Three first responders in hazmat suits

Hazardous Materials News

News Archive

2023

S-Trust at anchor following the casualty. (Source: US Coast Guard)

Explosion in small lithium-Ion battery led to 3 million in damages on oil tanker

The NTSB highlights potential fire risks of lithium-ion batteries in this paper abo...

Explosion in small lithium-Ion battery led to 3 million in damages on oil tanker

Aerial view of the derailment (Photograph courtesy of BNSF)

Using thermally resistant gaskets could reduce the severity of hazmat releases in train derailments ...

NTSB´s report of the Jan 8 2022 trail derailment. 601,819 gallons / 2,3 million liters ...

Using thermally resistant gaskets could reduce the severity of hazmat releases in train derailments - NTSB report

Map of Shepherd, Texas, located about one hour from Houston.

Chemical explosion in Texas: Stay-at-home-warning issued

Chemicals in smoke could cause serious eye damage or eye irritation, skin corrosion or ...

Chemical explosion in Texas: Stay-at-home-warning issued

LNG container of Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. at Shin-Fuji Station, Kushiro.

The US imposes a ban on bulk transport of LNG by rail effective October 31 2023

This final rule overturns a rule from the Trump administration which allowed for the bu...

The US imposes a ban on bulk transport of LNG by rail effective October 31 2023

Presumably a technical defect led to the explosion of a 30 kWh battery storage unit in Lauterbach, Germany. Image: Vogelsberger Zeitung, Freiwillige Feuerwehr Lauterbach Löschzug Ost

Several recent fires and explosions in home battery energy storage systems in Austria and Germany

Just like large BESSs, battery storage systems in private homes can cause fires, and of...

Several recent fires and explosions in home battery energy storage systems in Austria and Germany

https://dayton247now.com/news/local/city-of-piqua-lithium-ion-battery-testing-to-stop-company-leaving-piqua

Fire department lithium battery fire training facility shut down from public pressure

The lithium fire training in Ohio was part of a research and development initiative to ...

Fire department lithium battery fire training facility shut down from public pressure

The CTIF HazMat Commission during the Fall meeting, third week of October 2023.

The CTIF HazMat Commission met for three days in Franfurt am Main

The meeting topics like the climate crisis, hazmat accidents, future education, Trainin...

The CTIF HazMat Commission met for three days in Franfurt am Main

This image, which was originally posted to Flickr, was uploaded to Commons using Flickr upload bot on 5 August 2013, 01:25 by Oaktree b. On that date, it was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the license indicated. Downloaded from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hazmatspotting_UN_1005,_%22Ammonia,_anhydrous%22.jpg

15000 liters / 4000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia leaked in tanker crash - 5 dead

In addition to the 5 deaths, multiple injuries have also been reported as the result of...

15000 liters / 4000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia leaked in tanker crash - 5 dead

Photo by the fire services of NSW

Three tips from Firetrace International for safer lithium battery handling and storage

Divide large BESSs into smaller ones, install battery control systems and use sprinkler...

Three tips from Firetrace International for safer lithium battery handling and storage

By Municipal Affairs and Housing - St. Catharines Downtown | Centre-ville de St. Catharines, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97516767

Fire services in St. Catharines sues hazmat company on 84 counts for death of a worker

The Ontario Fire Marshal is still conducting an investigation into the explosion. ...

Fire services in St. Catharines sues hazmat company on 84 counts for death of a worker

The second explosion injured 26 firefighters on August 26, 2023, near Bucharest. Photo: Bucharest Fire Services

26 firefighters injured in LPG explosion in Romania

A total of 46 people are reported to be injured and 1 person was killed at the gas stat...

26 firefighters injured in LPG explosion in Romania

Photo:Ukrinform

Large oil fire in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk

42 firefighters were reportedly on the scene. Locals who are watching the fire from the...

Large oil fire in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk

Diagram illustrating a standard bicycle converted to an electric bicycle using a retail conversion kit. Photo by Mikefairbanks, Wikipedia Commons License.

Conversion kits the most fire prone e-bikes according to London Fire Brigade

40 % of all UK e-bike fires are caused by home converted e-bike are currently not inclu...

Conversion kits the most fire prone e-bikes according to London Fire Brigade

Firefighters extinguishing a fire after the explosion which killed 35 people at a petrol station near Makhachkala, Dagestan, on Monday night, August 14, 2023. Photo provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations

35 people killed and more than 100 injured in gas station explosion in Dagestan

Russia’s Health Ministry said 115 people were injured in the explosion and fire that fo...

35 people killed and more than 100 injured in gas station explosion in Dagestan

The remains of e-scooters and e-bikes after a fire. Photo by the London Fire Brigade.

One lithium battery fire every two days: London Fire Brigade issues new warning for e-bike and e-sco...

A resident was almost killed in Kilburn in August. She had left the vehicle overnight, ...

One lithium battery fire every two days: London Fire Brigade issues new warning for e-bike and e-scooter fires

John Hopkins All Children´s Hospital

Lihium-Ion battery bank started offgassing in hospital: 80 people evacuated due to toxic fumes

Fire crews determined that a power bank of lithium-ion batteries was off-gassing and ca...

Lihium-Ion battery bank started offgassing in hospital: 80 people evacuated due to toxic fumes

Police helicopter view of Lac-Mégantic, the day of the derailment, July 6, 2013. By Sûreté du Québec - https://twitter.com/sureteduquebec/status/353519189769732096/photo/1, CC BY-SA 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27152159.

Railway safety experts experts say railway hazmat risks are still "too high" - 10 years after the La...

Railway safety experts are claiming safety has not improved much since that fateful day...

Railway safety experts experts say railway hazmat risks are still "too high" - 10 years after the Lac-Mégantic disaster

Screenshot from the ABC News video about the hearings around the East Palestine Derailment.

Large HazMat training need identified for volunteer fire departments - It took nearly one hour to i...

On June 22-23, two days of hearings were held by the US National Transportation Safety ...

