Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Ferno Christmas raffle

Here’s the Ferno Christmas raffle. Each gift has been given to the company to celebrate Christmas by either a supplier or business partner so we would like to thank them for their contribution. Special thanks also to Debbie James who prepares the raffle to ensure it all runs smoothly. Hope all colleagues got what they wanted.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Warm welcome for Joe Bourgraf

We had a festive visit yesterday from Joe Bourgraf, President of Ferno Group (pictured right) to our offices in Cleckheaton after a busy week meeting with customers in the UK.
Joe also took the opportunity to have lunch with staff and have a chat with his colleagues in the UK. It was great to see him in Yorkshire and we look forward to Joe’s next visit in 2014.
On behalf of Joe and all his colleagues in the UK we would like to wish all our customers and partners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We will be taking a well earned rest over the festive season but will be back to work on January 2 - here's to a very prosperous 2014.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Wales Air Ambulance secures babies’ lives with Ferno Babypod

Wales Air Ambulance, the lifesaving charity, has installed our Babypod portable incubators in its three aircraft, helping seriously ill infants receive the critical care they need inflight.
The Babypod can be installed on each helicopter within minutes, saving precious time in a paediatric emergency.
Wales Air Ambulance airlifts around 400 children every year from its bases in Swansea, Caernarfon and Welshpool. The incubators will make a vital difference in treating and flying infants up to nine months old, which accounts for on average three missions each month.
Clinical and operations manager at the charity Jason Williams says: “These ‘flying incubators’ will completely change the way babies receive urgent medical care. Previously, infants would be carried in the arms of a parent or paramedic, but the Babypods provide a safer, warmer and calmer environment for the patient. Our highly skilled crews can also provide more advanced treatment in-flight, such as managing a difficult airway.”
The Ferno Babypod is made of lightweight, non-metallic materials, allowing it to be used in x-ray and MRI machines when babies reach hospital. The Babypods are lined with shock absorbing foam, ensuring minimal vibrations during flight, and has a transparent lid allowing parents and paramedics to constantly monitor infants.
Convulsions are the most common condition in infants that the 150mph helicopters respond to, but the crews attend a wide range of paediatric emergencies and can fly children to specialist centres throughout Wales and beyond.
Jason says: “Children often need very specialist care and we can get them to the treatment they need, whether it’s Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff or Great Ormond Street in London.”
Wales Air Ambulance chief executive Angela Hughes said: “The Babypods will undoubtedly support families up and down the country and this is thanks to the generosity of the people of Wales. Even the smallest of donations has helped towards getting this valuable piece of equipment for babies here in Wales, and we will be on standby should any family need us, 365 days a year.”
Our managing director Jon Ellis says: “Our Babypod together with its CosyTherm system, which maintains babies’ critical core temperatures, have won endorsements from the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Foundation Trust and have proved to be life savers with a number of emergency services.
“The Babypod is fitted onto the aircraft stretcher using a custom built mounting system, enabling the incubator to be secured or removed within minutes. The baby is kept warm and comfortable with minimal vibration from aircraft engines and the pod also has a specially designed mattress that aids the transportation of babies that need to be immobilised for the journey.”

Friday, December 6, 2013

Win a Ferno² Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Win one of this nifty Ferno² Fingertip Pulse Oximeters. We have three of these fantastic oximeters to give away on our Facebook Page to those who Like and Share this post over the Christmas period.
The Ferno² fits on to a patient’s finger and measures blood-oxygen saturation levels and heart (pulse) rate quickly and accurately. The tool is ideal for the hospital and pre-hospital workplace, from the emergency services, search and rescue to A&E.
The Ferno²    is a must-have accessory for the front-line healthcare practitioner. It is reliable, very easy to use and lightweight. It can be worn on a lanyard around the neck so it’s at your fingertips when you need a quick and accurate reading of blood-oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate. I’m sure the team at UK SAS will find the devices useful on an almost daily basis.”
The large OLED display has 10 brightness settings to suit the working environment and can be viewed at any angle with a choice of read-outs and orientations. A built-in auto power off feature saves battery life which, under normal operating conditions, lasts a minimum of 30 hours and the hard plastic casing protects the device from the rigours of daily use.
So Like and Share today and your name will go through to the draw which will take place on December 31.
You can buy the Ferno² Fingertip Pulse Oximeter online for a special discount - find out more here.

Congratulations to Gateway Funeral Services

GFS opening: Left to right - Richard Arnold, Janice Hutton and right Andrew Mason from Newmason Properties
Congratulations to our long-term partner and customer Gateway Funeral Services on the opening of their new branch in Wibsey, Bradford.
Andrew Mason officially opened the branch with family, friends and professionals that have supported Janice Hutton and Richard Arnold since the funeral director branch network was established.
The event was also attended bout our managing director Jon Ellis abd business development manager Chris King. Jon said: “Ferno are happy to be associated with the success of GFS and we wish them all the success with their future expansion plans.”

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Getting into the festive spirit

Here’s the gang at Ferno UK’s headquarters getting into the Festive Spirit with their Christmas sweaters. The internal commercial team held a Christmas jumper day to mark the occasion of opening the Christmas calendar and the big Christmas tree light switch on.
They all look great – from left to right we have Zac, Penny, Amanda, Vicky, Karen and Dean.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Town launches latest fundraising bike ride

