South Yorkshire firefighters helping to save lives in Moldova with equipment donation

Posted on May 19, 2016May 19, 2016 by Alex Mills

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is helping to reduce road deaths in Moldova by donating equipment used to cut people free from road crashes.

The service has given its old Zumro cutting gear to a UK fire service humanitarian charity working to in the country improve survival rates from road traffic collisions.

In 2012 there were 2,712 recorded road traffic collisions in the Republic of Moldova, causing 441 deaths. This makes the country’s fatality rate for RTCs more than 10 times that of the UK’s.

Factors contributing to this are the length of time for rescue assistance to reach incidents, a lack of necessary equipment to respond effectively to incidents, and gaps in knowledge of those responding to incidents.

Operation Florian is a project created with an aim to combat this and help bring down the number of fatalities. Fire services across the UK regularly donate equipment and provide training to help achieve this.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Blunden, said: “This is a great cause that I feel really passionate about. The road death casualty rates in Moldova are unacceptably high and I think we have a duty in the developed world to share learning with firefighters there to help save lives. People should be safe in the knowledge that emergency services are there to support them in a time of need, regardless of where in the world they live. It makes perfect sense to donate equipment like this to help support that aim.”

Fire Service donates water safety equipment to charity

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Alex Mills

Firefighters have donated new equipment to the Swinton Lock Activity Centre which offers educational and leisure daytrips on their narrowboat to youngsters.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) has given the charity two water throwlines to assist with the safety on the boat.

Swinton Lock Activity Centre is a community based arts, education and activity centre next to the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation Canal at Swinton. They provide a wide range of activities for young people including fishing, arts and crafts, spraycan art and boat handling on their own narrowboat which is used for residential and accredited boat handling courses.

A number of the youngsters who attend the centre have been involved in anti social behaviour such as fire setting and other behavioural issues and find it difficult to integrate into schools. The centre helps them develop their social skills by offering a variety of activities to take part in which helps to build their confidence.

Crew Manager Adam Dilkes, a firefighter at Rotherham fire station, has been attending the centre for the past two years talking to the youngsters about fire safety and promoting a positive image of the fire service.

Crew Manager Adam Dilkes said; “I am really pleased that we have been able to help the centre by giving them this life saving equipment, and that I also get the chance to educate them of fire safety issues and give advice on life experiences while encouraging the youngsters to think about their behaviour and the effects of it.”

Sharon Cooke, from Swinton Lock Activity Centre, said: “The staff, boat volunteers and crew of Swinton Lock Activity Centre would like to say a massive thank you to South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue for donating brand new throwing lines for use on our canal boats. They are a crucial piece of life saving equipment to have when the boat is in use and for training purposes. Working on and right beside the canal makes water safety a priority for us all.

“As a small independent Charity the help and support no matter how big or small, provided by the local community, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and local business has a huge impact and enables us to help and support others.”

Fire service delivers safety advice to Page Hall residents

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Alex Mills

The fire service has launched a fresh drive to make homes safer in the Page Hall area of Sheffield.

Community safety staff at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue are visiting residents and carrying out home safety checks, thanks to the services of a translator provided by a local lettings agent.

Global Lettings, which is based in the area, has donated the services of a translator to help fire service staff communicate with the area’s largely Roma and Roma-Slovak community.

SYFR Area Manager Steve Helps said: “South Yorkshire is safer from fire than it’s been at any time in its history, but it’s important that we continue to target our safety advice at all sections of the community, including new migrants.

“During a home safety check, fire service staff speak to residents about how to prevent common causes of fire like cooking and electrics and fit smoke alarms where needed.”

Click here to book a safety visit

Fire service launches safety campaign as growth in electrical fires revealed

Posted on May 9, 2016September 25, 2018 by Alex Mills

A rise in electrical fires across South Yorkshire has been blamed on everything from phone chargers to e-cigs.

Fire officers say that whilst nearly every type of fire has reduced significantly during the last decade, thanks to safety visits and better awareness of risks, electrical incidents have stubbornly refused to drop.

Electricity is involved in about two thirds of all accidental house fires, with household appliances the most common culprits.

There were 190 house fires involving electricity in 2014/15, up from 165 the previous year and 150 in 2012/13. The kitchen is the most likely room in the house where electrical fires will start.

Sometimes fires are caused by faulty goods, which could be small items like mobile chargers, or big things like washing machines and dryers.

