South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

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SYFR 50th year celebrations continue with time capsule burial

Capturing a moment in time is the aim of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue which has buried a time capsule as part of its 50th year celebrations.

The Service’s training centre in Handsworth was chosen as the spot to bury the capsule to mark the refurbishment of parts of the building including the canteen and reception area which also includes a mural created by local artist Luke Horton.

Included within the time capsule are a set of documents that capture a sense of life in 2024, including film listings, the cost of basic groceries and the latest issue of the Service’s staff newsletter. It also includes information about the Service, including information about how many staff it employs and the number of fire engines that are currently operational.

The plan is for the capsule to be opened in 50 years-time – when the service will mark a century of saving lives in South Yorkshire.

Chief Fire Officer, Chris Kirby said: “2024 is a big year for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue as we mark our 50th year, so it feels appropriate to preserve this moment in time for future generations by burying this time capsule today.

“I’d also like to thank our estates team and everyone who has played a part in revitalising our training centre. One of our key aspirations as a service is to be a great place to work and ensuring our facilities are the best they can be is a key part of that, both for our own staff and for our partner organisations who regularly use our training centre.”

Fire Authority Chair Cllr Charlie Hogarth, said: “I’m delighted to be able to witness the burial of this time capsule and also see the excellent improvements that have been made to the Service’s training centre over the past few months.”

The Training and Development Centre is where all South Yorkshire wholetime and on-call firefighter trainees complete their initial training course.

The time capsule, which was buried on Tuesday 27 February, is one of a number of events and activities the service is carrying out in 2024 to mark 50 years since its creation, including open days, fundraisers, staff celebrations and a few surprises along the way.

Professional firefighting in South Yorkshire dates back much longer than 50 years.

But it was at midnight of 31 March 1974 that the City of Sheffield Fire Brigade, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Fire Brigade, Rotherham Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Barnsley Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and the parts of the former West Riding Fire Brigade that lay with the new South Yorkshire boundary, became what was then known as South Yorkshire County Fire Service.

SYFR swimmers smash fundraising target

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is celebrating after raising more than £1,400 from the Big SYFR Swim – smashing the £1,000 target.

Staff from across the organisation swam the equivalent of the perimeter of South Yorkshire (170 miles) to raise money for two incredible causes – The Fire Fighters Charity and The Royal Life Saving Society.

From frontline firefighters to corporate staff, each pledged to swim anything from 100 metres to several miles to support the challenge which ran from 22-29 May.

So far more than £1,400 has been raised but the final figure is expected to be over £1,700 once gift aid donations have been confirmed.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby said: “Well done to everyone who took part in this swimming event and raised so much money for these two fantastic charities.

“Every life lost is one too many. That’s why we decided to support the Royal Life Saving Society and the work they do in helping people learn how to swim and enjoy the water safely.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK has a proud history of helping to reducing the number of lives lost to drowning.

Their mission is to be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and Republic of Ireland, aiming to give everyone the potential to save lives and enjoy water, safely.

“I’m delighted that we are also supporting the Fire Fighters Charity who do such amazing work for firefighters and their families across the UK.”

The Fire Fighters Charity offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire services community, empowering individuals to live happier and healthier lives.

The charity supports serving fire service personnel and their families as well as those who are retired and provides them with information, advice and support whenever they need it.

Visit our website for more information about how to enjoy water, safely.

Rotherham fire station to hold open day

Rotherham’s world famous firefighting TikTok stars are set give the public a chance to peek behind the scenes at the fire station where they work.

Firefighters on Rotherham blue watch have become famous around the globe after clocking up millions of views on the social network.

Now the firefighters behind the videos hope to give the public an insight into their important, lifesaving work by staging Rotherham fire station’s first open day in more than three years.

Watch Manager Adam Dilkes, said: “We’re really excited to be opening our doors and welcoming residents to take a closer look at what we do. The pandemic meant we had to temporarily put a halt to events like this, but we honestly cannot wait to show off our skills once more and meet some of the local people we serve with such pride.”

The open day will include a road traffic collision demonstration, a selection of fire service vehicles and the opportunity to soak a firefighter for charity.

Classic cars, taekwondo demonstrations, DJ, food stalls, birds of prey and vintage emergency vehicles will also be amongst the entertainment on offer.

Rotherham fire station open day on Fitzwilliam Road, Eastwood runs from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 29 October. Entry is free.

Firefighter Ellie becomes family’s third generation to serve at Askern fire station

Three generations of the same firefighting family attended an extra special ceremony to mark the graduation of the latest recruit to join the ranks at Askern fire station.

Ellie Adams, aged 23, has became the third generation of her family to serve at Askern, Doncaster after completing her initial training and ‘passing out’ in front of family and friends at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Sheffield training base.

