Statement from Fire Authority Chair on the Decision to Commission an Analysis of the West Mercia PCC Business Case

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority have jointly commissioned a piece of work to carry out an analysis of the PCC for West Mercia’s business case to take over the Fire and Rescue Service.

Submitted by Deryn Jones on Thu, 13/07/2017 - 11:40

Telford Firefighters Showcase Their Skills

Telford firefighters demonstrated their skills at a “hugely successful” open day at Telford Central Fire Station.

Families galore arrived early to watch eye catching demonstrations including a chip pan bursting into flames, a rope rescue from a high tower and a display showing how firefighters rescue animals.

Telford mayor, Councillor Stephen Reynolds, volunteered to be the front seat driver cut out of a car by firefighters.

MP Lucy Allen joined the crowds at the Stafford Park station along with Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority vice chair Eric Carter.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Mon, 10/07/2017 - 09:22

All Action Open Day

There looks like being no shortage of action and drama planned for this Saturday’s (July 8) open day at Telford Central Fire Station.

Firefighters are teaming up with police and ambulance crews to put on series of dramatic demonstrations including rescuing “casualties” from a road traffic collision, an “animal” rescue and the rescue of a “casualty” from a high tower.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 13:06

Wanted - More Women Firefighter Recruits

Women interested in a career as firefighters’ attended a successful taster session at Oswestry Fire Station aimed at encouraging more to join Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

During the session they toured the fire station, checked out the equipment aboard fire appliances, tried on fire kit and experienced wearing breathing apparatus under instruction from firefighters.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Tue, 27/06/2017 - 12:03

Shropshire Fire Awards

A “cool-headed” firefighter who saved a young man’s life as he prepared to jump from a Shrewsbury bridge has received the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation for his action in averting a potential tragedy.

Steve Westley “displayed great calmness” last July when he talked to the distressed man for ten minutes before finally persuading him not to jump 30ft into the Severn below.

The firefighter from Red Watch was among a number of awards recipients at last night’s Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service awards ceremony (June 8) held at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 09/06/2017 - 10:31

Call for More Women Firefighters

More women are wanted to train as on call firefighters by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service which is holding another “taster day” just for women on June 17.

Women who live within five minutes of one of Shropshire’s 23 fire stations are invited to attend the session at Oswestry Fire Station from 9.30am to 12.30 to see what life is like as a firefighter.

There are currently vacancies for on call firefighters at stations in Baschurch, Church Stretton, Clun, Bishops Castle, Oswestry and Minsterley but recruits are constantly needed at all of the county fire stations.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 02/06/2017 - 12:47

Award for Longest Serving Firefighters

Two of the UK’s longest serving firefighters are to be recognised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service at an awards ceremony on June 8.

Firefighting duo Phil Smith and Dave Furber have served together at Wem Fire Station for more than 40 years each.

“To reach 40 years service is a huge achievement not reached by many in the UK but it’s not unusual in Shropshire. Our firefighters are amazingly dedicated and deliver levels of availability that many other services would envy,“ said Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Thu, 01/06/2017 - 09:15

What A Try

A Bridgnorth firefighter was among a team of UK sportsmen who got into the record books by playing the longest ever game of rugby.

Firefighter Luke Veal and colleagues from across the UK played a full contact Rugby Union match in Worcester to raise £50,000 for the Fire Fighters’ Charity and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

They beat the current Guiness World Record of 28hrs and 23 mns by more than two hours in a long drawn out game, especially for the spectators, which went on through the night.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Mon, 22/05/2017 - 11:52

Shropshire Smoke Alarms Save 18 in Romania

The lives of 18 Romanian mothers and children were saved by smoke alarms fitted as part of a Shropshire led campaign to improve fire safety in rural parts of Transylvania.

A major fire broke out in a care home on April 27, caused by a cigarette, but residents managed to escape after the alarm was raised. The home’s manager later praised UK’s Operation Sabre for installing smoke alarms as part of a campaign in rural areas of Romania.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Thu, 18/05/2017 - 12:42

A Lift for “Down to Earth” Mayor

Shropshire firefighters boosted the Shrewsbury Mayor’s charity appeal to buy defibrillators for schools by carrying a ladder to the top of Snowdon.

It was a “thank you” from Red Watch to Ioan Jones, the unassuming mayor, who works as a cleaner at Shrewsbury Fire Station inbetween a packed schedule of public commitments and voluntary efforts.

Crew Manager Dave Allen said: “You don’t expect the mayor to be cleaning your fire station. He’s a lovely bloke. Nice to chat to and he’s done so much for the community.”

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Mon, 15/05/2017 - 15:56

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