October 2026 Issue
From electric vehicle fires and wildfire response to building protection and firefighter safety, this issue examines the challenges shaping modern fire protection. We explore the research, equipment and operational practices helping fire professionals respond effectively, while considering how detection, maintenance and passive protection can strengthen resilience before an incident occurs.
Understanding how to effectively put out electric vehicle fires without compromising firefighter or public safety is something fire departments are increasingly contending with. Equipping fire departments with this knowledge means ensuring they have the most up-to-date and evidence-backed advice. Someone who has worked extensively on this is Principal Research Engineer, Adam Barowy, who authored a report from UL Research Institutes on this topic. In our Big Interview, Adam outlines why tackling an EV fire may not be as complex as you think.
The increasing uptake of EVs is a sign of how environmentally-conscious many of us are becoming. This year’s severe and challenging wildfire season offers a stark reminder of the climate future we are all facing. Ensuring wildfire preparedness is something which is core to this issue. Our Cover Story from WATERAX explains how its portable pumping systems offer a solution to the challenge of getting enough water, at the right pressure, to where firefighters need it. Further on, our feature on firefighting foams considers the ways these solutions can support wildfire suppression, whilst Feature Spotlights from Hytrans and TracPlus highlight the technologies which are currently available to support wildland firefighters.
Ensuring fire protection in buildings is also a key consideration for this issue. Backing up your intelligent detection systems with effective maintenance is key to supporting optimum protection, as explained in our Detection feature. Equally, managing the life cycle of fire doors is a key consideration for building managers and this issue also explores this topic. When the worst happens and firefighters must tackle a structure fire, particularly in the case of large warehouses and high rises, ensuring a reliable supply of air is key to getting the operation done effectively. In our Innovator interview, Megan von Wedell from Johnson Controls explains why Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems can provide a vital lifeline when tackling these types of fires.
Once the fire is out and the firefighters head back to the station, it is important to maintain a high standard when cleaning their turnout gear, both for their health and for managing the garment’s life cycle. In this issue, Meiko provides industry insight into PPE cleaning processes, asking whether it should be treated as a simple task, or as part of a controlled maintenance process.
From detection to suppression, this issue showcases a variety of topic areas and solutions providers who are furthering our industry. Our Product Spotlight from Janus Fire Systems, for instance, considers how the company is combining engineered clean agent suppression technology with local partner expertise.
This issue also features a preview of Intersec Saudi Arabia which is taking place in November. Now in its eighth edition, the exhibition has become one of the region’s principal meeting points for professionals working across fire protection, occupational safety, commercial security, homeland security, and cybersecurity.
