MAY 2009
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Man rescued unconscious from house fire at Weobley
Crews from Eardisley, Kingsland and Leominster rescued an unconscious man from the living room of his home at Cornmill Cottages, Weobley in the early hours of Wednesday May 27. The smoke alarms in the property had been activated after a fire had started in the kitchen and spread into the adjacent terraced property where a family of four self evacuated and raised the alarm. The man, who was given CPR treatment by firefighters on the pavement outside while colleagues tackled the fire, was taken to hospital by land ambulance and later transferred from Hereford to a specialist unit at Plymouth. |
Fire at former sugar beet factory
Crews from Kidderminster, Bewdley and Bromsgrove took ninety minutes to extinguish a fire that is thought to have been deliberately started at the former sugar beet factory at Stourport Road, Kidderminster on Monday evening, May 26. |
Bee keeper called in by Ledbury crew following chimney fire
Firefighters disturbed a swarm of bees while tackling a chimney fire at a property in Knapp Lane, Ledbury on Monday afternoon, May 25. They were forced to suspend operations while a local bee keeper was called in to remove the bees. No one was stung and the fire was extinguished. |
Electrical sub station fire at Tenbury
Two crews from Tenbury Wells were in attendance for almost four hours following a fire in the switch gear of an electricity sub station at Boraston Lane, Tenbury in the early hours of Monday May 25. |
Two cabin cruiser boats on fire on River Avon
A boat caught fire and drifted downstream and set fire to a second vessel moored on the opposite bank, near Strensham Lock on Sunday May 24. Crews from Pershore, Worcester and Evesham tackled the fires. Both boats were extensively damaged. No one was injured. |
Fire in Hereford Pub
Three crews attended a fire in the first floor kitchen of the Black Lion public house, Bridge Street, Hereford at 03.54 hours on Tuesday May 19. The fire was caused by an electrical fault to a tumble dryer on which clothes had been placed. Three people were able to get out of the building unharmed before the crews arrived. Crews returned later for a reinspection and to install smoke alarms in the property. |
Boat Trapped Beneath River Bridge
A 70ft long boat with two people on board became trapped beneath the River Avon bridge at Pershore on the afternoon of Monday May 18. Crews from Pershore, Upton on Severn and boat crews from Evesham and Worcester attended and pulled the vessel clear in a 40 minute operation. No one was injured. |
Colin the Firestarter Learns His Lesson
School children in Kidderminster and Stourport have been learning about the consequences of starting fires and making hoax calls thanks to ‘Colin the Firestarter’.
Colin is an animated character who features on his own website which was developed by Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Wyre Forest District Council.
Caroline Webster, Community Safety Advisor for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The aim of the website and Colin the Firestarter is to ultimately prevent deliberate fires by educating young people about the consequences of starting fires and the consequences of hoax calls. It also hoped that it will help young people to value the district’s heath land nature reserves.
“I am visiting five schools in Kidderminster this week with Olly Price of the Wyre Forest District Council Ranger Service, to talk to Year 6 pupils about Colin the Firestarter. Young children really engage with the website because it is interactive and you get the opportunity to make decisions on Colin’s behalf – ultimately it encourages children to make the right decision.”
Colin the Firestarter can be viewed here.... |
Woman Rescued From River Salwarpe
A woman was rescued from the River Salwarpe today thanks to the joint efforts of control room operators and Firefighters.
Control room operator Mark Harrison took the 999 call from the woman after she slipped into the water whilst trying to rescue her dog.
“She was understandably very distressed when she made the call,” said Mark. “Thankfully she had her mobile phone with her and was able to dial 999. I kept talking to her and reassured her that the Firefighters were on their way. At the same time I asked her where she had been walking so we could try to identify the spot where she had fallen into the river.”
As the control room operators worked to identify the woman’s location, Firefighters from Droitwich and Worcester were immediately called to the scene.
Watch Manager Craig Newman, from Droitwich Fire Station, said: “The lady had been walking her young puppy but unfortunately as its flexi lead extended it slipped over the bank and into the water. The lady tried to rescue her dog but also fell into the water. Luckily she was still able to use her mobile phone.”
On arrival at the incident near to Salwarpe Church, the crews searched 500 metres of marsh land before finding the woman’s location as she was not able to identify any landmarks from the river. When they located her the crews used special water rescue throw lines (ropes) to firstly pull the dog out of the water and then the woman.
“Thankfully neither of them was injured but understandably the lady was a little shaken up,” said Watch Manager Newman. |
Firefighters Rescue a Prize Bull
A valuable prize bull, which fell 20 feet into the bottom of a well at a farm near Belbroughton on Friday May 15, was rescued by Bromsgrove firefighters and a USAR team from Droitwich. Water was pumped out of the well so that strops could be put around the two tonne animal. The bull was then lifted out safely using a manitou farm vehicle. The whole operation took two hours.
