News Headlines... June 2011
To go straight to any of June's news click on the links below.
Hay Bale Fire | Garden Mower Fire | Dying to Drive | BBQ Safety Warning | Three Counties Success | National RTC Challenge | High Rise Training | Woman Released from RTC | Clehonger House Fires | M50 Fatal Collision | Woman Cut Free | Specialist Equipment Recalled | Driver Cut Free | Recycling Plant Fire | Can We Find You? | Compressor Fire | Three Counties Rural Safety | Man Cut From Car | 3 Barn Fires | Chimney Fires Increase | Chip Pan Fire Warning | Droitwich Open Day | Fire at NEW College | Cooker Fire | Control Room Contract Awarded | Local Carer Support | Bin Fire Warning | Emergency Services Event | Scrap Yard Fire
Hay Bale Fire
Monday 27 June
Yesterday afternoon (Sunday 26 June) at around 1:45pm, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to farm buildings at Hinton on the Green in Evesham following reports of hay bales on fire.
Two fire engines from Evesham and Per shore and a water carrier from Evesham were called to the incident and on arrival found 19 large rolled bales of hay and straw alight. One hose reel jet was used to tackle the fire and dampen down a nearby hedge to prevent any spread, letting the fire burn down to a manageable level.
Station Commander Adrian Moore from H&WFRS said: "With the help of the farmer and his farming machinery, the hay was then spread out to ensure the fire was fully extinguished."
After the incident had been controlled, a stop message was sent at 5:53pm that same day.
There were no injuries and no buildings affected.
Police and fire officers are investigating the cause of the fire.
Garden Mower Fire
Thursday 23 June
On Wednesday 22nd June 2011 at around 5:40pm, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Recue Service (H&WFRS) were called to reports of a ride-on mower fire in the garage of a property in Shenstone, Worcestershire.
Two appliances from Kidderminster and the water carrier from Evesham were mobilised to the incident. However, a man at the scene managed to extinguish the fire just prior to the arrival of firefighters but suffered smoke inhalation during his efforts and had to be treated by ambulance personnel.
Station Commander Chris George-Burnell said, "The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined but a build-up of petrol fumes that was subsequently ignited by a gas boiler is thought to have been responsible for the fire and a pressure wave caused damage to the garage door, surrounding brickwork and boiler flue."
Chris advised of the importance of ensuring adequate ventilation – particularly when refilling fuel tanks or decanting flammable liquids. Such actions should be carried out outdoors and away from potential sources of ignition.
Fire safety advice for home and work is available on www.hwfire.org.uk .
New Chairman for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority
Wednesday 22 June
Councillor Derek Prodger has been elected as the new Chairman for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority.
His appointment was confirmed at the Authority's main meeting which was held at the Authority's headquarters in Worcester earlier today (Wednesday, June 22).
Authority Members paid warm tributes to outgoing Chairman, Cllr Brigadier Peter Jones CBE, who had held the position since 2007. He was today elected as Vice-Chairman of the Authority.
The new Chairman, Councillor Prodger said: "I am looking forward to leading the Fire Authority, alongside supporting the staff of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, who deliver such an excellent service to our local communities.
"It will be my privilege to continue to build on the excellent work of the previous Chairman. I know I can support of all my colleagues on the Fire Authority in what will be very challenging times in the public sector."
Paying tribute to Cllr Brigadier Peter Jones CBE, Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "Brigadier Jones has been incredibly supportive during his tenure as Chairman of the Fire Authority. It has been a pleasure to work with him since my appointment last year.
"I am delighted that Cllr Prodger will be taking over the reins as Chairman of the Fire Authority. He brings with him a wealth of experience and has dealt with wide ranging issues throughout his time in local government. I very much look forward to working with him in the near future."
Dying to Drive
Wednesday 22 June
.jpg)
High school students from across Herefordshire have been invited along to Peterchurch fire station to take part in a joint emergency services initiative aimed at reducing the number of young fatalities on the county's roads.
The 'Dying to Drive' campaign, organised in partnership with the fire service, police, the ambulance service, the road safety team at Herefordshire Council and the Youth Offending Team, aims to illustrate to teenagers the devastating effects of excess speed, driving under the influence of drink or drugs or showing off to friends when behind the wheel, as well as other distractions, such as using a mobile phone when driving.
Working together, the partner agencies have set up a mock road traffic collision involving two cars, walking wounded, a trapped driver and a deceased passenger. Teams from each of the emergency services will then work alongside each other to make the scene safe, release the occupants of the vehicles and offer the medical assistance needed.
Year 10 students (aged 14 and 15) from John Masefield High School in Ledbury, John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye, Fairfield High School in Peterchurch, Wigmore High School in Wigmore, Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard, St. Mary's RC High School in Lugwardine, Weobley High School in Weobley and Lady Hawkins High School in Kington will be attending the 'Dying to Drive' sessions at the fire station, which take place between Wednesday 22 and Tuesday 28 June.
The demonstrations will be followed by a series of workshops where the safety message will be reinforced and the teenagers given advice on what action to take in an emergency.
