Sprinkler campaign hits home

A couple who have just moved into a new house in Nutley have been praised by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Authority for having a sprinkler system installed.

Suzi and Toby Christie chose to have the system installed in their timber-framed property because they were aware of the life-saving benefits of sprinklers.

Adrian Brown, Head of Community Fire Safety for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We have been promoting sprinkler systems heavily in recent years and it is pleasing that the message is getting through to more and more people.”

Keith Morris, Managing Director of Ultrasafe Fire Solutions, said: “The difference in this case was that the installation of a sprinkler system wasn’t enforced by the building inspector as part of the planning permission – it was something the couple chose to do so they would be safer in their home.”

Homeowner Suzi Christie added: “The downstairs of the house is quite open plan so we thought it was especially important to have a sprinkler system fitted. Knowing that our home is protected, should there be a fire, gives us real piece of mind.”

The system, which covers every room in the house and is mains fed, will only activate in a room where there is a fire so water damage will be minimal.

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Have Your Say

East Sussex Fire Authority have approved the draft of their Integrated Risk Management Annual Action Plan for 2005/06, that describes the proposals to modernise East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and improve standards of service delivery and drive down risk in the community. The document is now subject to public consultation, until the 24th December.
One of the many methods of engaging with local communities and seeking stakeholder views is a series of Public Meetings around the County. Members of the public will be able to directly speak to senior Officers and Members of the Fire Authority, and to offer their views on how the Fire Service should provide local services.
Dates and venues of these meetings are listed below.
Uckfield Civic Centre 15th November 7 pm
Hove Town Hall 19th November 7 pm
Horntye Sports Complex, Hastings 22nd November 7 pm
Eastbourne Town Hall 23rd November 7 pm

Further information is available from www.esfrs.org or by telephoning the Service Headquarters on 0845 130 8855.
Integrated Risk Management is part of the programme of reform currently underway in the Fire and Rescue Service, allowing each Fire Authority to more effectively manage risks and resources in their area. The Plan looks at how to reduce risk in the community, taking into account the risk from fire and special services, and the risk to heritage and the environment. The primary objective of the project is to make East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service more responsive to locally identified needs and better able to deliver community safety.

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Fire Pay Negotiations

East Sussex Fire Authority support the call for a recalled Fire Forum as a matter of urgency, in order to seek a way forward in the long running firefighters industrial dispute, which has now entered its third year.

East Sussex Fire Authority has always sought to seek a negotiated solution and are extremely disappointed that a final conclusion has not been reached. We understand that negotiations so far have reached a point where a resolution is very near and therefore would urge that the two sides reconvene as a matter of urgency to finally conclude this long running and debilitating dispute.

This Authority are extremely concerned that further strike action may result, placing the public at greater risk, and equally would want to properly reward their staff and action the pay awards negotiated last year. This requires both sides to resume their talks and move forward with a clear willingness to reach a conclusion that is acceptable to both sides, properly recognises the excellent work that firefighters do, and puts public safety at the forefront of the work of the Fire and Rescue Service.

Councillor Mike Murphy
Chairman, East Sussex Fire Authority

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Crews Receive Commendations for Sheep Rescue

Firefighters from Battle, Broad Oak, Crowborough and Lewes have been awarded with commendations from the RSPCA in recognition of their work at an animal rescue last year.

The crews were called to a flooded field in Robertsbridge in the afternoon of December 28th, where 72 sheep had become stranded in floodwater from the River Rother.

Due to the distance of the sheep from dry land, a boat from Kent Fire Brigade was used to ferry crews to the flock. The sheep were then herded towards dry land and assisted through the deep water (as sheep can swim for short distances), with those that were struggling being carried by crews. With help from the RSPCA inspectors, the sheep were then moved to higher ground away from the rising floodwater with some sheep again needing to be carried.

Presenting the commendations, RSPCA Regional Superintendant Alan Goddard said: “Without the help of the fire crews we would not have been able to carry out this rescue and the sheep would certainly have suffered and lives would have been lost. We are always grateful for the help given to our inspectors - it is invaluable to us and to animal welfare.”