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Fire Service Supports National Family Week
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the UK’s first National Family Week which runs from May 25 to May 31.
The event, which runs during half-term, aims to encourage family activities and has been endorsed by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Launa Walker, Community Safety Manager for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We fully support National Family Week and we hope that families enjoy a host of activities during the week.
“I would like to encourage parents to take the opportunity to talk to their children about fire and water safety. It would be great, for example, if families get together and draw up an escape plan which could be used in the event of a fire.
“I would recommend that people take a look at our website as there are lots of activities on there as well as valuable information. Why not play an interactive fire safety game with your children? It is much easier to get a serious message across if you make learning fun.”
Launa is also urging people to think about their older relatives during National Family Week. Why not check that everyone in your immediate and extended family has a working smoke alarm in their home?
“Smoke alarms save lives every day of the week,” said Launa. “In the event of a fire in your home a working smoke alarm can alert you in good time. They are not just an early warning they can often be your only warning.”
For more safety advice please visit www.hwfire.org.uk |
A FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE FOR BOAT OWNERS
- Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service encourages boat owners to take simple steps to stay safe from fire
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the Boat Safety Scheme are joining forces during Boat Fire Safety Week (25th-31st May) to urge the boating community to be more fire safe on board.
Although boat fires on our coastal and inland waters are less common than fires on land, when they do occur, they can have devastating consequences. Boats are often in remote locations with difficult access, which may result in firefighters taking longer to arrive at an incident and allowing a fire to totally destroy a boat and everything onboard.
With over 450,000 motorised boats in the UK, and a growth in boating on many inland waterways, the Service is urging the boating population across both counties to check that their boats are equipped with the correct fire safety equipment. People who live on their boats are most affected by fire, but many fires could be prevented if boat users take simple precautions.
Chief Fire Officer, Paul Hayden explains:
‘Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue crews are involved in a comprehensive water safety education program across both counties this summer. And, ensuring smoke alarms are fitted to floating accommodation can make a difference to the outcome of fires on boats. Our wish is to see smoke alarms suitable for boats installed in all boats with overnight accommodation.
‘Anyone in doubt about the alarm they need should contact us on 0800 032 1155 for a free Boat Fire Risk Check. We are here to make sure your boat is as fire safe as possible’
Boat Fire Risk Checks, available throughout England, offer boaters the opportunity to gain invaluable help and advice from their local Fire and Rescue Service about how to identify potential problems before a fire starts and what to do if fire should break out.
The key messages are:
Always take care when on or near the water –especially if young children or pets are around
Fit a suitable smoke alarm
Make a fire action plan
Take extreme care when refuelling with petrol or changing gas cylinders
Avoid using portable gas equipment onboard, where possible, and store all gas canisters in special gas lockers or open places where any leaks will flow overboard
Check such items as battery terminals and fuse box connections routinely for damaged strands or signs of overheating
Take care when doing repairs, and keep interiors well ventilated if you’re using adhesives, paints and spirit based products
Always keep your eye on a solid fuel stove when it’s lit, try to avoid leaving the boat with the stove running
For boats, optical sensor alarms with hush buttons and sealed for life batteries are recommended as are choosing those with a British Standard ‘Kitemark’ or a LPCB ‘Horseshoe’ mark. As with smoke alarms in the home, alarms should be tested regularly (e.g. weekly) and should never be disconnected.
For further information about boating fire safety, please contact the Boat Safety Scheme on 01923 201278 or visit www.boatsafetyscheme.com/fire |
MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE FIRE SERVICE
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is hosting a number of awareness sessions for people interested in becoming a Retained (part time) Firefighter.
The Service is looking to recruit more Retained Firefighters at fire stations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Retained Firefighters are a vital part of the modern Fire Service. Over 60% of fire cover in the UK is provided by Retained Firefighters. They are provided with the same training, equipment and uniform as their full time colleagues
Retained Firefighters agree to be available for a certain number of hours a week. During this time they carry a pager and must be able to get to the Fire Station within five minutes of a call. They can respond either from home or from work. This flexibility allows Retained staff to carry on with their day-to-day activities, whether at home or at work, and then respond to the call out as necessary.
Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jon Hall said: “We are launching the recruitment campaign because we need more Retained Firefighters, particularly in our more rural areas.
“Retained Firefighters provide a vital service to their community and we’re looking for people from all walks of life who want to make a real difference.”
