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The way Fire Authority meetings are hosted has changed

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

The way South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority meetings are held has changed.

The Authority’s meetings are now being hosted by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, having been hosted by Barnsley Council for many years.

Public meetings are usually held at the fire service’s headquarters on 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield. Dates, time and locations of all meetings are published in advance of the meetings on a new website here

Public meeting dates, agendas and papers are also now available via the same website.

We also intend to live stream meetings in the future. We’ll be providing details on how you can watch these live, or view a recording, soon.

The website where the Authority’s meetings and agendas used to be hosted will stay live until October 2025 and can be found here: South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority is a statutory body made up of 12 local councillors from the district councils of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The primary responsibilities of the authority are laid down in legislation, including the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and Local Government Act 1999.

Family issue emollient cream safety plea after much loved grandad dies in house fire

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

A Mexborough grandad died in a house fire after the clothing he was wearing ignited from a gas heater, a fire service investigation has found.

It is believed that Jim Rownsley (pictured), of Kempton Gardens, Mexborough, Doncaster, may have sadly passed away due to emollient cream residue in his clothes which made them more flammable.

Now, Jim’s family want to warn others about the risks posed by emollient creams, which are used in the treatment for dry skin conditions such as eczema.

They come in many forms (creams, lotions, gels, and sprays) and can be water-based, paraffin-based, or even contain natural oils.

Sherrie-Leigh Higgins, Jim’s granddaughter, said: “You never think something like this is going to happen to your family until it does.

“My grandad always used his gas heater to stay warm but we didn’t know that the cream he used for his legs could be so dangerous.

“These creams, often used for treating skin conditions, can easily soak into clothes if you use them regularly and become a fire risk.

“If someone you love uses these creams, please make sure you and they know how they can keep themselves safe. I don’t want anyone else to go through the same trauma that we did.”

Chris Tyler, Group Manager in South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s community safety team, said: “As a service, we fully recognise the effectiveness and importance of emollient creams, and we also recognise that they are not flammable on their own.

“However, a build-up of emollient cream residue on fabrics such as bedding, clothing, and dressings can make these already combustible items even more flammable.

“What this means is that in cases where somebody uses these creams on a regular basis and/or spends an extended amount of time in their bed or armchair, their fire risk can increase dramatically.

“Anyone using emollient or skin creams regularly should keep well away from fire, naked flames, or heat sources.

“They shouldn’t smoke and need to be careful near hobs, candles, and heaters.”

Three fire engines attended the incident on Kempton Gardens after a call was received shortly before 1pm on Thursday 20 February.

The fire was out on arrival and an investigation was carried out, which was completed by 6pm.

Advice on how to reduce fire risks when using emollient creams.

Hundreds of care home residents protected thanks to new sprinklers

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

Almost 200 care home residents are safer from fire thanks to a partnership between South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Sheffcare.

Sprinkler systems have been installed at three residential care homes in Sheffield – Knowle Hill, Valley Wood and Grange Crescent after match funding was provided through South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s Stronger Safer Communities Reserve.

The reserve is a Fire Authority scheme which reinvests money into local communities to support our work to prevent major fire emergencies.

The scheme allows charities and community groups across South Yorkshire to deliver work to reduce deaths as well as building and environmental damage caused by fire.

Roger Brason, the Service’s sprinkler advocate, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to assist Sheffcare in installing sprinklers in these properties.

“Throughout the process, we ensured that we put the needs and the lives of the residents at the care homes first, ensuring that the installation did not disrupt their daily routine.

“Care homes like this perform a vital service and are important hubs within our communities so it’s only right that we give them the highest level of fire protection.”

John Dawson, health and safety manager at Sheffcare said: “Knowing we have fire sprinklers in our homes provides a security of mind we have never had before.

“Without the funding support from SYFR it would be impossible for a not-for-profit charity like Sheffcare to install sprinklers and it is the most effective fire safety control measure we can make.

“The installation went extremely well and we now have safer homes occupied by very vulnerable people.”

Fire sprinklers are best thought of as a continuous combined fire detection and suppression systems. They will detect a fire no matter what time of the day, even if the buildings are empty or occupied. They work automatically and require no input from onsite staff.

They are effective in both domestic/residential and commercial environment and make fires more easily controllable and limit the production of harmful smoke and fumes.

Sprinklers have an enviable record of controlling fires for more than 100 years with a 90% success rate.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has a lead sprinkler officer who can provide impartial specific advice on request, and can be contacted via email at rbrason@syfire.gov.uk.

