News Headlines... July 2010
To go straight to any of July's news click on the links below.
Worcester Safety Day | Packaging Plant Fire | House Fire | Tribute | Flat Fire | High Sheriff Visit | Chip Pan Fire | Emergency Services Day | Barn Fire | Cow Rescued Twice | Community Safety Day | The Big Lunch | Industrial Premises Fire | Dying to Drive | Sheep River Rescue | Public Consultation | Deaf Awareness Week
Worcester Community Safety Day enjoyed by all!
Tuesday 27 July, 2010
Several thousand people descended on Worcester Racecourse on Saturday (24 July) for the annual Worcester Community Safety Day.
The event, now in its third year, was hosted by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in association with Worcester Racecourse, and supported by Listers Group.
The Fire Fighters Charity, West Mercia Police, NHS, St. Johns Ambulance, RNLI, Deaf Direct, Neighbourhood Watch, West Midlands Search & Rescue and Sports Direct all attended.
There were demonstrations by the emergency and rescue services throughout the day, including water rescue and road traffic collision demonstrations (see photographs attached), gas explosion and oil pan fire demos plus a range of food stalls, face painting and competitions for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Winners of the 'Design a poster' competition were also announced during the event.
This competition was organised by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in a bid to promote greater fire safety awareness among children of all ages. Every school in Worcester was invited to participate and the winning entry from each age group was asked to go along to Worcester Community Safety Day where the overall winner was judged by Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates.
Danny Cave (Key Stage 2: 8 -11 year age group) at Warndon Primary School was chosen as the overall winner of the competition, while Madeleine Brown (Key Stage 1: 4 – 7 year age group) from Claines Primary School and Lauren Lee (Key Stage 3:12 – 15 year age group) from Nunnery Wood High School were runners up (see photograph attached).
All of the winners will be invited to Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in August and Danny Cave, the overall winner, will have his winning design framed and presented to him.
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Fire at plastic packaging plant in Tenbury Wells
Monday 26 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a large fire at a plastic packaging plant in Tenbury Wells at the weekend.
Workers on the shop floor of the plastic bottle manufacturing factory in Boraston Lane alerted emergency services at around 2.25am on Sunday 25 July after noticing the fire in the office area on the first floor of the building. The shop floor premises had been fully evacuated as fire crews arrived.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the locked office area but as they broke down the door, there was a flashover (the room burst into flames) and so they withdrew and called for further back up.
A total of ten pumps attended (one from Tenbury Wells, two from Leominster, one from Malvern, one from Bewdley, two from Bromyard, one from Stourport, one from Kingsland and one from Leintwardine) as well as the Restricted Access Vehicle from Peterchurch, an aerial ladder from Hereford and the Pinzgauer and Environment Protection Unit from Stourport.
The fire was brought under control at around 6.10am while the last pump left the premises at around 5.30pm later the same day, with crews doing all that they could to minimise the effect of the fire on the manufacturing capability at the factory.
There was significant damage to the office area on the first floor and extensive smoke damage on the second floor and to the rafters in the roof area. There was also some water damage on the ground floor.
Praising the crews who attended for a 'good stop', Watch Manager David James said: "It was fortunate that the fire was noticed so quickly as with the plastic processing at the premises, the incident had the potential to be far more serious than it was. Thankfully, no one was injured and despite the damage to the office area, the shop floor is already up and running."
The fire is believed to have been started accidentally in the office area on the first floor of the premises.
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House fire at Weston under Penyard
Thursday 22 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house fire in Weston under Penyard, near Ross-on-Wye, shortly before 6am this morning (Thursday 22 July).
On noticing the fire, the couple at the Upper Weston address were able to make their own way out of the property and then alert the emergency services.
Two crews from Ross were first on the scene and finding a significant fire on the second floor and into the roof space of the house, they made the decision that extra pumps would be needed. They were soon joined by two appliances from Cinderford (from Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service) and a RAV (Restricted Access Vehicle) from Whitchurch, and with eight firefighters using breathing apparatus and one main jet, the fire was brought under control by around 8.30am.
Two crews remained at the property throughout the morning to continue damping down.
Station Manager Martin Lown said: "This was a serious fire but thanks to the early assessment of the crews from Ross, we had the resources we needed in place and were able to confine the fire to the roof space. The support from Gloucester Fire and Rescue was also invaluable."