To become a Retained Firefighter you must:
Be over 18 years of age
Be able travel to the Fire Station in 5 minutes (from work/home)
Agree to be available for a certain number of hours a week
Be reasonably fit
Retained Firefighters can earn up to £8,000 per year (depending on call-outs) and full training and equipment is provided. Many local employers have found that allowing their staff to become Retained Firefighters makes good business sense; as they can keep and enhance the skills of valuable staff, avoid fire risks to their business and ensure good emergency cover for the local community at times of need.
Awareness sessions are being held at
May 19 Tenbury Wells Fire Station 19:00
May 21 Upton upon Severn Fire Station 19:00
May 21 Hereford Fire Station 19.00
May 25 Broadway Fire Station 18:30
June 2 Pebworth Fire Station 18:30
For further information or to register your interest for an Awareness Session, which you will need to attend before obtaining an application pack, please telephone the Personnel Recruitment answerphone line (available 24 hours) on 01905 368 378. Or visit Retained Recruitment and Latest Vacancies pages on this website. |
FIREFIGHTERS HONOURED AT NATIONAL AWARD CEREMONY
The outstanding bravery of three firefighters from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue was recognised at the Fire Fighters Charity ‘Spirit of Fire Awards 2009’.
The actions of Jason Mayhew (Evesham Fire Station), Steve Perks (Kidderminster Fire Station) and Dave Iles (Hereford Fire Station) were praised at the event.
Fire Minister Sadiq Khan said: “It was truly humbling to hear of the bravery and fortitude of those nominated for this award. I would also like to pay tribute to them and their colleagues for their quick thinking, ingenuity and sheer determination in helping to save the lives of the public and their colleagues.”
Jason Mayhew, Steve Perks, and Dave Iles were nominated following their actions at an incident which happened between Badsey and Bretforton where the driver of a digger had been shocked with 11,000 volts.
Dave Fenton, a firefighter from Bromsgrove Fire Station, was nominated for Fire Fighters Charity’s beneficiary of courage (awarded to a member of the fire services community who has shown strength of character when injured or ill or bad fortune). Firefighter Fenton was injured following a serious skiing accident but has since made a good recovery and returned to work.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, Paul Hayden, paid tribute to the four firefighters who were nominated for an award. “This was a national event which looked at the actions of firefighters across the UK,” he said. “I am delighted that four of our firefighters were nominated. Each of them has shown true strength of character of which they should be proud.”
All the nominees for the Fire Fighters Charity’s Awards went to a reception at No 10 Downing Street, hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and attended by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Fire Minister Sadiq Khan and David Ginola. |
SIX CASUALTIES IN TWO CAR COLLISION ON M5
Six people were taken to hospital - one by the air ambulance - following a collision between two cars on the southbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 4a and 5 on Sunday evening May 3. Two crews from Bromsgrove and one from Droitwich attended. |
FURNITURE AND DOCUMENTS DESTROYED IN STORAGE BUILDING FIRE
Furniture and documents were destroyed when the corrugated iron roof of a single storey building collapsed in a fire at Appleyard, Sandy Lane, Kidderminster, on Tuesday May 5. It took crews from Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley five hours to stop the fire. Damping down and reinspections at the scene followed until Thursday May 7. The fire is thought to have been caused by sparks from burning rubbish being carried on the wind beneath the eaves of the roof. No one was injured. |
TWO MOORED CABIN CRUISERS DESTROYED
Two fibre glass cabin cruisers moored together on the East bank of the River Severn at Neweys Hill, Northwick, Worcester were destroyed by fire on Tuesday May 5. Both boats were well alight when crews from Worcester arrived at 17.00 hrs. Crews used booms to prevent debris polluting the river downstream. No one was injured. The cause of the fire is suspicious. |
WORKER TRAPPED BY FORK LIFT TRUCK FREED BY FIREFIGHTERS
A worker who was medically trapped by a fork lift truck in a work related incident on Thursday May 7 was rescued by fiirefighters and paramedics. The man was taken to hospital by air ambulance from the premises of Harlow Timber, Worcester Road, Kidderminster. A second air ambulance was used to bring a doctor from Stoke on Trent to treat the man at the scene. The Health and Safety Executive attended to investigate the circumstances of the incident. |
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STATEMENT ANNOUNCING THE DEATH OF FIRE AUTHORITY MEMBER
It is with deep sadness that the Authority learned that Cllr. Jeremy Webb passed away on 6 May 2009.
Cllr. Webb was an active member of the Fire Authority since 2001, serving on a number of committees and he made an outstanding contribution to its work during this time.
We are sure you will join with the Service in extending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his wife Clover, and the rest of his family.
Brigadier Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of the Authority
Paul Hayden, Chief Fire Officer. |
2009 News Archive |
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2008 News Archive |
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