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Fire Station Blood Donor Session Hailed A Success

The blood donor session held at Bohemia Road Fire Station in Hastings yesterday (Monday 28th June) has been hailed as a great success by both East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and the National Blood Service.

124 donations of blood were given at the session, the first in the south east to be held at a Fire Station, including blood from 20 new donors.

Station Officer Danny Sherman, who organised the session, said: “It was a very successful day and I know the Blood Service were surprised but pleased with the number of donations they collected. The firefighters were able to give fire safety advice to everyone who attended and show some of the children who attended with their parents around the fire engine, so it was a very worthwhile event. We will definitely be holding more sessions at Bohemia Road, and hope that sessions will be held at other Fire Stations in East Sussex in the future.”

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Blood Donor Session to be held at Fire Station

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, in partnership with the National Blood Service, will be hosting a blood donor session at Bohemia Road Fire Station on Monday 28th June.

The session, the first to be held at a Fire Station in the south east, will be open from 1330 to 1630 and 1730 to 2000.

Station Officer Danny Sherman, who has organised the session, said: “The blood service are always trying to find new venues to hold donor sessions, and I thought the Fire Station in Bohemia Road would be an ideal place.

“In the Fire Service we’re always looking for ways we can meet members of the public, and so the plan is that while people are waiting to give blood, they will be able to get fire safety advice from firefighters, as well as finding out more about what the Service does.”

For more information on giving blood, ring the National Blood Service on 08457 711 711 or visit their website at www.blood.co.uk

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Smoking Materials Caused Fatal Fire

Fire Investigation Officers from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have confirmed that a fire last Thursday (17th June) in which a woman lost her life was started accidentally.

Crews from Roedean and Preston Circus attended the incident at Nuthurst Place in Whitehawk at 0740 and rescued the elderly woman. Unfortunately, she died later in hospital. The Fire Investigation Team, working with Scenes of Crime Officers from Sussex Police and Forensic Science, believe the fire was started by smoking materials.

It is thought a smoke alarm, fitted as part of the Service’s Home Fire Safety for East Brighton project, did raise the alarm but the occupant was too frail to escape unaided.

Station Officer Richard Fowler from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “A third of all fire deaths in this country are caused by smoking materials, and sadly, most of these could be avoided if people took a few simple precautions. For example, always use a proper ashtray and put it where it can’t be knocked over, and make sure that cigarettes and matches are completely extinguished.

“This incident is also a tragic example of why East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has been campaigning for legislation to be introduced so that residential sprinklers are installed in properties. Smoke alarms are vital for giving the early warning that there is a fire, but you then have to make your escape. A sprinkler system is one step on from this as it raises the alarm and also controls the fire as well. In cases such as this where the occupants are unable to escape unaided, sprinklers would be invaluable in saving lives.”

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Service Issues Warning on Furniture

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has issued a warning about poor quality furniture on sale following information received from Trading Standards in other parts of the country.

The warning was given after furniture that was being sold as leather was seized and found to be made of grained plastic. The furniture was of substandard construction but was fitted with convincing fire safety labels.

The furniture has no identifying markings or traceability and is being sold either door-to-door or through advertisements in local newspapers.

Assistant Divisional Officer Peter Higgins said: “Tests were carried out on the seized furniture under controlled conditions, which found that when on fire, the furniture gave off toxic fumes and large amounts of thick acrid smoke. The fire was also able to develop and spread much quicker than it would usually.

“If anyone has any concerns about furniture they have bought or have been offered, they should contact their local Trading Standards Office.”

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How Will You All Get Out Alive?

GOVERNMENT AND EAST SUSSEX FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO SAVE LIVES

Imagine you wake up in the middle of the night to find your house on fire and your bedroom full of thick black smoke. Would you know what to do?