Fire service plans for next three years approved by councillors

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

The fire service’s plans for the next three years have been approved by councillors, after hundreds of people responded to a public consultation.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue had asked residents to have their say on its objectives for the next three years.

The service will 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 vehicle which is used to respond to small incidents like grass and bin fires will now move from Cudworth to Dearne fire station, after the plans were approved by members of the service’s governing Fire Authority today (17 February)

The proposals were 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.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Dunker, said: “Thank you to everyone who read and gave us feedback on our plans for the next three years. 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.”

Nearly 300 people responded to a consultation on the service’s draft plans, which will now be implemented from 1 April.

Have a go at being an on-call firefighter

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Are you interested in becoming an on-call firefighter but are not sure what’s involved?

What is an on-call firefighter?

An on-call firefighter is someone employed by a fire and rescue service who is ‘on-call’ to respond to a range of emergencies and to engage with their community. They respond from home, or another place of work, where they have everyday lives and jobs – until their pager sounds and they become professional firefighters.

Put into more general terms, an on-call firefighter could be classed as a part-time firefighter. Part-time or not, though, they are fully trained and experienced people on the front line, saving lives and protecting people. They are exceptional individuals and there is nothing ‘part-time’ about their commitment.

Our on-call staff come from all areas of the community. For example, they could be stay at home parents, in full or part-time employment, working for themselves, studying at college or university or not currently employed. They are paid for their services, receive thorough training and are taught all they need to know about emergency situations.

We’re going to be opening on-call recruitment again soon and we’re hosting “Have A Go” sessions at stations around the county on the following dates:

  • Rossington Fire Station: Saturday 23 November, 10am – 4pm
  • Penistone Fire Station: Wednesday 4 December, 5.30pm – 8.30pm
  • Stocksbridge Fire Station, Wednesday 18 December, 5.30pm – 8pm

Contact our on-call support team to find out more and book your place

More house fires happen at Christmas then any other time of year, fire service warns

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

Firefighters are urging their public to take care over the festive period as new figures show that more house fires happen during the Christmas period than at any other time of year.

The average amount of domestic fires attended by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue during the Christmas period (24th December until 31 December) is higher than the average amount of incidents in the same period in every other month of the year.

In response, a new campaign has been launched with a video which lightly parodies the advert of a well-known cola brand and also features a specially recorded song by a group of singers from Vivacity Choir, a community choir based in Hillsborough, Sheffield.

Chris Tyler, Group Manager in the service’s community safety team said: “We want Christmas to be the most wonderful time of the year for everyone in South Yorkshire.

“That’s why we’re urging people to check their homes ahead of the holidays. At a time when we enjoy spending time with friends and family, you don’t want fire to be an uninvited guest.

“As part of your festive preparations, make sure you’ve got smoke alarms in your home and test them.

“Ensure you keep Christmas trees away from heat sources. If they’re real, keep them well watered and if they’re artificial check that that they are made with fire retardant materials.

“Be careful not to overload sockets with Christmas lights and always turn them off when they’re not in use.

“Many house fires start in the kitchen so make sure that you’re keeping an eye on your turkey at all times.

“Why not do an online home safety check for your own home or for a loved one today.”

More Christmas Safety advice from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue supports Gas Safety Week

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

We are proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2024, taking place 9th-15th September.

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.

The theme for 2024 is Checking—Every Check Counts; from getting an annual gas safety check, checking your engineer is Gas Safe registered and qualified for the work, to checking that you know what to do in a gas emergency, every check (no matter how big or small) helps to keep you gas safe.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning, as you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it.

Here is a guide to some simple checks that you can do at home to stay gas safe:

  • Check you have a current landlord gas safety record. By law, your landlord must keep gas pipework, flues and appliances supplied for you to use in good condition. They must arrange a gas safety check of the appliances and flues every year and give you a record of the check within 28 days. If your landlord refuses to provide you with one, you can report their details to the HSE: https://bit.ly/LGSRReport1
  • Check any gas appliances that you own have been safety checked annually. Your landlord is not responsible for gas appliances that you own, so you should arrange for these to be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • Check the engineer is Gas Safe registered. Anyone who comes to work on the gas appliances, pipework or flues must be Gas Safe registered and appropriately qualified for the type of gas work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and on the Gas Safe Register website.
  • Check gas appliances for any warning signs. Signs may include lazy yellow/orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out, too much condensation in the room, or error messages on the appliance’s control panel. If you spot any of these signs contact your landlord, or, if you own the appliance, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • Check your knowledge. Remember the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect CO, get into fresh air immediately and call the gas emergency services for your area.
  • Check the carbon monoxide alarm. A carbon monoxide alarm is required to be fitted in every habitable room of a rental property containing gas appliances (excluding appliances used for cooking purposes). They should be marked EN50291 and display the British Standards’ Kitemark. It’s a good idea to regularly test these to ensure they’re still working.
  • Check that vents or flues are not blocked. Vents and flues are there to ensure the gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.

