**Content Warning – this post discusses topics around suicide**

A South Yorkshire 999 operator has backed a charity campaign to raise money for mental health support which saved his life.

Ruari Scates, a control room operator with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, struggled with his own mental health following big life changes and bereavements.

Now he is backing a charity single which aims to raise money for Fire Fighters Charity, which supports the wellbeing of fire service staff like him.

Ruari said: “Before joining South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, I struggled with depression and low mood, attributing it to bereavements and the strain of working night shifts. Joining the service in early 2024 felt like a new beginning, but six months in, I was overwhelmed by feelings of ‘impostor syndrome’ and the stress of a house move.”

“At a particularly low point, I reached out to Fire Fighters’ Charity’s helpline, a resource provided during my induction and reinforced through awareness days held by the fire service.

“The emergency counselling sessions I received were a lifeline. They not only saved my life, but also spared my family and friends from the potential fallout of my struggles. For the first time, I felt truly supported and able to overcome my negative mindset. I am a better person today, and above all, I am still here because of the charity.”

The decision to seek help was driven by a fear of becoming a burden to their team and the awareness of the devastating impact of suicide, both personally and professionally.

“I knew that if I didn’t reach out, I could worsen my situation and affect my ability to serve the public. My family’s experience with the consequences of suicide and my job’s exposure to its impact made it clear that I couldn’t allow myself to inflict the same distress.”

“The initial engagement with a counsellor was pivotal. The support and motivation I received during that first call encouraged me to follow through with the process and work towards bettering myself.”

“Almost everyone I know in the job has faced their own battles. Joining a men’s mental health group for emergency workers highlighted the prevalence and complexity of these issues.”

“But from day one, the culture, training, and resources provided by the service have been exceptional. Having worked in environments where mental health was either ignored or superficially addressed, I feel incredibly fortunate to receive such high standards of care at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. Every aspect of support is handled seriously and effectively, with training designed to prevent issues rather than react to them.”

Ruari is not alone. Poor mental health is a significant issue for many emergency service workers- and not just firefighters.

South Yorkshire Fire & Resue has invested heavily in mental health support for its staff, including a 24/7 helpline and setting up peer-led support for firefighters following traumatic incidents.

Fire Fighters’ Charity also plays a vital role by providing essential mental health support to firefighters. Their services, including online counselling, offer a lifeline to those in need, helping them to navigate their mental health challenges and build resilience.

Download ‘The Fire Safety Dance’ for 99p via iTunes or Amazon today to support the charity’s mission.

South Yorkshire’s fire service wants people to feedback on its objectives for the next three years, after draft plans were considered by councillors today.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue says it wants to remove inefficiency, boost performance and embed an inclusive workplace culture as it strives to become one of the country’s leading fire and rescue services.

A change to how it responds to 999 calls would see a vehicle which is used to respond to small incidents like grass and bin fires move from Cudworth to Dearne fire station. The fire service says this would be a better location for the vehicle based on incident data- analysed as part of a full review of all its fire stations and fire engines.

The proposals are set out in the service’s draft Community Risk Management Plan 2025-2028.  Every fire service publishes plans like these to tell local people the steps they will take to make them safer and address risks in their local area.

You can view South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s draft Community Risk Management Plan 2025 to 2028 here.

You can feedback on the plans using the survey here.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Dunker, said: “Responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively remains our number one priority as a fire and rescue service. But we also deliver other important work to make local people safer and our Community Risk Management Plan is a way we demonstrate how we combine all our resources to address risks in South Yorkshire. Now we want local people to feedback on those plans- as well as our other objectives for the next four years.”

The draft plans were considered by the service’s governing Fire & Rescue Authority on Monday 25 November, who approved the service begin consulting with its staff and the public on the proposals. The Fire Authority is made up of 12 members from across South Yorkshire’s four councils.

The consultation will close on 7 February 2025.

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 (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.