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Send us Fan Mail Inspections are a critical part of ensuring passive fire protection systems are installed correctly and are aligned with design intent. However, these elements are often concealed as construction progresses, making verification more challenging. Senior Technical Engineer at Siderise, Barnaby Carrick, came on the show to discuss the value of manufacturer inspection support and how the company's new Inspection App makes accessing these service easier than ever before.  For more information https://www.siderise.com

Send us Fan Mail This podcast explores the upcoming AFAC26 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ, through conversations with sector leaders and industry experts. AFAC26 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18-21 August and will explore the theme ‘Leading together: Integrity, inclusion and impact’.  In this episode, Commissioner Gavin Freeman AFSM, Fire Rescue Victoria, shares the importance of AFAC26 for Victoria’s emergency management sector and the benefits of being a host agency for this year’s event alongside Country Fire Authority, Emergency Management Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, State Emergency Service Victoria, and Tasmania Fire Service. Commissioner Freeman discusses how AFAC26 helps connect frontline experience, leadership, research, technology and industry, and the key conversations the sector should be having throughout the 4-day program. He hopes that agencies have a chance to reflect on recent operational experiences, share lessons learned, and contribute to national conversations about ways to improve the sector.

Send us Fan Mail This podcast explores the upcoming AFAC26 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ, through conversations with sector leaders and industry experts. AFAC26 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18-21 August and will explore the theme ‘Leading together: Integrity, inclusion and impact’. In this episode, Melinda McDonald CF, Senior Firefighter, Fire Rescue NSW, and President of Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) discusses why AFAC26 is a significant event for women in firefighting and the emergency services, highlighting the important topics that will be explored throughout the conference. Melinda provides insight into what delegates can expect to gain from attending the WAFA stream sessions, whilst also encouraging everyone to hear different perspectives, find common ground, and work together to solve shared challenges. She looks forward to having deeper conversations that encourage inclusive workplace cultures, creating environments where diverse voices inspire innovation and are heard and valued.

Send us Fan Mail The AFAC25 podcast offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at this year’s premier emergency management conference, AFAC25 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, returning to Perth from 26–29 August 2025. Through insightful interviews with Jason Foster, Chair of the AFAC25 Steering Committee, Quinn Cramer, President of Women and Firefighting Australasia, and Rob Keen, Event Director at Hannover Fairs Australia, listeners will get an early look at what to expect across the four-day program and 15,000sqm exhibition. This year’s theme, From local to global: leveraging systems, capability and connection, sets the stage for a packed agenda that dives into resilience, technology, cultural fire practice, and more. Keynote speakers include Whadjuk Balardong Noongar leader Ingrid Cumming, UN disaster risk expert Mami Mizutori, and journalist Leigh Sales, all exploring different facets of resilience in an evolving world. Listeners will also hear about the seven newly structured exhibition sectors, designed around real-world roles and functions within emergency management. From fleet and equipment to community risk reduction and response operations, the expo aligns technologies with the operational needs of a broad visitor base, from first responders to policy makers. The podcast covers the expanded features of the event, including the AIDR Knowledge Centre, Solutions Theatre, and Demo Zone, along with highlights from the Research and Innovation Day and the closing Professional Development Program. Field trips and specialist workshops round out the learning experience, with themes ranging from Indigenous-led fire programs to climate-ready strategies and equitable emergency design. Whether you’re managing emergencies on the front line or planning safer communities, this podcast gives you a glimpse of what AFAC25 has in store, and why it’s a must-attend. Listen now, explore the full program online, and secure your place at Australia’s leading emergency management event.

Send us Fan Mail Are you confident that your passive fire protection strategy will hold up under real-world scrutiny — or is it based on assumptions and substitutions? With increasingly complex infrastructure and rising safety demands, decision-makers can’t afford to overlook the critical role of passive fire protection in project design, execution, and compliance. This episode dives deep into how early engagement and verified certification can save lives — and protect reputations — in the fire and highway industries. Here’s what you’ll gain from this episode: A practical understanding of why early engagement with fire protection specialists leads to more flexible and compliant designs.How third-party certification and rigorous site inspections prevent dangerous substitutions and uphold safety standards.Insights into global regulatory gaps — and how industry leaders like Siderise are shaping safer standards across regions. Listen now to discover how to future-proof your projects by integrating certified, enforceable passive fire protection systems from day one. Donel Dippi Bio: As Head of Technical and Compliance for Siderise Middle East, India and Asia Pacific regions, Donel Dippi is an experienced stakeholder who specialises in passive fire protection and acoustic solutions for the building envelope. With a deep understanding of testing, certification, compliance, and regulatory codes, he helps architects, façade consultants, contractors, developers, and fire and rescue services navigate the complexities of fire safety in both the new construction and retrofitting of buildings, whilst giving guidance on where there is scope for improving current performance levels. Donel is an advocate of best practices in testing, design, installation, inspection, and auditing. He takes great pride in encouraging developing countries to avoid repeating the mistakes of others by adopting standards and practices that promote safer buildings to allow their people to live, work, learn, play, and worship with peace of mind – “doing the right thing today is one step closer to protecting the people of tomorrow”.