Large HazMat training need identified for volunteer fire departments - It took nearly one hour to identify chemicals in East Palestine derailment

An explosives contractor prepares for the vent and burn of vinyl chloride in this image included in NTSB documents released Thursday. (NTSB)

Railroad company gave fire chief 13 minutes to decide on vent and burn in Ohio vinyl chloride incid...

The decision to vent and burn off the hazardous materials was the best decision Fire Ch...

Railroad company gave fire chief 13 minutes to decide on vent and burn in Ohio vinyl chloride incident

Aerial view of Ängelholm, Sweden. By Pär-Martin Hedberg - Riksantikvarieämbetet på denna plats (Bjäre Ängelholm_HIO4533.JPG), CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77844480

Hydrogen Sulphide: Criminal investigation into case of six firefighters injured and two workers dea...

On Thursday, HazMat personnel wearing chemical suits and respirators began the cleanup ...

Hydrogen Sulphide: Criminal investigation into case of six firefighters injured and two workers dead in industrial accident

Screenshot from a HyRespons powerpoint

The HyResponder hydrogen vehicle response training material is now on CTIF.org

For years, CTIF has been involved in a European Train-the-Trainer program about hydroge...

The HyResponder hydrogen vehicle response training material is now on CTIF.org

Milan city skyline. Wikipedia Commons License.

Fire in oxygen tanks on a transport truck caused huge explosions in Milan

A dozen explosions reportedly erupted and the fire likely started in the engine compart...

Fire in oxygen tanks on a transport truck caused huge explosions in Milan

The May 2023 meeting in Mulhouse of the CTIF HazMat Commission.

The spring HazMat meeting in Mulhouse

The Commission will be sharing lessons learned from each country attending and discussi...

The spring HazMat meeting in Mulhouse

A photo from one of the readers of Göteborgsposten captured the fire in the 9000 kilo lithium-Ion container.

Large lithium battery fires emitted hydrogen fluoride and led to evacuations in Gothenburg and Jacks...

A 20,000 pound lithium-ion battery caught fire inside a battery factory. A day later a ...

Large lithium battery fires emitted hydrogen fluoride and led to evacuations in Gothenburg and Jacksonville

An electric Ford F-150 Lightning caught fire on Feb. 4, 2023 due to a battery issue traced back to one of the automaker’s suppliers. The blaze spread to two other electric pickups in a holding lot of Ford’s in Dearborn, Michigan. Photo by Dearborn Police Department

Spontaneously combusting battery in EV pickup truck burned so hot two other vehicles melted - outsid...

The high voltage battery pack had short-circuited due to a manufacturing issue when cel...

Spontaneously combusting battery in EV pickup truck burned so hot two other vehicles melted - outside on a holding lot

The De Guzman -Villanueva family, Mark (father), Dexie (mother), Mc Kenxie, Kairie, and Keziah. — Photo Source: Facebook / Leknaan Ya Pozorrubio, Inc.

Family of five, and two young persons died in lithium battery fires - the e-bike discourse goes glob...

An investigation showed an e-bike was left plugged in overnight on the ground floor of ...

Family of five, and two young persons died in lithium battery fires - the e-bike discourse goes global

Smoke rises from a fire on the Kodiak Enterprise in Tacoma, Washington, in a photo released by the Washington Department of Ecology on April 8, 2023. Washington Department of Ecology

Ship full of freon on fire: shelter-in-place order for freon release and smoke near Seattle

19000 pounds of freon may have been released during the fire. Freon can be toxic if inh...

Ship full of freon on fire: shelter-in-place order for freon release and smoke near Seattle

Google Maps showing the Rothenburgsort industrial park.

Hydrogen sulphide in smoke from warehouse fire caused evacuations in Hamburg

200 firefighters from the Hamburg fire brigade had brought the situation under control ...

Hydrogen sulphide in smoke from warehouse fire caused evacuations in Hamburg

Marseille, France. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons

At least four dead in residential gas explosion in Marseille

Two nearby apartment blocks partially collapsed a few hours later. No further reports o...

At least four dead in residential gas explosion in Marseille

Smoke from the fire after the East Palestine Derailment. By thunderlips36, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128970663

Train company Norfolk Southern pays back fire stations for their damaged equipment after Ohio HazMat...

Fire stations lost a lot of equipment after the release of vinyl chloride: hose line, t...

Train company Norfolk Southern pays back fire stations for their damaged equipment after Ohio HazMat accident

Fire crew members from the Birmingham Fire & Rescue in Alabama with the exploded barrels of lithium batteries in the background. Photo: Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department

Barrels of discarded lithium batteries exploded during transport on their way to recycling

The fire crews were able to identify the barrels of batteries that had exploded and con...

Barrels of discarded lithium batteries exploded during transport on their way to recycling

The remains of e-scooters and e-bikes after a fire. Photo by the London Fire Brigade.

Large increase in lithium battery related fires in London

London Fire Brigade were called to 88 fires caused by privately owned e-bikes last year...

Large increase in lithium battery related fires in London

Photo from a test by the Fire Research Institute

New York bans E-Bike lithium batteries not labelled by national safety inspection

Both sellers and users who break the rules could be fined up to $1,000. The bill would...

New York bans E-Bike lithium batteries not labelled by national safety inspection

A screenshot of a passenger video showing smoke coming form the overhead compartment in the Spirit Airlines flight where a lithium battery is believed to have started a fire.

Lithium battery fire started onboard in mid flight - plane forced to make emergency landing

- Someone yelled FIRE and I look up to see the cabin filling with smoke very fast, a pa...

Lithium battery fire started onboard in mid flight - plane forced to make emergency landing

Screenshot from an aerial video of the crash site.

HazMat derailment in Ohio turns into large political conflict - public health concern over toxic che...

The local Fire Department needs all new equipment following the train derailment that t...

HazMat derailment in Ohio turns into large political conflict - public health concern over toxic chemical release

A view of the Y-12 facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Google Earth)

Emergency responders called out to a fire involving uranium

A fire at an enriched uranium processing facility did not result in any radioactive rel...

Emergency responders called out to a fire involving uranium

A mobile phone photo of the burning 5000 pound propane tank.

A 5000 pound propane bottle caught fire near highway - first responders created a one mile evacuatio...

