Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service News

The Fire and Rescue Services of Essex and Bedfordshire awarded Frequentis the contract for providing its latest version of its 3020 Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS) for their new joint control rooms project. Essex has been using Frequentis solutions for some seven years. A new collaborative control center in a brand new facility will be established. This contract when completed will enable the combined team of Essex and Bedfordshire FRS to have one of the pioneer and highly reli...

A large fire broke out at a recycling center and waste depot in Kingsway, Luton, on the morning of 29 October 2022, leading to the evacuation of around eight homes and a block of flats. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) called in nine fire appliances and adjoining crews to tackle the fire at the recycling center. Around 60 residents had to leave their homes, while other residents were asked to keep their windows closed due to smoke. Important council service Councillor Tom Shaw, who...

At least one person has died and three others have been taken to hospital as a result of a fire and explosion at a block of flats on Redwood Grove, Bedford, just after 9 am on Monday 4 July. Of those affected, two people were seriously injured, and a firefighter was hospitalized for smoke inhalation after the fire. East of England Ambulance Service airlifted one person to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with leg injuries. cause of the explosion Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed...

A landlord and the Responsible Person for an office block in Bedford have been fined over £40,000 for multiple and repeated breaches of the Fire Safety Order. issue of notice The owner of Broadway House, Mrs. J Lusty, and the Responsible Person, Mr. D Lusty, were given a Notice of Deficiencies letter in June 2019, after an audit under Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (BFRS) Risk Based Inspection Programme (under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005). They were give...

Over 70 colleagues from the fire sector gathered at the Oriental Club in Stratford Place, London to celebrate the FPA's platinum jubilee. Guests included current and former government ministers, and staff from the NFCC, IFE, and the London Fire Brigade, among many others. More than merely a victory lap or a gathering of old friends, the event was also a poignant reminder of what can be achieved within the sector with a collective and unified voice, and a singular message.  FPA C...

BAFE is sad to hear of the passing of Paul Fuller CBE, former Fire Sector Federation Chairman. Paul Fuller died on Monday 7th June 2021. Paul’s contribution Dennis Davis, Executive Officer of the Fire Sector Federation, states “Paul, who was serving as Chief Fire Officer Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Chief Executive Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, died early this morning in hospital whilst receiving treatment for a recently diagnosed illness.” BAF...

Arson costs the country millions of pounds every year and puts lives at risk. It accounts for almost half of all fires attended by the fire and rescue services and can have devastating effects in terms of its cost and consequences. Insurers report that arson costs over £1bn in fire-related claims across the UK each year. Damage to property, business interruption, and other inconvenience caused by arson is significant. Deliberate fires cost a vast amount of money, but also endanger life,...

On 1 April 2021, a new joint safeguarding partnership will launch between Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) and EEAST Ambulance Service which is the first of its kind in the region. EEAST are in a privileged position by entering properties at the point of an emergency call. They are also able to quickly assess if a person has additional needs apart from the medical emergency reason for the call. This new joint initiative will enable direct referrals to be sent securely to BFRS via a...

Like many Fire and Rescue Service’s across the country, BFRS have been utilizing their services to support the mass vaccine rollout. In the last few weeks, the Service has been responsible for setting up vaccination centers across Bedfordshire and Luton to help vaccinate our communities. Challenge In just 24 hours, BFRS set up a walk-up vaccination pilot, opening the doors to numbers of people who were eligible for the vaccine. Station Commander Robert Hulatt, who led the operation said...

On Feb 1, 2021, a new mass vaccination center opened its doors in Bedford Heights, Bedford. This is one of six centers opening over the next month. Over 200 members of the public received their vaccination on the first day. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Station Commander, Robert Hulatt has been working with local partners, including the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commission Groups to ensure the smooth set up and running of the centers. New vaccination cen...

HMICFRS has outlined its key findings in a report which covers how the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Staff stepped up to support the communities and partners during the pandemic. As a service Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Staff welcomes the opportunity to consider any lessons learned from the inspection. They will review the areas for consideration identified by HMICFRS as they continue to support the staff and partners, whilst trying to ensure the communities safety during these challenging time...

The National Fire Chiefs Council has released a range of updated risk assessments which will allow fire-fighters and other staff to continue work on COVID-related activities – while taking on more. To support this, 10,000 lateral flow tests a week will be provided by the government to fire services, meaning up to 5,000 fire-fighters could soon be supporting the UK-wide vaccination program underway. These tests will help keep firefighters who are undertaking vital COVID work safer –...

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) have attended a number of incidents of fire at The Academy in Holly Street, Luton over the past two weeks. These are serious incidents so BFRS asks that people who live in these premises are vigilant. Each of these incidents are believed to have been deliberate arson attempts within the corridors and staircases of the five-storey residential building. Each of these attempts have been dealt with swiftly by the fire service and the fire precautions with...

BFRS launches a new Technical Support Unit which is based at Dunstable Fire Station. This is the first of its kind in the country. This new vehicle will respond to Bariatric and complex patient incidents where emergency removal of a patient is required to support the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST). This dedicated vehicle carries specialist equipment including a bariatric stretcher provided by EEAST which, will enable crews to provide the best possible care to the patient.  Vari...

Motorola Solutions has announced that Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service is the first fire service in the United Kingdom to utilize the combined Motorola Solutions cloud-based control room solution, CommandCentral CRS, the data storage solution, CommandCentral Vault, as well as the integrated CAD solution, delivered by Motorola Solutions. CommandCentral Vault By upgrading its operations into one platform, the new solution helps the fire and rescue service in Bedfordshire to manage their en...

Firefighters at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have praised NHS workers for their service during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Watch Commander for the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Graeme Hobson said “Our partners at the NHS are going through a very difficult time and we are extremely grateful for all the work they do.” NHS tribute for COVID-19 work Graeme Hobson adds, “We understand the sacrifices they are making and so wanted to create a special tribut...

A homeless man in Leighton Buzzard, helped rescue a child from a burning building. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a building fire in North Street, Leighton Buzzard. The fire originated in the first floor kitchen of a three storey terraced building and was believed to have been started by a cooking appliance. Jason Barry, a rough sleeper in Leighton Buzzard, saw the incident and rushed to assist at the scene. PCSO Rachel Carne of the Leighton Community Policing Te...

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire at a thatched property. At around 2 pm, six fire engines were mobilized to the incident in Water End, Cople, along with two water carriers and an aerial platform. Group Commander Andy Draper, who was the officer in charge at the scene, said: “The two storey building was fully damaged by the fire, however crews worked hard to extinguish the flames and contain the fire from spreading.” Animal resuscitation kit &ld...