B.C.’s fire-reduction strategy misses mark
Researchers have found that the actual costs associated with a wildfire, such as home and business losses and damage to natural resources, can range from two to 60 times the suppression cost....
Saskatoon arsonist caught on tape
A bold arsonist drives up, pours a flammable liquid, ignites the fire and drives off - all caught on camera. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2013/08/27/saskatoon-arson-video-130827.html
A Fire Prevention First—Fire Avert combats the #1 Cause of Home Fires
The Fire Avert shows great potential for kitchen fire prevention. It works in conjunction with any working smoke detector, regardless of brand. When the smoke detector beeps and if your stove is on, Fire Avert turns it off until the owner can address the situation....
Detroit investigates just 20% of suspicious fires, underreports arson
In Detroit the number of arson investigators who determine the cause of suspicious fires has dropped by nearly 60% since 2009. The arson unit is so understaffed that it only investigates one out of every five suspicious fires....
Volunteer firefighters feel the strain
Volunteer firefighters are feeling the strain as they take on more and more unpaid responsibilities that exceed their traditional tasks of battling flames and responding to medical emergencies and motor-vehicle crashes....
Fire department gets prevention grant after reading article in FireWatch
The Prince Rupert Fire Department read an article in FireWatch about FM Global's grant program and successfully applied for a grant. Letter of thanks from Prince Rupert Fire Department.
SF fire chief bans helmet cameras in wake of crash
San Francisco's fire chief has explicitly banned firefighters from using helmet-mounted video cameras. Chief Joanne Hayes-White said she issued the order because, "There comes a time that privacy of the individual is paramount, of greater importance than having a...
Judge orders FDNY not to use apparatus over 10 years old
FDNY officials argued that older trucks are critical response vehicles for non-fire calls. “This award will potentially endanger numerous lives by frustrating the only means of transportation available to numerous lieutenants and captains employed by the FDNY.”...
NIOSH – Evaluation of Chemical Exposures during Firefighter Training Exercises Involving Smoke Simulant
If you use chemical smoke simulants during training exercises you should read this. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2012-0028-3190.pdf
Coroner confirms girl was fatally struck by a fire truck at San Francisco International Airport during response to crash
A student from China was still alive after the July 6 plane crash but died after suffering multiple blunt-force injuries consistent with being run over by a vehicle outside of the plane....
Kelowna fire chief wants older apartments retrofitted with balcony, attic sprinklers
The Kelowna fire chief references a report published by the University of the Fraser Valley which identifies that out of 2,638 multi-residential building fires of this type, 10 per cent of them occurred on the balconies....
Inmates fight fires, reclaim their lives
The Colorado Department of Corrections “SWIFT” (State Wildland Inmate Fire Team) program helps inmates learn teamwork and also provides a potential post-prison career and gives back to communities by performing an important role in a fire-prone state....
A fatality caused by a 1930 fire truck during a parade sparks a debate over lack of inspections for antique vehicles.
Even a 1930s fire truck, assuming it's well cared for, shouldn't be any more risky than any other vehicle, but it needs proper maintenance and attention by somebody who understands that technology....
Esri and Institute of Fire Engineers Partner to Improve Fire Prevention Planning
Esri and the Institute of Fire Engineers—USA (IFE) have partnered to improve fire prevention planning through the use of simple risk analysis capabilities that include computer mapping and demographic analysis. The methods being developed will be made available for...
In this video a 9 year old girl deliberately lights a fire in a store and then skips away
This video may be a good addition to your fire prevention library. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/watch-girl-lights-store-fire-skips-article-1.1397999?localLinksEnabled=false
Ask a cop: Is there a rivalry between police and firefighters?
Is there a rivalry between police and firefighters. http://www.ksl.com/?sid=26093533&nid=148
Vancouver, Washington Fire Department test SUVs for medical calls
The initial review of a pilot project by the Vancouver, Washington Fire Department suggests responding with SUVs rather than engines to low priority calls will keep engines available for priority calls and cost less money. The department spends $1.34 a mile to drive...
NIOSH reports on death of fire fighter struck and killed by backing fire apparatus
NIOSH’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program investigated the line of duty death of a fire fighter struck and killed by backing fire apparatus at a rural brush and structure fire to identify contributing factors and make recommendations....
Recent Articles
Yellowknife to Fort McMurray: lessons from the frontlines of Canada’s worst wildfires.
Volunteer firefighters see doubling in tax credit.
Oro-Medonte fire chief smokes out several ways to boost revenue.
Ahead of likely ‘ferocious’ wildfire season, fire chiefs lament drop in volunteers.
Vancouver firefighters get $2.8M from city to procure gear free of cancer-causing chemicals.
