General

Fire authority agrees 5p per week increase in Council Tax

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has voted for a 5p per week rise in council tax after demands from the public not to cut front line services.

Five fire stations were in danger of closing with the Fire Authority forced to cut £4 million from its £21 million annual budget over the next four years. A 28 per cent reduction in Government grant and high inflation added to the financial problems.

National Chip Week

We will be holding a launch event on Wednesday 22nd February from 10.00-16.00 at Oceans Fish and Chips, Sutton Hill, Telford this will be supported by the Outreach Vehicle and red watch will be attending with the Fire engine in the afternoon.

We will be supporting National chip week 20-26th February 2012 with a poster and information campaign to promote safer cooking.

Motorists urged to take on winter weather warning advice

Despite warnings last week of the onset of snow and ice causing challenging road conditions in places, West Mercia Police have still seen a number of road traffic collisions over the weekend that have been attributed to the bad weather. With freezing fog, heavy frosts and icy conditions still forecast over the coming week, the Partnership and West Mercia Police wish to remind people to exercise caution when travelling on affected routes throughout the region.

“Gas cloud” training for Shropshire firefighters

In a major training exercise Shropshire firefighters dealt with a “gas cloud” over Shrewsbury caused by a supposed chemical spillage at an oil depot.

Morris Lubricants volunteered their works site so that county fire crews could gain knowledge and practice their skills in dealing with a potential major incident involving hazardous materials.

Take a few minutes to pack an ‘Emergency Kit’

With temperatures due to plummet even further and snow forecast over the weekend, it is even more important for motorists to be prepared to deal with the challenges of travelling in bad weather conditions. The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia is advising motorists to take a few moments to pack an ‘Emergency Kit’ in their car in case of roadside breakdown or delay.

Police investigate arson attack fire in Sutton Hill

Police in Telford are investigating following a suspicious house fire in Sutton Hill. The incident occurred sometime between 12pm and 1pm on Tuesday 31st January 2012, at an address on Spring Meadow, Sutton Hill, Telford.

The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire, which was discovered by a neighbour who smelt smoke.

Fire investigators are working with scenes of crime officers as it appears that a fire was started deliberately in an upstairs bedroom.

Another smoke alarm saves pensioner

An 85-year-old Shropshire woman was saved from a house fire when neighbours heard a smoke alarm during an evening phone call.

They immediately called round to see the neighbour in Maesbury at just after 8pm last night (Thursday) and got her out of the house to safety after seeing the kitchen on fire.

Retained firefighters from Oswestry arrived to find the home heavily smoke logged. They administered oxygen to the elderly woman while the fire crew entered her home wearing breathing apparatus to deal with the incident.

Free electric blanket tests

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is working with RMW Electrical of Shrewsbury to test electric blankets for free in the Shrewsbury and Oswestry areas.

If the pilot scheme is successful, it is hoped to offer more sessions later this year across the county.

Community fire safety officers will be at the Lantern Centre, Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, on Friday, February 17. But people need to book their appointment by first calling Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service on 01743 260260 between Monday, February 6 and 10 during office hours.

Casualties rescued at chemical incident training exercise

Shropshire firefighters recently took part in a chemical incident training exercise organised at Bridgnorth Aluminium’s processing plant.

Crews from Ludlow and Much Wenlock were mobilised to the incident and were told on arrival that there had been a chemical spill inside one of the buildings and that two workers were missing. Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the building and quickly located and rescued the two casualties.

Smoke alarm saves woman in house fire

A smoke alarm saved a young woman’s life in a house fire in Shrewsbury late last night (Tues)

Shrewsbury firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced their way into the house in York Road, Harlescott, at 10.30pm when next door neighbours heard the sound of the smoke detector.

They rescued her from an upstairs bedroom where she had been sleeping.

Fire chiefs today said that if it wasn’t for the smoke alarm, the woman may have died. She was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

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