The NFPA Podcast is the place for safety professionals to stay up to speed on the fast-paced world of electrical, fire, and life safety. Hear in-depth conversations with people out in the field about how they are confronting new challenges and staying on top of emerging technologies to keep the world safe. Listen the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Email jroman@nfpa.org to send feedback or recommend a topic for future episodes.
…
continue reading
CJK Fire & Safety Education brings you podcasts on fire safety issues and hot topics from the Australian construction industry.
…
continue reading
CRR Radio is your podcast source of information all about Community Risk Reduction. Each episode features interviews with people who are using CRR in their communities and experts in a variety of fields, giving you information you can use!
…
continue reading
The number of micro-distilleries in the U.S. has ballooned from just 500 in 2014, to more than 2,700 today, according to the American Craft Spirits Association. Like micro-breweries, these small-batch liquor production facilities are often tucked into urban spaces like strip malls, but unlike breweries, the beverages they produce are quite flammabl…
…
continue reading
Research has shown that doing wildfire mitigation work, like replacing wooden shingles or removing dead leaves from the gutters, drastically reduces the chances of your home becoming a heap of ash when a wildfire strikes. But how much does the public know about these potentially life-saving activities? Today on the podcast, we dig into a comprehens…
…
continue reading
To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, I interview Christina Knorr the wonder woman at the head of CJK Fire & Safety. We talk about how our lives are enhanced by engineering and about her journey to becoming a fire safety engineer and starting her own business. Christina also describes the many services offered by CJK including their …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How Can We Get More New Homes Sprinklered?
29:09
29:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:09
Despite overwhelming proof that home fire sprinklers save lives, fewer than 10 percent of all new homes being built in the United States today are equipped with sprinklers, and most states refuse to mandate their use. However, fire marshals and others are finding creative ways to incentivize developers to include fire sprinklers in new housing proj…
…
continue reading
In March, NFPA announced the formation of a new for-profit corporation called NFPA Global Solutions, a venture unique from anything NFPA has undertaken in its history. On today’s podcast, Jim Pauley, NFPA’s president and CEO, joins us to explain the vision for NFPA Global Solutions, and why now was the right time for NFPA to branch out in this new …
…
continue reading
Electric Shock Drowning claims possibly dozens of lives each year, but most people have never heard of it. Our guest today, David Rifkin, is one of world’s leading experts on this hazard and its causes. He explains what ESD is, how it occurs, and what communities, marina operators, and the public can do to lessen the risk of being electrocuted whil…
…
continue reading
We wrap up Electrical Safety Month with a powerful reminder for anyone doing hazardous work of why you can't afford to be complacent about safety. Veteran electrician Jason Brozen was at a routine job on an ordinary day, when a careless decision while installing a breaker led to an arc flash that changed his life forever. On today’s podcast, Jason …
…
continue reading
Our topic for today is compliance vs safety in regard to fire safety in construction in Australia. Christina Knorr, who has been working as a Fire Safety Engineer for the past 10 years, will talk to us about the role of a fire safety engineer, holistic fire safety, and building compliance. CJK Fire & Safety Engineering https://cjkfireandsafety.com.…
…
continue reading
In February 2023, Chief Brian Nardelli of the Brockton Fire Department in Massachusetts found himself at the helm of one of the most complex operations a chief can face: a hospital fire requiring a full evacuation. The eight-hour incident at Brockton Hospital involved a nasty electrical fire, 91 ambulances, 162 patients evacuated and transferred, 2…
…
continue reading
Residential hoarding poses numerous dangers and fire risks for residents and firefighters, yet communities have struggled to find meaningful solutions. Today on the podcast, two of North America’s most prominent hoarding researchers join us to talk about the causes and trendlines of hoarding (2:08), as well as the latest risk reduction strategies t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Interview with Expert Mediator, Christina Knorr
9:24
9:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:24
In this episode we speak to fire safety engineer, special expert witness and accredited mediator, Christina Knorr, discuss a topic crucial to both the legal and construction world - Fire safety expert determination and mediation in construction disputes. CJK Fire & Safety Engineering https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au Disclaimer The material and infor…
…
continue reading
In most years, more firefighters die by suicide than from accidents or injuries that happen in the line of duty, according to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. It’s well understood that PTSD is a huge contributor to the problem, but recently a new concept called moral injury has also become recognized as a significant factor. Today on the…