Fans and staff from Huddersfield Town – including our very own Jon Ellis - will be back on their bikes this season after the Club launched its fifth annual Pedal for Pounds bike ride in aid of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign “The Chapman Trail” in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The ride will see a number of teams cycling 250 miles from the Emirates Stadium back to Huddersfield to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity and the Huddersfield Town Academy, along with Chairman Dean Hoyle, Commercial Director Sean Jarvis and Club Ambassador Andy Booth.
Herbert Chapman managed Huddersfield Town between 1921 and 1925, winning an FA Cup and two First Division titles in the space of four years. In 1925, Arsenal successfully tempted Chapman to join them, and he brought the previously trophy-less club an FA Cup and two First Division titles. 
The Club’s previous four bike rides, all completed by Jon, have contributed more than £600,000 to the £980,000 raised for the campaign so far since its inception in 2009.
Huddersfield Town’s Sean Jarvis tells us: “I am really looking forward to this bike ride; I can’t quite believe we are on the fifth one! The ‘Tour of Yorkshire’ was great last season, but we wanted to do something a little bit different this time and with ourselves and Arsenal sharing the history that we do, the ‘Chapman Trail’ seemed fitting.
“We are very close to reaching our £1 million target for the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign and the bike ride will no doubt push it over the mark. I would encourage any Town fan who wants to be a part of that to sign up as soon as possible.”
The ride will begin early morning on Wednesday 23 April 2014 with cyclists getting coaches from Canalside down to London. Participants will then set off around midday from the Emirates Stadium, cycling to Cambridge, Leicester and Doncaster in time for the last home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday 26 April 2014.
If you would like to take part in the Pedal for Pounds 5 bike ride, please download a sign up form HERE and return along with the £40 registration fee (non-refundable, covers ride insurance, ride jersey, dinner, water, snacks and coach transport for yourself and your bike to London).
Forms can be posted FAO Robyn Deegan, HTAFC, John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX or handed in at main reception or ticket office windows. Cheques should be made out to ‘Keep It Up’ campaign.
For more information please contact Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan on robyn.deegan@htafc.com.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Inspect Our Gadget: Ferno² at your finger tips

Check out our new nifty Ferno²  Fingertip Pulse Oximeter.
UK SAS (UK Specialist Ambulance Service) has taken delivery of 10 of these new devices which fit on to a patient’s finger and measure blood-oxygen saturation levels and heart (pulse) rate quickly and accurately.
The tool is ideal for the hospital and pre-hospital workplace, from the emergency services, search and rescue to A&E.
Jon Ellis, managing director at Ferno, tells us: “The Ferno²    is a must-have accessory for the front-line healthcare practitioner. It is reliable, very easy to use and lightweight. It can be worn on a lanyard around the neck so it’s at your fingertips when you need a quick and accurate reading of blood-oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate. I’m sure the team at UK SAS will find the devices useful on an almost daily basis.”
The large OLED display has 10 brightness settings to suit the working environment and can be viewed at any angle with a choice of read-outs and orientations. A built-in auto power off feature saves battery life which, under normal operating conditions, lasts a minimum of 30 hours and the hard plastic casing protects the device from the rigours of daily use.
UK SAS offers the widest range of specialist vehicles for urgent and non-urgent transport journeys within the UK private ambulance market. It is one of the largest private ambulance services in operation and carries out more than 250,000 contracted patient journeys each year for the NHS. The services are also used by private hospitals, healthcare facilities, event organisers and private individuals.
Earlier this year we agreed a deal to deliver 150 of its Pegasus trolleys to UK SAS over the next 12 months for its expanding ambulance fleet which includes multi-casualty Jumbulances.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Ferno traverse stretcher for Nottinghamshire Search & Rescue

Nottinghamshire Search & Rescue, which operates as a lowland search and rescue team, has received a traverse titanium stretcher from Ferno.
The team, made up of volunteers, works with the police service in the search and rescue of missing and injured people across the region.
Terry Smith, Vice Chairman of Nottinghamshire Search and Rescue, says: “We have been established for only a few months now and have really had to build everything from scratch. We receive no government funding and our only source of income is through charity work, sponsorship and donations.”
The search and rescue team approached us about donating some rescue equipment to help the charity and the company responded with the donation of the £1,800 stretcher.
Terry  says: “The donation of a titanium stretcher by Ferno is fantastic. We cannot thank them enough. It will make a huge difference to the casualties we treat and help us to provide a more effective life-saving service. If it wasn’t for the generosity of companies like Ferno it would be almost impossible for us to provide a service for the people of Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas.”
Available 24 hours a day 365 days a year the team responds to call outs all over the county and assists teams in neighbouring areas. All of its volunteers are trained to national standards in comprehensive search and rescue techniques and those skills are extended by further training in other relevant subjects like first aid, navigation and communications.
These titanium stretcher are ideally suited to moving or rescuing an injured person from a building site, quarry, mine or mountain. They provide full body protection and can be dragged, carried or lifted across rough or muddy terrain without affecting the patient’s well-being.
Our managing director Jon Ellis says: “We are really pleased to have been able to help the Nottinghamshire Search & Rescue team. The traverse stretcher is an essential piece of equipment in order to carry out search and rescue missions. Our stretchers are ideally suited for demanding search and rescue environments and made from strong, durable materials which offer greater safety and comfort to both patient and rescuer.”

Friday, November 15, 2013

'These stretchers are bomber!'

Congratulations to Ferno group company Traverse Rescue in Canada with their Titan basket stretcher.
Bruce Whitaker, managing director of Traverse Rescue, sent us this article from the well-respected Technical Rescue magazine which did a review of the basket stretcher and a very good one at that.
Here’s how the author summed it up:
In October 2013 I was running a Wilderness SAR course. During these courses we head out into
the mountains for 5 days of self-supported SAR activity. On the third day the students were finishing off the second of two 55m stretcher lower exercises for the day and the stretcher had been put down on the
ground at the base of the cliff.
The patient, also a student, was still tied in to the stretcher and the jockey was disconnecting the ropes from the bridle having called for 1m of slack on main and belay. Standing at the top of the cliff, the horrible sound of rock-fall below caused me to break out in an instant cold sweat as my blood turned to ice. A 500kg rock, probably loosened by the passage of the jockey over it, had parted from the face 1.5m above the stretcher and landed on the right side of the stretcher at hip level, injuring the patient.
Cutting a long story short, the patient walked out of hospital 2 days later with nothing but soft tissue injuries. Initially the only visible damage to the stretcher was that the locking collar fitting was cracked and loosened, which was not surprising given that 500kg+ had just landed on it!
These stretchers are bomber!
Once I took a closer look at it (on level ground) I discovered that the frame had also been deformed and the stretcher was damaged beyond being safe to use. If the same thing had happened with a plastic Stokes basket the outcome would have been significantly worse.
I’m looking forward to many years of rescuing with our stretcher’s successor – also a Traverse Titan.