Latest research shows that 62% of people have not planned how they would escape from their home in the event of a fire, which is why a national campaign entitled “How will you all get out alive?” is launched today (Tuesday 15th June). The campaign builds on a successful campaign run during Autumn 2002 and will use hard-hitting television adverts to stress the importance of knowing what to do if a fire breaks out in your home.

One person who knows just how important it is to have planned an escape route is Sally Wellings, who was woken up at 5.45 one morning at her home in Pevensey by a smoke alarm sounding.

Sally said: “At first I couldn’t work out what the noise was, and then I smelt burning. We opened the bedroom door and dense acrid smoke hit us immediately. Within seconds we were coughing and spluttering and our eyes were streaming. We couldn’t see anything; the smoke was an impenetrable mass.”

Sally and her husband were lucky that they were able to escape, but as Sally admits, “If the flames had penetrated upstairs we would have had no escape route.”

ADO Bob Trotter, Head of Community Safety for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: “If a fire breaks out, you only have 2 minutes to escape. Therefore, it is extremely important that everyone knows what to do incase there is ever a fire in your home.”

When planning an escape route from your home, you should bear the following in mind:

• Make sure everyone, most importantly children, knows where to go if there’s a fire. Talk it through with them and plan ahead together.
• Let everyone know where to find keys to the doors and windows.
• The best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home, so keep it clear! Always have a second escape route in case the first one is blocked.

However, the first stage of any fire plan is to make sure you have smoke alarms fitted and tested regularly, so that you are given the maximum early warning if a fire starts in your home at night.

For Sally Wellings, this is something that can’t be stressed enough; “I really don’t think we would be alive today if it were not for the smoke alarms. Please please if you don’t already have them in your home, install them today.”

ADO Trotter said, “Planning an escape route and fitting smoke alarms are very simple things to do, but they really could save the lives of you and your family.”

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Authority Elects Chairman and Vice Chairman

The eighteen members of East Sussex Fire Authority held their quarterly meeting today (Thursday 3rd June) at Fire Service Headquarters in Eastbourne. At the meeting, Councillor Mike Murphy was elected as Chairman with Councillor Ted Kemble as Vice Chairman for the coming twelve months.

The Fire Authority is made up of twelve Councillors nominated by East Sussex County Council and six Councillors nominated by Brighton & Hove City Council. The members are:

East Sussex County Council

Councillor Dyason (Conservative)
Councillor Gadd (Conservative)
Councillor Mrs. Healy (Liberal Democrat)
Councillor Mrs. Leigh (Conservative)
Councillor Livings (Conservative)
Councillor Lock (Conservative)
Councillor Murphy (Conservative)
Councillor Neighbour (Liberal Democrat)
Councillor Reid (Conservative)
Councillor Scott (Labour)
Councillor Skilton (Liberal Democrat)
C ouncillor Stevens (Liberal Democrat)

Brighton & Hove City Council

Councillor Burgess (Labour)
Councillor Fitch (Labour)
Councillor Hawkes (Labour)
Councillor Kemble (Conservative)
Councillor Paskins (Green)
Councillor G. Theobald (Conservative)

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Service Joins Forces with RoSPA

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have become the first Service in the south east to join forces with RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), to ensure their response drivers are trained to the highest possible standard.

Under the RoSPA Road Safety partnership, all fire engine and response car drivers have been receiving additional training beyond their compulsory driving instruction and taking a test to give them membership to the RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association.

And the good news is that of the 188 Service drivers who have been tested so far, 132 have been awarded the Gold Grade, the highest possible award.

On the scheme, each car driver does a 2 day course that teaches a system for dealing with hazards, and includes questions from the highway code and on car maintenance. This is followed by a test lasting 1½ hours, and conducted on different types of road to include a variety of hazards and conditions.

A pass at Gold, Silver or Bronze is equivalent to a BTEC level 3, a form of NVQ from the Edexcel foundation and means the candidate is classified well above average. A refresher test is taken 3 years later.

