Fire Rescue - News

A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service has returned home from Haiti A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has returned home from Haiti. The six staff flew to the Caribbean island last week (January 13) to assist in the international effort to rescue survivors in the aftermath the earthquake which killed and injured thousands. Arriving back at their Maidstone base this morning (Saturday January 23), team...

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Jill Halfpenny have launched the 'Fire Kills Campaign' Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with celebrity, Jill Halfpenny, to launch the latest 'Fire Kills Campaign' from the Department of Communities and Local Government. As part of the London launch of the national 'Don't Drown in Toxic Smoke' campaign, Jill Halfpenny, was placed in a simulation unit provided by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. She then exp...

Secretary Napolitano has authorized the activation of up to 900 reservists for Haiti rescue mission  The Coast Guard will utilize more than 100 of the newly-activated reserve personnel to strengthen port security operations in Port Au Prince.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has authorized the temporary activation of up to 900 reserve U.S. Coast Guard service men and women to bolster the more than 500 Coast Guard personnel al...

Kent Firefighters are working with the UK ISAR mission in Haiti Firefighters from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who are working with the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) mission in Haiti, have returned to Port-au-Prince. The team visited the town of Leogane which is approximately 25 miles west of Port Au Prince and is much nearer to the epicentre. Reports indicate that 80 to 90 per cent of the town has been destroyed. While there, the UK ISAR te...

Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake For the second day Kent firefighters are working as part of the UK emergency response to the Haiti earthquake in temperatures of over 90 degrees. Along with other UK teams they are concentrating their efforts on collapsed buildings such as schools, churches and hospitals, and areas where there have been reports of survivors. Mobile communications are extremely difficult, but in a brie...

  Establishment Holmatro UK as of 1 January 2010 Establishment Holmatro UK as of 1 January 2010 Holmatro Rescue Equipment B.V., Dutch based manufacturer and worldwide leading supplier of high-pressure hydraulic rescue tools, opened an office in the UK on 1st January 2010; with immediate effect, customers can purchase their rescue equipment directly from Holmatro UK. They are also pleased to announce an ongoing agreement until October 2012 with Supply 999 Limited w...

KFRS hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for hoax calls Medway residents are being warned about the dangers of hoax emergency calls after a number of false or malicious shouts for fire crews. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) hopes a new poster campaign will remind people of the punishment they face for such a crime. "As well as wasting our valuable resources, hoax calls have the potential to divert us from a real emergency - just i...

A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti to help earthquake victims A team of specialist firefighters from Kent left for Haiti yesterday, where it will form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake had struck the night before, and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one of...

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoPhotograph: Elissa Jun/FEMA Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released a statement describing ongoing US relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake."The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake - a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the F...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, as one of the first call teams, has sent a group of six firefighters to Haiti A team of specialist firefighters from Kent has arrived in Haiti to form part of the UK International Search and Rescue response to the earthquake disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday evening and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), as one o...

As the snow begins to melt, there could be new problems The Army units, which have supported Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) over the last few days are being withdrawn today but firefighters warn of new safety risks as the thaw starts. KFRS asked the military to be on standby over the weekend to assist with their heavy all terrain 4X4 vehicles, to supplement KFRS's own capability. That support was extended yesterday while some parts of Kent were still potentially diffic...

Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response Specialist Kent firefighters are being prepared to join the UK International Search and Rescue response and assist in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Haiti. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck last night and it is being reported that hundreds have been killed or injured in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.   Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS),...

Fire Safety Officers are urging firms to pay attention to fire safety before it is too late Businesses are being warned to make sure that the cold snap doesn't put the freeze on fire prevention. With so many workers unable to get in to work because of extremely treacherous road conditions, Kent Fire and Rescue Service is worried that fire safety measures could be forgotten or even ignored - and that this could see business owners hopes, dreams and their employees jobs...

GMFRS are warning people of the extreme dangers of ice and open water With the current cold weather conditions continuing, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are again warning people of the extreme dangers of ice and open water. Local media has highlighted a number of instances where people have been witnessed playing and skating on ice.* So far during this current cold period the Fire and Rescue Service have responded to a total of 13** incidents across Greater Man...

GMFRS are dealing with the working conditions caused by the severe  weather affecting the entire county Currently Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) are dealing with the extraordinary working conditions caused by the severe weather affecting the entire county.  Despite the poor driving conditions emergency fire crews are fully operational and responding to all incidents, also six additional 4x4 vehicles have been made available. Because of the&n...

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised for making Shropshire safer Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised by an independent watchdog for making the county one of the safest in the UK with fires at a record low. Property fires are down, arson is "greatly reducing," businesses are safer with blazes also down and car fires cut, said the report from the Audit Commission's "Oneplace" which gives an independent overview of public services. "The...