Praise indeed!

Congratulations to Lewis Clark

At Ferno we are always pleased to celebrate the success of our colleagues and their family so we are delighted to showcase Lewis Clark’s recent graduation from York St John University.
Here’s what his dad, operation director Alan Clark, had to say:
It was a wonderful occasion, especially as it takes place within York Minster which provides the perfect backdrop to any ceremony.
Lewis graduated with a Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Business Management.  For his Mum, me, his Brother and Grand Parents, it was an enormous privilege to have shared his day with him.  We were all hugely proud of what Lewis has achieved and what he continues to achieve in his new role as a PPC Consultant in a large marketing company. 
When his brother graduated two years ago, I was a blubbering wreck with emotion and was determined not to replicate this at Lewis' graduation.  It may come as no surprise that I failed miserably, though I did manage to hold back my emotion right up until the final part of the service when the graduates walk down the centre of the Minster and through the large doors into the grounds.  It is such a proud time for any parent and to see our youngest son achieve what his elder brother has makes us immensely proud.  A very special moment in their lives and ours.
Lewis is determined to use his three years of study well and following a series of placements at 9xb during his second year at university, he kept going back during breaks and holidays and eventually earned the opportunity to join the team on a full time basis which we were extremely pleased about. 
Since then, Lewis has specialised in Paid Search and uses his expertise to maximise online exposure for his clients and deliver those all important conversions.  He has been awarded an AdWords Individual Qualification with specialisation in search advertising. Outside of work, he continues to play Badminton for York and at competitive level across the country. 

50,000th breakfast served!

We’ve just received a nice message from Mandy Taylor, Corporate Fundraising Officer at the Huddersfield Town Foundation.
She tells us: “Just a quick note on behalf of six year old Libby to say a ‘huge and heartfelt thank you to you all’ for your valued support for The Town Foundation Charity.
“We have just announced that we have served up over 50,000 breakfasts and this has only been possible all thanks to the generosity of our charity partners and supporters – via donations, goodwill and daredevil activities too!”
Ferno recently announced we had made a one off donation of £4,000 t o The Town Foundation. We are a long-time supporter of the Huddersfield Town Football Club and already supply it with medical and evacuation equipment and we are also a regular feature at commercial events.
Now the Town Foundation has hit another landmark with the serving of its 50,000th breakfast, through its ‘Early Kick-Off’ project!
Twelve breakfast clubs are now up and running across Huddersfield and the wider area at Christ Church Academy, Old Bank, Hillside, Lowerhouses, Netherhall Campus, Spring Grove, Ash Brow, Ethos College, Chickenley, Dalton, Ravensthorpe Junior School and most recently Westborough High.
Every morning the breakfast clubs can serve up to 1,000 children nutritious meals to ensure they start their day in the correct manner and are fully prepared to learn.
The project is constantly expanding and the charity is set to launch Breakfast Club number 13 in North Kirklees next week.
Mandy tells us: “Initially we perceived that the Early Kick-Off Breakfast Club initiative would merely impact on hunger however we have been amazed by the feedback we have received from all the schools: attendance levels have soared, behaviour and learning have improved, social skills developed and many parents and carers have now also become active volunteers and gained invaluable experiences and a feeling of self-worth”
The latest fundraising event is set to be launched at the Foundation game when Town take on Burnley. Local band Redstar have produced a unique version of Club anthem ‘Smile a While’, which will go on sale on the 30 November and raise funds for the charity.
If you want to get involved with the Town Foundation, please email Mandy on mandy.taylor@htafc.com or call 01484 484197; alternatively click HERE to donate via Just Giving!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Ferno gets starring role in new Ayckbourn play

Ferno has made its debut on the stage in Sir Alan Ayckbourn's 77th play Arrivals & Departures which has been lauded as "his new masterpiece".
Sue Volans from the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Sir Alan’s home for most of his career, recently got in touch with us to ask if we could loan her one of our Pegasus stretchers for a four month tour of the play across the UK.
Sir Alan, one of the UK's greatest living playwrights, wrote Arrivals & Departures as a dark comedy about a Yorkshire traffic warden, played by Kim Wall, and troubled female army officer, played by Elizabeth Boag.
In The Times, Libby Purves wrote that it was "ambitious, inventive, mischievously funny, but emotionally serious with a shocking, ironic and redemptive final twist".
After the opening night, The Observer's critic Clare Brennan tweeted: "How good is @ayckbourn's new play for @thesjt in Scarborough? In loo, post show, 2 teenage girls repairing teartracks in makeup. THAT good."
Sue (who sent us the picture above – there are more on our Facebook page here) told us: “The stretcher has played it's part superbly during this part of the tour. We are so grateful for the use of it.
“Again thank you Ferno for lending us the stretcher. It is only due to the generosity of companies like yourselves that we are able to survive and we are extremely grateful.”

Friday, November 8, 2013

Celebrating community excellence with WMAS



Congratulations to all the winners at the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) NHS Trust Excellence in the Community Awards last night.
Ferno was delighted to sponsor these worthy awards alongside SP Services and Cardiac Science, and was represented by our managing director Jon Ellis, product manager Michael Thornton and Grant Lewis our Ambulance & Hospital West business development manager.
Above are a few pictures from the night and we will add more as they become available during the day from WMAS (you can follow them on Twitter at @OFFICIALWMAS).
WMAS is supported by about 1,000 volunteers who have been trained by the Trust to assist in the delivery of services.  The Trust serves a population of 5.36 million people which is around 10 per cent of the English total. The area covered is a little over 5,000 square miles and is made up of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country conurbation.
The annual Excellence in the Community Awards celebrate the activities of the WMAS volunteers.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

