Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service (NFRS) will be doing its bit to support colleagues in Ukraine, when a group of volunteer firefighters drive across Europe to donate crucial fire equipment to the war-torn region later this month. 15 NFRS firefighters have volunteered to drive five ex-service vehicles to Ukraine, to deliver equipment including ladders, generators, hydraulic rescue equipment, light portable pumps, and positive pressure ventilation fans. Fire and rescue appliances Five appliances donated in support of the humanitarian effort, which has been coordinated by the NFCC The five appliances will also be donated in support of the humanitarian effort, which has been coordinated by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The five Norfolk vehicles will be part of a UK convoy of 30 fire and rescue appliances carrying over 15,000 pieces of equipment, which will help to replace crucial resources lost during the ongoing war.  Fighting fires in Ukraine Ukrainian firefighters continue to operate in the war zone, saving lives and protect property. Since the start of the invasion three years ago, 100 firefighters have been killed, 411 Ukrainian fire stations have been destroyed and 1,700 fire vehicles lost.  Tom Diaper, NFRS Crew Manager and volunteer driver, said: “Being a firefighter can be testing and dangerous at the best of times, so the challenge of fighting fires in Ukraine at the moment is almost unimaginable." Effort to ensure the equipment The effort to ensure the equipment being donated is fit for purpose and ready for use Diaper added: “Naturally, we jumped at the opportunity to help, and it’s great that Norfolk has been proactive in offering our support. As firefighters, you’re only as good as the equipment at your disposal, so if this goes some way to helping our colleagues on the ground in Ukraine to do their jobs and to save lives, then the trip will have been worth it.” The effort to ensure the equipment being donated is fit for purpose and ready for use has been heavily supported by Delta Fire, who have offered invaluable assistance in servicing much of the kit free of charge. Delta Fire life-saving support Norfolk Chief Fire Officer, Ceri Sumner, said: “NFCC continues to do fantastic work to coordinate humanitarian support for our colleagues in Ukraine, who are risking their lives by working in unimaginably difficult circumstances." “I am hugely proud that Norfolk is playing its part in this life-saving support, and of the collective effort that has gone into making our role possible. Thank you to all of our drivers who have volunteered to make the trip, to everyone who has worked hard to ensure all the vehicles and equipment are in good working order, and to Delta Fire for their generosity in servicing the kit.” Top condition for the firefighters in Ukraine Jordon King, Delta Fire Business Development Manager, said: "It was an honor for the team at Delta Fire to be able to support such a vital cause. Servicing the donated equipment to ensure it is in top condition for the firefighters in Ukraine was a small but meaningful way for Delta Fire to contribute." "Firefighters everywhere rely on the best available tools to save lives, and we are proud to help make that possible for our friends in Ukraine during such difficult times." Norfolk County Council’s Homes For Ukraine Scheme The service has previous experience in aiding those impacted by the war in Ukraine The service has previous experience in aiding those impacted by the war in Ukraine. After the conflict first broke out in 2022, NFRS firefighters helped to prepare houses in support of Norfolk County Council’s Homes For Ukraine Scheme, which housed refugees fleeing the war. National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect, Phil Garrigan, said: “The entire UK fire and rescue community stands with our colleagues in Ukraine, as they continue to put their lives on the line in the most challenging and dangerous conditions." Latest donation of fire engines and equipment Garrigan added: “This latest donation of fire engines and equipment will go some way to replace that lost to the full-scale war, providing critical support to firefighters who are working tirelessly to save lives and protect communities despite immense adversity." "We are incredibly proud to play a small but crucial role in ensuring that our colleagues have the resources they need to continue their vital work."

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.”