Summer 2008 - Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service magazine
Summer 2008 Issue 6
Alcohol:
Fuel for Fire
A new fire safety campaign
targeting drinkers was launched in
Nottinghamshire on 1 July.
The Alcohol: Fuel for Fire campaign
is being run by Nottinghamshire
Fire and Rescue Service in
partnership with over 20 Pub Watch
schemes across the county. It aims
to help identify those people most
at risk from fire, who are over 60
years old, heavy drinkers, heavy
smokers and generally live alone.
Although this is a generalised
profile, statistics have proven that
these people are more at risk from
fire, and are less likely to survive a
fire in their home.
By identifying these people in
over 100 pubs across the county,
and then carrying out Home
Safety Checks and fitting smoke
detectors, it is hoped that this risk
will be reduced. Over 40,000 beer
mats and posters will be placed in
pubs, making drinkers aware of the
risk of fire and of smoking whilst
under the influence of alcohol.
Most fires that claim lives are
a result of cigarettes or other
smoking-related materials and
many involve alcohol. In the last
two years in Nottinghamshire, nine
people lost their lives in fires, eight
of which were caused by cigarettes
or matches.
To reduce the risk, make sure
cigarettes and matches are
properly extinguished, especially
before going to bed, and never
be tempted to smoke in bed. Take
extra care when smoking late at
night or after drinking alcohol –
it’s easy to fall asleep with a lit
cigarette.
Environmental
Protection in Action
Around 100 firefighters from Nottinghamshire Fire and
Rescue Service (NFRS) spent over 24 hours dealing with a
large fire in a scrap metal yard in May.
Thankfully, no-one was injured during
the incident on Harrimans Lane in the
Dunkirk area of Nottingham, which
saw the Environmental Protection Unit
(EPU) working non-stop to protect the
surrounding area from the impact of
such a large scale industrial fire.
The unit, which is funded primarily
by the Environment Agency, carries
equipment on board that can be used
by firefighters to minimise the effects
that certain incidents could have on the
environment.
At the Harrimans Lane incident
firefighters used a high volume pump,
which pumps 8,000 litres of water every
minute, to control the blaze. This caused
a large amount of oil from the plant to
flow towards drains in the area.
Crews used drain covers to prevent
any of the oil from entering the water
course and soaked up excess oil using
specialist absorbent material.
The contaminated water run-off was
then pumped back onto the fire to
minimise the amount of water being
taken from the nearby canal.
Group Manager Clive Gannon was
the Hazardous Materials Officer at
Harrimans Lane. He said: “Working
closely with partner organisations, we
kept damage to the surrounding area to
a minimum and released public safety
messages to local people.
“As well as dealing with the incidents
themselves, the Service has a duty to
protect the local environment, and the
EPU is invaluable in helping us to do so.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
Eleven students from across Nottinghamshire were given an insight into the role of a
firefighter when they undertook work experience with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service.
The 15-year-olds – three girls and
eight boys – spent a week trying their
hand at practical skills such as hose
running, pumping water, ladder safety
and wearing breathing apparatus.
They also learned about the Service’s
community safety work, basic first aid
and the history of the fire and rescue
service.
Crew Manager Kev Ruane, who
devised and ran the week’s
programme, said: “We tried to
include several different elements
of a firefighter’s role, not just fire
fighting. It also gave us a chance
to showcase some of the fantastic
resources we have, and it would be
a great achievement for us if some of
them have gone away thinking about a
career with Nottinghamshire Fire and
Rescue Service.”
The students are pictured during a training session at Mansfield Fire Station.
Fire Safety
is Housing
Priority
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service’s Fire Protection team has formed
a new partnership to increase fire safety
in much of the region’s housing.
Local housing provider, Longhurst Group,
has shown its commitment to the health
and safety of its residents and staff in the
partnership, which is the first of its kind
in the UK between a registered social
landlord and a fire and rescue service.
The partnership aims to offer advice and
fire safety guidance to Longhurst Group’s
16,000 households and 1,000 staff living
and working in the region. Fire officers
will work with staff to ensure safe working
practices, and will highlight fire safety
messages at community safety events
hosted by the group.
Chief’s Challenge
Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann is set to have a ‘wheely’ good time when
he embarks on an 86 mile cycling challenge in September.
