December 6th Black BOX for the EU Parliamentarians
We were very disappointed because we had no luck at all with our chosen day. That day the EU parliamentarians went to the meeting with The president of France and the Federal Chancellor Frau Merkel during their visit at the EU Parliament. The international press saw more interest in the taking the...
We were very disappointed because we had no luck at all with our chosen day.
That day the EU parliamentarians went to the meeting with The president of France and the Federal Chancellor Frau Merkel during their visit at the EU Parliament.
The international press saw more interest in the taking the oath of the new Belgian first minister that day. So we had bad luck with the chosen day, but with all the present members and invited speakers we had a good meeting about the next steps to take.
We participated on the 12th EFA Roundtable in Revingeby (Sweden)Program:Presentations of fire safety and preventionRestructuring the Belgian Fire Services towards a result-oriented apparochReducing false alarmsSimulation of critical evacuation conditionsThermoptek, the enext generation of 10 year sm...
We participated on the 12th EFA Roundtable in Revingeby (Sweden)
Program: Presentations of fire safety and prevention Restructuring the Belgian Fire Services towards a result-oriented apparoch Reducing false alarms Simulation of critical evacuation conditions Thermoptek, the enext generation of 10 year smoke alarms Discussion on the "Transformation of fire services in light on the financial crisis"
WOrking Groups:
Domestic Fire Safety Communication to consumers & vulnerables Joint EFA - FEU Task Force on statistics
15th December 2010 San Antonio Statement on Brominated and Chlorinated Flame Retardants
EBCA STATEMENT - EBCA, The European Burns Casualty Association notes with concern a statement on certain types of flame retardants signed at a recent international environmental conference in San Diego, California: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1003089 Base...
EBCA STATEMENT -
EBCA, The European Burns Casualty Association notes with concern a statement on certain types of flame retardants signed at a recent international environmental conference in San Diego, California:
Based on our available data, we know that most victims in fires are in domestic fires. Domestic fire safety is not only a very low regulated field of burn prevention, it is also a very difficult one to handle. Looking at tackling this topic from a fire safety perspective, flame retardants are essential to ensure that everyday consumer products such as TV sets, sofas and other furniture meet high fire safety standards in order to protect lives. At present the use of flame retardants in the manufacture of these goods remains one of the most reliable means to lower the number of victims in domestic fires. We therefore urge extreme caution to any call to reduce the use of flame retardants without evaluating the consequences in terms of fire prevention and safety.
We fully accept that environmental and health concerns related to chemical flame retardants may need to be evaluated. We would ask that the public authorities carry out such evaluations as they would for any other chemical, and especially that the discussion would not be all or nothing. It is not about a technical detail for one type of flame retardants versus another, but on the difference on environmental and economical grounds between non-flame retardant and flame retardant emissions. In all discussions all seems again to be pinpointed at details instead of on the main topic: fire safety. We notice that sometimes existing regulation that fits its purpose for more than 95% is abolished because of the 5% missing, and not kept for the 95% of applicability. We feel that in this new statement, we risk to loose the 95%, because of this.
We would expect burns casualty organizations such as ourselves to be consulted in any public policy considerations on flame retardants that could affect the levels of fire safety that the citizen has a right to expect. After all, by far the vast majority of burns casualties are to be found in the areas with the lowest level of protection: domestic fires. And for EBCA, it is not about protesting new regulations, it is about making this regulation more balanced, based on the major issues where regulation is needed. Making them work fast and without mistakes will be better if based on reasonable and reality driven facts, based on the cooperation between all parties involved.
EBCA is ready to assist policy makers in this, from a potential victims point of view.
EBCA represents national burn patients federations in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Switzerland and Portugal.
2 - 3 December 2010 11th EFA Roundtable in Warsaw Polen
We participated on the 11th EFA Roundtable in Warsaw Polen.For more information please consult the website of EFA www.europeanfire academy.euProgram:State of play on EFA Statistics project,EFA engagement in Hotel Fire SafetyAre you sitting comfortably?Fire performance of fire extinguishers of aeroso...
We participated on the 11th EFA Roundtable in Warsaw Polen.
Program: State of play on EFA Statistics project, EFA engagement in Hotel Fire Safety Are you sitting comfortably? Fire performance of fire extinguishers of aerosol type
Working Groups: Domestic Fire prevention Communication to consumers & Vulnerables
We are very proud to be able to say that our second EBCA was a success. All members were present even those who joined EBCA less than two weeks ago. After a quick standing lunch the chief of the military hospital Doctor Colonel Neirinckx and the vice president Mr Paul Villain welcomed everybody. E...
We are very proud to be able to say that our second EBCA was a success.
All members were present even those who joined EBCA less than two weeks ago.
After a quick standing lunch the chief of the military hospital Doctor Colonel Neirinckx and the vice president Mr Paul Villain welcomed everybody. Every National Member presented their organisation and after a coffee break we had some presentations from stakeholders like EFA “European Fire Academy”, EFRA “European Flame Retardants Association and BFSN “Belgian Fire Sprinkler Network”. Enclosed you will find all the presentations.
At 5 PM we started the guided tour in the burn centre of the Military Hospital, and finished this meeting with a dinner offered by EBCA for all people present. We will be back soon with some conclusions as well as proposals for the next meeting, regarding presentation of other organizations and the development of dedicated working groups, and we would very much like to have your cooperation in the further development of the EBCA box for the European parliament, on which Dominiek Viaene will mail you in the days to come.
03th June 2010 10th EFA Roundtable in Brussels at the European Parliament
Mr. Dominiek Viaene had the opportunity to ask some questions to Mister Malcolm Harbour Chairman of the IMCO department, regarding their plans on fire safety in Europe.
Mr. Dominiek Viaene had the opportunity to ask some questions to Mister Malcolm Harbour Chairman of the IMCO department, regarding their plans on fire safety in Europe.
We are proud to announce you that RAFT (The Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust www.raft.ac.uk ) is joining the EBCA organization. In total we are counting already nine members and we are representing seven countries! We are looking forwards for other European countries to join EBCA...
We are proud to announce you that RAFT (The Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust www.raft.ac.uk ) is joining the EBCA organization.
In total we are counting already nine members and we are representing seven countries!
We are looking forwards for other European countries to join EBCA.
You can help us if you have perhaps colleagues in other countries who you can convince!
June 3th 2010 10th Roundtable of the European Fire Academy in Brussels
On June 3th and 4th, EFA (www.europeanfireacademy.com/cms/sho ) opened there 10th Roundtable in Brussels. In the European ParliamentBuilding, EFA had the opportunity during a network lunch with Mr Malcolm Harbour (www.torymeps.com/content/malcolmharbour.htm), Chair Internal Market and...
In the European ParliamentBuilding, EFA had the opportunity during a network lunch with Mr Malcolm Harbour (www.torymeps.com/content/malcolmharbour.htm), Chair Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) and other members of the European Parliament (MEP) to exchange ideas.
First of all Mr Malcolm Harbour gave a presentation about IMCO, after this speech every member of EFA and of course also EBCA had the opportunity to ask some questions to Mr Harbour.
The objective of this lunch was to explore the ways in which ”MEPs” can cooperate with EΦA and EBCA to help improve fire safety in Europe, an issue that lies at the very heart of our commitment to protect EU citizens.
