South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
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Fire service backs blood donor drive

Our staff took time out from their day jobs to sign up as blood donors to support NHS Blood and Transplant’s ‘Blood Doesn’t Grow on Trees’ campaign.

NHS Blood and Transplant is using the campaign to highlight the need to for new and existing blood donors across the North of England to step up and donate to keep blood stocks in hospitals healthy.

Amanda Eccles, Senior Marketing Coordinator, said: “We are delighted that South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is supporting blood donation. We always need new people in South Yorkshire to start donating blood to ensure that stocks across the country are healthy now and in the future. I hope that people will be inspired to donate with the knowledge that their donations save lives and that it is an easy thing to do.”

Although overall blood use within the NHS has reduced thanks to improvements in clinical and surgical practices, hospitals and patients still rely on more than 6,000 people attending a donation session every day across England and North Wales.

Blood is required to treat patients for a whole range of reasons. It is used in accident and emergency situations, during surgery and in maternity and neonatal care when either mum or baby need blood. It is also used as a treatment for cancer and for blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia.

You can register as a donor, find out whether there is a session coming up in your area and book an appointment to donate whenever and wherever you are through www.blood.co.uk or by using the app on your Android, Windows or Apple device. To download an app for your device, search ‘NHSGiveBlood’ in the app store.

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.

Youth project helps curb Sheffield arson

A partnership youth project has helped turn around anti-social behaviour on one of Sheffield’s toughest estates.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has worked with partners including Salvation Army and South Yorkshire Police to deliver a 10 week youth club project on the Badger Estate, Woodhouse.

The scheme sees youngsters meet once a week to take part in physical activities like football, basketball and dodgeball, as well as educational sessions around first aid, road safety and the consequences of anti-social behaviour.

The scheme runs from January to March each year, when the number of alternative, positive activities available to youngsters in the area is normally at its lowest.

It’s had a big effect, cutting fires by a third. The number of anti-social behaviour fires in south east Sheffield fell from 52 in 2013 to 35 this year.

SYFR arson reduction officer Steve Vinson, said: “We can’t say that this project alone has led to the big reductions in anti-social behaviour, but we are convinced that engaging with young people in this way is one of the best ways of building lasting, positive relationships which have long term benefits for the communities we serve.

“It’s only by working together that public agencies can put together initiatives like this one and we are grateful to all the partners involved in helping us deliver these youth clubs for the third year running.”

It’s not just in south east Sheffield that fire service youth work is making an impact.

Arson in South Yorkshire has halved in the last three years, with the fire service crediting its ongoing community interventions with the big drop in anti-social behaviour incidents.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue attended 2,527 small, deliberate incidents like bin and grass fires in 2014/15- half the number it attended three years ago (5,082). Twelve years ago, in 2003/04, the figure was even higher- 11,303.

Recent initiatives held elsewhere in the county include a youth project held at Rotherham fire station, which aimed to highlight the consequences of anti-social behaviour and provide an intensive multi-agency work experience course to improve the life chances of the young people involved.

Arson cycle teams patrol known trouble spots during peak times of the year, speaking to youngsters about the consequences of arson.

Firefighters also deliver education packages to schools and safety teams visit youth clubs to deter fire setting.

For more information about the fire service’s work with young people, visit www.syfire.gov.uk

Fire service backs national dementia campaign

The fire service is calling on residents in South Yorkshire to check on older friends, relatives and neighbours who may suffer from memory loss, in a bid to cut house fires.

That’s the message as South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue backs Dementia Awareness Week (17 to 23 May)- a national campaign which raises awareness of dementia and other illnesses that may incur memory loss.

Community safety staff are attending events across the county throughout the week, including dementia cafes and coffee mornings, meeting older people and offering them advice on preventing fires.

The fire service is also training dozens of its own staff to become Dementia Friends- a Government backed initiative which teaches people a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is also a member of the Yorkshire & Humber Dementia Alliance, which is committed to tackling the growing issue of dementia within our communities.

Vulnerable persons advocate Dianne Fox said: “People with memory loss issues can be more at risk of having a fire due to for example, forgetting that they have left a pan on the stove. They may then become confused by the smoke alarm sounding and make the wrong decision about what to do, therefore putting themselves in danger.”

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue can offer a home safety check for people with memory issues. These checks can help people to live independently more safely by giving advice about fire safety and offering equipment solutions and support advice.

To access this service residents can call 0114 253 2314 and state that they have a memory issue or that they care for a person with a memory issue and that they would like to arrange a home safety check.

The fire service also offers free smoke alarm test reminders by email, text message or tweet. To sign-up, visit www.pressthebutton.co.uk

UK first fire funding scheme making thousands in South Yorkshire safer

A UK first fire service funding stream has made the lives of tens of thousands of South Yorkshire residents safer, a year after the first cash was handed out.