The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
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Tribute to Firefighter Gary Williams
Wednesday 21 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have paid tribute to firefighter Gary Williams who died following a road traffic collision near Long Marston airfield yesterday morning (Tuesday 20 July).
Gary Williams, aged 38, was Crew Manager at Pebworth Fire Station. He had been with the Service for eight years.
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "We are all deeply saddened to hear of Gary's sudden death. He was a highly valued and respected member of the team at Pebworth, a dedicated officer who lived and worked in the heart of the local community. He was also an instructor with the Young Firefighters Association at Bidford Fire Station in neighbouring Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.
"He will be missed terribly by his colleagues at Pebworth, who, despite their loss, have continued to remain on duty and available to respond to emergency calls throughout this difficult time.
"Our thoughts are with Gary's family and friends, and the Service will continue to offer them its full support.
"Gary's dedication and professionalism will be sorely missed by the whole Service."
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Flat Fire in Hereford
Tuesday 20 July, 2010
Firefighters were called to a flat fire in the Hunderton area of Hereford shortly after 5.30pm yesterday evening (Monday 19 July).
Three pumps from Hereford attended the property in Golden Post along with the Restricted Access Vehicle from Peterchurch.
Initial entry was made through the first floor window of the flat and six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire using three hose reels along with positive pressure ventilation to help clear the smoke from the building.
The flat was unoccupied at the time of the incident and no one was injured.
Representatives from Herefordshire Housing were also in attendance.
The fire was brought under control by 8pm.
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Fire Service welcomes High Sheriff
Tuesday 20 July, 2010
Elizabeth Hunter, the recently appointed High Sheriff for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, paid a visit to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service yesterday (Monday 19 July) to learn more about the work of the fire service across the two counties.
The High Sheriff, who took up her role on 25 March this year, was welcomed by Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates at Fire Service Headquarters in Charles Hastings Way, Worcester. They were then joined for lunch by other Principal Officers before travelling on to Droitwich for a tour of the Fire Station and Training Centre. This was also an opportunity to meet with the duty crew and learn more about the specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facilities that operate from Droitwich Fire Station.
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "It's been a pleasure to meet with the new High Sheriff and explain more about the way Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service operates and the service we provide to our local communities. Our staff not only provide vital emergency response services but they also complete a huge amount of fire safety education in the communities across both counties and I was delighted that the High Sheriff showed a great interest in this work."
High Sheriff Elizabeth Hunter added: "I had a very warm welcome, both from the Principal Officers in Worcester and the teams of firefighters based at Droitwich, and it was a very informative visit all round. While at Droitwich, I was able to have a closer look at many of the specialist vehicles and equipment used by the Fire Service, and gain a greater appreciation of the high level of training needed to use this safely and effectively.
"Individual fire officers were very happy to answer my questions and I was particularly interested to hear more from them about their school engagement and the other community events they attend on a regular basis to help promote greater fire safety awareness.
"I'd like to pass on my thanks to everyone involved in the visit."
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Warning following chip pan fire in Redditch
Tuesday 20 July, 2010
Firefighters are warning people to be extra vigilant following a chip pan fire in Redditch at the end of last week.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a residential property in Salters Lane, Redditch shortly before 10.30pm on Thursday 15 July after the occupant was alerted to the fire by his smoke alarm.
Two Redditch appliances attended and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the ground floor flat, where they extinguished the fire and then used positive pressure ventilation equipment to clear the smoke from the building.
The occupant, a male in his 40s, was treated at the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation.
Station Manager at Redditch, Phil Griffiths, explained: "Fortunately the man had a working smoke alarm fitted at his property and so had early warning about the fire.
"We want to take this opportunity to remind people about the importance of having a working smoke alarm fitted – it really can be the difference between a minor incident and a fatal fire."
He advised people to fit a smoke alarm on every floor of the property and to get into the habit of checking on a weekly basis that the alarm is working properly. He urged people to keep a spare battery at all times and to replace batteries without delay as needed.
He also encouraged people with elderly or vulnerable family or friends to encourage them to have smoke alarms fitted and to check them regularly.
Station Manager Griffiths reminded people that many house fires start in the kitchen and he urged anyone using a chip pan to be especially vigilant, advisng them to keep an eye on their cooking at all times and never to leave pans unattended.
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Emergency Services Day at Evesham Fire Station - Come and join the fun!
Monday 19 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service will be hosting the annual Emergency Services Day in Evesham at the end of July.
