NEWS

Staff ordshire Fire and Rescue Service Retired Welfare Network

June 2019Edition 17

Dear ColleaguesWelcome to the 17th issue of the Retired Network Newsletter. I hope you fi nd some items of interest.

There seems to be a constant stream of new retirees joining our ‘club’ although each year we do, sadly, lose some. It would be interesting to hear how some of you spend your retirement be it new careers, charity work or sporting activity. If you have any interesting stories you would like to share, please let me know.

For my part, one thing I am doing is researching the N.F.S. Overseas Contingent which served in North West Europe from January to July 1945 in support of the U.S. Army. I already have a considerable amount of information which I intend to compile into a book and if published any profi ts would be donated to the Firefi ghters Memorial Trust. If anyone has any information about this subject I would be only to please to hear from you.

My email address is shown below (For those that don’t have access to the internet my postal address is also shown). I continue to seek to increase the numbers of email contacts so If you have an email address and don’t already receive any messages from me please let me know so that I can add you to the database. It makes it easier to get information and news out quickly. Please note that all emails are sent out ‘bcc’ and so do not show any individual email addresses.

Andy Buttery, Retired Personnel Welfare Network Volunteere: a.buttery@staff ordshirefi re.gov.uk t: 07866 951110The Oldershaws, High Offl ey, Woodseaves, Staff ord ST20 0NF

Visit our facebook page - Staff s Fire and Rescue Retired Staff Network

Don’t forget if you need help from The Fire Fighters

Charity the helpline number is:

0800 389 88210e: helpline@fi refi ghterscharity.org.uk

2

Codsall Fire ServicePictured below is a photo of the wartime Fire Service in Codsall. This unit was based at ‘The Terrace’ in Oaken, which is now a residential home for the elderly.

CFO Reid described the rescue as “...a dusty and prolonged operation, which posed problems for the rescue team. The dimensions of the silo limited the number of personnel who could operate on the inside and on the top”.

“A hydraulic platform was in use throughout the rescue to alleviate some of the access problems on the top of the silo and to eventually bring the casualty down.”

From the archive

Pictured standing from left to right are:

Maisie Burd, M. Sharples and Leading Fireman Bickley.

Seated are Olwyn Beech and Joan Beech.

Hem Heath CollieryThe front cover of FIRE magazine from May 1986, showed CFO Peter Reid tending to a casualty who had been rescued from a cement silo earlier that year at Hem Heath Colliery.

3

You may recall in a previous issue, that I had received a request for any information regarding Brenda Madeleine Webb, who served in the National Fire Service (NFS) in Stoke-on-Trent during World War Two.

I have been informed by her son that she has recently been awarded the Defence Medal for her service to the NFS during World War Two.

He wonders whether she is the only woman in Staffordshire - or only surviving woman in Staffordshire - who has been awarded the medal for service in the NFS during the war?

The Defence Medal was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War Two. It was instituted to recognise military and some types of civilian service.

Types of service in the UK included many roles including members of the NFS along with services in a local authority Fire Brigade or the Auxiliary Fire Services, prior to nationalisation.

The colours of the ribbon symbolise enemy attacks on Britain’s ‘green and pleasant land’, and the blackout.

Award of Defence Medal

4

Safe+SoundSafe+Sound is our mobile education programme which we deliver with partners such as:• The Police • Canal and River Trust (C&RT)• Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI)• St John’s Ambulance, DHL, Army Medics• Network Rail • The Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership

Safe+Sound is also available for 16 -24 year-olds, workshops have included topics such as: • Distraction and driving, what to do in a road emergency• Basic vehicle maintenance • Becoming a dementia friend

More recently we have introduced Safe+Sound for people over 60, looking at topics such as assistive technology, scams and the internet and advice on wellbeing and mental health.

Safe+Sound workshops include topics such as: • Fire safety• What to do in an emergency (CPR, DRS ABC, recovery position etc.)• Drug and alcohol awareness• Road and truck safety• Anti-social behaviour, personal safety (internet and online safety) water safety, rail safety and emotional wellbeing

Safe+Sound is primarily delivered at Community Fire Stations for Year 5 or 6 children from primary/middle schools across Staffordshire.

5

Safe+Sound

We’re working with a company called Immersive Interactive to develop new technology to deliver Safe+Sound into communities. This will include immersive, interactive learning environments, which will encourage even greater interaction.

We will have four ‘pods’ to deliver from, which will travel around the County, enabling us to convey the Safe+Sound messages to a wider range of audiences, mainly from our Community Fire Stations. We hope to be using these new ‘pods’ by September 2019.