Pete Hope, Community Safety Advisor with H&WFRS in Herefordshire, explained: "The 'Dying to Drive' initiative uses shock tactics to show young people how speed and other factors can cause a major road traffic collision with fatal consequences.
"We know from the reactions of those attending in the past that the message is hard-hitting and memorable. We sincerely hope that this is the closest any of these youngsters will come to an incident of this nature and that what they see will have a positive impact on their driving and who they get into a car with."
He ended: "We hope that those who attend the 'Dying to Drive' event will think twice after seeing the demonstrations and will recognise that it's just not worth risking serious injury or worse just for a few moments of excitement. "
Fire Service issues barbecue safety warning
Wednesday 22nd June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is re-issuing its barbecue safety advice after being called to a barbecue fire in Holt Fleet at around 6.10pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 21 June).
Fire engines from Droitwich and Worcester were sent along to the incident, which involved a LPG barbecue being used near a static caravan.
Watch Commander Christopher Jelfs from H&WFRS said: "It would seem that there was a small hole in the barbecue hose where it attached to the gas cylinder, and this allowed the gas to escape and ignite, setting alight a small row of conifer trees nearby."
He urged everyone to check the condition of their barbecue before lighting it, to position it away from anything that could catch fire and to keep a bucket of water or some means of extinguishing a fire close by throughout cooking.
He also reminded people never to leave lit barbecues unattended and to avoid drinking alcohol when in charge of the cooking.
He added: "On noticing this fire, the gas supply was immediately turned off and a neighbour used his garden hose reel to extinguish the flames and cool the side of the caravan.
"This prompt action certainly limited the damage, but this had the potential to be more serious than it was, and we would urge everyone to be aware that this has happened and to be extra vigilant themselves when cooking outside."
While no one was injured, around 5m of conifer trees were burnt during the incident and there was minor heat damage to the outside of the caravan.
Three Counties Show a Success for Emergency Services
Tuesday 21 June
Many of the thousands of visitors to this year's Three Counties Show stopped by at the Emergency Services Village to see the exiting displays and demonstrations organised jointly by local police, fire and ambulance staff in a bid to promote rural safety.
The stand was set up by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) with Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service, as well as by representatives from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) and the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia.
While each agency highlighted their particular area of work, the focus for the Show was on rural road safety and the role each agency plays. Visitors were able to watch a dramatic mock rescue following a serious road traffic collision and also had the opportunity to take part in a series of educational activities. This included pre-driver training, organised by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, which attracted many younger visitors. A police marked John Deere tractor brought along by West Mercia Police to promote the security of agricultural vehicles (which was on loan from Thames Valley Police) also created a lot of interest.
Watch Commander Darren Packwood from H&WFRS's Community Safety department said: "The Three Counties Show is an important part of our Community Safety calendar, giving us an opportunity to promote a range of key issues, especially those affecting our more rural communities. This year's stand was more interactive than ever and certainly attracted plenty of visitors."
He continued: "Our demonstration to illustrate the devastating consequences of a chimney fire in a living room went down really well with the public, and this gave us a chance to offer advice on the importance of having chimneys swept regularly, and ensuring that woodburners are installed by a competent person."
Hundreds of visitors also went through H&WFRS's smoke house, and this helped highlight the importance of having a working smoke alarm fitted in the home.
Local Fire and Rescue teams compete for place at national RTC Challenge
Tuesday 21 June
Four teams from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) took part in a rescue at the scene of a mock road traffic collision in Malvern at the weekend to decide who should go through to the national competition later in the year.
The aim of the challenge is to improve the extrication skills of all crews taking part and to develop good practice that can be applied to real emergency situations.
Teams from both Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Hereford, Ewyas Harold, Worcester Red Watch and South District) competed in the local challenge, which was held at Malvern Fire Station on Saturday 18 June. Those participating were provided with hydraulic cutting equipment, vehicle stabilisation and glass management tools, casualty protection equipment and trauma packs, and had 20 minutes to safely rescue a casualty trapped in a vehicle involved in a road traffic collision.
They were judged on their incident command and control skills, their physical rescue techniques and their pre-hospital/medical care, and to ensure impartiality, the challenge was assessed by UKRO (United Kingdom Rescue Organisation) National Assessors.
The team from Hereford was chosen as the overall winners, with Worcester Red Watch the runners up. Awards were presented to both the winners and the runners up to mark their success, and also to the assessors, to thank them for their involvement in the local challenge.
The winning team, made up of Firefighters Matt Pember, Pete Ramsey, Tom Houghton and Simon Griffiths and Watch Commander Adrian Morris, will now go on to represent H&WFRS at the national competition in London in September.
Watch Commander Steve Andrews, training instructor with H&WFRS, said: "The teams have trained for this event in their own time and we would like to pass on our appreciation to all those taking part for their hard work and commitment. The team from Hereford are worthy winners and we wish them well as they go forward to the next stage of the competition."
