A MAJOR drive is underway to ensure every firefighter in Scotland is equipped to save the lives of family pets caught up in devastating house fires.
Continue reading SFRS aiming to equip every Scottish fire station with oxygen masks for pets
Tag: SFRS
World of opportunities awaits: SFRS welcomes 53 new firefighters
Proud friends and family gathered at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s National Training Centre in Cambuslang on Fridayl 13 as senior officers welcomed 53 graduating trainees. Continue reading World of opportunities awaits: SFRS welcomes 53 new firefighters
Motorbiking: the safe way
Biker Down: Firefighters are working with bikers to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on Scotland’s roads.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews regularly respond to serious collisions knowing those on two wheels are by far the most likely to be involved in a tragedy.
As many riders travel in pairs or groups a fellow biker is often the first person on scene following an incident involving a motorcycle.
In a pilot project firefighters in Argyll and Bute, Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire are running Biker Down courses, giving riders potentially life-saving skills to help them make the scene of a collision safe and protect a casualty.
The initiative first came to Scotland in 2015 when Firefighter John Branney of North Lanarkshire’s Cumbernauld Community Fire Station sought permission to replicate the Kent Fire and Rescue Service project.
His team of volunteers – all firefighters and members of the SFRS Bikers Section – has delivered numerous courses over the past year. Their efforts have been bolstered with crews at Oban and South Queensferry also now delivering the courses.
Dozens of motorcyclists from across Scotland have taken part, with the firefighters sharing their experience of attending serious road traffic collisions to make them aware of the dangers that face casualties and those coming to their aid.
Area Manager Iain McCusker, the local senior officer for North Lanarkshire, said: “Motorcyclists are around 38 times more likely to be killed than people in cars, because a collision that would barely damage a vehicle could easily claim a biker’s life.
“Our crews are all too familiar with the devastating aftermath of incidents on the roads. Firefighters are often needed to help people who are trapped and injured following a crash, but sadly there are times when their specialist rescue skills just aren’t enough.”
He continued: “Biker Down isn’t about lecturing riders on the consequences of things going wrong – it’s about equipping them to make a difference if they encounter an emergency.
“If someone there when a crash happens has the skills to manage the scene and provide first aid it could save a life.”
Participants learn ways of making a scene safe, first aid appropriate to common types of injury and how to safely remove a helmet.
The course also helps bikers make it less likely they will become a casualty, by covering ways those on two wheels can get noticed by other road users.
Station Manager Gordon McGuire, of the SFRS service delivery team in North Lanarkshire, wants other motorcyclists to come forward to learn potentially life-saving skills.
He said: “Every day around 30 bikers come to harm on Britain’s roads.
“Biker Down gives an insight to what it’s like at the scene of an incident and what steps can be taken to help prevent them becoming tragedies.
“Learning some basic first person on scene techniques could make all the difference and keep a casualty alive until specialist medical helps gets to them.
“The course is designed by bikers for bikers and we want people to get in touch if they are interested in taking part.”
Courses are currently scheduled to run in Motherwell on Saturday 13 August and in Oban on Sunday 14 and Sunday 28 August.
Dates are yet to be confirmed for the next course in South Queensferry.
Anyone interested in taking part in a course can contact the teams operating in the west and east of Scotland by email to w.bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk (West) or e.bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk (East).
Firefighter Branney said: “Our advice for motorcyclists is always to anticipate the actions of others, make sure they could slow down and safely stop if the unexpected happens, and to position their bike in the safest place to maximise their visibility.
“They should always take a ‘lifesaver’ glance over their shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres, so they know where others are and what they’re doing.
“Because bikers are particularly vulnerable we also need drivers of other vehicles to ‘Think Bike’ and carefully look for motorcyclists, especially at junctions, when changing lanes or turning in the road.”
More information on the courses is available by visiting the ‘Biker Down Scotland’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Biker-Down-Scotland-100598230291251/.
Playing with fire: new home for museum sparks row
The Museum of Fire is to move from it’s traditional home in Lauriston Place out to Newbridge. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service say the move underlines their commitment to the museum but Green MSP Alison Johnstone says an iconic Edinburgh institution will be ‘torn apart’. Continue reading Playing with fire: new home for museum sparks row
Woman critical following Granton fire
A woman is in a critical condition following a living room fire in a Granton Mains flat yesterday.