UKSAS kits out Jumbulance with Ferno’s Pegasus trolleys


UKSAS (Specialist Ambulance Service) will take delivery of 150 of our Pegasus trolleys for their specialist multi-casualty Jumbulances over the next 12 months.
UKSAS offers the widest range of specialist vehicles for urgent and non-urgent transport journeys within the UK ambulance market. It is one of the largest private ambulance services in operation and carries out more than 250,000 contracted patient journeys each year for the NHS. Its services are also used by private hospitals, healthcare facilities, event organisers and private individuals.
We have supplied the Pegasus trolleys with accessories including locks, mattresses and restraints for the Jumbulances which will be used by UKSAS at sporting events, festivals  and any other occasions where there may be a need to treat multiple casualties at the same time.
Four trolleys can fit inside one Jumbulance at any time in the specially designed “ward” style individual treatment bays that are fully equipped with defibs and suction.
Mick Byrne, owner and managing director of UK SAS, says: “The Pegasus trolley is the lightest lift-assist trolley available on the market, encompassing an effortless hydraulic lift and lower system and offering a load capacity of 200kg. The trolley is fully CEN compliant and designed for use on ramped or tail lift vehicles.
“It is an ideal product for the demanding needs of patients whilst ensuring the crews are comfortable and safe whilst maneuvering patients”.
Our managing director Jon Ellis says: “The Pegasus combines quality, durability, strength and ease of use. It is one of the most versatile patient transfer trolleys available, making it ideal for use by the UK SAS which offers a wide range of support services including to hospitals, event organisers and the travel industry.”

Wishing John Radford a speedy recovery from all at Ferno

We are delighted to hear that John Radford, Huddersfield cycling legend, has regained consciousness three months after being hit by a car.
According to the Huddersfield Examiner John, of Meltham – chairman of cycling organisation Huddersfield and District Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) – can’t communicate yet but is being shown cycling magazines by his family and is responding.
When Ferno was involved in the Pedal for Pounds cycle ride to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (see previous stories here) John was a great help in training the Pink Team for P4P2 and P4P3 to make sure they were fit for the ride. Everyone at Ferno would like to wish John a speedy recovery.
For weeks John, 70 this month, fought a desperate battle for life.But now he is conscious and showing encouraging signs of progress.
John’s daughter Emma Boyes told the Examiner: “Dad can turn a page for himself but it is a big strain. The other day, though, he licked his finger and turned a page and we were amazed. It was just something that he always used to do and we knew he was still with us.”
John, who is now on a specialist neurological ward at Leeds General Infirmary, is doing so well he is allowed limited visits from friends.
His wife Pat, 65, Emma and her sister Helen Gorman, 31, visit almost every day but short visits from his friends mean a lot. “He is allowed half-an-hour visits from his friends once or twice a week,” said Emma. “Everybody who has seen him seems really surprised at how well he is. It is frustrating for us because his recovery is so slow. It would make our day if he could just give us a smile.”
John’s fighting spirit and his fitness levels give cause for optimism.
John was injured when he was in collision with a Vauxhall Corsa in Huddersfield Road, New Mill, on July 31.
It was apt given all his charity work that John was  airlifted to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Emma said: “This has made us realise the little things that we all take for granted.”
Shortly after the accident John’s family and friends held a special bike ride to show their support. Sponsorship and donations from the ride – along with other fundraising events – has so far raised £2,800 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Please support John and this good cause.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Jack takes the first trip in the BUMBLEance

Last week, two year old Jack Beattie from Lifford was the first child from Donegal to use BUMBLEance, the world’s first interactive children’s ambulance. 
BUMBLEance is transporting sick children from all over Ireland to their treatment centres in an attempt to make like a little easier for the child and their parents.
Ferno and our partner group company Acetech are delighted to have been involved in the development of the BUMBLEance.
BUMBLEance is based in Ireland and was launched at the beginning of September. The ambulance, which looks like a giant bumble bee, has been kitted out with the latest technology yet it has been designed with the needs of children in mind.
The Saoirse Foundation - the charity behind the service - has created a fun environment for sick children to travel to and from hospitals and medical centres for scheduled appointments.
We have donated a Pegasus trolley complete with our latest antimicrobial pressure-reducing mattress and Biosafe harness and restraints. The company has also donated a NMI Track Lock to secure the Pegasus trolley in the BUMBLEance safely, allowing it to be positioned either on the offside or centre of the vehicle for patient treatment.
Little Jack who suffers from Brittle Bones Disease, makes the long and usually uncomfortable journey every three months to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin for treatment.
Last week, however, Jack made a journey with a difference.  Jack’s parents Ruth and Kenneth described the journey as “very comfortable and much less stressful, as Jack spent it singing and playing with the iPad, Playstation and all the other fun and games on board the ambulance.”
BUMBLEance is the brain-child of Tony Heffernan of the Saoirse Foundation. Tony’s reasons for creating BUMBLEance are clear: “Speaking from our personal experience, we saw the stress our late daughter Saoirse experienced when undertaking many ambulance journeys from the family home in rural Ireland to the National Childrens’ Hospital in Dublin.  We decided that there was no point doing nothing about it”.
Every parent will appreciate that making an ambulance journey with a child can be very traumatic. However within BUMBLEance, fun is the medicine of the day, making an ambulance journey less stressful and much more enjoyable. The 132-registered vehicle is used to transport sick children to scheduled appointments between home and the various National Treatment Centres & Hospice /Respite Centres.
The Saoirse Foundation, a not-for-profit venture which receives no state funding for this service, is very hopeful of ongoing support from the business community and members of the public. These donations are integral to the future of the BUMBLEance service in Ireland and its future growth. The Charity is also hoping to collect 30,000 used mobile phones, sufficient to allow the service operate for 52 weeks of the year.
What makes BUMBLEance different is what the child and parents see as they approach and enter through the back doors. Firstly the BUMBLEance looks like a giant Bumble Bee on the outside. Inside, the child’s focus is instantly diverted away from all of the necessary medical equipment and instead the child will experience a comfortable journey with their parents, surrounded and entertained by many of the latest gadgets and gizmos technology has to offer.
The AV equipment is all inter connected onboard via a “Control 4” system, allowing the child to operate the 19inch LED TV, DVD player, iPad, Nubi, and Sony PlayStation console, with a full library of films, apps, ebooks, music and games using a single controller, from the comfort of the latest Ferno stretcher.  The on-board dual channel Wi-Fi allows internet browsing, social media engagement as well as SKYPE calls to be made anywhere in the world.
BUMBLEance is supported by Lifeline Ambulance Service, who operate the vehicle and provide professional clinical services and supports to the charity at cost. All Lifeline staff members are Garda vetted and have received additional training to manage the transportation of children with rare diseases.
The main aim of this service is for the Saoirse Foundation to make positive life impacts for sick children. The service is available to patients that qualify for the service under strict criteria and each client will be booked in advance into the BUMBLEance’s busy schedule.
Tony Heffernan added: “Our vision is to have one BUMBLEance for each province by the end of 2015 plus an additional BUMBLEance for Dublin. We want to be in a position to offer this service to every parent of a sick child that requires ambulance transportation to appointments and would ask everyone to support us and also to send us old mobile phones, to guarantee the growth of our service. We hope that, in the future, BUMBLEance will take off, literally.”


