Fire and Rescue International Newsletter

On Friday afternoon, 25 October 2024, a fire erupted near Botsalano Game Reserve near Zeerust in the North West Province. The farming community worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to save both land and livestock. Tragically, during this effort, a local farmer, Henk Meyer, age 59, lost his life and three farmworkers sustained injuries.

The North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association’s chairperson, Eric Stoch, confirmed it has lost one of its members, Henk Meyer, the landowner and incident commander on scene, who passed away fighting veld fires in the Khunotshwana area,. According to the Association, three farm workers were also been hospitalised after sustaining injuries in the same incident.

Stoch said they empathise with the families of the victims. “This devastating loss reminds us of the extreme dangers we face in our mission to protect our communities from wildfires. Each member of our FPA is precious and this loss touches us all very deeply. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our fallen member during this time. We also extend our hopes for a full recovery to the injured farm workers currently receiving medical care.”

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts extended her heartfelt condolences to the family of Henk Meyer.

Deputy Minister Swarts also wished speedy recovery to those who sustain injuries in this incident. “This incident underscores the increasing threat posed by veld and wildland fires, exacerbated by climate change and the need for coordinated efforts across landowners, fire protection associations (FPAs), communities, provincial disaster management centres (PDMCs) and district municipalities to prevent and manage fires,” said Deputy Minister Swarts.

Sources: North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

Quote of the week
“Everything we want to do in life requires discipline. And like strength, flexibility and endurance, it can be built up over time.” ~ Nelson Mandela

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Former National Seas Rescue Institute (NSRI) CEO, Dr Cleeve Robertson, has been announced as the 2024 winner of the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s Lifetime Achievement in the Maritime SAR Sector. Cleeve has been recognised for his work as chief executive officer of the NSRI from 2013 to his retirement at the end of October 2024 and for his leadership in the Maritime Search and Rescue sector for many years. “The NSRI has become a strategic national rescue service in South Africa and it’s good to be recognised by international peers. This award recognises the contribution of thousands of volunteers who live service, search and rescue and saving lives every day,” said Dr Robertson.

A fire alarm system wasn’t installed in the building because experts did not consider it necessary.

A new fire station in Germany that was destroyed in a fire, causing millions of euros in damage, did not have a fire alarm system. The fire broke out early Wednesday morning, 16 October 2024, at the Stadtallendorf Fire Station in Hesse, Germany and destroyed the equipment hall and almost a dozen emergency vehicles, according to local media. The fire broke out on an emergency vehicle belonging to the fire department, which contained lithium-ion batteries and an external power connection.

A total of 75 people, including injured and exhausted tourists, were helped down a steep hiking trail on Thursday, 24 October 2024, in what volunteers and professionals described as the biggest Table Mountain rescue in 64 years. Cape Town’s Table Mountain Aerial Cableway’s lower cable station had to stop operations soon after 13h00 when a bank of lithium batteries caught fire, sending thick smoke into the air. There were about 400 people at the top of the mountain. South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson, JP Louw, said the fire started inside a garage in the building just before lunchtime, leaving some staff and visitors stranded.

For more than two days, a vital shipping passageway in the Port of Los Angeles was shut down and the cause was surprising to some. A big rig overturned, sparking a fierce lithium-ion battery blaze that spewed toxic gasses, snarled port traffic and resulted in what one official said was massive economic losses from delayed shipments. The incident focused new attention and fears, on the fuel cells helping drive the state’s clean energy transition. But how dangerous are these batteries really? And should you be scared of your e-bike, vape pen or electric car?

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) took part in a joint chemical emergency simulation exercise with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) at Elias Motsoaledi Street in Pelindaba on the morning of Friday, 25 October 2024, at about 09h40. The simulation was done to test all systems pertaining to the preparedness, response and recovery of the ESD, NECSA and other stakeholders, should an emergency occur that could have the potential to escalate to a catastrophe or disaster if not managed properly.

