Beware of magazine advertising scam

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Alex Mills

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is warning businesses to be aware of a scam in which rogue publishers are offering advertising space in a publication they claim they are producing on behalf of the fire service.

The rogue publishers make unsolicited telephone calls to businesses, in particular small businesses, doctors’ surgeries and dental practices offering advertising space in a magazine they claim is produced by the fire service.

The cost of the ‘advert’ can range from £50 to anything up to £1000. However, once you have paid you’ll find the publication either doesn’t exist or only a handful of copies are printed. Generally, if the call is bogus, the caller will only provide a PO box address and the phone number will be blocked.

If you receive an unsolicited call from a publishing company:

Don’t agree to anything until you are given full details of the publishing company and what you will get for your money
Ask to see terms and conditions before agreeing anything
Read all small print of any contract carefully
Establish how many copies are being published, where they will be distributed and how, and where can you get hold of a copy
If you are told that someone from your company has already verbally agreed to place an advert get full details of who and when, and check with the member of staff before agreeing anything further
Ask which other companies in your area have taken advertising space and contact them to see if the caller is genuine
If you receive a demand for payment, which could be over the phone or via an ‘invoice’ respond to the demand stating why you do not owe any money

Businesses which may have been contacted in this way should report any details they may have to Action Fraud.

Recruiting now for life changing Prince’s Trust course

Posted on January 3, 2017January 25, 2017 by Jayne Sanderson

Fire and police in South Yorkshire are teaming up to deliver two Princes Trust courses to be jointly run by both 999 services.

The two emergency services are calling on young people to sign up for the Princes Trust Team Programme, with the two courses running in January and February 2017.

Team Programme is a 12 week personal development course for unemployed 16 to 25 year olds, offering work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community projects and a residential week.

Individuals will gain new skills and qualifications, mix with new people and make new friends, get help with job-hunting and CV writing and most importantly a big boost to their confidence and a real sense of achievement.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Team Leader John Daley said; “We are really excited by the prospect of the joint course and what we will be able to deliver to the young people taking part. The course will include team building exercises, work placements, CV writing and loads more, which will give them a real sense of purpose and achievement.”

South Yorkshire Police Deputy Team Leader Paul Hamshaw said; “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are out of education or employment to come and learn new skills, meet new friends, take part in an action packed residential trip and gain work experience, all completely free.

“This is a unique programme, during which you can gain an insight into the police and fire services. If you’re not completely sure if this is for you, give us a call and we can talk to you about what is expected – you won’t be disappointed with the programme.”

Devon Hazeldine, member of a previous SYFR Team Programme and now working as a volunteer and mentor on the Prince’s Trust Programme said; “This course has enabled me to build my confidence and gain new experiences. I have really enjoyed my time and would say to anybody who wants to learn about themselves, their community and get ahead in life the Prince’s Trust Team programme is worth getting on.”

To be part of the Team Programme or for further details contact Rhian Oxley on 07919 565122 or princestrust@syfire.gov.uk.

Firefighters thank public for number one bid support

Posted on December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 by Alex Mills

Firefighters have thanked the people of South Yorkshire for their support with a campaign to reach Christmas number one.

Central red watch and 999 operators were part of the drive to reach the festive song summit with ‘Chip Pan’ by the Everly Pregnant Brothers.

Thousands of people have downloaded the track and, although it’s unlikely to reach the top spot when the official chart is released later on Friday, the campaign has helped raise awareness of kitchen fire safety and firefighters on duty over Christmas amongst millions of people.

Highlights of the assault on the yuletide music chart included two national television appearances and more than five million views online for a video which accompanies the song. Leaders, businesses and celebrities from across Sheffield also threw in their support for the campaign.

It’s thought that sales of the track will have also raised thousands of pounds for Shelter and Age UK Sheffield, once official download figures are collated.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “This campaign was clearly a bit of festive fun, but with chip pans still responsible for large numbers of house fires every year, we think it’s important to raise awareness of important safety messages in different ways.

“We also wanted to remind people that across the UK thousands of firefighters and 999 operators- not to mention many more of their colleagues in the emergency services- will be on duty this Christmas keeping people safe.

“None of it would have been possible without the work of firefighters at Central fire station or the Everly Pregnant Brothers. But we also want to thank people locally for really getting behind the campaign in a big way.”

For more information on preventing fires, visit www.syfire.gov.uk

Sheffield comes together for firefighters’ Everly Pregnant Christmas number one bid

Posted on December 20, 2016December 20, 2016 by Alex Mills

The whole of Sheffield is coming together to back a bid by firefighters to reach the top of the festive charts, thirty five years after the city celebrated its last Christmas number one.

Red watch firefighters and 999 operators from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Central fire station have teamed up with the Everly Pregnant Brothers to release ‘Chip Pan’- a tongue-in-cheek reworking of a chart hit which tells the cautionary tale of a man who sets his house alight after a night out drinking.