He added: "Fire services across the country get called to high numbers of road traffic collisions, many of them serious in nature, often with casualties physically or medically trapped in their vehicles. It's important that we continue to hone our skills in this area of our work and this challenge certainly helps us to test our procedures and share our learning with colleagues within our own service area, and with other Fire and Rescue crews nationally."
Awards will be presented to the Best Team, the Best Incident Commander, The Best Medic and the Best Technical Operator at the national Challenge in September. For more details, visit www.ukro.org
High Rise training exercise
Tuesday 21 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is hoping to avoid any alarm or concern by issuing an early warning about a training exercise being held in the centre of Worcester at the weekend.
Several fire appliances will be attending the exercise, which is being staged at the Travel Lodge in Cathedral Plaza in the city centre from 10.45am on Sunday June 26.
The aim of the exercise is to familiarise crews in firefighting and command and control procedures for incidents in high rise buildings, with the focus on extinguishing fire and the search and rescue of any casualties.
Watch Commander Carl Horsburgh from H&WFRS explained that any fire engines seen near Cathedral Plaza on Sunday were likely to be part of the exercise.
He said: "We have a protocol in place for tackling fires in high rise buildings and it's important that all firefighters are fully acquainted with these procedures. By holding these training exercises in realistic surroundings, we can prepare better for real emergency situations, helping to improve firefighter safety and raise the awareness of those who work or live in high rise buildings."
He confirmed that a structured de-brief would follow the exercise and that any key learning points would be taken forward as future tactical plans and policy were formed.
Fire engines from Worcester, Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Pebworth and Malvern are expected to take part.
Watch Commander Horsburgh also thanked staff at the Travel Lodge for their support with the training exercise.
Woman released following RTC in Shucknall
Monday 20 June
Firefighters from Hereford were called to a road traffic collision along the A4103 at Shucknall on Saturday morning (18 June).
The collision took place at around 11.15am and involved a car and a 4 x 4 vehicle.
Station Commander Neil Pigott from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service explained: "Two fire engines from Hereford attended, and crews arrived to find the 4 x 4 on its side and a female passenger trapped inside it. They used cutting equipment to remove the roof from the car and release the woman inside, so that she could receive the medical attention she needed."
He described this as a 'difficult operation', explaining that it took nearly an hour for crews to extricate the woman, with the stop message given just after 12.30pm.
Following her release, the female passenger was conveyed to hospital by land ambulance while fire crews made safe the vehicles involved.
Clehonger house fires
Monday 20 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Recue Service (H&WFRS) has praised its firefighters for preventing a house fire in Clehonger yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 June) from spreading any further than it did.
The first of nine calls reporting the incident was received at 2.16pm with a request for six fire engines to attend. Three appliances from Hereford, one from Ewyas Harold, one from Fownhope and one from Leominster were deployed to the Oak Crescent address along with the Command Support Unit and supporting appliance from Malvern and the Restricted Access Vehicle from Peterchurch.
Green Watch from Hereford was first to arrive at the scene, and found that a fire, which had broken out in a garage of a house in the road, had already spread to two adjoining houses and was threatening to spread to two more.
Multiple teams of firefighters in breathing apparatus then entered the four properties, successfully confining the more severe damage to the two houses either side of the garage where the fire originated, with the use of two main jets and five hose reels. The two other adjoining properties suffered only minor external damage as a result of the fire.
Station Commander Neil Pigott from H&WFRS said: "We are quite used to dealing with house fires but only normally experience one at a time. To have four properties threatened at once was a real challenge and the fires crews attending worked rapidly but methodically to contain the spread of fire."
While the stop message was given at 4pm, ventilation and salvage work continued after this time, and the cause of the fire has been linked to an angle grinder that was being used in the garage of the Oak Crescent property.
Fatal Road Traffic Collision along M50
Monday 20 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Recue Service (H&WFRS) attended a fatal road traffic collision along the M50 motorway on Friday evening (17 June).
The collision, involving a car and a lorry, occurred along the M50 westbound, between junction 1 and 2, at around 6.55pm.
Fire crews from Upton, Ledbury and neighbouring Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service attended along with police and ambulance staff.
Station Commander Gary Jay from H&WFRS said: "An off-duty fire officer from West Midlands Fire Service was one of the first to arrive at the scene and he gave emergency first aid to the driver of the car. Sadly, despite every effort being made to save his life, the man was pronounced dead at the scene."
He confirmed that the lorry driver was unharmed, but was treated for shock following the incident.
Fire crews remained at the scene until around 9.40pm to assist police, and the cause of the collision is being investigated.
Woman cut free by firefighters
Monday 20 June
Firefighters were called to the A44 Worcester Road at Pinvin, near Pershore, at 7.30pm on Saturday evening (18 June) to assist at a serious road traffic collision involving a car and a telegraph pole.
Two fire crews from Worcester and one from Pershore attended and on arrival, found a car on its side with a woman trapped inside the front passenger seat. Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to create access to the woman through the roof of the car, and she was taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham following her release. She suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision.
A man and a baby, who were already out of the car and being attended to by ambulance staff as firefighters arrived, were both taken to the Worcester Royal Hospital by land ambulance.
