South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

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Home 2017 November Page 2

Month: November 2017

Fire funding for South Yorkshire sprinkler schemes

Posted on by Alex Mills

Five housing schemes across South Yorkshire will be fitted with sprinklers, thanks to Fire Authority funding.

The schemes have all benefitted from money made available earlier this year from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority’s Stronger Safer Communities Reserve Fund.

Charities and social housing organisations were invited to bid for the money which had been set aside from the Authority’s reserves to support sprinkler projects on a match funded basis.

Fire safety officers hope the schemes will encourage more housing providers to consider installing sprinklers in the homes of homes of residents considered particularly at risk of fire.

The five funded schemes are:

  • Autism Plus, Thorne- a 15 bedroom residential care facility
  • Berneslai Homes, Barnsley- six independent living schemes
  • Great Places, Rotherham- a 24 flat complex
  • South Yorkshire Housing Association, Rotherham- five bungalows for high-dependency residents
  • Target Housing, Rotherham- four bedroom converted care facility

Area Manager Steve Helps, said: “Sprinklers are a cost effective way of making homes safer – they stop fires from spreading, put them out quickly and save lives. We are especially concerned about those people who are most at risk of fire such as those with mobility or mental health problems or people with dementia who may not know how to react, or be able to react quickly enough, if they hear a smoke alarm.

“We play a key leadership role in helping people to better understand the benefits of sprinklers as part our commitment to reduce the impact of fire on people, property and the environment and this funding is the best possible evidence of our commitment to that goal.”

Fire Authority Chair Cllr Linda Burgess, said: “The Authority believes that its resources can play an important role in building safer, stronger communities and this funding is one example of how we are achieving this. Member hope this investment will encourage other housing providers to consider installing these potentially life saving devices in the homes of higher-risk residents.”

SYFR has pioneered the use of sprinklers in high risk residential settings, leading a UK first project to retrofit an automated system at the Callow Mount block of flats in Gleadless. That scheme is now internationally recognised for the improved safety it offers the people living within the building.

It has also worked alongside Sheffield City Council to make more than 540 properties in the city safer by installing lifesaving sprinkler systems at council owned flats in Gleadless Valley, Westfield, Stannington and Netherthorpe. This project was another UK first.

The installation of sprinkler systems in new build homes is now mandatory in Wales and SYFR is actively promoting the use of this type of protection in all types of buildings to build resilience and safety into local communities.

Click here for more information on sprinkler systems

Attack on firefighters in Sheffield condemned

Posted on by Alex Mills

Fire officers have reacted angrily to reports that their crews were attacked at an incident in Sheffield on Sunday (5 November).

Firefighters from Central fire station were responding to reports of fires which had been deliberately set near Grimesthorpe Road South, Grimesthorpe at around 9.30pm.

Whilst tackling the blazes, objects were thrown at the fire engine and crew. No firefighters were injured, but the window of one of the fire engines was damaged, making the vehicle unavailable to attend further emergencies.

Firefighters withdrew until police arrived, before continuing to extinguish the fires.

Area Manager Tony Carlin at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said; “We are absolutely appalled that our firefighters appear to have been targeted in this way.

“Attacks like this place the safety of our firefighters, and the people they are trying to protect, at risk. Thankfully, this type of incident is extremely rare in South Yorkshire and it is only a tiny minority of people who would ever consider acting in such an irresponsible and dangerous way.

“However, even one attack on a firefighter is completely unacceptable – and we will work alongside the police to fully investigate any attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

If you have any information about this attack please call 101, quoting police incident number 1221 (5 November).

‘Go to a display’ safety plea as bonfire night approaches

Posted on by Alex Mills

The fire service is repeating its annual safety call as thousands of people in South Yorkshire prepare to mark bonfire night.

Though the fireworks period is traditionally one of South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s busiest, call outs to small, deliberate fires on November 5 have fallen steadily in recent years.

Fire service managers hope that by continuing to work with partners to educate youngsters and reduce call outs the public will remain safe.

In the run up to bonfire night, fire service staff have been issuing safety advice and leaflets to residents about firework safety, as well as reminding retailers not to sell fireworks to under 18s.

Officers have also been assisting with the removal of waste which could be used to light illegal bonfires and have been working closely with local trading standards to cut out illegal fireworks sales.

Young people are being encouraged to attend a number of free activities which are being put on by partner agencies across the county.

Trevor Bernard, head of community safety, said: “The best way to enjoy bonfire night is to attend an organised display. The bonfires are bigger, the fireworks are better and they are a lot safer.

“If you are intent on holding your own display, the advice is simple. Only buy British Standard marked fireworks, follow the instructions on the box and site any bonfires well away from buildings.”

The fire service’s top three tips for staying safe this bonfire night are:

  1. Attend organised displays – they’re much safer than holding your own
  2. Only buy fireworks from reputable retailers and never from people on the street
  3. Light bonfires well away from sheds, fences, bushes and trees

 

Lakeside throwlines dedicated to lost loved ones unveiled at Doncaster beauty spot

Posted on by Jayne Sanderson

Throwline stations have been unveiled at a Doncaster beauty spot, offering a potential lifeline to the hundreds of people who visit the lake there every week.

The 12 throwline stations at Lakeside, Doncaster have replaced traditional life rings, ensuring a more secure base for the life saving equipment.

Each throwline has been dedicated to a young person who has lost their life in an incident involving open water, with the unveiling attended by their families alongside members of the fire service.

To install the throwlines, which have all been funded by Doncaster Council, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has worked with ‘Doing it for Dylan’- a campaign set up by Beckie Ramsay whose son Dylan died while swimming in a quarry in Lancashire. Ever since, Beckie has worked tirelessly to promote water safety.

Around 400 people needlessly drown in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life changing, through near-drowning experiences. These stations provide quick access rescue capability for anyone who might find themselves in difficulties in the water.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden said “Our work to make South Yorkshire safer extends to much more than fire safety alone. This is a fantastic initiative and will go a long way towards protecting those who visit Lakeside. It is vitally important that we raise awareness of the dangers of water and to save others from going through the pain and upset experienced by the families who attended this unveiling.”

You can download a Water Safety Booklet here.

To find out more about Doing It For Dylan go to www.facebook.com/doingitfordylan, or follow @missmybabyboy on Twitter.