Big Sheffield brands Henderson’s Relish, Meadowhall and Thornbridge Brewery are the latest to have got behind the Christmas chart crusade.

Celebrity backers include US Open Champion Danny Willett, city songstress Lucy Spraggan and former cricketer Michael Vaughan who have all shared a video of the track online, helping it to clock up millions of views.

The song- available to download this week- is raising money for Age UK and Shelter.

The last time Sheffield reached the festive song summit was in 1981 with the Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me’.

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “The whole city is getting behind South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, and the Everly Pregnant Brothers, in their bid for the Christmas number one slot. I would love to see them make it to the top of the charts. Good luck from everyone here at Sheffield City Council.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “We’re going for Christmas number one to remind people that tens of thousands of firefighters and other emergency services staff across the country will be working this Christmas Day to keep you safe, including red watch firefighters and control staff who helped to make the video which accompanies the song. Hopefully it will also raise lots of money for charity and heighten public awareness of an important safety message in a slightly unusual way.”

Chip Pan’ by the Everly Pregnant Brothers is available to download for 99p on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon, Spotify and Deezer.

The public are asked to download the track between now and midnight on Thursday 22 December, with the Christmas chart announced the next day.

‘Have a go days’ for under represented groups

Posted on December 20, 2016December 21, 2016 by Alex Mills

We will soon be opening recruitment for wholetime firefighters and are holding some taster days at our training centre in January so that people from groups currently under represented amongst our frontline staff can find out more about a career in the fire service.

We will always recruit the best people for the job. But we also want to ensure our workforce accurately represents the communities we serve, so these days are about providing information to potential women, black and minority ethnic and LGBT applicants so that they can make an informed career decision.

If you would like to register your interest in one of the days on either Wednesday 4 January (other under represented groups, including women) or Saturday 14 January (women only) please email recruitment@syfire.gov.uk

You can find more information about positive action and what it means here

Download ‘Chip Pan’ for Christmas number one

Posted on December 16, 2016September 25, 2018 by Alex Mills

Firefighters and 999 operators have teamed up with the Everly Pregnant Brothers to record ‘Chip Pan’ and we’re trying to get it to Christmas number one.

As well as raising money for Age UK Sheffield and Shelter and raising awareness of a serious fire safety message in a light hearted way, we’re going for the top spot to remind people of the tens of thousands of firefighters and other emergency services workers who will be on duty this Christmas Day to keep you safe.

Download:

iTunes

Google Play

Amazon

Streaming

Spotify

Deezer

Please help us to prevent kitchen fires by reading and sharing the safety advice on our website here

Firefighters launch Christmas number one bid with sell out Everly Pregnant show

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Alex Mills

South Yorkshire firefighters have performed a sell out gig to kick start their assault on the Christmas number one spot, in what bookmakers say could be one of the greatest shocks in chart history.

Thousands of people saw Central red watch firefighters perform ‘Chip Pan’ on stage with the Everly Pregnant Brothers at Sheffield’s O2 Academy.

The song tells the cautionary tale of a man who sets his house alight after a night out drinking and goes on sale on Friday.

A video which accompanies the track clocked up more than half a million views online within days, prompting bookies to halve their odds on the song reaching number one.

The track is being released to remind people of the contribution of firefighters who will be on duty this Christmas Day. The campaign has won the backing of fire and rescue services from every corner of the UK- and even as far afield as Canada, Australia and the US.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “We’re going for Christmas number one to remind people that tens of thousands of firefighters and other emergency services staff across the country will be working this Christmas Day to keep you safe, including red watch firefighters and control staff who helped to make the video which accompanies the song.”

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “Every now and then you come across a song that should have no chance but this is great fun and ticks many boxes. We have already slashed the odds and this could be one of the greatest shocks in chart history.”

Good causes will benefit from the assault on the festive song summit, with cash raised from sales of the single going to charities Age UK and Shelter.

‘Chip Pan’ by the Everly Pregnant Brothers is available to pre-order on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon, Spotify and Deezer. But to give the song the best chance of reaching number one when the official Christmas chart is released, the public are asked to only download the song after 16 December.

Odds slashed on fire service’s Everly Pregnant number one bid after half a million views

Posted on December 9, 2016December 9, 2016 by Alex Mills

Bookies have slashed the odds on firefighters reaching Christmas number one alongside one of Sheffield’s best loved bands after half a million people viewed their music video online in less than a week.

William Hill have halved the odds on The Everly Pregnant Brothers’ chart topping tilt after a video recorded with red watch firefighters and 999 operators at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Central fire station went viral.

The 25-to-one shots are now above early favourites Cliff Richard and The Pogues in the chase for the coveted festive number one spot.

The parody band’s catchy reworking of a popular hit tells the cautionary tale of a man who sets his house alight after a night out drinking- which fire officers hope will raise public awareness of one of the biggest causes of kitchen blazes.

The track has also been released to remind people of the contribution of thousands of firefighters and other emergency services workers who will be on duty this Christmas Day.

