West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service News

The first women’s Firesports UK and English Fire Service Football tournament took place recently in Manchester. A team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) entered and were thrilled to reach the finals. However, they were just beaten in the last match by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who have agreed to host the next games. Firefighter - Alice Coggan took part in the match and said it was a fantastic event, with teams joining in from as far away as West Sussex and Co...

Fire chiefs have backed a city-led pledge to show commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery.  The Safer Leeds Safeguarding and Domestic Violence Team launched the Leeds Pledge to Tackle Modern Slavery to mark National Anti-Slavery Day on Tuesday 18 October 2022. tackle modern slavery Partners from across statutory, third sector, and business services in the city joined together to back this pledge, including from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS)...

WYFRS Firefighter - Elliot Kear will be swapping his uniform for a rugby kit this week, when he leads Wales for the Rugby League World Cup. The Welsh Captain is taking a break from firefighting on Wednesday as his team prepares to battle against the Cook Islands at Leigh Sports Village, near Wigan. Elliot plays for Championship side - Bradford Bulls, and it was 13 years ago, he made his international and Super League debut. He joined West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) in June 2021 a...

Firefighters are investigating the possible cause of a fire which ripped through a derelict building in Leeds city center last night. Fire crews from across West Yorkshire were on site within minutes after the blaze rapidly took hold of the vacant Leonardo Building. The fire began just before 8 pm on Saturday evening, with flames seen coming out the top of the multi-storey building on Cookridge Street, near Millennium Square and Leeds General Infirmary.  Local pubs and bars were evacuated...

A team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) took part in The National Breathing Apparatus Challenge, which saw Michael Gumeniuk receive an award for his quick-thinking actions during one of the real-life scenarios. The challenge, which takes place at the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire, was jointly founded by WYFRS Assistant District Commander, David Cookson. He said: “In 2006 I was working as an instructor and there were a number of high-profil...

A chilling tape of a teenager calling 999 to claim someone else had set fire to a Calderdale primary school he had just torched has been released. In the audio Aaron Foster, then aged 19, can be heard making the call to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service blaming non-existent accomplices, to avoid suspicion falling on himself. life sentence for deliberate fire Foster, of Stanningley Road, Mixenden, who had denied the charges but was later found guilty, was given a life sentence for d...

Aaron Foster, aged 20, of Stanningley Drive in Mixenden, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for starting separate blazes at Ash Green Primary School earlier this year and at Mixenden Library in August 2020. The fire at the Clough Lane school on the evening of February 1 this year caused £4.5 million worth of damage and at its height up to 60 firefighters were on site tackling the inferno, which engulfed the upper site of the school and could be seen right across the Calderdale village....

A ‘reckless’ arsonist has been condemned by Fire Chiefs, after he was given a 14-and-a-half-year extended jail sentence.  Luke Patchett’s crime spree in June 2022 included setting fire to a car on Knowles Street and then starting a fire outside a house on Clapham Street. He then set fire to a family’s Peugeot, which was parked outside their front door and the blaze spread to the home. fire alarms and smoke The homeowners were woken up by their fire alarms and smok...

Vital equipment has been donated by West Yorkshire firefighters to help those battling to save lives in Ukraine.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has added to the special convoy that left the UK this weekend to head to Poland. Once it arrives the equipment will be handed over to the Polish State Fire Service, with support from Germany en route, to help support firefighters in Ukraine. boats and PPE Among the equipment are six inflatable boats and a box of PPE equipment don...

A bonfire safety campaign is being launched across West Yorkshire as fireworks officially go on sale. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has launched its #BanginBonfire campaign to help people across the region enjoy Bonfire Night safely. People will be able to buy fireworks and sparklers from registered sellers to use at home. However, fire officers are urging the public to attend organized events where possible. WYFRS guidance Area Manager - Scott Donegan said, “We want th...

Two firefighters tackled the London Marathon to help raise vital funds for charities that support people with disabilities and vulnerable children.  Hassan Abrar and Ant Devine took part in the event which saw an estimated 42,000 people tackle the 26.2-mile (42km) course. Supporting charity While Ant Devine is raising money for the NSPCC, Hassan Abrar is supporting Henshaws, which is a northern charity supporting people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities. He chose t...

Among the assessors of the two-day Festival of Rescue was Station Manager - Damian Cameron from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), who has taken part in the event numerous times over the last 20 years. Damian assessed the urban search and rescue part of the festival, which took place in Birmingham. The annual event sees teams performing various rescues ranging from cutting people from crashed cars to water-based challenges–all while being watched by hundreds of spectators. A...

Crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) attended two unconnected fires, when they were targeted by youths throwing bricks and other missiles. Both incidents took place on September 26, 2022, just after 8 pm, after the local stations received calls about fires outdoors. Importance of fire service The attacks happened while firefighters were tackling a blaze on Broadstone Way, Holmewood in Bradford, and at a second fire at Stainland Road, Sowood, Elland. While the attacks did...

The DIY SOS Big Build has seen 200 volunteers and a team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) helping to create a £1 million home for the Getaway Girls - a charity that empowers young girls and women by building their confidence and supporting each other. Yesterday morning (Monday 26 September), BBC presenters Zoe Ball and Scott Mills were at the site live on Radio 2, where they spoke with volunteers, organizers, and firefighters. They were also filming the ‘big revea...

A firefighter is going to be blazing a trail through London, as he takes part in this weekend’s world-famous marathon. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) Station Manager - Ant Devine will be raising money for the NSPCC when he runs in Sunday’s London Marathon. Training for the 26-mile challenge has taken him 20 weeks and he is hoping to raise £2,200 for charity. redevelopment program Ant Devine is the Program Advisor overseeing the WYFRS Birkenshaw redevelopment...