Watch Commander Dave Smith from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "This was a challenging extrication, due to the position of the vehicle, and firefighters worked for around 30 minutes to fold back the roof and release the female casualty who was severely trapped inside."
Fire crews then made the vehicle safe, while British Telecom engineers attended to assess damage to the telegraph pole.
Police and ambulance staff also attended the incident.
Specialist equipment called from Three Counties Show to assist at fire
Friday 17 June
A specialist piece of equipment was pulled from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's (H&WFRS) display at the Three Counties Show today to be used by firefighters tackling a fire at an address in Whitepits Lane in Alvechurch.
The initial call was received at around 11.15am this morning (Friday 17 June) and fire crews from Redditch and Bromsgrove arrived at the scene to find a large quantity of sawdust on fire.
Station Commander Phil Griffiths from H&WFRS explained: "The fire involved an estimated 10 tonnes of sawdust which had been stockpiled ready to be used as bedding for horses in a nearby stable-block.
"We were concerned that the burning pile of sawdust could present a fire risk to buildings nearby and so we requested the attendance of the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Bobcat to help dig out the sawdust and move it to a safer location."
The USAR Bobcat was at the Three Counties showground in Malvern at the time, as part of the range of firefighting equipment on display at the Emergency Services Village.
While the fire has been brought under control with the use of one hose reel and two firefighters in breathing apparatus, fire crews remain at the scene, damping down.
There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Driver cut free following road traffic collision
Friday 17 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was called to a serious road traffic collision along the A4440 Swinesherd Way in Worcester at around 5.40pm yesterday afternoon (Thursday 16 June).
The collision involved a single vehicle and a tree, with the car on it side.
One fire engine from Worcester was dispatched to the incident, joining ambulance staff already at the scene. They found that the female driver was severely trapped inside the vehicle but that a baby had been released safely from its car seat on the back seat.
Crew Commander David Haimes from H&WFRS said: "Due to the position of the car, it was difficult to get the access we needed to release the female driver, and crews worked hard to remove seats and cut away the steering wheel to create a large enough gap to reach her through the rear hatch."
He confirmed that the woman was taken by air ambulance to hospital with suspected abdominal and leg injuries.
Crew Commander Haimes added: "The baby was taken to hospital by land ambulance following the collision and was later said to be fine. This certainly demonstrates just how crucial it is to secure babies and children in properly fitted car seats, and we would urge all parents and grandparents to ensure they have appropriate seats fitted and to ensure the children are properly strapped in each time they travel."
Police also attended the incident.
Visit www.childcarseats.org.uk for further advice on child car seats.
Fire at recycling plant
Thursday 16 June
Crews were called to a recycling plant in Rotherwas, Hereford, shortly after 5pm yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 15 June) following reports of a fire at the premises.
While the initial call reported a fire in the open at the Forsdhill Lane plant, the fire had actually broken out in an outdoor store at the site and involved around 1,600 tonnes of woodchips.
Two fire engines and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Hereford were first at the scene and they were joined by the water carrier from Ross-on-Wye, an additional pump from Fownhope, the Restricted Access Vehicle from Peterchurch and the Compressed Air Foam System from Upton. The Aerial Ladder Platform from Worcester and relief pumps from Hereford, Worcester, Bromyard, Eardisley, Leominster and Ledbury also attended later in the evening.
Firefighters used the aerial ladder platform, two main jets and compressed air foam to extinguish the fire, and while the stop message was given at around 11.40pm, damping down continued throughout the night and into this morning (Thursday 16 June). The incident has now been left with the owners.
Station Commander Adrian Thompson from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) said: "We arrived to find a deep-seated fire smouldering in a large woodchip pile at the recycling plant. Fires of this nature are always a challenge and it took several hours to bring it under control."
He confirmed that there were no injuries as a result of the fire and that on-site personnel, who have their own firefighting equipment, will continue to damp down any hot spots as they move the woodchips to a new location at the recycling plant.
Can we find you in an emergency?
Wednesday 15 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is urging residents across the two counties to be sure that their properties can be found easily in case of emergency.
Vital time can be lost if roads signs are missing or house number and names are not clearly visible, and this could be critical in an emergency situation.
Watch Commander Darren Packwood from H&WFRS's Community Safety Team, said: "Time lost in an emergency really can cost lives and so we want to encourage people to do all that they can to ensure their home is easy to locate."
He outlined the tips below, which have all been included in a new leaflet which will be handed out at this year's Three Counties Show and at other events that H&WFRS is attending this summer.
To help us find you in an emergency:
- Ensure your property is clearly marked with the house number or name
- Ensure your street has a clearly identified road name sign. Report any missing or damaged signs to your local authority
- Ensure you know your full address, including the postcode. Consider landmarks to help us to find you more quickly
- Ensure there is full access to your street and property at all times
This advice is especially relevant for those living in more rural locations and will help the fire service, police and ambulance staff reach you more quickly should you have an emergency.