Around £500,000 was given to community groups, charities and other partners via South Yorkshire Fire Authority’s Safer Stronger Communities Reserve.

Under the groundbreaking scheme, groups were able to bid for as little as £5,000 or as much as £250,000 to support projects which reduce injuries, save lives and make South Yorkshire safer.

Key objectives for the fund include prioritising the most vulnerable, collaboration and data sharing. Highlights of the scheme which saw 19 different organisations receive money last year, included:

  • 3,000 baby room thermometers handed out to all expectant parents in Barnsley. The thermometers are specially designed to include display important messages about fire safety and smoke free homes, and could be adopted nationwide.
  • A cutting edge research project to help the fire service predict where fires are most likely to occur in the future. The research is being led by Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield
  • A Doncaster Council led ‘Fakes Cause Fires’ campaign which is using posters, videos and pocket sized information cards to educate residents about the fire dangers associated with buying counterfeit goods
  • Accessible training sessions, workbooks, DVDs and other educational resources suitable for people with learning difficulties and autism, developed by Rotherham charity Speakup Self Advocacy
  • Sprinklers for vulnerable older people at a sheltered housing complex in Barnsley. The potentially life saving systems were fitted at Churchfields, owned by Berneslai Homes

Fire Authority Chair Cllr Jim Andrews, said: “All the year one funded projects are excellent examples of how a small level of financial support from the Fire Authority can enable local communities to make a real difference in improving fire safety. The fund was heavily over-subscribed last year and the 19 projects the Authority gave money to really were the best of the best. It’s brilliant to now be able to see many of those funded projects making tens of thousands of local people safer.”

Head of prevention and protection Steve Helps, said: “Fires have been falling steadily in South Yorkshire for many years and the county is safer now than it has been at any time in its history. But for as long as people continue to suffer the devastating effects of fires, there will always be more work to do.

“The best way for us to further reduce emergency incidents is to work with partners like those which have received funding over the last year. It’s these organisations which can help us reach the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Applications for a second round of funding have just closed, with decisions on the next batch of funded partners expected to be made in July. The £2 million fund has been set aside from the Authority’s reserves.

“A particular focus for us in coming years is the wider positive impact the fire and rescue service can make in our communities, particularly in terms of improving people’s health and wellbeing. Many of the schemes we’ve already funded reflect this aspiration.”

Big arson drop down to youth work success

Arson in South Yorkshire has halved in the last three years, with the fire service crediting its ongoing community interventions with the big drop in anti-social behaviour incidents.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue attended 2,527 small, deliberate incidents like bin and grass fires in 2014/15- half the number it attended three years ago (5,082). Twelve years ago, in 2003/04, the figure was even higher- 11,303.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue head of prevention and protection Steve Helps, said: “Deliberate fires still make up around three quarters of all the incidents we attend, but our ongoing arson reduction work continues to bring the numbers down.

“We are convinced that engaging with young people through targeted interventions like youth club work, education initiatives and fire station based learning projects is one of the best ways of building lasting, positive relationships which have long term benefits in terms of reducing these unnecessary incidents. This ensures our fire engines are available to attend life threatening incidents.”

Recent initiatives include a youth project held at Rotherham fire station, which aimed to highlight the consequences of anti-social behaviour and provide an intensive multi-agency work experience course to improve the life chances of the young people involved.

Arson cycle teams patrol known trouble spots during peak times of the year, speaking to youngsters about the consequences of arson.

Firefighters also deliver education packages to schools and safety teams visit youth clubs to deter fire setting.

Crews test response to chemical leak

A team of more than 30 firefighters has tested its response to a major chemical leak in South Yorkshire.

The live training exercise, held at an industrial site in Birley, Sheffield saw crews re-enact their response to a dangerous chemical spillage, with a scenario that included evacuations and multiple public and firefighter casualties.

Although incidents like this are extremely rare, officers say live training is the best way of topping up the skills of firefighters, making sure they are fully prepared to respond to any type of incident in the future.

Station manager Mark Wilkinson, said: “Our firefighters could be asked to respond to a massive range of incidents at any time of the day or night. It’s not just fires we deal with, so it’s important we look at our response to lots of different scenarios.

“Fortunately, chemical incidents as serious as the one we tested our response to today are very rare. But it’s important we test all of the plans we have in place to deal with something like this in case the worst does happen.

“Going through plans on paper is one thing, but often the only way of really testing our decision making ability is to re-enact the incident in a live environment. I’m pleased to say our crews came through this particular training exercise with flying colours.”

Care homes targeted in fire safety drive

Fire officers are staging a safety seminar for care home managers, after revealing they’ve taken enforcement action against a dozen homes in South Yorkshire.

