February 2009

Keeping Fire and Rescue Service Personnel Informed REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CHESHIRE PROJECTS nnovative work by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service which has improved the safety of local communities IAND saved money has been highlighted in a major national report. Splashing out In ‘Rising to the Challenge: improving fire service efficiency’, the Audit Commission - the national body which ensures public services deliver value for money - says the fire and rescue service could save as much as £200 million a year without threatening the safety of firefighters or the public. And it highlights the work of Cheshire as being among a small number of progressive services which are leading the way on making efficiencies which can then be reinvested in work to protect families and businesses. The report highlights Cheshire’s use of smaller, midi fire appliances which are known as Targeted Response Vehicles (TRVs) as they are mainly intended to respond to small nuisance fires, which make up around 40% of all fires attended by the Service. The vehicles can be crewed by between two to four firefighters, cost £50,000 less to buy than a normal appliance, £8,300 a year less to run and produce a third of the CO2 emissions. Other Cheshire projects highlighted in the report include: • the Service’s day crewing system which operates in areas of fairly low activity and provides a high level of cover but at significantly less cost than full-time • data sharing with other public bodies to give priority support to vulnerable residents • using the service’s home safety assessment visits to Find out why some staff spent several days up to carry out additional checks on older people and referring their necks in water - see page 20 them to other agencies - benefits take-up has increased by £2 million as a result. I N has Halah Director visit from stays says S playmates cool thanks I p3 p11 p16 D E PLUS... In the spotlight - page 14 Certificate presentation for crews

heshire Fire and Rescue personnel from Congleton were Cpresented with certificates in January for their involvement with the local Crime and Disorder Partnership. Firefighters based at Congleton Fire Station have been working closely with the Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Unit which has been recognised for its work over the last year for undertaking activities with all sections of the community, especially young people. This has included establishing several youth diversion activities including a boxing club, basketball sessions, football competitions and a series of rock concerts in Park. issues aligned to our HSA risk profiling. Unit, enables us to deliver key Fire and Crews have been supporting the Road Safety Messages to the young Mark Cashin Deputy Chief Fire profiling and delivery of the StreetSafe people we engage with.” event which was achieved by targeting Officer for Community Safety said “it is areas within the Borough and delivering vital we continue to develop links with The Partnership narrowly missed out a significant amount of Home Safety the communities that we serve. Getting on going to the National Justice Board Assessments (HSA’s) where crime involved with valuable projects such as Awards. the Congleton Neighborhood Policing ’s winter warm roadshow

Warrington Community Safety department has been actively participating in the Winter Warm Roadshow which has been running in the area for the past two years. Partners include the lead agency Primary Care Trust, Warrington Road Safety Department, Warrington Disability Partnership, Age Concern, Community Services, Golden Gates Housing Trust and of course, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. The events have taken place monthly throughout winter in locations such as Rixton, , Orford, Bewsey, Stockton Heath and Burtonwood areas of Warrington. These provide an 'Outreach' initiative to give advice and information to local older and disabled persons about various issues including healthy eating, exercise, keeping warm and safe in winter, financial benefits checks, road safety and fire safety in the home and offering Home Safety Assessments to disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Several members of staff, including volunteers, have represented the CFRS and one of the Outreach Fire Stations has been used as a  Advocate Barrie Green displays the Outreach vehicle to members of the public base. outside the Town Hall in Warrington.

2 in my view. . .