Thursday, October 31, 2013

Congratulations to Ferno legend Elroy Bourgraf



Congratulations to Ferno legend and Chairman Elroy Bourgraf on being inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame.
The hall of fame honours past and present business leaders for their achievements and contributions to the quality of life in the Greater Cincinnati community.
In June of 1955, Ferno’s founder Richard Ferneau left the Washington Mortuary Company and formed the Ferno Manufacturing Company in Staunton, Ohio. He was then joined by Elroy Bourgraf and the company moved to Circleville, Ohio, and then to Greenfield, Ohio. In 1960, Ferno Manufacturing acquired the Washington Mortuary Company and the company name was changed to Ferno-Washington Inc, which is now located in Wilmington, Ohio.
Over the many years, the duo remained concerned with improving patient care and comfort as well as reducing the physical strain endured by EMT’s and Paramedics in lifting and the carrying of patients.
Congratulations Elroy from Ferno (UK) on your success over the many years for your contribution in improving global patient care and protecting EMT’s from back injury!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Celebrating our award winners

Jo Ryan, Human Resource Business Patner, with Donna Housecroft and Jon Ellis
Jo Ryan with Charlie McAteer and Jon Ellis
Jo Ryan with Vicki Bray and Jon Ellis
Production team with Jo Ryan and Jon Ellis
What a great bunch of people we work with at Ferno
We recently asked our colleagues to nominate those teams and team members who they felt went over and above what was expected of them during the last financial year.
We had a wide variety of nominations but one team and four individuals stood out.
These people were all nominated by staff across the business, both inside and outside of their own area of work. We are pleased to congratulate our joint first prize winners:
  • Charlie McAteer (Warehouse Operative)
  • Donna Housecroft (Service Co-ordinator)
and our joint second prize winners:
  • Vicki Bray (Commercial Co-ordinator)
  • Liz Bottomley (Credit Controller) for their fantastic contribution.

Our team of the year went to Production, for their dedication and effectiveness throughout the whole year. The only problem is that now they need to build a trophy cabinet to store their award – apparently it’s going to be the first of many coming their way!

Monday, October 28, 2013

£4,000 donation for The Town Foundation

We are delighted to announce that The Town Foundation has received a one off donation of £4,000 Ferno.
We are a long-time supporter of the Huddersfield Town Football Club and already supply it with medical and evacuation equipment and we are also a regular feature at commercial events.
From afar we have watched the excellent work being undertaken by the Foundation and following a meeting with Trustee and Commercial Director Sean Jarvis, we donated £4,000 to help the charity continue to help improve the quality of life for young people across Kirklees and the West Yorkshire area.
Our MD Jon Ellis, who has in the past supported the Keep it Up campaign by taking part in the Pedal for Pounds bike rides, says: “Ferno is proud to be involved and support The Town Foundation help local schools and children in the Kirklees area. Ferno is a global company that has over 18 operations around the world and they like to get involved in the community as it is always good to be able to offer our support not only financially, but in terms of commitment from our staff being involved in assisting wherever possible to enhance the experience for children within the local area.
“The Town Foundation is making a difference in changing children’s lives and it is good to be associated with such a needed and worthy cause.”
Corporate Fundraising Officer of the Foundation Mandy Taylor, added: “To receive an unconditional donation of such a significant amount truly was a great surprise to the charity. After visiting the company in Cleckheaton and meeting the team it is apparent that they all have the best interests of the children and families in our community at heart. We now look forward to working with them all to deliver some exciting initiatives moving forward”


Aaron lends a helping hand with Prince's Trust


Alan Clark, our Operations Director, sent us this press cutting about his son Aaron Clark.
Aaron, a team leader with the Prince’s Trust is pictured front on the left with his team from the St Swithun’s Centre, Wakefield.
The group have raised £165 to transform the garden at their base at St Swithun’s. They raised the cash through a film competition, sponsored jog and a cup cake sale.
Aaron told the Wakefield Express: “The team chose this as their community project because they saw it was run down and wanted to make a difference to the local area.”
Some of the money raised will also be donated to the British Heart Foundation.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

We start them young at Ferno!

When our Product Manager Michael Thornton received the above picture by email under the subject line “Is this one of your stretchers?” he assumed it had been sent by his wife.
But no! The eagle-eyed Ferno scout was Michael’s six-year-old son Isaac who had spotted our basket stretcher on the field when Everton clashed with Hull at Goodison Park.
Michael tells us: “When I received the email, I thought it was my wife that had sent it, but found out it was in fact Isaac.
“Using my wife’s phone he managed to take the photo on his own when watching recording of the Match of the Day, then managed to put it into an email and write the subject of the email and sent it to me on my work email address, all on his own!
“I laughed so much when I found out he had done it, and not my wife. A true Ferno supporter, maybe we can employ him as a Ferno blog contributor?”
In fact that’s not a bad idea – we would be delighted to accept all contributions to the blog from all Ferno colleagues and their kids! And it doesn’t have to be about emergency medical equipment – it can be about what you did on your holidays, your favourite restaurant or just send us some pictures which we can post on the blog or on our Facebook page.
Our MD Jon Ellis said: “Isaac has clearly taken an interest in his Dad’s work and we would like to congratulate him for his eagle-eyed support. I wonder if he’s going to follow in his Dad’s footsteps – if so he would be very welcome at Ferno.”