As the weather gets warmer and school holidays approach, the Service delivers sessions covering our Flames Aren’t Games (FAG) campaign. Figures show that the numbers of deliberate secondary fires increase during school holidays.

FAG aims to reduce the number of these secondary fires by educating young people about the dangers setting fires can cause to themselvesand to others.

The walls of the ‘pod’ are live with moving images projected onto them, so that participants feel as if they are in the location being simulated. This gives them a more realistic experience and hopefully, will help to underline the messages being delivered to them. So far in the academic year 18/19, we have delivered to more than 5,000 people, and we are aiming to achieve 10,000 by July 2019.

6

Stafford Fatal FireIn the early hours of Tuesday, February 5 the Service was called to one of the most traumatic incidents it’s had to deal with in years.

Crews from Stafford, Penkridge, Rising Brook and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Longton attended a report of a house fire on Sycamore Lane, Stafford and were faced with a fully developed fire.

Two adults and a two-year-old child had managed to escape the burning building but, despite their best efforts, there was nothing that could be done to save four children in a first floor bedroom: Riley John Holt, aged eight, Keegan Jonathan Unitt, six, Tilly Rose Unitt, four, and Olly Unitt, three.

An initial fire investigation was carried out at the scene by Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Service personnel, who worked with police forensic investigators during a three day period, which was traumatic for everyone involved.

Shockingly, following this, two adults were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. After answering bail, the two people arrested were released under investigation. The cause of the fire has still not been made public and the investigation continues.

Chief Fire Officer, Becci Bryant attended the scene in her capacity as Gold Commander and tried to reassure the firefighters who attended that they had done all they could. There was nothing more they could have done to have changed the outcome.

She said: “I took the opportunity to talk to each of the crews affected and I am really proud of what they did and the professional manner in the way they conducted themselves.

“This was a challenging fire and I know they are heartbroken by the way things turned out. This incident has had an effect upon a large number of people and I am not surprised some have found it difficult to deal with. The nature of the job of a firefighter is such that the risk of being called to a traumatic incident is high, which is why we use TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) as a method of helping people in these circumstances.”

The Service will continue to support those affected by the incident for as long as needed.

7

Development of the old Fire Station in Stone

In November last year, Staff ordshire County Council confi rmed that they had accepted a bid from Joules Brewery to buy Stone’s old Fire Station building in Crown Street that closed in 1975.

Earlier this year, Staff ord Borough Council granted Joules Brewery full planning consent for a brewery tap and studio theatre at Crown Wharf, Stone.

The Fire Station will be used as a heritage centre, provided to Stone Town Council for £1 a year. The Town Council will invest in the fi t-out and running of the heritage centre.

If anyone has any anecdotes or photos of the Fire Station when it was still in use, they will be gratefully received.

8

9

Fund Raising Challenge for The Fire Fighters Charity

A couple of years ago, retired staff member Alan Bateman was ‘encouraged’ by his niece to take part in an around the Isle of Wight run in 18 hours.

He has now been talked into taking on the Cotswold Way Challenge on the June 29 and 30.

The challenge is to complete 100 kilometres non-stop in 24 hours.

This time, he is going to try to raise £500 for The Fire Fighters Charity. Alan says, “I have been very fortunate that during my service I never needed their help. However, I know many friends and colleagues who did.”

The link below will take you to his just giving page....

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ALAN-BATEMAN4286

10

On Thursday January 31, members of Eccleshall Orange Watch attended the funeral of John Johnson, aff ectionately known as ‘JJ’ at Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall.

John joined the Fire Service in 1967, leaving in 1993 having been stationed at Eccleshall Fire Station throughout his career. He was the last serving Sub-Offi cer at the old Fire Station on High Street and the fi rst Sub-Offi cer of the current Station on Newport Road. He successfully led the station in CFOA (Chief Fire Offi cers Association) national competitions and worked internationally in the RTC fi eld.

The funeral was attended by both serving and retired Fire Offi cers from across Staff ordshire, along with those from other counties and countries as well as the Fire Service Ceremonial Squad.

John also spent many years with Staff ordshire Ambulance Service, so many former and current Ambulance Service colleagues also attended. Our thoughts are with his wife Sheila, his family and friends at this time.

The sad passing of John Johnson (JJ)

Photo courtesy of Dave Hall from Eccleshall Today Facebook page

“JJ’ was a true local and county hero and this was refl ected by the number of people who attended his funeral service. Our thoughts are with his wife Sheila, his family and friends at this time.”Fire Fighter, Richard Kissman

11

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended several significant and high profile incidents in the last quarter.

