City attributes reduced multi-residential fires to education
The city’s assistant fire chief gives much of the credit to an education campaign boosted by a federal grant and money from the city. The department bought and distributed almost 8,000 DVDs on fire prevention. They came in four languages — English, Spanish, Somali and...
Two men charged in $6M Windermere arson case
Edmonton’s Windermere condo development was still under construction in March when security cameras caught someone breaking into the building and setting fires inside. A 28-year-old construction framer has been charged with arson and numerous other...
Official report released on deadly Houston hotel fire – 4 firefighter deaths
In May 2013, four Houston firefighters lost their lives while battling a massive hotel fire. Problems with radio communications are among the findings of a report by the Houston Fire Department that investigated the fatal fire that killed four firefighters. It...
Has the loss of 19 firefighters on the Yarnell Hill Fire changed the way crews fight fires?
Since Yarnell, any measurable changes in the systems of wildland firefighting have been hard to grasp. Teams still train, operate and dispatch in the same ways. Equipment, from the national fleet of flying tankers down to the standard-issue foil fire shelters...
Oregon to use radio-controlled helicopter on fires
Oregon’s Department of Forestry will get the chance this summer to use a small remote-controlled helicopter equipped with video, infrared cameras and a GPS locator to get a better look in tight smoky places before incident commanders send in fire crews. "You are...
Phoenix arson squad comes under fire
The Phoenix Fire Department's elite fire investigations unit, once lauded as the most successful arson squad in the country, is being investigated for allegations of misconduct. The unit was making arrests in over half the city's arson cases, a soaring statistic in a...
New survey highlights lack of fire safety awareness among small business owners
A survey of 580 small businesses highlighted a ‘staggering lack of awareness’ among the owners about their responsibility for fire safety. FireUK said, “Most of the companies were very honest and admitted they were unaware that they needed to undertake proper...
Local fire departments prepare for more residential solar
Because solar systems are tied to the outside power grid fire crews must make sure that the outside grid connection is properly severed when trying to disconnect the power. Even then, the system is still live because the panels, powered by the sun, can't be simply...
FEMA Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative – 2014
If you asked the public what is the most dangerous part of a first responder’s job chances are they would say during firefighting (fire ground) operations. The truth is first responders are more likely to die in a motor vehicle related incident than during the course...
Owners plead guilty to fire code violation
A Hamilton landlord has been convicted of failing to equip a residential building with window closures that meet Ontario Fire Code requirements. The case was heard at Hamilton's Provincial Offences Court and the landlord received a $3,000 fine. Building owners...
City fires most prolific shift-trading firefighter
The city has terminated the last Cleveland firefighter to plead guilty in the department's shift-trading scandal. He was considered the most brazen of the 13 firefighters accused of illegally paying coworkers to work their shifts. Prosecutors said he...
Fire ambulance idea ridiculed
This controversial idea would involve firefighters driving individuals to hospital in ambulances. However, the Fire Brigades Union ( FBU ) has lambasted the concept, saying it was akin to "playing Russian roulette with fire safety", as it could result in property...
Prince George BC suspicious wildfires
Prince George (BC) Fire Centre has responded to 23 fires over the past two weeks, nine of them being investigated as suspicious. . All of these fires are being reported within the Fort St. John Fire Zone. The Wildfire Management Branch and the RCMP suspect...
Spate of fires may be linked Victoria police say
Victoria police want the public to assist with information on at least nine suspicious fires that have occurred in Victoria since April 25. The graphic in the link below shows where and when the fires occurred and their nature. This leads to the question “is this...
Fire apparatus manufacturing in North America 2014
This report examines the business of the manufacture of fire apparatus in North America. Product types examined include aerial ladders, aerial platforms, pumpers, rescue trucks, wildland/brush trucks, and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) trucks. The study is a...
Pickering couple fined $30,000 for illegal seniors’ home
A Pickering couple has been fined $30,000 for operating an illegal seniors’ home out of their house. According to court documents Murney Brook and his wife Jane Brook both pleaded guilty to fire code violations and were fined $15,000 each. This isn’t the first...
Lithium-ion batteries that won’t catch fire
Scientists have discovered a new way to create high-output lithium ion batteries that do not pose a fire risk as the world continues to make greater use of the technology. These batteries are the first of their kind to have both high output and high life-span despite...
Dehumidifier recalled after 92 fires, $4 million in property damage reported
A major appliance manufacturer has reissued a recall for 12 brands of dehumidifiers, affecting about 2.5 million units in the U.S. and 55,000 units in Canada. More than 90 fires, and over $4 million in property damage have been reported. This recall involves...
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