Emergency services were called to Granton Mains East at about 5:45am.
Crews from Crewe Toll and McDonald Road wearing breathing apparatus rescued the woman from the blazing property. She received emergency first aid at the scene until ambulance crews arrived and took her to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the cause of the fire.
Local firefighters had earlier tackled a chip pan fire in a top floor flat in Great Michael Rise, Newhaven. The incident happened at around 1am. One man was in the flat at the time but he did not require medical treatment.
Girl hospitalised following Gypsy Brae fall
A ten year old girl was treated in hospital following a fall from a zip line at Gypsy Brae on Sunday night.
Firefighters from Crewe Toll, Tollcross and Newcraighall responded to reports that a 10 year old girl had fallen from a zip line at Gypsy Brae, off West Shore Road at around 9pm.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s line rescue specialists lowered themselves down to reach the girl and secured her to a stretcher before lifting her to safety.
The child suffered a suspected broken arm and was attended by Scottish Ambulance Service staff before being taken to Royal Sick Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Join Scotland’s fight against fire
Members of the public have been urged to help firefighters reach vulnerable residents so they can prevent house fires and the deaths, injuries and emotional trauma they cause.
Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, explained: “Fire in the home can be both terrifying and tragic, but simple steps will significantly reduce the risk of it happening to us.
“I am calling on everyone to consider the risks in their homes and the homes of people around them, and then to take potentially life-saving action.
“Firefighters have the terrible experience of attending serious fires, where people have been killed or injured, that need never have happened.
“My message to everyone is don’t let that happen to you or the people around you. Everyone can save lives and protect themselves and their families, friends and neighbours from fire.”
The latest stage of the Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire campaign emphasises the need for all homes to be protected by working smoke alarms, which are known to have a dramatic impact in preventing injuries and deaths.
People should also consider fitting a heat alarm within kitchens – the room where most house fires start – as the devices are specifically designed to give early warning of fire.
ACO Ramsay continued: “The evidence is clear – working smoke alarms have saved lives and are absolutely essential items for every household.
“It is widely acknowledged that working smoke detectors raise the alarm very quickly, meaning there is less chance of fire causing serious injury to people and damage to property.
“More homes than ever are now protected by these life-saving devices and that has led to a noticeable reduction in the severity of the house fires we are called to tackle.
“Incidents where fire spread beyond the item that first ignited to engulf the whole room have fallen by 10 per cent, while cases where the fire spread to damage other parts of the house have fallen by 16 per cent.
“By quickly alerting people to the presence of fire, working smoke alarms give residents the time they need to get out and call us out.
“That not only prevents serious injury or worse, it also means firefighters can bring a fire under control before flames, toxic smoke and heat cause severe damage to a home and rob householders of cherished possessions.”
In an advert airing on television and radio over the coming days, a serving firefighter will share her memory of attending a house fire where a woman was killed.
Watch Manager Andrea Sutherland recalls how she and her crew found a woman in the living room, which was full with lethal levels of toxic smoke – even though the fire had burned itself out without spreading from the kitchen.
In a direct plea for the public to recognise the risks and make sure their smoke alarms work, Watch Manager Sutherland explains: “The lady had simply put something to cook in the oven.
“Like many people’s cookers, her oven door had a handle where she hung oven gloves and a tea towel.
“As she slept the heat from the oven must have built up until it set the tea towel on fire.
“A neighbour spotted the smoke and called us. There were two smoke alarms fitted in the house but she had removed the batteries.
“People often do this because they don’t like the alarm going off when they are cooking – but if this lady had kept her batteries in, she would probably still be alive today.”
In its Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire campaign, SFRS is determined to help the public understand how easily fire can start within the home, as well as the simple precautions that save lives and property when fire does start.
As a routine part of their duties firefighters throughout the country deliver expert advice to help residents keep their homes safe, and SFRS wants the public to help it reach those most at risk.
ACO Ramsay added: “In the past year our crews conducted more than 56,000 free home fire safety visits, where they gave residents tips to prevent fire starting and to buy vital time if it does strike.
“Firefighters conducting free home fire safety visits will even install long life battery smoke alarms wherever they are needed – and it’s completely free of charge.
“It is a hugely popular and beneficial programme that gives vulnerable members of our community friendly support and some very welcome reassurance.
“We need help from members of the public to reach those most at risk. If you keep an eye on a vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour then put them in contact with us – it could save their life.”
