Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service News

A North East fire service is supporting a national campaign that calls on men and boys to end violence against women and girls. Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service (TWFRS) is once again taking part in White Ribbon Day (November 25th), which reinforces its association with backing the annual awareness day. This year, the organizers are looking to encourage individuals and organizations to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls, so they may live their lives free from the fear of violence. The ch...

Concerned Fire Chiefs are calling on the public’s support, as they re-launch a lifesaving campaign to protect Tyne and Wear’s most vulnerable. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s (TWFRS) Lifesaver campaign is aimed at encouraging the public to reach out and help save someone’s life. A simple telephone call, email or social media message could be the deciding factor that helps to change a friend or family member’s life forever. As part of National Safeguarding A...

A grateful pensioner has thanked firefighters who rescued him after his mobility scooter plunged down an embankment in South Shields. Syd McDonald, 90, has praised Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) after they helped to rescue him from Simonside Metro Station earlier in November 2023. Rescuing a 90-year-old The 90-year-old was rescued by firefighters after his scooter rolled on top of him, pinning him to the ground, on a steep embankment. The alarm was raised on Tuesday 7th No...

A ground-breaking cancer research project has returned to the North East with more than 100 firefighters from Tyneside set to take part. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) are this week hosting a testing program commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Back in February, the first 15 firefighters volunteered to take part in testing carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). More than 1,000 firefighters across the United Kingdom (UK) have participated by providi...

In the run up to Bonfire Weekend, families have been urged to attend organized fireworks displays – to ensure everyone gets home safely. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have asked residents not to set off shop-bought fireworks or start bonfires in public places. The Service has already revealed how deliberate fires in public areas increased by 94% over the school holidays and Bonfire weekend last year. While this Bonfire season has already seen fire crews responding to an i...

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has introduced their leadership team as a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer joined the organization. Stewart Nicholson has joined TWFRS from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, where he served as Deputy Assistant Chief Officer since November 2021.  strategic-level appointment He is the first strategic-level appointment made by Peter Heath who began in the role of Chief Fire Officer in September 2023. The new Deputy Chief Fire Officer spoke of his...

After the tragic incidents at Grenfell Tower almost seven years ago, an inquiry was set up to ensure that it never happens again. Out of that inquiry, a number of new Regulations have been introduced to ensure the safety of all existing and new High-rise Residential Buildings. A new Department has been created in Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) to inspect the North East Region to keep the people who live in high-rise residential buildings safe in their homes. New inspection progr...

North East fire and rescue services have been recognized nationally for their work keeping the region’s children safe and out of trouble. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) doesn’t only deal with fire and safety emergencies across the region, they also have a responsibility to support and educate young people. They work with young people to divert them from making choices that may put themselves and their communities at risk, or might mean they do not achieve their full p...

A Control Room apprentice from one of the country’s fire and rescue services has achieved a much deserved distinction grade at the end of his 15-month apprenticeship. Matthew Noble, aged 30, who works as a member of Green Watch in the Fire Control Room at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has excelled during the Ofsted approved Emergency Call Handler Apprenticeship program, and he believes what he has learnt on the course will be crucial to the work he does for the Fire Servic...

One of Scotland’s newest firefighters has told how he was inspired by the bravery of rescue teams after witnessing devastating earthquakes in South America. Cesar Colorado successfully completed his firefighter training with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), following a grueling 13-week training course. He graduated at a ceremony in Motherwell Civic Center on Friday, 18 August, alongside 44 new Wholetime Firefighters and three Operations Control Firefighters. Early fascination...

Following a robust selection process, a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer has been announced at the North East’s largest fire and rescue service - Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS). Stewart Nicholson has been announced as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and will take up his post by November 2023. Stewart joins Tyne and Wear from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, where he has served as Deputy Assistant Chief Officer. He is the first s...

Industry pioneer - AEI Cables has clinched a contract to supply its low-voltage power, control, and fire performance cables to a major extension of the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Working with its partners, Cornwall Contracting Co.Ltd, AEI Cables supplied the cables to the existing sports complex from 2011 to 2013. Extension features The major extension involves the facilities development building, which is located in front of the indoor swimming pool and rowing boathouse comprising a three-...

Concerned fire officers and trading standard experts have warned of the dangers of e-bikes and e-scooters after a devastating fire in Newcastle. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and Newcastle City Council have issued the warning after a residential fire in Elswick recently. Fires By e-Bike Firefighters from Newcastle Central Community Fire Station responded to the blaze on July 11th when a lithium-ion battery on an e-bike caught fire while charging in a bedroom. The occupant...

Firefighters are calling for support from the public after responding to more than 2,000 deliberate fires in six months.  Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have revealed, since the beginning of 2023, they have responded to incidents of grassland, wheelie bins, and even play parks being targeted by fire setters. Their figures show there have been a shockingly high 2,055 deliberate fires set across the region since the start of the year. Responsible for the Gateshead area...

Firefighters have been praised after battling a blaze at a Grade II listed building as dramatic drone footage is released showing the scale of the devastating damage. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) confirmed on Thursday (June 8) that their Fire Control received a call about a fire at Henderson Old Hall on Etherstone Avenue in Newcastle, United Kingdom (UK) at 2.15 pm. Aerial Ladder Platforms (ALPs) Emergency services have said that they have not received reports that anyone is...