How to keep you business gas safe

For gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively, call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

Sheffield firms fined £4,000 for breaching fire safety regulations

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

Two Sheffield businesses have been ordered to pay £4,000 after each failing to provide documents and information to business fire safety inspectors.

Brightside Motors LTD and Brightside Motors Repair Centre LTD received the fine at a hearing at Sheffield Magistrates Court on Wednesday 31 July after the firms, both based on 90 Holywell Road, Sheffield, failed to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The Court ordered they pay a fine of £2,500, cover prosecution costs of £569 and pay a victim’s surcharge of £1,000, totalling £4,069 each.

The case was proved in absence as no representatives from either company attended the hearing.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Business Fire Safety Inspecting Officers visited the company after a fire on the premises on 21 April 2023.

An enforcement notice was put in place after it was determined that the business had not been complying with a previously agreed fire safety plan.

The enforcement notice was also not followed which triggered an additional investigation and request for information and documentation about who is the responsible person at the property.

No documentation or information was received, resulting in court summons.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Andy Strelczenie, said: “Fire Safety is a core function of the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, our aim is always to work with businesses to ensure they can keep people safe, but it needs to be a two-way process.

“In this case, we have had little to no engagement from the company involved, despite multiple requests to improve and share information with us. This has ultimately resulted in this fine being issued.”

Safer South Yorkshire Week

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is launching the first ever Safer South Yorkshire Week dedicated to our
partners across South Yorkshire.

Running from July 1-5, we will be offering free virtual fire safety awareness sessions to partners existing and new, alongside our referral training.

This training is aimed at any public facing partners/charities/organisations that may want to refer their service users to the fire service for a Home Fire Safety Visit.

To book on a session please email our partnership team.

All sessions will be delivered by Microsoft Teams and last approximately one hour.

Available Sessions:

  • Monday 1st July 10am, 1pm
  • Tuesday 2nd July 10am, 11am, 1pm
  • Wednesday 3rd July 10am, 1pm, 2pm
  • Thursday 4th July 10am, 11am, 2pm
  • Friday 5th July, 10am, 1pm

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Yorkshire Water back NFCC Be Water Aware campaign

Posted on by Gregory Mattock-Evans

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is backing this year’s Be Water Aware campaign by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), by urging people not to enter its reservoirs.

Running from 22nd – 28th April, the campaign, which is also backed by Yorkshire Water, aims to raise awareness about the risk of accidental drowning and encourage considerate behaviour around bodies of water.

The latest figures indicate there were 226 accidental drowning deaths in 2022 across the UK with six taking place in Yorkshire (three in West Yorkshire, two in South Yorkshire, and one in North Yorkshire). 60% of all accidental drownings in the UK occurred inland, at reservoirs, lakes and river.

The NFCC campaign outlines that many people underestimate the risk of entering the water: Yorkshire Water see people entering its 130 reservoirs daily, despite warnings about the danger that reservoirs can pose.

With the effects of cold-water shock and unseen hazards like operating machinery and hidden undercurrents, even the strongest swimmers can get into difficulties.

Ade Parkin, Group Manager in South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s Community Safety Department, said: “Open water can be incredibly dangerous if it is not treated with respect. Attending water rescue incidents can be incredibly traumatic for our crews and members of the public.

“It can be tempting to cool off but do you really want it to be the last thing you do?”

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: “With the summer approaching, we’re expecting to see an increase in numbers of people wanting to swim. We know how dangerous it can be to enter open bodies of water, like our reservoirs, and would urge everyone to take note of warnings at our sites.”

Out of all 2022 accidental drownings, 40% of people had no intention of ever entering the water – slips, trips and falls were commonly the cause of these incidents.

“Water safety goes beyond choosing not to swim or paddle to cool off – it’s also about remaining vigilant around the water, particularly if you are looking after children. We are once again backing the NFCC campaign to raise awareness of water safety behaviours and measures.”

“If people see others in difficulty in the water, they should contact the emergency services on 999 as they are trained to deal with such events.”

Get more water safety advice