IFE International Collaboration in Fire Safety AGM/Conference 2025
The IFE International Collaboration in Fire Safety AGM/Conference will be held on 18 and 19 September 2025. “We are excited to offer you an exclusive preview of some of the distinguished speakers who will be presenting at our upcoming 2025 AGM/Conference! This year’s event will unite researchers, practitioners and industry leaders in fire protection and safety to share the latest knowledge, innovations and best practices.”
Speakers from around the globe Our conference will feature experts from different countries, each bringing unique experiences and lessons learned in the field of fire safety.
Presentation 1: Prevention of fast fires Speaker: Dr Michael J Falkowski Affiliation: Programme manager, NASA Wildland Fire Programme, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC
Dr Falkowski will explore how fire, while a natural and essential ecological process, is becoming more frequent, faster and more hazardous due to various global factors. His talk will highlight how Earth Observation data is being used to monitor changes in fire regimes and present innovative solutions for fire mitigation, management and recovery. Learn how these strategies can help build more resilient communities in the face of increasing wildfire threats.
Presentation 2: Our changing fire regimes Speaker: Dr Jennifer K Balch Affiliation: Director, Environmental Data Science Innovation and Inclusion Lab (ESIIL), University of Colorado-Boulder
Dr Balch’s research focuses on the three key ingredients for fire: available fuel, hot and dry conditions and ignition sources; all of which are being altered by human activity. She will discuss the dramatic rise in wildfires, burned areas, and fire speed, particularly in the western US and the economic toll, over $16 billion in recent years. Dr Balch will share insights on how we can adapt to this new reality by learning to “burn better and build better.”
Quote of the week “To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well” ~ John Marshall
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Meet Precious Mathabela, a trailblazing helicopter pilot at Henley Air
Meet Precious Mathabela, a trailblazing helicopter pilot at Henley Air, where she operates the Bell 222 and Bell 230 as part of their dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) fleet. Smoke On…Go! brings you an exclusive insight into the front line of saving lives
Source: Smoke On…Go!
Explosion kills one, injures 45 people including police and firefighters at petrol station in Rome
A gas explosion occurred at a gas station in the Prenestino district of Rome, Italy. The incident happened on Friday, 4 July 2025. Multiple explosions, initially triggered by a truck hitting a pipeline, injured at least 45 people, including firefighters and police officers who were already on the scene. “An explosion occurred around 08h00am at a gas station on Via dei Gordiani, in the Casalino area of Rome. One of the firefighters who responded was injured. Teams are working to extinguish the flames engulfing the judicial warehouse behind the gas station. Several people were rescued and injured. 15 teams are working, with the fire in the surrounding areas under control”, said the Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco in their media release.
One killed, 35 injured in Kwa Mashu crash, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Just before 7am on Thursday, 10 July 2025, ALS Paramedics responded to a horrific crash involving a truck and a bus on the M25 Kwa Mashu Highway before Kwa Mashu offramp. Paramedics from ALS Paramedics and KZN VIP arrived on scene to find chaos and carnage. It is alleged that a truck travelling Durban bound somehow lost control and veered across the centre medium colliding into a bus.
Multiple agencies and search and rescue teams respond to Central Texas floods, more than 130 people killed
In July 2025, destructive and deadly flooding took place in the Texas Hill Country, particularly in Kerr County, in the U.S. state of Texas. During the flooding, water levels along the Guadalupe River rose rapidly. As a result, at least 132 fatalities have been confirmed, of which at least 106 are in Kerr County, with about 170 reported missing. The flooding was caused by a mesoscale convective vortex with enhanced tropical moisture from the remnants of a short lived Tropical Storm Barry.
Five people lose their lives in a shack fire in Olievenhoutbosch Ext 25
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to a shack fire incident that claimed the lives of five people in Olievenhoutbosch Ext 25, in Centurion on the morning of Friday, 11 July 2025. The incident was reported to our Emergency Communication Centre at about 05:04 and firefighting resources were immediately dispatched from Heuweloord Fire Station and Centurion Fire Station to the scene. These included two fire engines and a water tanker.
UK to Netherlands passenger jet crashes after take-off at London Southend Airport, Essex, UK
Four people were killed when a passenger jet crashed shortly after take-off from London Southend Airport in Essex, England, en route to the Netherlands, on Sunday, 13 July 2025. The incident involved a Beechcraft B200 aircraft and resulted in a large fireball and significant smoke. The Beechcraft B200 aircraft crashed at about 4pm, soon after taking off from the airport in Essex. The plane was seen in flames with dark smoke billowing from it, according to witnesses and photos circulating on social media.
