South Yorkshire firefighters have helped to rescue a man who fell into the sea- in Wales!

The six- Firefighter o’Donnell, Firefighter Martin, Crew Manager Marsh, Crew Manager Bowes and Watch Managers Devonport and Gaye- were visiting the principality for a water rescue training course when they spotted people rushing to the aid of a stricken casualty who slipped off the promenade in Beaumaris.

The older man had fallen into the sea whilst out walking with his wife last Wednesday morning.

Passers-by raised the alarm and secured a throwline around him.

The Beaumaris lifeboat crew and Penmon Coastguard Rescue Team were then mobilised to assist- which is when the firefighters from South Yorkshire became involved.

Watch Manager Gary Devonport, who was amongst the rescuers, said: “We’d only been reflecting that morning how we often seem to stumble upon incidents like this when we’re away on training courses, then we saw a man in a dry suit rush past the window of the room where we were having breakfast. We immediately realised something serious had happened, so we gathered our equipment and went to see what we could help.

“The lifeboat crew had successfully rescued the man from the water’s edge, then we helped to carry him back to the safety of the lifeboat station. The man was clearly in a lot of pain and with the help of the RNLI crew helped get the man out of his wet clothes. And provided him with some oxygen and thermal balnkets. at the time and had a suspected broken hip, but we understand he is making a recovery and wish him well for the future.”

Anyone can be anything – that’s the message in a new heart-warming film from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) today, Friday 8 March.

You can watch the video here.

Produced in celebration of International Women’s Day, the video shows what happened when three female fire service staff spent a morning with year three schoolchildren.

The kids were asked what they would like to be when they grow up, and were asked to guess what jobs their guests did, before being shocked and inspired when they found out their real occupations.

Filmed at Mosborough Primary School, in Sheffield, the aim of the video is to highlight the range of career options within the fire and rescue service – and encourage local women to register their interest in careers with SYFR.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Alex Johnson, said that the film is part of a wider effort to change perceptions around the fire service being a male dominated organisation.

“We’ve come a long way in recent years but there’s still more to do – you only have to look at the fact I’m one of only four women in the country who hold such a similar senior position, and the figure that still only five per cent of firefighters are women, to see that,” she added.

“For so long the image of the fire service that is portrayed in films and the media is of men rushing into burning buildings, but the actual reality is so far from that. We do much more community and youth engagement work now where we need a variety of skills and people that are representative of South Yorkshire’s population.

“Of course our staff do go into burning buildings but this isn’t just men, we have both male and female firefighters who go through the same rigorous testing and training process to be able to ride on one of our fire engines.

“We also have loads of amazing women working in support roles and our control room, too, and International Women’s Day provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate the work that they do – and also try to inspire more women to think about a career with us.”

The video, which has been unveiled this morning, stars Bronte Jones, a firefighter at Rotherham fire station, Sharon ‘Shaz’ Bailey, a Maintenance Operative & Driver and Amanpreet Kaur, an ICT Applications Developer.

Bronte, who graduated from her training course in December last year, is a former Mosborough Primary School pupil.

She said: “My dad works in the fire service so I’ve grown up in the fire family. I’ve wanted to be a firefighter for as long as I can remember so passing my training course at the end of the year was a dream come true. Afterwards I just thought wow, I’ve actually done it!

“There’s a lot of common misconceptions around firefighting but, man or woman, you only pass the training course – which is tough and physically demanding – if you are fit and strong enough to do the job properly.

“Of course there are times when it gets hard but, like I said to the kids at school, if you fully commit to it, work hard and maintain your standards, then you can do it – regardless of your gender. Personally I think it is the best job in the world, it’s so rewarding.

“From day one of the recruits course you are part of a team – you have the support of your fellow trainees and then the experienced instructors who guide you along the way. Then you get to station and, even though I’ve only been at Rotherham for a few months, my crew have already become my work family. Together your colleagues pass on all the knowledge they have gained over the years to shape you into the best firefighter you can be.”

Anybody interested in a career with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue can register their interest, to receive future job notifications, at www.syfire.gov.uk/find-a-job/register-your-interest/.

A fire service funded project in South Yorkshire is helping to prevent trips and falls in older people in their homes.

The Edlington Community Organisation, in partnership with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) has been inviting older people (50+) to bring along their old slippers and exchange them for a new safer slip-resistant pair for free.

The two year slipper swap project aims to be used in conjunction with information events to encourage the elderly and vulnerable into community venues to access other support focusing on fall prevention, Safe and Well checks and dementia awareness.

Since the start of slipper swap over 1,000 pairs of slippers have been given out along with 200 fire safety kits and 70 Safe & Well referrals.

Donations of all old slippers are re-donated to local Lions Clubs and community clothing banks who pass them on to other groups most in need within England or third world countries

The Edlington Community Organisation were awarded £39,000 for the project under the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority’s funding scheme, Stronger Safer Communities Reserve.