The 5 thousand-pound propane tank rolled off the road and caught fire. Multiple fire an...

A 5000 pound propane bottle caught fire near highway - first responders created a one mile evacuation zone

Screenshot from an aerial video of the crash site.

A controlled release of vinyl chloride performed after HazMat train derailment - due to explosion ri...

Fire department needs all new equipment after contamination. Large public health conce...

A controlled release of vinyl chloride performed after HazMat train derailment - due to explosion risk

Photo by: Fire Safety Research Institute. When lithium-ion batteries fail or overheat, they release flammable, toxic gases that can spark a fast-spreading fire that is extremely difficult to extinguish

The Fire Commissioner of New York demands a ban of bad aftermarket E-bike lithium batteries

Many apartment buildings in NYC banned E-scooters already in December. Now the NYC Fire...

The Fire Commissioner of New York demands a ban of bad aftermarket E-bike lithium batteries

Generic photo of a United Airlines jetliner. The aircraft on the photo is not the same as in the incident described in this article. Wikipedia Commons License. Source: United Airlines - N772UA Author: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA

Several airline passengers and cabin crew hospitalized from smoke inhalation when laptop battery cau...

A United Airlines flight which left San Diego Tuesday morning made an emergency landing...

Several airline passengers and cabin crew hospitalized from smoke inhalation when laptop battery caught fire mid air

Photo by the team from Metro Fire of Sacramento who responded to the EV fire on January 28th, 2023.

Electric vehicle spontaneously caught fire while driving on the highway

The battery cells continued to re- combust and were extinguished with 6,000 gallons - o...

Electric vehicle spontaneously caught fire while driving on the highway

Photo Credit: (Cover Photo Above) The IAEA headquarters with member flags in Vienna. Creative Commons License. Photo from 2022 by Schölla Schwarz.

IAEA concerned about nuclear safety in the Ukraine after months of combat near power plants

Teams of nuclear safety and security experts from the IAEA have been stationed at Ukrai...

IAEA concerned about nuclear safety in the Ukraine after months of combat near power plants

Photo credit: The Grenfell tower fire on June 14, 2017. Wikipedia Commons License

High concentrations of toxins in high rise fires like Grenfell possibly linked to firefighter cancer...

Large fires involving synthetic materials create high levels of toxic contaminants. Acc...

High concentrations of toxins in high rise fires like Grenfell possibly linked to firefighter cancer

Beirut before the explosion.

Several Lebanese officials allegedly named to be sued for the 2020 ammonium nitrate explosion in Bei...

The explosion destroyed 77,000 apartments, killed 200 and wounded 7,000 people, and dis...

Several Lebanese officials allegedly named to be sued for the 2020 ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut

Public Domain Vector drawing of a nuclear explosion behind a generic city skyline

Research team on Cypress urges the public to prepare for the possibility of nuclear attacks

Pr. Dimitris Drikakis believes the public needs to consider the nuclear threat with the...

Research team on Cypress urges the public to prepare for the possibility of nuclear attacks

A private mobile phone video of the lithium fire in France, uploaded to Twitter January 16

Large explosion and fire at French lithium battery warehouse

It is estimated around 8,000 lithium batteries have been destroyed. The fire then spre...

Large explosion and fire at French lithium battery warehouse

Diagram of a retrofitted e-bike. Wikipedia Commons Licence. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electric_Bicycle_Diagram.jpg

More fires caused by lithium batteries recorded in the first few days of 2023

Eleven people were displaced after two fires ignited in Brockton, Massachusetts. Firefi...

More fires caused by lithium batteries recorded in the first few days of 2023

2022

A screen shot from the video of explosion in the Russian shopping center.

Large fire and explosion in Russian shopping center

In the Moscow region, firefighters have been putting out a fire the size of 7,000 squar...

Large fire and explosion in Russian shopping center

Photo: Screenshot from Twitter video upload

BLEVE under a downtown bridge caused by propane from a homeless camp

An explosion and a fire under the Toronto Bathurst Street bridge was watched by a large...

BLEVE under a downtown bridge caused by propane from a homeless camp

Photo of burned E-scooters provided by the New York Fire Department.

Explosive fire developments caused by E-bike lithium batteries a growing problem

Apartment complexes have in extreme cases banned E-bikes and E-scooters since recent fi...

Explosive fire developments caused by E-bike lithium batteries a growing problem

Firefighter using foam. Wikipedia Commons License, photo by https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mtnytal

CTIF urges the EU for a 10 year extension to transition periods for fluorine-free firefighting foams

It could get costly for fire services with only 1,5 years to stop using flourine fire ...

CTIF urges the EU for a 10 year extension to transition periods for fluorine-free firefighting foams

Photo by the Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service.

13 dead in a nightclub fire in Russia

The fire started by a flare gun, which an intoxicated customer had set off on the dance...

13 dead in a nightclub fire in Russia

Decladding high-rise flats in Aberdeen on front in 2017, Bayview Court, 4 August 2017. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License.

First legal action taken against UK high rise building to remove dangerous cladding

The controversy has been who should carry the costs of removing and replacing the dange...

First legal action taken against UK high rise building to remove dangerous cladding

Car has flood damage from Hurricane Irene. Original public domain image from Flickr Public Domain Free U.S. Government Image

Electric vehicles catching fire after being submerged in salt water during Hurricane Ian

Several electric vehicles have been reported spontaneously catching fire after they hav...

Electric vehicles catching fire after being submerged in salt water during Hurricane Ian

Scene of the explosion in Creeslough, Donegal, Ireland, which occurred on 7 October 2022. Photo: BBC / Wikipedia Fair Use license

Ten died in large gas station explosion in Ireland

Irish police say it was likely an accident or unforeseen technical failure which caused...

Ten died in large gas station explosion in Ireland

Two engines, a truck company, and an incident commander were initially dispatched to the incident bringing 14 firefighters to the scene.

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car

Due to the construction and placement of the battery pack, it is difficult to reach the...

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kernkraftwerk_Saporischschja.JPG

The world could be at the brink of a very large nuclear disaster, according to IAEA

The IAEA urges both sides to establish a nuclear safety zone around the Zaporizhzhia n...

