Fire Industry News for December 2023

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...

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...

Mighty Fire Breaker's Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Wildfire Defense System (WFDS), if added to more of the homes at risk in mapped wildfire regions of the U.S., could have a significant and positive impact on the Homeowner's Insurance Industry Crisis. In fact, this positive impact could help bring Allstate and State Farm back to California. In recent days, both Allstate and State Farm announced they will no longer issue new homeowner's insurance coverage anywhere in California, creating an insurance cr...

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...

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...

Startling figures reveal that drowning is a bigger killer than house fires in West Yorkshire, with nine deaths taking place in one year.  National Be Water Aware Week West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has joined forces with other fire and rescue services locally and nationally urging people to heed the dangers of open water. The campaign, led nationally by the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) is being backed locally by Yorkshire Water, which owns many of the bodies...

Crews were called to fires in Marsden as meters of moorland went up in flames at two different sites.  Fire crews from Slaithwaite, Meltham, Rastrick, Halifax, and Cleckheaton attended along with wildfire crews from Todmorden, Keighley, and Skelmanthorpe to tackle the first blaze off Old Mount Road. moorland fire They were called at around 3.50 pm to the moorland fire which measured around 1.5 km by 500 meters. Firefighters used blowers, beaters, Landrovers, Polaris, and water relays to...

Specialist wildfire training has been given to a fire officer in West Yorkshire, in a bid to reduce the number of incidents in summer. Richard Hawley from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) went to Spain recently with a team from the UK. intensive training The intensive week of training looked at how burning vegetation in a controlled way can be used as a tool to tackle fast-moving wildfires. Richard, who is the temporary group manager and WYFRS’s lead wildfire officer, spe...

Crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) were called at around 11 am to the leak at Trinity House flats in Kirkgate, Wakefield. Firefighters from Wakefield, Normanton and Dewsbury attended and by early afternoon the situation was escalated to a major incident and people were being evacuated from their homes. The evacuation was undertaken by all emergency services as well as Wakefield District Housing and the local authority. Residents went to the nearby Wakefield Spir...

The #BeMoorAware campaign aims to prevent wildfires and reduce the impact on communities, businesses, and the environment. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) teamed up with West Yorkshire Police, Bradford City Council, and Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Officers for the event on Wednesday last week. WYFRS’ Wildfire team from Keighley spoke with the public at the event on Ilkley Moor, asking them about their awareness of PSPOs and advising them on how to prevent wild...

Emergency services teamed up in a bid to highlight the dangers of using nitrous oxide while driving.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), worked with Bradford City Council, West Yorkshire Police, and Yorkshire Ambulance for an event at Centenary Square in Bradford. dangers of nitrous oxide They were joined by Bradford's New Direction, Change Grow Live, as they demonstrated the dangers of taking nitrous oxide while behind the wheel. The gas, commonly known as laughing gas,...

Mighty Fire Breaker (MFB) is now shipping samples of its MFB-31-CitroTech® fire retardant, along with marketing and technical information to retailers all around the U.S. MFB has great confidence that this roll-out will succeed due to the reaction it has received thus far from the first set of home improvement and garden stores where the product has already been made available, and how well the company's displays appear with its 5 gallons pails of MFB-31-CitroTech®. ASTM Class A fire p...

Over a fourteen-year career, Laura Boocock, 39, has progressed through the ranks to the position of Calderdale District Commander, which means she currently holds the highest rank ever as a female firefighter at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS). Despite women being more than half the population, only eight out of 100 firefighters nationally are women, with similar statistics within WYFRS. Using International Women’s Day (Wednesday) as a platform, Laura is urging women to com...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is, on No Smoking Day, warning that smoking kills- and not just because of the effects it has on health. Every year thousands of fires in the UK are caused by cigarettes, lighters, and other smoking materials, such as pipes and cigars, and many of these could be prevented if smokers followed safety guidelines. Area manager Scott Donegan said as the pioneering cause of fire-related fatalities, it's important to be aware of the potential dangers...

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has released the shocking video after the owner of the property, in Halifax, agreed it needed to be seen, to educate the public on the dangers of lithium batteries. The video shows the owner rushing downstairs in the middle of the night after being woken by a popping noise, created by the batteries of an electric motorbike being charged inside the house. The sound indicated the batteries were failing due to thermal runaway–this is when too mu...

A party drug warning has been issued by firefighters following several serious road traffic collisions. Firefighters in Bradford are staging an event to highlight the dangers of using nitrous oxide behind the wheel. nitrous oxide Crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) will be at Centenary Square in Bradford on March 19, when they will have a mock road traffic accident showing what can happen while taking nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. The gas is becomin...

The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority has approved a slight rise in its portion of council tax. Compared to the previous year, the rise will be six pence per week for Band A taxpayers, and 10p per week for Band D taxpayers. However, despite the rise, the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority precept remains the fourth lowest cost-per-head-of-population in the country. The authority took this decision following a survey earlier this year, where members of the public were asked if...

A new initiative has been launched to provide vulnerable residents with emergency packs, which are filled with items to help keep them warm. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has been involved in the scheme as part of the ongoing effort to address the cost-of-living crisis in Leeds. immediate relief packs The packs aim to provide immediate relief for residents while they wait for specialist services. Each pack contains items including a fleece blanket, thermal flask mug, and hot...