Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issue safety advice around frozen water

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe around frozen water as temperatures look set to remain below freezing in Scotland.

Whether it’s a river, pond, canal or reservoir – frozen water should be avoided.

While the ice may look solid, it can suddenly crack and cause a person to fall through and potentially become trapped under the ice. The consequences can be fatal as the low temperature of the water can bring on cold-water shock which can lead to a heart attack.

If someone does get into difficulty on the ice, the advice is to dial 999, ask for the fire and rescue service and wait for help to arrive. Do not attempt to rescue them as you could be putting yourself in danger.

Parents, carers and guardians are also asked to ensure children are made aware of the dangers of playing on ice.

Dog owners should also ensure they keep pets on a lead and should avoid throwing objects onto the ice for them to retrieve.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander for Prevention and Protection, David Dourley, said: “Following the tragic events of the weekend, our thoughts are very much with the families, friends and local communities at this sad time.

“We strongly urge everyone to please be aware of the dangers of frozen water. We know the ice can look inviting but do not be tempted to walk on ice. It can easily crack and cause a person to fall through.

“Don’t wander too near to the edge, icy conditions could cause you to slip and fall in and don’t be tempted to test how solid the water is.

“Adults should set a good example by staying off the ice and we also ask that parents, carers and guardians ensure children are aware of the dangers of frozen water.

“We don’t want your winter walk to end in tragedy so please avoid going near frozen water when you are out with loved ones and pets.”

Advice for anyone who gets into trouble in frozen water is to try to conserve their energy by keeping as still as possible while waiting for help.

And be aware of the dangers of cold-water shock which can be brought about by low temperatures, which can cause breathing difficulties, blood vessels to close, the heart-rate to increase and lead to a heart attack.

For more information on Cold Water Shock please visit:

 https://watersafetyscotland.org.uk/information/cold-water-shock/

Firefighters attend 356 bonfires

SERIOUS INCIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received 1,025 calls during an eight-hour period this Bonfire Night with Operations Control staff mobilising crews to 356 bonfires. 

The 5 November is typically one of the busiest nights of the year for firefighters.

Five attacks on crews have been recorded, however no injuries have been reported at this time.

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is director of service delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He said: “It’s been another busy and challenging evening for our crews and Operations Control staff around Scotland and I thank them for their dedication.

“We are disappointed to report five attacks on our firefighters. In the run up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken out about this kind of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which sadly happens year after year.

“Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.

“Crews only attend bonfire related incidents when people contact us about concerns over public safety and we extinguish fires that are unsafe.

“We put a huge amount of planning and preparation into this evening with local partners and other emergency services as we work together to protect communities, which is always our top priority.”

Police Scotland’s Public Order trained officers supported local policing colleagues in what proved to be a challenging Bonfire Night for emergency services.

In total, 483 calls were received relating to fireworks offences night. This is a reduction on the 581 incidents recorded the previous year and reflects the positive downward trend in crimes that have occurred over the past five years. Nevertheless, there were still a number of significant crimes arising over the course of the evening.

Twelve people were arrested, and a further 15 were dispersed from Dispersal Zones. Further inquiry to identify more suspects will be taking place over the coming days and weeks.

The majority of serious incidents took place in Edinburgh, where members of the public, firefighters and police officers were all targeted by youths in possession of fireworks.

During a call-out to an illegal bonfire at Langside Street, Clydebank, however, members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were attacked by twenty youths using fireworks. Police Public Order Officers attended and the group dispersed. One police vehicle sustained very minor damage and one male was arrested for assault and culpable and reckless conduct.

Just before 7pm, approximately 100 youths threw fireworks at members of the public and vehicles at Marischal Road in Niddrie. Public Order Officers attended to support local policing teams and were also targeted. A fire engine that was in attendance sustained a smashed window as a result of the disorder, though, thankfully, no one was injured.

While on patrol at around 7.35pm on Ferry Road Drive, Edinburgh, officers were attacked by a number of individuals throwing bricks at their vehicle. Public Order Officers were called to the scene to support and a Public Order vehicle was subsequently damaged when a brick was thrown at the windscreen.

Further incidents in the Drylaw area were reported between 9 and 10pm when the fire service were initially attacked with fireworks while attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire on Ferry Road Drive, and had to withdraw.

Once again, Public Order resources were deployed to support but were subjected to threats and fireworks being thrown by a number of youths, who were also armed with scaffolding poles and a baseball bat.