Frank will be joined by Chair of the Fire Authority Councillor Darrell
Pulk, and together they will visit every wholetime fire station in
Nottinghamshire in just one day. Both men have been sticking to a
rigorous training regime, and can now complete 40 miles.
If you would like to support the Chief‘s Challenge by donating to The
Fire Fighters Charity, visit
www.justgiving.co.uk/
nottschiefschallenge or
send a cheque payable to
‘The Fire Fighters Charity’ to
Fire Service Headquarters,
Bestwood Lodge, Arnold,
Nottingham, NG5 8PD.
Frank, right, and Darrell
are pictured taking a break
during training.
NOTTS' New Fire Kit
Iceland
Nottinghamshire
firefighters will look
distinctly different when
turning up to fires in
the future, thanks to an
£800,000 investment
in new fire kit by
Nottinghamshire Fire and
Rescue Authority.
Foods Fined
Iceland Foods was ordered by
Nottingham magistrates to pay a
total of £28,500 in fines and costs
after admitting that it had failed to
comply with fire safety legislation.
The breaches were discovered
following a fire at the Iceland
store in Bulwell, Nottingham in
September 2006. An electrical
fire broke out on the ground floor
and six members of staff were
evacuated to the roof, where
they discovered the vertical
escape ladder was locked. They
managed to break the lock with a
crowbar and all but one climbed to
safety. The sixth was rescued by
firefighters.
The new personal protection
equipment (PPE) consists of red
and grey trousers and tunics for
firefighters attending operational
incidents. A new jet-style helmet
designed to give greater protection
will also be provided, marking a
move away from the more traditional
firefighters’ helmet (pictured right).
In addition to its new design the
kit also comes, for the first time, in
dedicated male and female sizes,
offering greater comfort to the
growing number of female firefighters
in Nottinghamshire.
Group Manager Trevor Tarlton-Weatherall explained: “Our present style fire kit
in Nottinghamshire has been in use for the past 19 years, so this represents
a massive change, both for us and the way the public will see us at incidents.
The new kit is lighter and more breathable, and therefore more comfortable,
than our previous kit, but offers
even greater protection from fire.
Our old kit was good and has given
long service but because of the
technology now available, this is
significantly better.
“The comfort and well-being of
our firefighters is of paramount
importance to us, and the kit has
undergone rigorous testing in which
it has performed extremely well. I am
confident that, once our firefighters
start wearing the new kit, they will feel
the benefit of it immediately.”
It is anticipated that all of the
Nottinghamshire fire crews will be
wearing the new kit by early next year.
An investigation by
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service’s Fire Protection team
uncovered a number of fire safety
contraventions, which led to the
prosecution. Iceland pleaded guilty
in court to four charges relating
to failure to properly manage fire
safety measures, failure to properly
instruct and train staff, failure to
keep, and maintain, emergency
exits clear and having a means of
escape that could not be quickly
and safely used.
Magistrates in Nottingham ordered
Iceland Foods to pay £15,000 in
fines and £13,500 in costs.
Mark Huckerby, Head of Fire
Protection, said: “Fire safety
legislation is put in place to
ensure people’s safety, and we
are responsible for policing and
enforcing it. The public needs to
be reassured that we take this
duty very seriously and, whilst
we continually strive to help
businesses to achieve compliance
and safer premises, the Fire
Authority will prosecute serious
breaches.”
SUMMER
SAFETY
Follow our summer safety tips to
help your holidays go smoothly.
Barbecues
• Cooking over hot coals can be
hazardous and it’s easy to be
distracted.
• Never leave a barbecue
unattended and keep it away
from sheds, fences, trees,
shrubs or garden waste.
• Keep children, pets and
garden games away from the
cooking area.
• Always keep a bucket of water,
sand or garden hose nearby.
• Empty ashes onto bare soil,
not into dustbins or wheelie
bins.
• Enjoy yourself, but don’t drink
too much alcohol if you’re the
head chef!
Camping and caravanning
Tents
• Allow 6m spacing between
tents, caravans and parked
cars.
• Never use candles in or near
a tent.
• Never cook inside a small tent.
• Make sure everyone knows
how to escape and how to
stop, drop and roll to put out
clothing that’s on fire.
• Never smoke inside tents.
Caravans
• Fit and test a smoke alarm.
• Turn off all appliances before
going out or to bed.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Don’t dry clothes over the
stove.
• If a fire breaks out call the fire
and rescue service and give
the exact location. If this is not
possible, give a landmark such
as a farm or pub etc.
Fire crews tackle a simulated fire.
Crews Aim High
with Airport Exercise
Fortunately fires in planes are not regular occurrences,
but it is important for the fire and rescue service to be
prepared for every eventuality.
That’s why firefighters from West Bridgford’s Blue Watch and members of the
Specialist Rescue Team from Dunkirk recently took part in a firefighting and
rescue exercise at East Midlands Airport.
The crews, along with the airport’s own firefighters, took part in scenarios
involving fires in the engine, wheels and cargo hold of a specially-constructed
plane used for firefighting exercises. They also tackled an internal fire in
the fuselage, which involved the simulated rescue of passengers. The day
included a tour of the airport’s fire appliances and firefighting equipment, and
visits to the air ambulance and air traffic control.
Watch Manager Gary Hunt of West Bridgford Fire Station said: “The day was
extremely difficult to
organise because of
all the issues around
airport security but it
was well worth it. It was
a thoroughly exciting
day, which proved
hugely beneficial to all
those involved, and is
something we hope to
repeat in the future.”
An airport fire appliance.
Notts Hosts
National
Conference
Representatives from fire and
rescue services across the
country came to Nottinghamshire
to discuss arson reduction and
investigation as part of a national
conference organised by support
group Performance Improvement
Networking.
Officers from Nottinghamshire showcased
evidence used in a recent arson case, where
petrol found at the scene was tested and found to be from
one of two petrol stations in the area – a technique that had
never been used in the county before.
Station Manager Craig Dooley, who heads the Arson Task
Force, said: “The conference gave us the opportunity to
discuss methods for reducing and investigating arson. It
was fantastic to see so many of our counterparts visiting
Nottinghamshire from across the country.”
Officers from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service's
Fire Investigation team (back left) Station Manager Stewart
Key and (back right) Station Managers Andy Bettison
and Craig Dooley are pictured with Area Manager Martin
Smart, conference organiser Denise Lee and (front) Watch
Manager Dave Coss from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue
Service with Fudge the Fire Dog.
Open Door
Fire Safety
Hits the Road
MPs and the media were
invited inside the new
Regional Fire Control Centre
(RCC) at Castle Donington at
one of two regional briefing
events.
Gypsies and travellers in Bulwell have
been getting fire safety advice from
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
at a series of safety events at Bulwell
Healthy Living Centre.
at RCC
The events helped raise
awareness of the new RCC
project as well as giving
journalists and politicians
the chance to ask questions about how the RCC will function when it ‘goes
live’ next year. Those attending were able to find out more about the project
from key RCC personnel, including the national project director Richard How,
centre director Paul St Clair and Chair of the Board Cllr Darrell Pulk.
By spring 2010 the Regional Control Centre will handle all emergency
calls to the fire and rescue services for the East Midlands, which
includes Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and
Northamptonshire.
Cllr Darrell Pulk is pictured being interviewed by ITV in the new control room.
More than 50 people attended three
events. Crews carried out Home Safety
Checks and gave advice to those living in
trailers. This includes fitting smoke alarms
and testing them regularly, never leaving
cookers unattended and not storing fuel
underneath the trailer.
Community Safety Advocate, Michael Ellis
organised the events. He said: “There are
many services for the gypsy and traveller
community but, due to the nature of their
lives, they find them difficult to access. I
hope these events can help make their
homes safer and highlight the services
that the fire and rescue service can offer.”
Notts’ New National Resource
Fire crews at Mansfield
will soon receive a
brand new Enhanced
Command Support
Vehicle (ECSV) as part of
the Government’s New
Dimensions initiative.
The ECSV is a self-contained
vehicle which provides logistical
support at incidents. It has its own
on-board generator, computers,
fax machine and phone lines,
allowing for the co-ordination
of New Dimensions assets and
equipment which have been deployed to a national incident. During national incidents, on-board satellite capabilities will
beam messages back to a central co-ordination point.