…
continue reading
Each year, accidental carbon monoxide poisonings cause at least 430 deaths in the U.S., and send more than 100,000 people to emergency rooms, according to the CDC. Studies have found that the number of accidental CO deaths has increased over the last decade. Today on the podcast, we speak to Richard Roberts, a member of several NFPA committees on c…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Doing It Right: Energy Storage and Solar Installs
38:18
38:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:18
As the number of energy storage and photovoltaic systems being installed across the world continues to rise dramatically, so does the need for trained professionals to ensure that these systems are reliable and safe for decades to come. Today on the podcast, we discuss the various codes and standards needed for the proper installation and maintenan…
…
continue reading
We wrap up our two-parter about how AI technologies might impact fire and life safety by talking with Xinyan Huang, a fire protection engineer, professor, and AI researcher at the Research Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He tells us about a few of the AI tools he and his colleagues are developing and how they…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Grenfell Tower Fire - A catastrophe that changed the world
7:52
7:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:52
Grenfell Testimony Week was held in January 2024, so in this latest CJK Fire & Safety Education podcast we discuss Grenfell Tower fire. This 25-story residential block located in London, became the site of one of the deadliest fires in modern British history, claiming the lives of 72 people and leaving physical and psychological scars on hundreds m…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Artificial Intelligence and the Fire Service
41:31
41:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:31
Today’s podcast is the first in a two-part series looking at how artificial intelligence technologies could impact fire and life safety. In this episode, we focus on AI’s potential impact on the fire service. How might fire departments use AI? What are the dangers? What guardrails need to be in place to ensure that the technology is reliable and sa…
…
continue reading
Fire safety documents and the importance of good filing. In this podcast we discuss the importance of filing documents accurately and promptly for legal proceedings and in the context of fire safety. Each state in Australia has its own building legislation and regulations regarding fire safety documents. To ensure compliance and safety, it is impor…
…
continue reading
Lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic panels are technologies that may improve environmental sustainability, but also present challenges to fire protection engineers. Conversely, chemical flame retardants may lead to better fire outcomes, but also have potentially serious impacts on human health and the environment. Today on the podcast, we talk a…
…
continue reading
From elevators that can decapitate you to grills that can explode in your face, short-term rental properties aren’t short on things that can hurt you—or worse. In fact, short-term rental safety expert Justin Ford calls these properties the most dangerous sector of the travel and hospitality industry. In this episode, we sit down with Ford to discus…
…
continue reading
As destruction from wildfire in the U.S. continues to set records, it’s become abundantly clear that the country’s current strategies are not working. But what should we be doing differently? Over the past year, a wildfire commission, comprised of 50 experts from a range of fields, met to try and answer that incredibly complicated question. In Sept…
…
continue reading
It’s well understood that childhood trauma can have dramatic effects on a person’s adult life, and in recent years, risk prevention experts have started to recognize it as a sizeable contributor to both individual and community risk. Today on the podcast, we talk to a director at the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center about the role that chi…
…
continue reading
At budget time, fire departments are listed as a cost on the city ledger, but that’s only part of the story. Firefighting and fire prevention also provide huge returns on investment by saving lives, buildings, businesses, and jobs. Is there a way to quantify these economic and social impacts? On today’s podcast, we talk to a Montreal fire chief who…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Lacrosse Fire Melbourne - First Australian ACP Cladding Fire 2014
20:55
20:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:55
Buckle in in as we discuss all there is to know about the 2014 Melbourne Lacrosse Fire case, liability and appeal. This case has highlighted the importance of contracts and liability. In Australia, there are still many buildings that were constructed with ACP cladding and so these cladding litigation cases will not be ending any time soon. CJK Fire…
…
continue reading
Heatwaves aren't just uncomfortable; they are deadly for millions of people around the globe each year. Recognizing this growing threat, governments and safety departments are starting to reconsider their vulnerabilities to heat and are taking action to protect their populations and infrastructure. Today on the podcast, we talk to Eleni Myrivili, w…