Representatives from Esh Construction, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance Service, and local primary schools have taken part in a steel signing event to mark the completion of the first phase of work on the state-of-the-art Hebburn Tri-Station. Steven Bewick, Station Manager for Hebburn Community Fire Station, Louise Norris, Locality Manager at North East Ambulance Service, and Neil Hall, Chief Inspector at Northumbria Police, joined Esh Cons...

A female footballer who has been catching the eye with her performances for Sunderland AFC Women is not just a hero on the pitch – as she also saves lives in her career as a firefighter. Fearless Megan Beer has been working as a firefighter for two years and responds to emergencies across Newcastle in her role with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS). The 30-year-old serves on Red Watch at Newcastle Central Community Fire Station after passing the gruelling 12-week firefighter t...

Heroic Ukrainian firefighters who continue to respond to emergencies across the war-torn country have received a haul of life-saving equipment from Tyne and Wear. Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service (TWFRS) are one of many Brigades across the country to provide support to their counterparts in Ukraine. Fire Authority and staff Ukrainian firefighters have worked on the front-line since the war with Russia began by extinguishing fires and rescuing casualties from collapsed buildings. But th...

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority (TWFRA) have appointed Peter Heath as their new Chief Fire Officer. Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther announced in March this year that he intended to retire from his position with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS). The chairperson of the Service’s Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Phil Tye, immediately began the task of appointing his replacement. Now, following an open and robust recruitment process, he has announced that Peter Heath will...

Tyne and Wear fire chiefs have said the future of frontline services to communities has been strengthened with the continued investment in a brand new fleet of vehicles. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have already been recognized as one of the fastest responding service in the entire country. Additionally, the TWFRS have confirmed that 10 brand new fire appliances will take to the streets across the region in the coming weeks. Brand new fleet of fire appliances Every vehicle is...

The North East’s largest fire and rescue service have given their communities the gift of life – by donating £62,000 worth of life-saving equipment. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have announced the donation of 31 defibrillators to local charity - North East Hearts with Goals. The charity are dedicated to raising money to fund the installation of the equipment in schools, colleges, sporting clubs, GP surgeries and even in to people’s homes. But they have...

Work has commenced on a sustainable tri-service station which will become home to officers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, and North East Ambulance Service. The new station, which will be built by North of England contractor Esh Construction, is set to be the first of its kind in the country to be carbon neutral. A breaking ground ceremony officially marked the start on site for the emergency services hub which is set to drive forward blue light services&...

Attacks on firefighters are at their highest since records began – and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) saw the worst attacks it has ever seen over the weekend. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wants to see stronger sentences handed down by the courts – where restorative justice has not worked. According to the latest Home Office figures, almost one thousand firefighters were attacked while attending incidents. Rise in number of attacks on firefighters To s...

Fire and rescue services have been responding to calls of ‘large-scale’ fires at industrial estates across the UK this past week, demonstrating their vital role in keeping residents safe. large-scale fire On the evening of 18 November 2022, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) sent crews to tackle a fire that broke out at a disused warehouse in the town of Ryton, in Gateshead. Described as a ‘large-scale’ fire, eight fire appliances and 40 firefighters at...

Firefighters and staff have been praised for keeping communities across Tyne and Wear safe this Bonfire Night. Senior officers at Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service (TWFRS) have revealed the busy Bonfire weekend passed without serious incident. TWFRS saw a 1.1% decrease of total incidents from the 1st to the 6th November (Bonfire reporting period) across Tyne & Wear, when compared with the same time last year. Pockets of anti-social behavior, and calls about illegal bonfires, meant it...

Mindless thugs have been warned they are putting lives at risk after they bombarded fire crews with stones at the weekend. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have condemned a group of louts who left a fire appliance in Newcastle with a smashed windscreen.  Abuse at fire crews  In two separate attacks, the same group of teenagers hurled stones and abuse at fire crews as they responded to reports of fires in the west end of the city. The Service has revealed that attacks on...

A leading professor has praised a North East fire service for their commitment to firefighter safety and innovation. This week, Professor Anna Stec from the University of Central Lancashire provided insight into the importance of reducing contaminants and improving safety to firefighters, fire service staff and members of the public. In an event ran by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) local representatives, Professor Stec addressed a number of...

Fearless firefighters have been praised for their quick response to a serious fire at a commercial garage today. Just after 10:40 am, on Thursday, October 6, 2022, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service received a report that a car had ignited in a commercial car garage in South Shields, United Kingdom. Fire Control staff who took the call quickly dispatched a crew to attend the scene at Evans Yard, in the Templetown area of the town. That quick response saw the fire appliance arrive on the scen...

An anti-social behavior operation taking place in a popular Gateshead park has been hailed a success – after disorder in the area plummeted. Last month a series of joint patrols were launched in Saltwell Park between Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police and Gateshead Council. That included visible patrols by partners and undercover work by Northumbria Police after continued disorder deterred the local community from visiting the park. The engagement and en...

The importance of understanding the revised Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables which reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases, and flame spread in the event of a real fire cannot be stressed enough. approved cabling These cables maintain the circuit integrity of a building providing power for essential services and fire-fighting systems for fire and rescue services to carry out a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. AEI Cables has won widespread support for our in...