The event, which offers a packed programme of activities for all the family, will be held at Evesham Fire Station in Merstow Green on Saturday 31 July from 11am until 4pm.
Evesham firefighters will be on hand, along with representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police, to offer free safety advice and to give a series of demonstrations and displays. West Midlands Search and Rescue (WMSAR) will also be attending.
Attractions include road traffic collision demonstrations, a water rescue equipment display and the smoke tent, while the Line Rescue Team will also attend. There will also be a mobile police station and response vehicles for visitors to have a closer look at, plus a hog roast and ice cream.
Entrance to the event is free of charge and there is parking immediately opposite the fire station.
Watch Manager Julian Jenkins said: "Everyone is welcome to come along to the fire station to meet the fire crews and learn more about the work we do, particularly in partnership with police and ambulance staff.
"With specialists from each of the emergency services attending, it's an ideal time for people to get safety advice on a range of different issues and to follow up any particular concerns they might have. There's also a variety of activities planned for children and adults alike to try and we hope that people will come along and join in the fun."
All proceeds from the event will go to the National Fire Service Benevolent Fund.
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Barn Fire
Monday 19 July, 2010
Crews from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) were joined by Shropshire firefighters to tackle a serious barn fire at the weekend.
The call came through shortly before 5.30pm on Saturday 17 July, and on their arrival at the farm in Downton on the Rock, near Leintwardine, firefighters found around 300 hay bales and 100 bales of straw alight in the eight-bay Dutch barn.
Pumps from Leintwardine, Kingsland, Leominster, Kington and Tenbury Wells attended along with a water carrier from Bewdley. One Ludlow appliance and a heavy pumping unit from Craven Arms also joined the Hereford & Worcester crews.
Group Manager Rob Ball from H&WFRS West District said: "Our firefighters were at the scene very quickly, and were ably supported by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. As well as sending along an extra appliance, they also provided specialist pumping equipment which helped ensure that the fire did not spread to other farm buildings nearby. This is an excellent example of how neighbouring fire services work together."
He confirmed that there were no animals in the barn and no one injured as a result of the fire.
The fire was brought under control just before 9pm while the water carrier crew remained at the scene until around 10.30pm to continue damping down.
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Cow rescued twice in 24 hours!
Monday 14 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have rescued the same cow from the river at Bushley in South Worcestershire twice within a 24-hour time period.
Firefighters were first called at 7.55pm last night (Tuesday 13 July) following reports that a cow was stuck in the river not far from Bredon School in Pull Court, Bushley.
Pumps from Upton and Worcester attended along with the Pinzgauer all terrain vehicle from Malvern and the rescue boat from Worcester. Firefighters managed to guide the swimming cow from a deeper part of the river to a shallower stream where it was able to step easily on to the river bank.
The cow was safely out of the water by 10pm.
Fire crews were then called again shortly after 8am this morning (Wednesday 14 July) after the same cow entered the water for a second time along the same stretch of river.
One pump from Upton, the Pinzgauer from Malvern and the rescue boat from Evesham attended.
Station Manager Adrian Thompson explained: "It took slightly longer to get the cow to safety this time as our initial attempt to lead it out of the water using strops wasn't successful. However, we then tried using the farmer's JCB transporter, and with the assistance of the rescue team from Evesham, we managed to lift the cow safely on to the river bank. The cow's owner and a vet were in attendance throughout."
He confirmed that all of the cattle have now been moved out of the field and the possibility of electric fencing along the river bank is being considered.
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Worcester Community Safety Day – Come and join the fun!
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Monday 12 July, 2010
Worcester firefighters are inviting everyone along to the annual Worcester Community Safety Day, which takes place at Worcester Racecourse on Saturday 24 July between 11am and 4pm.
Several thousand people attended this fun-filled event last year and even more attractions are planned for 2010, including some fascinating demonstrations by the emergency and rescue services.
The event, now in its third year, is being hosted by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in association with Worcester Racecourse, and supported by Listers Group.
It is aimed at people of all ages and admission is free, with parking facilities available nearby.
Many agencies plan to support the event including The Fire Fighters Charity, West Mercia Police, the NHS, St. Johns Ambulance, RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), Deaf Direct, Neighbourhood Watch, West Midlands Search & Rescue as well as road safety and Sports Direct.