On Monday, February 11, the Service

was called to a large scale fire the

George Bryan Centre in Tamworth.

The call was received at 8.52pm and

ten pumps were assigned to attend

the incident on Plantation Lane

including the Aerial Ladder Platform

from Longton.

During the fire the crews quickly

worked alongside staff at the mental

health facility to evacuate 20 people.

The incident was split into three

sectors and four sets of breathing

apparatus were used with three main

jets and two hose reel jets to put out

the fire.

The fire had spread quickly and crews

were at the scene for several hours the

following day in order to damp down

and ensure the blaze was completely

out.

Staffordshire Police were also in

attendance along with colleagues

from West Midlands Fire and

Rescue Service who helped with the

investigation.

A fire investigation was carried out by

Station Manager Rob Horton and the

cause was found to be deliberate.

Since operation at the George Bryan

Centre concluded members of the

public and local MP Christopher

Pincher have expressed their

gratitude to the Fire Service.

The community have also come out

in support of the hospital and have

worked to raise money iso that the

facility can re-open.

Large fire at George Bryan Centre in Tamworth

12

Based at Fire Service HQ, it provides essential support to the Service by ensuring we are adequately prepared to respond effectively to all types of emergency incidents. Group Manager Brian Griffiths heads a team of 16 who carry out roles such as:

• Organisational Assurance, including the HMICFRS programme• Research and Development of appliances, equipment and PPE and their procurement• Acting as professional advisors to Transport and Engineering (JETS)• Maintaining breathing apparatus and specialist technical equipment • Policy, guidance and procedure (local, regional and national)• Strategic risk management• Business continuity planning• Corporate agreements• Business logistics: chargeable services• Fire control liaison• Water supplies management• Providing advice and liaison to Staffordshire Resilience Forum • Working with L&D to train staff on new equipment

The Role of the Emergency Response Team (ERT)

13

The team covers a broad range of activities. Brian explains: “A large proportion of the team’s work is project based and deals with the introduction or replacement of new operational appliances and equipment. These projects are managed by a Station Manager who is supported by Watch and Crew Managers and the equipment officer.

“One of the biggest projects we’ve worked on recently is the introduction of the 11 new Rosenbauer appliances which will be rolled out this year.

As well as projects the team has a number of business as usual roles it fulfils including: reviewing and testing all the Service’s Business Continuity Plans, dealing with insurance claims, processing complaints, providing Fire Reports to insurance companies, dealing with chargeable special service calls and all corporate agreements. We do a lot more than people think”.

The team is working on a number of projects including:

• New Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) to be introduced into Service by February 2020 • Phase three of the Positive Pressure Ventilation fans (PPV) project to include all on-call stations• Body Worn Video Cameras to be issued to all Tactical Advisors to obtain operational footage for learning and to record operational briefings and decision making• A full review of Special Appliances to be undertaken during 2019 to identify a three-year replacement programme • Wild Fire – to scope out the service requirements for operational appliances and equipment for dealing effectively with Wild Fire incidents following the outcome of the 2018 hot weather incidents debrief• A full review of our firefighting PPE

The Role of the Emergency Response Team (ERT)

14

Craig Williamson the Exercise Therapist at Marine Court (one of The Fire Fighters Charity’s centres), talks about the physical and mental health benefits of getting out and about for a quick stroll.

“With the days getting longer and the weather warming up, there is no better time to start thinking about going for a walk. There are lots of physical and psychological benefits to walking, as well as benefits to the environment if it means using the car less. It is a cheap and easy way to get active - all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes. To stay healthy, it is recommended by the

National Institute for Health Care Excellence to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, which could include a brisk walk. In a study of more than 260,000 people in the UK, it was found that there were significantly fewer instances of cardiovascular disease and cancer in people who commuted to work actively through walking or cycling, compared to those who used cars or public transport. Regular walking has also been shown to have psychological benefits, such as improving mood and decreasing feelings of anxiety.

Positive steps: Why is walking good for you?

15

Positive steps: Why is walking good for you?

Ways to in incorporate more walking into our daily lives • Walk to work• Use the stairs rather than the lift• Walk across the office to talk to a colleague rather than sending an email• Arrange to go for a countryside walk with friends or family

It is easy for things to get in the way of going outdoors or doing physical activity, but there are some useful ways to try to stay motivated. You can involve others so that you can motivate each other. Joining a walking group is a great way to meet new people and explore new places. Most modern phones have the ability to count the number of steps you take as you go about your day, which is a great tool to track how you are doing.