The world could be at the brink of a very large nuclear disaster, according to IAEA

Photo: Screen shot from Sacramento Metro Fire Department Facebook video

Fire department ad hocs new extinguishing method for EV battery fire - with minimal water runoff

The Tesla was moved on its side but kept reigniting due to the residual heat. The fire ...

Fire department ad hocs new extinguishing method for EV battery fire - with minimal water runoff

Chlorine leak in Jordan

Massive Chlorine Leak in Jordan - 12 dead and over 250 Injured

An intermodel tank container was reportedly dropped while being offloaded from a ship r...

Massive Chlorine Leak in Jordan - 12 dead and over 250 Injured

A lithium-ion battery was exposed to force by using a hammer to test its fire safety. The battery in this test exploded. Photo: Tavo Romann / Wikipedia Commons

Large increase in lithium battery related fires over the last 6 years

The warning involves not only electric vehicles but anything from cell phones, headphon...

Large increase in lithium battery related fires over the last 6 years

Felicity Ace. Photo by the Portuguese Coast Guard.

Burning ship carrying lithium EV cars sank outside of the Azores

The cargo ship Felicity Ace, carrying thousands of cars, has sunk due to the fire onboa...

Burning ship carrying lithium EV cars sank outside of the Azores

Screenshot of the radiological manual

IAEA guidelines for first response during the crucial hours following a nuclear event

CTIF sponsored document in multiple languages for the first crucial hours following a r...

IAEA guidelines for first response during the crucial hours following a nuclear event

2021

Hydrogen response training

HyResponder training package on the e-Platform

This is the official newsletter from the CTIF-supported hydrogen training project HyRes...

HyResponder training package on the e-Platform

Photo of the burning ship by the Swedish Coast Guard

Burning ship towed to the Port of Gothenburg - despite concerns of hazardous leaks and possible expl...

The decision was made despite the Port of Gothenburg recommending other alternatives. ...

Burning ship towed to the Port of Gothenburg - despite concerns of hazardous leaks and possible explosions

Map of Sierra Leone.

98 dead in tank truck explosion in Sierra Leone

The tanker collided with another truck as it was pulling into a gas station near a busy...

98 dead in tank truck explosion in Sierra Leone

An aerial photo of Chempark, an industrial park home to many chemical plants. Photo: Wikipedia Commons.

Two dead and several injured in industrial explosion in Germany

A warning with the message Extreme Danger was sent via a crisis app and Germanys health...

Two dead and several injured in industrial explosion in Germany

Map of Rockton, Illinois

Large explosion at a chemical plant evacuated 1000 people near Chicago

An explosion at a chemical plant in northern Illinois created massive fires and thick b...

Large explosion at a chemical plant evacuated 1000 people near Chicago

Refinery fire in Tehran on June 2, 2021

200 firefighters responded to a large refinery fire in Tehran

On the 2nd of June, firefighters extinguished the fire after a long and tough technical...

200 firefighters responded to a large refinery fire in Tehran

Overview if the Beijing shopping mall where a lithium battery explosion killed two firefighters on April 16.

Accident analysis of the Beijing lithium battery explosion which killed two firefighters

Here is the downloadable report from the incident, translated within the network of the...

Accident analysis of the Beijing lithium battery explosion which killed two firefighters

Seminar teaser movie screen shot

Only a few spots left for the CTIF Seminar - Here is the full program

We have participants registered from over 40 countries - register now for the last spot...

Only a few spots left for the CTIF Seminar - Here is the full program

The Italian CBRN team on mission in Beirut in August 2020.

Stefania Fiore tops April 22 Seminar speaker list with Beirut CBRN mission during Covid-19 pandemic

The CBRN mission was dangerous and complicated during the aftermath of the blast. ...

Stefania Fiore tops April 22 Seminar speaker list with Beirut CBRN mission during Covid-19 pandemic

The photo shows the airport in Sicily when the corona virus first appeared there. Photo by TV.com

Early detection and closed borders is how Taiwan claims to have conquered the Corona virus

How did such a densely populated country become the best in the world at fighting the n...

Early detection and closed borders is how Taiwan claims to have conquered the Corona virus

The first CTIF Best Practice Procedures Award was given to Michel Gentilleau for the outstanding work he and his colleague Serge Delauney have carried out regarding new energies and vehicles.

Michel Gentilleau and Serge Delauney received the CTIF Best Practice Award

In the report from Delegates Assembly 2015, we can read that CTIF gave out an award for...

Michel Gentilleau and Serge Delauney received the CTIF Best Practice Award

The area in Madrd affected by the Jan 20 explosion. Photo by Emergencias Madrid

Five floors destroyed and falling debris crushed cars in deadly Madrid explosion

At least three people have been killed 11 people injured in the explosion thought to ha...

Five floors destroyed and falling debris crushed cars in deadly Madrid explosion

2020

Mikko Saastamoinen, Firefighter of the Year in Finland 2020. Photo: Rescue information

Mikko Saastamoinen awarded "Firefighter of the Year 2020" in Finland for his work on implementing th...

Finland was first among the Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard, a...

Mikko Saastamoinen awarded "Firefighter of the Year 2020" in Finland for his work on implementing the CTIF-ISO 17840 standard

The upper floors of Grenfell Tower after the fire. Photo by Wikipedia

Ex-employee admits fire tests for Grenfell styrofoam panels were fake

Celotex behaved in a “completely unethical” way, admitted Jonathan Roper, a former assi...

Ex-employee admits fire tests for Grenfell styrofoam panels were fake

Gas fuel firefighting training in Greece. Photo: The Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

News from Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

Panagiotis Plexidas, 27, was battling a brush fire along with his colleagues of the Vol...

News from Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

Mikko being interviewed for a social media campaign about the ISO standard being implemented in Finland. Photo by Kimmo Kaisto, Pelastustieto- magazine

Finland first among Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard for alternative propuls...

Using fire trucks as an example has been a very successful strategy in Finland - there ...

Finland first among Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard for alternative propulsion vehicles

Opening of the seminar

All physical CTIF meetings postponed or cancelled until further notice - continued strong advice aga...