Events and attractions planned for this year include:
- Water Rescue Demonstrations
- Road Traffic Collision Demonstrations
- Gas Explosion & Oil Pan Fire Demonstrations
- Urban Search and Rescue
- Air Ambulance & Police Helicopter - Attendance and Flyovers
- Local radio
Station Manager Richard Jordan said: “The focus for the day is very much on safety, whether it’s within the home, on the roads or on the water. As in previous years, there will be something for all the family to watch, enjoy and take part in and at the same time, our firefighters and partner agencies will have the opportunity to show the community the kind of work we are called to respond to on a daily basis.
“We hope that people living within the two counties will make a note of the date and come along if they can. We’ll look forward to seeing you there!”
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Safety message for 'The Big Lunch'
Monday 12 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is urging anyone taking part in this year’s The Big Lunch event to be extra vigilant with regards to fire safety.
The Big Lunch event takes place on Sunday 18 July and is an initiative to encourage people from local communities to get together and enjoy themselves.
The first Big Lunch was held in July 2009 and nearly a million people are believed to have come together, hosting events from simple barbecues to full-on street parties with entertainment, games, food and music.
The idea is simply for people to knock on the door of their neighbour and invite them to join them for lunch, whatever format it might take.
Launa Walker, Community Safety Manager at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is a fantastic initiative to help build stronger communities and we hope that many people from the two counties will be participating. However, we want everyone to enjoy the event in safety and so would urge people to take care, and to be especially vigilant if they are planning a barbecue.”
She reminded people to keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area, and to ensure that the barbecue site is flat and well away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs. She also recommended that people keep a bucket of water, a bucket of sand or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies and never to leave a barbecue unattended.
Alcohol should also be avoided if you are in charge of the cooking.
She ended: “It is easy to get distracted when you are chatting, especially at an event like The Big Lunch when you might be getting to meet people for the first time. We hope that people will be vigilant and enjoy their lunches in safety.”
More details about the Big Lunch and how to get involved are available online at www.thebiglunch.com .
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Fire at industrial premises in Worcester
Wednesday 7 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at an industrial unit on the Blackpole Trading Estate in Worcester at 12.15pm today (Wednesday 7 July).
The fire was at a single storey factory producing fibre glass panels.
Two fire crews from Worcester and one from Droitwich attended, and using breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera, brought the fire under control by 1.40pm.
A male working at the premises received treatment from ambulance staff for the effects of smoke inhalation.
No one else is believed to have been injured as a result of the fire although the third fire appliance was used to help decontaminate the firefighters involved, due to the hazardous nature of the items produced at the factory.
All kit used will now be sent off for full decontamination.
Station Manager Grant Wills explained: "A fire of this nature has the potential for more serious consequences but thankfully we were on the scene within minutes and able to bring it under control quickly. Our training certainly prepares us well for such situations and every precaution was taken to protect those at the premises as well as our firefighters tackling the blaze."
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Dying to Drive
Tuesday 6 July, 2010
High school students from across Herefordshire were invited along to their local fire station last week 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 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 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 then worked 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, 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 attended the ‘Dying to Drive’ sessions at the fire station throughout the week.
The demonstration was followed by a series of workshops where the safety message was reinforced and the teenagers were given advice on what action to take in an emergency.
Watch Manager Kevin Giles, based at Peterchurch Fire Station, 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 that the message is hard-hitting and likely to be 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 have seen will have a positive impact on their driving and who they get into a car with.”
He added that Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and their partner agencies found the ‘Dying to Drive’ event a useful training opportunity and were encouraged by the feedback and the questions the youngsters asked.
He ended: “We hope that those who attended the ‘Dying to Drive’ event will think twice after what they have seen and will recognise that it’s just not worth risking serious injury or worse just for a few moments of excitement. “
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Sheep Rescued from River
A sheep was pulled from the river to safety by firefighters at the weekend.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called at around 9:10pm on Saturday 3 July following reports that a sheep had slipped down the river bank into the river just near to the Anchor pub in Caunsall Road in Caunsall, Kidderminster.
Pumps from Kidderminster and Worcester attended and a rescue boat from Worcester was also launched. The sheep was pulled to safety shortly before 10.30pm.
Kidderminster Crew Manager Jon Cooper explained: “The sheep had fallen down a fairly steep bank into the river and despite firefighters clearing a section of vegetation along the river bank, the sheep still wasn’t able to find its own way out of the water.
