Latest news with #fireprotection
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
EHC Investment acquires Tamouh Fire and Safety
ABU DHABI - EHC Investment, through its Safety vertical arm Emirates International Firefighting (EIFF), today announced the successful acquisition of 100 percent of Tamouh Fire and Safety (Tamouh), a premier provider of fire protection solutions in Abu Dhabi. This acquisition positions EHC to deepen its commitment to enhancing national safety infrastructure, expand its presence in a critical industry, and propel innovation in fire and life‑safety services across the region. Tamouh is renowned for its comprehensive fire protection portfolio, ranging from system design and installation to maintenance and emergency response services. Its unwavering compliance with global standards and adoption of cutting‑edge technologies have made it a trusted partner for residential, commercial, and government clients across Abu Dhabi. Ali Al Gebely, Managing Director of EHC, commented, 'Our acquisition of Tamouh demonstrates EHC's unwavering commitment to the UAE's development agenda. We aim to support the nation's rapid growth by elevating industry benchmarks, modernizing safety infrastructure, and delivering dependable fire protection services tailored to community needs.' This acquisition complements the services EHC already delivers to its portfolio of more than 100,000 clients across other essential sectors, particularly in gas distribution. It supports EHC's long‑term goal of offering a one‑stop solution that seamlessly integrates gas services and firefighting systems with the smart residential and industrial solutions developed through its subsidiaries in the technology sector. This deal aligns with EHC's broader strategy to invest in essential service providers that bolster resilience, encourage national economic diversification, and support visionary goals outlined in the UAE long‑term plans. With Tamouh now part of the EHC family, the combined entities will work to expand service offerings across the region while leveraging regional capabilities to position the UAE as a benchmark for safety infrastructure excellence.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
EHC Investment L.L.C strengthens safety leadership with strategic acquisition of Tamouh Fire and Safety
Abu Dhabi, UAE: EHC Investment LLC (' EHC '), through its Safety vertical arm Emirates International Firefighting (' EIFF '), today announced the successful acquisition of 100% of Tamouh Fire and Safety (' Tamouh '), a premier provider of fire protection solutions in Abu Dhabi. This acquisition positions EHC to deepen its commitment to enhancing national safety infrastructure, expand its presence in a critical industry, and propel innovation in fire and life‑safety services across the region. Tamouh is renowned for its comprehensive fire protection portfolio, ranging from system design and installation to maintenance and emergency response services. Its unwavering compliance with global standards and adoption of cutting‑edge technologies have made it a trusted partner for residential, commercial, and government clients across Abu Dhabi. Ali Al Gebely, Managing Director of EHC, commented, 'Our acquisition of Tamouh demonstrates EHC's unwavering commitment to the UAE's development agenda. We aim to support the nation's rapid growth by elevating industry benchmarks, modernizing safety infrastructure, and delivering dependable fire protection services tailored to community needs.' This acquisition complements the services EHC already delivers to its portfolio of more than 100,000 clients across other essential sectors, particularly in gas distribution. It supports EHC's long‑term goal of offering a one‑stop solution that seamlessly integrates gas services and firefighting systems with the smart residential and industrial solutions developed through its subsidiaries in the technology sector. This level of integration ensures full alignment with the UAE's national vision for smart and sustainable infrastructure, while enhancing service delivery and contributing to the overall satisfaction and happiness of EHC's clients. Through this acquisition, EIFF seeks to reinforce the national fire safety ecosystem, driving competitiveness, improving response capabilities, and enhancing workforce skills. EIFF will invest in training programs for technicians, introduce digital solution, and fast‑track smart‑systems integration, ensuring Tamouh remains at the forefront of technological and governance advancement in the field. 'This move reinforces our vision to become one of the leading players in the fire and safety sector,' said Moustafa Rasad, Chief Executive Officer at EHC. 'Backed by a 35+ year legacy of operational excellence and industrial leadership, and under the strategic direction of our shareholders in 2PointZero; IHC subsidiary, we are confident in our ability to grow this platform and deliver integrated, future-ready solutions that raise safety standards across the region.' This deal aligns with EHC's broader strategy to invest in essential service providers that bolster resilience, encourage national economic diversification, and support visionary goals outlined in UAE long‑term plans. With Tamouh now part of the EHC family, the combined entities will work to expand service offerings across the region while leveraging regional capabilities to position the UAE as a benchmark for safety infrastructure excellence. About Tamouh Fire and Safety Tamouh brings over 15+ years of experience in fire protection, with a track record that includes maintaining 3,000 properties, installing 150,000 fire alarm devices, servicing over 1 million fire extinguishers, and responding to more than 20,000 emergency calls. The company has also supported the issuance of over 10,000 Istifa certificates, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner for residential, commercial, and government clients across the UAE. About EHC Investment L.L.C EHC, a subsidiary of 2PointZero (an IHC subsidiary), is a diversified investment firm based in Abu Dhabi with a portfolio spanning energy, safety, infrastructure and technology. Through over 12 subsidiaries, including leading names like Al Fanar Gas Group, Emirates International Gas, KAD Engineering and Construction, FOOJ Fire Fighting Services, International System Integration Company , NexGen Energy, and Sonic Tech Instrumentation and Calibration, EHC drives long-term value, supports sustainable growth, and advances the UAE's vision for innovation and global competitiveness.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
