South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

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.

Andy Strelczenie named Deputy Chief Fire Officer

Andy Strelczenie has been named South Yorkshire’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, following a rigorous selection process.

Andy, who is currently the service’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, was promoted following multiple recruitment stages and an interview by the Fire Authority’s appointments committee.

Andy has worked within the fire and rescue service for 27 years, originally at Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service before transferring to South Yorkshire where he has overseen emergency response, service improvement, business fire safety and inspection planning, amongst other roles.

Fire Authority Chair Cllr Charlie Hogarth, said: “The Fire Authority’s appointments panel found Andy to be an extremely impressive candidate and we were excited by his vision for the service. We were unanimous in our decision to appoint him to the position of Deputy Chief Fire Officer and are excited to continue working closely with him in his new role.”

Andy Strelczenie, said: “I look forward to working with people across the service to continually improve the work we do for local people. I very much look forward to using my skills and experience to foster a positive workplace culture for all our staff.”

Andy will take up his new role in March, when the current Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony Carlin retires.

Fire service marks new law anniversary with high-rise residential buildings plea

The fire service is calling on those responsible for South Yorkshire’s high-rise residential buildings to get in touch, a year after new regulations came into force.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue says barely more than one in 10 owners or managers of the relevant buildings have supplied it with information they are now legally responsible for providing.

The law requires people responsible for buildings of 18m in height, or at least seven storeys, containing two or more domestic dwellings, to provide information to fire and rescue services including building plans, defective lifts and details of external wall systems.

The information is intended to help the fire service plan and provide an effective response hem plan and, if needed, provide an effective operational response.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony Carlin, said: “These regulations were introduced to meet the majority of the recommendations made in the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Enquiry, which required a change in the law. Even though the regulations came into force more than a year ago now, we’re still yet to hear from a large number of building owners or managers for whom the law applies to.

“Ultimately, the regulations are there to ensure that if a fire does occur in high-rise premises, we can tackle the incident safely. We will be contacting owners and managers we’ve not yet heard from to ensure compliance.”

The Fire Safety Regulations (England) 2022 came into force on 23 January 2023.

Further information about the new regulations and what you need to do is available on the Government website which includes a series of fact sheets which provide more detailed information.

Responsible persons can share the required information here.

Doncaster teenager pens poem to mark 50th year of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

A Doncaster teenager has penned a poem for Askern Fire Station to show his appreciation for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as the service marks its 50th year.

The poem is the first in a series that Mason Miller (pictured right), 15, plans to write for each station across the county.

He had his first brush with the emergency services when he had an epileptic seizure when he was 18 months old and stopped breathing.

After receiving chest compressions he then had to be placed into a medically induced coma and has been regularly in and out of hospital since then due to his epilepsy.

He was also diagnosed with autism and attends a special educational needs school where he has been since 2017.

He said: “Since I was always in ambulances, I developed a love for the emergency services and would always have a toy ambulance or fire engine in my hand.

“By 2021 I had begun making little videos about the fire service and then in 2022 I decided to visit Doncaster Fire Station.”

This was a big step for him and helped him feel more independent.

“Seeing the fire engine turning out, sirens blaring, it unlocked something inside of me.

“I kept visiting as much as I could. I had so much support from the crews and they always made me feel welcome – it gave me the confidence to expand,” he added.

He has now visited all fire stations in South Yorkshire as well as stations in West and North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

He also joined Fire Cadets in September last year.

“I’m honestly so grateful for everyone and every crew as I feel like I wouldn’t be this far in my life if it wasn’t for them.

“I wanted to do the poems as I saw SYFR was turning 50 this year and I wanted to thank them for what they’ve done for me.

“It’s something I love and I thought they’d love it too!”

You can read the poem below:

In Askern town, where heroes reside,

Stands a station with courage and pride.

With Jupiter gleaming, ready to go,

They face the flames, a mighty show.

At Askern Fire Station, they’re always prepared,

To answer the call, no matter where.

With sirens blaring, lights shining bright,

They rush to the scene, From work or home, day and night.

Firefighters brave, with courage so strong,

They battle the blaze, all day long.

With pagers in hand ready to respond to fires,

Their dedication never tires.

From burning buildings to rescue missions,

They save lives with their brave decisions.

In times of danger, they’re always there,

To protect and serve, with respect  and care.

They train and train, to be the best,

To face any challenge, with no rest.

With teamwork and skill, they work as one,

To keep the community safe and sound.

Jupiters lights,  beacons of hope,

A mobile office where heroes learn to cope.

They risk their lives, without a doubt,

To help others, that’s what it’s about.

So let’s salute the firefighters true,

For all they do, for me and you.

Askern Fire Station, we’re grateful to you,

For keeping us safe, in all that you do.

Fire service film launches year of 50th celebrations

The county’s fire service has announced plans to mark its 50th anniversary, after publishing a poem and a video celebrating South Yorkshire’s culture and heritage.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has released ‘South Yorkshire, our love’ in recognition of its five decades serving its communities.