Further incidents were then reported in the area, after youths began throwing fireworks at members of the public and at Drylaw Police Station. No injuries were reported and no damage was sustained to the building.

Around 8.40pm, a police vehicle was attacked with bricks in the Niddrie area resulting in a window being smashed and an officer sustaining a minor cut to their lip. 

Around the same time within Sighthill, Edinburgh, local officers were within their vehicle when it was targeted by youths with bricks who smashed the vehicle’s windows. This resulted in both officers being injured. They were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. One sustained a head injury that required stitches, while the other needed treatment for glass in their eye.

An hour later, within the Duddingston area, a number of police vehicles had petrol bombs thrown at them by a number of youths. There were also incidents of roads being barricaded by the suspects, which required police to attend and deal with. There were no injuries reported during these incidents.

Around the same time in Glasgow, a male was outside the OVO Hydro, and threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was detained by security staff at the scene. Following police enquiries, two people were arrested in connection with this matter.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.

“However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.

“I would ask anyone who has information relating to the offences observed last night to contact police via 101 so we can investigate appropriately.

“What the events of last night demonstrate to me is the importance of having a robust frontline policing service that can be readily supported by national and specialist colleagues when required. Similarly, working in partnership with other emergency colleagues and local authorities is equally important to ensuring we are deploying the correct level of resource to the right areas at the right time.

“All of those who were on duty during Bonfire Night showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to protecting communities from harm during extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. I am grateful for all of their efforts.”

SFRS: Follow the Fireworks Code

It’s safer to attend an organised event this Bonfire Night if you can.

the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website has a list of events and advice on keeping safe:

http://ow.ly/hQ1250L9SKB

Think of others if you’re hosting your own celebrations and always follow the Fireworks Code.

#BonfireNightSafety

Firefighters attacked last Bonfire Night urge people to go to organised displays

Firefighters who were pelted with stones and bricks at a Bonfire Night incident last year have urged people to go to organised displays.

Cumbernauld Community Fire Station’s Blue Watch was mobilised by Operations Control at 4.49pm on Friday, 5 November, 2021 to reports of a bonfire in the open in a grassy area near the North Lanarkshire town’s Torbrex Road.

What happened next took Crew Commander Glen Reid and his colleagues by surprise.

He said: “Once we arrived we had to extinguish the fire because of a gas leak in the area. I explained this to the bystanders and as soon as we started to put water on the fire we were pelted with bricks and stones.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/HWF_1d3kGCc

“We had to retreat back to the fire appliance where the vehicle then came under attack. We realised that we couldn’t get out the street because it had been blocked off with wheelie bins. Police attended the scene and the youths ran away.”

Three firefighters sustained minor injuries during the incident. Two attended hospital and were discharged the same evening. There was also surface damage to the appliance.

CC Reid, who has worked for the Service for more than two decades, added: “We couldn’t actually believe it to be honest with you.

“Someone could’ve been seriously hurt and this kind of behaviour puts an added strain on emergency services. As we get closer to Bonfire Night this year we’d urge people to always go to an organised event.”

Bonfire Night is one of the busiest nights of the year for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. In 2021, there were eight reported attacks on crews along with the three injuries.

Figures also indicate that firefighters responded to more than 370 bonfires across the country during an eight-hour period on 5 November.

In the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, between 8 October and 5 November, crews around Scotland also attended more than 880 deliberate secondary fires, including bin fires and grass fires.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s head of prevention and protection. He said: “Attacks on our firefighters are completely unacceptable and are carried out by a small minority.”

We know that our crews have a lot of support within our communities. We want people to enjoy themselves at times of celebration but we want them to do so safely and think of others, including our crews who are working hard to respond to emergencies.

“Bonfires and fireworks go hand in hand at this time of year, and we advise people to go to an organised event wherever possible and always follow the Fireworks Code.”

See a list of organised events taking place across Scotland in our fireworks and bonfire safety section of our website.

Plaque unveiled for Scottish firefighter who died in the line of duty

A plaque has been unveiled for a Scottish firefighter who died in the line of duty, on the 44th anniversary of his death.

On 29th October 1978 Firefighter Alexander (Sandy) Drummond of Inveraray Fire Station lost his life fighting a fire which badly damaged the Crinan Hotel in Argyll.

As well as serving as a firefighter Mr Drummond was a former town and county councillor and magistrate, being described as a “noted member of the community” in The Oban Times at the time of his death.

