Global fire safety leaders unite as one global voice, working toward official UN recognition of World Fire Safety Day. This global initiative brings together organisations and communities to advocate for fire prevention and stronger fire protection measures. The day’s focus is on education, improved regulations, and community preparedness to reduce the impact of unplanned fires. The date coincides with the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871. Join the Global Link-Up: https://youtube.com/live/0eJtvn45Kzk?feature=share on 8 October 2025 at 14h00 to 15h30 Geneva (CEST, UTC+2).
Quote of the week “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” ~ Booker T. Washington
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Two new chiefs appointment at Saldanha Fire and Policing, respectively
September 2025 saw the appointment of Ann Supra-Vertue as chief fire officer and Head of Fire and Rescue Services and Chief Lindie Kleynhans as Head of Policing and Law Enforcement of Saldanha Bay Municipality. “Today marks a historic day for Saldanha Bay Municipality. This morning, we officially welcomed two highly capable and dedicated leaders to critical positions within our institution: Chief Ann Supra-Vertue – Head of Fire and Rescue Services and Chief Lindie Kleynhans – Head of Policing and Law Enforcement. These two positions are at the very heart of our strategic focus on safety and security because without safe communities, we cannot build the clean, prosperous and united municipality we all dream of”, said Executive Mayor Andrè Truter.
Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery in El Segundo, US
A large fire broke out Thursday night, 2 October 2025, at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, Los Angeles County, sending towering flames and thick smoke into the night sky and prompting a swift emergency response from multiple agencies. Around 21h30, residents across the South Bay region reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a bright orange glow. The fire, visible for miles, originated from one section of the refinery and was quickly contained by Chevron’s on-site fire department and crews from El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
A new fire station opens in the heart of Johannesburg
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, has officially opened the newly constructed Central Fire Station in the Johannesburg CBD. He was joined by MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Eunice Mgcina, Acting HOD for Public Safety, Mr Andries Mucavele and Acting Chief of EMS, Clement Masinge. Delivered by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) on behalf of the City of Joburg EMS, this state-of-the-art facility marks a major milestone in improving emergency response, service delivery and safety in the Inner City.
Explosion causes collapse at NYCHA Bronx apartment building, US
An explosion on 1 October 2025, caused the partial collapse of a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) building in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The blast, which occurred in a ventilation shaft connected to the boiler room, tore a massive hole in the side of the building. The Fire Department was notified just after 8am and arrived within four minutes. Videos show a gaping hole in the side of the 20-storey building and extensive damage all along Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven section of the borough. Power and gas were immediately shut off by Con Edison and NYC Emergency Management. All residents were evacuated, though a long-term plan for the displaced tenants is still pending.
Car crashes into an ambulance on the N8 close to Mandella View in Bloemfontein
Priority-Care Ambulance Service together with LifeEMS and various other services responded swiftly on Saturday night, 27 September 2025, to reports of a collision on the N8 close to Mandella view in Bloemfontein. According to information, a vehicle lost control and collided head-on with an ambulance. On arrival shortly after 19h00 paramedics found that the ambulance was transporting a patient from Botshabelo to Bloemfontein.
Studying aerial drops for a better system – France
Research and experiments on airdrops in France began with the first LABEX (LArgage Bombardier d’eau EXperimentation) experiment in 1995. Following the acquisition of CL-415 waterbombers by the French government, it quickly became apparent that to optimise aerial firefighting, it was necessary to understand the dropping characteristics of the aircraft. Entente Valabre, the laboratory of the French Securité Civile, oversaw measuring the ground patterns of the French waterbomber fleet. The aim of the LABEX research is to determine the ground patterns of various water-bombing aircraft and analyse the ground distribution of the released product by application rate class.
City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services responds to in Benoni Industrial near Actonville
The City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services teams responded to a fire at 18 Birmingham Street in Benoni Industrial site near Actonville on Sunday, 28 September 2025. William Ntladi, district manager media liaison: Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) reported, “The City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services responded to the scene of a fire that affected the bottom floor of a three-storey commercial building in the Benoni industrial area in the early hours of this morning.”