Ron Childs, the Service’s Driver Training Manager said: “The Service takes a serious view of the duty of care it owes its employees as well as the public as a whole. Membership of the RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association will serve to reinforce that view as well as bring benefits for all concerned.”

Councillor Mike Murphy, who as Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority has undergone the advanced training himself, said: “It's over 40 years since I took my driving test and I was extremely impressed with the course and what I learnt from it. I'm pleased that East Sussex Fire Authority is investing in their staff, ensuring that all drivers are trained to the highest possible standard.”

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Retained Firefighters Needed

Despite a number of campaigns in recent years to recruit more retained (part-time) firefighters in East Sussex, vacancies still exist at sixteen of the county’s Fire Stations.

And with the next recruitment day being held in May, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is asking members of the public to give some serious thought to whether becoming a retained firefighter could be for them.

The Fire Stations currently with vacancies are: Battle, Bexhill, Broad Oak, Burwash, Forest Row, Heathfield, Herstmonceux, Lewes, Mayfield, Newhaven, Pevensey, Rye, Seaford, The Ridge (Hastings), Uckfield and Wadhurst.

Retained firefighters either live or work near to a Fire Station, and remain on-call through their pager. When they are paged to attend an incident, the firefighters have to leave their home or work immediately and get to the Fire Station as quickly as possible.

Spokesperson for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Suzanne Gooch, said: “Although we have been able to recruit a number of retained firefighters in the past few years, there are still shortages in some areas.

“Changes in lifestyle have made it more and more difficult to recruit retained staff, as very few people now work near to where they live. Whereas previously retained firefighters were tradesmen based in the town or village, today they could just as likely be mothers whose children are now at school.

“There’s a misconception that to be a retained firefighter you have to be available 24 hours a day, which is not the case as there are different duty patterns available. Basically we’re interested in hearing from anyone who is over 18, has a good level of fitness and spends a fair amount of time within 4 minutes of any of the Fire Stations where there are vacancies.”

For more information on becoming a retained firefighter, visit the careers pages at www.esfrs.org or ring 01323 462349 for an information pack.

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Trainees Set New World Record

The 36th trainees of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are celebrating after setting a new world record by climbing Mount Everest on step machines in 1 hour, 56 minutes and 29 seconds, whilst raising over £5,000 for charity.

The trainees, divided into two teams of ten, climbed to the height of 8,848m. on two step machines whilst wearing full fire kit and breathing apparatus.

The aim of the event, held in the Churchill Square Shopping Centre on Sunday 4th April, was to raise money for the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and the Children’s Fire & Burn Trust. Money is still being collected, but the grand total currently stands at over £5,000.

The trainees were supported in their efforts by Life Fitness, Pizza Fritta, McDonalds, Café Giardino, Millie’s Cookies, London to Brighton Hog and Churchill Square.

Leading Firefighter Matt Lloyd, who’s an instructor on the Trainees Course and took part in the challenge, said: “We’d been training for about a month for this, and thought it would take a couple of hours, so to do it in under two was a fantastic achievement.

“On behalf of everyone involved I would like to thank all our sponsors, as their donations and help made our challenge that much easier. I should also thank everyone who came along to support us on the day and gave so generously”.

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Proposals Approved by Fire Authority

At their meeting yesterday (Tuesday 23rd March), East Sussex Fire Authority finalised their plans to change the way that incidents are dealt with and resources are used under the Integrated Risk Management programme for 2004/05.

The proposals, which related to the way in which calls to Automatic Fire Detection Systems and Road Traffic Collisions are dealt with, and the way in which aerial appliances are used, were put forward in October and have been under public consultation.

Response to Automatic Fire Detection Systems (AFD’s)
The Fire Authority agreed that only one fire engine will be sent to an AFD in a commercial premises, unless there is further evidence that there is a fire. This will mean that resources can be re-directed towards community safety initiatives. It was also agreed that calls originating from alarms in domestic properties, houses of multiple occupation and residential care homes will still receive the full response of two fire engines.