IMPORTANT INFORMATION UPDATE: VIRTUAL DELEGATES ASSEMBLY on October 21st, 2020

All physical CTIF meetings postponed or cancelled until further notice - continued strong advice against travel

Screen shot from the HyResponse Survey

Hydrogen Response - Please support this CTIF partner project by taking the survey

CITF is part of an EU training project - help us understand your needs by taking the su...

Hydrogen Response - Please support this CTIF partner project by taking the survey

The 1967 Martelange truck explosion. Historical photo

Historical events: The 1967 Martelange truck explosion killed 22 people in Belgium

22 people died and 59 were injured after a gas truck lost control downhill in high spee...

Historical events: The 1967 Martelange truck explosion killed 22 people in Belgium

French SAr-specialists on their way to Beirut. Photo by the UIISC 1.

CTIF member countries send SAR teams to help with Beirut´s efforts to find survivors

CTIF member countries send SAR teams to help with Beirut´s efforts to find survivors

Cloud seeding is the formal term for manipulating rain clouds. Illustration by Wikipedia.

Russia fights Siberian forest fires by manipulating rain clouds

This method aims to control how much rain an area receives and where the rain falls. Th...

Russia fights Siberian forest fires by manipulating rain clouds

Map over Seoul and Incheon, South Korea. Illustration by Google Maps

Oil mist explosion may have caused the construction site fire that killed 38 people in South Korea

Many workers were trapped underground and died before the 335 firefighters called out t...

Oil mist explosion may have caused the construction site fire that killed 38 people in South Korea

The La Tuna wildfire in Los Angeles 2017 was the largest in Los Angeles history. This image was originally posted to Flickr by Koala Yummies at https://flickr.com/photos/41802269@N03/36802535882. It was reviewed on 22 September 2017 by FlickreviewR and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-sa-2.0.

Extraordinary challenges for fire services preparing for wildfire season during pandemic measures

Wildfire season and COVID-19: How to safely evacuate without spreading the virus? ...

Extraordinary challenges for fire services preparing for wildfire season during pandemic measures

New NFPA Resource to Help First Responders Manage Infection Control During COVID-19

Key Takeaways from NFPA 1581 and the CDC Guidance: Designate an Infection Control Offic...

New NFPA Resource to Help First Responders Manage Infection Control During COVID-19

An N95 particle mask. Photo: Pixabay

Researchers may have found a way to safely reuse masks during the COVID-19 crisis

"Autoclaving", a form of pressure cooking, is found in nearly every hospital ...

Researchers may have found a way to safely reuse masks during the COVID-19 crisis

Firefighters in Italy wearing hazmat suits during the pandemic. Photo by Marco Aimo Boot.

Italy´s Lessons Learned about their rapid COVID-19 outbreak could help the rest of the world

Italy´s advice: Isolate the infected into separate hospitals"! - "The biggest...

Italy´s Lessons Learned about their rapid COVID-19 outbreak could help the rest of the world

Confirmed cases per million people around the world as of April 1, 2020. Illustration by Wikipedia.

COVID-19 cases per million not the same thing as total amount of confirmed cases

Switzerland, Italy, Spain,and Belgium top the list of the world´s most COVID-19 dense c...

COVID-19 cases per million not the same thing as total amount of confirmed cases

EMS staff in a hazmat suit. Screen shot from a Belgian instructional video.

How to disinfect an ambulance: Instructional video from Belgium

Place all used and contaminated material visible on the stretcher or table in advance. ...

How to disinfect an ambulance: Instructional video from Belgium

A Slovenian EMS-worker undressing his hazmat PPE. Screenshot from an instructional video by the Slovenian Fire Academy.

Instructional videos for COVID-19 pandemic procedures from the Slovenian Fire Academy

Instructional videos for COVID-19 pandemic procedures from the Slovenian Fire Academy

French ambulance Cocid-19 protocol

Example of Corona pandemic ambulance protocol in France : SDIS 86

Specific PPE, protocol to dress and undress. As little possible contact between rescuer...

Example of Corona pandemic ambulance protocol in France : SDIS 86

Two firefighters holding a hose. Photo by Pxfuel.com

COVID-19: Fire and rescue services in the UK lose hundreds of firefighters to self-isolation

COVID-19: Fire and rescue services in the UK lose hundreds of firefighters to self-isolation

Cars buried in fallen bricks from buildings damaged in Sunday´s 5,4 earthquake near Zagreb. Photo: Private

Large earthquake shook Croatia in the middle of Corona pandemic

A 15-year-old child buried in debris from a damaged building has been found and taken t...

Large earthquake shook Croatia in the middle of Corona pandemic

CBRNE Handbook front cover

First responders handbook: Hazardous materials CBRNE

This handbook for hazardous materials was produced by virtue of Nordic collaboration in...

First responders handbook: Hazardous materials CBRNE

Corona pandemic first responder in Italy, during the worst of the crisis there.

New rescue procedures forced into place for pandemic stricken countries in lockdown

Read how CTIF member Marco Aimo Boot operates in Italy during the current Corona-shutdo...

New rescue procedures forced into place for pandemic stricken countries in lockdown

Extrication training

Minutes from November´s Extrication & New Technology Meeting

The next Commission meeting will be in Poitiers, France, during the Technical days (13-...

Minutes from November´s Extrication & New Technology Meeting

Dec. 30, 2013, Casselton, N.D: An oil train crashed into a grain car, causing explosions and a fire and forcing the partial evacuation of the town. No one was hurt. 2July 6, Lac-Mégantic, Quebec: An unattended oil train rolled away, crashed

Pipelines vs road transports: Controversial debates around fuel transport

"Latest Pacific Rail derailment spilled 5 times as much oil as the Husky pipeline ...

Pipelines vs road transports: Controversial debates around fuel transport

Hydrogen response training. Photo by CTIF France

CTIF and partners begin a European project to train first responders on hydrogen safety

The HyResponder project will develop and implement a sustainable “train the trainer” pr...

CTIF and partners begin a European project to train first responders on hydrogen safety

The chemical explosion near Tarragona as seen from a nearby town.