New Dimensions aims to improve national resilience by placing key resources, including specialist vehicles like the ECSV,
within fire and rescue services across the country. The vehicles, which are crewed by the individual fire and rescue service,
can then be mobilised to assist at any major incident around the country.
Training has already taken place at Mansfield Fire Station, where six of the new ECSVs were put through their paces by
operational crews (pictured). Nottinghamshire is one of nine fire and rescue services to receive one of the vehicles.
Tall Order for
Harworth’s Retained!
Expert help FOR
SUPPORT SERVICE
Firefighters in Harworth reached new heights when they joined
forces with members of the Specialist Rescue Team to abseil 95
metres from the top of Harworth Colliery tower.
Nottinghamshire’s Red Cross Fire and Emergency
Support Service (FESS) now has the help of two
experts, whose knowledge and advice will help the
victims of fire to rebuild their lives.
Managers at the Colliery gave special permission for the crews to
carry out a line rescue exercise from the tower, giving Harworth’s
retained crew the chance to test their line rescue skills while
sharing resources with the Specialist Rescue Team.
The Specialist Rescue
Team was set up last
year to carry out unusual
and complicated
rescues in support of
Nottinghamshire’s locallybased fire and rescue
crews.
Firefighter Leigh Holmes
(left) is pictured at the top
of the tower with Crew
Manager Nigel Northern
of the Specialist Rescue
Team.
John Gale from Harris Claims Management
volunteers with FESS teams across the country
and has a wealth of experience, helping clients
with their insurance claims and a number of
post-incident issues including specialist cleaning,
emergency accommodation and furniture
restoration.
Mark Randall, Director of Midland ChemDry,
works very closely with John, providing cleaning
and restoration advice and services for FESS
clients at cost, getting paid through the insurance
companies.
Ann Bryant, who coordinates FESS in
Nottinghamshire, said: “Our volunteers work
together to ensure clients receive support and
guidance, from the time we arrive immediately after
the fire to their insurance claim being settled.”
OUR Night of Stars!
Firefighters and members
of the public have received
medals and commendations
as part of a glittering awards
ceremony to mark their
outstanding contribution to
the local community.
In its very own ‘night of stars’,
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service honoured firefighters for
long and meritorious service, and
gave thanks to local people who had
demonstrated courage and quickthinking actions when faced with
terrifying situations where lives were at
risk.
Among the award winners was Gill
Smith of Arnold, who displayed
amazing courage when her husband
Steph caught fire while working on
his motorbike in his garden. Eugene
Howarth of Harworth received a Chief
Fire Officer’s Commendation after he
pulled his neighbour from a burning
camper van, while Eric Marshall of
Ollerton was praised for his quickthinking actions at a road traffic
collision.
The night, which was sponsored by
Browne Jacobson solicitors, also saw
firefighters commended for meritorious
actions at an incident, while several
received the coveted Long Service
and Good Conduct Medal, awarded
by the Queen’s representative to
firefighters who have completed 20
years’ service. Others received a
30-year award, marking
their long and successful
careers.
A group of friends from Poland were
awarded commendations for their
heroic actions when they raised the
alarm and rescued neighbours from a
house fire. A special community safety
award was presented to the Newark
and Sherwood Accident Prevention
Group.
In this special
commemorative pullout, we celebrate the
achievements of some of
our award winners and
feature pictures from the
awards ceremony held
earlier this year.
Malc Key of the Service's Ceremonial
Squad (second from right) is pictured
receiving his 30 Year Award from Chief
Fire Officer Frank Swann, watched by
Richard Kirk (left) and Chair of the Fire
and Rescue Authority Cllr Darrell Pulk.
Milestone Medal for 20 Years’ Service
The Fire and Rescue Service Long
Service and Good Conduct Medal is
granted by the Queen to members of
fire and rescue services in recognition
of 20 years' meritorious service.
By comparison with some professions
20 years may not seem a particularly
long time, but the role of firefighter
requires a level of fitness, focus,
dedication and compassion that is
often not necessary in other vocations.
Firefighters are also required to
undertake continuous training in order
to keep their level of competency high
and in line with up-to-date equipment
and techniques.
