Tag: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Fire Service launches Youth Volunteer Scheme

A young person has told how he is helping to change views of a “tearaway youth culture” in Scotland – by volunteering with the national fire and rescue service.

Oliver McKenzie spoke movingly about his commitment to helping others as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launched its new Youth Volunteer Scheme on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old was just one of more than 80 young people from across the country who gathered at the Service’s National Training Centre in Cambuslang to mark the initiative which was formally launched by Community Safety Minister Ash Denham and SFRS Chief Officer Martin Blunden.

Previous SFRS volunteer schemes have seen young people representing Scotland at UK-wide competitions – and even standing shoulder to shoulder with royalty.

Oliver, who is based at Helensburgh Community Fire station, said: “Being part of the programme has taught me how to talk to and help members of the community, and it lets them see that not all children are up to no good and being tearaways.

“It feels good to go along to events and be out and about in the community and wear the Service crest with pride because you know you’re part of something.”

He added: “I’ve wanted to be a firefighter since I was two or three years old, it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.

“I will be 18 when the Youth Volunteer Scheme finishes, then I would like to apply to the fire service or become a special constable with the Police.

“Being part of this has allowed me to push myself, to learn new skills and follow instructions. I think this will help me find a good job when I turn 18.”

The Youth Volunteer Scheme is currently operational in Helensburgh, Dumbarton, Campbeltown and Kilmarnock. Stations in Tobermory, Peterhead, Wick, Alloa and Methil will also participate in the initiative over the coming months.

It is open to teenagers aged between 12 and 18 and developed around a three-phase programme, designed to deepen and broaden knowledge, skills, competence and confidence.

Volunteer Isla Overend even found herself rubbing shoulders with HRH the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

Dumbarton based Isla, who was crowned Young Firefighter of the Year in 2018 and 2019, said: “I would say my pinnacle moment was when I was chosen as the Scottish Firefighter Cadet representative at Prince Charles’ 70th birthday garden party celebrations at Buckingham Palace, the week after Harry and Meghan’s wedding – and literally stood feet away from them.”

Isla rose quickly through the ranks in her unit to become a Watch Commander –  and now has a SFRS support job, while continuing her higher education studies for a degree in Health Science.

She continued: “I have no doubt in my mind that had I not been part of this scheme, I wouldn’t have had the confidence, experiences, determination, skills and knowledge to choose what is thought of as a leap of faith – especially as my guidance teacher told me I was capable of more when I told her I was leaving school and not returning in 6th year.”

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John Miller is the strategic lead for the Youth Volunteer Scheme. He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people across Scotland to develop their skillset and make a valuable contribution to their local communities.

“The Youth Volunteer Scheme is not about recruiting future firefighters and we cannot guarantee any young person further employment or involvement with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“What we can guarantee is that we will offer as much support and guidance as possible to young people with an interest in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and anyone who participates in this scheme will grow in confidence and be equipped with improved life skills.”

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “I was very pleased to have the opportunity to join with service personnel and the fantastic young volunteers for the launch of the SFRS Youth Volunteer Scheme.

“We all have a part to play in making our communities safer and this initiative provides an excellent opportunity to engage with our young people and promote the behaviour and skills that can improve the safety of the people of Scotland. It will also help develop the overall confidence and life skills of the volunteers involved.”

If you are interested in participating in the Youth Volunteer Scheme contact sfrs.youthengagement@firescotland.gov.uk

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service joins forces with Prostate Cancer UK

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has partnered with leading men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness of the disease and save men’s lives.

Over the next three years the partnership will aim to ensure every Scottish Fire and Rescue Service employee understands the risk of prostate cancer, while championing the work of Prostate Cancer UK in communities across Scotland.

Martin Blunden, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a lifesaving partnership for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service raising awareness of men’s health as we continue to do more for the people of Scotland.

“By partnering with Prostate Cancer UK, we can share key messaging with our dedicated staff and empower them to share knowledge with members of the public, their family and friends.

“With men making up a significant proportion of our workforce, it is also imperative that we have the right partners available to offer advice and support to those who need it.”

Statistics from the charity indicates that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and is set to become the most common cancer overall by the end of this decade. Men over 50, black men and men with a family history of the disease face a significantly higher risk.

Kathleen Feeney, Volunteer Engagement Manager at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We are really grateful to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for helping us to raise such an important health message to their employees and beyond.

“We’re committed to signposting all employees to the wealth of information about prostate cancer on our website or to our Specialist Nurses to increase awareness of this deadly disease.

“One man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer in the UK – a shocking statistic. It’s with partners like the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that we are able to raise awareness to reach even more people and in turn save men’s lives.”

For further information on Prostate Cancer UK visit: prostatecanceruk.org/

Scotland’s new £10.5m fire training centre opens at Newbridge

Firefighters staged a dramatic ‘rescue’ at a new multi-million-pound training facility officially opened by Scotland’s Community Safety Minister yesterday.

The crews raced to a fire at a petrochemical facility and snatched a casualty to safety before dousing the flames during the realistic practical scenario.

They showcased their technical skills to mark the official launch of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s new £10.5million facility at Newbridge.

The facility is now the second largest fire training site in Scotland. It will equip 1,600 personnel from across 65 fire stations with the knowledge and skills to respond safely and effectively to fires within domestic, industrial and commercial buildings.

Firefighters will also be trained to respond to a wide range of other incidents such as road traffic collision, urban search and rescue, mass decontamination, rope rescue and water rescue.

And they will further be equipped to use new firefighting technologies such as Ultra High-Pressure Lances (UHPL).

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham was joined at the official opening by SFRS Board Chair Dr Kirsty Darwent and Chief Officer Martin Blunden.

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “I was very impressed to see firefighters being put through their paces at the new training facility.

“Training is an essential component in ensuring firefighters maintain the skills and professional competencies needed to keep our communities safe.  Having these fantastic facilities in the east of Scotland also allows training to be delivered closer to home, enabling firefighters to spend less time away from their core duties and their families.”

Chief Officer Blunden said: “This is truly a landmark occasion for our national Service.

“This state-of-the-art training facility will ensure our firefighters receive the best training to respond to a very wide spread of emergency incidents including water rescue and urban search and rescue.

“It will also support a total of 42,000 training hours each year for those 1,600 operation personnel. It is imperative that they are equipped with the skills and the knowledge to stay safe when responding to some of the most challenging and dynamic incidents.

“This investment is therefore good news for the communities we serve and protect.”

Board Chair Dr Kirsty Darwent added: “It is a pleasure to be here today to mark the official opening of what is indeed a very impressive facility, and this significant investment signals our very clear commitment to both firefighter and community safety.

“This facility was delivered seamlessly, built in one single phase over just 20 months and I commend our teams who worked so hard to make this possible.

“It even includes a Smoke Cleaning unit which will ensure there are no smoke emissions, therefore minimising our environmental impact which is also to be welcomed.”

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