Amongst those watching were Ellie’s dad Steve Adams and grandad Michael Jackson who both served on-call at Askern fire station.

On-call firefighters are paid for their training, for being on-call and for each incident they attend – but they must live or work within a five minute drive of their closest fire station.

Dad Steve, who retires from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue after 35 years’ service later this month, said: “It was an incredibly proud day for the whole family. Firefighting isn’t something we’ve necessarily pushed on Ellie as a family, but as soon as she heard that we were recruiting at Askern fire station she wanted to give it a go. Like the rest of the recent recruits, she’s had to work really hard to complete her initial training, but the way she’s applied herself to it all has made me really proud.”

Ellie’s grandad Michael Jackson joined Askern fire station in 1960 aged 17- combining his firefighting role with a full time job at the nearby colliery. He rose to the rank of sub-officer, before retiring from the fire service in 1981.

He’d been inspired to sign-up by his older brother Fred- a D-Day veteran who joined Doncaster Fire Brigade in 1947, before going on to become Chief Fire Officer in Hong Kong.

Michael is father-in-law to Steve, who began work at Askern in 1987 before becoming a full time firefighter with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue in 1996. He’s been there ever since, rising to the rank of Group Manager.

Now daughter Ellie has followed in both their footsteps. She joined South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue in September after completing a pandemic disrupted university degree. She’s been working towards completing her initial training, culminating in last week’s ceremony.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is currently recruiting on-call firefighters at Askern, Rossington and Penistone fire station.

For more information on the role of an on-call firefighter or to apply, visit the service’s website here.

Six in Sheffield graduate from fire and police youth programme

Six young people have successfully graduated from a fire and police development programme, after youth engagement work got back underway with a bang after long months of lockdown.

The group- all aged 16 to 25 years old – took part in a life enhancing 12 week personal development course known as Prince’s Trust Team Programme.

The South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police led initiative offers work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community work and a residential week to young people not in employment, education or training.

The young people were all thrown out of their comfort zone, with highlights including a mammoth trek to a World War Two aircraft wreck in the Peak District and a community initiative which saw them transform a children’s playground.

SYFR Team Programme Leader John Daley said; “Young people have had it tough over the last year- their education has been disrupted, employment opportunities have been put on hold and socialising has been made difficult by the restrictions we’ve all been living under. But this group have come together brilliantly and should feel extremely proud of everything they have achieved.

“Although we’ve done our best to keep our youth engagement work going during the pandemic, this has obviously been limited, so it feels fantastic to be able to come together with the young people and their families to celebrate their achievements at an event such as this.”

The graduation which was held at the Niagara Centre in Sheffield and was a great celebration of all their hard work and efforts. It was attended by their friends and family as well as local dignitaries, including the Vice Lord Lieutenant John Holt and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr Gail Smith.

More than 250 young people have been through the South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Prince’s Trust Team Programme in four years. Four out of every five go on to achieve a successful outcome, be it entering employment, education or training.

To be part of the next programme, email princestrust@syfire.gov.uk

Charity car wash events in March

Firefighters will be washing cars throughout March as part of a national charity event.

The event is aimed at raising money for The Fire Fighter’s Charity, which supports injured firefighters and their families.

As well as washing cars, firefighters will also be on hand to offer fire safety advice.

The following stations are taking part in the annual event on the dates specified.

Lakeside Village (Doncaster crews) – Sunday 3 March from 10am to 4pm (Lakeside Village, White Rose Way, Doncaster, DN4 5PJ)

Edlington – Saturday 16 March from 10:30am to 4:30pm (Edlington fire station, Edlington Lane, Warmsworth, Doncaster, DN12 1DA) 

CudworthSaturday 23 March from 9am to 2pm (Cudworth fire station, Tumbling Lane, Barnsley, S71 5SA)

Birley Moor Sunday 24 March from 1pm to 4pm (Birley Moor fire station, Moor Valley, Sheffield, S20 5FA)

Morrisons Supermarket, Hillsborough (Rivelin crew) – Sunday 24 March from 10am to 4pm (Morrisons Supermarket, 699 Penistone Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 2GY)

Central – Saturday 30 March from 10am to 4pm (Central fire station, Eyre Street, Sheffield – for sat nav use S1 3HU)

Rotherham – Saturday 13 April from 10am – 4pm (Rotherham fire station, Fitzwilliam Road, Eastwood, Rotherham, S65 1ST)

Why not pop along to one of the above and get your car cleaned for a donation all in aid of The Fire Fighters charity.

Youngsters enjoy firefighter experience at Parkway fire station

A group of children from all across the country have been given a day to remember thanks to Parkway Blue Watch.