The extent of the global financial crisis Indeed, a number of the projects and seems to increase every week and it is clear proposals we have implemented are cited as that the implications for both the public and examples of best practice which other services the private sector are going to be serious are encouraged to adopt. and far reaching. Yet it is clear that we need to do more so We are fortunate that we are currently in a that we can limit the impact the inevitable very strong financial position as an organisation, squeeze on public authority spending is going but that is only because we have made some to have in the coming months and years. tough decisions in the past and kept our We have to be more efficient and ensure we spending within our means. match our resources to the risks facing local It is very pleasing, therefore, to be singled communities. That is why proposals such as the out as one of the most progressive fire and new crewing arrangements at are rescue services in the country in the Audit critical to our future success. Steve Commission’s report on efficiency in the fire and McGuirk rescue service. Widnes has visit from playmates hite Watch at Widnes arranged for the Playmate WNursery to visit the station in January. The nursery had asked if it was possible to bring along approximately 14 children, all three and four years old, so they could find out what firefighters do. Although they were only toddlers the aim was to educate them to fire safety. A full tour of the station was given along with a look at the fire engines and, although cold outside, the children were more than enthusiastic to have a go at squirting water. The visit was arranged by Firefighters Steve O’Neill and William  Firefighters Steve O’Neil, Stef Hornby and Crew Cowell as part of their student portfolio and coincided with the nurseries Manager Graham Maher with children from Playmates and Steve O’Neill instructing the scheme on people who help others. The Nursery has already had a visit children on hose reel usage. from the Police and are due a visit from North West Ambulance Service. Tax rise kept at 2.9% THE COUNCIL Tax increase needed to fund the Service is projects in each of the four new being kept down to under 3 per cent to limit the impact on unitary council areas local council taxpayers. • An extra £90,000 to The increase is equivalent to just £1.82 a year more for a increase training in incident Band D home – or 3.5p per week extra - but fire chiefs say it command and for staff on the will still allow them to invest in new projects, including ones retained duty system aimed at improving training in risk-critical areas. • £120,000 towards At February’s Fire Authority, Members set the budget for youth engagement projects 2009-10 at £42 million and agreed to a 2.9 per cent rise in • £100,000 to update Council Tax – putting the amount needed from a Band D breathing apparatus home up from £62.71 a year to £64.53. training facilities at New developments in the budget include: • Over £600,000 to invest in new technology and • A new £100,000 budget to support local safety equipment to support frontline emergency response. 3 Birchwood train the leaders of the future n January Birchwood’s White Watch spent an afternoon delivering part of a Team Leadership Icourse in conjunction with Birchwood Community High School. Eleven year 10 students visited the station as part of a new short course being run by the School, accredited with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Course Director Jo Mason was keen to introduce the learners to team leading in a variety of settings including public and private sector and to look at the role of teamwork and leadership in an emergency service organisation. During the afternoon, different aspects of the Fire and Rescue Service’s role were discussed and students took part in some practical training exercises under the guidance of Watch members. Crews emphasised the importance of communication and clear lines of leadership when managing dynamic and changeable situations. Firefighter Mark Proctor said, “The response from the  Watch Manager Foxcroft, Firefighter Mark Proctor and student students was really positive. I hope they found it useful seeing how classroom theory is applied in practice”. Volunteer campaign aims high People deciding on a new resolution are being encouraged to make a difference to the safety of their community by becoming a volunteer with the Service. There are currently some 220 volunteers and the Service is inviting more people to join its volunteer programme. Volunteer activities are ideal for people from all walks of life and include carrying out home safety assessments, acting out role plays of accidents, and youth work with Fire Cadet Units, our Kooldown programme and The Prince’s Trust. By becoming a volunteer with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service you can gain new experiences, skills and friends, which could last for life. Volunteers will be working out of their local fire station and anyone interested in joining should call 01606 868654, email [email protected] or visit the website www.cheshirefire.gov.uk or contact Mark Burrage on 01606 868654 [email protected] Firefighter Barrie Green has been a volunteer for over two years whilst working full time in the Service’s community safety department. With a passion for firefighting memorabilia, Barrie found volunteering with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service a perfect  Above, it could be you - a photograph from the way of spending his spare time recruitment campaign and right, Barrie Green with vintage fire engines.

4 First fire safety case secures £20,000 fine usinesses across Cheshire are being urged to ensure they are Bcomplying with fire safety legislation following a case in which a company was fined £20,000 after pleading guilty to five offences. The firm were convicted at Magistrates Court of serious offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005, and as well as the fine they were ordered to pay costs of £10,000. It was the first prosecution to be brought by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service under the legislation and they are hoping it will remind other companies of the seriousness of failing to comply. The prosecution followed a complaint received at Widnes Fire Station from an anonymous source in February 2008 which referred to fire safety issues at the Centrol Recycling Group Limited in Widnes. Watch Weightmans solicitors representing Managers Tony Hodgkinson and Phillip Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Blakemore from Community Fire Jayne Nixon from our legal team also Protection visited the premises next day attended together with Tony Hodgkinson and found a large number of serious fire and Station Manager Lee Shears. safety contraventions. A total of eight summonses were Obstructed issued by CFRS with a guilty plea being Issues found by fire safety inspectors entered by Centrol Recycling for five of during the visit included: them. The Prosecution file had been • An external staircase seriously compiled by Tony who identified the obstructed with gas cylinders eight serious contraventions of the nearby Regulatory Reform Order which are detailed below together with the fines • Fire exit doors which could not be imposed: opened or were heavily obstructed the regulations and prosecute offenders. Article 8 – Duty to take general fire This case is the first one to be brought • Exit routes which were heavily precautions; Article 13 – Fire fighting by ourselves under the new Fire Safety obstructed and had no lighting or and fire detection; Article 14 – Order and we hope that it serves as a signs Emergency routes and exits (all fined message to companies across Cheshire, • Combustible material stored £5,000); Article 11 – Fire Safety Halton and Warrington of the against a boundary fence of an Arrangements; Article 17 – Maintenance importance of fire safety in the adjacent tanker storage area (fined 2,500 each); and Article 9 – Risk workplace. Assessment); Article 19 - Provision of “Our aim is to work closely with local • Fire extinguishers that had either information to employees and Article 21 companies to ensure the safety of both been discharged or were empty. – Training (all formal caution). their staff and their customers and we The prosecution finally came to court Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark would urge people to contact their local in December. The case was heard Cashin said of the result, “Prosecution is fire protection staff for advice and before a district judge at Runcorn very much a last resort but in serious guidance.” Magistrates court with Chris Green from cases we will use our powers to enforce

