Teaser: Berlin, Germany Website: http://www.arena-international.com/fprs/

18-19 March in Berlin The 11th annual Fire Protection of Rolling Stock 2015 conference will be taking place on the 18th – 19th March 2015 in Berlin, Germany. Following the success of previous years, the educational two day event will once again gather prestigious industry representatives to discuss and debate the most relevant industry topics, ensuring you gain expert understanding to successfully improve your fire protection system and strategy. Secure your place today by quoting reference MK-OA at http://www.spgmediadesign.com/test/arenareg/fprs2015/register.asp

Navy unveils firefighting robot prototype at Naval Tech EXPO Scientists unveiled a firefighting robot prototype Feb. 4 at the Naval Future Force Science & Technology EXPO, revealing details about its successful demonstrations last fall aboard the USS Shadwell, a decommissioned Navy vessel. The Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR), sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), walked across uneven floors, used thermal imaging to identify overheated equipment, and used a hose to extinguish a small fire in a series of experiments Nov. 3-5, 2014. (Video: Watch SAFFiR in action) Developed by researchers at Virginia Tech, the two-legged, or bipedal, humanoid robot is helping ONR evaluate the applications of unmanned systems in damage control and inspections aboard naval vessels, supporting the autonomy and unmanned systems focus area in the Navy’s Science and Technology Strategy. “We set out to build and demonstrate a humanoid capable of mobility aboard a ship, manipulating doors and fire hoses, and equipped with sensors to see and navigate through smoke,” said Dr. Thomas McKenna, ONR program manager for human-robot interaction and cognitive neuroscience. “The long-term goal is to keep Sailors from the danger of direct exposure to fire.” SAFFiR stands 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 143 pounds. The unique mechanism design on the robot equips it with super-human range of motion to maneuver in complex spaces. “Balancing on any type of terrain that’s unstable – especially for bipedal robots – is very difficult,” said Brian Lattimer, associate professor for mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. “Whole-body momentum control allows for the robot to optimize the locations of all of its joints so that it maintains its center of mass on uncertain and unstable surfaces.” Sensors, including infrared stereovision and a rotating laser for light detection and ranging (LIDAR), enable the humanoid to see through dense smoke. It is programmed to take measured steps and handle hoses on his own, but for now, takes his instruction from researchers at computer console. “The robot has the ability to do autonomous tasks, but we have a human in the loop to allow an operator to intervene in any type of task that the robot’s doing,” Lattimer said. McKenna plans to sponsor a more advanced design as part of the long-term investigational research program. Blueprints include equipping the robot with enhanced intelligence, communications capabilities, speed, computing power and battery life for extended applications. “We have taken a look at other kinds of sensors that you can put on these robots,” he said. “For instance, a bipedal robot could be configured to take shipboard measurements, scan for corrosion and leaks, and identify changes to the shape of the room from its original configuration. By taking on these time-consuming tasks, SAFFiR could free up Sailors for jobs that more fully take advantage of their training and technical skillsets.” Even with added intelligence, however, SAFFiR will take its instruction from Sailors and “fire bosses” working remotely in the event of a fire or other dangerous event. “We’re working toward human-robot teams” McKenna said. “It’s what we call the hybrid force: humans and robots working together.”