The unveiling ceremony was held on Saturday the 29th of October 2022 at Inverary Fire Station, where the plaque is now situated.  

The plaque is a Red Plaque. The Red Plaque Scheme is a Fire Brigades Union initiative to commemorate firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony included speeches from FBU senior officials and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service senior officers, with an FBU piper and SFRS Heritage group vehicles also in attendance.

FBU Regional Treasurer, Seona Hart, said: “Since 2017, the Red Plaque Scheme has created memorials for firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, with each Red Plaque commemorating a moment in local history and offering a place of reflection for the community.

“Each Red Plaque is funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery, a charitable initiative run by the Fire Brigades Union. Since the commencement of this scheme, Red Plaques remembering over fifty firefighters have been presented across the UK, with each plaque unveiled at a ceremony attended by serving firefighters, FBU representatives, community members, fire chiefs and the family, friends and former colleagues of fallen firefighters”

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “It is vital we remember firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“Firefighters will always fight to make sure that happens. Every day firefighters go to work not knowing if they will come home or not. The tremendous bravery and sacrifice of those who lose their lives in the line of duty should always be commemorated and red plaques help make sure that that is the case.”

The Red Plaque scheme is one of a number of projects funded by the FBU’s Firefighter 100 lottery. The money raised by the lottery is supplemented by money from the FBU itself. The Firefighter 100 lottery can be entered by anyone who wishes to help by using www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk.

The Red Plaque scheme

The Red Plaque scheme was set up during the Fire Brigade Union’s centenary with the aim of establishing memorials to firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

The scheme involves engaging local FBU members, family members or members of the community to work with the union to place a unique plaque. Each plaque bears a similar inscription which honours the bravery and sacrifice of the firefighter whose name appears on the plaque.

FIREWORK SAFETY: Be Safe. Be Kind. Be Smart.

Fireworks and bonfires can be very distressing and dangerous for many people and animals across the country.

Please be aware that it is illegal for the general public to set fireworks off before 6pm and after 11pm in the evening. This extends to midnight on 5 November and 1am on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 includes the prohibition of supplying fireworks or pyrotechnic articles, such as flares, to anyone under the age of 18 and will take effect from this year.

💙Be Safe

– Follow the fireworks code here – https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/you…/fireworks-safety.aspx.

– You can enjoy fireworks safely by only attending organised public displays.

💙Be Kind

– Be mindful of the negative effect firework misuse can have on those around you, your neighbours, your community, animals in the area and the environment.

– Find advice specific to animals here – https://www.scottishspca.org/news/fireworks-advice.

– Respect and support those who are there to help you like the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland and the NHS.

💙Be Smart

– If it feels wrong or dangerous, walk away.

– Know what to do if someone gets hurt or you see something that worries you.

– You can report fireworks misuse or deliberate fire raising to Police Scotland by calling 101 or if you’re 11+ you can #BeFearless in speaking up about WHO is responsible for crime 100% anonymously at Fearless.org.

In an emergency ALWAYS dial 999.

Not following our #FireworkSafety guidance could end in tragic consequences.

#BeSafeBeKindBeSmart

Scottish SPCA

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service: Fireworks Safety

It is safer, better for the environment and often less expensive to attend organised public firework displays.

Fireworks and the law

It is illegal for the general public to use fireworks before 6pm or after 11pm (this extends to midnight on 5 November and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali). It is illegal for adults to buy or supply fireworks to anyone under the age of 18 – with the exception of F1 fireworks.

Examples of F1 fireworks include party poppers, novelty crackers and certain sparklers.  The category of firework is legally required to be displayed on product packaging.

If you are unable to attend an organised display, we would ask you to consider the impact of fireworks on people and animals. It is often children rather than adults who are injured by fireworks.

The noise and lights that fireworks emit can also be overwhelming for people with a sensory impairment and those with neurological differences such as autism. Animals can also find fireworks particularly distressing.

Check back here for details of organised events across Scotland. We strongly encourage anyone who does wish to host a private event to familiarise themselves with our firework code and fire safety guidance.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO ORGANISED BONFIRE EVENTS IN EDINBURGH

Firework Safety: Be Safe. Be Kind. Be Smart.

Help us keep children safe this Bonfire Night. We are encouraging parents, carers and teachers to help us educate children on firework safety.