SYFR Head of Prevention & Protection Steve Helps said; “The project so far has been really successful with a large number of Safe & Well referrals generated which has strengthened our knowledge and referral scheme through collaborative working with our partner agencies.

“It has also made it possible for older people in the community to live safer and be more prepared for living in their own homes in the future.”

Samantha Siddall at Edlington Community Organisation said; “A pair of slip resistant, fitted slippers not only stops you from falling but also reduces the pressure on emergency services and ensures older people remain independent and active. The free slippers are also a great way to get people into other services and accessing a variety of information and advice within their community.”

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s training and development centre is currently playing host to the biggest group of firefighter recruits in the organisation’s recent history.

The 17 trainee firefighters, who are currently on an intense 13-week long course, are now half way through their fourth week.

So far they’ve had a packed agenda that has included fitness tests, advanced first aid training and an introduction to standard firefighting equipment, such as hoses, ladders and pumps.

And the hard work has continued this week, with their current theme being road traffic collisions and vehicle rescue techniques.

Normally courses at the service’s Handsworth-based training facility only cater for 12 trainees at a time, however a combination of high levels of interest and good quality candidates has led to a larger group this time.

Once these 17 trainees finish their course they will be sent out onto stations across South Yorkshire as firefighters in development.

“It has been great to introduce these new trainees into our organisation over the last few weeks for the start of what we hope will be long and rewarding careers with us,” said Area Manager Andy Strelczenie, head of emergency response.

“Ahead of them lies two rigorous and challenging months as they work through various modules – including working at height, casualty handling, breathing apparatus and live fire training.

“They will also be doing a week’s worth of fire prevention activity within their local communities which, of course, is a really big part of a modern day firefighter’s role.

“I look forward to seeing their progress over the coming weeks and have every confidence that they will go on to help make South Yorkshire a safer and stronger place to live, work and visit.”

A man from Sheffield has been commended by South Yorkshire’s Chief Fire Officer for helping to save a woman’s life last year, after she became trapped in a river.

Cole Johnson was walking across a bridge near Broadfield Road with his girlfriend, at around 8.30pm on Thursday 12 July, when he noticed a body in the water below.

On closer inspection he realised it was a woman – who was stuck with potentially serious head injuries – and immediately entered the water to help.

He used his jacket to stem the bleeding from her head, ensured she stayed still to prevent any spinal injuries and stayed with her, offering reassurance and support, until emergency services arrived.

“What Mr Johnson did, in selflessly getting into the river to help, was clearly a heroic act. He potentially saved a life,” said Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Tony Carlin.

“Even in summer open bodies of water are much colder than they look, yet he still got in there and spent at least 30 minutes supporting this woman.

“Our firefighters, and ambulance colleagues, worked swiftly to get her to safety, but without his intervention and bravery the outcome could have been much worse.”

In recognition of his actions, Cole will be awarded the highest level of recognition and thanks available from a fire and rescue service – a Chief Fire Officer’s commendation – that will be presented at a ceremony tomorrow at Rivelin Fire Station.

This award goes to people who have demonstrated meritorious conduct – putting themselves at some sort of risk to save a life in a hazardous situation.

“It was a nice summers evening and we’d just been in the park when I saw what looked like a body in the river,” said Cole reflecting on the incident, over eight months on.

“As I climbed down the river bank to get a closer look I realised it was a woman stuck, then something just switched in me. I just wanted to make sure she was OK so I got in and used my jacket to stop the bleeding from her head wound.

“I didn’t really want to move her out of the water as I didn’t know whether she’d got spinal injuries, so I just kept her still and spoke to her until help arrived.

“People kept thanking me afterwards but I didn’t really feel like I had done anything. It was a really strange experience, but I’m just glad the ambulance crew was able to give her the help she needed.”

Firefighters were left ‘absolutely disgusted’ last night after having various objects thrown at them whilst attending an incident in Doncaster.

Crews were called to Chestnut Avenue in Carcroft at 6.57pm yesterday (Wednesday 6 February) to reports of a wheelie bin fire in a park.

Upon arrival they were met by a gang of youths who were initially verbally aggressive, before starting to throw random objects – forcing firefighters to withdraw from the incident until officers from South Yorkshire Police arrived.

This latest attack follows a number of previous incidents during the bonfire period.

“Clearly this group has set fire to a bin, in the knowledge that we would attend, and awaited our arrival where they have hurled abuse and physical objects at our firefighters,” said Area Manager Andy Strelczenie, the service’s head of emergency response.

“This is totally unacceptable and we’re absolutely disgusted by what happened. Our crews put themselves in danger every day to keep the people of South Yorkshire safe, they don’t deserve to be abused in any way.