…
continue reading
We are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series that NFPA first published in 2017. In the final episode, the van Dijks and other survivors want their experience to be the catalyst for the inclusion of fire sprinklers in all new homes. However, a powerful group has spent serious dollars preventing that from happening.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The 2012 Bankstown Fire & Changing Legislation
11:10
11:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:10
It does not take a large event to spark a frenzy of legislative reform. However, a single unit fire in 2012 established amendments in over five New South Wales statutes and authorative bodies. However, reform is rendered almost useless if it is not abided by. In this episode we discuss a summary of the tragic Bankstown unit fire that occurred in 20…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Survivors, Part 4: “Back into the Lion’s Den”
30:26
30:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:26
We are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series that NFPA first published in 2017. In Part 4, upsetting his family, Feike joins the fire service and places himself into one of America’s deadliest places for fire: homes. Fire service and safety advocates discuss today’s home fire problem and why the fire dynamics of new homes are a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention at Symposium 8
33:16
33:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:16
Symposium 8 Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction is approaching. The event is scheduled for February 20-24, 2024 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. There are many great model programs and topics planned for the event, including several highlighting risk reduction strategies and education focused on the concern of Youth Firesetting. In this episod…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Survivors, Part 3: “Refinement by Fire”
33:22
33:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:22
We are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series that NFPA first published in 2017. In Part 3, the van Dijk's emotional scarring from the fire seems to have taken a larger toll on the family than their physical injuries. They learn new coping tactics, as have many others impacted by home fire. But everyday has its challenges.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Symposium 8 - the leading CRR event in the U.S.
28:45
28:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:45
Steve Hrustich, Project Manager with the Vision 20/20 Executive Committee talks with Monica Colby, Fire and Life Safety Specialist, about Symposium 8. Vision 20/20’s Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction Symposium is the longest- running Community Risk Reduction (CRR) event in the nation and is known as the most interactive and forward-thin…
…
continue reading
For the next five NFPA Podcast episodes we are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series NFPA first published in 2017. In Part 2, impacted by the death of their two boys, the van Dijks go through the painstaking process of healing their physical injuries from a home fire. U.S. burn care experts weigh in on the prevalence and outcom…
…
continue reading
For the next five NFPA Podcast episodes we are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning five-part podcast series that first ran in 2017. In part 1, Feike and Noelle van Dijk’s sense of normalcy is shattered when a home fire killed two of their children in 2014. Three years after the incident, the family gives a rarely seen look at the lingering …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Case study: Strata Plan 92450 v JKN Para 1 and Anor
11:55
11:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:55
In this podcast we discuss some very interesting aspects of one of the most recent significant construction litigations – Strata Plan 92450 v JKN Para 1 and Anor. Read the case study here >> https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au/strata-plan-92450-v-jkn-para-1/ CJK Fire & Safety Engineering https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au Disclaimer The material and infor…
…
continue reading
Few topics are as hot right now in the fire service as consumer lithium-ion batteries. While electric vehicles and e-bikes still get the bulk of attention, residential energy storage system (ESS) installations are also starting to skyrocket as homeowners realize the value of storing their solar power and having a reliable source of backup electrici…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How Virtual Reality Is Changing Firefighter Training
33:05
33:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:05
Incredible advancements are being made around using virtual reality to bolster firefighter training. Some fire departments are even using VR to educate the public about fire safety. Today on the podcast, we talk to Ken Willette, executive director of the North American Fire Training Directors, about what’s available on the market now, where the tec…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Fire Engineering and the role of the Fire Brigades
4:52
4:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:52