Mid and West Wales firefighters are issuing a stark warning to drivers to ensure road and fire related safety Road and fire safety measures during winter from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. How do you fancy being faced with one of these? This is hydraulic rescue equipment and is used by firefighters to free casualties trapped in cars. Unfortunately this is an all too familiar sight for today's firefighters and despite a reduction in the number of people bein...

LFB staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list London Fire Brigade staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list published recently. London Fire Brigade Group Manager Nigel Hall has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) and Kelly Fairman has received the MBE for services to the Fire and Rescue Service. Nigel's award recognises his 30 years service with the Brigade and his instrumental role in setting up its flagship youth engagement...

Fire safety for families from Poland living in Shropshire was served up at a county fire station Fire safety for families from Poland living in Shropshire was served up at a social evening held at a county fire station. A number of Polish families who have now made their homes in the county were invited to Oswestry Fire Station along with four firefighters from the city of Lodz in central Poland on a European cultural exchange visit funded through the European Commission's...

Arriva is helping Shropshire firefighters get over important fire safety messages this festive season Arriva is helping Shropshire firefighters get over important fire safety messages this festive season. The bus company has put up one of the brigade's warning posters - showing a child's teddy bears blackened by fire - free of charge on its Oswestry area bus. The public message is for people not to drink large amounts of alcohol and cook - in a bid to prevent house fires d...

Firefighters from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service tackled the fire throughout the night at Afan Lido The blaze was tackled by the use of ground monitors and main jets together with high volume pump and aerial appliances.Fourteen appliances and more than 100 personnel from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service attended a major fire at the Afan Lido Aquadome at Sandfields, Port Talbot with the additional support of three appliances from South Wales F...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging premises managers to review their fire safety procedures Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging managers of licensed establishments to review their fire safety measures to ensure compliance with fire safety law. The measure comes in the aftermath of a disastrous fire in Russia and a smaller restaurant fire in Swansea and the successful prosecution of a local nightclub owner. In the run up to Christmas and...

Drinking large amounts of alcohol and cooking is a "dangerous cocktail" at Christmas Drinking large amounts of alcohol and cooking is a "dangerous cocktail" at Christmas, warn community fire safety officers. Shropshire fire crews have been giving out the message at fire safety events across the county in a bid to prevent house fires during the festive season. "Our message is especially important at Christmas and the New Year as people celebrate and drink small amounts of a...

Operation Carmageddon will demonstrate the consequences of careless driving "Reckless driving: cut it out before we have to cut you out," is the stark message from firefighters who will be demonstrating their role in the aftermath of a serious car crash with a special demonstration in Chatham High Street on Thursday, 17 December. Crews from Chatham and Medway fire stations will rescue a mock casualty from car wreckage alongside staff from Kent Police and the Kent Air Ambula...

  The CFOA president has called for adopting sprinklers as a significant measure to protect life CFOA says that the wider use of sprinklers in domestic, commercial and residential premises will support the environment and save the economy millions of pounds. CFOA President, John Bonney, in his address at the launch of the ABI paper 'Tackling Fire - a call for Action' spoke of the valid and significant contribution sprinklers could and should be making in...

LFB was judged to be ‘performing well' making it one of the highest scoring fire authorities in the country London Fire Brigade is performing well. That is the verdict of Government watchdog, the Audit Commission, in a report released Wednesday, 9 December. The assessment looks at two key areas - managing performance and use of resources. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs London Fire Brigade, was judged to be 'performing well' in both o...

Former LFEPA member and Bexley Councillor Colin Tandy unveiled a plaque in the new appliance bay The additional fire engine will significantly improve response times to fires in the borough, improving the safety of residents.Councillor Brian Coleman AM FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, hosted celebrations on Friday 4 December, marking the major renovation work that has been performed on Sidcup fire station. Former LFEPA member and Bexley Co...

KFRS has provided tips to protect homes for festive fire safety Kent Fire and Rescue Service urges all residents to stay safe this Christmas, and ensure that the celebrations don't end in tragedy. Latest figures from the Fire Kills campaign show a rise in the number of accidental fire deaths and injuries over the festive period. In 2008 there were 33,000 accidental house fires, 10% of which occurred in the run up to Christmas Day. People often get distracted by...

KFRS will organise free home visits to evaluate their fire safety and provide free smoke alarms if required A fire on the morning of December 8 has left a Ramsgate home badly damaged. Fire control room operators sent two engines from Ramsgate and Thanet fire station at 10am following reports of a roof alight in Colombo Square. The fire is thought to have been started accidentally. At the scene, firefighters were confronted with a well developed fire in the...

The Audit Commission's 'One Place' data shows that KMFRA performs well As part of the assessment process, a residents' survey found that over 81 per cent of people in Kent and Medway were satisfied or very satisfied with the service.The Audit Commission's 'One Place' data published online on 9 December shows that Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) performs well, has strong leadership and manages its finances effectively. KMFRA Chairman Bryan Cope sa...