5 Road safety initiative targets Birchwood businesses irchwood’s White Watch has been working in partnership with local businesses to deliver road safety messages via Bemployee’s monthly wage-slips. The area has a number of large employers and consequently experiences a high volume of traffic during the rush-hour. It is hoped that by targeting these people directly incidents on the roads may be reduced. A number of companies have been approached including DHL, Walkers, BNFL and Iceland and all agreed to work with the Fire and Rescue Service to help raise road-safety awareness. So far approximately 3000 winter-themed road safety leaflets have been included in the wage-slips of the local workforce. This will be extended to cover seasonal topics throughout the year. Firefighter Mark Proctor said, “As a resident of Birchwood I have a genuine interest in promoting safety around our roads. It seems especially pertinent at this time of year, when the days are short and driving conditions can be hazardous. The business community is sometimes hard to reach for us, but we feel this is an effective way of getting our message across”. HQ team present Grand opening for charity cheque new Stores Members of Headquarters Sports and Welfare presented a The “new” Stores area at Headquarters was officially cheque for £121 to Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin opened on Thursday 5 February by Chair of the Fire for The Firefighters Charity following several Christmas Authority Cllr Tony Hooton. events. The stores has undergone a complete re-fit costing more Over £30 was raised at the Sports and Welfare Christmas than £30,000, with an investment in technology including extra Disco where the audience were tempted to win bottles of computer access. This project has also improved health and spirits and the rest by selling the obligatory “Reindeer Food”. safety standards, which has included the removal of trip Thanks to Santa’s little helpers Linda Jones and Sharon hazards, ratio gearing and locking facilities on each of the Langer for preparing the magic mixture. mobile units. The Stores has been designed to be space–efficient, aid stock control and inventory management and has undergone a full re-paint. A new delivery pilot is also now running, offering a daily delivery and collection service to the whole-time and day crewed stations.

 Representatives from SHQ Sports & Welfare, Judi Boardman, Diane Curbishley and Chris Blackham present the cheque to Mark  Cashin. A framed series of photographs depicting the Stores “before/during/after” the re-fit were presented by Cllr Hooton to Head of Procurement Tim Broughton 6 Crews encourage pupils to “Stop the Drop”

t the beginning of January Blue Watch from Runcorn in partnership with Halton ARoad Safety Team represented by Lorraine Shannon delivered a presentation at Halton High School to approximately sixty pupils aged 12-13, after statistical analysis carried out by the Road Safety Team found that this age group had the highest rate of offending. The aim of the presentation was to inform and educate the students on the dangers of throwing or dropping projectiles from bridges on to passing vehicles and highlighting the implications such actions had on the Fire Service both on an organisational and personal level and also the effects on the community as a whole. The message from the Fire Service left a positive impression. Watch Manager Pete Finnigan led the presentation and highlighted the potential for such actions to result in death or serious injury and the impact this would have on the victim, their friends  Halton High School pupils with Lyn Brookes- and family as well as the offender. Allen and Louise Shannon from Halton Other watches at Runcorn also delivered the Borough Council Road Safety Team, Niki Lewis from Cheshire Police and Advocate presentation throughout the week bringing the Frances Egerton audience total to over 200 students. DJs’ fashion show safety set

Dave Warren and Jenna Clare from the Youth Engagement RESPECT team arranged and played the music for Styal Primary School’s Charity Fashion show organised by Ella Jane Anderson. Ella contacted the two after her original DJ had to cancel at short notice. While at the show Jenna and Dave welcomed everyone and also took the opportunity to promote Home Safety Assessments, seasonal safety, and gave out safety information leaflets and flyers. They also worked with the children to complete ‘spot the danger’ quizzes and road safety work books were given to the teachers to work with the children at a later date. The event raised £366 which will be used to help replace three stolen computers following a recent robbery. A second event is planned for the summer - contact Ella Jane on [email protected]. For more information on any of the Youth Engagement programmes including RESPECT contact the team at Fire Station.

 Jenna and Dave with children from Style Primary School. 7 Crew provides New Year drinks

HE horses at Wilmslow’s Humane Education Society really did have long faces on New Year’s TEve when water pipes froze. The eight equines, six donkeys and (not forgetting) one Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig were pretty thirsty for the 150 gallons of water they collectively need each day and there was not a drop to drink. With no sign of the cold snap fading and the animals growing restless, volunteers at the sanctuary called Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service who came to the rescue. Wilmslow’s Blue Watch raced to the sanctuary and filled up troughs and buckets with their hoses for the animals to lap up the vast quantities of water they needed. David McCallum of the Humane Education Society  Blue Watch provide the drinks on New Years Eve said; "The equines need quite a lot of water, not just a cup full, and the pipes were frozen. Crews from Wilmslow came and filled them all up. They are all rescue animals at donkies; Rocket, Jeremy, Zeta, Lucky, Snowy, Bubbles and pig the sanctuary, so now they have been rescued twice." Erica are all very grateful to Blue Watch for their sterling efforts. Horses Holland and Jack, both ex-racehorses, ponies; The animals had satisfied their thirst so much they had a Jasper, Carla, Saracen, Shadow, Glitter, Molley and quiet night in on New Year’s Eve. Staff sign up to health challenge

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, attendees stating that they really awareness provided by the WI with Cheshire Police and Cheshire County enjoyed the classes offered and value some healthy refreshments. So far Council launched the Corporate the efforts from all organisations Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has Health Initiative at Cheshire Police HQ involved. 54 members of staff subscribed to on 10 January with over 150 members challenging Cheshire's Health with A successful launch event was held of staff attending. Cheshire Police have 205 members. at FSHQ on 16 January including a Feedback has been excellent from presentation/demonstration on fitness

