West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service News

This week is Electrical Fire Safety Week, which promotes electrical fire safety in the home. Half of all accidental house fires are caused by electricity, and nine out of ten electrical fires are caused by electrical products. The cost of living crisis is pioneering more people to use electrical products at night when power is often cheaper, but West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is warning that this could lead to dangerous fires. On Sunday, just before midnight, crews from were cal...

With the upcoming bonfire season, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) wants to ensure celebrations are both fun and safe. In 2019, WYFRS responded to 427 bonfire-related incidents, and they are committed to reducing that number. safety is key While WYFRS encourages celebration, safety is key. Whether users are attending an organized event or having their cozy bonfire at home, listed below are WYFRS' top tips for having a safe bonfire season: Whenever possible, consider attending or...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is celebrating the hard work of those who answer when users call for help – as part of International Control Room Week. The awareness campaign is running from Monday 23rd October for one week to highlight the amazing work of the staff in control rooms and to raise awareness of the crucial work they do. Control Room The Control Room is the first port of call for anyone who needs assistance from WYFRS. Its Fire Control team deals with hundred...

First Direct Arena in Leeds played host to a major multi-agency exercise, when West Yorkshire’s emergency services came together to test their joint plans in responding to a major incident. live-action exercise West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), West Yorkshire Police, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) joined forces with Counter Terrorism Policing North East, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service for a live-action exercise, simula...

Specialist teams from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service came together at Xscape Yorkshire for the training, which saw a live exercise take place simulating what would happen if a biological or other airborne hazard occurred in a busy public area. The WYFRS Detection, Identification, and Monitoring (DIM) team, who are equipped to deal with incidents involving toxic chemicals, fuels, nuclear waste, as well as biological, chemical, and r...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (WYFRA) brought a successful prosecution against Mr. Michael Gubbay, Director of Tuscola (109) Limited for failing to provide requested information to the Fire Authority about a premises in Leeds. fire safety management At the hearing at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 14 September 2023, Mr. Gubbay, 63, who lives in Israel, pleaded guilty to failing to respond to an Article 27 request for information about the fire safety management arrangements at pr...

Zest, one of the UK’s fastest growing Electric Vehicle (EV) charge point operators, has announced a new partnership with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS). The first two charge points are running at its Leeds station, with work also underway at Bradford, in a partnership that will provide further charge points at multiple sites to serve WYFRS’s growing fleet of electric vehicles. installation equipment One of 44 Fire and Rescue Services in England and Wales WYF...

Firefighters in Odsal were faced with a feline fiasco, when they rescued a cat stuck down a chimney.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) were called to Giles Street, near Wibsey Park, recently after the RSPCA could not access the cat on the roof of a terraced house. several challenges Crew Manager - Robin Hinsley said there were several challenges the crew had to deal with, including several telephone lines. “With the back-to-back houses so close together we had a limi...

Oxford Diecast has created the 1:76 scale model of the vehicle, which is a replica of the real-life pump ladder used by firefighters at Rawdon Station. 1/76 scale model People as far away as New Zealand have been snapping up the replica to use on model railways, or to include in collections. One customer said, “This is an exceptional 1/76 scale model. I am an avid fire appliance collector on this scale. The detail and livery is spot on for West Yorkshire.” Another customer added,...

West Yorkshire emergency services tested their joint incident response plans and procedures during a simulated training exercise in Leeds city center last week. On Thursday 17 August, a live exercise simulating a terrorist attack was carried out by the three regional emergency services: West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), West Yorkshire Police (WYP), and Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).  Hosted by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the scenario saw first responders f...

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) has selected edge control room solutions from Frequentis to enhance service delivery for the communities it safeguards through better resource allocation and coordination between emergency services when responding to emergencies. WYFRS WYFRS is the fourth largest fire and rescue service in the country, responsible for the safety of over 2.2 million residents and the protection of 800 square miles of land, covering five major metropolitan distric...

People from across Silsden gathered at the fire station to watch as TV presenter - Katie Rushworth officially opened the allotment and orchard.  Katie, who lives in the countryside just outside Leeds and is a Presenter on ITV’s Love Your Garden, cut the ribbon to officially open the green space that has been transformed over the last few months. plants and trees The area at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) station used to be just covered in grass, but firefighters...

It’s a world cup win for England as the veteran team lifted the trophy on the final day – and among them was WYFRS Fire Officer - Simeon Bambrook. Simeon, who is Assistant District Commander at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), was thrilled when the finals in Thailand saw the England Veterans walk away with the cup. The father-of-two has been involved in football from a young age when he played in the Youth Team at Leeds United. He said the atmosphere at the stadi...

Thousands are expected to attend the popular Emergency Services Show 2023, which takes place later in July 2023, at Roundhay Park, in Leeds, UK.  On July 29, visitors will fill the park’s Soldiers Playing Field, where they can see police, fire, and ambulance crews, alongside the Royal British Legion, local councils, and armed forces, including the British Army. Event timings The event, which runs from 11 am to 4 pm, will also have police dogs, the fire service band, fairground ride...

A fire service technician has said the latest diabetes technology is 'life-changing' as he becomes one of the first in Yorkshire to use it.  Simon Pickering works at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) helping to maintain all the vehicles, which include fire engines, the wildfire 4x4 vehicles, boats, and command units. Simon Pickering Since he’s been two years old, he’s lived with diabetes, which has involved having to control his insulin every day through injectio...