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Ferno helps create a buzz for world-first child-friendly BUMBLEance

Ferno and our partner group company Acetech are delighted to have been involved in the development of the world’s first interactive ambulance service designed especially for children.
BUMBLEance is based in Ireland and was launched at the beginning of September. The ambulance, which looks like a giant bumble bee, has been kitted out with the latest technology yet it has been designed with the needs of children in mind.
The Saoirse Foundation - the charity behind the service - has created a fun environment for sick children to travel to and from hospitals and medical centres for scheduled appointments.
We have donated a Pegasus trolley complete with our latest antimicrobial pressure-reducing mattress and Biosafe harness and restraints. The company has also donated a NMI Track Lock to secure the Pegasus trolley in the BUMBLEance safely, allowing it to be positioned either on the offside or centre of the vehicle for patient treatment.
Our managing director Jon Ellis said: “This is a great initiative and one which Ferno is extremely proud to support and be a part of. An ambulance journey can be an unnerving and sometimes frightening experience for anyone but even more so for children. I am sure that BUMBLEance will have a positive impact on all the children they transport, as well as their parents and carers.”
Ferno has also teamed up with Nebulair Technologies to supply one of their Nebulair decontamination systems to BUMBLEance for free. The Nebulair NS500 uses patented dry mist technology to decontaminate an area and is ideal for use in hospitals, nursing homes, ambulances, schools, vets, offices, trains and aeroplanes.
Pierre Labat, director at Nebulair Technologies, explained: “The Nebulair system offers protection against a wide range of harmful pathogens including MRSA, Norovirus, C.difficile, Swine Flu and Salmonella. An ultrasonic nebuliser delivers a water-based high level disinfectant and the ultra light ‘dry mist ' sanitises all exposed surfaces, as well as the air within the target area ensuring that any airborne pathogens are also destroyed and no infection hotspots are missed.
“We are pleased to be working with Ferno to donate one of our systems for use within the BUMBLEance – a fantastic service for children who are poorly as well as for their families which I am in no doubt makes a huge difference to them during difficult times.”
In addition, Ferno’s vehicle intelligence system ACETECH has also been installed in the BUMBLEance. ACETECH is a fully integrated vehicle performance monitoring and control system for ambulances and other emergency response vehicles which provides on-board intelligence to help reduce operating and fuel costs. The system is the first of its kind for UK emergency vehicles and inter-connects four key modules that offer customised monitoring and control of all vehicle electronics - driving, driver restraint systems, GPS-based monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring and control of fleet vehicle assets in the field.
BUMBLEance has a 19 inch LED TV, Playstation games console, iPad Mini and a dual channel Wi-Fi hotspot which enables the ambulance to communicate, allowing live streaming from the internet, Skype calls and more.
BUMBLEance will transport children from across Ireland, both urban and rural locations, to wherever they are to be treated in a vehicle which has been brightly decorated inside and out. Two parents or carers can travel alongside the child and paramedics are fully qualified with specialist pediatric skills.
Tony Heffernan, founder of the Saoirse Foundation, said: “BUMBLEance provides stress-reducing journeys for children in state of the art, safe, fun vehicles. Every parent knows that an ambulance journey with a child can be very traumatic however within BUMBLEance, fun will be the medicine of the day.
“We have been very lucky to receive fantastic support from every sector of Irish society and companies like Ferno, ACETECH and Nebulair. The Saoirse Foundation receives no state funding for this service and is reliant on support from the business community and members of the public. These donations are integral to the future of the BUMBLEance service in Ireland and its growth.”
For more information visit www.BUMBLEance.com or You Tube .

Monday, October 7, 2013

The boys are on the ball at Brighouse Rangers

Here’s a picture of the Brighouse Rangers Under 13's Rugby team after winning the toughest match of their season.  They beat second placed West Bowling by 14-8 which means they will finish top of their league by three points.
As one of the lead sponsors of the team we’re delighted with their success and long may it continue. Ferno is keen to support local initiatives like this and we are involved in many charitable and sporting organisations in and around Cleckheaton and where our staff live. This includes our main charitable interest in Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The boys from Brighouse will now enjoy a celebratory trip to Wales to play Cardiff Spartans and see the opening games of the World Cup at the Millennium Stadium at the end of the month.
Needless to say the team will be proudly wearing their team tracks suits with the Ferno logo on it as which we have donated and they will be showing off on the trip.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Here we are the Funeral Times Trade Show, Dublin

Here’s a picture from Jon Ellis, our managing director, of our stand at the Funeral Times Trade Show 2013 at Citywest Hotel & Conference Centre in Dublin.
Our business development manager Chris King is pictured with all our funeral kit on a stand we are sharing with CPL Funeral Supplies' William McGuckin.
Based in Northern Ireland, CPL Funeral Supplies was established by William who previously managed his own funeral business after achieving a Diploma in Funeral Directing in 1987.
If you are attending the Funeral Times Show be sure to come along and meet the team. We’re here for the next two days.

