Staff within South Yorkshire’s fire control room, who take the fire service’s 999 emergency calls have been praised by the county’s Chief Fire Officer after a recent flat fire in Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK).
Firefighters were mobilized to the blaze on Wensley Green, Sheffield, at 10.19 am on Friday 1 May with a man understood to be trapped and a bedroom well alight.
Immediate rescue
As the crews traveled to the flat, from Elm Lane and Central fire stations, they were given specific information about the location of the man. This information, which came from the control blue watch, meant the first firefighters in attendance could make an immediate rescue, without delay.
life-saving work
Our firefighters do an incredible job, often putting themselves at great risk to help others"
Following the incident, which ended with the man safely rescued, crews described the control room staff as angels on their shoulders.
“Our firefighters do an incredible job, often putting themselves at great risk to help others, but it’s so important to remember the life-saving work of our control operators, too,” said Chief Fire Officer, Alex Johnson.
fire survival guidance
Alex Johnson adds, “Not only do they coordinate our incident response, ensuring fire engines get to the right place at the right time, but they gather a huge amount of vital information for firefighters on the ground. This incident is a really good example of that."
He continues, “They also, time and time again, provide fire survival guidance for people in their darkest moments offering a reassuring voice and advice on how to stay safe until fire crews arrive. I’d like to say a big thank you to every single one of them.”