Tag: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Four-year-old praised for raising fire alarm at family home

A four-year-old girl who raised the alarm after spotting a potentially devastating fire at her family home in Fife has been praised for her “brave and instinctive” actions.

Hollie Aitken was at home in Cowdenbeath with mum Siobhan Mullen last Wednesday afternoon, when a fire began to develop involving a bin and garden furniture at the back door.

Siobhan, 25, was upstairs in the bath when little Hollie went downstairs to find her favourite toy – and spotted smoke and a bright glow at the rear patio doors.

Nursery pupil Hollie ran upstairs to warn her mum, allowing the pair to immediately exit the house and dial 999.

Two fire appliances from nearby Lochgelly Community Fire Station were mobilised to the house, on Arthur Street, where crews worked to extinguish the flames.

Dad Kevin Aitken, 27, said: “It was a frightening experience for Hollie and Siobhan, and we know it could have been so much worse had Hollie not acted so quickly.

“Hollie only turned four in December but she’s such a confident and intelligent girl.

“We are so lucky that Hollie reacted like she did – to instinctively go and warn her mum, which allowed them both to get out of the house and call the fire service.

“The fire engine arrived straight away and the fire was very quickly extinguished. Fortunately were able to limit the damage to the back patio and the rear of the house.”

Firefighters at Lochgelly welcomed Hollie and Siobhan to the station for a tour, and to thank the youngster for her bravery on the day.

Dad Kevin said: “Hollie had such a fantastic time visiting the station, sitting in the fire engine and getting a shot of the hose. The firefighters were brilliant.

“We can’t thank them enough. Hollie’s not stopped talking about it all since.”

Watch Commander Jenny Murray, who was part of the crew from Lochgelly turned out to tackle the fire, said: “We were delighted to welcome Hollie and her mum Siobhan to the station for a tour, and to meet some of our firefighters who attended on the day.

“She was such a wee character, going around and shaking hands with everyone, and she really made our day.

“It was important that we thanked and recognised Hollie for her actions. While the home did have a working smoke alarm fitted, it would appear that as the living room door was shut it had not yet activated.

“Instead, Hollie’s brave, instinctive and quick-thinking actions allowed those inside the house to quickly and safely evacuate, and for the early intervention from the fire and rescue service to prevent further damage to the property.”

WC Murray added: “Incidents such as this also highlight the importance of having a fire escape plan at home. It doesn’t take long to make a plan and it could save lives in the event of a fire, especially if you check and practice your escape plan regularly.

“We offer everyone in Scotland a free home fire safety visit, in which we will help you sort out a fire escape plan and provide information about smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.”

To arrange a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit, you can: call 0800 0731 999; text “FIRE” to 80800; complete an online form at firescotland.gov.uk; call your local fire station

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sign up to support mentoring charity

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has helped launch a pioneering partnership which will see uniformed and support staff act as role models to care-experienced and disadvantaged young people across Scotland.

By joining forces with school-based mentoring charity MCR Pathways, the SFRS has become the first emergency service organisation to sign up to the programme. Continue reading Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sign up to support mentoring charity

Fire and Rescue Service salutes 57 new graduate firefighters

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service welcomed the latest additions to its firefighter ranks yesterday. 

Fifty seven recruits graduated in front of proud family and friends during an emotional ceremony at the SFRS Headquarters in Cambuslang. Continue reading Fire and Rescue Service salutes 57 new graduate firefighters

More than 500 house fires recorded across Scotland during last festive season

The latest statistics revealed this week show that hundreds of Scottish homes were affected by fire over the festive period in 2018.

Figures show the extent of seasonal dwelling fires responded to by firefighters, with a total of 509 incidents recorded between December 10 and January 14. Continue reading More than 500 house fires recorded across Scotland during last festive season

Veteran Edinburgh firefighter’s ‘ultimate accolade’ as vehicle named in his honour

An Edinburgh-based Watch Commander – who is one the UK’s longest serving members of the fire and rescue service – is to have a fire appliance named in his honour. Continue reading Veteran Edinburgh firefighter’s ‘ultimate accolade’ as vehicle named in his honour

Guy Fawkes Night: more attacks on emergency services

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews responded to approximately 359 bonfires across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm yesterday (November 5).

Operations Control firefighters handled 882 calls from members of the public. There were also several attacks on crews, but no firefighters were seriously injured. Continue reading Guy Fawkes Night: more attacks on emergency services

Wholetime firefighter applications from under-represented groups has doubled

THE Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed double the number of firefighter applications from women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community compared to previous years, latest figures reveal.

The Service launched a wholetime firefighter recruitment campaign in April which saw the overall number of applicants rise by almost 25 per cent – from 4,373 previously to a total of 6,075.

And this included 771 applications from women compared to just 360 previously.

It also saw 403 people from the LGBTQ+ community submit applications compared to the previous 168 with 157 applications from those within the ethnic community compared to the previous 69.

As a result, almost a quarter of the 84 new firefighters who began their exhaustive 14-week training course last month are female.

The applications were shortlisted “blindly” by hand – meaning no identifying data was made available such as names, gender, age, ethnicity or sexuality.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Liz Barnes congratulated all of the success recruits. She said: “We received a very high volume of applications and we were clear from the outset that there were no quotas here and that no one had any advantage.

“It was vital that applicants hit a very high standard for their applications to be accepted. Those who were successful should be thoroughly proud of themselves.

“We also encouraged under-represented groups to apply and the figures show that we have taken another step forward as an organisation in reflecting the very rich and diverse communities we serve.”

She added: “Our process is designed to ensure a level playing field from the outset.

“Our standards have never changed, and they are high – but if you have what it takes, then we will help you get there.”

At present less than five per cent of Scotland’s firefighters identify as women, and less than one per cent identify as belonging to an ethnic minority.

Ms Barnes added: “We are committed to ensuring that this Service is as open and inclusive as possible and we will continue to take all available steps to ensure our current workforce is supported to be who they truly are in the workplace.

“For example, we are very proud to be a Stonewall Diversity Champion in Scotland.”

A total of 304 applicants were successful and will undergo training in batches over the next year.

The first intake of 84 new firefighters, including 31 women, began their 14-week course at SFRS’ dedicated training centres in Cambuslang and Thornton this month.

During the course they will not only learn how to tackle fires effectively and safely, they will also learn essential skills such as trauma management, road traffic collisions, safe working at height and ladder skills.

And after passing out, they will have the opportunity to move forwards and specialise in areas such as water and rope rescue, HAZMAT and community safety.

Ms Barnes added: “My congratulations go out to everyone who has been successful in their application – this is an extremely rewarding career and they are joining the Service at an exciting time.

“Not only will they learn how to fight fires and respond to incidents such as road traffic collisions, we are also seeking to train our firefighters to meet the risks a modern Scotland faces.

“This includes the impacts of climate change – such as severe flooding – and helping to keep the most vulnerable members of our communities safe in their homes.

“This community work is vital to how we intend to continue protecting Scotland, and as such it incredibly important that we properly represent our incredibly diverse culture.”

Ms Barnes continued: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each person who applied – and I would ask them not to be discouraged from applying again in future.”

While recruitment for wholetime firefighters is currently closed, the Service continues to recruit for retained and volunteer firefighters across Scotland, as well as positions for support staff.

For more information, visit: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/emergency-services/scottish-fire-and-rescue-service/jobs