Monday, September 30, 2013

KIDS gives CosyTherm the thumbs up

We are delighted to see that our CosyTherm system, designed to keep babies warm during transportation, has been given a ringing endorsement by Birmingham Children’s Hospital Foundation Trust.
The hospital’s Kids Intensive Care and Decision Support (KIDS) has included our CosyTherm in their competition entry for a Paediatric Intensive Care event at the RCS.
KIDS coordinates the transport of very sick children between intensive-care units in children's hospitals all over the Midlands.
KIDS recently conducted a trial of the CosyTherm with our BabyPod our safe, lightweight way solution for transporting babies up to 9kg to hospital or between departments.
It found that the CosyTherm delivers huge cost savings and is safe and effective for transfer of babies weighing more than 2kg. It’s key findings included:
  • Babies weighing more than 2kg maintained or slightly increased their core temperature during transport compared with other systems.
  • CosyTherm is affective for babies more than 2kg in weight
  • Use of the CosyTherm reduces clinical waste
  • CosyTherm is easy to clean after use
  • CosyTherm offers massive cost savinfs
  • CosyTherm means reduced need for storage.
Ferno managing director Jon Ellis: “We are delighted with KIDS’s research regarding the CosyTherm and the fact that Birmingham Children’s Hospital Foundation Trust can actually make savings using this important paediatric transport solution.”
The CosyTherm provides a simple, effective and affordable solution for this clinical environment that does not impede access to the baby and provides warmth quickly and effectively. The CosyTherm mattress can be easily fitted in a radiant warmer to give added warming in challenging cases. Prevention of hypothermia in neonates is very important in order to allow optimum development of the baby. In many infants thermoregulation is impaired in the early days of life and early active warming can prevent problems arising later.




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Come and visit us at the Emergency Services Show

We will be unveiling a range of new equipment to hundreds of emergency services professionals tomorrow at the Emergency Services Show 2013.
The show, over the next two days at the NEC, Birmingham, is the largest of its kind in the UK and brings together a wide range of emergency service professionals including paramedics, police, fire personal, mountain rescue and clinicians.
We will be showcasing our new EasyFix Vacuum Mattress, the Scoop 65 EXL and the New Combi-Head Immobiliser and ACETECH, our fully-integrated vehicle performance monitoring and control system for emergency response vehicles as well as its wide range of evacuation equipment.
Situated in Hall 18 on stands N15, 19 and 23, we will be demonstrating our lifting and patient transport solutions for rescue and evacuation teams, our advances in ambulance equipment and ACETECH our fully-integrated vehicle performance monitoring and control system for ambulances.
On the Red Stand 15 Ferno will be showcasing a wide range of rescue and evacuation equipment including its NATO-approved Paraguard stretcher, in confined spaces; the Easifix Vacuum Mattress; the Scoop EXL stretcher which provides superior comfort and safety to patients who need spinal immobilisation and the Ferno Combi Head Immobiliser specially designed for optimum fitting on Scoop stretchers and Spineboards.
On the White Stand 19 we will be exhibiting a wide range of ambulance equipment including the specialist bariatric Harrier LT LBS trolley. Other equipment on show will be the Compact 2 Track, a lightweight, carry chair which can be used on stairs, and the ABPR mattress which can fit any make of trolley on the market. It has unique antimicrobial properties, reducing the risk of infection, and pressure-relieving features making it the best immobilisation solution on the market.  You can also pick up FREE samples of Microflex disposable gloves.
On the Black Stand 23 we will feature ACETECH, a fully integrated vehicle performance monitoring and control system for ambulances and other vehicles which provides on-board intelligence to improve vehicle efficiency and safety, whilst reducing operating and fuel costs.
Ferno managing director Jon Ellis said: “The ESS is a great opportunity for us to meet clients old and new but what excites the team most is that it gives us an opportunity to show some new innovative developments which demonstrate how Ferno is inspired by safety innovation.”

Ferno makes a donation to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Here’s a picture of our managing director Jon Ellis, centre, with Ian Lawrence and Nikki Bullamore who represented North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service at the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation competition with our innovative Scoop EXL stretcher which we have gifted to them after they used it to secure a win in the competition.
The firefighters have taken delivery of a Scoop EXL stretcher and Combi Head Immobiliser from Ferno after they competed in the UKRO Challenge 2013, organised by the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation.
The competition is made up of a series of regional challenges involving fire and rescue services from around the country taking place over several months, culminating in the final UK Championships. Tasks included a water rescue, rope rescue, vehicle extrication, a trauma challenge and an urban search and rescue exercise.
Trauma team members Ian and Nikki represented North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and triumphed in the trauma challenge, claiming third place and earning them a spot in next year’s World Rescue Challenge where they will compete against Fire and Rescue personnel from around the world.
Ian, Crew Manager, Lofthouse Fire Sation, and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “The Scoop stretcher is now considered as the most appropriate immobilisation device for trauma and was used by all the teams throughout the event. There was no sign of a spinal board in the trauma challenge this year, which signals a real change in protocol in a relatively short space of time.
“We are very grateful to Ferno for their donation of the stretcher and Combi-Head Immobiliser. It was great to be able to borrow it for the competition but to now be able to include this equipment in our own kit is fantastic. It will be used to train and familiarise our fire crews throughout North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as the Yorkshire Ambulance Service routinely use the scoop stretcher when treating and transporting trauma patients.”
Ferno’s innovative Scoop EXL stretcher splits vertically into two parts, with shaped ‘blades’ towards the centre which can be brought together underneath the patient. The two parts are placed either side of the patient and then brought together until securing clips at the top and bottom both engage.
Traditional spinal longboards are usually placed alongside the patient who is then “logrolled” on to the stretcher in a procedure which could make any injury worse. Scoop stretchers reduce the chance of undesirable movement of injured areas during transfer of a trauma patient, as they maintain the patient in a supine alignment during transfer to a stretcher.
Ferno has also donated their new Combi Head Immobiliser which can be used on all versions of Spineboard and Scoop stretchers.
The immobiliser is infection-control compliant, using both antimicrobial Velcro and PU molded head-blocks which contain antibacterial additives. Additionally, to further reduce the chances of serious injury to patients, it can be used in X-ray and MRI scanners so doctors can be clear about the extent of any injury before the immobiliser is removed.
Jon tell us: “It is very pleasing to see that our products are becoming the equipment of choice for the UK’s emergency services. Our aim is to develop products which address the needs of today’s crews, making their jobs easier and safer while at the same time enhancing the patient ‘experience’ in terms of comfort and protection. When used together, the Scoop EXL stretcher and Combi-Head Immobiliser give optimum maneuverability, enabling a patient to be moved easily and safely by paramedics.”

Friday, September 20, 2013

It’s a scoop for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service!