“As with the incidents over the bonfire period we’ll be working closely with our police colleagues to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“I’m sure they’ll be surprised to find out that this kind of behaviour now carries a custodial sentence of upto 12 months – thanks to a new law that came into force last year.”

• The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill will create a new offence of assault against an emergency worker in the exercise of their functions with a penalty that is increased from 6 months to 12 months
• The Bill also creates a statutory aggravating factor. This means that when a person is convicted of a range of offences including sexual assault, ABH, GBH and manslaughter, the judge must consider the fact that the offence was committed against an emergency worker as an aggravating factor meriting an increase in the sentence within the maximum allowed for the particular offence
• The Bill will cover emergency workers, this includes police, prison officers, custody officers, fire service personnel, search and rescue services and certain healthcare workers including ambulance personnel

Fire station improvements are being prioritised as part of a major investment in fire service buildings, a report to the service’s governing Fire Authority will say.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue plans to spend more than £8 million in one off, reserve funding on its buildings over the next few years- modernising its estate and improving the working environment for firefighters and other staff.

The biggest scheme involves the rebuilding of Barnsley fire station, which has reached the end of its operational life. A new, three vehicle bay building will be built on the current site, plus a separate unit where community schemes like the service’s successful Princes Trust Team Programme partnership with South Yorkshire Police can be housed.

Other major works include refurbishments of fire stations, including those at Rivelin, Rotherham and Thorne. Gyms are also being improved, supporting firefighters in meeting national fitness testing standards.

Plans are also being drawn up to move South Yorkshire Police’s vehicle bodywork and paint shop into the fire service’s own vehicle workshops at Eastwood in Rotherham. That work forms part of a wider collaborative project to bring the two organisation’s fleet management functions closer together.

Director of Support Services Stuart Booth, said: “One of our aspirations is to make our organisation a great place to work. Part of achieving that means investing in the buildings and facilities our staff use every day and we’re pleased to be making progress towards this.”

The service has produced an estates action plan to detail its work in this area.

The progress report on estates and facilities service improvements will be discussed at the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority meeting on Monday 11 February.

Paper-based processes will be ditched and technology used more widely in a bid to free up time for firefighters and fire safety officers, a report will recommend.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue will ask its governing Fire Authority to approve recommendations to modernise many of its systems and processes, including the use of one-off reserve funding to fast-track some of the key changes.

The report proposes committing around £680,000 in reserve funding, which has already been committed to support investments which will save the service time and money in the future.

More than half of the money will be used to create more robust back up arrangements for its systems- better safeguarding against cyber attacks which remain one of the biggest national security threats.

Other improvements include digitising the way water hydrants used by firefighters to tackle fires are checked and monitored, an electronic system for recording and maintaining equipment on fire engines and using new data sharing tools to better prioritise safe and well checks for the vulnerable.

Work has already taken place to update the recording of staff sickness, stopping firefighters from having to complete multiple paper forms.

Director of Support Services Stuart Booth, said: “Our firefighters and fire safety officers deliver some brilliant work, but often they are working with old fashioned, paper based systems. We desperately want to modernize and make greater use of technology, to make their lives easier and create more time for them to do what they do best- making local people safer.

“Whilst we can feel safe in the knowledge that our systems and equipment are as safe as they can be, the nature of cyber threats mean that they are constantly changing and evolving, which is why we’re also proposing to boost our back up arrangements so we can seamlessly recover in the event of an attack of this nature.”

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) criticised some fire and rescue services for being slow to modernise their systems and processes, in a report released last year.

South Yorkshire became one of the first fire services in the country to achieve Cyber Essential Plus accreditation last year, further illustrating the measures it has taken to keep its systems and information secure.

The ‘Digital Transformation Roadmap’ will be debated at the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority meeting on Monday 11 February.

The fire service’s governing Fire Authority will decide whether to increase its portion of Council Tax by 2.99% next year, at its budget setting meeting later this month.

Current indications are that South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue will lose around £800,000 in its Government grant funding in 2019/20, when compared with 2018/19.

Householders in Band D currently pay £71.01 per year for their Fire and Rescue Service, around £1.37 per week. The decision to increase council tax would raise around £750,000 in annual funding for the fire service- the equivalent of around 20 firefighters.

The service has previously outlined the financial risks it faces in its medium term financial plan, which it will need to find further savings to address. These include:

• The requirement to save £1.4 million from the service’s annual budget, following the outcome of a Judicial Review relating to the Close Proximity Crewing duty system
• The outcome of a Government pensions revaluation, which will almost certainly mean a sharp rise in employer pension contributions
• An uncertain financial future for all public services, with further cuts likely beyond 2020/21

Plans to be developed later this year will consider how these cost pressures affect the way in which South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue delivers its service to the public in the future.

Fire Authority Members will make their decision on Council Tax at the fire and rescue authority meeting on Monday 11 February.