Three dead in explosion at a chemical factory in Spain

Three dead in explosion at a chemical factory in Spain

Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová

Meet Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová - CTIF´s expert on robot assisted response

Dr Kruijff-Korbayová investigates human-robot teamwork and develops technology for robo...

Meet Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová - CTIF´s expert on robot assisted response

Oil well. Photo: Pxhere.com

North America´s oil field waste could get mined for lithium to EV batteries

Waste from the Canadian tar sands could be a viable way to mine for lithium in a more e...

North America´s oil field waste could get mined for lithium to EV batteries

Both the police and fire service attended the fire on Ytterøyningen (image: Corvus)

Explosion on Norwegian battery hybrid ferry may have been caused by the fire extinguishing system

A seawater fire extinguishing system that had been installed as an additional safety pr...

Explosion on Norwegian battery hybrid ferry may have been caused by the fire extinguishing system

2019

Firefighting and cancer

"The evidence on firefighters´cancer is clear. What are senior management & WHS waiting for?"

"Every Fire Service in the world should be practicing basic fireground decontamina...

"The evidence on firefighters´cancer is clear. What are senior management & WHS waiting for?"

Screen shot of the Guardian´s YouTube video form the petrochemical fire in Texas.

60,000 forced to evacuate during huge petrochemical fire in Texas

60,000 forced to evacuate during huge petrochemical fire in Texas

Wikipedia diagram of a typical hybrid vehicle.

New innovative technology promises a safer and more effective type of batteries

Zinc and manganese is the same basic raw materials as for alkaline non-rechargable batt...

New innovative technology promises a safer and more effective type of batteries

Vehicle propulsion types in the CTIF ISO standard.

A new world wide ISO standard for vehicle rescue & marking

The CTIF International Association of Fire and Rescue Service has created an internatio...

A new world wide ISO standard for vehicle rescue & marking

Cyclife Sweden by air

22 metric tonnes of titanium on fire near radioactive waste treatment plant

Swedish fire services had to bury the titanium in huge amounts of sand and powder to su...

22 metric tonnes of titanium on fire near radioactive waste treatment plant

Opening of the seminar

The CTIF Seminar in Ostrava Day 1 - See videos from the lecturers!

See videos here of some of the events of Day 1 of the seminar! More complete videos wit...

The CTIF Seminar in Ostrava Day 1 - See videos from the lecturers!

Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection Date between 1939 and 1945. Photo: Wikipedia Commons License

Two were killed by World War II bomb

Two were killed by World War II bomb

The CTIF Executive Committee as of July 2019.

Meet the new CTIF Executive Committee from Delegates´Assembly in Martigny

Roman Sykora (Austria) has been elected as new General Secretary of the CTIF Executive ...

Meet the new CTIF Executive Committee from Delegates´Assembly in Martigny

Map over Canada

46 injured from a carbon monoxide leak at a motel

46 injured from a carbon monoxide leak at a motel

The exploded hydrogen refulling station in Sandvika, Norway.

Hydrogen refuelling plant explodes in Norway

The explosion was very powerful and triggered airbags in nearby cars. A safety zone of ...

Hydrogen refuelling plant explodes in Norway

Bio gas bus fire in Malmö, Sweden, on May 28, 2019

How safe are bio gas vehicles for firefighters? - New incident involving CNG bus

If a firefighter had been near the bus when the fire plume shot out, serious injuries o...

How safe are bio gas vehicles for firefighters? - New incident involving CNG bus

HazMat rail tanker car. Photo: Flickr

Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic...

Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic and flammable gases

A Texaco Crude Oil Tank Blazes Against the Night after Being Struck by Lightning 09/1972 U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-1411 Photographer: Olive, Jim

Court rules local government has no right to restrict hazardous crude oil being pipelined through th...

Court rules local government has no right to restrict hazardous crude oil being pipelined through the province

The ship was being repaired when the CO2 leak occurred that killed 10 people in China on Saturday.

Ten people killed by a fire extinguishing system

Ten people killed by a fire extinguishing system

The CNG bus fire in Stockholm, March 2019. Photo by an eye witness to the accident.

The cause of the Stockholm CNG bus explosion has now been determined

A 2-way communication radio with poor audibility, delays and the driver not noticing po...

The cause of the Stockholm CNG bus explosion has now been determined

Ostrava Old Town Square by night.

The CTIF Seminar Fire, Rescue & New Challenges 2019 - Ostrava, Czechia October 25-26

The CTIF Seminar 2019 will focus on four sub headlines: Communications, New Procedures,...

The CTIF Seminar Fire, Rescue & New Challenges 2019 - Ostrava, Czechia October 25-26

Screen shot of the propane bus explosion in central Stockholm. Photo by Expressen.se

CNG propelled buss exploded in central Stockholm - reason unknown

The bus carried bio gas bottles on the roof that may have hit the tunnel opening which ...

CNG propelled buss exploded in central Stockholm - reason unknown

A firefighter shaving his head in support of colleagues fighting cancer.

Smoke and soot from synthetics the greatest killer of firefighters

Modern homes and businesses are full of synthetics, plastics and chemicals that can exp...

Smoke and soot from synthetics the greatest killer of firefighters

Windsor Fire and Rescue chief training officer Paul Acton says studies are finding oil-based products lead to rapid fire spread and rapid combustion.

200 times more smoke and 8 times faster burning rate than 50 years ago

The rapid burning rates of modern homes vs legacy homes are starting to become known in...

200 times more smoke and 8 times faster burning rate than 50 years ago

Rescue personelle working to save victims during the Mexico pipe line explosion. Photo: Screenshot from the Guardian´s video.

Pipeline explosion killed at least 89 people in Mexico

The accident occurred when people were trying to steal the oil that was pouring out fro...

Pipeline explosion killed at least 89 people in Mexico

2018

Roman Sykora

A lecture on Hazardous Materials with CTIF HazMat Chair Roman Sykora

A lecture with practical HazMat knowledge and lessons learned from the CTIF Seminar in ...

A lecture on Hazardous Materials with CTIF HazMat Chair Roman Sykora

The explosion in Sapporo. Photo: Twitter

Several buildings in Japan have collapsed - gas explosion suspected

Several buildings have allegedly collapsed and more than 40 people have been injured fo...