Here is Ian Charlesworth, Community Fire Safety Officer at West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service with one of Ferno’s specialist scoop stretchers which was presented to the fire fighters by our very own Chris King.
We donated a Scoop 65 EXL to West Yorkshire’s firefighters to help them develop their training programme and to ensure they are using the most-advanced rescue and recovery equipment to save lives.
Ferno’s Scoop 65 EXL is a new and innovative alternative to the traditional spinal boards and significantly reduces the risk of spinal injuries when transferring patients from the scene of an accident.
The scoop stretcher can be split vertically into two parts, with shaped 'blades' towards the centre which can be brought together underneath a patient. The two halves are placed separately, either side of the patient, and then brought together until securing clips at the top and bottom both engage.
Traditional spinal boards are usually placed alongside the patient who is then “logrolled” on to the stretcher in a procedure which could make a spinal injury worse.
Ian Charlesworth, Community Fire Safety Officer at West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service says:  “We’re very grateful to Ferno for the donation of their innovative Scoop which will help to improve the on-going training of our fire crews, ensuring that they can confidently operate equipment used by their colleagues in the Ambulance Service counterparts who they often work alongside.”
The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service serve a population of more than two million people over almost 800 square miles of terrain varying from urban cities to rural areas.
Chris King, Ferno Business Development Manager, said:  “Ferno works alongside many of the UK emergency services and we are more than happy to support firefighters on our home patch with the donation of our Scoop 65 EXL which will significantly reduce the risk of spinal injuries when West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service carry out their duties.”
The Ferno scoop is ideal for use in the many different situations firefighters find themselves working in, especially as it is easily manoeuvrable in enclosed spaces.
Jon Ellis, managing director at Ferno, said: “We are really pleased to have been able to help the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. The Scoop 65 EXL stretcher is an essential piece of equipment in order to carry out rescue and recovery missions. Our stretchers are ideally suited to demanding search and rescue environments and made from strong, durable materials which offer greater safety and comfort to both patient and rescuer.”

Friday, September 13, 2013

Congratulations to Park Avenue Junior Football Club Under-10s

Congratulations to Park Avenue Junior Football Club’s Under-10s team who are currently top of their league following a convincing 9-0 win over Wibsey this week.
Ferno is proud to sponsor this team of young footballers who have proven to be real enthusiasts for the beautiful game.
Our managing director Jon Ellis said: “Ferno are always happy to help in the local community to ensure that youngsters get the opportunity to play the sport of their choice with the equipment required. You never know, one of these kids may one day become the next Gareth Bale. I wonder if they’ll remember Ferno when they are playing for Real Madrid?”

Thursday, September 12, 2013

TEK takes time to showcase Ferno Litter Arm and APE Stretcher litter

Here is a picture of the TEK stand at the DSEI Show (see earlier story below).  TEK, which specialises in military vehicle seats has been a partner with Ferno for some time now.
TEK was formed to support military customers worldwide with cost effective tried and tested military products which offer improved functionality, ergonomics and serviceability and unrivalled through-life support.
It’s no surprise then, to spot the Ferno Litter Arm and APE Stretcher litter on display as part of their stand since we are working on a number of projects in the Military market with TEK.
As well as adopting Ferno’s innovative military range of products, TEK has recently launched the Blast Protector™ - a blast attenuating seat range designed to meet the demands of frontline light skinned and armoured vehicles, ultimately increasing survivability rates and saving lives.
Make sure you check out their stand. Meanwhile, you can find the Ferno team at Stand N8-283.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Remembering 9/11 and the Three Thousand

Today, alongside our US colleagues at Ferno EMS, we remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks and those first responders from the fire, police and ambulance service and all the Good Samaritans who came to the victim’s aide.
The 11 September 2001 attacks killed almost 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
In New York today, families of the victims read the names of each person who died at the World Trade Center on that day.
A separate memorial was held outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, honouring the passengers and crew of United Flight 93, who struggled with the hijackers of the plane, preventing it from hitting its intended target, believed to be the White House or the US Capitol building.
All 33 passengers and seven crew members on the flight were killed after the plane crashed into a field about 75 miles (120 km) south-east of Pittsburgh.
The memorials come as builders put the finishing touches to the new World Trade Center tower and a museum describing and remembering the attacks.


Ferno on show at Institute of Remote Healthcare Conference

As well as attending  the DSEI 2013, see below, Ferno is also showing off its products and services at the Institute of Remote Healthcare Conference in Scotland.
This year the conference will focus on Redesigning Remote Healthcare Delivery and Clinical Support: An International Perspective and Scott Campbell, our man North of the Border, will be attending for the next two days at the Suttie Centre for Teaching & Learning in Healthcare, University of Aberdeen.
The Institute of Remote Healthcare (IRH) is the leading international professional education and membership body for "remote healthcare” practitioners.
Established as a not-for-profit organisation, the Institute aims to promote improved standards in the practice and provision of remote health care. IRHC aims are to support practitioners and companies responsible for the delivery of remote healthcare to enhance the quality of practical clinical skills and therefore the service provided by those engaged in the area of remote health care practice.
The picture shows our stand where you can find Scott to discuss recent innovations in product development by Ferno.

Come and see us at DSEI 2013


Pictured above, left to right, is Alan Clark, Operations Director, and Mark Richards, Business Development Manager, at the DSEI 2013, the leading defence and security exhibition in London.
DSEI 2013 brings together the entire defence and security industry to source the latest equipment and systems, develop international relationships, and generate new business opportunities.
As the must-attend event of 2013 more than 1,500 international exhibitors will be showing off their products and services.
You can find the Ferno team at DSEI 2013 until Friday at Stand N8-283 so pop over to say hello to Alan and Mark to find out what services we offer to the military.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

All ready for Ambulance Service Patient Safety Conference

As you can see from the picture Michael Thornton, Product Manager at Ferno, has been a busy boy today getting ready for tomorrow’s National Ambulance Service Patient Safety Conference 2013.
The event is being held at the Villa Park Conference Centre, Birmingham with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and the College of Paramedics – if you’re going be sure to meet up with Michael and Grant Lewis our Business Development  Manager.