Tag: emergency services

Bonfire Night: Enjoy – but stay safe

BONFIRE NIGHT

Do you know what your children have planned this evening?

We don’t want anyone injuring themselves or others by playing with fireworks. As well as being dangerous, misusing fireworks is also an offence. Now is a good time to talk to your children about the dangers of fireworks and fires as well as the law, before it’s too late.

Check the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website for more advice and guidance – http://ow.ly/nZgy50x1A3T

Check out the firework code here – http://ow.ly/62Df50x1A3U

#Bonfire19

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to attend organised Bonfire events this Tuesday, November 5.

Private firework displays and illegal bonfires pose a serious risk to the safety of the communities across Scotland.

And SFRS, alongside the Scottish Government, is making a final appeal to members of the public to attend an organised firework display and help curb illegal behaviour such as the construction of illegal bonfires.

Speaking on the run up to Bonfire Night Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart, the SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue service can be up to four times busier than usual on November 5.

“There are many official Bonfire events this year in Scotland and attending one of these can help ensure our resources are not delayed.

“Illegal bonfires needlessly take up our time and put others with genuine emergencies at risk.

“I would urge any member of the public who sees someone starting an illegal bonfire to contact Crimestoppers.

“I would also urge anyone who witnesses the construction of an unlit illegal bonfire to contact their local authority to have it removed.

“Together we can help each other stay safe this bonfire night.”

ACO Haggart was joined in the call by Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham.

Ms Denham also highlighted the distress that fireworks can cause for members of the community as well as animals such as livestock and pets.

Ms Denham said: “Bonfire Night is a chance for families and local communities to come together and enjoy fireworks responsibly. However the noise from fireworks can cause distress to vulnerable members of our communities – older people, those with post-traumatic stress disorder, autism or underlying mental health issues – and to animals.

“I would encourage people to be mindful of this and to attend organised displays where fireworks are set off in a controlled and safe environment.

“Bonfire Night is also one of the busiest nights of the year for our blue-light staff and robust action will be taken against anyone involved in the misuse of fireworks.

“I would urge members of the public to report any criminal or anti-social behaviour to Police Scotland, their local council, or through Crimestoppers.”

Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contacted through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Streets Ahead: City’s young drivers learn risks and responsibilities

Hundreds of new and aspiring young motorists are being given a thought-provoking insight into the risks and responsibilities faced by drivers this week.

Pupils from Royal High School are shown a car damaged by a crash, to find out more about irresponsible driving.

Sixth-year pupils from schools across the Capital are taking part in the ninth annual Streets Ahead Edinburgh Young Driver event, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers posed to newly-qualified drivers.

Amongst the hard-hitting, interactive activities highlighting the potential hazards of driving are the opportunities to try on drunk goggles, crash simulator headsets and seatbelt slides. Pupils will also watch dash-cam footage from Police Scotland and immerse themselves in Digby Brown Solicitors’ ‘mock court’, which recreates the aftermath of a road traffic collision.

The ever-popular event, which is attended by more than 2400 pupils from 31 schools, is hosted by Forth 1 DJ Grant Thomson and is jointly run by all partners in Streets Ahead Edinburgh: the City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, NHS Lothian, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Safety Camera Unit (East).

The event is supported by Digby Brown Solicitors with other participants including the Scottish Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, Brain Rehabilitation Trust and Child Brain Injury Trust.e

Returning this year to speak to the young drivers is Laura Torrance. Laura, 35, has been a wheelchair user since 1999 when she was seriously injured in a car accident at the age of 16.

As well as thought-provoking presentations and interactive activities, sixth-year pupils attending the four-day event will learn about Operation Close Pass, which demonstrates safe distances for overtaking a cyclist on the road and, thanks to participation from Edinburgh Trams and Lothian, will get the chance to sit behind the wheel of a stationary electric bus to highlight driver visibility first hand.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “It’s fantastic to see so many young people engaged in this event, which every year helps highlight the importance of safe and responsible driving amongst some of our youngest and least experienced motorists.

“The interactive element may be fun, but there’s no ignoring the hard-hitting messages it conveys. As a Council, we are committed to keeping everyone safe from the risk of being killed or seriously injured on our roads, and the Young Driver event is a great way of instilling this ethos in the next generation of drivers.”

Inspector Roger Park from the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh said: “We believe it is vital to engage with young people who have recently passed their driving test, who are working towards their test and who are looking to start driving for the first time.

“Police Scotland are pleased to be supporting this important event and to be working closely with our partners in a multi-agency approach to promote safe driving. We hope that giving young people advice and guidance will give them an insight that will help them be safe on the roads.

“There is also a safety message to all drivers, as reducing the number of people seriously injured or killed on our roads is a key priority for Police Scotland and Edinburgh Division. We want everyone, young or otherwise, to be aware of the dangers of speeding, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs. Awareness will contribute to reducing casualties in the future.”

Kenny Rogers, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer for the City of Edinburgh, said: “Young drivers need to be equipped with the knowledge to stay safe on our roads and this event provides a great opportunity for all emergency partners to talk about the potential dangers of being behind the wheel of a car.

“It’s important to show young people how they can take measures to avoid being in a collision in the first place.”

For live updates from the event, check out Edinburgh Young Drivers on Twitter @edinyoungdriver and follow the hashtag #edinyd.

Young drivers: The facts

Young drivers are much more likely to be involved in an accident than older drivers. 17-25 year-olds account for 10% of licence holders, but over 20% of accidents.

The types of accidents which young drivers are involved in are different from older, more experienced drivers. Young drivers are more likely to be involved in:

  • Single vehicle accidents
  • Accidents as a result of the driver losing control of the vehicle

Find out more about the Young Drivers event online.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issues rescue challenge to UK colleagues

FIREFIGHTERS from across the UK will pit their specialist skills against each other in Scotland next month.

The Scottish Rescue Challenge will take place across August 23 and 24 and will see teams test their RTC and water rescue skills in a series of scenarios. Continue reading Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issues rescue challenge to UK colleagues

Firefighters offer vital road safety training for volunteer medical couriers

Dedicated bikers who transport life-saving equipment across Scotland are being equipped to make a difference if they encounter their own emergency. Continue reading Firefighters offer vital road safety training for volunteer medical couriers

Emergency services restructure: ‘raft of improvements’ still required

A review into the 2012 Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act – one of the biggest transformations of a public service since devolution – has concluded that, despite challenges, the reform has led to greater consistency of service across Scotland. This has particularly benefitted victims of crimes such as domestic or sexual abuse. Continue reading Emergency services restructure: ‘raft of improvements’ still required

Scottish Ambulance Service: New response system credited with saving 43% more lives

A new emergency response system which prioritises how the Scottish Ambulance Service responds to its sickest patients has resulted in an additional 1182 patients surviving life threatening illness and injury in the first year since the system was launched. Continue reading Scottish Ambulance Service: New response system credited with saving 43% more lives

GMB welcomes withdrawal of ‘pay-cut proposals’ for ambulance and NHS staff

GMB Scotland has welcomed the withdrawal of planned reforms which would have resulted in cuts to terms and conditions of Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS staff.  Continue reading GMB welcomes withdrawal of ‘pay-cut proposals’ for ambulance and NHS staff