Compressor fire
Wednesday 15 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to a factory unit in Kidderminster yesterday morning (Tuesday 14 June) after a large industrial compressor at the premises caught fire.
The initial call was received at around 10.20am and two fire engines from Kidderminster were dispatched to the Stourport Road factory. Two firefighters in breathing apparatus then used extinguishers and a hose reel to put out the fire, which had broken out in a large stand-alone compressor inside the factory unit. A covering jet was also used.
Watch Commander John Bristow from H&WFRS said: "Staff at the factory were using extinguishers to tackle the blaze as we arrived. Firefighters then took over and while we were able to put the fire out very quickly, it took another 30 minutes or so to cool the compressor because of the latent heat."
He confirmed that were no injuries and the fire was contained in the compressor, with the rest of the factory undamaged.
Rural safety to be promoted at Three Counties Show
Monday 13 June
Local Emergency Services are joining forces once again at the Three Counties Show, this year promoting rural safety to the residents of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) will be joined by colleagues from Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service as well as by representatives from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) and the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia.
Together they will set up a series of information points, exciting displays and demonstrations within the Emergency Services Village at the show, which takes place at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern between 17 – 19 June.
Each agency will be highlighting their particular area of work and showcasing how they work with other agencies to tackle issues affecting more rural communities within the three counties.
There will be particular focus on rural road safety, with emergency services giving demonstrations throughout the show on their respective roles at the scene of a serious road traffic collision. There will also be a series of educational activities coordinated by the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia, aimed at all ages, while visitors aged 15 or 16-years-old can sign up for pre-driver training, organised by the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
Hereford & Worcester and Gloucester fire and rescue services will be demonstrating the devastating effects of a fire in the home, highlighting how vital it is to test smoke alarms on a weekly basis and the importance of having chimneys swept regularly. Firefighters will also be taking along their Smoke House to demonstrate how to escape from a burning building, and there will also be specialist fire safety advice for business owners and managers.
For their part, West Mercia Police will be offering crime prevention advice specific to more rural communities and to support this, will be bringing along a police marked John Deere tractor (loaned by Thames Valley Police) to promote the security of agricultural vehicles. They will also be promoting Rural Watch and the volunteering opportunities available with the force.
Community First Responders from West Midlands Ambulance Service will also be on hand to provide visitors with vital life saving advice to help everyone become better prepared in the event of a real emergency.
Those visiting the show will also have the opportunity to have a closer look at a wide range of emergency services vehicles on display within the Emergency Services Village and to take part in competitions and other fun activities.
Area Commander John Hodges from H&WFRS said: "We are delighted to be part of the Three Counties Show again this year. It's an opportunity to show the public how the emergency services work together to respond to incidents, and the key role each agency plays. It's also ideal for promoting a range of safety issues and we hope people will find a visit to the Emergency Services Village both informative and fun.
"This year we are aiming to make our contribution to the show more interactive and exciting for all of the family, so please come along and pay us a visit."
Inspector Pete Funnell, who is organising West Mercia Police's presence at the Show, said: "It's great to be working with our colleagues at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue again at the Three Counties Show.
"Just as we do every day, we will be working closely with them to promote how people need to drive safely on rural roads.
"We are also promoting ways in which people from rural communities can avoid being victims of crime, including coming along to see the police marked tractor, which is fitted with all the latest technology that people can employ to protect their farm vehicles."
Man cut free from car
Monday 13 June
Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment to release a man from a car following a road traffic collision along the A4103 at Fromes Hill on Sunday (12 June).
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the incident at around 12.25pm and two fire engines from Bromyard and one from Malvern attended.
On arrival, firefighters found a male trapped inside one of the two vehicles involved, and so used hydraulic cutting gear to release him. He was checked by paramedics at the scene and then taken by land ambulance to hospital.
A wooden telegraph pole was also damaged during the incident and Western Power Distribution was called to restore external power lines to a cottage nearby. Police also attended.
Station Commander Phil Major from H&WFRS said: "Firefighters stabilised the car and then removed the roof so that the casualty could be brought out safely and given the medical attention he needed."
Firefighters also made safe both vehicles involved in the collision.
A trio of barn fires
Monday 13 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called out to three separate reports of barn fires on Sunday (12 June).
The first was reported at 12.15am in Bretforton Road in Honeybourne, near Evesham, and fire engines from Pebworth, Evesham and Broadway attended along with the water carrier from Evesham. Crews found a barn containing around 50 tonnes of hay alight and used two covering jets to bring the blaze under control by around 12.55am.
Shortly before 2.45am, firefighters were called to a second barn fire, this time in Church Road in Bradley Green, just outside Redditch. Fire engines from Redditch, Bromsgrove and Droitwich attended along with the water carrier from Evesham, and crews used one hose reel and a main jet to extinguish the fire. Around 200 bales of hay and straw were destroyed in the fire.
Crews were also called to Moreton-on-Lugg in Herefordshire at 9.45pm the same day to a further report of a barn fire off St Peters Close. Three pumps from Hereford plus the water carrier from Leominster were dispatched to the incident and on arrival, firefighters found a quantity of hay on fire in a field and so used back packs and a drag hook to extinguish it. The stop message was given at around 10.30pm.