Good causes will benefit from the assault on the festive song summit, with cash raised from sales of the single going to charities Age UK and Shelter.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “Every now and then you come across a song that should have no chance but this is great fun and ticks many boxes. We have already slashed the odds from 50/1 to 25/1 and this could be one of the greatest shocks in chart history.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “Chip pan fires are no joke and we attend dozens of serious house fires caused by unattended cooking every year- but sometimes there’s a place for trying to get an important safety message across in a slightly different way, which is why we teamed up with Everly Pregnant Brothers.

“We’re going for Christmas number one to remind people that tens of thousands of firefighters and other emergency services staff across the country will be working this Christmas Day to keep you safe, including red watch firefighters and control staff who helped to make this video.

“The fire service’s ethos is all about helping the most vulnerable people in our communities, so it’s also fitting that the record is raising money for Shelter and Age UK, both of whom are fantastic causes important partners of ours.”

Everly Pregnant Brothers’ lead singer Shaun Doane, said: “Like most things with the Everly Pregnant Brothers, this started as something small, a tweet in fact, and it’s grown and mutated into something pretty cool. Hopefully we can help raise a few quid for two great causes.”

The Everly Pregnant Brothers are a ukulele band formed in 2009 and kicked off their number one campaign this weekend with a gig at Sheffield’s O2 Academy- where they were joined on stage by Central red watch firefighters, who starred in the video.

The ‘Chip Pan’ track is available to pre-order on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon, Spotify and Deezer. But to give the song the best chance of reaching number one when the official Christmas chart is released, the public are asked to only download the song after 16 December.

Fire service launches Christmas number one bid with Everly Pregnant chip pan hit

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Alex Mills

South Yorkshire firefighters have joined forces with one of Sheffield’s best loved bands in a musical match up set to take the Christmas charts by storm.

Firefighters and 999 operators at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Central fire station have teamed up with The Everly Pregnant Brothers to release one of the group’s most popular hits- ‘Chip Pan’.

Bookmakers William Hill think the audacious tilt at the festive charts is more than just a flash in the pan- with odds of 50-1 better than those offered on multi-million selling artists Adele, Rihanna and Coldplay.

Good causes will also benefit from the assault on the yuletide top spot, with cash raised from sales of the single going to charities Shelter and Age UK.

Fire officers hope the tongue-in-cheek reworking of a popular chart hit will raise public awareness of one of their biggest house fire headaches- chip pan blazes caused by a night on the tiles drinking.

But they also want the track to remind people of the tens of thousands of firefighters who will be on duty this Christmas, whilst the rest of us our tucking into our turkeys.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “This record is clearly a bit of festive fun, but with chip pans still responsible for large numbers of house fires every year, we think there’s a safety message in there somewhere.

“We also want to remind people that tens of thousands of firefighters and 999 operators- not to mention many more of their colleagues in the emergency services- will be on duty this Christmas keeping people safe.

“It’s all for a good cause, with every penny the band makes going to support older and homeless people, which is very much part of the fire service’s ethos of helping the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Pete McKee, said: “It was an absolute honour to get the involvement of the fire brigade and red watch. We always thought it would be great to get the fire service involved with Chip Pan. It’s our public information advertisement for the late night reveller with a yearning for some end of night snap!”

Fellow band member Shaun Doane, said: “Like most things with the Everly Pregnant Brothers, this started as something small, a tweet in fact, and it’s grown and mutated into something pretty cool. Hopefully we can help raise a few quid for two great causes.”

The Everly Pregnant Brothers kick off their number one campaign with a gig at Sheffield’s O2 Academy this weekend- where they will be joined on stage by Central red watch firefighters, who starred in the video.

The band was formed in 2009 by renowned artist Pete McKee and ukulele player Richard Bailey. Their songs are soaked in Sheffield humour and mix the unmistakable sounds of ukuleles and beer barrels.

Award win for fire service’s Engagement Team

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Alex Mills

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Engagement Team has picked up a major communication industry award.

The three-strong team picked up the Best Small Team award at the Comms2Point0 Unawards, a respected event celebrating the best in public sector communication.

The team’s main focus is on delivering campaigns which make people safer and reduce fires. Its work also involves improving the quality of internal communication across the service and developing its online and digital media channels, as well as performing traditional press office and marketing functions

The team’s key achievements in the last 12 months include:

Delivering high quality behaviour change campaigns to make people safer, including an electrical safety campaign which helped reduce house fires by 27%
Introducing a new programme of properly planned, properly measured internal comms campaigns, including a firefighter fitness campaign which resulted in 48% of staff committing to make long term lifestyle changes to improve their health
Continuing to grow its social media channels making them amongst the best followed fire service accounts in the country, relative to population size

Corporate Communication Manager Alexander Mills, said: “This is the first time a fire service communication team was won this particular award, demonstrating that good quality public sector communication does not just belong to councils, health services and big Government departments. We’re a small team, but punch above our weight in terms of the work we deliver on behalf of our staff and communities in South Yorkshire.”

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

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