When Fire Response took out the Innovation Award at the Lake Macquarie Business Awards, it wasn’t just recognition for a clever idea, it was validation of a service that could mean the difference between control and catastrophe in a fire event.
At the heart of the innovation is a process led by Fire Response’s Director, Nick Foran, who spends a lot of time travelling to mine sites to test and assess their firefighting systems. What he often finds is startling – around 93% of systems he checks fail. In other words, most sites aren’t actually ready for a fire event despite having the equipment on hand.
“It started with making sure the foam cannons we supplied were working with their systems,” Nick explained.
“Then we began testing different foams across other equipment, especially as the industry moved to fluorine-free foams. Too often sites just grab a new product without checking compatibility only to discover it doesn’t work with their hardware.”
That knowledge gap is where Fire Response steps in.
Mines typically buy equipment from multiple suppliers with no clear oversight on how it all fits together. Incorrect specifications, mismatched parts and incompatible foams mean systems don’t deliver when needed most.
The company’s innovation lies in combining cutting-edge, fluorine-free firefighting foam with rigorous, site-specific testing to verify that systems actually work under pressure.
Traditional foams often contain PFAS, which pose serious environmental and health risks. Fire Response works with world-renowned manufacturer of firefighting foams VS Focum to supply cutting-edge fully biodegradable, fluorine-free alternatives that meet Australian Standards and perform in harsh site conditions. But the innovation doesn’t stop at supply, it’s the holistic service of testing, verifying and recalibrating systems on site that sets Fire Response apart.
“We’re not just selling foam or gear,” Nick said.
“For us, it’s critically important to match product to application and our goal is to ensure the entire system performs in the field. We can check flow rates, mixing accuracy and discharge performance before equipment even leaves the manufacturer and again once it’s installed on site. That way clients know it will work when they need it.”
Because the stakes are high.
Fires on site can ignite in seconds often from something as simple as a ruptured hydraulic hose spraying onto a hot turbocharger. Vehicle fires, fuel spills, even overheating tyres can escalate into industrial sized blazes. A haul truck alone can create a fire covering more than 36 square metres.
International standards now require sites to carry enough foam for their worst-case scenario plus resupply. But without proper proportioning, even large reserves of foam won’t last the required time or be effective in combatting flames.
Nick said ensuring systems are up to scratch isn’t just about safety, it also reduces operational and insurance risks.
“If a $10 million asset burns, underwriters will ask what systems were in place to protect it. Mines that can’t demonstrate compliance or testing could be left exposed.
“Having the right nozzle or cannon for the job also drives productivity. A wash pad operation that might normally take four hours can be completed in less than one with properly specified and tested equipment.”
Nick is passionate about lifting standards across the sector. He regularly presents to teams of mining engineers and runs quarterly testing programs with major operators, helping them adopt safer, smarter firefighting practices.
The most common response he receives when he identifies system flaws, compatibility issues or maintenance oversights is, “No one has ever told us this before”.
“That’s our difference. Lots of businesses sell similar products, but we take the time to ask the right questions. Is your site testing its cannons? Are your foams proportioning correctly? Do your systems meet international standards? Does everything work together?
“Because when the fire starts, it’s too late to find out.”