At The Fire Fighters Charity, we utilise the benefits of walking both for beneficiaries and staff. At Marine Court, we go out for daily walks along the seafront. For some injuries/conditions we may get people walking in the hydrotherapy pool or anti-gravity treadmill, to reduce the load going through the joints. Exploring the great outdoors as a group is also a great social activity.

Health benefits of physical activity: • Can help to maintain a healthy weight• Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes• Can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety• Maintains bone density

16

NARF has commissioned its own Remembrance Poppy Pin badge. These are exclusively for NARF members and are not available to purchase anywhere else.

Numbers are limited and are available on a ‘fi rst come fi rst served’ basis.

Only £5.00 including postage and packing.Order your badge from Peter Buckland, whose contact details can be found on the NARF website shop page: www.narfi re.gov.uk

NARF Remembrance Poppy Pin Badge

£5only

inc. P&P

17

Promotion ProcessOver the next 18 months, a number of senior fi refi ghters in the Service will be collecting their pensions. As part of succession planning, a promotion process was run to identify Station Managers suitable to be developed into Group Managers.

A similar process was also run for Station and Crew Managers. The Group Manager candidates were interviewed by the Principal Offi cers and given a media assessment.

The next stage involved a simulation of a major incident, followed by a tough media interview.

“The idea was to pile on as much pressure as we could to see how they coped, “ said Director of Prevent and Protect, Glynn Luznyj who observed the exercise. “We condensed several hours of activity into one hour and threw all sorts of really testing scenarios at them. I hope they never have to deal with all these things at the same time, but we work for an emergency service so we have to be prepared for the worst.”

The four successful candidates: Simon Craythorn, Graham Mills, Ian Read and David Steele will take up their posts when positions become vacant”.

At the recent AGM of the Staff ordshire branch of NARF, a cheque was presented to Matt Crompton of AEDdonate. The donation came from money raised from the raffl e held during last year’s Christmas lunch. AEDdonate is committed to improving survival from ‘out of hospital’ cardiac arrest, by supporting the

placement and use of automatic external defi brillators to local communities.

For more information visit their website www.aeddonate.org.uk

Presentation of cheque to ‘AEDdonate’

18

In our last edition we included a piece about the new firefighter apprentices. They’ve been on their watches for three months now, so we thought we’d catch up with one of them to see how he’s getting on.

Matt Setterfield, who took up his role on Blue Watch in Burton-on-Trent, gave us his thoughts on joining his team.

“I’ve settled in really well,” he said. “Everyone has been very welcoming. They have all been great at showing me the ropes and helping with my development. It has also helped having one of the other recruits on station, so we can talk about what we need to be concentrating on and helping each other out.”

Actually working on shift has not yielded any nasty surprises, so far: “Luckily, we were given a good expectation of what a typical day may look like during training. I guess before joining I didn’t realise how much community work we do, such as the Safe and Well visits.

“I feel like I’m getting the hang of some things, but I also recognise that I still have an incredible amount of stuff to learn. In my short time on the run I have been to RTCs, small

fires, up the ALP breaking windows, and even did two animal rescues in one day. First we had a Muntjac on the station which we had to capture with the help of the RSPCA, and then half an hour later a duck which had become frozen in a lake. You never know what to expect.

“One of the RTCs I attended had a fatality and afterwards my watch ensured I was OK and offered to talk about it. We also had a TRiM meeting soon after, so I know if ever I need help dealing with incidents that processes are in place.”

Asked if he would still recommend the job to others, he replies: “Definitely. I have really enjoyed the challenge from day one and I love the variety of jobs we do. It’s really rewarding and you never know what to expect.”

Matt Setterfield Three Months In

19

WILLIAM WOOD SPECIAL WATCH OFFER

Luxury British watch-maker, William Wood Watches, is to donate 50% of its profits from a unique collection of firefighter-inspired watches to The Fire Fighters Charity.

Website: williamwoodwatches.comInstagram: instagram.com/williamwoodwatchesContact us: info@williamwoodwatches.com

Jonny Garrett, founder of the London-based timepiece specialist, has created a bespoke collection of watches in memory of his grandfather, William Wood, who served in the British Fire Service for more than 25 years and was awarded commendations for his bravery and service. The Chivalrous collection, the first ever range from William Wood Watches, comprises five limited edition watches, each with a unique number engraved on the back of the case. They are being offered to SFRS retired members for a discounted price of £265, (normal retail price is £299.99), with a donation to The Fire Fighters Charity from every watch sold.