Fires are also caused by people misusing electrical appliances, for example by leaving them plugged in for too long or covering them up allowing them to overheat.

Head of community safety Trevor Bernard, said: “This isn’t about scaremongering but about making sure that consumers have all the available safety information. The vast majority of electrical goods are manufactured to very high safety standards, but sometimes if they are misused or if there is a fault with the device they can start a fire.
“The simple truth is that homes have more small electrical devices in them than probably any time in our history- from tablets and mobile phones, to e-cigarettes and games consoles. Unfortunately, we can’t get round everyone’s home to check the safety of their electrics for them. But by raising awareness of the biggest safety issues. we hope we can give people the knowledge to check their own electrics and hopefully prevent a serious fire.”

The fire service has issued the following advice to stop fires:

Don’t buy cheap, unbranded chargers and make sure chargers are compatible to the device you are using
Don’t leave things to charge overnight or beyond the recommended charging time. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Keep electrical items away from flammable materials when charging
Don’t overload sockets– long, strip adaptors are safest, but can only take a total of 13 amps

Officers are also encouraging visitors to check the safety of their home electrics by completing a short, online checklist at 13orbust.co.uk

The fire service’s campaign will see advertising vans carry key safety messages to areas of South Yorkshire known to experience high numbers of house fires.

Fire stations seek new cadets

Posted on May 3, 2016July 8, 2016 by Jayne Sanderson

Three Sheffield fire stations are looking to recruit new members to their fire cadet teams.

The cadets train at the stations once a week, learning firefighting skills and techniques from specially qualified instructors.

Fire Cadets also play a key role at community events, and attend team-building days throughout the year.

The three Sheffield stations currently recruiting are:

• Lowedges Fire Station, Lowedges Road, Sheffield S8 7JN
• Birley Moor Fire Station, Moor Valley, Sheffield S20 5FA
• Elm Lane Fire Station, Elm Lane, Sheffield S5 7TU

New recruits must be aged 13 to 18 years old.

Youth Engagement Officer Nicola Hobbs said: “We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated youngsters who are eager to work with our fire cadet instructors to learn new skills, and support the fire service’s work in the local community. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience of fire station life and to work closely with local firefighters.”

For more information, email Nicola Hobbs at nhobbs@syfire.gov.uk

Fire Service recruiting for life changing Prince’s Trust course

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Jayne Sanderson

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) is searching for youngsters who are up for a challenge to be part of our successful Prince’s Trust Team Programme.

SYFR have teamed up with the Prince’s Trust to deliver The Team Programme, a 12 week personal development course for unemployed 16 – 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.

SYFR Team Programme Leader John Daley said; “Our first Team Programme was a great success with ten youngsters graduating and a number of individuals securing a job afterwards. We are now recruiting for our next course starting in May. The course will include team building exercises, work placements, CV writing and loads more, which will give the youngsters a real sense of purpose and achievement.”

Jack Darton, member of the first Team Programme said; “This course has enabled me to make loads of new friends and learn new skills which I will be able to use in my life and help me with getting a job. I owe a lot to the Team Programme and would like to thank South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and the Prince’s Trust for giving me this opportunity.”

To be part of the next Team Programme or for further details contact John Daley on 07769 887249 or jdaley@syfire.gov.uk.

Fire service backs national safety week with stark water warning

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Jayne Sanderson

The fire service has revealed it has attended dozens of water rescues in the last five years, as it uses a national campaign week to remind the public of the dangers of swimming in open water.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is supporting Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week (25 April to 1 May) by asking people to avoid open water- like rivers and lakes- because they may not always be aware of the danger they pose.

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, officers warn.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue have attended 85 water rescue incidents over the last five years, resulting in five people dying.

Firefighters will be visiting water beauty spots during the week to offer safety advice to local people. Safety officers will be at Rother Valley Country Park in Sheffield on Wednesday (27 April) and at Thrybergh Country Park in Rotherham on Friday (29 April), both between 10am and 3pm.

Head of Prevention & Protection Steve Helps said; “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 the summer months, but stick to a swimming pool. Hundreds of people drown each year in the UK and places like rivers, lakes or flooded quarries are completely unsuitable for swimming as they hide a number of hidden dangers.”

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.

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
• Open water can carry water borne diseases, pollutants and bacteria
• 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

Mum issues water safety warning following tragic death of son

Posted on April 19, 2016April 22, 2016 by Jayne Sanderson

The mum of a teenager who drowned swimming in a quarry has delivered an emotional presentation to college students on the horror of losing her son.