Watch the video here

The poem is voiced by Sheffield’s Lioness and world cup finalist Esme Morgan, with the music track performed by the South Yorkshire Police band- with the police also marking their 50th anniversary in 2024.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby, said: “Everyone at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is incredibly proud of our county’s heritage, culture and its people. Everyone who joins us does so because they hold a burning desire to help others. We feel honoured to have been doing that for almost 50 years now.”

“We’ve got lots of plans to celebrate our half century throughout 2024- from open days and fundraisers, to staff celebrations and a few surprises along the way. We’re really excited to involve local people in our plans as the year goes on.”

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.

For more information and updates about the service’s 50th celebrations visit www.syfire.gov.uk, or find South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue on WhatsApp Channels.

ENDS

Christmas Tree Catastrophes: Is your festive foliage a fire hazard waiting to happen?

Ah, the magic of Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and shiny ornaments!

While they bring joy and warmth to the season, it’s crucial to ensure that the festive centrepiece doesn’t turn into a seasonal hazard.

Follow our life-saving tips to keep your Christmas tree from sparking a fiery catastrophe:

Choose Wisely: opt for a fresh tree

Select a tree with vibrant, green needles that don’t easily fall off. A well-hydrated tree is less likely to catch fire.

Keep It Hydrated

Water your tree daily. A well-hydrated tree is less likely to ignite. Check the water level in the stand regularly and never let it run dry.

Location, Location, Location

Place your tree well away from heat sources, such as fires, log burners and electric heaters. Ensure it doesn’t block doors or pathways.

Lights Out? Replace or repair!

Inspect your Christmas lights for frayed wires, damaged sockets, or loose connections. Replace any faulty lights immediately. Consider using LED lights, which emit less heat.

Don’t Overload Sockets

Avoid overloading electrical sockets. A maximum of 13 amps for an extension lead, and never link multiple extension leads together.

Switch It Off Before You Doze

Turn off your Christmas tree lights before going to bed or leaving the house. Consider using a timer to automate this process.

Trim the Trim

Keep decorations, especially paper or flammable ornaments, away from heat sources. Opt for flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations whenever possible.

Dispose of It Properly

Once the holidays are over, promptly remove the tree from your home. Many communities offer Christmas tree recycling programs.

Have an Escape Plan Ready

Always have a fire escape plan in place. Ensure that everyone in your household knows the plan and practice it regularly.

By following these fire safety tips, you’ll ensure that your Christmas tree stays festive and fabulous without the risk of turning your holiday dreams into a blazing nightmare. Stay safe, and have a Merry Christmas!

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue launches WhatsApp Channel to enhance community communication

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) is excited to announce the launch of its official WhatsApp Channel, a new platform designed to strengthen communication with the community and provide important fire safety advice, major incident updates, and other exclusive behind the scene looks at SYFR.

A first of its kind for a fire service in the UK, the channel forms part of SYFR’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of South Yorkshire. Our new WhatsApp Channel will serve as a direct line of communication between the fire service and the public, offering a convenient and accessible way to receive timely updates and engage with important fire safety content.

Key Features of the SYFR WhatsApp Channel:

Fire Safety Tips: Receive regular, easy-to-follow tips to enhance safety at home, in the workplace, and within the community.

Major Incidents: Stay informed during major incidents with updates and safety advice.

Behind the Scenes: Get exclusive behind the scene looks at how SYFR works and discover trivia and facts about the service.

Event Announcements: Be the first to know about upcoming fire safety events, open days and charity car washes.

You can sign up to the channel here.

About WhatsApp Channels

WhatsApp Channels work a bit like following a page does on Facebook – rather than being “Friends” with an individual, that is.

Channels give you the opportunity to effectively sign up for updates from organisations, creators, and communities without anyone else having to know that you’re doing so.

When you join a WhatsApp Channel, while the Channel’s admins will get a notification, they won’t get access to your phone number or details.

You’ll then get new messages whenever admins post in the Channel, much as you would from a contact, except in a new tab at the bottom of WhatsApp called Updates.

You can review these posts whenever you like. You’ll be able to react with emojis and see how others are reacting, but your contacts won’t be able to see your precise reactions, even if they’re in the same Channel.

Messages, images and other posts disappear after 30 days, and admins can limit the forwarding of messages or files if they desire, to keep Channels more tightly controlled.

Prince’s Trust help YMCA allotments blossom

A group of young people have renovated the YMCA allotments in Barnsley as part of their Prince’s Trust course.

The current cohort of young chose the YMCA Barnsley community allotments as their community project which they completed as part of the Prince’s Trust Team Programme.

The group worked hard in all weather conditions to clear paths, repair growing beds and refurbish a seating area before handing the allotments back to the YMCA at a special ceremony on Friday 27 October, an event which was also attended by the Chief Fire Officer.

Andrea Battye, YMCA Barnsley Youth Work Manager said: “We are very grateful and greatly appreciate the work of the young people from the Prince’s Trust who have shown impressive resilience and commitment in the midst of often very poor weather.

“They have achieved an impressive amount in a short period. The feel of the space and accessibility are much improved and will make a huge difference to our own young people and the other community groups that use this fabulous space.