Investigation into the cause of the fires is ongoing.
Warning issued following unseasonal rise in chimney fires
Monday 13 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is issuing a chimney safety warning following several recent calls to chimney fires across the two counties.
This included two incidents over the weekend, one in Worcester and one in Eldersfield in Herefordshire.
The first chimney fire was at a house in Oakleigh Avenue in the Hallow area of Worcester at around 12.40pm on Saturday 11 June. A fire engine and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Worcester attended and the fire crew used a hose reel and chimney rods as they extinguished the fire. A woman at the address was also treated by paramedics for the effects of smoke inhalation while firefighters fitted smoke alarms at the property before they left.
Fire crews from Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye and Tewkesbury (from neighbouring Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service) were also called to a woodburner fire at a farm in Church Lane in Elderfield at around 1.30pm on Sunday 12 June. The fire was quickly brought under control using chimney rods and a thermal imaging camera, with damage limited to the chimney and flue.
Station Commander Phil Major from H&WFRS said: "We tend to get called to far fewer chimney fires in the summer months but due to the unseasonally cold weather, many people are lighting fires, sometimes where their chimneys are overdue a clean. Certainly this latest fire was thought to be caused by the build-up of debris in the chimney and we would urge people to get their chimneys swept now if they intend to light fires before the autumn."
Further advice on chimney fire safety, including details of approved chimney sweeps operating in your area, is available here under our Latest Campaigns.
Chimney fire safety will also be promoted by H&WFRS during this year's Three Counties Show – visit the Emergency Services Village at the show for more information.
Warning following chip pan fire
Monday 13 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to a house in Adam Street in Kidderminster at around 9.40pm on Friday night (10 June) following reports of a kitchen fire at the address.
One fire engine from Kidderminster and one from Stourport-on-Severn attended, with firefighters in breathing apparatus entering the property and using a hose reel jet to extinguish a chip pan fire in the ground floor kitchen. A covering jet was also used, with the fire brought under control in under an hour.
Crews then used positive pressure ventilation equipment to clear smoke from both floors of the house, and then fitted smoke alarms at the property before leaving.
Crew Commander Neil Bennett from H&WFRS said: "This fire involved a chip pan which had been left unattended and the occupants of the house were only alerted by the smell of smoke once the fire had taken hold.
"While they were able to escape from the house, unharmed, there was considerable damage to the kitchen as a result of the fire, and extensive smoke logging throughout the rest of the house as doors had been left open."
He warned anyone cooking with hot fat to be vigilant and never to leave their cooking unattended, not even for a short while.
He also recommended that smoke alarms are fitted on each floor of the home, and that people get into the habit of testing their alarms on a regular basis. He confirmed that firefighters installed smoke alarms at the property before they left on Friday night and also called at neighbouring addresses to check they have working smoke alarms fitted.
More advice on safe cooking is available under the 'Your Safety' heading of our website.
Open Day at Droitwich Fire Station
Friday 10 June
Firefighters at Droitwich Fire Station will be holding their annual open day on Saturday, June 18.
The free event will be held at the fire station in Saltway between 12 midday and 3pm.
Those attending will be able to have a closer look at a range of equipment and vehicles used by the emergency services, and members of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service will be on hand to offer fire, road and water safety advice.
Droitwich firefighters from both White Watch and Green Watch will be carrying out rescue scenarios. The Droitwich based Urban Search and Rescue team will also be 'rescuing a casualty'.
Visitors will have the chance to experience a chip pan fire demonstration, look around the fire engines, enjoy refreshments and other activities.
Station Commander Dan Quinn said: "This is an annual event we all look forward to. It's a chance to show the local community the type of incidents we get called to and the range of community safety work we undertake. We also hope to show the whole family the real dangers involved in some of the hazards we encounter on a daily basis."
Fire at NEW College, Redditch
Thursday 9 June
A fire that broke out at NEW College in Redditch yesterday evening (Tuesday 8 June) is thought to have been caused by a discarded cigarette that had not been properly stubbed out.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was alerted to the fire at 6.30pm following the activation of the college's automatic fire alarm, and in accordance with its policy for fires in high rise buildings, four fire engines (three from Redditch and one from Bromsgrove) plus the hydraulic platform from Bromsgrove were sent to the incident.
On arrival, fire crews found that both the education block and the restaurant block at the college had been evacuated, with no one injured, and that a small fire that had broken out in a plastic waste bin in the female toilets on the ground floor had been put out by college staff, with the use of a foam extinguisher.
Two firefighters in breathing apparatus then used a thermal imaging camera to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and positive pressure ventilation equipment to clear heavy smoke logging within the toilet block.
Crew Commander Adrian Fitzgerald from H&WFRS said: "It's likely that the fire started after someone came onto the college campus, stubbed out their cigarette and then threw it into the bin without realising it wasn't properly out.