Road Traffic Collisions (RTC’s)
The Authority agreed to adopt standards for the first fire engine to reach 50% of RTC’s in 8 minutes and 90% within 13 minutes.

Aerial appliances
The Authority amended their original proposal, and agreed that aerial appliances will be sent to incidents automatically between the hours of 2100 and 0600. Outside of these hours, aerial appliances will only be sent when specifically requested from the incident or when information received from the caller indicates that one is needed. This means that staff will be available to undertake preventative and proactive safety work. It was also agreed that the crew of the aerial appliance at Hove Fire Station would be used for other duties, with the City being covered by the aerial appliance at Preston Circus Fire Station. The vehicle at Hove would remain available, and the crew could be recalled from their other duties if necessary.

These changes will take effect from April 1st 2004.

Since the proposals were put forward in October, a comprehensive consultation programme with members of the public, staff and other partners has taken place. This included personal letters sent to 400 stakeholders, a postal survey of 5,000 homes in the County, focus groups and the distribution of 1,000 hardcopy plans.

Results from the independent postal survey showed that 85% of respondents were satisfied with the Authority’s original proposals, whilst the outcome from the focus groups (held in Brighton, Crowborough, Eastbourne and Hastings) was also supportive. A large number of questionnaires were returned expressing a lack of support for the proposals, but doubts over the legitimacy of a substantial number of these returns meant that they could not be considered as genuine responses from the public.

Councillor Mike Murphy, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, said: “The Fire Authority has listened to what the people of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove have said about the proposals. They have also listened to our staff and taken on board their concerns. I am confident that this modified course of action will meet the concerns expressed and also allow us to drive down the incidence of fire in our communities to the benefit of all.”

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Trainees Prepare for World Record Attempt

The 36th trainees of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will be aiming to set a new world record on Sunday 4th April at Churchill Square Shopping Centre in Brighton, whilst raising money for charity.

The 18 trainees, divided into 2 teams of 9, will be competing against each other to set the record for climbing the height of Mount Everest (8,848m.) on step machines while wearing full fire kit and breathing apparatus.

Chris Eubank will officially start the record attempt, in the lower mall of the Centre, at 11am. All money raised will be donated to the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and the Children’s Fire and Burn Trust.

The trainees are being supported in their efforts by Life Fitness, who have supplied the step machines for the event.

Liz Turnbull of the Children’s Fire and Burn Trust said: “We’re always grateful for the support we receive from the Fire Services in East and West Sussex, which helps us to continue our work in rehabilitating burns victims and giving fire safety education to children.

“The trainees and their instructors have put a great deal of effort into this event, so we hope people will go along and show their support for the tremendous work they’ve done.”

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Smoke Alarm Removed From House

Following a serious fire at a house in Brighton last Friday (27th February), it has been revealed that a smoke alarm, fitted in the property in July 2002 by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, had been removed.

The alarm had been fitted as part of the Service’s “Home Fire Safety for East Brighton” project, which has successfully reduced the number of fires in the area. Through the scheme, a total of 3,124 homes have had free 10-year smoke detectors fitted.

Four fire engines and twenty firefighters attended Friday night’s incident in Southall Avenue, Moulsecoomb, just after 7pm. The occupants of the house only realised something was wrong when they heard tiles falling down the stairs from an upstairs ceiling, and were able to escape. The first floor of the property was severely damaged in the fire, which is believed to have been started by an electrical fault.

Station Officer Mick Meik, who attended the incident, said: “The people in the house were very lucky that this happened during the evening, and not at night when they were asleep. If the smoke alarm had still been there, they would have been aware of the fire and called us out much earlier on, so the damage caused to the house would have been minimal. As it is, they’ve had to move out because the first floor was so badly damaged.

“It goes without saying that removing smoke alarms is a stupid thing to do. Every home should have at least one, because if there’s a fire in your home, it will give you early warning so you have the best chance of escaping.”