Jonny says: “My grandfather’s character and illustrious career has inspired our brand and design in many ways. Our logo represents the profile of a traditional British 1920s firefighter’s helmet and placed in the back of every watch is a limited edition William Wood coin. Each coin is made from brass, the same metal used in a vintage British firefighter’s helmet.”See overleaf for a special discount code >>>

£265SPECIAL OFFER

RRP. £299.99

20

UNIQUE DISCOUNT CODE

STAFFORDSHIREFRS

This is unique discount code specifi cally for the Staff ordshire Fire and Rescue Service Retired Welfare

Network that will generate the discount on our website. The code for your members to use is:

Do you have any interesting old photographs you would like to share with the Retired Network?...The history of The Service always makes interesting

reading and we would love to feature your old

photos in a future article in the Retired Network

Newsletter. The Service has changed a great deal

over the years and seeing photographs can stir

memories of long-forgotten incidents and fellow

crew members. If you have anything interesting

to share about your time in the Service or would

like to suggest an article for a future edition, please

contact Andy with your suggestions. You will fi nd

his email and address details on the front cover of

this newsletter.

PHOTO CALL !

Staff ordshire FRS

We need your photos!

We need your photos!

We need your photos!

21

Thornycroft Restoration Project - Reminder

The previous newsletter included a request from Alf Wilson asking for voluntary assistance or support with a project to refurbish an old Thornycroft fi re appliance.

Whilst he has been making progress in seeking support and sponsorship, he would like to remind members that any off er of help will be gratefully received. The vehicle needs some work. The wooden inner body frame (ash), needs renewing; the engine, a Rolls Royce B80 (an 8-cylinder wet sump petrol engine), requires a rebuild; the body needs an overhaul and the chassis and remainder of the vehicle require attention, not to mention the pump.

The Service hopes that the Thornycroft (known as ‘THORNY’), could be used as a vehicle for Community Safety Education projects, contributing to community safety and saving lives.

If you require further information, wish to meet Alf or visit the vehicle, you

can contact him on the email address or mobile number below.

E: alfredwilson@sky.comM: 07531 093273

22

The 6 year-old Malinois and his handler, Matt Dixon form one of only 15 Fire Investigation Dog teams in the country.

They cover the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Hereford and Worcester and Warwickshire fire service areas but have also been called to places as far afield as Essex, West Wales and Skegness.

They’re usually called to a fire by a Fire Investigator to establish or rule out arson, but they can also be asked to find a sample of an accelerant as evidence when a fire is known to have been started deliberately.

Kai is the third FI dog Matt has handled since joining the fire service 12 years ago. His first dog, a Springador called Ellie, continued to work until she was 12. His next dog, Pepper the pointer, retired aged seven because her temperament was no longer suited to working.

Kai has a nose for business What has four legs, boots, and can detect 12 flammable liquids ranging from lighter fuel to diesel? Answer: West Midlands Fire Service’s Fire Investigation Dog, Kai.

23

Kai came to Matt as a puppy and proved to be a natural. “It usually takes about nine months to train an FI Dog, but Kai managed it in just three”,Matt explained.

“Kai’s ‘training’ started more or less from the day he came to us. I began with toy-focused training very early on and progressed to detection training later.”

Kai is not only able to detect 12 different flammable liquids, but can recognise them at various stages of evaporation.

“Liquids smell different to dogs depending on what stage of evaporation they’ve reached,” Matt said.

“A quantity of lighter fuel that’s been around for 10 minutes smells different to a dog from one that’s been there for a couple of hours.

“That means the dog has to be trained to detect these different smells, so, although he can detect 12 different chemicals, he actually has to be able to recognise hundreds of smells to do his job.”

Having a canine companion canoffer some compensation for the more difficult aspects of Matt’s job.

“Even though we can be called to traumatic jobs, like the tragic house fire in Sycamore Lane inStafford, I still count myself lucky to be making my living working with dogs. They really are the best people.”

Recent RetireesThose who have retired since the last

newsletter are:

Name Location

Dave Williams Cannock

Dale Harrison HQ

Dean Simms Longton

Rowan Kitten HQ

Tim Collis Cannock

Mick Dunning Cannock

24

-Brew with a crew-Past and present

Do you fancy meeting quarterly at your local Community Fire Station for a cuppa and a chat?

-Share your wealth of experience with serving fi refi ghters,

whilst fi nding out about today’s service.-

To register your interest please contact:

Safer Communities CIC Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service HQ

Pirehill, Stone, ST15 0BS www.safercommunitiescic@staffordshirefi re.gov.uk

T: 01785 898 516

A shout out to all Firefi ghters past and present!