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have unveiled a ground-breaking wearable sensor that monitors hydration levels non-invasively, offering a potential lifeline in the fight against heat-related illness. Led by Professor Nanshu Lu of the Cockrell School of Engineering, the UT Austin team developed a flexible, skin-adhering device that uses bioimpedance, a technique that measures how electrical signals pass through body tissues, to detect fluid loss.
50 000 people and only one ambulance: Five out of six ambulances in the Sundays River Valley Municipality have broken down, Eastern Cape
Ndumiso Maloni from Kirkwood in the Sundays River Valley Municipality thinks his brother might still be alive if the municipality’s single operational ambulance had not taken four hours to arrive. Only one of six ambulances are working in the municipality, in which more than 50 000 people live according to the 2022 Census. Maloni said after receiving a WhatsApp message on 12 September 2025 from his sister that their brother was sick, he rushed to his brother’s house in Moses Mabida township in Kirkwood. He said neighbours and family had already called for an ambulance at 6am but had been referred by the emergency call centre to a clinic which only opened at 8am.
On shift with Durango Fire Department Station 2 – Beyond the sirens: Life on shift and on the call
What does life on a 48-hour shift really look like? From morning rig checks and ride-alongs, to cooking dinner, late-night calls, and resetting the station, no two shifts are ever the same. Firefighter/Paramedic, Christy, with Durango Fire and Rescue shares what it means to live at the station, how calls are prioritized, and how crews stay ready to support the community at a moment’s notice.
Source: Durango Fire
Featured FRI Magazine article: The City of Hanover Fire Department, Germany by Willie Olivier, fleet operations and technical services, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue and Michael Hintz, media liaison, City of Hanover Fire and Rescue Service
This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: The City of Hanover Fire Department, Germany written by Willie Olivier, fleet operations and technical services, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue and Michael Hintz, media liaison, City of Hanover Fire and Rescue Service, Germany (FRI Vol 3 no 8). 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: East Cambridge Fire Station in Massachusetts, US
The East Cambridge Fire Station, Cambridge Fire Station 3, is located at the corner of Second and Cambridge Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the US, across the street from the old Middlesex County Courthouse and abutting a small-scale residential neighbourhood. The design called for the housing of two active fire companies and one reserve company with an apparatus room, residential quarters and related training spaces. Each company’s dormitory facilities are located directly over its respective vehicle, allowing quick access via conveniently located slide poles.
Technology: Wristband technology wakes up Blue Springs firefighters without the jolt, US
Firefighters in Blue Springs in Missouri, US, are testing a new device designed to make middle-of-the-night emergency calls less stressful on their bodies. The Ease Alert band vibrates on firefighters’ wrists to wake them for calls, replacing loud alarms and bright lights, KCTV reports. Experts say the technology helps reduce the sudden cardiovascular strain that can put firefighters at higher risk for heart attacks.
Source: KCTV
Fitness: Firefighter Workout #1
Take a look at one of our firefighter workouts here! Don’t forget to talk to your doctor or medical provider before you begin any new fitness activity.
Source: Mesa Fire and Medical Department
Training: Using the reeves sleeve
Utilising the reeves sleeve.
Source: Moncure Fire Department
Vintage: 120 Years on Watkins Street, Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), US by Kyle Cook
Thank you to the dedicated members and community who helped make this video possible. Created solely for educational purposes, this piece aims to inform and inspire by highlighting the service and commitment of Engine co. 231, Tower Ladder co.120, and the 44th Battalion. I do not own the rights to any music featured in this video; all credit goes to the original artists and copyright holders. This content is not intended for commercial use and is shared purely for educational and historical entertainment purposes under fair use guidelines. Additionally, I am not affiliated with or endorsed by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) in any way in making this video.
Inspiration: Quote of the week
Just for fun
Exiting the fire station after the rookie cooks.
Source: Clay County Fire Rescue
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the articles and in any corresponding comments are the opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fire and Rescue International editorial team or its management.
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