A fire chief has described the “harrowing” experience of attending a family home devastated by fire during Christmas. Continue reading Fire chief issues stark safety warning this festive season
Tag: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Your Service, Your Voice: Fire Service consultation results revealed
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled the findings of a major consultation on its ground-breaking proposals to protect Scotland from new and emerging risks. Continue reading Your Service, Your Voice: Fire Service consultation results revealed
SFRS appeals to communities to stay safe this Festive Season
More than 500 accidental house fires were recorded across Scotland during last year’s festive season. Continue reading SFRS appeals to communities to stay safe this Festive Season
Firefighters come to the aid of tyred and emotional rhino!
A RHINOCEROS the size of a small car had to be rescued by firefighters after getting stuck inside his favourite tyre swing – again. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was mobilised to Edinburgh Zoo just before 6pm last night to help the stricken animal. Continue reading Firefighters come to the aid of tyred and emotional rhino!
Firefighter’s poignant transatlantic cycle to mark 30th anniversary of Lockerbie disaster
A firefighter has completed an epic transatlantic cycle to Syracuse University in New York to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Lockerbie air disaster 30 years ago. Continue reading Firefighter’s poignant transatlantic cycle to mark 30th anniversary of Lockerbie disaster
Firefighters deal with more than 330 bonfires on busiest night of the year
Initial figures indicate that Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews had responded to approximately 338 bonfires across the country between 5pm and 10pm on Monday, November 5. Continue reading Firefighters deal with more than 330 bonfires on busiest night of the year
“It is very hard knowing the crews out there are under attack “
Control Room firefighter’s violence plea as he prepares for Service’s busiest night of the year
Experienced firefighters who stand on Scotland’s unseen front line have told how they can suffer verbal abuse on their busiest night of the year. Continue reading “It is very hard knowing the crews out there are under attack “
Anguish as fire crews prepare for busiest night of the year
AN experienced firefighter has told how he feared for his crew’s safety after being confronted by a baying mob in a “warzone” last Bonfire Night. Continue reading Anguish as fire crews prepare for busiest night of the year
Mum of schoolboy left scarred for life makes firework safety plea
“The firework headed straight for Ben and went into his shirt which then caught alight”
![BENMCCABE](https://i0.wp.com/www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/1331636/benmccabe_600x456.jpg?resize=600%2C456&ssl=1)
Amy McCabe was working at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children when she received a frantic call saying four-year-old Ben had suffered third degree burns.
The auxiliary nurse immediately dashed along corridors to the hospital’s A&E department so that she could meet the ambulance when it arrived.
And she remained with her son throughout the next three weeks as he underwent painful skin grafts across his neck and chest before being finally released.
Amy paid tribute to Ben as he issues a stark safety warning ahead of this Bonfire season.
She spoke out as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launches its bonfire safety campaign – urging communities to attend organised displays.
She said: “I am so very proud of my son – he is so much braver than me … and anyone I know.”
Her world crumbled when she received the telephone call from husband Alan on November 5, 2011 just moments after reporting for duty at the hospital in the city’s Yorkhill.
Alan and Ben had been enjoying the fireworks from the safety of their cul-de-sac when the stray firework struck.
Amy recalled: “The firework headed straight for Ben and went into his shirt which then caught alight. He was screaming so loud and no one could believe what had just happened.
“Alan put him into a cold bath until the ambulance came – there was nothing left of his shirt.”
Amy, who was an experienced nurse, told how she battled to maintain her composure after hanging up the phone and dashing through the hospital to meet the ambulance carrying her son.
Her son was left drifting in an out of consciousness after suffering the nine per cent full thickness third degree burns across his neck and chest.
Amy said: “I know what it’s like being on the other side and what to look for … but as a parent it was killing me inside seeing him like that. I had to try and keep calm for the family – and for Ben.
“He was in hospital for 21 days and still needs skin grafts and massages four times a day to keep the skin’s elasticity and that can be really hard going.”
Ben is now comfortable with his physical scars – but the emotional scars still run deep.
In a heart-breaking admission, the inspirational youngster said: “Last bonfire night I managed to make it to the door to look outside but I’m still very scared of them. I usually sit in my room and pretend it’s just another day.”
And Ben, now aged 11, reached out to others to stay safe around fireworks.
He said: “I want people to think about the consequences of setting off these fireworks and how easy it is for something to go wrong – when you don’t know what to do.”
Amy, now a dental technician, tells how she draws strength from her son.
The proud mum said: “I was worried about what people would say when they saw his scars and how he would react.
“There was an incident at the swimming pool when he had his pressure garment on and some boys were staring at him and shouting stuff to him.
“I was looking around for their parents and at the same time worrying what this would do to Ben.
“He came over to me and said ‘Mum can you take the garment off’ – so I did.
“He put his chin up and walked past these boys bearing his scars with this presence that made my heart skip a beat of proudness – he is so much braver than me.”
Amy got in touch with dedicated support group, The Scottish Burned Children’s Club, and the assistance she has been given has been life changing for the whole family.
She said: “Ben is so much more confident and determined and wants to help others. He has an amazing network of friends through the club and I can’t describe how much it has helped him.
“For myself it has been a God-send to meet other families with similar stories – to know you are not on your own and that you are actually doing ok.
“It’s like a new family and a forever connection that no one else can understand.
“You can’t buy the support.”
John Miller is the Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for Prevention and Protection. He said: “Bonfire Night is typically the service’s busiest night of the year.
“We are appealing to the public to attend organised events rather than do-it-yourself bonfires and fireworks displays.
“Our firefighters work extremely hard to engage with people of all ages and equip them with the knowledge and the awareness of how to stay safe around bonfires and fireworks.”
For advice on how to stay safe during Bonfire Night, visit – /your-safety/bonfire-safety.aspx and on fireworks safety visit – /your-safety/fireworks-safety.aspx
SFRS warn about deliberate fires this Autumn
Firefighters were drafted to more than two thousand deliberate fires during last year’s Bonfire season, latest figures reveal. The statistics show that crews responded to 1214 secondary fires – such as bonfires – as well as 748 refuse fires between October 13 and November 6, 2017.
This is an overall reduction of 421 from 2016 but Assistant Chief Officer David McGown branded those responsible as “reckless” and told how they put communities at risk.
He spoke out to warn that firefighters will work closely with Police Scotland and Crimestoppers.
But he also appealed to parents, carers and young people to follow advice to stay safe this Bonfire season including attending organised fireworks displays.
ACO McGown is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Prevention and Protection. He said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire raising because it puts our communities at great risk.
“It presents a danger to life, property and the environment – indeed, it is reckless in the extreme because we see all too clearly the loss and the devastation that can result from fire.
“I am pleased to note a reduction in the amount of deliberate incidents we attended last year but we can never be complacent and we will always work to prevent them from happening in the first place by outlining the very real dangers and the stark consequences.
“We will continue to work closely with our police and local authority partners to ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with accordingly. This behaviour from a very small minority within our communities cannot and indeed will not be tolerated.”
The experienced firefighter also reached out to communities to follow safety advice.
He added: “It absolutely goes without saying that we prefer to prevent fires – not fight fires.
“As a result, our firefighters work extremely hard to engage with people of all ages and equip them with the knowledge and the awareness of how to stay safe and this includes around bonfires and fireworks – but we would prefer everyone to attend organised displays.”
Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.
For advice on how to stay safe during Bonfire Night, visit – https://www.firescotland.gov.
and on fireworks safety visit – https://www.firescotland.gov.
For organised displays visit: https://www.firescotland.gov.