After 20 years, therefore, a Long
Service award is well justified and has
been truly earned.
Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann said:
“The awards ceremony gives us an
important opportunity to recognise
the long service achieved by some of
our firefighters and to acknowledge
the important work they do, often in
extremely difficult
circumstances."
The medals
were presented
by the Queen’s
representative HM
Lord Lieutenant of
Nottinghamshire,
Sir Andrew
Buchanan Bt JP.
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A nthony Pik
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9
Community
‘Heroes’
Commended
“
When Eric Marshall came across a
car that had been involved in a road
traffic collision on his way home
he quickly secured it to his own,
preventing it from falling into a ditch
and making it easier for fire crews
to rescue the casualties inside. He
said: “My wife and I will do anything
we can to help people. I used to be
a breakdown recovery driver so I am
used to helping people out when
they’re in trouble.”
Gill Smith saved her husband’s
life when his motorbike caught
fire, setting fire to his hands and
face too. Using the stop, drop
and roll method she pushed him
to the ground and beat out the
flames. Firefighter Gary Brown, who
nominated her for the award, said:
“What Gill did was fantastic – I’ve no
doubt that her quick-thinking actions
saved her husband’s life and she
deserves to be recognised.”
I’m always amazed at
the lengths people are
able, and willing, to
go to in order to help
others, even when
faced with the most
distressing situations.
These people often go
unnoticed and it was
our privilege to honour
them as part of our
annual awards event.
”
Frank Swann
Chief Fire Officer
Chief Fire Officer Frank
Swann said:
Eugene Howarth pulled his terrified
neighbour from a blazing camper
van, suffering burns to his own face.
Eugene said: “He had a broken
leg in plaster and it was trapped
between the seats. It was very hot
and I burned the side of my face, but
I knew I just had to get him out. If we
hadn’t been there I dread to think
what would have happened.”
Piotr Liana, Dawid Mioduski, Daniel
Zlotnicki and Tomasz Miervszewski
received a Chief Fire Officer’s
Commendation after raising the
alarm and rescuing neighbours
from their burning home. Tomasz
said: “We weren’t thinking about
ourselves, we just wanted to get the
people to safety. We are not heroes.
We are all part of the community
and people should look out for each
other. If they did there would be a lot
fewer problems for everyone.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Annual report
published
The Nottinghamshire Fire and
Rescue Service Annual Report
2007/08 has just been published
with information on developments
that have taken place, performance
achievements and our financial
position.
Cutting It with
Best in Business!
Running a national competition that sees 300 firefighters
performing extrications from more than 70 vehicles over
two days is not for the faint-hearted.
But for Nottinghamshire Station Managers Dick Dawson and Seth Armstrong,
organising the UKRO National Extrication Challenge every year is something
they have down to a fine art.
Development Centre, literally wrote
Working alongside the host fire and
the book on extrication as author
rescue service, which this year is
of HM Fire Service Inspectorate’s
Central Scotland, they organise
manual on rescue from road
everything to ensure the event a
vehicles.
success: from making sure the venue
is fit for purpose, to ensuring a constant
supply of vehicles for the extrications
and overseeing health and safety.
Head of Challenge Committee
Dick and national assessor Seth
first became involved in organising
the UKRO event in 2003 when
Nottinghamshire hosted it. Since then
it has grown and grown – from just 25
teams competing to the current 50!
Dick (pictured above right) explains:
“That first year was a baptism of fire
but we had our experience to draw on
– Seth had already been competing for
14 years and was a UKRO assessor,
while I managed the Nottinghamshire
team. Now we have a team of 10
dedicated professionals who support
us and around 100 people during the
event.”
Seth, who manages Nottinghamshire
Fire and Rescue Service’s
He said: “I have always had a keen
interest in extrication and can’t
imagine not being involved in it. As
the event has grown, there’s more
pressure on us and the team to
make it successful. It takes about
18 months to organise, so we’ve
already started working on the 2009
event.”
This year’s challenge takes place
at Stirling University in August, and
NFRS will have its own team there
competing for the national title.
Dick said: “I’m extremely proud
of what we do. I firmly believe that
we are helping to raise rescue
standards across the UK and, in
relation to vehicle rescue, this is
where I believe we can save most
lives. Putting it simply, the more we
train, the better we get, the more
lives can be saved.”