Shortlisted for prestigious national award The Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is proud to announce that their Incident Command Training Suite (ICTS), a virtual training facility using the RescueSim Incident Command Simulator has been shortlisted for the ‘Driving Efficiency Through Technology’ award, which is part of the acclaimed LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards. Over 600 outside training courses and 3,000 internal courses have been undertaken in the ICTS to date. The Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services have recently extended their partnership with VSTEP simulation, the developer of the RescueSim Incident Command Simulator, prompting further cooperation and development to remain at the pinnacle of incident command training and simulation. The ‘Driving Efficiency Through Technology’ award is part of the LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards, which have seen a record number of entries for the 2015 event. The LGC created this category of award recognising that developing technology has the potential to bring both financial and practical benefits in the way resources are used to create a more efficient organisation. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Incident command training suite (ICTS) meets all the criteria for this new award. Opened in 2010, the suite has been hailed as one of the best training facilities of its kind in the UK. It was designed to enable Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to provide all its incident commanders with the opportunity to develop and practice the full range of decision-making skills they require at operational incident. It is a most realistic and immersive training environment currently available, saving the Service thousands of pounds in training costs. The ICTS is a 3D environment providing live practical training to incident response and command. Incorporating a range of innovative features, it includes fully flexible virtual reality software capable of recreating any type of fire or incident. Its multi-display screens create a 360 degree view of a major emergency and an advanced CCTV and sound system which is linked to assessment recording software allows high quality feedback to the candidate following the training or assessment session. In short, it provides the most realistic training environment possible to experience high risk incidents without physically attending them. The suite was instigated by the Service, with a view to leading the way with command training simulation which was not readily available in the UK at the time. A worldwide search for the best simulation software that could be adapted for their use was undertaken. VSTEP, a company based in Holland, was appointed following a procurement process to utilise their software called RescueSim. For multiple participants in a group exercise, one commander is assigned the role of Incident Commander and takes control during the scenario, other students can support and assist and take on other functional roles. Decisions taken and any subsequent consequences are played out on the screen supported by live role players, with a collective debrief held after the incident assessing the quality of the decision-making. This multi-user training allows for the full co-ordination of training between different functional officers and emergency services simultaneously, enabling training at operational, tactical and strategic levels. It has also played a huge part in training for, and embedding the JESIP principles into our organisation. Feedback is critical to the development of an incident commander. Written and verbal communication is effective but, when accompanied by a visual record, clearer and more meaningful feedback can be obtained. The integrated StudioCode software allows the capture of all the CCTV feeds and sound recordings taking within the training area. The Incident commander is able to achieve predefined learning goals for small and large-scale scenarios, ensuring they will be prepared for incidents which would be impossible to train for using real-life exercises hoping to achieve the same level of authenticity Leading the team that manages the ICTS is Area Manager Gus O’Rourke. He explains: "We have worked hard, and continue to challenge how we do things, we feel no other fire service in the UK has a training suite quite like this, lots of services have visited with a view to either developing their own suite or booking training here in Cheshire.” VSTEP’s Marketing Manager Frank Dolmans adds: "We are extremely proud to work as the technology partner for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and provide our RescueSim Incident Command Simulator for their ICTS . This is the most innovative virtual incident command training facility that we have seen in Europe, combining the most advanced simulation technology with state-of-the-art training facilities.” As Cheshire has the second largest concentration of COMAH (Control of Major Accident and Hazards) sites in the UK, ranged along the North West border of the county, the Service liaises with the local industry fire managers’ forum. The forum comprises representatives from the COMAH sites and the Service is working closely with them to develop training on a collaborative basis. Gus acknowledges that while there would always be a need for practical skills training in using equipment to fight fires and rescue people from vehicles, the use of virtual reality facilities is also a vital element now and in the future. "Cheshire is now far safer than it used to be with major reductions in the number of fires and incidents we attend. That means far less live opportunities for staff to develop their practical and decision-making skills so our suite is essential in providing a completely safe environment for people to become competent in managing a whole range of emergency incidents,” he said. “For our facility to be acknowledged in this way is fantastic as it highlights the excellent work done by our staff. The team have worked so hard to create, update and customise the scenarios and software for the benefit of our operational firefighters and external users. It also recognises the vision and ambition of Cheshire Fire Authority and the Chief Fire Officer who have fully supported this initiative from its inception.” The suite demonstrates the future of emergency service, business and community based emergency training. Cheshire is currently the only fire and rescue

Battle of Britain memorial in Kent The Wing, the visitor and education centre being built at the National Memorial to the Few at Capel-le-Ferne in Kent, will be protected by Apollo fire detection equipment. The building, designed in the shape of the iconic Spitfire wing, will house the Scramble Experience, the Battle of Britain Trust’s new visitor attraction, and the Geoffrey Page Centre, which is designed to be used by schools. Together, the two halves of The Wing will highlight the bravery and heroism of “the Few” who took part in the Battle of Britain almost 75 years ago. As the result of a collaboration between Apollo Fire Detectors, FFE and one of Apollo’s major distributers ADI Global, all the fire detection equipment was donated to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust. The fire protection system, which includes a range of XP95 detectors and beam detectors from FFE was specified by, and is being installed and commissioned by, the award winning Kent based security company Red Alert Ltd. Brian Warburton, Area Sales Manager Midlands and North West, at Apollo commented: “It is a pleasure for all of the companies involved to come together to support this memorial project and provide the best possible fire protection.” The centre is currently under construction with the official opening planned for March 2015. For more details on the Apollo range, please visit www.apollo-fire.co.uk. For more information on the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust see: www.battleofbritainmemorial.org

