Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) has successfully delivered the second familiarisation training programme to the newest cohort of student paramedics at the University of the West of England (UWE), in partnership with the South West Ambulance Service (SWAST). The course aimed to provide an insight into the varied and technical responses that AFRS provides,… Read more »
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters can now use smoke hoods, similar to gas masks, to help them rescue people trapped in fires, particularly in high-rise buildings. The hoods, which allow trapped people to breathe for 15 minutes, can be worn over their heads while firefighters lead them to safety through a smoke-filled environment if… Read more »
A new welfare vehicle for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) staff will become operational this month. The converted Ford Transit, built by the Venari Group of Leeds, will provide a place of respite as well as basic welfare provisions. The vehicle comes as part of Humberside Fire and Rescue’s commitment to providing welfare for… Read more »
Surrey and West Sussex are the two latest fire and rescue services planning to go live with Capita’s www.capita.com 999eye live video-streaming and location-finding service. Supporting 50 fire stations across both counties and covering an area of almost 1400 square miles, 999eye enables emergency operators to have ‘eyes’ on the scene to help assess the… Read more »
Protective fire kit designed by firefighters for firefighters has been revealed for the very first time in Wales. It is a proud milestone for Welsh crews who collaborated to shape the new advanced design in a ground-breaking two-year project, which saw the final contract awarded to supplier Ballyclare. New recruits from South Wales Fire and… Read more »
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has announced an organisation-wide, independently-led external review of its culture. The review comes after an internal investigation conducted by the brigade following the death of firefighter Jaden Francois-Esprit, who was only 21 when he took his own life last August. The review will deliver a set of clear actions for the… Read more »
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) welcomed its new Chair on 1 April 2021 for an initial two-year period. Mark Hardingham, formerly Chief Fire Officer for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, brings a wealth of experience to the role and has expressed his ‘huge honour’ to be undertaking the position and is looking forward to… Read more »
The Home Office has appointed an independent advisor on fire policy – the first role of its kind. Roy Wilsher started his role as Expert Advisor on Fire & Rescue Service Reform on 12 April. He will provide support to the Home Office’s Fire Strategy and Reform Unit in developing a White Paper on Fire… Read more »
This week, six on-call firefighters from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service made history when they completed the End Point Assessment of the operational firefighter apprenticeship. This is a national first – it is usually only wholetime firefighters who take this apprenticeship. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is breaking boundaries in offering… Read more »
Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) has invested in new drone technology to assist in responding to fires, searching for missing people and supporting larger scale rescues. Two new drones will be used to improve the service’s response to incidents, including large fires, road traffic collisions and major incidents. Rescues from heights and on water… Read more »