 At the successful launch of the CHI initiative Jenny Whyley and Vicky Edwards (seated) from Cheshire Police, Judi Boardman from CFRS, CCC’s Carolyn Birks from the Occupational health unit and Josie Brownsord, Police HR Manager

8 from Firefighters in The Chair Runcorn flat rescue t the end of December two fire appliances from Runcorn Fire Station were mobilised to reports of a flat fire at Tanhouse, Runcorn. On arrival Acrews were faced with a well developed fire in a ground floor flat. A further two appliances were requested as crews set about trying to gain entry. Firefighters John Monaghan, Mark Hughes, Paul Douglas and Mikey Molyneux entered the property and proceeded to extinguish the fire and search for the occupier of the flat. After conducting a thorough search a male casualty was located in the living room and led to safety where first aid was administered by crews before handing over to the North West Ambulance Service. The actions taken by fire crews undoubtedly saved the man’s life. A hard wired Setting the budget is one of the smoke detector had been fitted at the property, but had been removed prior to this biggest decisions the Fire incident. Effective follow up action involving fire crews in partnership with CDS Authority has to make, and the Housing ensured that the occupier received a HSA at his new address and fire country’s current financial crews completed 38 HSA’s in close proximity of the incident following a situation has made this year’s “hotspotting” initiative the very next day. discussions even more challenging than usual. As Members we have to balance Persistent Pete the need to ensure sufficient funding to provide an effective fire and rescue service against the impact ensures medal joy any increase in our Council Tax level has on households whose budgets are already under pressure. Once again, while the budget for 2009/10 of £42 million includes some growth, this has been offset by efficiencies in both back office and operational services. I believe the 2.9 per cent increase in our Council Tax level is one which residents and our partners will find acceptable. Certainly some of the feedback from our consultation over the draft budget was extremely positive. People recognise that we need to  Dennis Robinson being presented with his medal by Firefighter Martin Scragg from provide a budget sufficient to Green Watch Macclesfield together with Dennis’ grandsons. address the risks facing our local Thanks to the very hard work of the hope of obtaining a replacement communities – rather than setting Firefighter Charity Representative medal for his Dad. Initial enquiries with the budget first and then only Pete Shields, 94 year old retired the DCLG proved unsuccessful until a delivering what’s affordable. Firefighter Dennis Robinson, currently telephone call to Pete Shields was made I am also pleased that we have in Macclesfield General Hospital and Pete`s dogged determination been able to maintain enough recovering from a stroke, received a brought forth fruit. Dennis was reserves should we have a major replacement Long Service and Good delighted to receive his medal Conduct Medal. accompanied by his grandsons. incident to deal with – this includes a General reserve of £4.6 million, a Dennis served with Cheshire Fire and Community Safety Reserve of Rescue Service many years ago and £1million and an IRMP ‘invest to had lost his medal when moving house. save’ fund of £0.5 million. His son Glynn contacted the Service in