CoJEMS PIER Educators and Disaster Management provide vital TERT training at 24/7 nursery in Noordwyk, Midrand
Educators from EMS Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER) provided TERT (Teacher’s Emergency Response Team) at the 24/7 Baby Castle Nursery in Noordwyk, Midrand over the past two days. This important initiative is designed to empower nursery school teachers with critical knowledge and skills to respond effectively in emergency situations ultimately safeguarding the well-being of both staff and children.
More than 100 hurt as efforts to contain Marseille wildfire continue, France
French firefighters are continuing to battle a wildfire that reached the outer edge of Marseille and has left more than 100 people injured. The city’s mayor Benoit Payan told local media on Wednesday morning that the fire was “decreasing” but was still not completely under control. According to the interior ministry, 110 people have been slightly injured, including nine firefighters and 22 police officers, since Tuesday. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau arrived in Marseille on Tuesday evening, where he met local officials. He said about 800 firefighters were at the scene and efforts to tackle the blaze would continue “all night”, as the fire was not yet contained.
Four women killed in horrific crash on N4 near Malelane, Mpumalanga
Four women were tragically killed on Sunday, 13 July 2025, in a multiple-vehicle collision on the N4 toll road between Malelane and Hectorspruit in Mpumalanga. The deadly crash involved two hatchbacks, a light delivery vehicle (LDV), and an articulated truck. According to Mpumalanga community Safety spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, the four deceased were all occupants of one hatchback that collided head-on with the bakkie. “A fifth person in the same hatchback sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Shongwe Hospital.”
Local fire rehab volunteers raise money for ballistic vests after Idaho firefighter ambush, US
A volunteer fire rehab team in St Charles County is asking for help to purchase ballistic vests following a deadly shooting that killed two firefighters in Idaho. St Charles County Fire Rehab, a nonprofit group made up of about 25 volunteers, responds around the clock to fire scenes across the county. Their mission is to support first responders by providing water, cooling towels, emergency supplies and on-scene care during long or dangerous calls.
Featured FRI Magazine article: Developing procedures for the use of breathing apparatus by Etienne du Toit
This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Developing procedures for the use of breathing apparatus written by Etienne du Toit, deputy director: Fire Brigade Services, Western Cape Government (FRI Vol 3 no 7). 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.
Fire stations of the world: Fire Station No 8 – Chula Vista, California, US
Chula Vista’s Fire Station No 8 in California consists of a 9 000-square-foot fire station with living quarters for seven personnel, two apparatus bays to accommodate an engine company and a medic company on a 1 176 acre site with additional space for hose storage and hose maintenance operations. Areas included an apparatus room with two drive-thru bays, bunk rooms, fitness area, kitchen, day room, work shop and administrative spaces. The site design has space for public and private vehicle parking, landscaping and a stand-by generator.
Technology: Fighting wildfires: about Airbus’ new firefighting jet
Airbus has been testing a firefighting jet that can carry more retardant than any on the market, which could help control wildfire spread. Wildfires have become an increasing issue in recent years, with incidents the Los Angeles wildfires and Australian bushfires causing significant damage. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, climate change has already led to an increase in wildfire season length, frequency and burned area. In a bid to further develop support mechanisms, Airbus has been testing the A400M Firefighting Kit.
Training: Rope rescue course (Part 2 of 5): Rope rescue going over
In this firefighter rope rescue, instructors Derick Caloway and Tim Anderson demo going over for a two-to-one rope rescue operation.
Source: Fire Spotlight
Vintage: 10 rarest vintage fire trucks of all time you didn’t know existed
Fire trucks aren’t just big red machines that blast sirens and shoot water; some of them have wild backstories, rare designs, and jaw-dropping features you’d never expect. And here’s the twist, these aren’t your everyday ladder climbers. These are the unicorns of the firefighting world, vintage beasts you probably didn’t even know existed. Today, we’re diving into the 10 rarest vintage fire trucks of all time and trust me, this list is packed with chrome, character and a touch of crazy. From a Rolls-Royce turned rescue rig to a Chinese jet-powered monster, every one of these legends has a story. And wait till you see number 2; it’s basically a luxury car that fights fires. So, get ready, this one’s blazing!
Source: Vintage Vehicles
Inspiration: Quote of the week
Just for fun
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