fire apparatus manufacturer, announced today that America’s Bravest Equipment Company is their new dealer in Central and Eastern Kentucky. America’s Bravest is led by company president Dave Goldsmith. Ferrara Fire Apparatus President/CEO Chris Ferrara said, “We’ve been aggressively growing our dealer network over the past year. In doing so, we are seeking out companies established in the fire service with a good customer base and a first-rate reputation. America’s Bravest is a 12 year old company with a loyal following and a long track record of success with their equipment lines. They also have an excellent sales and service team that is extremely excited about selling fire trucks.” “America’s Bravest Equipment Company has the same high standards as Ferrara, said owner Dave Goldsmith. “Our company is very selective on who works for us, and what products we offer our customers. We took a very hard look at which fire apparatus manufacturer we represented, and Ferrara exceeded our expectations. The sales team at America’s Bravest is very excited in being able to offer our customers a quality fire apparatus.” 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 America’s Bravest, call Dave Goldsmith, Owner, at 502-231-7991, send an e-mail to daveg@americas-bravest.com, visit the website at www.americas-bravest.com or stop by the dealership at 7210 Fegenbush Lane, Louisville, KY 40228.