One of Colorado's biggest fire departments forecasts $500 million shortfall over next decade: "It's a big amount"
South Metro Fire Rescue, which serves nearly 600,000 residents in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties, is forecasting a $20 to $30 million shortfall in 2026, followed by yearly budget shortfalls of $50 million a year for the next decade. The fire protection district says state property tax relief measures are forcing them to consider seeking tax increases or reductions in service. "It's a big amount," said Jim Albee, chairman of the board that oversees the nearly 800 member fire department. "Every dollar counts," said Albee who added, "we are going to evaluate every dollar." Albee and the department say their shortfalls are brought about by years of rising costs, inflation, increasing calls for service and new state legislation that reduces property taxes and caps property tax rates. The department derives 80% of its revenue from property taxes, according to Albee. But with 80% of the department's budget going to employee salaries and benefits, the department will likely reflect on its most recent contract, providing firefighters with a 10% salary increase this year, followed by increases the next two years that will bring the three-year salary increases to between 17.5% and 19%. By comparison, the Denver Fire Department agreed in May to a tentative two year contract with the city calling for a 5% increase next year and another 5% increase the following year. Albee said the larger salary increases are to make up for the previous contract, which granted 8% salary increases over three years. To address the looming budget shortfalls, SMFR is considering three scenarios: - Asking district residents to vote to increase their property taxes, something Albee says has not happened in 20 years - Seeking a .5% sales tax within the district which would generate an estimated $50 million for South Metro each year - Cutting services, which might lead to higher response times "We will look at everything," said Albee. He said preliminary surveys conducted by the department have so far indicated district residents are most in favor of the new sales tax, rather than voting to increase their property taxes or see fire service diminished with increased response times. The department has been widely known in the fire service as being "best in class," offering equal or higher salaries than other similar sized departments, and health and wellness benefits that are top tier. SMFR has on staff three strength and conditioning coaches, with the lead strength and conditioning coach earning $111,000 annually. Also on staff are: A chief of human performance who earns $239,000 An athletic trainer who makes $104,000 An e-learning specialist who also makes $104,000 There's also a cognitive performance coach, a health and wellness officer, a physical therapist and a wellness doctor who is paid $250,000 per year. Albee said he considers it "a duty of this department to make sure the people are taken care of as well as possible and we're taking care of first responders as well as they're taking care of us. It's what the market informs us is what's needed and necessary to attract and retain the talent we need to serve our community," said Albee. The South Metro board chairman said overall, these positions essentially are "cost neutral" as they pay for themselves by helping prevent injuries that would equate to lost time, or by helping rehabilitate injured firefighters and get them back to work faster than would otherwise be possible. But cutting benefits is on the table, said Albee, who said all expenses are being evaluated. He said by early August the department will begin making decisions about what direction -- or directions -- it needs to go to address its budget problems.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Insurer contracts private crews to protect homes from northern Sask. wildfires
WATCH: A Saskatchewan-based insurance company is hiring tactical fire teams to help protect properties in the path of the province's wildfires.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will personal firefighting devices help or hurt in future wildfires?
Patrick Golling yanked the pull cord, and the Honda engine roared to life. Seconds after it began sucking water out of his father's pool, a powerful stream erupted from an agricultural irrigation nozzle fixed atop a bright red pole a few feet away, connected with a fire hose. In a minute flat, the system meticulously jerked across the landscape, drenching the ravine in 50 gallons of water. The demonstration on a hot July afternoon left the blackened sticks below the property — once trees before the Palisades fire ripped through — dripping with chlorinated water. The contraption is the brainchild of Golling and Arizona engineer Tony Robinson. After a TV interview where Golling discussed a cobbled-together version of the tech that he says saved his father's home from the Palisades fire, Robinson cold-called him, and Realize Safety was born. Now, the two talk of ambitious visions where entire neighborhoods living amid California's rugged brush-covered landscapes band together to create a community defense network of automated firefighters. Their system is the latest entrant in a growing group of often-expensive, high-tech sprinkler systems designed to protect homes in high fire hazard areas. But while a blue-ribbon commission after the January fires recommended L.A. adopt exterior sprinkler technology, some fire officials warn there's limited evidence that these elaborate and flashy systems work. Instead, they say the systems distract from less-glamorous but proven measures to protect homes, such as brush clearance and multipaned windows, while encouraging residents to risk their lives by staying back during an evacuation to protect their homes. 'Good solutions don't pop up overnight,' said David Barrett, executive director of the Los Angeles Regional Fire Safe Council. 'There is no silver bullet.' Especially for a vicious blaze such as the Palisades fire. Given the extreme weather conditions — winds over 80 mph, incredibly dry vegetation — there was very little firefighters, let alone home defense systems, could do, Barrett said. 'It doesn't matter what you've got in your pool,' he said. 