9 Crews in horse rescue drama n Sunday 4 January crews from Birchwood, Warrington and attended an unusual Oincident on the M6 where a horse box had toppled over and landed on its side. The horse inside was badly bruised but had no other obvious injuries and an attending vet managed to sedate the animal which would aid the attempt to pull it clear. That tactic didn’t work so crews had to remove the heavy central partition of the horse box to give greater access to the trapped animal. With the vets help crews managed to stand the horse up and walk it out. The horse was very lucky, as if it had been a more active horse, crews believe that it would not have been able to get out without being completely anaesthetised, which would have been very dangerous for the horse. The police closed the motorway in both directions and the horse was trapped for approximately an hour. The horse unsurprisingly would not go back in the horse box that came to collect her. Crews were then required to remove a section of fencing to walk the horse into an adjacent field so that the police could reopen the carriageways. Cadets aim high for Ghana Cadet Paddy Couper from the Wilmslow Unit is making his first ever trip abroad as the youngest member of the Ghana 2009 Project team. Fifteen-year old Paddy has been hard at work raising money with a variety of sponsored activities including car washes, supermarket bag packs and a bike ride. Last year’s events were rounded off with a gruelling ‘Three Peaks Ladder Climb’ in which three members of the Cadet unit climbed a ladder to the first floor of the drill tower 565 times to reach the equivalent height of Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell Pike combined with the help of Firefighters Tony McCourt, Andy Burgess and Cadet Leader Alison Bailey. Tony said, “We were beginning to worry after the first 100 climbs as to the scale of the task. However the cadets showed a determination of which Sir Edmund Hillary would have be proud and finished the task in just over three hours raising almost £300”.  Cadet Paddy Couper and climbing team Widnes help in search for a clue On Thursday 15 January Station Manager Phil Kilgour and a crew from Blue Watch, Widnes attended an incident that had occurred on waste ground off Fiddlers Ferry Road, Widnes. Police had requested the attendance of a crew to pump away surface lying rain water from a potential crime scene following the discovery of a casualty that morning. This was to enable the Police and Crime Scene Investigators to conduct a fingertip search of the area in the hope of retrieving valuable evidence, which may have otherwise been covered by water, and also making the area a safer and more pleasant working environment for investigators - a good example of partnership working with local Police.  Crews assist CSI in clearing the excess water at the crime scene. 10 Halah stays cool IN BRIEF to save familiy SAFETY TALK A young girl from not only led her family to safety during a recent PRAISE fire at their home but was also instrumental in providing vital information to This “thank you” letter was received Control Operators and firefighters. from Victoria Court who were visited On New Years Eve Halah Al Mashta dialled 999 after a fire broke out in one of in December as part of the “Frames” the bedrooms at her house in Sandbach. On arrival, firefighters found the bedroom initiative when crews visited to be well alight but that all occupants of the property which included eight-year old residential homes in the Widnes area. Dalia, four-year old Mase and one-year old Mohammed and the children’s grandmother had been led to safety by the eldest daughter who is just 12 years old. Dear Blue Watch Crew Thank you very much for the safety Halah, from Iraq translated crucial safety information to her grandmother who and information talk. Myself and the speaks very little English and also helped firefighters at the scene using advice gained from them during a recent visit to her school, Sandbach High. tenants really enjoyed it and found it very informative. The officers were Halah’s mother Zahida said: “Every time I look at her I start to cry. She’s an very polite and professional. angel. I’m so very proud of her. She has done an amazing job. She knew what to do because she had a talk and a letter from school about what to do in a fire.” Thank you all for the good job you all do. Mark Cashin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Keep safe. Community Risk Yours sincerely Reduction said, “The fire Scheme Manager officers who attended this Victoria Court fire have told me that Halah was a very brave and helpful young girl and a huge help to both our BILLBOARD control operators and firefighters. “I would like to SUCCESS commend Halah for her A high-profile poster campaign at quick actions which Warrington developed by Admin undoubtedly saved the  Halah with her mother Zahadi being congratulated by lives of her brothers; Sandbach’s Watch Manager John Brownrigg Manager Julie Fitzpatrick has been a sisters and grandmother. resounding success. Members of I am also delighted to hear that Halah knew what to do as firefighters had recently staff from the station recently visited visited her school to give a fire safety talk. Congratulations and well done again to the billboard positioned on a busy her.” roundabout in the town to highlight the campaign. Chair of the Fire Authority Cllr Tony Hooton added, “This is an excellent example of how our community risk reduction work is playing a huge part in saving the lives of residents in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington. Halah has now been entered for an award for her outstanding bravery and I look forward to meeting her at the awards event later this year.” Following the incident, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have carried out a home safety assessment and fitted a smoke alarm downstairs at the property and have also visited neighbours to give fire safety advice. White watches hit target

The White Watches at Runcorn and Chester both hit their Home Safety Assessment targets on the same day - over two months ahead of schedule. l – r Warrington Firefighters Nige The two watches both completed their 1,000 HSA targets on January 22nd. Spencer, Ian Ball, Admin Manager Community Safety Manager Phil Hales has congratulated all of the staff involved Julie Fitzpatrick and FF Matt Hope on this achievement.

11 Joint events prove engaging

Last year Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service ran 43 Driver Engagement Days (DED’s) in partnership with Cheshire Police. This resulted in direct engagement with almost 2000 drivers throughout the County by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service staff. For the uninitiated, these operations involve the police spotting and stopping drivers who have committed so called ‘minor’ offences which are generally speeding, mobile phone use, or not wearing seatbelts. The drivers are given the choice to either take the appropriate penalty for the offence or to park up and receive a fairly hard hitting but informative presentation from CFRS staff, the aim of which is very simple- to educate drivers as to the major consequences of so called ‘minor’ offences.  Crews talking to drivers at Fire Station during a recent Driver The CFRS staff who have been involved in these Engagement Day. events are from acrossw the Service - operational, advocates, and our volunteers and all have said they drivers on a random basis, some weeks after the event. Their enjoyed the day. Perhaps more importantly, it is responses have never been less than positive, and in most cases they impossible for our staff to take part in a Driver are grateful for the advice we have given them. Engagement Day without realising the real and huge “The positive messages from these events cannot be overstated. impact that CFRS have on the drivers that we talk to. We intend to continue with this initiative, and indeed increase activity” Follow up letters have been written to some of the said Assistant Road Safety Manager Colin Heyes. Killer strikes at Safety HQ Thanks from John Holt Cancer Support Foundation This letter was recently received from the Founder and Co-ordinator of the John Holt Cancer Support Foundation, Mrs Chris Holt: “On behalf of the Foundation I would warmly like to thank you for the fantastic support that Red Watch at Birchwood has given to us in 2008. “As a small voluntary group it is very important that we raise the profile of the charity so we arranged to meet with  The sparrowhawk attack for his next meal Watch Manager Jami Jennings who didn’t hesitate to offer the Watch’s support in whatever way they could. On 13 January members of staff from Community Safety “On 5 December we held the first Children’s Christmas were horrified to witness a brutal murder. Party which was organised by Red Watch who provided this fabulous party on our behalf. We had 20 children and A collared dove hit one of the windows in of the grandchildren of patients and carers who are affected by Community Safety portacabin - leaving an imprint on the cancer which allowed them a little something nice to take glass. The three in the office thought it was just the dove that them away from cancer for a short time. had crashed into the glass and went to give first aid, but were astonished to see the poor bird was a victim of a “The night was a huge success and very special to us. sparrowhawk attack, the perpetrator actually clutching the The local newspaper covered it and as a result we had a struggling bird. new bereaved carer contact us and a new volunteer and we are sure we would not have the coverage without Red Unfortunately the team were too late to prevent the grisly Watch. Special thanks to all of Red Watch and especially murder and were even more surprised to see the hawk return Jami, John Butler and Vaughan Parker. the next morning to finish of his victim for breakfast. Bad luck day indeed for one lonesome dove. “We are now aiming to open our own Drop in Cancer Support Centre in Warrington so there is a lot of work for us to do.” 12 ‘New’ watch gets close to the community

