Brian Hesler
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Brian Hesler is a Consultant and Specialist Advisor at Draeger Safety UK and former Chief Fire Officer for the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service.

Making training environments operational

The modern-day Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) is an evolving entity, adapting to the multitude of events that surround it, whether tackling fire, extreme weather incidents or medical emergencies, where their support is increasingly required to work alongside all blue…

Making training environments operational

The modern-day Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) is an evolving entity, adapting to the multitude of events that surround it, whether tackling fire, extreme weather incidents or medical emergencies, where their support is increasingly required to work alongside all blue…

Fighting the invisible risk

Whilst a fire can be seen or felt, the by-products of its burn create a mixture of ‘invisible’ hazardous gases, vapours and particulates, many of which carry carcinogenic properties. These present a current and ongoing serious risk to our firefighting…

Monitoring danger from all angles

The modern-day Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), much like the world around it, has evolved following generations of technological development and improvement.  Technology must enhance and not impede operations, with fire-safety equipment designed with the wearer in mind. Communication channels…

Tackling climate change: a contemporary issue for modern firefighters

On 28 June 2023, Scotland had the UK’s largest-ever wildfire covering 30 square miles of highland scrub and woodland just south of Inverness. On an international scale, meanwhile, wildfires seem to occupy the news daily as global temperatures continue to…

Placing the firefighter at the forefront of safety in fire and rescue operations

For over 100 years, Dräger has been driven by the desire to help protect and save people’s lives. From the release of the first self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in the 1940s, to the latest innovations housed within the Dräger PSS…

Improving operational situational awareness with technological developments

Improving operational situational awareness, namely knowing where people are, and what is going on around you when entering a potentially hazardous environment is a task of utmost importance for any firefighter, tactical officer, commander or member of mobilising control staff. …

Counting on accountability 

Accountability is considered in a broad range of contexts relating to firefighter safety. In this article we are discussing technology systems that provide an understanding of key elements of the incident environment firefighters are attending, and their personal wellbeing. The…

Cleaning up PPE

Since the pandemic, it has been well documented that firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be thoroughly and consistently cleaned after use to protect firefighter health. They need to be cleaned of bacteria and viruses such as Covid-19 but…

Manufacturing for diversity

A lack of diversity within the fire services has been a topic of growing importance for many years now, and our industry is working hard to investigate the specific causes at play, and what potential solutions will attract more women,…