Happy 200th birthday, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services!!! I'm a bit late to the party. Still, I've done my best to celebrate your anniversary in the best way I can - by giving homage to the amazing fire safety engineering and firefighting that came out of Edinburgh and your founder, James Braidwood.

In this episode, we tap into the secrets of early fire safety measures and discover the fascinating history of firefighting with our guest, Michał Stachowicz, a dedicated Scottish firefighter. We promise you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the roots of fire engineering, which surprisingly predate the establishment of professional firefighting. From the early codifications of the 1400s to the impactful Great Fire of London in 1666, this episode is brimming with riveting tales and historical insights into the evolution of fire protection in the UK.

We take a journey through time as we contrast the altruism of today's firefighters with the profit-driven origins of fire protection, shaped significantly by insurance companies. Learn about the preventative measures that were set in place long before formal fire services existed, including the fascinating use of historical firewalls in cities like Copenhagen. We also explore the pioneering efforts of James Braidwood, whose revolutionary work in risk management and fire prevention set the stage for organised firefighting in Edinburgh and London during the 19th century.

Join us as we honour Braidwood's legacy and his transformative impact on fire safety regulations and practices. From his groundbreaking techniques, such as early personal protective equipment and strategic fire station placements, to his radical ideas on fire spread prevention, Braidwood's forward-thinking approach remains influential. Despite facing financial hurdles and limited cooperation, his vision for a unified fire service prevailed, underscoring the enduring significance of his contributions. Michał Stachowicz helps us celebrate the indelible mark Braidwood left on the firefighting community, offering a compelling narrative for history enthusiasts and fire safety advocates alike.

Read more about Braidwood in this memoir book: Fire Prevention and Extinction by James Braidwood.
Visit the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
Learn about the Great Fire of Edinburgh
Cover image: One of Edinburgh's first fire engines from 1824, By Kim Traynor - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19965754

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.

Wildfire modelling is quite complicated when you wish to integrate different fuel packages with different properties in 'real' environmental conditions while managing the transition to/from smouldering. We have a model for each, but how do we make them work in unison without relying too much on their users' skills? This is a subject for a good research grant... a very big one. And this is something 'we' just got!

A fire scientist from King's College London, Dr Francesco Restuccia, has just secured an ERC grant for his innovative project on wildfire modelling. The project name is Wildfires and Climate Change: Physics-Based Modelling of Fire Spread in a Changing World.

In this podcast episode, we will discuss his current focus on developing physics-based models that promise to enhance our understanding of wildfire dynamics. We also focus on Francesco's current experience in batteries and how that experience translates to the work he is carrying out in the wildfires.

Throughout the episode, we explore the diverse range of models that predict wildfire behaviour, from straightforward empirical approaches to intricate physics-based simulations. We dive into the complexities of balancing ease of use with accuracy and discuss the exciting potential of reduced-order models that blend empirical data with physical insights. Dr. Restuccia offers a unique perspective on the challenges of automating complex models for broader applications and the necessity of identifying fire regimes to ensure precision is not compromised.

Dr. Restuccia also shares invaluable insights into securing an ERC grant, guiding aspiring researchers. From refining research ideas into a cohesive project to preparing for the competitive interview process, his experience underscores the importance of mentorship and strategic planning. We wrap up with a look at the future possibilities his research holds for fire safety engineering, inviting listeners to explore the transformative impact of advanced wildfire modelling on a global scale.

The grant description can be found here: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101161183

Do you have questions or want to send out your CV? The man told me to place his e-mail here... so here it is: francesco.restuccia@kcl.ac.uk

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.

You are not supposed to use the word 'panic' in the context of human behaviour in fires, yet this episode contains 196 instances of it. Why? because we try to get to the bottom of the thing! Can panic be both a myth and a reality?

Join us as we challenge the age-old narratives of panic in emergencies with our distinguished guest, Professor Daniel Nilsson, from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. We unravel the misconceptions surrounding human behaviour during fires, spotlighting the harmful effects of outdated myths perpetuated by media and literature. By debunking these myths, we aim to reshape fire safety engineering, focusing on realistic human reactions and informed decision-making.

Our conversation takes you across cultural landscapes, from the Western world to the Soviet Union, questioning national claims of panic susceptibility and the portrayal of panic as a contagious force. Challenging the historical context, we try to figure out what panic is once you apply the scientific method to understand it.

We also try to assess historical events like the Victoria Tower evacuation and the Love Parade tragedy, we underscore how engineering failures, not irrational behaviour, often lead to crowd disasters. Professor Nilsson and I delve into the psychology of decision-making during evacuations, emphasising the power of clear communication to prevent chaos and save lives.

Finally, we reflect on the profound research of Quarantelli, who redefined panic through thousands of disaster case studies, revealing the complexity of human responses in crises. We explore how cultural contexts influence perceived panic behaviour by differentiating between non-rational and irrational actions. We aim to enlighten fire safety professionals and the broader audience on the importance of replacing the myth of panic with empathy and evidence-based strategies, fostering a safer and more understanding approach to emergency responses.

Further reading?
Sure.
Daniel's paper in SFPE Europe magazine - is panic a myth or reality?
Proloux and Sime paper where they challanged the limiting of information (1991)

And if you really got into this, Jonathan Sime's PhD

Also, a ton of material on Human Behaviour and evacuation is waiting for you in the Uncovered Witness project!

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.