Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

Nine new on-call firefighters have been welcomed into Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service (NFRS) – including the fifth member of the same family to join the service. George Powell, 18, who will be based at Diss Fire Station, joins his older brothers, Harry and Joe, his dad Robert and his sister-in-law Kayleigh at NFRS after completing the initial two-week training course to become an on-call firefighter. Career in the fire service Harry and Joe are also both whole-time firefighters based at North Earlham in Norwich and Joe is also on-call at Hethersett. George said: “I started in at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at a young age – I joined Diss Fire Cadets when I was 14. I have always been interested in it – watching my family enjoy being in the service made me want to join." "I am trying out being on-call at the moment and will see how it goes before I decide if I want to apply for a wholetime career in the fire service.”  Important for on-call firefighters Robert, who has worked for NFRS for 30 years, mostly as a whole-time firefighter but is an on-call watch manager His dad Robert, who has worked for NFRS for 30 years, mostly as a wholetime fire fighter but who is now on-call watch manager at Diss, said: “This is a really proud day for me, to have my third son join NFRS and for my daughter-in-law to be in the service too."  “My wife is also very proud and has been really supportive of us over the years. At one time Harry, Joe and I were all on-call firefighters at Diss, which has an impact on your family life. If we got an emergency call we would all disappear together so having a supportive family is important for on-call firefighters.”  Fire investigation and protection The Powells are one of a number of families who have several members working for NFRS. Kayleigh was also a Fire Cadet in Wymondham, before working in Fire Control and is now as a fire investigation and protection officer. She said: “We do talk about work a lot. But it’s great, we are a family and then the fire service is also like a big family.”  Following this latest two week on-call training course, the service also welcomes FF Helen Burns, who will be based at King's Lynn North Fire Station, FF Bryce Cochrane (East Harling), FF George Powell (Diss), FF Callum Hunt (Watton), FF Callum Marshall-Wyer (Watton), FF Tom Mitchell (North Earlham), FF Stuart Sayer (King's Lynn), FF Gavin Sheridan (Sheringham) and FF Leon Snitch (Acle). Respond to fire and emergency calls Because Norfolk is a large and mostly rural county, 39 of the 42 fire stations rely on on-call firefighters to help protect their local community. Those who work on-call provide cover when required to respond to fire and emergency calls. It is a paid role, where firefighters respond from their homes or workplaces, rather than from a fire station. They need to live or work within five minutes traveling distance from their on-call fire station during the hours they sign up to as being available. Range of new skills On-call firefighters carry out the role on top of another job and their careers are wide-ranging It's perfect for people interested in giving something back to their community, who are keen on fitness and learning a whole range of new skills which are transferable to other workplaces. On-call firefighters carry out the role on top of another job and their careers are wide-ranging. In among the current on-call crews are a fitness instructor, an equestrian center owner, a chef, a plumber, a leisure center manager, a landscape gardener, a chimney sweep an IT professional and a financial advisor.  Latest on-call firefighters Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships at Norfolk County Council, said: “I would like to welcome our new on-call firefighters and thank them for the commitment they have shown to the people of this county by completing their training and taking on this important role. I would also like to thank their employers, who are helping everyone in our communities by releasing their staff to serve as on-call firefighters.” The latest on-call firefighters have spent the last two weeks doing their initial training course at the specialist Bowthorpe center and will now book on duty in their local community to continue their training over the next couple of years to become fully competent firefighters.

In December, two west Norfolk fire stations are throwing their doors open to welcome members of the public for festive treats and to learn more about Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. Fakenham Fire Station and King’s Lynn North Fire Station will be welcoming visitors between 1 pm and 5 pm, with members of the public of all ages invited to drop by between 1 pm and 5 pm on the following dates: 10th December: Fakenham Fire Station, Norwich Road, Fakenham NR21 8BB 17th December: King’s Lynn North Fire Station, Kilham's Way, King's Lynn PE30 2HY Additional offerings  The open days will offer residents a chance to learn more about Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, with demonstrations by fire crews, a walk-through of an Urban Search and Rescue exercise, and exhibits from the Norfolk Fire Museum. In addition, the open days will offer fun for the whole family and a chance to find unique Christmas gifts, with other displays including: Santa’s Grotto Cakes stalls Craft stalls Hog Roast Mulled wine and refreshments A Bouncy Castle at King’s Lynn North Raffle and Tombola Fire Cadets Norfolk’s Fire Experience Unit will be on hand to answer any questions visitors have about fire safety Throughout the open days, Norfolk’s Fire Experience Unit will be on hand to answer any questions visitors have about fire safety, while younger visitors can learn more about the Fire Cadets, who provide young people with an exciting and unique opportunity to develop both personal and social skills by promoting self-discipline, teamwork, and citizenship. Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said, “We all regularly see fire crews on the road, blue lights flashing as they head towards an incident, but many people in Norfolk don’t often get the chance to see what those crews do." Proceeds to charity  "These open days are a chance for everyone to come down and speak to the crews, see what they do, and take some time for Christmas cheer while they’re there. I’d invite anyone who is interested in what the Fire Service does, or just curious about the life of a Fire Fighter, to come down and join us this December.” All proceeds raised by the open days will be shared between the Fire Fighters Charity and Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity. Understanding the workplace and equipment Cllr Lesley Bambridge, Norfolk County Councillor for King's Lynn North and Central, said, "This is a great opportunity, not only to meet our amazing firefighters but to see their workplace and the equipment they use." "I have, over the years, visited the Fire Station and have been impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the officers.”

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service have become the first fire service in the country to move to a fleet of electric emergency response cars. Following the end of the lease period on the previous emergency response cars operated by the service, the decision has been made to move to hybrid electric vehicles. The vehicles allow incident commanders to travel swiftly to take command of, or offer support to, ongoing incidents. plug-in hybrid electric vehicles Forty-five Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are being leased for incident commanders as part of a new fleet strategy and transformation program, which will contribute to the Council’s ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.  Each car will be fitted with blue lights and communications equipment and will provide a versatile vehicle for incident commanders to attend emergencies. electric emergency response cars Norfolk is leading the way both in terms of environmental protection and protecting our communities" Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Communities & Partnerships, said “We all need to do our part to reduce carbon emissions, both as organizations and as individuals, however, we also need to be confident that our Fire Service has the tools to protect the county." She adds, "I’m delighted that the service has identified these vehicles as able to do both, with no loss of capability while also working towards our commitment to Net Zero. By becoming the first Fire Service in the country to make the move to electric emergency response cars, Norfolk is leading the way both in terms of environmental protection and protecting our communities.” Net zero carbon emissions  Norfolk County Council has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across the County Council estate by 2030. NFRS is confident that the Hyundai Tucson will meet all the requirements of an emergency response car including a large boot for equipment and the ability to respond in all weathers and on rough terrains such as farm tracks and other off-road locations. The Hyundais will replace the previous emergency response cars used by NFRS, which were powered by diesel. cost-effective Leasing is considered the most cost-effective way of acquiring vehicles for several reasons, including long-term maintenance costs associated with any vehicle put through the kind of use emergency response cars are expected to endure. Electric vehicle charge points are currently being installed on nominated fire stations across Norfolk, with the first cars of this order due to arrive in the spring. Norfolk County Council also funds the installation of and the coordination of charging points at village halls across Norfolk as part of the County Council’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, approved in autumn 2021, which aims to help remove some of the barriers to electric vehicle usage in the county.