Evacuation notices for Gatlinburg never sent to mobile devices
People relying solely on their phones in Gatlinburg and Sevier County Tennessee did not receive a text warning them to evacuate. High winds disabled phone, internet and electricity services causing communications to fail.
Warehouse fire in Oakland kills at least 33
A fire in a converted warehouse in Oakland, California has killed at least 33 people. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but the building had no sprinklers and the only exit from the second floor was a makeshift staircase. Firefighters arriving on scene...
Fire departments utilize app for emergency response
The app IamResponding is being used by many fire departments. It allows dispatchers to notify firefighters of an emergency incident and find out who can respond and what their training is. Notifications can be sent to traditional radios and smartphones. Click...
Surrey fire chief co-edits book on designing out crime
Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis, who is also an adjunct professor at the University of the Fraser Valley's Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, has helped write a book, "Designing Out Crime", that focuses on what local governments can do to evaluate and...
New details on fatal propane explosion at Everett coffee stand
Investigators found improper storage and use of multiple propane containers and an illegal deadbolt were major factors in the death of an Everett, Washington barista. here to read more
Fire service realignment has positive effect on ambulance calls
Sault Ste. Marie Fire Chief Mike Figliola reports a realignment of fire services has had a positive impact on ambulance calls. The number of on-duty firefighters at any time has been lowered and paramedics and paramedic supervisors have been hired as part of the plan....
Firefighters selling shifts on Facebook
Firefighters in Houston, Texas are potentially making thousands of untaxed dollars a year by selling shifts on Facebook. Click here to read more.
Dr. John DeHaan to retire
Dr. John DeHaan, author of Kirk's Fire Investigation and Forensic Fire Scene Reconstruction and noted authority on fire forensics, is retiring this year. here to read about his fascinating career.
Why fire bikes work in congested cities
Are firefighting motorcycles, or fire bikes, the next big thing for urban fire departments? They are already in use in cities in Japan, Singapore and Brazil for fire suppression and to provide emergency first response. Advocates claim the use of fire bikes brings down...
Downtown East Side fire hall overwhelmed by overdose crisis
Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney says crews at Fire Hall No. 2, located in the city's notorious Downtown East Side, are overwhelmed by emergency medical calls involving people overdosing on fentanyl. Average calls a month at the fire hall have jumped from 600 to...
Kidde recalls talking combination smoke and CO alarms
Kidde, in a joint recall with Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Saety Commission, has recalled their Kidde NightHawk talking combination smoke/CO alarm KN-COSM-IBCA and KN-COSM-ICA models manufactured between June 1 2004 and March 2011. Click here to...
Ft. Mac firefighters honoured in Alberta Legislature ceremony
In a ceremony at the Alberta Legislature Premier Rachel Notley and her government honoured those who came to Fort McMurray's aid during last spring's devastating wildfire. Click here to read more.
Car crash sees angry motorists verbally abuse first responders
Science fails forest fire fighters
In his keynote presentation to the Wildland Fire Conference in Kelowna Dr. David Martell, from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Forestry, said the scientific work done in Canada around forest fires is an embarrassment. According to Dr. Martell the Canadian...
Yellowknife’s fire department understaffed and overworked
A recently released report found Yellowknife's fire department is struggling to manage call volume, conduct training and prevent employee burnout. The report, produced by Calgary's Behr Consulting, calls for a significant increase in staff. Click here to read more.
Airlines adding fire containment bags for overheating phones
At least three U.S. airlines are adding new fire suppression equipment to fleets in case a cellphone or laptop battery overheats, catches on fire and can't be extinguished. The first airline to deploy fire containment bags on its entire fleet was Alaska Airlines....
Fire department gives hospital warning over patient beds in halls
The Saskatoon Fire Department issued a warning ticket to St. Paul's Hospital after they found a patient's trolley bed blocking a hallway during a recent inspection. The hospital was given two weeks to resolve the issue. Click here to read more.
October in fire history
The Great Miramichi Fire was a massive forest fire that devastated forests and communities in northern New Brunswick in October 1825. The fire consumed almost 16,000 square kilometres and took the lives of at least 160 people before burning itself out. Click here to...
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