When a new fire engineering Performance Solution is discussed, fire engineers are often asked questions such as “Do we need to refer the solution to the fire brigade?”, “What if the fire brigade does not accept this solution?” or “Will fire brigade sign-off on it?” Enrol in the online course here >> https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au/courses/role-of-f…
…
continue reading
In the United States, when someone calls 911 the call is routed to an operator at a public safety answering point, or PSAP. But news outlets across the country are finding that local PSAPs are struggling, and that 911 callers are waiting longer to get help. Today on the podcast, we speak to a researcher who just surveyed dozens of PSAPs to find out…
…
continue reading
An estimated 75 million households in the United States will fire up their grills this Memorial Day weekend. For most, the worst that will happen is a few burned hot dogs. But each year, about 22,000 people in the U.S. go to hospital emergency rooms with injuries related to grilling. Today on the podcast, we talk to NFPA’s director of public educat…
…
continue reading
Last month, the U.S. federal government launched the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer—the largest project ever undertaken to better understand and reduce the risk of cancer among firefighters. Today on the podcast, we talk to the leader of this effort, Dr. Kenny Fent (2:40). He tells us what the Firefighter Registry is, how it will work, an…
…
continue reading
Falls and fires kill and injure more older adults than many people realize. Not only are seniors twice as likely as the general population to experience a fatal fire, they suffer an estimated 36 million falls each year in the U.S., resulting in 8 million injuries. On today’s podcast, we talk to Dori Krahn, a community relations coordinator with the…
…
continue reading
Dampers are usually hidden away in ducts or ceiling cavities and seldom get much attention, but they’re a critical part of the fire protection strategy for many buildings. In a new Code Corner, NFPA Engineer Shawn Mahoney gives us a rundown of the different types of dampers, how they work, and what NFPA standards say (1:31). Then, we are joined by …
…
continue reading
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three words that have quickly risen priority lists at fire departments across the world in recent years. While most agree on the importance of having a diverse and inclusive workforce, what do those words actually mean in practice for the fire service? Why has DEI increasingly become such an emphasis, and what d…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Persistent Problem of Construction Fires
34:09
34:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:09
The latest data from NFPA shows that the number of fires in buildings under construction has been steadily rising over the past several years. On average, US fire departments respond to nearly a dozen such fires every single day. In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Carr, the NFPA staff liaison to NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction…
…
continue reading
About 80 percent of female firefighters say that their personal protective clothing doesn’t fit right, and studies show that ill-fitting gear puts women at greater risk of being injured on the job. Today on the podcast, we talk to two textile researchers who measured dozens of female firefighters as part of a multi-year project on turnout gear for …
…
continue reading
In his stunning new book, American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics, former paramedic Kevin Hazzard explores the largely forgotten history of the Freedom House Ambulance Service. Hazzard joined the podcast to talk about his book, the early beginnings of EMS, and how a dedicated group of men from a …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A New Fire Protection Handbook, 15 Years in the Making
34:53
34:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:53
Today on the podcast we examine one of NFPA’s oldest and most significant publications, the Fire Protection Handbook. Guests Nick Dawe, a fire marshal in Georgia, and Casey Grant, a fire protection engineering consultant and longtime NFPA employee, discuss what the FPH means to them and what’s new in the new edition. It’s been 15 years since the la…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Heating or Eating: The Fire Risks of Inflation
49:09
49:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:09
As cold weather begins to move into the northern latitudes, families all over the world are struggling with high heating bills, leading some to make desperate choices that can dramatically increase fire risks. On today’s podcast, a prevention officer and public health expert from the United Kingdom’s National Fire Chiefs Council share the work bein…
…
continue reading
Steve Hrustich, Project Manager with the Vision 20/20 Executive Committee shares updates about the project moving into 2023. Topics include: The relaunch of CRR Radio and what to expect moving forward Rebranding and a fresh new website at StrategicFire.org Champions & Emerging Leaders Strategic Business Alliance Group Discovery Data Hub Grant deliv…
…
continue reading
We are ringing in the New Year by rerunning one of our favorite episodes of all time, which originally aired in January 2017. It might seem strange now, but firefighters dying from falling off fire trucks used to be a huge problem—from 1977 to 1987, an average of nearly four firefighters died this way each year. That all changed after the 1987 publ…
…
continue reading