Beckie Ramsay has visited Doncaster College to talk to youngsters aged 16 – 25 about her son Dylan who died in 2011 at a quarry in Whittle-le-Woods, in Chorley, Lancashire, aged just 13.

Dylan was swimming in a quarry and had been in the water about twenty minutes before getting into difficulties. He was pulled from the water and given CPR but was unable to be resuscitated.

Ever since, Beckie has worked tirelessly to promote water safety and has launched a campaign in his memory ‘Doing it for Dylan’.

Doing it for Dylan was set up to get water safety messages to children, students and adults to raise the awareness around the dangers of swimming in open water.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) is now planning to take water safety into schools this summer to teach youngsters about the unseen dangers in water.

Beckie said: “I want children to realise just because the sun is hot outside, the water isn’t. Open water is stronger, deeper, colder and more dangerous than you think. It’s not worth the risk to your life and putting your family through the pain that I have been through.”

SYFR Community Safety Officer Gary Willoughby said; “We regularly receive 999 calls in the summer about people getting into difficulty in water. It can be tempting to cool off in the summer months, but stick to a swimming pool. Hundreds of people drown each year in the UK and places like rivers, lakes or flooded quarries are completely unsuitable for swimming as they hide a number of hidden dangers. Remember NO lifeguard means NO swimming”.

You can download a Water Safety Booklet here

To find out more about Doing It For Dylan go to www.facebook.com/doingitfordylan, or follow @missmybabyboy on Twitter.

Landlords’ smoke alarms reminder six months after safety law came into force

Posted on April 18, 2016October 11, 2018 by Alex Mills

South Yorkshire landlords are being urged to comply with new fire safety laws– six months after legislation requiring all privately rented homes to be fitted with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors came into force.

Since October last year, private landlords have been required to fit smoke alarms on each floor of their rental properties and install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms containing solid fuel burners – such as cookers and heaters – or face a £5,000 fine.

Fire officers say whilst most landlords in South Yorkshire are complying with the safety laws, there remains confusion amongst both landlords and tenants about their responsibilities under the new law.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Area Manager Steve Helps, said: “The private rented sector provides homes for some of the county’s most vulnerable groups and there is no doubt that these regulations will make privately rented accommodation safer and save lives.

“We want to help South Yorkshire’s private landlords meet their fire safety responsibilities under this new law and would urge them to take the time to understand the legislation and fit detectors where required.

“Tenants can also play a part in taking responsibility for their own safety by reminding their landlords about the new legislation if there are no smoke or carbon monoxide alarms in their home.”

Your landlord must:

Follow safety regulations
Provide a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a usable fireplace or woodburner
Check you have access to escape routes at all times
Make sure the furniture and furnishings they supply are fire safe
Provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a large House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-landlords-safety-responsibilities

Prince’s Trust Team graduates with fire service honours

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Jayne Sanderson

Ten youngsters have successfully graduated from the Prince’s Trust Team Programme having completed a challenging 12 week programme.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) teamed up with the Prince’s Trust and Barnsley College to deliver the Prince’s Trust Team Programme. Team is a 12 week personal development course for unemployed 16 – 25 year olds, offering work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community projects and a residential week.

The young people have all been thrown out of their comfort zone during the last few weeks, participating in a week-long residential in the Peak District, designing a sensory garden for Greenacre School, worked in the community with various groups as well as learning new skills in individual work placements.

The graduation which was held at Barnsley Town Hall was a great celebration of all their hard work and efforts. It was attended by their friends and family as well as local dignitaries.

SYFR Team Programme Leader John Daley said; “I am really proud of the whole group, throughout the Team Programme the young people have experienced a sense of achievement which has inspired them to move forward with new confidence and ambition. We wish them all the luck for their future.”

SYFR Area Manager Steve Helps, said: “The last 12 weeks have been about building the confidence of these young people and equipping them with the skills qualifications and experience to find employment and build better lives for themselves. From classes in CV building to laboratory visits and work placements we have been able to offer participants crucial skills and insights they otherwise may never have experienced. I am truly proud of the role the fire service has played in helping these young people aspire to a better future.”

Jack Darton, member of the Team Programme said; “This course has enabled me to make loads of new friends and learn new skills which I will be able to use in my life and help me with getting a job. I owe a lot to the Team Programme and would like to thank South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and the Prince’s Trust for giving me this opportunity.”

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

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