The report will be available at key
public locations across the county,
but it can also be viewed on our
website, www.notts-fire.gov.uk or
a copy can be requested from the
Corporate Services department
at our Headquarters in Arnold,
Nottingham.
ROWING TO BETTER
HEALTH
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service staff have been messing
around on the water in an eight
week rowing scheme aimed at
increasing the health and fitness of
employees.
Hosted by Nottingham Rowing
Club, the participants learned basic
techniques indoors before taking
boats onto the Trent. The course
will end this month with a regatta
against staff from Queen’s Medical
Centre.
MACS 2008
Seven hundred Year 6 children
from 31 schools across Bassetlaw
took part in Making All Children
Safe (MACS) week at Retford
Fire Station in July. The event is
supported by the county Road
Safety team, Central Networks,
Police, PCT public health nurses,
St John Ambulance, HSE, Trading
Standards and the Fire and Rescue
Service.
THAT’S THE SPIRIT!
A Nottinghamshire firefighter was a guest of the
Prime Minister in March.
Together with Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann, (pictured right)
Carlton Firefighter Gary Richards visited 10 Downing Street along
with other nominees for the Spirit of Fire Awards, organised by
The Fire Fighters Charity.
Gary, who is Chair of the Nottinghamshire branch of the charity,
was one of four people nominated for the Supporter of the Year
Award. After meeting for lunch with Gordon Brown, Gary, Frank
and Chair of the Fire Authority Councillor Darrell Pulk, attended a
glittering ceremony at Wembley Stadium where the winners of the
awards were announced.
Royal Appointment!
Representatives from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s
(NFRS) Prince’s Trust team had an appointment with royalty
recently when they were invited to meet the Prince of Wales at St
James’ Palace in London.
Rick Allen, the Service’s Prince’s Trust Delivery Manager, and
volunteer Jason Bailey joined Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann for
the special reception in April. It was held to give thanks for the
important work carried out by members of the fire and rescue
service, the ambulance service, police and armed forces on
behalf of the Prince’s Trust.
Jason, 18, completed a Prince’s Trust course with NFRS last year
and has worked as a volunteer on subsequent courses. He was
presented with a framed photograph of himself meeting Prince
Charles by Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Buckley (pictured) in
recognition of his hard work.
CHARITY
CHANGES NAME
After over 100 years of being named the Fire
Services National Benevolent Fund, the charity
which supports injured firefighters and their
families has changed its name – to The Fire
Fighters Charity.
Injured firefighters can receive physical, emotional
and financial help from the charity, whether they
are injured at work or elsewhere. The aim is to
reduce the amount of time it takes for them to get
back to their jobs, and to relieve any stress an
injury can cause.
The charity has two rehabilitation centres which
focus on physical recuperation. Fundraising events
such as abseils, skydives and car washes are held
throughout the year to raise money.
To find out more about The Fire Fighters Charity
visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk .
Future events:
• Ladies Driving Challenge, Manby, Lincolnshire,
Sunday 17 August
• Experian Robin Hood Festival of Running,
Nottingham, Sunday 14 September
• Ladies Driving Challenge, Bruntingthorpe,
Leicestershire, Sunday 19 October
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Ashfield’s Class Act!
NEWS IN BRIEF
FIREFIGHTERS'
MEMORIAL UNVEILED
A special ceremony was held in
May to mark the unveiling and
dedication of the ‘Firefighters
Serving Humanity’ monument and
memorial garden at the National
Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas,
Staffordshire.
Community Safety Advocate Barry Brimson (far left) and members of
Ashfield's Red Watch are pictured outside the new purpose-built outdoor
classroom.
Children visiting Ashfield Fire Station have a brand new
outdoor classroom in which to learn about water safety
and the danger of setting fires in woodland – thanks to
a £10,000 grant from Nottinghamshire County Council’s
Building Better Communities initiative.
The station already has a thriving pond and wooded area where, for the last
five years, firefighters have been teaching children how to stay safe from fire,
near water and in the countryside. As well as the new classroom, the funding
has helped provide a pond-dipping platform, a new pathway and hedges, plus
standing deadwood for bird and insect nesting. Pond-dipping sets, identification
cards, bird nest feeders and bat roosts have also been bought.