'Nothing is going to stop an urban wildfire from progressing if it's wind-driven — sorry. That's the end.' Asked whether the system saved his father's home, Golling did not mince words: 'Absolutely.' After Golling got word of a fire developing in the Palisades on Jan. 7, he immediately thought of the gas pump and irrigation sprinkler system his father had bought just months before to protect his home in the Palisades Highlands. Golling rushed to his father's house and spent the next two days deploying the system throughout the neighborhood, putting out spot fires that threatened the development. Golling said firefighters encouraged him to keep up the work as they struggled to contain monster blazes one neighborhood over. As the smoke settled, most of Golling's neighborhood remained standing. But little data exist on the effectiveness of home defense sprinklers. Wildfire researchers often use large datasets of destroyed and standing homes after devastating fires to compare the success of the various home hardening strategies they used. But scientists have yet to identify and analyze fires where sprinkler systems were widely used. Some anecdotal evidence has suggested that these systems provide some protection. An analysis of the 2007 Ham Lake fire in Minnesota found that of 47 homes identified with functioning sprinkler systems, all but one survived. Meanwhile, only about 40% of the 48 homes without the systems remained standing after the fire. Typical home defense sprinkler systems work by drawing water from utility systems, and using it to wet the exterior of a house and create — at least theoretically — another barrier from fire. Realize Safety's goal is to prevent the fire from even reaching the house by dousing nearby vegetation in water and creating a mist to dampen any embers that could ignite the home. To do it, they're tapping into an underutilized source of water: pools. Barrett said that, without a doubt, firefighters could put pool water to better use than these systems. Firefighters, he said, already have all the equipment they need to utilize pool water, and all residents have to do is install a clear sign out front letting firefighters know they have a pool. But as Golling looked at the view of the Palisades from his father's backyard in early July, he counted eight destroyed homes with still-full pools. 'We think — that had they had a system in place like the one we're talking about — they could have saved their homes,' Golling said. Utility water sources are not designed to handle large-scale urban fires. During the Palisades fire, the chief engineer for the city's water utility told The Times that the system saw four times the normal water demand for 15 hours straight. It's in part why, when an independent 20-member Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery recently issued dozens of recommendations for rebuilding and recovery, it called for prioritizing additional water storage capacity in neighborhoods and encouraging the development of standards for and the installation of systems that draw on water stored in pools or cisterns, with external sprinklers to douse homes. Using a 20,000-gallon pool, Realize Safety's system can run for over six hours straight. And unlike many traditional water defense sprinklers, it is not dependent on the house having electricity and access to utility water systems. Reliability is paramount for Robinson, who has spent much of his engineering career working on airplanes and satellites — where failure is synonymous with catastrophe. The same is true for wildfire defense. In the Ham Lake fire, the researchers also counted nine residences where home defense sprinklers failed. Eight of them burned. In the quest for reliability, Golling and Robinson have made significant improvements on the unwieldy system Golling used in January (where, after some time, the generator cart rattled itself straight into the pool it was drawing water from). With a sturdy generator cart and sprinklers that are firmly anchored into the ground, the two are confident that residents can trust it long after they've evacuated. But Barrett credits success stories such as Golling's not to specific technology, but instead to the dangerous practice of ignoring an evacuation order to protect a house. He worries systems such as Realize Safety's — that essentially give residents all the tools they need to try their hand at firefighting instead of evacuating — could encourage more people to stay behind, as Golling did. 'The problem with that is people then stay behind putting their lives and the lives of firefighters at risk, when they're not trained in firefighting,' he said. A comprehensive 2019 study from fire researcher Alexandra Syphard found that, in previous Southern California wildfires, a civilian staying behind to protect a house reduced the chance of a home burning by 32% — more than every other factor studied, including defensible space, concrete roofs and even the presence of the fire department at the property. (The study did not evaluate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems, which were not widely used in the fires analyzed.) However, fire officials across the state — in no unclear terms — strongly discourage this practice. It endangers human life, and when a manageable fire fight suddenly becomes unmanageable for a homeowner, rescue efforts can redirect essential resources that are desperately needed elsewhere. Some fire safety advocates also worry flashy and unproven tech could distract from well-tested home-hardening methods, such as clearing flammable debris from the yard and roof. Barrett recalled visiting a house about a year ago to inspect the resident's home-hardening efforts and provide feedback. 'The person had spent $50,000 on a sprinkler system, but he had overgrown branches hanging onto his roof and the rain gutters were all full of needles,' he said. Barrett's blunt personal assessment: 'This house is going to burn down." "Chopping those branches and clearing the needles out would have cost $1,000 or less,' he said. Golling and Robinson say they're focused on providing the cheapest, most reliable tech they can. They see their home defenders as another, relatively affordable, tool in the arsenal to increase the odds their customers' homes survive a fire. A fully operational, autonomous system starts at $3,450, which Golling said is cheaper than what he spends on defensible-space lawn maintenance in some years. "We did the brush clearance. We have the water pump. We're going to do the ember-resistant vents and home hardening," Golling said. "You've got to really do it all." Times staff writer Ian James contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