“We also wish to thank everyone who donated to the appeal and supported the project and also South Yorkshire Fire Service who supported the young people in their work.”

Rebecca Dore, Prince’s Trust Team Leader Assistant said: “We are very proud of our young people and all they accomplished whilst working on YMCA allotments.

“From getting muddy and drenched in the rain to weeding and adding wood chippings, bricklaying, putting up solar lights and handing over the keys to YMCA – they have enjoyed every minute.

“We are huge advocates for young people’s mental health, so we were excited to work with YMCA who are renowned for their support of youth engagement and mental health.

“We would like to thank the YMCA for giving the young people the creative freedom, opportunity and space to learn new skills, to learn about the environment and have fun.

“I’d also like to thank The Range for their generous donations and Wickes for their discount. These companies have played a huge part in making the project possible for the young people and have made amazing contributions to the community.

“We also want to say a big thank you to Greggs and Dominos for donating food for the young people whilst they were working hard in the pouring rain.”

The Team programme is a 12 week development course that gives young people a chance to learn vital life skills and earn qualifications to help them into work.

The course, delivered by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue in partnership with the Prince’s Trust and Barnsley College, runs from a new purpose-built Team Room at Barnsley Fire Station.

As well as the community project, the young people also complete a residential in the Peak District and work placements throughout the 12 weeks before a final presentation in Barnsley Town Hall in front of friends and family.

The next course is set to run in January and you can register your interest now!

Just email princestrust@syfire.gov.uk to find out more.

Calling all young artists! Show us your scary in poster design competition

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is calling out to all young artists to design a spooky or scary poster about being fire safe in the kitchen.

The competition is the first part of our “Kitchen Nightmares” campaign that will be running throughout the autumn. Children aged between 6-12 are invited to take part.

Our advice to help you avoid a kitchen nightmare is:

  • Keep electrical leads, cardboard and fabrics well away from the hob and keep ovens, hobs and grills clean from grease and crumbs
  • Keep an eye on cooking at all times and never leave it unattended
  • Switch off cooking appliances when you’ve finished cooking and gone to bed

Drop off your work at our Command Headquarters in Sheffield or you can post them to us!

Please ensure you have written your name, the name of your parent or guardian and their best contact number on the back of the submission. This is so we can get in touch with the winner and arrange for you to collect your prize.

Artwork can be accepted on paper, canvas or thin card and should be unframed. If you want to mount your work (card surround/frame) this will be accepted.

Looking for inspiration? Here’s our safety advice to help get you thinking

FAQs

What work can I submit?

  • Your work can be mixed media, drawing, painting
  • You might have created this work on your own or together at school or with friends.
  • Artwork can be accepted on paper, canvas or thin card and should be unframed. If you want to mount your work (card surround/frame) this will be accepted.
  • Maximum size A2.
  • One artwork per person.
  • Collaborative pieces from school/community groups are welcome.

How do I enter my artwork?

Enter by Wednesday October 25 by dropping off your entry at the reception at our CHQ building or post your artwork to: Corporate Communications, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield S1 3FG

Please ensure you have written your name, the name of your parent or guardian and their best contact number on the back of the submission. This is so we can get in touch with the winner and arrange for you to collect your prize.

You could wrap your entry in bubble wrap, put it in an envelope and place it between two bits of card.

Whatever you decide ensure it protects your work.

If submitting a collaborative piece please remember to list of all the artists’ names so we can display them correctly.

What happens next?

All entries will be exhibited in the Winter Gardens between Friday 27 October and Thursday 2 November and the winner will receive a Lego Fire Station set.

Come down and see your artwork, bring your friends and family. The Winter Garden is open 8am-8pm (10-5pm Sundays).

How do I get my artwork back?

  • Return in a stamped self-addressed envelope I have included (I have included a stamp that covers the weight of the artwork).
  • Collect from our Command Headquarters building, 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield between Friday 3 November and Friday 10 November 8.30am – 4pm.

Please note: any work not collected by 4pm on Friday 10 November will be recycled.

Contact Us

Contact press@syfire.gov.uk if you have any questions or queries about the competition.

Life changing opportunity for young people in South Yorkshire

Young people across South Yorkshire are being given the opportunity to change their lives thanks to the county’s police and fire services.

South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue will once again be teaming up to deliver the ‘life-changing’ Prince’s Trust Team Programme course later this month (September 2023) and will also run in January and March next year.

This is a course for people who are between 16 and 25-years-old and not currently in work or full-time education.

Lasting 12 weeks in total, the programme gives young people the chance to meet new friends, gain personal confidence and develop a wide range of life-skills.

Importantly, it involves work placements that give the youngsters valuable experience and contacts – with lots of previous participants landing meaningful work afterwards.

Rhian Oxley,  currently team leader for the South Yorkshire Prince’s Trust Programme, said: “Over the years these courses have changed hundreds of young lives. There is so much to gain from it in terms of news skills, new friends and vital work experience.

“On top of all that – it’s a lot of fun!”

The Team Programme is full-time, 9:30am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday at Barnsley Fire Station, and is completely free and will not affect any benefits.

Feel inspired? You can register your interest here