Scottish Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers

EPLOYMENT OF IN-VEHICLE EMERGENCY CALL – eCALL – IN EUROPE

Jim Bennett — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:06:49 +0000

WHAT IS eCALL ?

In case of a severe crash, an eCall-equipped vehicle will automatically call 112, the EU’s single emergency number. Even if no passenger is able to speak, e.g. due to injuries, a minimum set of data with information about the accident is sent automatically. The minimum set of data includes the exact geographic location of the crash site. eCall can also be activated manually. eCall has the potential to reduce the time that emergency services will need to arrive at the accident scene. This will contribute to reducing the number of people killed in road accidents, as well as the severity of injuries.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The European Commission is carrying out an impact assessment of the eCall deployment. The assessment considers various policy options (no intervention, voluntary approach or mandatory implementation of eCall) to implement the eCall system in Europe.

The main objective of this public consultation is to collect the opinions of stakeholders and EU citizens on the issue and therefore ensure the transparency of the decision making process

Please click here to participate.

Buncefield: company convicted of Health and Safety Breach

Jim Bennett — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:47:40 +0000

Motherwell Control Systems 2003 Ltd, which is in voluntary liquidation and was not represented, has been convicted of the offence at St Albans Crown Court, the Health and Safety Executive said.

Jurors returned a guilty verdict to a charge that the company failed to ensure its employees were not exposed to health and safety risks between September 28 2003 and December 12 2005.

Total UK has already admitted three health and safety breaches in connection with the explosion, while the British Pipeline Agency Ltd has also pleaded guilty to two charges.

The case is being prosecuted by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency

Deepwater Horizon Explosion and Fire

Jim Bennett — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:33:32 +0000

On April 20, 2010, a loss of well control occurred and resulted in an explosion and fire on the Transocean/BP Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Deepwater Horizon.

Eleven lives were lost in this incident and the MODU subsequently sank.

The well has not yet been secured, and the resulting release of oil has been declared a spill of US national significance with oil threatening sensitive coastlines and resources in the Gulf of Mexico. This has having a Global Impact on offshore drilling well control.

Gulf of Mexico Emergency Response:

Please click here for current information…

Department of Interior Report - click here increased safety measures 27.10.10

What Went Wrong?:

At the time of the accident, the Deepwater Horizon was operating 52 miles from shore in 4,992 feet of water with a subsea Blow Out Prevention (BOP) stack. After the Deepwater Horizon sank, Remote Operating Vehicle’s confirmed that the riser was bent over and still attached to the BOP and that oil is flowing from leaks in the riser above the BOP. Numerous attempts to actuate the BOP have failed.

Corrective actions and Recommendations:

While the exact causes of this event are now under investigation, the tragic nature of this accident compels operators and drilling contractors to inspect their drilling equipment and review their procedures to ensure the safety of personnel and protection of the environment.

Within the Scottish Oil and Gas Sector the Health and Safety Executive Offshore Safety Division should be contaced for futher advice (click here for guidance overview)

Cheapside Street, Glasgow 50th Anniversary Memorial

Jim Bennett — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:05:19 +0000

The Branch sends its deepest respect and thoughts to the families and friends of the 19 men who lost their lives fighting the blaze at the bonded warehouse, Cheapside Street on the 28th March 1960. The memorial service was well attended by representatives of the fire community, the citizens of Glasgow and Scotland.

Fire Sprinkler Conference 12th April, Fife

Jim Bennett — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:06:43 +0000

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance Board

Jim Bennett — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:00:46 +0000

The Scottish Branch of the Institution are now consultative members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance Board – for Terms of Reference please click here.

Details of the meetings can be found on The SFRAU section of the Government website by clicking here.

It should be noted that we are also consultative members of the Chief Fire Officer’s Association, Scotland Practitioners’ Policy Forum.

Further details may be obtained by contacting the Branch Secretary.

Details of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Circulars/Dear Chief Officer’s Letters can be found by clicking here.

The Association of Brirish Insurers have issued a paper entitled “Tackling Fire: a call for Action” – for details of their proposals please click here.

Annual General Meeting 14th May 2010

Jim Bennett — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:56:06 +0000

Our Annual General Meeting will be follwed by an enabling discussion on:

Lessons Learned from the Scottish Fire Safety Legislation Implementation: next STEPS?

What has worked well?

What can we do better?

Next STEPS?

Brian Fraser, Head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit (SFRAU), will introduce the topic.

Date: 14^th May 2010

Time: 1300hrs, buffet lunch at 1230hrs

Venue: Tayside Fire and Rescue Service Training and Development Centre, 401 High Street (Long Causeway), Perth, PH1 1PL, Tel – 01738 622226

Please advise secretary@ife-scotland.org.uk if you are attending. Visitors are also most welcome to the next STEPS discussion.

SIFE AGM MinutesRev1 – May 2010

Draft Fire Risk Assessment Document

Striking the balance between operational & Health and Safety duties in the Fire and Rescue Service

Jim Bennett — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:55:47 +0000

Geoffrey Podger and Judith Hackitt of the Health and Safety Executive have issued guidance to clarify how the Fire and Rescue Service should comply with the UK Health and Safety at Work duties within their operational work. Please click here for the full statement and guidance.

Summary

The guidance may be summarised as follows:

The 8 Scottish Fire Authorities/Fire and Rescue Services have a ‘duty of care’ towards their firefighters whilst at work.
Fire and Rescue Activites are fast moving, at times very hazardous and emotionally charged.
A balance need to be managed between meeting statutory Health and Safety regulatory requirements whilst providing an effective emergency service to our communities.
It’s effectively a test of ’appropriateness’ - “doing the right thing at the right time”.
The “quantum of risk” is subjective and ultimately will be defined by ‘case law’ – the test will include “Would another competent Fire Commander do the same thing given similar circumstances? The guidance details the principles to be considered.

Route to IFE Chartership: SFEN Workshop, 31.3.10

Jim Bennett — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:21:23 +0000

The Scottish Fire Engineering Network (SFEN) will be holding a workshop on “The Route to IFE Chartership” at 1800hrs on Wednesday the 31st March 2010 at Glasgow Caledonian University, 70 Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA

Dr Jim Marsden will be the keynote speaker.

For more information on the Engineering Council Registration process please click here.

Please advise Jim Bennett, Secretary, if you wish to attend. (secretary@ife-scotland.org.uk )

Member Data Forms

Jim Bennett — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:59:17 +0000

Our membership renewal process is presently in progress.

Members are requested to forward updated Membership Data Forms to Mark Cawthra at Hedquarters as soon as possible. Any requests for furthter clarification should also be addressed to him.

Thanks in anticipation.

Jim

Branch Secretary