Several buildings in Japan have collapsed - gas explosion suspected

Tommy Baekgaard Kjaer

Tommy Baekgaard Kjaer - A lecture on Cancer and other Occupational Diseases affecting Firefighters

1 HR VIDEO LECTURE: Most of the toxic exposure occurs when you take off your BA mask - ...

Tommy Baekgaard Kjaer - A lecture on Cancer and other Occupational Diseases affecting Firefighters

Numero Unica Emergenza

European Parliament makes Reverse 112 public warning systems mandatory on mobile phones for all memb...

Citizens in a high risk area will be able to receive an SMS or alert on their mobile ph...

European Parliament makes Reverse 112 public warning systems mandatory on mobile phones for all member states

The burned out frame of the bus after the explosion and fire

Over 40 dead in fire and gas explosion on bus

The explosion is suspected to have been caused by a propane canister that one of the pa...

Over 40 dead in fire and gas explosion on bus

Screen shot from the NBC Boston news video.

Research: "Chemicals used in firefighter turnout gear identlified as potential cancer agents"

They tested the gear for PFAS, chemicals that s have shown to increase the risk of a ra...

Research: "Chemicals used in firefighter turnout gear identlified as potential cancer agents"

Dr Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová

Speakers´List for the CTIF Seminar "Fire, Rescue & New Challenges"

New Technologies, drones, Alternative Energy Vehicles, the new ISO Standard and the lat...

Speakers´List for the CTIF Seminar "Fire, Rescue & New Challenges"

Map over China

Five dead in CO leak at Chinese factory

Five people have died and 15 have been injured in a carbon monoxide leak at a factory i...

Five dead in CO leak at Chinese factory

Exploded oil tanker in Congo

At least 50 dead in oil explosion in Congo

At least 50 people have died in a fire and explosion in connection with a traffic accid...

At least 50 dead in oil explosion in Congo

The detonation area is inspected right after the bomb was deployed by the Swedish Air Force during the forest fire in Dalarna in July 2018. Photo by Mats Nystrlm, Swedish Armed Forces.

Positive evaluation of the use of military grade bomb to blow out forest fire

The bomb that fell over the area were of the type GBU-49, a gps - and-laser controlled ...

Positive evaluation of the use of military grade bomb to blow out forest fire

Program

Program and Registration Link for the CTIF Seminar "Fire, Rescue & New Challenges" in Brussels

Program and Registration Link for the CTIF Seminar "Fire, Rescue & New Challenges" in Brussels

Boston Gas Fires

Chaos for the fire brigade: Multiple gas explosions north of Boston

Fires, explosions and heavy gas fires have been reported from at least 70 properties in...

Chaos for the fire brigade: Multiple gas explosions north of Boston

Propane bottles in the burned out cars. Photo: SVT

Propane bottles found in burning vehicle - car fire could have ended in disaster for firefighters

"The worst case scenario is if these bottles had exploded when we arrived with a ...

Propane bottles found in burning vehicle - car fire could have ended in disaster for firefighters

The accident occurred on the road between the cities of Laifa and Makurdi, about 20 miles southeast of the capital Abuja. Photo: TT / @FAUXHEMIAN_ (Twitter)

35 dead in Nigeria tank truck explosion

The explosion on Monday allegedly occurred when the tanker was transfering gasoline to ...

35 dead in Nigeria tank truck explosion

The tanker ship where the two men died in an accident with hydrogen sulphide.

Two dead in chemical accident in Norway

The two men had inhaled the toxic gas hydrogen sulphide. The accident occurred on a Mal...

Two dead in chemical accident in Norway

Nasa´s Ikhana drone

Command UAV design and its application in HazMat and Fire Scene Command & Control

The use of drones in military fields dates back to 1917 and US army. That year, Charles...

Command UAV design and its application in HazMat and Fire Scene Command & Control

Bleve in Italy

Gigantiv BLEVE on Italian highway: 1 dead and 60 injured

During Monday, two trucks collided on a Bologna highway in northern Italy. One of the t...

Gigantiv BLEVE on Italian highway: 1 dead and 60 injured

The Port of Falkenberg

Cistern with hundreds of tons of heated sugar solution at risk of exploding

When the ph level falls and the sugar solution becomes more acidic, the risk of fire an...

Cistern with hundreds of tons of heated sugar solution at risk of exploding

Photo: image of fire at arrival emergency services Photo 2x ©RV (Luc Alain de Haes)

Lessons Learned from an accident involving an LNG truck

Traffic accidents involving LGN vehicles require different intervention procedures than...

Lessons Learned from an accident involving an LNG truck

The rural explosion site.

Firefighters and police died during fireworks explosion rescue operation

At least 24 people have died in a series of explosions at a fireworks factory in Mexico...

Firefighters and police died during fireworks explosion rescue operation

Wuppertal Explosion

Block of flats exploded in Germany - 25 people injured

The noise from the explosion was allegedly so loud that people in nearby homes fled int...

Block of flats exploded in Germany - 25 people injured

Nixon Ridge pipeline explosion. Photo: Marshall County Homeland Security & Emergency Management / Facebook

Natural gas pipeline exploded in West Virginia

"It sounded like a freight train coming through, or a tornado, and the sky lit up ...

Natural gas pipeline exploded in West Virginia

A smoke pillar rises from the violent fire that broke out after the silo explosion in Strasbourg. Photo: Twitter

At least four people injured in Strasbourg silo explosion

About 70 firefighters are fighting the violent fire that broke out after the explosion....

At least four people injured in Strasbourg silo explosion

Pyrotechnics explosion plume

Two dead, 30 injured and dozens of homes destroyed in pyrotechnics explosion in a private home in Sp...

The great shock wave has caused major damage to houses in the area, with 12 houses almo...