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East Sussex Firefighters train for Hastings Half Marathon

In preparation for their attempt to run the Hastings Half Marathon in breathing apparatus, four firefighters from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will be training on running machines in the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre on Saturday 6th March from 9am.

Although firefighters have run the Half Marathon before, this is the first time it will be done “under air” whilst using breathing apparatus. This means each firefighter will be wearing a breathing apparatus set weighing 18kg. on his back, which is likely to be extremely uncomfortable and cause blisters as the sets were not designed to be worn whilst running. Wearing the set will also make it difficult for the firefighters to drink enough water to keep themselves hydrated.

The four firefighters, Gary Henderson, Adam Henstock, Chris Mepham and Dave Milham were all on East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s last recruits course, which passed out from Training Centre in December. Gary and Chris are now stationed at Bohemia Road Fire Station in Hastings, while Adam and Dave are based at Eastbourne.

All money raised by the four will be split between the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund and the Children’s Fire and Burn Trust.

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“Put It Out. Right Out”
Government and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Launch Campaign

A new Government campaign to warn people about the dangers of careless smoking is being launched today (March 1st) by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, supported by national television advertising. “Put it out. Right out” will show how easily fires can start from just one cigarette and how quickly they can spread with tragic results.

In East Sussex, the number of smoking related fires has increased by 22% in the last year, and they now account for approximately 1 in 20 of the property fires that crews are called to. Nationally, a third of all fire deaths in the home are caused by smoking materials, and only last month, a person lost their life in one such fire in East Sussex.

ADO Bob Trotter of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “Cigarette fires are the biggest killer as they often happen at night after people have gone to bed. Also people are more relaxed in the evening and may have had a few drinks or be tired so are therefore less vigilant when extinguishing their cigarettes. A cigarette burns at 700°C, so make sure when you put it out, it really is out. That final check could save you and your family’s lives.”

Fires caused by cigarettes can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions:

• Never smoke in bed
• Never leave lit cigarettes lying around
• Always use a proper ashtray and make sure it can’t be knocked over
• Take special care when you are tired or when you’ve been drinking
• Keep matches and lighters away from children
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm

The national campaign is launched today (March 1st) and will feature TV, radio, point of purchase and online advertising and is being supported by Ei Electronics, Energizer, esure, Help the Aged, Homebase, Lloyds Pharmacy and Woolworths.

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Fatal Fire Caused by Smoking Materials

Fire Investigation Officers from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have confirmed that a fire in a mobile home in which an elderly woman lost her life was started accidentally.

Two crews from Heathfield and one from Mayfield attended the incident in Hadlow Down just after 2am on Monday morning. The Fire Investigation Team, working with Scenes of Crime Officers from Sussex Police, have spent two days at the scene and believe the fire was started by smouldering smoking materials.

A working smoke alarm had been removed from the ceiling the day before when it was set off by smoke from a wood burning stove. Unfortunately, it was left on a table and so did not raise the alarm.

Assistant Divisional Officer Peter Cox, who investigated the fire, said: “One third of the fire deaths in this country are caused by cigarettes, and the tragedy is that most of these deaths could be prevented if a few simple precautions were taken. For example, always use a proper ashtray and make sure it can’t be knocked over. You should also never smoke in bed, and take extra care when you’re tired or have been drinking, making sure that cigarettes are completely extinguished.

“I would also take this opportunity to remind people how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted in your home. Ideally, they should be fitted between the living and sleeping areas, and if they’re set off accidentally when you’re cooking etc., they need to be moved to a more suitable position.”

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Fire Authority Sets Budget

At its quarterly meeting held today (Friday 13th February), East Sussex Fire Authority agreed a budget for 2004/05 of £32.752m. This is a 12.9% increase on the budget for 2003/04 and sets the council tax charge for a Band D property at £63.80.

At their previous meeting in December, the Authority had wished to support a higher budget in its first year under new national funding arrangements. The views of local council taxpayers on these original budget proposals had been sought through a consultation exercise and the results showed strong support from the local community for the plans. Despite this, the Fire Authority was unable to ignore the threat of capping from recent Government guidance, and therefore, had to reduce its previous investment proposals.

