International

Having seen the buzz surrounding the newly issued Thermal Imaging Cameras for the LA Fire Department, we reached to the LAFD Foundation for more details. Could they be used in Australia? What kind of specs do they come with? Read on to find out a bit more about how they came to be issued in LA and what kind of hardware they pack.

We came across a photo of a Canadian pumper wrapped for Remembrance Day - and we had to find out more! Reaching out to the Brantford Fire Department all the way up there, we asked how this masterpiece came to be.

Training is ramping up all over Australia for the Sydney MND climb and we came across photos of one particular firie who has taken her training to the next level - and she's not even in the country! Check out the amazing training she's doing before flying over.

You have *got* to see this challenge. It looks amazing! Teams from around the world recently competed in an amazing firefighter survival challenge held in Portugal and the video they have produced is brilliant. Where do we sign up?!

If you have ever wondered just how much force is behind a drop from a DC-10 - then you need to see this. A retired US Firefighter stayed home to defend his house and captured this amazing footage, don't miss it. Better red than black!

Devonport Fire Brigade from Tasmania recently competed in the 2017 Australasian Firefighting Championships in Carterton, New Zealand.  Fire Stations from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji competed in the championships and Devonport finished 6th overall, making them the highest placing Australian team in the championship, behind 5 New Zealand teams!

10 points to Kent Fire & Rescue Service for coming up with this video about testing your smoke alarms. It was released to align with the 30th anniversary of the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing - how do you rate it? Let us know in the comments below. Could you see a crew from your station giving this a go on a quiet day in the rec room? It may go down as the most awkward dance on the internet, but a tip of the helmet to them for giving it a go and sending a good public safety message at the same time. Well done! :D

Firefighters worldwide are mourning the loss of one of their most respected brothers with the loss of former Phoenix Fire Chief, Alan Brunacini, who died suddenly on Sunday, aged 80. Brunacini was the author of various books related to the provision of firefighting services including Fire Command, Command Safety, Timeless Tactical Truths, Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service and The Anatomy and Physiology of Leadership, but is most well known in the industry for his work on the Blue Card Incident Command Training System. Blue Card, which is based predominantly on Brunacini's book, Fire Command, has been adopted by firefighting organisations right around the globe, including Fire & Rescue NSW in Australia, and helps firefighters and incident controllers maintain effective communication with their crews, and continual accountability for those working on a fireground.

Fire has destroyed a large printing warehouse in Auckland, NZ. The incident drew a 4th alarm with first arriving appliances finding heavy smoke showing. There were several evacuations from the building and surrounding structures, including a church. 

The crew over at Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade in N.Z have wrapped up a 2 year project and have produced a pretty amazing looking new addition to their station. Using a Nissan Navara NP300 4x4, they custom designed and constructed what is now known as Kumeu 8629!