Enforcement action has been taken against 14 residential care or nursing homes since 2013 under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.The action varied from the partial closure of buildings, to forcing owners to put adequate fire safety measures in place.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue says there are some basic things that care providers can do to avoid falling foul of fire safety law. This includes carrying out a fire risk assessment, which is essential for ensuring the safety of those being cared for. Other measures include proper maintenance of fire detection systems and ensuring escape routes are adequate.

Technical Fire Safety Manager Amy Jenkinson, said: “Older people, as well as those with mental health problems and those with mobility issues, are amongst the people most at risk from fire. But we are concerned by how many premises- which should be places where people feel safe- are failing to meet some basic fire safety standards.

“Prosecutions under fire safety legislation are always a last resort and we would much rather work with care providers to ensure good safety standards are met. That’s why we are putting on this event, so care home managers can pick up advice on and so they know what to expect when one of our inspectors visits their premises.

Care homes are monitored by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.

The seminar will take place on Wednesday 3 June from 9.30am to 2pm at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Sheffield training centre on Beaver Hill Road, Handsworth and will include refreshments. To book, contact khinchliffe@syfire.gov.uk

Free fire safety seminar for care homes

What: Free fire safety seminar for care homes
When: Wednesday 3 June, 9.30am to 2pm
Where: South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, Training & Development Centre, Beaver Hill Road, Handsworth, Sheffield, S13 9QA

A free event will help care home managers to avoid their premises becoming one of more than 10,000 UK businesses which suffer a serious fire every year.

The South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue seminar will focus on how residential care homes can improve fire safety measures through the use of suppression systems, plus the steps managers should take to ensure their business can continue to operate in the event of a critical incident occurring on their site.

Presentations will also cover:

  • What will happen when your premises is audited under the Regulatory (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  • Benefits of sprinkler and other fire suppression systems, including local case studies
  • An overview of South Yorkshire Fire Authority’s Stronger Safer Community Reserve fund
  • Case studies from Sheffield Housing and Sheffield Council on resilience at residential care homes under their management
  • Business continuity planning

Lunch and refreshments will also be provided.

Places at this event are strictly limited so please contact us today to secure your place.

To book, email khinchliffe@syfire.gov.uk.

Please note that places are limited to two people per premises. Further details and a full agenda will be sent to you once your place has been secured.

Water safety warning ahead of bank holiday

Firefighters are urging people to stay safe near open water ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Over 400 people die in the water every year in the UK, and firefighters are urging people to follow some basic rules to stay safe.

Officers say people should avoid open water- like rivers and lakes- because they may not always be aware of the danger it poses. River flows can be unpredictable and water is often deeper, colder and faster than expected. People should enjoy water safely in swimming pools or safer, specialist facilities instead.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue head of community safety Kevin Ronan, said: “It shouldn’t take tragedy to bring the issue of water safety to public attention, but recent cases from elsewhere in the country of people drowning in open water are another reminder of the dangers rivers, lakes and reservoirs can present.

“We regularly receive 999 calls in the summer about people getting into difficulty in water, so it’s only a matter of time before someone’s safety is really put at risk unless people listen to our advice.

“It can be tempting to cool off in hot weather, but stick to a swimming pool. Hundreds of people drown each year in the UK and places like rivers, lakes or flooded quarries places are completely unsuitable for swimming as they hide a number of hidden dangers.”

The dangers of open water are:

  • The water can be much deeper than you expect
  • Rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs are much colder than you think
  • Cold water dramatically affects your ability to swim
  • There may be hidden currents, which can pull you under the water
  • You don’t know what lies beneath, like pieces of rubbish or reeds which can trap or injure you

Fire sprinklers for Barnsley sheltered housing

Older people at sheltered accommodation in Barnsley are to benefit from the installation of new fire safety measures, thanks to a fire service funded initiative.

Churchfields Sheltered housing, part of Berneslai Homes, has been awarded funding for the retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers. The project will greatly improve the safety of the people living in the building.

Fire sprinklers can have a massive impact on the effects of a fire including saving lives, reducing injury, protecting firefighters who attend the incidents and reducing the amount of damage to both property and the environment from fire.

The project won £49,500 from the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority’s funding scheme, the Stronger Safer Communities Reserve.

The fund saw dozens of registered charities, community organisations and partner agencies come forward and apply for grants from the £2 million fund, which had been set aside from the Authority’s reserves.

Roger Brason, Sprinkler Advocate at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said, “Automatic fire sprinklers are most effective during the initial stage of a fire occurring, as a properly installed sprinkler will detect the flames heat, initiate an alarm, and activate just moments after the flames appear and can quickly suppress a fire before it gets out of control”

Berneslai Homes Community Buildings Manager Jill Barker said, “We were delighted to hear that we had been awarded funding towards fitting a sprinkler system in one of our sheltered housing schemes. They are an excellent way of protecting both people and buildings from the effects of a fire.”