orthwich Firefighters on ‘B meeting: Watch’ may have found a few “I would like to personnel changes recently but N say a big THANK this has not changed the proactive YOU for your visit. and interactive work within the community. Wishing the “old boys” a The tenants happy retirement has not slowed thought the talk was down the activities or on-going very beneficial to initiatives, in fact the new blood has them and to the staff. taken it to the next level! Both of you made it  Residents from Station view with Gary and Nick. very easy for them to After a request by the understand the Community Housing (NCH) to talk to dangers as well as staff about fire safety at their newest the safety aspects. I independent residential living would like to thank accommodation in Station View, you both for giving up Northwich, “new” Firefighter Nick Gough your free time - we accompanied by “old” Gary Williamson know how precious it thought it would be a good idea to talk is. to the residents also about fire safety as the residents have different levels of Kind Regards, autism. Anouska” It was agreed that Nick and Gary The meeting went would attend the next residents so well it was not accommodation at Northwich’s Town meeting, and even though it was outside long before Anouska asked if Northwich Bridge Court, after receiving several duty hours the Watch didn’t want to Firefighters could attend other calls because of alarms sounding, nearly delay the importance of the meeting. residencies within her charge. Doing all due to the resident’s culinary skills They delivered the fire safety that little extra outside duty has led to a going wrong. presentation to six out of the eight partnership with NCH with other residents who were all very keen to meetings arranged for the near future. He delivered a short talk to over 30 attend. Nick, supported by B Watch, also residents on responding to alarms, fire safety in their apartments, driving safely NCH Manager Anouska Penash sent attended a residents meeting at an and informed them of our partnership us the following kind words after the independent residential living working with Help the Aged. Service balloon make round trip This information and photo was received via our “Feedback” facility on our web page: “Hello there! On Friday 9th January I was walking on Hepburn Moor in Northumberland when I came across the balloon pictured below lying in the heather. I have no idea when the balloon was released, but it has clearly done you proud - travelling, as it has, well over 200 miles from Cheshire. I have attached a screen grab from Google Earth showing you more or less the spot where I picked it up. However, if the chances of the balloon travelling such a long way are enormous, then what must the chances be of somebody actually from near Cheshire finding it in such a remote spot? I live in Sale, South - you couldn't make it up, could you. All the best - and keep up the good work.”

Marcus Leigh  Balloon and Balloon map 13 IN THE

Equality Outreach worker Jo Young

We are including a new feature in our January I was welcomed by Chester’s newsletter where an employee White Watch to participate in the day’s room of one household didn’t take away highlights the role they fill and the activities. It was a great opportunity to the importance of the work that is work they do. This edition features talk to staff from Firefighters to Watch undertaken. Jo Young, our Equality Outreach Managers – their experience ranging Lunch back at the station was worker. from eight months to 25 years service. interrupted after only 15 minutes by a “As a new member of staff based in I was lucky enough to see at first call to an electrical fire, quickly followed the Corporate Communications Dept at hand the demands that are placed on by a visit to Chester Zoo with Watch Headquarters, my role mainly our front line staff, not just from Manager Rodaway to discuss risk concentrates on Equality Outreach emergency calls, but from all CFRS assessment and evacuation plans for work. This involves both local internal departments. Something I will their mono rail. authorities and also third sector bear in mind when making requests for Returning to the station for a brew organisations, with the principal role of station support – give plenty of notice! allowed time for one more call out engaging both sectors in joint My day began with a tour around an before my shift finished. consultation. appliances, before I headed off with So, what have I learnt? ….It does get A great deal of my time is spent Watch Manager Beechey to undertake your adrenalin going to drive through speaking and interacting with people Home Safety Assessments. Our first traffic with the siren and blues flashing from all sections of our community. with an elderly gentleman, who’s not knowing what to expect. Oh, eat Although my primary role is the confusion only grew when we had to and drink quickly because you never consultation project – funded by CWIEP, leave him mid conversation to go to an know when the bells will sound! I also represent Cheshire Fire and incident. After attending a false alarm, Rescue Service. we went back some forty minutes later It was an invaluable day for me, just to finish the job. to experience first hand how diverse a As a consequence, I felt it would be “typical” day is on a fire station, and the beneficial to spend a day at a fire On the whole we were met very different skills needed to interact with station to understand what operational positively by householders, and even the community we serve. staff deal with on a “typical” day. So in being temporarily locked in the living Study success for Respect trio

Last year Joanne Ayrton, John Pugh and Jenna Clare, who all work within CFRS RESPECT Team, embarked on a course at George Williams College. Joanne, John and Jenna successfully completed the course in October and were invited to London to receive a Diploma in Foundation Studies in Informal and Community Education. They were presented with their certificate by Jack Petchey, one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs who donates his time and money to various organisations who are involved in the development of young people.

