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» Canberra bushfires hearing adjourned

This week's news

Selected links to firefighter workplace, industrial, technology and OHS news stories across the last seven days.

Australia
ACT: Canberra bushfires hearing adjourned to April
The ACT Chief Justice says appointment of acting judges to ease court backlogs will not help the marathon bushfires litigation.

Vic: Special sitting to debate bushfire findings
The State Government agrees to a special sitting of Parliament to debate the findings of the Bushfire Royal Commission's final report.

NSW: Teen arrested over fire engine joyride
New South Wales Police arrest 16-year-old boy who stole a fire engine overnight and drove it down a Blue Mountains street with its emergency lights flashing.

NSW: Two children critical, heroes help
Firefighter helped save the lives of two girls after spotting a house in flames on his way to work

SA: Truck destroyed in chemical blaze
Emergency crews clean up the scene of a chemical fire which destroyed a truck west of the SA/Victorian border.

Vic: Calls for more burning as bushfire report looms
Fire scientist David Packham  calls for big increase in fuel reduction burning in Victoria's forests.

NSW: Site can spot your home's fire traps
NSW firefighters hope a new website will help save dozens of lives by allowing householders to take a virtual tour of their home and identify potential fire risks.

International
UK: Merseyside firefighters to use motorbikes instead of fire engines
But unable to wear their crash helmet while fighting fires, they have to change into a separate fire helmet.

UK: Strike ballot on south Wales fire station rota plans
Firefighters in south Wales will be balloted for strike action over planned rota changes at three fire stations. The Fire Brigades Union says 50 jobs will go.
Fire Brigades Union in Wales asks for immediate investment not cuts
Union says there is growing dissent among south Wales firefighters.

UK: Chief refuses to sign full and final settlement already agreed between fire authority and Union.
FBU disappointed and bemused at the Essex Chief Fire Officer’s refusal to formally sign-off agreement.
Firefighter motorbikes scheme alarms Union.

USA: Sapulpa firefighters fight to save jobs
With negotiations with the city at a standstill, firefighters hit the streets to ask citizens for help.

China: Chinese firefighter drowns near leak
A Dalian firefighter drowned yesterday morning, becoming the first fatality since a massive oil pipeline explosion hit the city's Xingang Port.

UK: Warwickshire fire cuts leads to safety checks pledge
Council said changes were designed to improve services, but the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says public and firefighter safety could be at risk.
Fire and rescue cuts could cost lives.

UK: County Fire Service running on half empty
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service is running at half capacity, failing to meet its safety standards and has only avoided a serious accident more by luck than judgment.

Palestine / Israel: Bushfire threatens Jerusalem homes
Thousands of homes were evacuated in Jerusalem on Sunday as a massive blaze tore through a forest near a hospital on the outskirts of the city.

USA: Fire in Yellowstone 72% contained
Firefighters are making progress containing a blaze burning near the center of Yellowstone National Park.

USA: Firemen to wear pink to battle cancer
Orange Beach Fire Department is stepping away from their traditional blue and turning pink in order to draw attention to and raise money for breast cancer.
Department raising awareness with new look.

UK: Union call for more retained firefighters in Derbyshire
Derbyshire does not have enough retained - part-time - firefighters to cover the county, according to the Fire Brigades Union.

USA: Group urges support for firefighters
A new national initiative to help firefighters cope with trauma and tragedy.

Canada: British Columbia firefighters battle blaze
Dozens of firefighters Tuesday fighting the out-of-control Jade wildfire near Lillooet

USA: Two firefighters die while battling Connecticut house fire
Two firefighters  were found unconscious on the third floor and were taken to St. Vincent's and Bridgeport hospitals where they were later pronounced dead.
The paper trail connected with firefighters' breathing equipment.

USA: Community reacts to Virginia firefighter deaths.
Intersection crash.

UK: Award after Blackpool firefighter's rescue bravery
A firefighter whose snap decision saved the lives of a family trapped on the roof of a burning building in Blackpool has been given a top bravery award.

India: Two killed in fire at  chemical plant
Continuous blasts at three purification reactors at Uma Organic and Chemicals.

USA: Mayor Bloomberg steps up fight to exclude retired fire captain's name on memorial
He died in the south tower, aiding fellow firefighters in the evacuation; the city says Corrigan's name doesn't belong among active duty firefighters.

Philippines: Firefighters distribute water in Metro Manila
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Filipino-Chinese volunteer firefighters distribute free water to depressed areas in Metro affected by the prevailing water crisis.

UK: Thugs slash firefighters' hoses at UK school fire
More than 50 firefighters spent six hours trying to bring the flames under control at the derelict secondary school before their hoses were cut.

USA: Memphis firefighters in pit bull attack
Firefighter survives deadly attack.

Greece: Firefighters rush to put out blaze on Greek island as high winds hamper effort
Six water-dropping planes and four helicopters are being used on the island of Samos, in the eastern Aegean Sea.

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