"Fortunately the alarm at the college activated as it should and the fire was quickly put out, with everyone safely out of the building. Smoke damage from the fire was also restricted because doors had been closed."
In line with national advice issued for 'No Smoking Day' in March, H&WFRS is reminding smokers to 'Put it Out, Right Out' and to take care where they dispose of cigarette ends.
Cooker fire
Thursday 9 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to Bushley Close in the Woodrow area of Redditch yesterday lunchtime (Wednesday 8 June) following reports of an oven fire at the address
The call was received at around 12.25pm and two fire engines from Redditch were dispatched.
On arrival, crews found the cooker was on fire in the kitchen of the terraced house but that the occupants had safely evacuated following an alert from their smoke alarm. With the gas supply isolated, two firefighters in breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire with the use of one hose reel. Positive pressure ventilation equipment was then used to clear smoke from the building.
The fire is believed to have started after the gas grill was left on after cooking.
Crew Commander Frank Cooper from H&WFRS said: "This fire highlights several important safety messages. Firstly, having a working smoke alarm is essential for every home – it gave the family an early alert about the fire and they were able to evacuate safely and call for help.
"Secondly, the woman living at the address has had some basic fire training and she knew just what to do in the event of a fire, namely get out and call the fire service. This certainly helped avoid injury to herself and her family, and with the prompt arrival of fire crews, also helped limit the fire damage to her house."
He urged everyone to check their smoke alarms are working properly and to ensure that all family members know what to do in the event of a fire in the home.
He also reminded everyone to get into the habit of double-checking the oven, hobs and grill are all switched off after cooking.
Contract Awarded for New Control Room
Wednesday 8 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's (HWFRS) new control room facility has today moved a step closer following the recent signing of a contract for a system which will manage its emergency 999 calls.
Today the Policy and Resources Committee of the Fire and Rescue Authority received a paper from the Chief Fire Officer indicating the contract winner and the continued working partnership with the Service's near neighbours in Shropshire.
Telent's Command & Control Mobilising System will be at the heart of the Service's 999 operation and will enable the secure and effective dispatch and control of fire engines to emergencies throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Hereford & Worcester and Shropshire fire and rescue services are jointly developing control rooms which will use a shared system following the Government's decision not to go ahead with the nationally prescribed Regional Fire Control project.
The joint project, which is in its initial stages, proposes a shared resilient control room infrastructure with common operational, technological and procedural practices, which would operate from two individual locations in Worcestershire and Shropshire. This would enable the services to work together during major incidents and in particular spate conditions such as flooding.
The HWFRS new control room will be co-located alongside its HQ Command Suite and will provide an improved working environment for Fire Control staff. It will be set up as a stand alone function and will then be linked with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service's control room.
The HWFRS contract has been awarded to Computacentre in partnership with Telent following an extensive tendering process.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "Our new control room facility will mean that the communities across the area will continue to have a resilient and cost effective locally based fire control facility. We believe that this state-of-the-art control room will improve the efficiency of our call handling function.
"We are delighted to be working with Telent as the new technology will enable us to have more precise information available to us, which in turn will help to improve our emergency response."
The new technology will improve Control Room efficiency in call handling. For example, the use of Automatic Vehicle Location will mean that the nearest resource will be quickly identified and proposed, improving the emergency response and the service delivered to the public. Control Room staff will also be able to identify the exact location of their caller.
Fire Service lends support to local carers
Wednesday 8 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is supporting this year's Carers Week, which takes place between 13 - 19 June.
Along with their colleagues from other agencies, H&WFRS will be reaching out to this important group to remind them about the range of help available to keep both themselves, and the people they care for, safe.
Whether they are looking after an older person, friend or family member, carers tend to lead very busy lives and with so much to do, it would be all too easy for fire safety to slip down their list of priorities. H&WFRS is keen that safety advice is easily accessible to the many carers who live in the two counties (around 17,500 in Herefordshire and 57,000 in Worcestershire) and so will be participating in a number of initiatives throughout Carers Week to offer support to this group and those they care for.
As in previous years, H&WFRS will be attending the Carers event being held at St Richards Hospice in Worcester on Monday 13 June, between 10am – 3pm, and they will also be participating in a series of talks across Herefordshire (see list below) to highlight some key fire safety advice to assist carers and those they look after, particularly where there are special factors, such as reduced mobility, to take into consideration.
Station Commander Grant Wills from H&WFRS said: "We have a large number of carers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and we want to use Carers Week as a focus to offer them relevant fire safety advice to keep them and the people they care for safe in their homes.
"There are many issues to consider – for example, it may take extra time for people with mobility difficulties to escape a house fire and there are higher risks associated with flammable care equipment such as oxygen cylinders. However, a few simple additions to the regular routine can make a real difference. Testing smoke alarms weekly can give vital early warning of the need to escape in event of a fire, while taking simple steps such as closing doors at night and avoiding overloading plug sockets can significantly reduce the risk of fire in their home.
"We also want to highlight the risk of distraction-type incidents, for instance where carers are called away from the cooking to attend to the needs of the person they care for.