 Joanne, Jenna and John receiving their diplomas from Jack Petchey.

14 Alcohol awareness day at Runcorn reen Watch joined forces with Halton Borough Council and NHS Drug and Alcohol awareness Ggroup to give advice on the effects of alcohol to staff at Howdens Kitchen manufacturers in Runcorn. The partnership set up a stand in the works canteen and gave hand-outs and offered advice on alcohol related matters. The team offered advice on the number of safe units of alcohol that could be consumed in a week and also discussed the dangers of driving the day after a night out drinking. Staff were informed that it takes an hour for one unit of alcohol to leave the body (one pint equals three units). The staff that took part gave positive feedback to all the agencies involved. Firefighters Mike Jones from Runcorn and Pete Williams from Widnes also talked about some of their experiences of attending Road Traffic Collisions that have been related to  FF’s Mike Jones and Pete Williams with staff and agency partners drink driving. at Howdens in Runcorn. St John’s Wood Community School Knutsford Firefighters recently attended St John’s Wood Community School which caters for 11-16 year old from all over the county with a variety of learning difficulties including Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD), Behavioural Emotional Social Difficulties (BESD) and Autistic tendencies. Our Search and Rescue dog, Bryn also attended the session and was the “prize” for the best behaved pupil who was allowed to hide in the play ground and have Bryn “find” them, a tactic which worked and the crews had perfect behaviour from the pupils. At present, because of the pupil’s ages, the school is not on the list to receive our annual Key stage 2 input. However judging by the interaction and enthusiasm experienced by our team and subsequent letter of thanks they received from the head Mr M J Burgess it is felt that the school will receive visits in the future.  Pupils are introduced to Bryn Was it a bird or a plane ! Northwich’s B Watch was called to an at a house and were staying on through 2009, leaving the super incident at a private dwelling on New the night. heroes to enjoy the rest of the evening Years eve, the cause being an safe in the knowledge that they had two “You may wonder what all these Automatic Fire Alarm accidentially brand new smoke alarms.” super heroes could possibly want with activated. Below is their version of CFRS finest, because the last time any their surreal encounter. of the Watch had a medical, none of us “Two minutes after booking mobile could run faster than a speeding train or and starting the journey back to the jump over houses. But it was all in the Station a surreal moment forced the need for safety as the house that they appliance to stop – they were being were staying in was being renovated flagged down by…Superman, Wonder and had no smoke alarms. After a Woman, Indiana Jones, John Barnes, a quick inspection we advised that two big cuddly Panda, Lady Penelope, the smoke alarms were needed and Hulk and of course the obligatory Nurse completed what Northwich believe to be - all were attending a New Years party the first Home Safety Assessment of  Here’s wishing you all a safe 2009 15 Director’s thanks for visit