A dog owner who plunged thirty feet into the River Wharfe, while searching for her pet, has been saved by fire and rescue crews. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also saved her dog in the incident, which took place at Deepdale Lane, Boston Spa on September 18th. Crews from Wetherby, Leeds, and Tadcaster attended the scene at approximately 11.30 am following reports of a woman in the river. Dog Rescue Technical Rescue Officer - Mick Loney from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue...

A fire officer has said he was 'honored' to take part in the State Funeral after being one of just sixteen firefighters nationally chosen to do so. Richard Hawley, who has worked for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) for the best part of two decades, was thrilled when he was selected to take part in the procession for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. He and the other firefighters solemnly marched behind the Household Cavalry, which guarded the coffin, at the once-in-a-lifetime even...

Firefighters and other blue light workers are teaming up to spread safety messages as part of a family event at Odsal Stadium. The Family Fun Day, which includes fire, police, and ambulance, will take place on Sunday, 11 September, before Bradford Bulls’ last rugby game of the season against Widnes Vikings.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) will be showcasing the work they do to help rescue people with the help of their new water safety flume, fire and rescue boat,...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is strengthening moorland firefighting resources thanks to a generous contribution from Yorkshire Water. The utility company has given £50,000 towards the procurement of new all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), which will enhance the current wildfire fleet allowing our firefighters to access hard-to-reach areas such as moorland. WYFR’s ‘Be Moor Aware’ campaign Yorkshire Water has been a key supporter of WYFR’s ‘Be Moor...

Firefighters and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) staff will be out in force at the Calderdale Pride event, as it makes a triumphant return this year. It will be part of the celebrations complete with fire engines and even a stilt walker, as the experience returns to Halifax for the first time after two years. Calderdale Pride The last Calderdale Pride was in 2019, but the previous two years were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022's static, free event, which cele...

An off-duty firefighter who saved a teenager’s life in Ilkley River has been awarded a rare commendation from the Chief Fire Officer of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Keighley White Watch Crew Manager - Adam Dykes was presented with the award for his bravery this morning in a ceremony at Keighley Fire Station. Open water Dangers Speaking at the commendation, Chief Fire Officer - John Roberts issued a reminder about the dangers of open water: He said: “As school holidays b...

As school holidays begin, West Yorkshire firefighters are advising parents and guardians to talk to children and young people about water safety, to try and help prevent drownings in our region. This comes as part of World Drowning Prevention Day, where the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a call for people around the world to 'do one thing' to prevent drowning. Drowning Drowning is one of the major causes of death globally for children and young people aged 1-24 years,...

Emergency services have issued a timely reminder of the dangers of open water swimming following the death of a teenage boy in Wakefield on Monday, 11 July. West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service were called to the Aire and Calder Navigation near Southern Washlands on Monday afternoon to report of a male teenager in the water. Following a search of the water, a body was recovered. He has been named as 16-year-old Alfie McCraw, from Wa...

On Saturday, July 2, the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival returned to Saltaire. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service won the festival on two previous attempts and hoped to make it a hat trick in 2022. The team performed valiantly and managed to take a very respectable second-placed finish! Congratulations to the victors - Oar from Baildon. Bradford Dragon Boat Festival The festival took place over three days and is a huge family attraction for hundreds of people around the region. ...

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service have been invited to take a team of boxers over to New York City to take part in the annual boxing fundraiser, ‘Thrilla in Camilla’, which supports the Tunnel to Towers Foundation charity. The team, who are the only team in the UK to be selected, depart on July 6th. The show then takes place on Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York City, on the evening of July 8th. WYFRS firefighters will be taking on serving members of the Fire Department of N...

The Annual Emergency Services Show is back – and better than ever! The show is taking place this year on 30th July 2022 and due to the Birkenshaw rebuild project, is moving to its temporary new venue, at Roundhay Park in Leeds, United Kingdom (UK). West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces with West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service for the event, which will allow the emergency services and other partners to show off all the great work they do – from s...

Accidental drowning fatalities and water rescues have risen in 2021 in West Yorkshire, according to new figures released by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The figures show a high proportion of casualties in these incidents are males aged under 20. #BeWaterAware As summer gets into full swing, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is highlighting the dangers of open water and has launched its #BeWaterAware campaign to help people stay safe. Chris Bell, Assistant District Commander,...

Yorkshire Water and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are reminding people in the region of the dangers of open water, in support of Drowning Prevention Week, which aims to raise awareness of enjoying water safely. It comes as figures from the National Fire Chiefs Council reveal a total of 124 water rescue incidents were attended by Fire Services in Yorkshire and the Humber in 2021 (57 in West Yorkshire), with 23 fatalities recorded in Yorkshire and the Humber during the 12 months. awaren...

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service attended the Emergency Services Day event, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend celebrations, held at Halifax Piece Hall. Colleagues from North Yorkshire FRS also joined in with their water safety demonstration kit, which was a hit with both children and adults. Firefighters from Rastrick, Halifax, and Todmorden showcased fire engines, water rescue guidance, and wildfire vehicles, while the Calderdale Fire Prevention team was on hand to...

Fire crews used an aerial platform to bring a distressed tawny owl to safety after it had become stuck in overhead phone lines. West Yorkshire Fire Service control center received a call at 06:15 after noisy crows had raised the alarm to residents. Rescuing the owl Station Manager - Ronnie Goldwater attended the scene followed by animal rehabilitation volunteer Vikki Clarke, who took the bird to a specialist vet and left it in rehab. Mr. Goldwater said, "It was so distressed and flapping...