Selected links to firefighter workplace, industrial, technology and OHS news stories across the last seven days.
Australia
Qld: Factories destroyed
Gold Coast blaze.
NSW: Bushfire evacuation
Fears prompt forum.
WA: Fires roundup:
- Hundreds of firefighters battle big blazes.
- Fires rage across the State.
- Crews mop up Gnangara fire.
- Goldfields fire crews 'flat out'.
Vic: Royal Commission roundup:
- VicRoads feels heat at Bushfire Royal Commission.
- Schools snubbed as last resort bushfire refuges.
NSW: Firefighters to mardi gras
With safety message.
International
India: Firefighters live in stables
Bangalore South Fire Station residences were stables during the British era.
UK: Engine siren spooks cows
Firefighter charged with manslaughter.
Canada: Arbitrator decides for Montreal firefighters
Without a contract since 2006.
Arbitrator sides with City.
UK: Shift cuts plan revealed in secret document
Firefighter job cuts, fewer appliances and less night cove proposed.
UK Firefighter stats.
US: Firefighters Union pushes Washington state bill
It could gut local election watchdog - comment.
USA: Unions safeguard health benefits
Massachusetts firefighters aren’t going to give away health care benefits.
India: Mumbai Brigade wants latest bulletproof vests
Weighing almost 10 kg, they would cripple the movements of firefighters.
Europe: Dozens dead in storm-battered Europe
Firefighters at work in Feldberg, southern Germany.
China: Fireworks explosion kills 21 in Guangdong
One firefighter killed and six others injured.
Chile: Firefighters rescue 26 people
Firefighters in Concepcion pull people from the rubble.
Tsunamis pound Chile's coastal towns.
Bangladesh: Factory fire kills 21
Firefighters rescued 19 from sweater factory north of the capital Dhaka.
Spain: Firefighter killed rescuing child from Barcelona building site
Another seriously injured after electrocution.
UK: 18 tonnes of recycled plastic = 1 new home
Waterproof and fire resistant claim.
UK (Northern Ireland): Steel beams in trial burn
First fire test of its kind.
UK: Isle of Wight (IW) FBU Branch comment
Union strives to provide the best possible fire service for the IW public.
UK: US Mouthwear fit for a firefighter
Prevents clenching, relieves stress, improves performance claim – advert.
USA: Firefighters learn new ways to use thermal imaging technology
North Carolina firefighter training weekend.
Philippines: Firefighters expect hectic fire season
El Niño onset means polluted water sources may be the only fallback of firefighters.
NZ: Volunteer numbers to dwindle
But there are plenty willing to take on full-time firefighting.
Fiji: Inmates to turn firefighters
Fire sub-station plan for Naboro prison complex.
USA: Fire department nets $80K for fitness
Half of all firefighter deaths are caused by heart disease.
NZ: Dunedin firefighters hope for rain
Cool weather comes to aid of firefighters.
USA: Home oil-to-bio-diesel system blaze tricky for Maine firefighters
There are no codes to govern these homemade systems.
USA: Closing two Flint fire stations will put residents in danger
Union leaders comment.
UK / Afghanistan: RAF firefighters in Afghan war zone
Evacuate seriously wounded casualties to hospital.
UK: Three fire chiefs arrested over four fire deaths
Held on suspicion of manslaughter; FBU offers legal help.
Nigeria: Inadequate fire cover at airports
Some tenders are 25 to 30 years old.
USA: Seneca firefighters learning Spanish
South Carolina firefighters want to be prepared.
Singapore: Firefighters are most trusted
Firefighters top the list of 40 vocations in Reader's Digest survey.
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http://www.ufua.asn.au/361.html - printed 07/9/2010