FPA Australia - News Home Page
WPI Students Commence Code of Practice Self-Assessment Project
18 March 08
FPA Australia are pleased to welcome three students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, USA to our office. Adam, Matt and Chris commenced their time at FPA Australia in March, and will be here until May. The students are working to put together a Code of Practice self-assessment document for corporate members.
Pictured WPI Students: Adam, Chris and Matt.
Open PDF (file: 71KB)
The Fire Protection Industry Donates $15,000 to Burns Research
22 Feb 08
Ross Hodge, Executive Director, FPA Australia has presented the Jack Dunn foundation with a cheque for $15,000. The contribution to this important cause was raised during the recent Fire Australia conference dinner.
Pictured - Jack Dunn Foundation patrons: Dr Fiona Wood AM, Peter Hughes, Glenn Buck.
Open PDF (file: 90KB)
Join FPA Australia in Support of the Jack Dunn Foundation
29 Oct 07
This years Fire Australia 2007 dinner was once again a success, with charity auctions and raffles raising $15,000 for the Jack Dunn Foundation – supporting burns research.
FPA Australia would like to thank all members that participated in the auction, particularly Tyco for their generous bid of $10,000 for a brass fireman’s helmet and Ampac for their $2,000 bid for a signed West Coast Eagles football. The contribution to charity over the past five years of conference dinners now stands in excess of $70,000.
Open PDF (file: 69KB)
Sustainability and Fire Safety - A Delicate Balancing Act
23 Oct 07
Climate change and progressively drier conditions are increasing the risk of fire, but emerging technology designed to protect against climate change can pose new risks, as speakers at today’s Fire Australia 2007 conference and exhibition discussed.
Prof Mark Adams, of Ecology and Ecosystem Science at the University of New South Wales, warned of the effects of climate change today, stating during his talk on “Bushfires and Changing Climates” that the effects of climate change will be likely to promote an increase in bushfire severity and abundance.
Open PDF (file: 59KB)
Beaton Consulting Surveying FPA Australia members
23 Oct 07
During the next few weeks, market research company, Beaton Consulting, will be undertaking their Annual Business and Professions Study, talking to the members of more than 30 associations, including FPA Australia, to find out how well those associations support the needs of their members, and also to discover their views on professional service firms.
The results of the survey will assist FPA Australia to better understand member needs and to continually improve member services.
If you are asked to participate in the study, we hope that you will be able to do so.
Water Saving Key Topic for Fire Protection
22 Oct 07
The negative ecological impact of fire is well known, however it was fire protection methods themselves that were the hot topic at today’s Fire Australia 2007 conference and exhibition, themed “Fire Protection and the Environment – Planning a Sustainable Future”
Water has traditionally been regarded as an effective and affordable fire extinguishing medium, yet the days of unlimited water use are now over. While the government and industry are currently developing solutions to the water crisis, the fire industry is also about to change the way they utilise water forever.
Open PDF (file: 108KB)
Conference to Address the Adverse Impact of Climate Change on Fire Protection Effectiveness
18 Oct 07
Ongoing drought, climate change and increased bush fires – all add up to a challenging future for the fire prevention industry. FPA Australia will address these issues at the imminent Fire Australia 2007 conference and exhibition, Fire Protection and the Environment – Planning a Sustainable Future.
“Given the global debate on climate change, and with Australia gripped in drought, it is timely that the focus for this conference is sustainability and the environment,” says FPA Australia National President Peter Johnson “Fires contribute to global warming and environmental damage, while the shortage of water and the implications for fire protection and fire fighting is a huge issue for the future. We need to find sustainable solutions to the challenges of climate change and protection of the environment if we are to leave our children and grandchildren a real future”.
Download press release (file: 218KB).
Barry Lee Scholar Releases Final Report
18 Oct 07
Mark Potter, the inaugural recipient of the Barry Lee Scholarship, has completed his project entitled "Can conventional sprinkler heads be used for bushfire spray systems?" and has now released his final report.
Download Final Report (file: 2.0MB)
UN Adviser to speak at Fire Australia conference
12 Oct 07
FPA Australia is excited to announce a world leader in sustainable development, Gary Lawrence, as a key note speaker for the upcoming 2007 Fire Australia conference and exhibition.
Gary’s expertise is supported by his experience advising an extensive list of prominent sustainability bodies worldwide, including the UN’s Habitat II committee, the Clinton Administration’s Council on Sustainable Development, the US Agency for International Development, the Brazilian President’s Office, the British Prime Minister’s Office, the European Academy for Urban Environment in Berlin and the Organisation for Economic and Community Development (Paris).
Download press release (file: 118KB).
New Code of Practice for the Handling of ODS & SGG
26 Sep 07
The Fire Protection Industry (ODS & SGG) Board has approved a Code of Practice for ozone depleting substance (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gas (SGG) extinguishing agents. The Code will guide the fire protection industry in applying the Ozone Depletion and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
ODS & SGG extinguishing agents are those synthetic gases such as halon, FM200 and NAF PIII, and under the Act, it is an offence to handle these agents without an appropriate licence or authority. The Code has been developed to guide those who handle, trade or in some cases possess these agents.
The Code will also be used by the Board to assess applications for licenses and permits, both at the initial time and at renewal time.
Download Code of Practice (file: 132KB).