However, in line with proposals to modernise services, the Authority will still invest in improving its community fire safety services including training firefighters to carry out home fire safety checks and fitting smoke alarms in homes most at risk. Additional investment will also provide new equipment on fire engines and training to allow initial medical assistance to be given to accident victims.

Councillor Mike Murphy, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, said: “The magnitude of the implications of capping being imposed by the Government upon East Sussex Fire Authority in its first year of financial independence would be severe, and yet the actual impact of Fire Authority costs upon local council taxpayers is, in real terms, small (approximately 6% of the overall council tax bill).

“Whilst the Government has expressed its concerns about the costs of the Fire Service, the fact remains that even at an average cost of £63.80 per annum per household, Fire Authorities, including East Sussex, provide a good protection and intervention service to their local communities.”

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Reminder: Have Your Say On The Future of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service

With the public consultation phase of East Sussex Fire Authority’s Integrated Risk Management Plan ending on February 20th, members of the public are being reminded to take the opportunity to have a say on this year’s proposals.

The changes being proposed for East Sussex will affect the way that calls to Automatic Fire Alarms are dealt with and when Aerial Appliances will attend incidents. These changes have been suggested following detailed analysis showing that 92% of calls to Automatic Fire Alarms are false alarms with only 0.5% requiring any action from firefighters, and that Aerial Appliances are only used at 3% of the incidents they are sent to. By making these changes, the Service will be able to redirect time and resources into community safety activities.

Anyone who wishes to give their views can email their comments to irm@esfrs.org or fill in an on-line questionnaire at www.esfrs-irm.org Alternatively, you can write to the IRM Team at East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, 20 Upperton Road, Eastbourne.

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Hove Firefighters Issue Kitchen Fire Warning

Firefighters in Hove have issued a warning following a sharp increase in the number of kitchen fires they have attended during January.

Since the beginning of the year, crews at Hove have been to 10 kitchen fires, accounting for 71% of the accidental domestic fires they have attended. Most of these calls were caused by carelessness when cooking.

Leading Firefighter David Washington of Red Watch said: “We’re very concerned about the number of kitchen fires we’re attending lately, especially when almost all of them have been down to carelessness and could have been prevented.

“Luckily, all of the properties involved have had working smoke detectors fitted, so the alarm was raised and we were able to deal with the fire quickly. Our concern is that it won’t be long before someone gets seriously injured or worse at one of these incidents.

“Our advice to people is never to leave cooking unattended, and never overfill a frying pan or let it overheat. Also, don’t try to cook when you’ve been drinking alcohol, because it’s so easy to fall asleep or forget what you were doing. Finally we would remind people that smoke alarms really do save lives, so make sure you have one fitted and check the battery every week.”

Anyone who would like further information on fire safety in the home should contact the Community Safety Hotline on 0800 731 9119.

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No Smoke Alarms fitted in Fatal Fire

Following last night’s fatal fire in St. Leonards, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have confirmed that no smoke detectors were fitted in the property.

Two fire engines from Bohemia Road and The Ridge together with an aerial appliance (which was available if needed, but not used for rescues), attended the incident in Church Road at 21:32. One man was rescued by crews and given oxygen, but was pronounced dead a short time later. The building was a house of multiple occupation, and residents from the other seven flats all escaped without injury.

Suzanne Gooch, Spokesperson for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: “As there was no smoke detector fitted, this fire had been able to build up over time and the alarm was only raised when a passer-by noticed smoke.”

“Had smoke alarms been fitted in this property, they could have saved this man’s life. They would also have given early warning to the other residents, who have all been extremely lucky to escape unhurt.”

“This incident is also another example of why the Service believes so strongly in residential sprinkler systems, and is campaigning for them to be fitted in all houses of multiple occupation, where statistics show a person is seven times more likely to die in a fire. Not only would a sprinkler system have controlled the fire, but it would have raised the alarm at an early stage as well.”

