IFOPSE (Prevention and Safety Training Institute) has developed innovative tools and programmes dedicated to improved fire training. “Since 1983, we have been providing intervention teams from all sectors of activity with fire training in our own training centres. We also design training facilities for other organisations,” Roland Coulombel of IFOPSE Export tells IFJ.

PPE supplier Cosalt:Ballyclare’s new technical rescue suit received plenty of attention at the Extrication Challenge organised by the UK Rescue Organisation in Brighton in July.

Extreme solutions to extreme situations with Tesimax.

What does Robocop have in common with the average firefighter? At the moment not much, you might think, but if the cool gadgets currently being developed and trialled by the Paris Fire Brigade are anything to go by, then the firefighter of the future is going to be so technologically equipped that he’d make James Bond look like a kid with a leaky water pistol. Unlike Robocop, however, the firefighter will still look human so as still to be able to interact with people in distress.

Due to roll off the production lines in early 2007, this latest pump range from Angus - LD1100 (diesel) and LW1100 (petrol) - incorporates new developments in pump technology and materials.

Thomas Peter, Deputy Chief, Field Co-ordination Support Section of the Emergency Services Branch for OCHA (Office of the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs) of the United Nations in Geneva, feels that very many countries that are affected by a disaster do not know what rescue teams can deliver, a problem made worse by language issues. It is his task on a daily basis to combat this problem and find solutions acceptable to every party involved.

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 This plan was to build a new fire trainer to replace its out-of-date equipment at the brigade’s management training centre.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.

A magnet for climber and trippers alike, the Mount Shasta wilderness area in Northern California, USA, serves a perfect example of a location where people often get into trouble. Greg Emere talks to F&R about some classic incidents which have occurred there.

Firefighter John Wallace and his partner Anthony Vanderholst from Kingston, Ontario, hit the local news when they rescued Eddie the Walker Hound off the ice in the Cataraqui river, Canada, near the end of February 2005. Here, Ann-Marie Knegt presents their exclusive story.

Dr. Roger Klein examines the rapidly changing commercial landscape in firefighting foams and the need for considering alter­native extinguishing methodologies for fire brigade personnel.

What do fire brigades really need from firefighting vehicles: reliability, structural integrity, the right accessories? Aidan Turnbull looks at five new innovatory types which recently went into service.

F&R’s technical consultant in this problem solving feature is Kevin Mellott, a professional with over 32 years of experience in the field of public safety. Prior to founding ERASE Enterprises, Mr. Mellott was an Assistant Chief in the Department of Public Safety for the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Mellott also served as the City Fire Marshal. Internationallyrecognised as an expert in emergency response and disaster operations, he has been involved in special rescue operations since 1978 and has been selected as the lead instructor for numerous special rescue projects for the US military.