Anyone can arrange a free home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS Freephone number 0800 0731 999 or by contacting their local fire station.
Further information on how to keep your home fire safe is available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk.
Public urged to join Scotland’s ‘fight against fire’
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) continues its call to action as it works to protect communities across the country and prevent fire tragedies over the festive season …
As people celebrate Christmas they are being urged to recognise the risks, take action to stop house fires and avoid the deaths, injuries and trauma they cause.
Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS director of prevention and protection explained: “I am urging everyone to join Scotland’s fight against fire and help us save lives this Christmas.
“More house fires occur in December and January than in other months so everyone needs to be aware of the increased risk at this time of year.
“Impairment due to alcohol or drugs is suspected to have been a factor in fires that resulted in 10 deaths and almost 280 injuries during 2012-13.
“The festive season often brings with it a significant increase in the number of incidents and we all need to know combining alcohol with cooking is a lethal mix.”
Across Scotland, 600 people were injured in around 3,000 cooking related house fires in 2012-13, while over the past four years, 60 per cent of all accidental house fires have involved cooking.
The experience of SFRS crews who have responded to accidental house fires is being put front and centre as the service arms the public with knowledge of how they can stay safe from fire this winter.
Adverts on television, radio and in newspapers feature serving firefighters sharing their memories of attending serious house fires, as SFRS drives home a powerful message to drive down the number of fires and casualties.
ACO Ramsay continued: “Firefighters know all too well the tragic outcomes that can result from accidents involving everyday items like cooking appliances.
“Many fires where someone has been killed, seriously injured or left with potentially life-long emotional trauma could have been prevented if simple steps had been taken.
“The fact is that fire can take hold in an instant and flames, toxic smoke and heat can quickly engulf a home to threaten the lives of everyone inside.
“Cooking appliances must never be left unattended while they are in use and anyone who is cooking while under the influence of alcohol must be aware of the risk and take extreme care.
“When fire does start having an early warning is often the difference between life and death, so it is essential that every home be protected by working smoke alarms.”
Public awareness of fire risks has undoubtedly increased and more properties than ever are now protected by working smoke alarms.
While this has reduced the number of house fires and the deaths and injuries they cause, SFRS is determined to make Scotland ever safer and is eager for members of the public to continue to play their part.
Having identified its partnership with the public as key to preventing house fires and cutting the number of injuries and deaths, SFRS officers are clear on the important role played by residents of every community across the country.
ACO Ramsay said: “Fire can strike anywhere – we all need to accept it can happen to us and act to keep ourselves and those around us safe.
“Firefighters will always respond to emergencies with courage and professionalism, but we know there are incidents where the only way to prevent tragedy would have been to prevent the fire starting in the first place.
“That’s why crews across the country have conducted more than 56,000 free home fire safety visits in the past year; helping residents reduce the risk of fire starting and raise the chance of escaping if it does.
“We need the public’s help to reach everyone who may be at increased risk of experiencing a fire within their home.”
“This year, pre-campaign research has revealed that just over 70 per cent of people would refer someone they knew to be at risk for a home fire safety visit or other service.
“We need to capitalise on this. Firefighters are here to help, but the public themselves have a crucial role to play in making Scotland safer.
“Anyone who keeps an eye on a vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour can make a real difference – potentially saving their life – by putting them in contact with us.
“Our message is clear – be an active citizen, help us save lives, make that call and join Scotland’s fight against fire this Christmas.”
Anyone can arrange a free home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS Freephone number 0800 0731 999 or by contacting their local fire station.
In recognising the risks, making sure they take basic fire safety precautions and putting vulnerable residents into contact with SFRS, people throughout Scotland will be helping to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe over the festive season.
To help spread that vital message to everyone it serves, SFRS will share specific safety tips in a ’12 Days of Christmas’ campaign on Twitter and Facebook.
The first message, which will be issued on December 13, will advise social media users to make sure their Christmas tree lights conform to the British standard.
It will be followed with similar to the point tips on candle safety, fire escape plans and overloading electrical sockets, as well as the strong advice on cooking, alcohol and smoking materials.
Members of the public will be able to see these messages by following the official SFRS Twitter accounts: @scotfire_north, @scotfire_west and @scotfire_east, and the official SFRS Facebook page.
More festive and winter safety advice is available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk.