2005 news archive

 

Years | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | Home Page

 
December 2005  
14 December 2005 East Sussex Fire Authority's Improvement plan Q2 2005/06.
13 December 2005 East Sussex Emergency Planning Information.
09 December 2005 Monthly Deliberate Fire Comparison Information (2001-2006).
08 December 2005 Christmas celebrations are an excuse to have fun, not an excuse for a fire.
  Fire Safety at Work - Explanation of New Fire Safety Law (April 2006).
06 December 2005 Fire - Rystwood Road, Forest Row.
04 December 2005 Exercise Second Refine, SMR Limited, Rye.
01 December 2005 Fire Authority Meeting Agenda 08 December 2005.

 

November 2005  
25 November 2005 Experienced Firefighter Vacancy - Director of Risk Management.
22 November 2005 Fire - St Barnabas' Church, Bexhill.
21 November 2005 Fire Control operators actions praised.
  Invitation for Tender Applications.
  2005/06 Station Action Plans available online.
18 November 2005 Fire - Wellingtonia Court, Laine Close, Brighton.
16 November 2005 Regional Management Board Meeting Minutes (19 October 2005).
14 November 2005 East Sussex Fire Authority's Improvement plan Q1 2005/06.
11 November 2005 Parliamentary Inquiry into the Fire & Rescue Service.
09 November 2005 East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service working in Partnership with Apetito and East Sussex County Council to achieve a safer community.
08 November 2005 Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/07 questionnaire available online.
03 November 2005 Fireworks Campaign.
02 November 2005 Serious fire caused by candle.

 

October 2005  
26 October 2005 East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Launches a New Road Safety Strategy.
24 October 2005 Third LIFE for Young People in East Sussex.
21 October 2005 Arson Reduction Team News - Combating Arson Seminar
Fire Investigation Dog training with Sussex Police.
17 October 2005 Building Collapse, 31 Caves Road, St Leonards.
  Support Vacancy - Health & Safety Manager.
13 October 2005 Fire Safety at Work - Advice and Training.
11 October 2005 Location Announcement of the South East Regional Control Centre.
  Planning your Bonfire Safely.
  Regional Management Board Meeting Agenda - 19 October 2005.
06 October 2005 Experienced Firefighter Vacancies - DO II/Group Manager B.
05 October 2005 Arson Reduction Team News - Rock-A-Nore, Hastings.

 

September 2005  
29 September 2005 Support Staff Vacancies - Administrative Assistants.
28 September 2005 Experienced Firefighter Vacancies - Crew Managers.
23 September 2005 Fire, Rother District Council and Police staff commit to safer driving in Sussex.
20 September 2005 Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/07 available for public consultation.
  Battle Fire Station Open Day.
19 September 2005 Family saved by smoke alarm.
16 September 2005 Buckingham Place, Brighton.
15 September 2005 Support Vacancy - Strategic Development Officer.
14 September 2005 Fire Authority Meeting Agenda 15 September 2005.
13 September 2005 Storing Petrol.
07 September 2005 Belmore Road, Eastbourne.
06 September 2005 Experienced Firefighter Vacancies - Firefighter Transferees
Experienced Firefighter Vacancies - Petroleum Inspector.
05 September 2005 Support Vacancies - Personnel Services Admin Co-ordinator.
03 September 2005 Eversfield Place, St Leonards.
02 September 2005 West Cliff Railway, Hastings.

 

August 2005  
30 August 2005 Support Vacancies - Corporate Services Administrator.
  Support Vacancies - Administrative Support Assistant.
  Support Vacancies - Assistant Storekeeper.
16 August 2005 Child receives Serious Burns from Beach BBQ.
03 August 2005 ART Launch in East Sussex.
01 August 2005 Support Vacancies - Engineering Services Technician / Caretaker.

 

July 2005  
28 July 2005 Comprehensive Performance Assessment Result.
27 July 2005 999 operator saves victim of suspicious fire.
  Arson at Cambridge Hotel, Eastbourne.
21 July 2005 Updated Diary for Educational School Visits.
19 July 2005 Arson Reduction Team News and Information.
18 July 2005 Station Manager Vacancies for experienced Firefighters.
11 July 2005 Eastbourne Fire station to undertake Amosite (Brown) Asbestos removal work.
07 July 2005 ESFRS and the Central London Explosions.
05 July 2005 Regional Management Board Meeting Agenda 13 July 2005.

 

June 2005  
30 June 2005 2005-06 Best Value Performance Plan now available.
29 June 2005 School Educational Visits Diary.
28 June 2005 Fire and Rescue Service inundated during Friday night storms.
  Support Vacancy - Strategic Development Officer
27 June 2005 Large Fire in St Leonards – Sunday
14 June 2005 East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Achieves Charter Mark Success!
13 June 2005 Youths in East Sussex choose LIFE!
11 June 2005 Whitley Road Fire
08 June 2005 Eastbourne 999 Weekend 23-24 July 2005
06 June 2005 Support Vacancy - Best Value Officer
06 June 2005 Support Vacancy - Contracts & Insurance Administration Assistant

 

May 2005  
27 May 2005 Fire Authority Meeting Agenda 09 June 2005
25 May 2005 Support Vacancies - Engineering Services Supervisor and Technician
23 May 2005 Free child car seat and home safety checks
19 May 2005 Fire & Rescue Service personnel scoop top trophies at South-East Regional Triathlon!
16 May 2005 Lucky escape for dog at Beachy Head!

 

April 2005  
26 April 2005

Fire at Brighton Marina

12 April 2005

Retained Firefighter Crisis in East Sussex

12 April 2005 Support Vacancy - Engineering Services Administrative Assistant
05 April 2005

Serious Fire at Tideway School, Newhaven

05 April 2005

Large Fire at Recycling Centre in Lewes, Sunday 3rd April

 

March 2005  
09 March 2005
04 March 2005

 

February 2005
14 February 2005
10 February 2005
07 February 2005

 

January 2005
28 January 2005
25 January 2005
18 January 2005
18 January 2005
13 January 2005
 
 
Latest News Click here to return to latest News Page.
 

 


Christmas celebrations are an excuse to have fun, not an excuse for a fire.

With Christmas fast approaching East Sussex Fire & Rescue service are urging residents of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove to ensure that their festive arrangements will not place them at risk of having a fire. Steve Wright for the Service’s Community Fire Safety section says:-

Fire safety is the last thing on your mind when you’re celebrating.
But think about it – lots of guests, Christmas decorations, people smoking – all the everyday risks get bigger.

Don’t let fire safety stop you enjoying yourself – identify the risks and plan ahead.

Decorative Lights

Decorative lights don’t get used every day so give them a bit of extra thought.

  • Check the maximum amps that can be handled by the plug.
  • If bulbs blow replace them.
  • Turn decorative lights off at night and when you go out.
  • Don’t let bulbs touch anything that can burn easily like paper or fabric.
Candles

Treat candles as you would any other flame.

  • Don’t leave them unattended.
  • Put them out completely at night.
Christmas Image
Decorations
  • Use your common sense and keep decorations and greeting cards away from heaters, lights, the fireplace and candles.
Having A Party

Do yourself and your visitors a favour—don’t leave fire safety to the morning after!

  • Let your guests know where to find door and window keys.
  • Look out for elderly people, children and anyone with problems getting out.
  • Make sure exits are kept clear.
  • If people are smoking put out extra ashtrays and make sure all cigarettes are put out properly.

Remember --- it’s easy to be careless when you are tired or have been drinking.

To be sure your home is safe the Service will carry out a FREE Home Safety Visit and where necessary fit Smoke Alarms free of charge. To take advantage of this service call the dedicated Home Safety line on 0845 2300252

Christmas Image

Stay safe and have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

[Steve Wright]

Top of Page


Fire - Rystwood Road, Forest Row

Over 50 firefighters from East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent worked together to battle a fire in a detached domestic property in Rystwood Road, Forest Row in the early hours of Tuesday 6th December 2005. A single call was received by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service at 0221 hrs by a local resident reporting a fire in a house. Due to the information given by the caller 3 appliances were mobilised from Forest Row, East Grinstead and Uckfield and on arrival found the roof, first and second floors of the property to be fully alight.

Crews on scene immediately called for further assistance and in total 6 pumping appliances, an Aerial Ladder Platform from Tunbridge Wells and a Bulk Water Carrier from Burgess Hill attended. During the fire fighting operations part of the buildings roof collapsed and the attendance of the building control officer from Wealden District Council was required.

[Dick Broady]

Top of Page


Exercise Second Refine, SMR Limited, Rye

The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH) require both the on-site and the off-site emergency plans made under the regulations to be revised and tested at least once every three years. Therefore on Sunday 4th December 2005 the operator of the SRM Ltd, Rye Harbour hosted a live multi-agency major emergency exercise named Exercise Second Refine in order to test both plans. The main objectives being:-

  • To exercise the co-ordination and integration of the emergency response.
  • To exercise the tactical and operational elements of the response.
  • To exercise the notification and communications arrangements for the responding agencies.
  • To examine procedures for warning and informing the public.
  Tanker Exercise Rye - click here to view the Image Gallery
Next Image
[click on image
to view the image gallery]

In addition to SRM Ltd employees, East Sussex Fire, Police, Ambulance crews took part with the support of the Bexhill & Rother Primary Care Trust, the Environment Agency, Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council.

The scenario was as realistic and credible as possible. Participants received no prior notification of the scenario and were expected to respond according to:-

  • the SRM, Rye On-site Emergency Plan,
  • the COMAH Off-site Emergency Plan, Operation Refine and
  • individual service protocols and guidelines.

An accident was staged involving a lorry and a tanker resulting in a fire and chemical spill. Fire crews rescued casualties from the area and used 1-7 foam compound to contain the imaginary fire. Casualties were then treated and decontaminated by Sussex Ambulance Service.

The independent observers report concluded that the "Fire Service response to this exercise was efficient and well rehearsed." Exercises of this type play a vital role in improving cross service communication and preparing our crews for Major Incidents.

[Brian Dudman / Dick Broady]

Top of Page


Fire - St Barnabas' Church, Bexhill


St Barnabas Church - click here to view the Image Gallery
Next Image
[click on image
to view image gallery]
 

Crews from Bexhill, Hastings, Battle and Eastbourne were called to one of Bexhill-on-Sea's largest churches, St Barnabas on Monday 21st November 2005 at 14:47 on reports that a fire had broken out on the ground floor. Initially four pumps were sent but this was raised to six when the blaze spread to the roof.

The blaze was soon brought under control by using an Aerial Ladder platform and 1-7 Foam. Access to the fire was hampered due to the physical height and the construction of the church roof. Damage to the church was limited due to the early warning received by local residents and the rapid intervention of local crews. The cause of the blaze is currently being investigated.

[Derek Masson / images Brian Wembridge]

Top of Page


Fire Control operators actions praised

Fire Control Operator Sue Ivatt has this weekend received a Chief Fire Officer's Letter of congratulations in recognition for her part in saving the life of a suicidal woman. The letter stated that Sue's actions were of the "highest professional standard."

Sue who has worked for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service since 1993 was on duty in the Mobilising and Communications Centre in Eastbourne, when at 1130pm she received a call from a distressed woman threatening to jump from Beachy Head. Sue reassured the woman and kept her talking for one and a half hours until police units and the police helicopter located her sitting on the edge of the cliff. Sue stated after receiving the Chief Fire Officers letter that she was "extremely proud" but felt her colleagues would have done exactly the same if they had received the call for help.

  Sue Ivatt
Sue Ivatt

[Dick Broady]

Top of Page


Invitation for Tender Applications

The South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board invites applications for inclusion in a list of tenderers to provide consultancy to support the implementation of an Integrated Workforce Learning, Development and Training Strategy within the region. Further details are available on the Invitation for Expression of Interest document [pdf - 140 KB].

[David Dowling]

Top of Page


Fire - Wellingtonia Court, Laine Close, Brighton

At 0821 hrs today ESFRS received a call reporting smoke coming from Wellingtonia Court, Laine Close, Brighton. Initially two pumping appliances were mobilised and arrived to find smoke throughout the stairwell of the building. The building consisted of 35 flats on 5 floors and many of the occupants were unable to leave the premises. The first crew requested the assistance of a further 2 pumping appliances and an Aerial Ladder Platform.


Wellingtonia Court - click here to view the Image Gallery
Next Image
[click on image
to view image gallery]
 


The cause of the smoke was found to be a fire in the main electrical intake which had spread to the 2nd and 3rd floor electrical cupboards. During the operation 10 people were rescued by ladder, 2 by ALP and 5 were led to safety.

A request was made for 50 people to be rehoused and this was passed to Brighton and Hove City Council by Emergency Planning Officer Brian Dudman. Both of the Counties Red Cross Fire and Emergency support vehicles attended to provide support and advice to residents.

[Dick Broady / images Brian Wembridge]

Top of Page


Parliamentary Inquiry into the Fire & Rescue Service.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced on Tuesday 8th November 2005 that a Committee has been established to undertake an inquiry to examine a number of key issues with regard to the Fire & Rescue Service. In particular, the inquiry will consider the introduction of Regional Control Centres and the introduction and implementation of the Firelink radio service. The Committee will also look at progress made on implementation of reforms to the Fire & Rescue Service stemming out of the Government White Paper of June 2003 titled 'Our Fire & Rescue Service' [ODPM website].

The Committee that will undertake this inquiry are an established Parliamentary Committee whose remit is to undertake inquiries into any aspect of specific Government departments. This inquiry will be charged by Dr Phillis Starkey and is made up of a cross bench group of MPs. Evidence to the inquiry has to be submitted by 19th December 2005 and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are considering a response.

As a matter of further information, on 11th November 2005 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced that O2 Airwave Ltd have been awarded the contract for Firelink.

[Des Prichard]

Top of Page


East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service working in Partnership with Apetito and East Sussex County Council to achieve a safer community

As part of its ongoing campaign to drive down risk in the community, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is working in partnership with East Sussex County Council and Apetito to arrange free Home Fire Safety checks.

Senior Fire Safety Officer Adrian Brown said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working. East Sussex County Council and Apetito already deal with very vulnerable people making sure they are safe in their homes on a daily basis. We will now be making sure that they are safe from fire supported by a Government initiative. We will also be able to fit, where necessary, FREE Smoke Alarms."

Statistics from the ODPM indicate that people over 60 are potentially at greater risk of injury from fire than other members of the public.

Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning of fire therefore greatly increasing the chances of an individual escaping a fire situation safely, and consequently raising the alarm to the Fire & Rescue Service earlier, which aids in the reduction of fire damage to their property and belongings.

NOTE TO EDITORS

The partnership in the West of the county will be launched on the 10th of November at 11:00 at 37e South Street, Lewes - the home of 107 year old Mr Ronald Robinson. Local MP Mr Norman Baker (subject to availability) will also be present.

The partnership will be launched in the East of the county on the 11th of November at 10:30 at 30 Lichgate Close, Bexhill. The local MP Mr Greg Barker will attend (subject to availability).

Editors are welcome to send photographers to these venues.

[Steve Wright]

Top of Page


Fireworks Campaign

With bonfire night fast approaching, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Sussex Police are issuing this timely reminder about the dangers associated with fireworks and to remind you of the firework safety code.

  • Only buy fireworks marked British Standard 7114.
  • Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
  • Keep fireworks in a closed box.
  • Follow the instructions on each firework.
  • Light fireworks at arms length, using a taper.
  • Stand well back.
  • Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn't gone off, it can still explode.
  • Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
  • Always supervise children around fireworks.
  • Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
  • Never give sparklers to children under five.
  • Keep pets indoors.
  • Don't let off noisy fireworks after 11pm

Statistics show that 139 injuries were directly caused through fireworks in the South East in 2004 and each year the number is growing. Nationally there were 1136 injuries resulting from firework incidents in 2003 and 1160 in 2004. Most of these incidents occur at the family home and involve rockets or sparklers. In 2004 East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended 17 fire incidents caused by fireworks.

The new firework regulations, which were introduced last year, make it an offence:

  • To sell fireworks to under 18's.
  • For anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.
  • To throw a firework in the street or any public place.
  • To set off fireworks after 11.00 pm (midnight on November 5th, or 1.00 am following New Year's Eve, the Chinese New Year or Diwali).

Case History

Last Bonfire night, Chris O'Brian and her family were having a firework party at their home in East Grinstead when the base of a firework exploded and sent flares shooting out in all directions. One flare bounced off the house and landed on her daughter which caused serious 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Following a year of hospital treatment for her burns, Chris' daughter has now finished treatment. Chris is now campaigning to prevent the sale of fireworks to individuals and encourage people to attend well-organized displays instead.

[Mark Marsden / Bob Trotter]

Top of Page


Serious fire caused by candle

Following an incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when a fire caused severe damage to a house in Michelson Close, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is issuing a warning about the dangers of using candles in the home.

Hastings Fire Station Manager Mark Webb said "It seems that people still do not realise how dangerous candles can be. Ideally we would prefer people not to use candles at all but, if they insist on doing so, then they should be extremely careful. Candles should always be placed on a stable surface (but never on a television), well away from anything flammable such as clothing or curtains, and they should always be in a proper candle holder. The most important thing though is to never, ever leave a candle unattended. Even if you're only going to be out of the room for a minute, they must be extinguished."

He continued "This fire had the potential to cause death or serious injury and demonstrates yet again the importance of having working smoke alarms fitted."

For a free Home Safety Visit from the Fire & Rescue Service, please call 0845 230 0252.

[Mark Webb]

Top of Page


East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Launches a New Road Safety Strategy

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) has announced that it is to launch a new road safety strategy during national “Road Safety Week” which runs from the 7th to the 13th of November this year.

The strategy recognises the vital role the Fire & Rescue Service has in contributing to the wider community safety agenda and in particular to the reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

The strategy outlines how ESFRS will work in partnership with other agencies, in particular the City and County Councils, local councils and Sussex Police, supporting them to achieve Government set Public Service Agreement targets. The targets call for a 40 % reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured and a 50% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured by the year 2010 from the 1994-98 baseline average.

The strategy outlines the various education and awareness programmes which Service personnel will be involved with over the coming years. It also explains how the Service will seek to continually improve its emergency rescue capability for those occasions when it is needed.

Des Prichard, Chief Fire Officer & Chief Executive of ESFRS, says, "Our staff within East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service deal with the aftermath of road traffic collisions on a daily basis. It is only right therefore that we direct the appropriate resources towards trying to prevent such incidents. The focus of this strategy is to encourage and support partnership working with other agencies involved with road safety with the aim of making the roads safer for everyone."

As a way of demonstrating ESFRS commitment to the issue of road safety and in particular to show support for the theme of this years Road Safety Week, which is aimed at preventing child deaths and injuries on the roads, Mr Prichard has offered to undertake school crossing patrol duties at a school site in Seaford where East Sussex County Council have been unable to establish a permanent patrol.

David Bradley, Senior School Crossing Supervisor with East Sussex County Council says, "East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service contacted us following a local news item on which I explained the current difficulties we are facing in recruiting suitable people for school crossing patrol duties. They have offered to support our recruitment campaign and we are working on ways in which we can work together on this and other road safety issues. I think it is a fantastic reflection of the commitment of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service to road safety and the safety of children in particular that the Chief Fire Officer himself has offered to help out in this way."

[Mark O'Brien]

Top of Page


Third LIFE for Young People in East Sussex

Following two remarkably successful local pilots, 12 young people from Rother involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, anti-social behaviour - whether it be in the form of fire setting or other acts in the community, alongside young victims of crime and teenagers with low self esteem - are to take part in East Sussex’s third LIFE project.

Local Intervention Fire Education, or LIFE, is a Fire Service project devised by London Fire Brigade in 2002 that seeks to improve fire safety and reduce anti-social behaviour amongst young people aged 13-19, and looks to improve the life chances of everyone who takes part.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s LIFE projects are run by Station Manager Mani Gilbert, and Watch Manager George Wippich, and this third session will run from Monday 24 – Friday 28 October 2005.

LIFE’s aims are to reduce fire service call-outs, cut fire deaths and injuries, improve the safety of fire crews and the communities they serve and lower the financial cost of fires by engaging young people to tackle fire safety and anti-social behaviour issues.

ESFRS have already run two LIFE projects in June 2005, when 24 people took part in a unique range of activities including rescue techniques, using breathing apparatus and learning how to evacuate a building in case of fire. They were also taught to use firefighting equipment, run out hoses and learned how to maintain the fire engines and equipment.

Within just weeks of the courses ending one teenager from Bexhill, who attended the first project, managed to put the first aid skills he learned to use. On 22nd June Laurence Gilbert, 15, helped a fellow student at Bexhill High School after the 13 year old speared his arm on a fencepost. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Len Richards, who later presented the student with an award at his school, said that without Laurence’s actions the boy’s injuries could have become much more serious.

The course ends in a formal 'passing out parade' on Friday 28th October, when the families and friends of those taking part, alongside representatives from the Fire & Rescue Service, watch the young people demonstrate the practical skills they have learned and receive a certificate of achievement. Press are also invited to this ceremony which will be held at Bexhill Fire Station, Beeching Road.

Funding for the project comes from the Safer Rother Partnership, which works in partnership to prevent young people becoming involved in criminal activity and to reduce the impact of anti-social behaviour on our communities. The Partnership is proud to support ESFRS in this innovative and effective project. The feedback from young people and the agencies that work with them has shown us that this scheme builds confidence and provides them with a different perspective on their opportunities in the future. As we work with a partnership approach all referrals are made by a range of Rother-based agencies including the Youth Offending Team, Youth Development Service and Sidley Community Association.

During the pilot scheme trialled by London Fire Brigade there was:

  • 96% attendance rate on the courses
  • 90% non offending rate among participants six months after attending the course
  • 46% reduction in non accidental fires across the borough
  • 76% reduction in attacks on firefighters
  • three young men helped into local community employment
  • six people from ethnic minority backgrounds embarked on the fire service recruitment process
  • one young man working as a probationary firefighter, and another in training
  • five young people taking part in a mentoring scheme with firefighters
  • 30 young people continuing to work with the fire service one night per week as part of the Achieving Safer Communities scheme
Safer Rother Partnership is a multi-agency body whose prime role is the reduction of crime and disorder, and to make the Rother area a safer place. Safer Rother Logo

[Mani Gilbert / George Wippich]

Top of Page


Building Collapse, 31 Caves Road, St Leonards

At 1938hrs on 13th October the Eastbourne based Mobilising and Communications Centre of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service received a single call reporting that a building had collapsed in St Leonards. Three pumping appliances, two Operational Support Units and a Heavy Rescue Unit were immediately mobilised from across East Sussex to the address in Caves Road.

On arrival the first crews found that the front of a two-storey building consisting of a shop with a flat above, had collapsed across the road. An immediate search to ascertain that no persons were trapped was made and adjoining buildings were evacuated. The crews also asked for the support of further appliances, an Aerial Ladder Platform and the Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support vehicle. Three occupants left the building and were assisted by the Red Cross and Hastings Borough Council.

  Building Collapse, St Leonards - click here to view the Image Gallery
Next Image
[click on image
to view the image gallery]

Fire crews stood by until 2220hrs when the incident was handed over to the Building Control Officer from Hastings Borough Council and the Police.

[Dick Broady / images - Brian Wembridge]

Top of Page


Location Announcement of the South East Regional Control Centre

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has today (Tuesday 11 October 2005) received notification from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) that the fire control centre for the South East Region, which encompasses East Sussex, will be located in Fareham, Hampshire.

Fire Authority Chairman Mike Murphy

Although the 'Fire Control' project is a national project being managed by ODPM, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has worked on an ongoing regional basis with the ODPM, neighbouring fire and rescue services and other stakeholders throughout the process.

Councillor Mike Murphy, the Chair of East Sussex Fire Authority said, "The Government is making these changes to improve resilience against all forms of disaster. We understand that this has been an uncomfortable time for many staff and the trade unions. Our priority is to focus on supporting our staff through this period of change."

 

Des Prichard, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: "The Chief Fire Officers Association and the Local Government Association support the Government's plans for Regional Control Centres that deliver increased resilience, greater Service interoperability and provide value for money for local taxpayers. If the Government wish to deliver services in the way they describe then this must be a positive step forward. However, we will be looking for assurances about finance, governance and technology in the new ways of working."

"As an employer, we are prioritising the needs of our staff who may be affected by the geographical location of the South East region control centre."

CFO Des Prichard

"Whatever steps we take in the future, our focus will as always, remain on ensuring that lives are not put at risk and that we are making East Sussex safer."

The transfer of emergency calls to Fareham, Hampshire will not take place until 2008/2009 at the earliest.

NOTE FOR EDITORS

  1. The Fire Control project - the move to regional control centres - is the result of a review of fire and rescue control rooms by Mott MacDonald on behalf of central Government. The project forms part of the National Framework for the Fire and Rescue Service, which sets the objectives the Government expects the service to achieve. Copies of the framework and the Mott MacDonald report are available on the ODPM FireControl website.
  2. The new RCC will serve Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex, a geographical area of some 7,336 square miles and serving over eight million people.
  3. The new Regional Control Centre for the South East will be located at Kite's Croft a 35 acre site located a short distance from junction 9 of the M27. The site is between Segensworth and Fareham in the heart of the Southampton / Portsmouth conurbation.

[Dave Dowling]

Top of Page


Planning your Bonfire Safely

A serious incident occurred last night, Monday 10th October 2005 when two teenagers were badly burned after pouring a flammable liquid onto a bonfire in their back garden.

With less than a month until Firework night, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is reminding people about bonfire safety.

Senior Fire Safety Officer Adrian Brown said "Bonfires can be great fun but they need to be treated with care and, as the incident shows, never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going, as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion."

The following advice applies to bonfires at Firework displays but is equally relevant to all bonfires.

Planning your Bonfire Safely

  • Site your bonfire well away from any trees, bushes, buildings or sheds.
  • Check immediately before lighting that there's no animal or even a young child hidden inside.
  • Never put fireworks on a bonfire, even if they're dud.
  • Don't burn dangerous rubbish (e.g. aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture).
  • Spectators need to be at a safe distance from the site.
  • Never leave a burning bonfire.
  • Don't allow any children to play with the fire.

If you would like further advice, please contact your local Fire Station or call our dedicated Community Fire Safety advice number: 0800 731 9119.

[Adrian Brown]

Top of Page


Fire, Rother District Council and Police staff commit to safer driving in Sussex

East Sussex County Council recorded 302 road traffic collisions (RTCs) during 2004 in the Rother Area. These resulted in 390 casualties, nine of which were fatal. Although these figures show a significant reduction in the number of fatalities since the 2003 figure of thirteen, the number of crashes remains the same.

Every collision, injury or death has a huge impact on society. It of course has a large impact on the family and friends of the casualty, but also on the emergency service personnel that must attend the incident, on businesses though the loss of a valuable member of staff, and on other road users as a result of delays due to blocked roads. Each and every one of us is affected in some way.

Vulnerable roads users such as pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists are exposed to an increased risk from speeding vehicles, and therefore the enjoyment of these pastimes is reduced.

The Safer Rother Partnership is working to further reduce the number and impact of RTCs in the Rother area.

The Partnership’s initiative this Autumn is to encourage all Rother District Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Sussex Police employees, and Rother residents to sign a commitment to drive in a safe and considerate manner. The commitment is a leaflet which can be signed and sent off and will delivered to all staff during September 2005.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s Station Manager Dave Yates, Chairperson of the Safer Roads Group said "The use of our roads and lanes as racetracks has got to stop. The commitment of all our staff to drive slower and with consideration will have a significant impact on our roads and lanes, making them feel safer for vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly. This initiative is available to all residents of the Rother area of East Sussex and I encourage all to sign up."

As well as being able to sign up to ‘The Commitment’, the leaflet also contains information, statistics and tips on how to keep speed down on the roads.

NOTE FOR EDITORS

Chief Executive Derek Stevens from Rother District Council, Senior Divisional Officer Gary Walsh from East Sussex Fire & Rescue and Acting Chief Inspector Martin Sims from Sussex Police will all be signing up to ‘The Commitment’ at it’s official launch at BEXHILL FIRE STATION on 30/9/05 at 1500 hrs.

Safer Rother Partnership is a multi-agency body whose prime role is the reduction of crime and disorder, and to make the Rother area a safer place.

Safer Rother Logo

[Dave Yates]

Top of Page


Battle Fire Station Open Day

Battle Fire Station held its annual Open Day on Saturday 17th September 2005. This event was designed to highlight the dangers on our roads. About 300 people attended. These were generally local people but there were visitors from London and Kent.

The visitors were exposed to displays and information arranged by East Sussex County Council who operated a sledge that highlighted the need to be restrained in a car at all times. Sussex Safer Camera partnership used a display vehicle, which emphasised driving at an appropriate speed. A local road safety group were able to demonstrate the educational SID (Speed Indication Device) that has been purchased by Battle Town Council. Volunteers will use this over the coming months to remind drivers of the speed limits around the town.

Battle Fire Fighters carried out a number of demonstrations involving cutting a car up and rescuing casualties. Station Manager Dave Yates commented, "This was a very successful day. The bulk of the rescue work carried out by Battle Fire Station is the release of persons that have become trapped in a motor vehicle following a Road Traffic Collision. Often inappropriate speed is a contributing factor."

"Every collision, injury or death has a huge impact on society. It of course has a large impact on the family and friends of the casualty, but also on the emergency service personnel that must attend the incident, on businesses though the loss of a valuable member of staff, and on other road users as a result of delays due to blocked roads. Each and every one of us is affected in some way."

"Events like these highlight the hazards and dangers associated with using our roads. All road users should examine their driving practices and consider what dangers they are exposing themselves and other road users too. This is especially so with children and the elderly. Remember in a collision with a child at 30 mph 80% survive, at 40mph 80% are killed."

[Dave Yates]

Top of Page


Family saved by smoke alarm

A Brighton family had a lucky escape when a fire broke out under their stairs in the early hours of the morning whilst they were asleep. Fortunately their house was fitted with smoke alarms. Although the smoke alarm woke them up, when they got down stairs they were trapped by locked doors and windows. Their keys were not immediately available and the house was in darkness from the fire. Once they found the keys the family escaped unhurt.

Senior Fire Safety Officer Adrian Brown said, "Once again this fire shows that smoke alarms really do save lives, as without this early warning the fire could have had fatal consequences. As well as having smoke alarms I would also encourage everybody to have an escape plan so that you are not trapped by locked doors or windows."

The Fire & Rescue Service will carry out free home fire safety checks and where necessary fit free smoke alarms. To book a visit phone 0845 230 0252.

This fire was believed to have started due to an electrical fault and Fire Investigator Charles Humphries said, "This fire started around the electrical intake and quickly spread to other items stored under the stairs. I would advise all householders not to store goods too close to intakes such as these."

[Adrian Brown]

Top of Page


Buckingham Place, Brighton

Buckingham Place - click here to view the Image Gallery
Next Image
[click on image
to view the image gallery]
 

At 9.43am on Friday 16th September 2005, over 70 firefighters attended an incident at 48 Buckingham Place, Brighton. Due to the severity of the fire, eleven crews from East Sussex and three crews from West Sussex were called to attend.

Initial reports suggest a roof fire in a four-storey residential property converted into flats. All residents were safely evacuated from the building and no casualties were reported.

The aerial ladder platform was used to reach the fire in the roof and 1:7 Foam was used to extinguish the flames.


Deputy Chief Fire Officer Len Richards was in attendance and said: "It has been a difficult fire. We had strong winds to deal with this morning and the property is located on a very steep hill."

Fire crews spent several hours damping down and checking for hot spots using a thermal image camera.

[Media Team / images Dick Broady]

Top of Page


Storing Petrol

Due to the perceived threat of likely petrol shortages, the Fire Authority would like to offer the following information and advice to anyone who is considering storing petrol for their own use.

Senior Fire Safety Officer Adrian Brown said "At present there is no reason to believe that there will be any petrol shortage and our advice to members of the public is not to store any additional supplies. However, for those people that do, please remember, petrol is classed as HIGHLY FLAMMABLE