Did you know Scottish SPCA has lots of helpful advice, games and videos for children to watch.

Visit https://www.scottishspca.org/firework-safety to find out more.

#OpCrackle
#FireworkSafety

Boost for patients as ambulance staff move into local fire station base

Over 20 ambulance staff have co-located to Edinburgh’s McDonald Road Fire Station in a move which will benefit patients in Edinburgh and Lothians.

 The 25 Scottish Ambulance Service staff – a mixture of Paramedics and Technicians – along with two ambulances  moved into the base on Monday 22 June.

The move is part of the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Demand and Capacity Programme, which has seen 540 additional frontline staff recruited in the last financial year, a record number, with plans for the next financial year to build on this.

The Demand and Capacity Programme is funded by the Scottish Government.

To accommodate the extra staff, eight co locations with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been established across Scotland, including four in the Edinburgh area. The first three established were Sighthill, Crewe Toll and Penicuik. Edinburgh’s main station at Peffermill Industrial Estate will remain.

Kenny Freeburn, Regional Director for the East of Scotland with the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “The past 12 months have been the busiest in terms of recruitment for the Scottish Ambulance Service and we are delighted to have moved to this new base alongside our emergency services colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. We look forward to working with them and building on existing relationships.

“There is now an aspect of multi-agency working and training that can take place between both services and as well as being a great new base for our staff, this move ensures that we continue to provide the very best care to patients in these communities.”

As in other co-locations, staff will work alongside fire service staff out of a separate room and they will be dispatched to incidents as per normal procedure through one of our three Ambulance Control Centres (ACC).

Area Commander Stephen Gourlay is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Local Senior Officer for Edinburgh City. He said: “These moves are part of a wider commitment between the SFRS and Scottish Ambulance Service to work even more closely together.

“Co-locations mean firefighters and ambulance service staff can regularly share knowledge and expertise while building rapport. It also presents an opportunity to better understand each other’s challenges. By working more closely together, communities and our organisations will see numerous benefits.”

One of world’s oldest fire engines moved to new Edinburgh home

ONE of the world’s oldest fire engines has been moved into its new home in Edinburgh’s new Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.

Dating from 1806 the horse-drawn pump, originally stationed at Duns in the Scottish Borders, takes pride of place alongside four other classic fire appliances spanning more than 100 years of fire and rescue history.

The appliances were moved by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s fleet team, marking a major milestone in the museum’s construction ahead of a summer opening.

All five appliances played a pivotal role in the history of fire and rescue in Scotland and include a 1939 Dennis Limo, previously based at Musselburgh, a 1911 Halley which served with Leith Fire Brigade, an 1824 hand-drawn pump which was used in Edinburgh City and a 1901 Greenwich Gem, first used by the town of Kircaldy in Fife.

All have been lovingly restored and will feature alongside dozens of historic and modern exhibits and artefacts including uniforms and equipment at the museum’s new premises at McDonald Road Community Fire Station.

Kelly McMeekin, Museum Manager, said: “It has been a journey to get to where we are today.

“The appliance installations have made everything feel so real. We are close to opening our doors to the public and our very proud of the work of staff and the amazing volunteers.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a rich and proud heritage which had a profound impact on the evolution of fire and rescue, not only in the UK, but around the world.”

Rounding out the exhibitions are ‘real stories about real people’, interactives and dress up for the entire family with a view to the working fire station’s drill yard.

There has been a museum in Edinburgh dedicated to firefighting in the Lothians since 1968 when it originally opened at McDonald Road Fire Station before moving to its previous location at the old Lauriston Fire Station before closing in 2016.

Dave Farries QFSM, Watch Commander, was a firefighter at McDonald Road and gave tours at the original museum in the 70s.

He commented: “I started working at McDonald Road Fire Station in 1969, as a Junior Fireman seconded to the Brigade Training School, a year after the Station first opened and remember visitors from around the world being given tours of the newly established Museum on the site.

“After years of hard work by our dedicated Volunteers and staff, it is great to see the gleaming appliances being installed and the new museum taking shape back in its original home at McDonald Road.

“We cannot wait to welcome members of the public, the community, firefighters and tourists to the new museum.”

If you would like to be involved the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is currently recruiting Front of House and Gallery Guide volunteers. You can contact them by email at Heritage@firescotland.gov.uk 

Find out more information about the museum’s development on social media Facebook – Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, Instagram – MuseumScotFire and Twitter – @MuseumScotFire