Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

A fire that broke out at Slough bus station in the early hours of 29 October 2022 is being investigated by Thames Valley Police. Six fire appliances from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) attended the blaze that spread across the entire roof of Slough bus station. Aerial ladder platform deployed Tim Readings, the Group Manager for RBFRS, confirmed that the fire was 20m by 40m in scale, “When they got there, it was a very well-developed fire, the bus was already well-alight and the flames were already into the roof of the bus station itself, it was a big fire,” he told Slough Observer. Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform so that they could reach the roof of the station, with Readings explaining, “It was quite a challenging fire to fight, it’s fair to say, given the height of the canopy… The fire [that] spread across the roof was pretty extensive: it is heavily damaged, unfortunately,” he added. Slough bus station Images showing the extent to which the fire spread across the roof have led to questions Slough bus station was initially built in 2011, as part of a £450 million project to regenerate the town. At the time, the station was given a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification of ‘Very Good’, as it was constructed from 97% recyclable aluminum cladding and recycled plastic batons. However, images showing the extent to which the fire spread across the roof have led to questions about the resilience of green-friendly materials during such incidents. extensive damage In addition to the damage to the roof, there has been extensive damage to the passenger waiting areas and vehicles that were parked at the station overnight. Readings added that the fire destroyed one bus and damaged three others. The cause of the fire is currently unknown: “At the moment, it is too early to say, and it is likely to take us a little while to indicate how the fire started,” said Readings.  Surrounding roads were temporarily closed as investigators worked to determine the cause of the fire. Thames Valley Police have said, "We are keeping an open mind as to the cause and remain on scene at this time."

Ten people from across the fire sector have been named in the New Year Honors 2022 lists, in recognition of their services. The honors system recognizes extraordinary people, who in accordance with the list's criteria, ‘made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.’ Ongoing impactful work The FPA would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and congratulations to everyone named in the New Year Honours list for 2022, for their ongoing impactful work in the fire sector. Receiving the British Empire Medal (BEM): Rabinder Singh Dhami, Prevention Manager, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, for services to fire and rescue. Alan Gibson, Fundraiser, Fire Fighters Charity, for services to charity and to the community in County Durham. Rebecca Jayne Jefferies, Head, Human Resources and Learning and Development, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, for services to fire and rescue. Lindsay Sielski, Crew Manager, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, for services to fire and rescue. John Craig Wall, Group Manager, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, for charitable services in Cumbria. Queen's Fire Service Medal Receiving the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM): John Andrew Buckley, Chief Fire Officer, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Jennifer Elizabeth Griffiths, lately, Group Manager, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Sally Angeline Hammond, Group Manager, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Justin Johnston, Chief Fire Officer, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service. Nicholas Searle, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, for distinguished service.

During 6-12 September, Royal Berkshire Fire, and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is supporting the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Business Safety Week. Business Safety Week urges local businesses that have re-opened their doors not to overlook fire safety and ensure it remains a top priority in the workplace. Throughout the week, RBFRS will be reminding businesses of their fire safety responsibilities so that they comply with legislation to keep both premises and occupants safe from fire. Steps to ensure fire safety As many of the businesses that had to close or change their ways of working during the COVID-19 pandemic have now re-opened, RBFRS is encouraging all business owners and Responsible Persons (RPs) to take some steps to ensure their premises is fire safe. These steps include reviewing the Fire Risk Assessment to reflect any changes made in response to the pandemic, training staff, and checking and maintaining fire equipment. It is also vital that any COVID-19 secure measures still in place do not compromise fire safety. Reducing arsons and false alarms False alarms not only increase pressure on fire and rescue service resources and time but also impact business productivity During Business Safety Week, advice will also be available on reducing the risk of arson. There were more than 4,700 deliberate fires in businesses in the UK in 2019-20, and most attacks are unplanned and opportunist crimes. Around 44% of fire and rescue service call-outs in the UK are false alarms. False alarms not only increase pressure on fire and rescue service resources and time but also impact business productivity. However, fire and rescue services can help to reduce false alarms in the workplace. Fire safety James Whitton, West Hub Protection Manager, said, “Business Safety Week is the perfect opportunity to engage with local businesses about fire safety. We know that times have been tough for many of the businesses in Royal Berkshire during the COVID-19 pandemic, but fire safety should still be at the top of the agenda. Many businesses never recover from the damage caused by fire, so implementing simple measures to make a premises safer is extremely important.” While the advice is available throughout the year, Business Safety Week encourages people not to delay reviewing fire safety.