A firefighter was airlifted to a hospital Thursday morning, 24 October 2024, after crashing a fire truck in Northern Kentucky, according to Kentucky State Police. The crash happened on KY 177 in Pendleton County. KSP said a Northern Pendleton County Fire Department fire truck was unable to navigate a left turn and went into a creek. Rob Braun, with the Pendleton County Emergency Management Agency, said one firefighter was injured in the crash. The firefighter was 29 and called dispatch himself to report the wreck. He told officials the tanker truck wouldn’t brake and he lost control going down a hill.

The Mangaung Fire Department crews responded to gas leak at a cemetery in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, 9 October 2024. The Memorium Grave Yard (cemetery) is situated in the General de Wet neighbourhood in Bloemfontein. The local crematorium is situated on these grounds. Next to the crematorium is a bulk gas tank, protected by a wire fence.During the early hours of Wednesday morning, thieves broke into the premise and removed the drain/pressure relief valve at the bottom of the bulk gas tank. A large volume of LPG gas was released into the atmosphere before it was discovered by a security guard.

On 29 October 2024, torrential rain caused by an isolated low-pressure area at high levels brought over a year’s worth of precipitation to several areas in eastern Spain, including the Valencian Community, Castilla–La Mancha and Andalusia. The resulting floodwaters caused the deaths of at least 217 people and substantial property damage. It is one of the deadliest natural disasters in Spanish history. More than 1 700 soldiers have joined emergency workers in the search for bodies and survivors, with authorities saying the death toll is likely to go up further. The flood-hit regions in Spain are bracing for more heavy rain on Friday while hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to assist in rescue efforts after devastating flash floods killed at least 217 people in the nation’s worst natural disaster in decades.

Seven homes were destroyed and more damaged during a devastating fire that ripped through Kosmos Village in Hartbeespoort on Sunday, 20 October 2024. Emergency services were still on the scene on Monday morning dousing the smouldering embers in thatched roofs while shocked Kosmos residents strolled along the streets to assess the damage. “It’s gone, it is all gone…” Kosmos resident Daniella Howis burst into tears when she saw her gutted home for the first time on Monday morning. Howis was in Switzerland when the fire started on Sunday and immediately flew back. Even the stairs to their property house had burned down and they had to climb up a ladder to reach the family’s home.

Bushfire protection is perhaps the most key feature for these vehicles. They’ve been fitted with an exoskeleton cage to protect against falling trees and other debris. Beyond that, the vehicles have been fitted with flame-retardant material in critical areas and had easily-flammable components replaced with hardier variants. There’s also a “burn-over” crew protection system to help keep the occupants safe in the event the vehicle is overtaken by a raging flame front. There’s also the mesh on the windows and hood to further protect against harm.

This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Foolish leadership written by Wayne Bailey from the US (FRI Vol 2 no 11). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.

The Town of Corinna celebrated completion of its brand-new, five bay fire station. The project was funded primarily through a $1,7 million USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant awarded in fiscal year 2022 through the congressionally designated spending process. The town broke ground for the project on 31 July 2023. To mark the occasion, the town held a ribbon-cutting event that included remarks from guests, a flag-raising ceremony and an open house. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins advocated for the project. Senator Collins participated in the event, sharing remarks and cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

CFA has created a world-first mixed reality fire aviation simulator which will improve the training and skills of hundreds of the state’s eyes in the sky. The aviation simulator has state-of-the-art mixed reality goggles with a 280-degree view of the surrounding landscape which provides real-world training and skill testing in a safe, controlled environment. The simulator was officially launched on 9 October 2024 at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) at Bangholme by Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes alongside CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, FFMVic Deputy Chief Fire Officer Fiona Dunstan and aviation specialists.

If you have entered the gym anytime over the last 10 years you have probably heard the term “functional training.” What the heck does it mean and how can it help you as a firefighter perform better? Listen and watch Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) from Fire Rescue Fitness define and give some great examples.

Source: Fire Rescue Fitness

This video demonstrates an efficient oriented search utilising two searches which allows for full accountability of the crew while keeping everyone inside the room away from conditions in the hallway.

Source: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Training Division

Various shots of the French firefighting display. Firemen spraying foam over the house in fire. They suck smoke from the house with a large pipe, smoke is released outside. Fire fighters in asbestos suits walking through the fire. Crowds watching. Pan up ‘the world’s longest telescopic ladder’; it is extremely long.

Source: British Pathé