TV Presenter, Katie Rushworth from ITV’s Love Your Garden, will be pioneering the celebrations on July 21, with the festivities kicking off at 12 noon. Until recently, the space at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) station wasn't being used and was just covered in grass. But thanks to firefighters, it has been transformed into a thriving space full of produce. Carrots, onions, strawberries, radishes, cherries, and Brussels sprouts are all growing happily alongside a herb...

A Fire Chief has been presented with a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding work with hazardous materials. Dave Walton, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), received the award at the NCEC Hazmat 2023 conference, when the work he does across the country was highlighted to hundreds of delegates. Dave is a national pioneer in Hazmat (hazardous materials) and is the National Fire Chiefs Council Hazmat Lead. He was also the Project Executive for...

Firefighter brothers completed an incredible feat at the weekend when they climbed 69,000 steps to raise more than £3,000 for The Grenfell Foundation and The Firefighters Charity.  Mike and Kev Sutcliffe took on the challenge of climbing Bridgewater Place Tower in Leeds 72 times to symbolize each life lost at the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Kev, 43, is a firefighter with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) while Mike, 41, is a Watch Manager with North Yorkshir...

A dramatic water rescue scenario saw a family being saved from the water while on a boating holiday. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) staged the scenario for Boat Safety Week, when they spoke about the importance of staying safe around water. urgent response The scenario saw a family taking a boating holiday on the canal at Standedge Tunnel, Waters Road, Marsden when their vessel set on fire. The family became overcome by smoke and some fell into the water. The situation ca...

The UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge is held every year in The Solent and is open to other emergency services with entries from police, ambulance crews and the RNLI. The competition promotes problem-solving skills, teamwork and fitness and is an event that the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has entered for several years. This year the challenge celebrated its 20th anniversary and saw participants battling with showers and strong winds. The event, which took place from May...

A fire that started on Marsden Moor is still ongoing as firefighters battle to stop the blaze from spreading.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is still in attendance and has sent in relief crew to the site at Wessenden Lodge, Wessenden Road, Marsden. burnt area Currently, the burnt area measures around 2 km square, and crews are tackling hotspots where there are burning embers that could reignite the dry grass. Crews from Rastrick and Hunslet are in attendance with the Tod...

Firefighters are furthering their commitment to the environment by turning land at two fire stations into orchards and allotments for the local community.  Silsden Fire Station is already giving members of the local community access to the land for growing a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Ilkley Fire Station is following hot on their heels and has launched a fundraising drive in a bid to kickstart the planting of a community orchard. Local community initiative The spac...

West Yorkshire’s first non-binary firefighter has thanked colleagues for their acceptance as they highlight the steps being taken to fight discrimination.  Tay Stevenson recently joined West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) and says the team at Halifax station, where they are based, has embraced their status and worked hard to help them settle in. Colleagues correctly use the pronouns ‘them’ and ‘they’ when referring to them.  awareness of discr...

Mark Thompson spends every day helping others during some of their worst moments.  However, Mark, who is the Control Manager for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS), revealed how he needed support when he and his wife struggled with their mental health, after losing two family members in a house fire. Mental Health Awareness Week This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and WYFRS is focusing on the importance of taking care of oneself and those around them. Mark Thompson r...

Fire staff across West Yorkshire are putting on their running shoes to tackle the Leeds Marathon and raise vital funds for charity.  A total of 14 fire staff will be running in the race on May 14, 2023, when they will raise money for good causes including The Fire Fighter’s Charity. The Akhirah Team Another charity that will benefit is The Akhirah Team, which operates in Harehills, Leeds, and is being supported by Firefighter, Hassan Abrar. Hassan has been undertaking a difficult c...

Firefighters pledged to never forget the football fans who died 38 years ago in a devastating fire at Valley Parade.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) laid a wreath this morning at Bradford City Football Club to remember the 54 Bradford City supporters and two traveling Lincoln fans who died in the fire on May 11, 1985. Firefighters then joined dignitaries and the families of those who had lost their lives to lay wreaths at a service in Bradford’s Centenary Square. mem...

Crowds were given the chance to meet emergency service workers and see the vital work they do to keep the people of Yorkshire safe.  Emergency Services Day at The Piece Hall in Halifax on Sunday saw hundreds of people getting an insight into the work of 999 staff, including firefighters, police, and ambulance crews. Road traffic collision equipment The event saw West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) join forces with West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambul...

Frontline emergency service workers including those in the fire service are to be given a commemorative medal to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen Consort. The UK Government has unveiled the design of the medal and confirmed they will be given to Armed Forces, frontline emergency service workers, and those taking part in the Coronation. design of the medal Firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be amongst the thousands of people to be given this...

The fire at Manchester Road near Slaithwaite currently covers an estimated 2 km square of land. People are being advised to stay away from the area, and not to walk on the part of the Pennine Way which is close to the fire. Dozens of calls were made to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) at around 1.30 pm and three fire engines were in attendance with four wildfire units. The specialist wildfire Polaris vehicle has also been deployed to help tackle the blaze and prevent it from sprea...

More than 400 items of firefighting kit are traveling from West Yorkshire to Ukraine in a bid to support those battling on the frontline.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has contributed hundreds of items to the latest convoy, which leaves the UK (May 3rd, 2023). Among the items are 120 fire helmets and over 300 items of structural fire kit, which includes firefighting clothing, to offer as much protection as possible to firefighters in Ukraine. appliances and eq...