A fire investigation team are expected to remain at the scene for most of today (Tuesday 13th January), although the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Members of the Service’s Community Fire Safety team will be spending time in the Church Road area today, giving fire safety advice and fitting smoke alarms.

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New Incident Command Unit

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have taken delivery of a new Incident Command Unit (ICU) which will be based at Lewes Fire Station.

The vehicle will replace the present Unit, which has been in use since 1978. The ICU is used at incidents requiring five or more fire engines, where it acts as a mobile office so that the incident can be managed from a static location nearby.

Inside, the vehicle has three main areas, dedicated to Communications, Intelligence and Command. The unit is fitted with the latest technology, including touch screen mobile data terminals, electronic whiteboards, a 30-inch flat screen and radio, fax and landline communication systems. The entire vehicle is also air-conditioned.

The vehicle has been built by John Dennis Coachbuilders of Guildford, based on the DART SLF 10 metre chassis with raise and lower air suspension, with internal equipment fitted by Petards and 2ES.

Having seen the new vehicle, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, Councillor Mike Murphy, said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to inspect the new Incident Command Unit, and I was tremendously impressed with its capabilities. This is another example of the Fire Authority investing in the future to give our firefighters the best tools to do the job.”

The Unit will be in use across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove shortly.

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Illegal Car Crackdown in Wealden

Wealden’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership has a New Year’s Resolution – to remove untaxed and abandoned cars.

As part of the continued work of Wealden’s CDRP, the Wealden Vehicle Crime Action Group (VCAG) are on the lookout for untaxed and abandoned cars and will seek to remove them from the streets in a series of joint initiatives throughout Wealden over the next few months that will include roadside safety checks and confiscation of untaxed cars.

Group Chairman, Roger Easey of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service explains: “An untaxed car is often uninsured, without an MOT certificate and likely to be in a dangerous, unroadworthy condition.

“Abandoned cars are a target for vandals and are often set alight causing problems for residents and the Emergency Services. For those motorists who continue to flout the law and the safety of neighbours – be warned. The VCAG is determined to continuously tackle this problem and you could find yourself targeted soon.”

The VCAG is a partnership of agencies that includes representatives from Wealden District Council, Trading Standards, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, the DVLA and Sussex Police. By working together, the Group’s aim is to reduce car related crime in the community, including vehicle theft, joy riding, illegal parking and untaxed and abandoned cars.

If you suspect a car has been abandoned or is untaxed, you can call the following telephone numbers in confidence: for untaxed vehicles ring the DVLA on (01273) 690928, for abandoned vehicles ring (01892) 602730 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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The Future of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service - Have Your Say

Following the publication of their Integrated Risk Management Plan, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will be holding a public consultation meeting on Thursday 15th January at their Headquarters in Upperton Road, Eastbourne.

The meeting gives members of the public the opportunity to find out more about the Service’s plans to improve standards of service delivery through modernisation and have their say on the proposals.

The changes being proposed for East Sussex will affect the way that calls to Automatic Fire Alarms are dealt with and when Aerial Appliances will attend incidents. These changes have been suggested following detailed analysis showing that 92% of calls to Automatic Fire Alarms are false alarms with only 0.5% requiring any action from firefighters, and that Aerial Appliances are only used at 3% of the incidents they are sent to. By making these changes, the Service will be able to redirect time and resources into community safety activities.

Councillor Mike Murphy, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, said: “The emphasis of our work is now on preventing emergencies from happening in the first place, so changing the way that resources are used and incidents are dealt with will mean crews have more time for proactive community safety work.”

“This meeting is an important part of the consultation process as we want to hear the public’s views on our proposals, so I would encourage as many people to attend as possible.”

Members of the public who would like to attend the meeting or who would like a copy of the Plan should ring East Sussex Fire & Rescue Headquarters on 0800 731 9119 to reserve a place. The meeting will begin at 1900.

Further information is also available at www.esfrs-irm.org

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