Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service News

The Fire Standards Board (FSB) is delighted to announce the launch of its Leadership and People Fire Standards: Leading the Service and Leading and Developing People.  Both Fire Standards have been developed to support services in strengthening professionalism and leadership at all levels of their organization, encouraging more positive working environments for the benefit of their people and the community they serve.  Leading the Service Fire Standard The Leading the Service Fire S...

Ten people from across the fire sector have been named in the New Year Honors 2022 lists, in recognition of their services. The honors system recognizes extraordinary people, who in accordance with the list's criteria, ‘made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.’ Ongoing impactful work The FPA would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and congratulations to everyone named in the New Year Honours list for 2022, for their ongoing impa...

At 1:50 am on Friday, 5 March, RBFRS received reports of a fire at a warehouse on Headley Road East, Woodley. In total, more than 50 firefighters were sent to the incident, along with specialist equipment, such as the Aerial Ladder Platform from Whitley Wood Fire Station and the Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead Fire Station. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained. Preventing fire spread Crews on scene were met with heavy smoke logging from the building and on entering the warehouse, dis...

A successful prosecution was brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority against a restaurant in Cookham, which resulted in an £85,000 fine following a number of serious fire safety breaches under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Beta UK Limited was sentenced for fire safety breaches found by Fire Safety Inspecting Officers following an incident at Malik’s Restaurant, Cookham in Maidenhead. Fire safety deficiencies On 23 October 2020, Reading Magistrates’ Court...

RBFRS is delighted to say that they will be holding the first in-person Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub on Wednesday, 17 November from 10:30am-12:30pm at Crowthorne Community Fire Station. The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub is designed to offer a place for veterans to come together, listen to speakers and meet organizations that can provide them with advice or support them and meet each other. The Veterans’ Hub forms part of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s commitment to supp...

With the New Year underway, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is supporting this month’s Fire Kills smoke alarm purchasing campaign, urging households across the County to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home. Many people see January as an opportunity for a fresh start, making it the perfect time to ensure prioritizing fire safety in 2021.  The latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide the best chance of esca...

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has teamed up with Thames Valley Police (TVP), South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) the Environment Agency and local councils to support the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS) national Drowning Prevention Week campaign, running from 19-26 June. Over 400 people tragically lose their lives in accidental drownings each year in the UK and Ireland and many more suffer life-changing injuries. In order to reduce the number of accidental drownings...

This month, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Home Fire Safety Month campaign. Over the course of four weeks, from Monday, 30 August until Sunday, 26 September, they will share safety advice to help keep the user safe in their home or business. Each week will focus on a different area, covering chimney fire safety, business fire safety, fire door safety, and gas safety. Fire Safety Month James Whitton, West Hub Protection Manager, s...

With more people planning to spend time outdoors over the coming weeks, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is urging residents to take some simple steps, in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire breaking out. Wildfire awareness campaign A week-long wildfire awareness campaign (running 26 July – 1 August) is taking place, following a period of warm and dry weather, and with more people expected to be outside, enjoying the countryside, due to COVID-19 restrictions easing and...

Recruitment for wholetime firefighter apprentices has now closed. The role of a firefighter is varied and as well as responding to a range of incidents, it includes providing fire safety advice and engaging with local communities, through safety advice events, education activities and campaigns. For the first time, RBFRS will be recruiting apprentices into this crucial role. Much like previous wholetime recruitment, anyone, from any background or walk of life can apply to be a firefighter appre...

All Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and Committee meetings will resume physical meetings from June 30. 2021, with the annual Royal Berkshire Fire Authority meeting, which will be held from 6:30 pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at Winnersh Triangle, in Reading, United Kingdom. RBFRS' meetings The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) meetings are open for the press and public to attend, however, please be aware that the numbers will be limited due to UK Government and Public Health Engla...

As part of a month-long Fire Kills campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents to stay safe during summer as they make the most of the weather and enjoy the outdoors. James Hunt, Watch Based Station Manager, said: “Many of us are well aware of the need for fire safety in the home, but it is important to be just as careful to avoid the risk of fire when you are outside. If you’re intending to take out your tent, get your caravan back on the road or simply...

A court has quashed an appeal brought by a restaurant owner against a hefty fine after a fire revealed major fire safety breaches in the premises. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service originally brought a prosecution against Beta UK Ltd who owns Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire. The case was heard by Reading Magistrate’s Court in October 2020. Fire at Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire Police have said they think the attack was an attempt to endanger lives"...

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority has successfully concluded its search for the next leader of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Wayne Bowcock will be joining the Service following the retirement of its current Chief Fire Officer, Trevor Ferguson, in July 2021. Wayne will join the Service in June to ensure a smooth transition, before Trevor’s departure. Wayne joins the Service from his current role as Chief Fire Officer and Director at Gloucestershire County Council. Wayne was selecte...

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority welcomes and supports the ongoing work of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which aims to lead improvement across the fire and rescue sector at a national level. As part of this work, the Authority is pleased that Sir Tom Winsor, in the State of Fire and Rescue Annual Assessment in England 2020, has highlighted the outstanding work, which many fire and rescue services, including Royal Berkshire staff, have underta...

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and are running a joint campaign aimed at promoting motorcycle safety across the Thames Valley. The ‘Ride Safe’ campaign will engage with local riders to promote key safety messages, including the importance of bike maintenance and wearing the correct riding kit. Riders will also be encouraged to revisit their riding skills as many may be returning to...

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is pleased to announce that it is now a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Stonewall is Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ charity, founded in 1989 in response to the Section 28 legislation. The Diversity Champions program is an employers’ program for ensuring that all LGBTQ+ staff are accepted without exception in the workplace. Through the program, Stonewall work with over 850 organizations to help creative inclusive and accepting work environments....

In March 2021, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is asking residents to test their smoke alarms regularly and make it a part of their weekly routine, in support of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) month-long campaign. Smoke alarms are important for everyone’s safety and they can give those few extra seconds for people in distress to escape, in the event of a fire. Importance of smoke alarms in homes Statistics show that smoke alarms alerted households to...

Whether they’re lending a hand or simply seeking a snack, it’s important to make sure that children know how to stay safe in the kitchen. That’s why, as part of the Fire Kills campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging parents and careers to make any kitchen activities a chance for kids to learn about cooking safety. Ian Barks, Central Hub Prevention Manager, said: “It is important that children know what to do if a fire should occur, so why not tea...

At 11:04 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) received reports of a house fire on Amity Road, in Reading, United Kingdom. Crews and officers from the Wokingham Road, Dee Road and Caversham Road Fire Stations, which come under the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, were sent to the scene. Fire survival guidance Thames Valley Fire Control Service gave the occupants crucial fire survival guidance over the phone Thames Valley Fire Control...

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to deploy new FireWatch app to support greater mobile working, increase digitalization and enhance agility. Infographics announced that Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is one of the first UK FRS to adopt the new cross platform FireWatch app - with other Services expected to follow suit in the near future. The FireWatch app provides a modern and intuitive user experience, available from anywhere at any time. Suitable for iPhone and Android...

Infographics announced it has successfully streamlined and enhanced the mobilization processes used by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) within the Thames Valley Fire Control Service. By integrating FireWatch and Capita Vision, RBFRS can now automatically share intelligent vehicle availability data between systems and remove manual processes. The integration provides a level of live, connected management information and increased efficiency This latest phase builds on work undert...