New year, new name for specialist smoke and flame detection company On January 18, 2015 Fire Fighting Enterprises officially became FFE. Known the world over as a specialist in smoke and flame detection through its Fireray and Talentum product brands, FFE used Intersec Dubai as the platform to announce its rebrand. "We are delighted to be making this key announcement at Intersec. Changing our name and updating our image marks an important milestone for our company and our customers," commented FFE’s managing director Mark Osborne. "We’re putting more focus on our two world-renowned product brands – the Fireray optical beam smoke detector and the Talentum flame detector." FFE introduced the first Fireray optical beam smoke detector over thirty years ago and in 2013 integrated the Talentum flame detector range. These products protect some of the most iconic buildings in the world, including the White House, Buckingham Palace, Dubai Airport and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, as well as countless industrial installations worldwide. Talentum flame detectors have also been selected to protect the Bloodhound supersonic car, set to break the world land-speed record later this year. According to FFE, over 8% of its revenues are re-invested back into R&D, developing the technologies that are at the core of Fireray and Talentum and helping to bring about new technological breakthroughs. "Underpinning everything we do is our most valuable asset, our people," says sales and marketing director Tracy Kirk. "We couldn’t do what we do without our R&D team of highly qualified engineers, a dynamic and truly customer-focussed sales and marketing team, and a UK-based manufacturing facility covering production, testing and calibration. "Added to that is our purpose-built, on-site training space, where we offer training courses not only on the products we supply, but also on the fundamental principles of smoke and flame detection." FFE has offices in the UK, USA, Dubai, India and China and a global network of distributors and channel partners.

The ship was without engine power for about five hours  BBC: A cruise ship carrying more than 1,000 people was left without power off Morocco after an engine room fire. The fire at 04:00 BST left the ship "listing" and "in pitch black", said Dave Tonkin, whose father is on board. The ship was without engine power for about five hours. Fred Olsen, the company which owns the ship, said it was now fully stable and had five engines running with two still not working. There was no danger to passengers or crew, it said. Gavin Poole, from Wimbledon, south London, said his parents, who are in their 70s, texted him in the early hours of the morning. "The texts said, ‘no engines, fire in the engine room, there’s smoke, we’re in life jackets and the captain says everything is under control’," he said. "I spoke to my parents a bit later at 07:30 BST and they were in their cabin still in their life jackets. The fire was out, but half of the ship had power and the other half didn’t, and it was listing." Ken Watkinson, a passenger on board the Boudicca, said the situation had remained calm throughout. "Around midnight, they announced there were problems with the electricity. I stayed in my bed and this morning it is all back to normal." He said some cabins were still without electricity, but "the mood is fine and everyone is back to having a good time". Fred Olsen spokeswoman Rachael Jackson said at no point were holidaymakers asked to don life jackets or gather at muster stations, as the situation was contained by crew members. "The fire was in the engine room, but has now been extinguished, and no guests or crew have been injured," she said. The Boudicca listed for "a short period" but was now stable and travelling again, although more slowly than normal, she added. Two main engines and three auxiliary engines are running, while two other engines are still being mended. "At the current speed of eight knots, we are currently reviewing the onward itinerary and will make a decision as to our next port of call in due course," she said. Boudicca left Southampton on 20 January for an 18-night cruise of Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. The ship’s online locator currently shows it off the coast of Casablanca, Morocco. It left Cadiz, Spain, on Saturday, and was due to arrive in Lanzarote on Monday. The Boudicca currently has 784 passengers and 356 crew on board. It is one of four cruise liners owned by the UK-based, Norwegian-owned company Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. The Boudicca made headline last year when Fred Olsen paid £280,000 in compensation to 130 holidaymakers who suffered gastric illnesses on board between October 2009 and May 2010. The ship was also hit in 2013 when 98 passengers contracted a vomiting bug.