"There's also a huge variety of specialist fire safety equipment - from vibrating smoke alarms for the hard of hearing to easy-reach smoke alarm testers for those with limited or restricted movement - and we want to make carers more aware that these options are available."
He added: "We will also be promoting Home Fire Safety Checks during Carers Week, where a representative from the Fire Service will visit carers and the person they care for in their home to offer fire safety advice relevant to their particular set of circumstances, and to fit free smoke alarms as needed."
He stressed that these visits are always handled sensitively and that Home Fire Safety Checks can be arranged at a time to suit the carer.
Any carer who would like to arrange a Home Fire Safety Check with free smoke alarms can call Worcestershire Association of Carers on 0300 012 4272 or Herefordshire Carers Support on 01432 356068, where specific advice and guidance for carers, and information on local carer groups for your area, is available. Alternatively you can contact H&WFRS directly on 0800 032 1155 – please state you are a carer as you call.
Warning following spate of bin fires in Kidderminster
Tuesday 7 June
A spate of bin fires in Kidderminster overnight has prompted police and fire officers to issue a warning about the seriousness of starting fires deliberately.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called at 12.17am this morning (Tuesday 7 June) to reports of two wheelie bins on fire in Hemming Street. A fire engine from Kidderminster attended and the blaze was extinguished using one hose reel jet. The crew was then called out at 2.09am and again at 2.21am to further fires involving wheelie bins, both at addresses in the Park Lane area. West Mercia Police also attended.
The fires are believed to have been started deliberately and police and fire officers say they will be conducting further enquiries in the area today.
PC Gordon Robbins, Local Policing Officer for Sutton Park, said: "These fires damaged a car, a fence and a hedgerow as well as the wheelie bins, and could easily have caused further damage if they had not been noticed and extinguished quickly.
"It's important that we identify those responsible and we are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch with us, especially if they saw any activity in the Hemming Street or Park Lane area overnight."
Watch Commander Ade Taylor, Arson Reduction Manager with H&WFRS added: "We are working closely with the local police on this matter, and want to stress just how serious arson can be. It can cause major damage to property, the environment and wildlife, and it can result in serious injury or even death if a fire becomes out of control. This could easily involve members of the public, emergency services staff called to deal with the incident or even the person responsible for starting the fire in the first place.
"Arson is also a criminal offence and we will certainly be pressing for the maximum penalties for anyone in Kidderminster found to be starting fires deliberately."
Anyone with information regarding these fires is asked to call Kidderminster police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emergency Services Event at Eastnor Castle
Thursday 2 June
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service will be joining colleagues from other local emergency services at the Eastnor SOS Day taking place this weekend.
This will be held at Eastnor Castle between 11am – 4.30pm on Sunday 5 June (visit www.eastnorcastle.com for further details).
Representatives from West Mercia Police, the army, St John Ambulance, County Air Ambulance, Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) and Severn Area Rescue Association will also be attending, setting up a series of displays for visitors to enjoy and to learn more about the work the various agencies are called to respond to.
For its part, H&WFRS is planning a series of activities throughout the day, including a rescue demonstration on the lake by the water rescue team and a display of the equipment and vehicles used by the Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) team, who are also hoping to bring along their rescue dog.
The Aerial Ladder Platform will also be displayed along with some of the 4 x 4 vehicles used by H&WFRS, including the new Defender 130 off-road firefighting vehicle.
H&WFRS's Community Fire Safety team will be taking along the smoke tent and will be on hand to offer general fire safety advice.
Watch Commander Nick Browning from H&WFRS said: "With the range of vehicles and equipment on display from both the Fire Service and the other emergency services, this promises to be a fun filled family day, and we hope lots of people will come along to the event to enjoy the activities on offer."
Update on scrap yard fire
Wednesday 1 June
Firefighters say that a major fire that broke out at a scrap yard in Herefordshire yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 31 May) is now under control.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was first alerted to the incident at 3.25pm yesterday afternoon and all three fire engines from Hereford were dispatched along with the water carrier from Ross-on-Wye.
Finding a large fire involving an estimated 170 vehicles at the scrap yard, extra resources were requested and a total of 12 pumps were deployed at the height of the incident. This included additional pumps from Fownhope, Ewyas Harold, Upton, Leominster (2), Whitchurch, Bromyard, Ross-on-Wye and Peterchurch, as well as an extra water carrier from Ross-on-Wye. The Environmental Protection Unit from Stourport, the Command Support Unit from Malvern and the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) from Redditch also attended.
Four firefighters in breathing apparatus were involved in tackling the fire with two water hose reels, three foam jets, one foam hose reel and a water monitor also used.
Firefighting continued throughout the night, with the stop message finally given at 6.23am this morning (Wednesday 1 June). Relief crews remain at the scene, with an inspection planned for later today.
Station Commander Phil Major from H&WFRS said: "This was a large fire involving three separate buildings and more than a hundred vehicles, and it took significant resources to bring it under control. While the vehicles were completely destroyed in the blaze, the buildings were saved, although they have suffered major fire damage."
Fire investigation is ongoing.