Send us Fan Mail AFAC25 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition.  Brought to you by AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia), Women and Firefighting Australasia and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. In 2025, the theme for the event is 'From local to global: leveraging systems, capability and connection'.  In an era where opportunities for fire and emergency services transcend borders, the presentations, exhibitions, and discussions at AFAC25 will aim to find new connections and optimise systems to drive progress and innovation.  In anticipation of the conference program launch, host agency representative and AFAC President DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM, provides a preview of what visitors can expect when they walk through the event doors and explore the greater Perth and WA regions. For more information, go to www.afacconference.com.au

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of The Firecast, hosted by Paul Hutton, we dive deep into the critical realm of emergency flood rescue training. As flooding events become increasingly frequent due to climate change, the need for well-prepared first responders has never been more crucial. Joining Paul are industry experts Scott Shipley, Director of Swiftwater and White Water at Calibre Engineering and Andy Laird, Director at EPD UK. Together, they explore the innovative strides being made in swiftwater rescue training facilities designed to simulate realistic conditions in a safe, controlled environment.  Listeners will gain valuable insights into the groundbreaking design of training centers like the Houston Storm Range and New York’s Swift Water Training Facility at the State Preparedness Training Center. These state-of-the-art facilities are revolutionizing how first responders hone their skills, ensuring they’re ready to face the challenges posed by modern flooding scenarios.  The discussion highlights the importance of putting first responders in the right place with appropriate equipment, addressing the hazards that often accompany swiftwater rescue training. Scott and Andy share compelling case studies that underscore the necessity of advanced simulation facilities to prepare responders without the inherent risks of real-life training.  As they delve into the phrase "the century of floods," the episode reinforces the urgent need for preparedness and safety in disaster response. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the fire and emergency services, offering essential insights into enhancing public safety and disaster readiness in an era of unprecedented flooding events. Tune in to learn how technology and innovation are shaping the future of rescue operations.

Send us Fan Mail AFAC24 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition.  Brought to you by AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. The theme for 2024 is Embracing innovation and disruption: designing the future for our sector.  The INTERSCHUTZ Trade Exhibition is an ever popular and ever expanding show floor which will feature a variety of local and international exhibitors, occupying over 18,000sqms of floor space. The exhibition will showcase the latest products, technology, services, and solutions to support best practice outcomes in the emergency management sector.  AFAC24 Event Director Rob Keen and Executive Director of the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, Dr Margaret Moreton share what to expect at this year’s event, and how the AFAC24 exhibition is diversifying its offering to delegates, and reinforcing its reputation as a hub for innovation and connection. See the AFAC 24 Exhibitor Showcase in association with Asia Pacific Fire Magazine… AFAC24 - AFAC Portal Page and Exhibitor Showcase (globalfireevents.com) For more information, go to: www.afacconference.com

Send us Fan Mail AFAC24 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition. Brought to you by AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. The theme for 2024 is Embracing innovation and disruption: designing the future for our sector. The AFAC24 program will feature a wide variety of content, beginning with the AFAC Research and Innovation Day and followed by the multi-streamed two-day AFAC conference. The AFAC Conference will feature the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and the IFE Australia National Conference, running as concurrent streams of the conference program. Chair of the AFAC24 Steering Committee and Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Executive Director Park Operations Naomi Stephens share what they are looking forward to at AFAC24, and conference program highlights when the event comes to the Sydney ICC on 3-6 September 2024. For more information, go to: www.afacconference.com.au

Send us Fan Mail Battery fires within energy storage systems (ESS’s) aren’t as rare as one might think. The reason they are often underpublicized and, fortunately, there haven’t been more tragedies is because ESS’s are often installed away from residential or commercial areas.   However, with the increased efforts in renewable energy production and therefore the exponential deployment of ESS’s, these units will no longer be isolated in remote locations, but rather will soon be found almost everywhere you look as they continue to push further into our suburbs and cities.  During a thermal runaway event, the temperature of a malfunctioning battery cell increases rapidly, which leads to a self-perpetuating cycle of heat generation that propagates into nearby cells and produces extreme fire and even explosion risks.    Join Mark Kendall, General Manager - Fike, Fire Safety Technology as he discusses the risks and protection methods that have been used to attempt to suppress thermal runaway, as well as the effectiveness of the new cascading thermal runaway suppression system, Fike Blue.

Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by Safety Components, join Jeremy Metz of the West Metro Fire Department in Colorado and Peter Klade from the Austrian Fire Brigade Association in Vienna as they discuss the differences and similarities between firefighting in the U.S. and Europe. We will explore the intricacies of firefighting techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) on this latest episode. Visit safetycomponents.com to learn more about the testing requirements and certifications that go into developing fire turnout gear and explore both outer shell and thermal liner fabrics that meet the specifications for both the U.S. and Europe.