The youngsters, all of which have a limb difference, attended the station with their families as part of an event organised by the Barnsley-based LimbBo Foundation and Nick Abbott, station manager at Parkway.

They took part in a variety of fire and rescue related activities ranging from trying on fire kit to squirting water – all with the help and supervision of Parkway firefighters.

A ride in a fire engine was also on the agenda thanks to the National Emergency Services Museum which provided a non-operational appliance for the children to ride in.

“The communities we serve are at the centre of everything we do so we were really pleased to welcome the children, and their families, onto station and give them an insight into our work,” said Nick.

“They were so well behaved and seemed to love every minute. The fire engine ride and water squirting in particular went down really well and it was great to see the massive smiles on the children’s faces.”

Public invited to have their say on fire service plans at community events

The fire service is holding public events where people can share their views on how it plans to deliver its services between now and 2020.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue does not propose making any further reductions in fire station or fire engine numbers in its plans, despite having lost more than £14 million from its annual budget since 2010.

But its proposals do include making more of its firefighters available in the day when crews are busiest, changing its prevention work to focus on those most at risk and proactively exploring collaboration opportunities with other emergency services.

Members of the public can share their views at the following events:

  • Sheffield: Wednesday 22 February 10am to 2pm, Moor Market
  • Doncaster: Wednesday 1 March 10am to 2pm, Frenchgate Centre
  • Rotherham: Wednesday 8 March 10am to 2pm, Parkgate
  • Barnsley: Tuesday 14 March 10am to 2pm, Alhambra Centre

People will also be able to pick up fire safety advice, including tips on making older friends, relatives and neighbours safer in their homes.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “We are not proposing any further significant changes to our core 999 service, beyond those outlined in previous plans. But the proposals we have outlined in this plan do explain how we intend to develop our service to become more efficient in what we do and make the biggest possible difference to those most at risk of fire.

“These are draft proposals and we really want to gather views from the public on the plans we have put forward.”

Members of the public can share their views on the plans between now and 27 March. Once the consultation period has ended and feedback has been considered, Fire Authority members will make the final decision on the proposals.

Click here read the proposals in full and have your say.

Fire service event to launch sprinkler safety fund

South Yorkshire housing providers are being asked to come to a free event to find out more about a fire service fund set up to support the installation of life saving sprinkler systems in high risk homes.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) is hosting the Think Sprinkler event in a bid to explain to landlords, charities and social housing organisations the benefits of installing sprinklers to protect their tenants from fire.

Business fire safety officers will also explain how organisations can apply for funding under the Fire Authority’s Stronger Safer Communities Reserve. Money has been set aside from the Authority’s reserves to support sprinkler projects on a match funded basis.

Head of prevention and protection Steve Helps, said: “The combination of working smoke alarms and a home sprinkler system reduces the risk of death from fire by more than 80 per cent.

“Automatic fire sprinklers are most effective during the initial stage of a fire occurring, as a properly installed sprinkler will detect the heat, initiate an alarm and activate just moments after the flames appear.

“I would encourage local housing providers to attend this free event to find out more about the potential funding opportunities available to them to help make their most vulnerable residents safer from fire.”

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.

The Think Sprinkler event takes place at SYFR’s training centre in Handsworth, Sheffield on 11 January. To book your place email BFSCenSupp@syfire.gov.uk with SSCR SPRINKLER FUND in the subject line.

For more information on sprinkler systems, visit https://www.syfire.gov.uk/business-advice/fire-sprinklers/

The funding application form can be downloaded here. The closing date for applications is 10 March.

Barnsley young people ‘pass out’ after fire service course to tackle anti-social behaviour

A group of young people in Barnsley have taken part in a ‘passing out’ event, after completing a five day course aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour in the town.

The 11 youngsters from Netherwood ALC and Kirk Balk Academy, aged 13-16, took part in the Achieving Respect and Confidence (ARC) project, a joint initiative between South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, South Yorkshire Police and other partner agencies.  The project was funded by Barnsley South Area Council.

The ‘passing out’ event took place at Barnsley fire station and saw the young people carrying out displays in the station drill yard to start off the presentation. The event was attended by the youngster’s family and friends as well as local dignitaries.

The project was aimed at highlighting the consequences of anti-social behaviour and to provide an intensive multi-agency work experience course, self-discipline, team spirit, fire safety awareness, life skills and values which will improve the life chances of the young people involved who have either offended, are at risk of offending or have been victims of crime.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Arson Reduction Officer Simon Brookes said:  “The course was a great success for everyone involved, which was down to the hard work of the students and instructors. This was a joint initiative with partner agencies to encourage these young people to think about their behaviour and through discipline and teamwork, make positive choices towards improving their life chances.”