Ashfield Crew Manager Martin Hibbert said: “By taking part in pond-dipping
and mini-beasting and learning how to identify pond life and creepy crawlies,
the children develop an understanding and respect for the countryside which,
in turn, helps them
to appreciate the
importance of keeping
themselves and the
environment free from
harm.
“We are extremely
grateful to Building
Better Communities for
funding the classroom,
which primarily will
enable us to welcome
children during
inclement weather.”
Chair of the Fire Authority,
Councillor Darrell Pulk, and
Ceremonial Squad standard
bearer Malc Key, represented
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service at the unveiling of the
monument, which is a tribute to
everyone associated with the fire
and rescue service in the UK, Isle
of Man and Channel Islands.
MAKING CONTACT
There were celebrations at Newark
Fire Station to mark the 2000th
customer of the district’s First
Contact scheme.
The scheme helps older people
to access the services, help and
advice they need. By using one
phone number, they can get
advice and assistance on smoke
alarms, home repairs, security and
community transport, among many
other things.
For more information on Newark
and Sherwood First Contact
Scheme telephone 01636 655596.
SHARING WATER
RESCUE SKILLS
Members of Nottinghamshire’s
Specialist Rescue Team joined
water rescue teams from across
the country in March at the first
National Water Rescue Exercise
in Wales. Crews shared skills and
knowledge throughout the exercise
and dealt with a variety of simulated
incidents on fast-flowing water. The
exercise was organised to help fire
and rescue services work better
together during national incidents,
such as last year’s flooding.
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Diary Dates
Free Child Seat Safety
Checks, MORRISONS,
NETHERFIELD
Saturday 23 August
10 am – 4 pm
Come along and have your child
car seat checked for free by our
firefighters.
Open Day
Newark Fire Station,
Boundary Road
Saturday 6 September
Fire fighting and extrication
displays, dunk-a-firefighter, hot oil
demonstration and lots more!
Car Wash
Mansfield Fire Station,
ROSEMARY STREET
Saturday 13 September
Supporting the Chief’s Challenge
and raising money for The Fire
Fighters Charity.
Festivals ‘R’ Us!
NOTTS TEAM HEADS
FOR THE GAMES
Over 25 sports men and
women will head to Liverpool in
August to compete in the World
Firefighters Games as part of the
Nottinghamshire team.
Competing in a wide range of events, from
equestrian to endurance and swimming
to sprinting, the team members include
firefighters and non-operational staff based
across the Service.
Amongst the events at the Games is the ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’. This event
is split into four exercises, all reflecting firefighter duties, which competitors
complete in full fire kit against the clock.
The Nottinghamshire team got a big boost in June when a cheque for £2,000
was presented to members. Communications installation company Telent
is contracted to install new radios into fire appliances as part of the Firelink
project, and donated the money to help cover the expenses of team members.
Good luck to the team – do Nottinghamshire proud!
For more information on the World Firefighters Games visit www.wfg08.com .
Firefighters have been out and
about in their local communities
this summer, attending a number
of high profile festivals and events.
In June crews took part in the
annual Veterans’ Day celebrations
at Nottingham’s Wollaton Park,
where a number of employees
were presented with Veterans’
medals marking time spent in the
armed forces.
The annual Riverside Festival in
Nottingham at the beginning of
August gave members of the newly
formed Specialist Rescue Team a
chance to show off their skills on
the water when they attended with
their new rescue boat.
The summer also saw our crews
taking part in the Nottingham Pride
festival and the Indian festival Mela,
where they raised money for The
Fire Fighters Charity and promoted
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue
Service as a possible career
choice.
14
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Beale is pictured receiving a cheque from
Barry Zielinski of Telent, watched by World Firefighters Games competitors (left
to right) Steve Smith, Louise Bull, Dalton Powell and Kev Ruane.
Contact Us
If you’d like to contact us or require an electronic version of Response,
email [email protected], telephone 0115 967 5893 or write to
Corporate Communications Team, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service,
Headquarters, Bestwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, NG5 8PD.
CORP/MAG/006/08
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CORP/MAG/006/08