Send us Fan Mail On our latest Firecast, we welcome our guest Paul Adams, Content Marketing Manager at Hochiki Europe Limited, talking about the important subject of false alarms, the risk to businesses, safety and the impact on emergency services.  He explains how Automatic Fire Alarm Systems are vital to providing an early warning of fire and are one of the most effective ways to keep business, staff and customers safe in the event of a fire, but that a significant number of signals from these systems are not actual fires.  “We uncovered that the cost of false alarms is costing SMEs in the UK around about £700 million every single year,” Paul explains. “Nine out of ten resulted in a complete evacuation of the building, with a loss of productivity. But then it goes deeper than that because 56% of business owners that were surveyed said that excessive false alarms mean that staff then don't take the real alarm seriously, so you get alarm fatigue and complacency amongst the staff, which could result in disaster.”  In the podcast, Paul gives some ideas about what to do about it, including initiatives in Scotland and London to challenge alarms before responding.  He discusses what building owners need to do in response, how to reduce false alarms, the value of multi-sensors, the importance of understanding the small print around multi-sensor certification and how Hochiki can help.

Send us Fan Mail Returning to the Brisbane Convention Centre for the first time since 2016, AFAC23 powered by INTERSCHUTZ will be held from the 22 – 25 August and will the explore theme ‘Creating a sustainable future: the challenges and opportunities’. The program will feature examples of solutions to emerging risks, impacts and recovery from practitioners, researchers and leaders across the fire and emergency sector. AFAC23 will explore how inclusive, collaborative, and innovative approaches to emergency management are integral to reducing risk, building capability and fostering resilience for the future.  AFAC23 is proudly hosted by Queensland AFAC members: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. AFAC Director of National Projects and Innovation Simon Heemstra and AFAC President and SES Commissioner Carlene York discuss what to expect over four days of the immersive conference program and extensive exhibition space.  For more information please visit: afacconference.com.au

Send us Fan Mail As you’ll have seen hosted on the UK Fire website, Dräger has conducted a survey into the health concerns of serving Firefighters. This is a follow up to Dräger’s 2020 ‘Health for the Firefighter’ survey and seeks to find out if perceptions have changed; specifically with regard to their potential exposure to carcinogens, contaminants and viruses such as Covid-19. It also investigates which technologies are seen to be the most important in supporting firefighter health.   Ultimately, the purpose of the research is to inform on how industry can further support Fire Services and their personnel; and help drive the cultural changes that are required to protect firefighter health.  This research follows a report released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a World Health Organisation (WHO) body, in which firefighting was declared as a ‘carcinogenic occupation’. This podcast is to discuss the survey results from varied industry perspectives and make recommendations for what actions will support firefighter health.    Key stats: 100% of survey respondents admitted concern that exposure to carcinogens would impact their long-term health, and 65.2% categorising this concern as considerable. This was a significant increase from the 2020 survey, where 84.6% admitted concern in 2020, 34.2% of which was considerable.70.6% of respondents stated that the reduction of carcinogen exposure as a firefighter was ‘extremely important’ in their working environment, with a further 17.6% declaring they found it ‘very important’.Unsurprisingly, concern about exposure to Covid-19 has reduced since the 2020 survey, with 46.3% stating moderate to considerable concern compared a previous figure of 68.4%.three quarters (78.3%) of survey respondents claimed that the washing of masks or cleaning apparatus in a mechanical cleaning machine would improve their health.  Interestingly however, despite 79.7% of respondents claiming that the cleaning of masks, PPE and BA and associated equipment was ‘extremely important’ in their working lives, when asked if their approach towards cleaning their equipment had changed following the Covid-19 pandemic, just under half (49.2%) agreed.The survey also asked which technologies our respondents thought would be most important in protecting firefighter long-term health. A significant four out of ten (40.6%) opted for ‘contamination detection equipment’ as key to their long-term health, with the next most important being biometric monitoring, with nearly one in three (30%) prioritising this technology.

Send us Fan Mail Returning to the Adelaide Convention Centre for the first time since 2015, AFAC22 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Conference and Exhibition will be held from the 23 – 26 August and will the explore theme ‘Connecting communities. Creating resilience.’ The program will feature examples of solutions to emerging risks, impacts and recovery from practitioners and leaders across the fire and emergency sector. AFAC22 will explore how an inclusive approach across emergency management agencies is integral to reducing risk and fostering resilience now and into the future. AFAC22 is the first time the event will be hosted in person since 2019 and presents an exciting opportunity for the fire and emergency management sector to reconnect and explore research, equipment, technology and ideas that are shaping the future of the industry. AFAC CEO Rob Webb and AFAC22 host agency SAFECOM Chief Executive Julia Waddington-Powell discuss what to expect over four days of the immersive conference program and extensive exhibition space. For more information, go to www.afacconference.com.au