Two dead, 30 injured and dozens of homes destroyed in pyrotechnics explosion in a private home in Spain

The explosion occurred at ten o'clock, local time. Picture shows the Coalmont, Colorado Oil Refinery. Photo: Wikipedia

Several injured in refinery explosion in Wisconsin

Several injured in refinery explosion in Wisconsin

Baby and firefighter

Healthy - "and cancer free" - firefighters - Part 1: A book about improving the working environment

Healthy - "and cancer free" - firefighters - Part 1: A book about improving the working environment

Fish passes above a bomb where the shell is eroded at the wreck outside Måseskär. Stock Photography. Photo: Maritime Administration / TT

Fishing trawlers spreading remnants of WWII chemical weapons in Swedish and German waters

Fishing trawlers spreading remnants of WWII chemical weapons in Swedish and German waters

Unipetrol

At least six dead in large explosion at a chemical factory in the Czech Republic

HAZMAT: Six people have been killed today and four are injured in an explosion at a che...

At least six dead in large explosion at a chemical factory in the Czech Republic

Three New York City firefighters in front of a burning building following the September 11th terrorist attack. Photo by: Wikipedia

Researchers find firefighters face up to triple risk of cancer

FIREFIGHTER´S HEALTH: The risk of firefighters developing cancer may much be higher tha...

Researchers find firefighters face up to triple risk of cancer

A firefighter during the aftermaths of the WTC attack. Photo: Pixabay.com

The firefighters at Ground Zero: Stories of extraordinary bravery, loss and guilt

9/11 DOCUMENTARY: Three hundred and forty-three New York firemen died in the terrorist ...

The firefighters at Ground Zero: Stories of extraordinary bravery, loss and guilt

Photo: Pixabay.

Many injured and two firemen down in Mumbai explosion and fire

INDIA: A boiler explosion at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Mumbai killed three pe...

Many injured and two firemen down in Mumbai explosion and fire

Photo by: The Port of Vancouver

Fire brigade condemns controversial Kinder-Morgan crude oil pipeline project in central Vancouver, B...

CANADA: A new "Standing Rock" type of conflict is developing in Vancouver, BC...

Fire brigade condemns controversial Kinder-Morgan crude oil pipeline project in central Vancouver, BC

IAEA revision

Three CTIF experts participating in revision of Radiological Response Manual update

Three CTIF experts participating in revision of Radiological Response Manual update

Screen shot of video

Are you exposing yourself to cancer risks when taking off your gear?

Wrists, neck and groin are especially high risk areas where you may need to pay extra a...

Are you exposing yourself to cancer risks when taking off your gear?

911

The Lessons from Oklahoma City, NYC and Madrid still live on

Up until the 1990’s terrorism was however tragic usually seen as rather small and low i...

The Lessons from Oklahoma City, NYC and Madrid still live on

Submission Guidelines for Questions to Delegates Assembly 2018

The Delegates’ Assembly is CTIF‘s highest decision making body. Here are guidelines for...

Submission Guidelines for Questions to Delegates Assembly 2018

Camera drone

Thermal camera drone saved car crash victim from freezing to death

Thermal camera drone saved car crash victim from freezing to death

Transportation of Dangerous Goods

CTIF has re-entered the Expert Committee for Transportation of Dangerous Goods

CTIF has re-entered the Expert Committee for Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Ottawa University researcher Jennifer Keir and Captain Dave Matschke.

Groundbreaking research 2018 shows firefighters absorb harmful chemicals through skin - despite full...

FEATURED ARTICLE: A growing body of evidence has shown firefighters have an increased r...

Groundbreaking research 2018 shows firefighters absorb harmful chemicals through skin - despite full protection

Three Belgian firefighters in turnout gear practice putting out a fire on a burning vehicle.

CTIF Extrication Commission charting new and unknown territories on alternative vehicles

CTIF Extrication Commission charting new and unknown territories on alternative vehicles

Graniteville Chlrone Distaster, Aerial view

The Graniteville Chlorine Disaster

On January 6th, 2005, 9 people died, over 500 were injured, and more than 5000 were eva...

The Graniteville Chlorine Disaster

A firefighter being interviewed by another firefighter

Learn to tell your stories of Lessons Learned on video

Learn to tell your stories of Lessons Learned on video

Fire Officer in official adminitrative regalia.

See video of CTIF's Tom van Esbroeck speaking at Euro NCAP

See video of CTIF's Tom van Esbroeck speaking at Euro NCAP

Three firefighters being trained by an instructor in nozzle technique.

New Fire Behavior Group to start in 2018

New Fire Behavior Group to start in 2018

Four firefighters walking away in the sunset

CTIF - The Official Video

CTIF - The Official Video

2017

CTIF News Fall 2017 screenshot

CTIF Newsletter for Fall 2017

CTIF Newsletter for Fall 2017

Slovenian flag against a blue sky

CTIF moves office from Stockholm to Ljubljana, Slovenia

CTIF moves office from Stockholm to Ljubljana, Slovenia

News Newsletter 2017 - Spring

Newsletter 2017 - Spring

Newsletter 2017 - Spring

First practical training of the Hazmat commission of CTIF

First practical training session of the CTIF Hazmat Commission

First practical training session of the CTIF Hazmat Commission

2016

Manas International Airport firefighter Stas Suleymanov demonstrates to Airmen the use of the Kyrgyz AA-60 fire engine water canon using water pumped from a 376th Air Expeditionary Wing fire truck. The 376th AEW fire department routinely trains with their MIA and other Kyrgyz counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel) VIRIN: 070225-F-6504N-002. Wikipedia Commons License.

Environmental legislation against foam causes extreme challenges for firefighters at airports - and ...

Foam lingers longer than water in the environment and not all of the foam spillage can ...

Environmental legislation against foam causes extreme challenges for firefighters at airports - and could put passengers at risk

2014

CSB Recommends Safety Improvements to U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook Widely Used by Firefighters

CSB Recommends Safety Improvements to U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook...

CSB Recommends Safety Improvements to U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook Widely Used by Firefighters

Gas car explodes: Driver dead, ten firefighters injured

Gas car explodes: Driver dead, ten firefighters injured

Gas car explodes: Driver dead, ten firefighters injured

2013

Chemical Advisory: Safe Storage, Handling, and Management of Ammonium Nitrate

Chemical Advisory: Safe Storage, Handling, and Management of Ammonium Nitrate