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
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 “
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
“The firework headed straight for Ben and went into his shirt which then caught alight”
AN ex-nurse has relived the horror moment her son was left scarred for life after being badly injured by a rogue firework on Bonfire Night.
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
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.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is warning of the dangers of fire within common areas, stairwells and landings after two fires in Edinburgh over the weekend. Continue reading Stairwell safety warning after Edinburgh fires
Scotland’s firefighters will soon be armed with the very latest firefighting equipment – capable of blasting through concrete and steel. The kit was demonstrated at SFRS’ National Training Centre in Cambuslang yesterday. Continue reading SFRS demonstrates the latest firefighting technology
(Bear’s a wee dug!)
Firefighters rescued a little dog trapped down an underground rabbit warren – by listening for his heart beat.The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was mobilised to help the distressed pet after the alarm was raised at 12.26pm on Monday.
Crews from Linlithgow and Alloa attended the incident at a field in Falkirk Road opposite the Leisure Centre in Linlithgow, and they used specialist equipment to detect the faint sound of the Chorkie dog’s heart beat – after it had been stuck for four hours in the underground labyrinth.
The relieved little dog – named Bear – was rescued and given cuddles from the delighted firefighters. He has since been reunited with his owner and is fully recovered.
Watch Manager Alan Roy said: “This was certainly one of our most unusual callouts.
“The crew initially tried to find the dog by digging into the field without success – but we were determined not to give up on this brave little animal.
“The life detector listening equipment is used in urban search and rescue situations where we try to locate people in collapsed buildings.
“Using a series of sequences we were able to pinpoint the approximate location of Bear who was stuck down one of the rabbit warrens.
“We dug down and were able to retrieve the dog who appeared a bit bewildered but in good health.
“It was crucial we acted as quick as possible so the animal didn’t injure itself.
“He was hydrated with water after his ordeal and after some cuddles from the crew and his owner he looked set to go chasing the rabbits again.”
This is not the first time that firefighters have stepped into an unusual animal rescue.
They supported RZSS Edinburgh Zoo vets during a dental procedure involving Bertus the greater one horned Indian rhino in November 2016, drawing on their skills of searching collapsed buildings to safely manoeuvre the two tonne animal safely into the correct position for the operation.
Highly-skilled firefighters were also needed in East Kilbride in February 2016 when they teamed up with the farming community to battle through challenging conditions and save the life of a horse.
Firefighters, skilled in rope rescue and water rescue, worked to free the animal, a female named Flash Dance – weighing 440 kilos – from two feet of mud at the bottom of a slope. The crew then enlisted the help of a nearby farmer whose JCB digger was used to scoop away six feet of mud – allowing firefighters to get underneath the animal, secure ropes around her body and hoist her clear – She was tired, cold and dirty but otherwise uninjured.
Statutory responsibility for animal rescue lies with the Scottish SPCA however the SFRS will attend to support SSPCA colleagues where requested and particularly where members of the public may also be in danger.
Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal should call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is helping a schoolboy take a step closer to fulfilling his dream. Continue reading Inspirational Andrew’s a boy on a mission
Scotland’s Chief Officer has formally welcomed 58 new firefighters who will work to protect communities across the country. The group formally received their scrolls from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer Alasdair Hay on Friday (July 27). Continue reading SFRS welcomes 58 new firefighters