“While the river was fairly shallow at this point, the sheep was swimming at times and we felt that it was important to get it to safety as quickly as possible. We therefore set up a rescue line and four firefighters from the boat crew were able to head back up the bank with the sheep which, seemingly none the worse for its ordeal, then rejoined other sheep in the field.”
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Fire Authority urges residents to have their say
Tuesday 29 June, 2010
Residents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being urged to have their say on the way the Fire Service is set to run.
At a meeting held on Friday 25 June, Members of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority formally approved the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2011/12 for consultation.
The IRMP action plan for 2011/12 sets out a broad range of priorities for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and a 12-week consultation period is now open to gauge opinions on the seven key recommendations outlined in the document.
These include:
- A review during 2011/12 of the impact of the recent changes in Technical Fire Safety arrangements to ensure that the anticipated benefits are being fully realised.
- A review of the allocation of community safety resources to ensure the best fit of activities to risk. This will maximise our ability to reduce risk in our communities.
- Reducing our attendance at Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) through a review of our policies and procedures and the implementation of our findings.
- A review of our fire cover and response arrangements with a focus on:
- The requirement for a third appliance at Hereford, Worcester and Redditch.
- The current crewing arrangements at Bromsgrove.
- The appropriate number of personnel on each watch at wholetime and day crewed stations.
- Ensuring that our Property Strategy is fully aligned to our IRMP proposals including Recommendation No. 4 and other aspects of Service Delivery, such as the provision of effective operational training.
- We will consider our current operational training strategy and provision to identify any potential for improvement in both effectiveness and efficiency, and implement any appropriate changes.
- We will review our approach to environmental issues to ensure that we are maximising the potential partnership working in this area, reducing our energy usage and identifying further opportunities for cost efficiency.
Chief Fire Officer with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Mark Yates said: "The recommendations in the report follow a detailed evaluation of our current prevention, protection and response arrangements and take into account input from our District Commanders, District Community Safety Staff and our Firefighters in order to capture local knowledge and risk information.
"We always strive to give the highest level of service we possibly can with the resources available to us and we want to ensure any changes we make enhance the work and reputation of the organisation. It's important now that we get feedback from the community and we would urge everyone to take a look at these IRMP recommendations and to respond to our consultation questionnaire."
Brigadier Peter Jones CBE, who was elected Chair of the Fire Authority for a further 12 months at Friday's meeting, said: "These are only draft proposals at this stage and it's vital that we gauge the opinions of residents living within the two counties and incorporate these into the plan. The consultation is open to everyone until 20th September and all opinions will be fed back to the Authority before any final decisions are made."
The current Vice Chair of the Fire Authority, Stephen Clee, was also re-elected for a further year during Friday's meeting, while congratulations were passed to Simon Hawkins from Bromsgrove, who was named Firefighter of the Year 2010 at a national awards ceremony in London on 4 June.
The Equality Scheme – a commitment from the Fire Service to deliver equality and diversity for all employees and the communities it serves - was also approved and adopted at the meeting.
A copy of the IRMP consultation document can be found here, while printed copies will be available from local fires stations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and at community events the Fire Service attends over the summer months. Residents are encouraged to give their feedback by completing and returning the questionnaire section of the document. The IRMP action plan will then be aligned with the consultation results and submitted to the Fire and Rescue Authority at its December meeting.
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Fire Service support Deaf Awareness Week
Thursday 1 July, 2010
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is playing its part in Deaf Awareness Week by stressing to deaf people the importance of fitting and testing specialist smoke alarms and equipment.
Community Safety Manager, Launa Walker, said: "An estimated one million adults within the UK are unable to hear an ordinary smoke alarm because of deafness or removal of a hearing aid at night, and so we want to urge people to check that they have the right smoke alarm system in place."
She explained that people with hearing loss may be at serious risk of death and injury if they don't have the appropriate smoke alarm fitted, as they could lose valuable time to escape from a house fire.
She added: "We work in partnership with local social care teams to reach this vulnerable group and to ensure that they have the right smoke alarm technology in their home to protect them.
"Not every deaf or hearing impaired person lives with someone else and they may not have anyone to rely on should the worst happen. We therefore aim to provide adults affected by hearing loss with vibration pads and strobe lights to make sure they will be alerted to any fire in their home, particularly if they have taken out their hearing aid at night."
Deaf Awareness Week is a national initiative which runs from 28 June to 4 July.