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European manufacturer of heat and flame-protective aramid fibres KERMEL, have developed a new garment and backpack solution for fighting wildland and forest fires. The specially-designed suit is made from a single layer antistatic Kermel® fabric, and meets ISO 15384 when worn on its own, and ISO/CD 16073.2 when worn over station wear. Available in orange yellow or red, the garment is considerably lighter than structural kit and incorporates an adjustable cord to prevent ‘chimney effect’, as well as a thumb hole in the cuffs to ensure that sleeves stay down, reducing the risk of burns to the wrist and arms. The solution also incorporates an integrated hood that fits easily over a helmet and provides increased facial protection. KERMEL have also developed a modular fire-resistant backpack for wildland firefighters that allows them to carry essential equipment when in action. The backpack incorporates a water reserve that allows the firefighter to take on fluids while working. The top of the pack holds an emergency respirator with a quick release system, while further pouches contain additional protective clothing such as jacket and trousers and an aluminised poncho.
Trevor Inglis of KERMEL said: “Battling wildland and forest fires is a highly specialised area of firefighting and as such requires equipment that has been designed with those special needs in mind. After spending some time talking to brigades and firefighters, KERMEL has developed a unique solution for wildland firefighting that offers protection and recognises the need to carry special equipment while at work.
Further information fromJohn Morton, tel +44 (0)7974 017 937, email:
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or visit www.kermel.com New drug and alcohol policy for South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have been working with Grendonstar to develop a drugs and alcohol policy throughout their organisation. The policy covers nearly 1,300 people across 35 different sites, and was implemented on September 1, 2007. Mark Smitherman is Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. He said of the new policy: “It is obviously important, in terms of our role as an emergency service, to ensure that the people who are responding to incidents and managing our organisation are as fit, healthy and capable as they can possibly be.We are proud of our robust safety practices and can now gain even greater public confidence with a transparent drugs and alcohol policy that ensures we have a safe and competent workforce. “The policy was developed and implemented by Grendonstar in conjunction with our HR department,” he continued. “Having demonstrated previous successes in other emergency services, Grendonstar offered both the capability and experience to provide the complete package. This included writing the policy, training our management team, holding employee briefings, producing pamphlets and carrying out awareness training right across the service.” Covering pre-employment and ‘for cause’ testing for alcohol and drugs – including anabolic steroids – the policy was introduced with a three month amnesty period. CFO Smitherman continued: “Even though we were sure that a drugs or alcohol problem did not exist, the amnesty period gave us the opportunity to discuss the subject openly and answer any questions or concerns in a straightforward, non-threatening manner. As a result, everyone understands the reasons for the policy and knows that tests will be carried out in the event of an accident. In addition, should we suspect that someone is under the influence, the speed of the testing process can allay our fears very quickly.” He concluded: “Grendonstar’s approach is very professional and it is very comforting to know that we are working with such a capable organisation. The implementation has certainly been successful and the policy appears to have been very well accepted.” Simon Truelove, Consultant at Grendonstar, said: “We have learnt, through experience, that the only way to approach drugs and alcohol at work is to take a positive approach. By working closely with the HR department and safety officers, we were able to develop a policy that suited the everyday needs of this particular fire and rescue service and which, as a result, causes minimal disruption whilst ensuring maximum safety.”
Further information is available from SimonTruelove, Grendonstar Distribution Limited, KeyHouse,The Embankment, Emery Park,Vale Road, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, SK4 3GN. Tel: 0044 (0) 161 443 0000; Fax: 0044 (0) 161 443 0040.
A shining example
Boarhunt has chosen vehicle warning equipment supplier Venta UK to fit hazard warning lights on its new Jerr-Dan Side Loading Vehicle Retriever (SLVR). Tony Bell, General Manager of CeeJay Systems (the Jerr-Dan Side’s sole UK distributor), said: “Venta UK’s hazard warning lights and LED messaging systems are top-of-the-range products. As an ISO 9002-accredited company, with customers that include the Automobile Association, the Ministry of Defence and police forces, we need to ensure that the hazard warning lights we fit meet our exacting standards.” Venta UK has supplied the vehicle with a package of hazard warning lights, including two amber ActivSign LED Matrix messaging systems that have been mounted on each side of the rear of the vehicle. These will enable the vehicle operator to quickly convey a message to a specific road user or alert and instruct the public following an incident. In addition, two VariLED warning grille lights and the Panther LED lightbar have also been supplied by the company. Rob Doney, Technical Director of Boarhunt, said: “The LED Matrix Messaging System’s onboard memory enables the sign to retain up to 80 user-programmed messages, which means that we can have a message for every possible situation. Safety is always our primary concern. As our new SLVR is fitted with top-of-therange high intensity warning lights and matrix signals, vehicles are warned well in advance of the hazard.” It is claimed that the SLVR is a new concept in towing and recovery equipment, taking a mere 45 seconds to retrieve a car as well as providing access to tightly parked cars, while never blocking more than one lane during towing operations. In addition, the operator remotely controls recovery operations and never needs to leave the safety of the cab. Boarhunt is a leading supplier of recovery services to the emergency services, councils and bus and coach operators. Venta, meanwhile, supplies vehicle warning equipment, and boasts an expanding product range including beacons, strobe light heads and standalone messaging systems. The company is also a specialist in the latest LED lighting offering a range of grille and covert lights and fully flexible lightbars. For more information, email:
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Top award for fire website
The Fire Gateway website has won a prestigious national prize at The e-Government National Awards, an event celebrating the best egovernment and online services. Fire Gateway (www.fire.gov.uk) allows anyone to make an online submission – such as requests for home fire safety visits and workplace fire safety selfassessments – direct to their local fire and rescue service. Information is passed to individual fire services via a secure network connection, allowing safe exchange of data electronically. The site is hosted and managed by the Fire Service College, funded by Communities and Local Government and was developed with the help of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. Its development had the support of the Chief FireOfficers’ Association and the Local Government Association.
The e-Government National Awards meanwhile, are the UK’s highest level commendation for the best e-government services, which, through innovative online delivery have positively transformed and improved lives. Fire Gateway picked up its award in the ‘Building a fairer society with e-Government, improving lives on a large or national scale’ category. Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda said: “The award is a fitting reward for the vision and commitment that was demonstrated by the team responsible for establishing the Fire Gateway. It is a successful government IT project, a successful partnership and an important asset for the Fire and Rescue Service in helping to save lives.”
Gill Newton, Chief Executive, Fire Service College, was delighted that the site had been recognised for providing the best standard of online services. She said: “In the true traditions of the Fire and Rescue Service, the Fire Gateway represents effective teamwork, innovation and commitment, but most importantly, it is all about providing the highest standard of service to the public. This award acknowledges that achievement.” According to figures released, since Fire Gateway was launched, over four million pages on the site have been viewed by users. More than 25,000 people, meanwhile, have used it to complete forms offering advice and support across a wide range of fire safety activities.
Formore informationvisit e- GovernmentAwardswebsite: http://www.egovernmentawards.co.uk/index.php
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