What are the principal difficulties facing buyers in the industrial arena?

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched an international research initiative to develop improved aircraft fire fighting foams. The physical and chemical behaviour of foams is crucial in fire management and this research has been initiated by the CAA on behalf of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This research will also allow a review of more recent developments in foam chemistry which would  include more viscose foams such as those formulated with gum, more commonly associated with alcohol resistant fuels but not permitted within the current ICAO standards.

I am a West Coaster, South Island, New Zealand. Educated at Barrytown young gents academy (Barrytown school) and later at Waimea college, Nelson. After finishing school I started a plumbers apprenticeship, which took six years to complete. Of course by that time I was a fireman, and the apprenticeship was finished on my days off. During one of the early apprenticeship block courses, I wandered down to a local fire station in Wellington and I was asked would I like to join. That is where my fire service career started, 44 years ago.

This month’s Top Fire Instructor of the World is Gary Luff, of Woolston Training Centre in New Zealand Fire Service. Gary was nominated by a colleague who wishes to be anonymous. In her words, “He is a modest man with great humour. He cares about what the Fire Service is meant to stand for. Integrity, discipline, credibility and honesty are values that are all part of his course delivery.  He cares about the people and has huge operational  experience. He has to be the very best instructor, and Transalpine are very lucky to have him.”

During his career in emergency response
Michael D Brown – former FEMA director and former Under Secretary of Homeland Security – faced over 160 disasters in the US including high impact events such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. For some people Brown’s name might remain controversial but the lessons he can teach us cannot be ignored.

Brown talks exclusively to Ann-Marie Knegt.

During his career in emergency response
Michael D Brown – former FEMA director and former Under Secretary of Homeland Security – faced over 160 disasters in the US including high impact events such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. For some people Brown’s name might remain controversial but the lessons he can teach us cannot be ignored.
Brown talks exclusively to Ann-Marie Knegt.

In some parts of the world fires are the least of a firefighter’s worries! A firefighter in South Africa writes:

Chief Fire Officer of Kent Fire and Rescue Charlie Hendry has been appointed President of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.

Welcome to the new look Fire & Rescue magazine! Here you will find a sharper, updated layout and a cornucopia of new features and regular articles that we hope you’ll enjoy. New regulars include practical “how to” sections (here on how to move safely in shallow flood water); “questions and answers” (eg would you use PPV in a backdraught situation?); and “photo corner”, where you can see your great photos in print.

Letters Editor,
Fire & Rescue.
Greater London

Dear Editor,
Sidney Morning Herald reported on 13 May that there is to be a national enquiry into the incidence of cancer among firefighters.  This follows a cancer cluster among firefighters at the Atherton Fire Station in North Queensland, Australia.

Fire & Rescue is searching for the best fire instructors of the world – do you know one? We kick off this new series with Chief Jim Powell of The University of Nevada, Reno Fire Science Academy (FSA).

In this the third installment of our round-the-world view of how fire services are tackling global warming, Tokyo and Hong Kong speak out.

The United Arab Emirates is undergoing one of the most radical construction programmes in the world today, with the numbers of highrise buildings increasing enormously. Because of this, the Civil Defence Force of Dubai has set up a special early intervention task force to assist in the continuous battle to save lives in Dubai.

UK: Dave Armstrong Lead Training Facilitator for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
Dave Armstrong is Lead RTC training instructor for the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service; he sees safety as being of prime importance during the extrication process.  Dorset F&R spends many hours training on RTC scenarios.

The decision to  install two new fire trainers was based on the Paris Fire Brigade’s central development plan. This plan was to build a new fire trainer to replace its out-of-date equipment at the brigade’s management training centre.

If there’s one major truth which is going to emerge from the following case histories, it’s that the majority of injuries are sustained while people are descending mountains. Typically, these involve fractures and dislocations of the extremities says Greg Emere, climbing and SAR consultant.

One of the most advanced and modern fire stations in the world is the HQ of The Netherland’s Amstelveen Fire Service.The modern and efficient architecture of the building reflects the attitude of the brigade, reports Ann-Marie Knegt who talked recently to the service’s Technical and Procurement Officer, Robert Raben.