This letter was sent to Chief Fire Officer Steve McGuirk from Shona Dunn, the  Shona Dunn meeting Winsford Fire Director of Fire and Resilience at the Department of Communities and Local Cadets Laura Williams and Clare Government following her visit to our Princes Trust presentation evening. Dutton and new recruits during her visit to Cheshire. Dear Steve I am writing to thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable and instructive visit to Cheshire in December. The Princes Trust Dinner was a real inspiration and I am very grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to join you on such a special occasion, Walk on the and the honour of presenting two awards. I would be grateful if you would pass on my particular thanks to all of the people wildside that gave up so much of their time to give me such a fantastic insight into the wide range of excellent work that Cheshire fire and Rescue Services does within the Community. It was a pleasure to meet you new recruits and your Cadets as well as nets £570 all of the other dedicated staff and volunteers that do so much to deliver a great service. Katie Riley and Claire Fiddeman from the Corporate Support Many thanks again, and I look forward to visiting again in the future. department at SHQ and their Best wishes, Shona Dunn friends raised over £570 by organising a fundraising challenge on the Lyke Wake Way, which runs across the North Yorkshire Moors. Joint station training Last year the team completed 31 miles of the walk in 13 hours, despite At the beginning of January at a joint number of incidents with Stockton encountering a full range of weather training evening was held with Red Heath already this year. conditions including thick fog on the Watches from both Warrington and A number of these sessions are in moors, rain and incredibly wet peat Birchwood. . the planning stage and it is hoped they bogs! The money will go towards the It is the second time a joint mini can be aligned to the monthly training Cadets’ 2009 Ghana project. event has been held which crews found plan. Claire and Katie wish to thank you very useful. to all those who sponsored them! Organisers found it easier to plan than a full blown exercise, and attendees also benefitted as they can spend more time addressing areas that may require development. Also multi station training is much more realistic than stand alone and has been a positive exercise for all crews involved, especially in the area of Road Traffic Collisions  The intrepid walkers were (l – r) Jon (RTC) as crews have  A mini RTC drill where the crews were able to utilise all the Kenwell, George Robey, Katie Riley, already attended a Holmatro Core Rescue Equipment. Claire Fiddeman, Steve Embleton, Matt Peachey and Ian Ormond. 16 Warrington crews IN BRIEF back student sessions REWARD AT arrington Fire Station has been assisting students to gain the Duke of RUNCORN Edinburgh Award. The courses in the past have usually covered the WBronze Level award but they have now progressed to include Silver. Red Watch from Runcorn recently invited Cadets and their families to The course runs over 12 weeks and is usually attended by schools, scouting the Station for an evening buffet and/or air cadet groups. They have input covering the Fire and Rescue Service, where crews took the opportunity to Community Safety and ‘What – if’ sessions. Trainers have also provided practical sessions on hose running, search and rescue, and a classroom Road Traffic thank the Cadets for all their hard Collision casualty helper session. Recently two of our students assisted casualties work during the past year. and provided care and support at a local road traffic collision. Firefighter Paul Douglas who The students also undertake home study projects, complete a written test and organised the event said, “We just give a presentation to satisfy the course criteria. wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the Cadets for their help over the year on such things as The Firefighter Charity Car Wash and Charities benefit Station Open Day. Their helpfulness and overall attitude at these events was excellent and contributed greatly from festive cheer to the success of both days”.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters staff donated selection boxes and a luxury hamper to the Women’s Aid charity in the run up to Christmas. Sixty selection boxes were collected by our Women’s Institute (WI) group and FIND EVENT were distributed between two organisations. Fifty were given to AT HALTON Women’s Aid for their Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Children’s Christmas recently attended an event called Party. Based in Northwich Women's Aid “FIND” at Halton Stadium. The aim is the national domestic of the day was to find out about violence charity that partners to work with finding funding, helps an average of information, advice and support. over 220,000 women Over 40 organisations attended. and children every year. The target audience were voluntary Network sector organisations and feedback The remainder was was very positive from everybody given to this year’s WI who attended the event. charity, Home Start, which has a network of more than 15,000 trained parent volunteers, and  supports thousands of Keith Brooks pictured presenting the hamper to Ann Cook parents. Staff from Community Safety also donated a luxury hamper, which was given to them by Fire Angel to Women’s Aid which went towards the residents Christmas Day lunch. Keith Brooks presented the hamper to Ann Cook, who is an Outreach worker, and was told that the gifts were a real treat for the women and families who have suffered abuse. She said that the gifts are a reminder that people still care about Community Safety Advocates Dave their welfare and happiness at this time of year. Petley and Alison Lamb engaging with partners at the FIND event

17 Arrivals New starters Jennie Riding Jim Metcalf Jennie’s role is split into two placements Jim is the interim Head of Human within the Youth Engagement department Resources. He has previously worked for with the Princes Trust Team and Respect / over 25 years in local government Human Kooldown. Previously she was a volunteer Resources and for the last nine years for CFRS for 10 months and is also a Cadet independently as HR interim consultancy Instructor at Winsford. Previously she was across the public private and charitable working in a Pre-School. sectors.

Jamie Finlayson David Amphlett Jamie is working as the Community Safety David Amphlett has joined us as an ICT Administrator for East Cheshire, based at Technician. He previously worked as an IT Community Safety Centre. Technician for over two years with a Previously, he worked for Cheshire Police in company, Multisol Ltd. Logistics/Finance based at Crewe Police Station for three years. Graham Murray Darren Thompson Graham Murray has joined Fire Protection Darren previously worked as a Technical as a Fire Engineer. Previously he worked for Operator at Premier Foods in nine years in the Safety Department of for six years. He has joined us as a Hydrant British Nuclear Fuels and then nine years at Technician. British Aerospace in the Risk Department as a Group Risk Engineer.

Sarah Allen Chris Mitchell Sarah Allen is the new Station Manager at Chris Mitchell has joined us as a Community . Sarah has joined us from Safety Administrator working at Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service where she Headquarters. Previously she worked as an was Station Manager in the Corporate Administrator at British Airways at Planning Department. for over 23 years.

Farewells Leavers FF Steven Astbury Northwich 7 Dec 7 yrs 9 mths FF Paul Sellers Widnes 4 Jan 4 yrs 2 mths Transfer to Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue FF Adrian Meredith 31 Dec 21 yrs FF Shirley Burmah Winsford 31 Jan 5 yrs WM Paul Hanby Crewe 31 Dec 16 yrs FF Christopher Burmah Winsford 7 Feb 15 yrs

Retirements FF Colin Price Stockton Heath 24 Dec 30 yrs 3 mths CM James Clark Birchwood 19 Jan 28 yrs FF Martyn Huddleston Congleton 25 Dec 30 yrs SM Ian Scrimgeour SHQ 6 Feb 30 yrs CM John Wilmot Stockton Heath 31 Dec 22 yrs Festive cheer at Crewe Home Crewe’s Blue Watch entertained staff and residents at the Emmie Dixon Residential Care Home on Christmas Eve. The residence provides a permanent home for people with physical or learning disabilities. During the evening chocolates were handed out by firefighters followed by festive carol singing.

 Crewe Firefighters Adam Wagstaff and Ryan Younger with the residents at the Emmie Dixon Residential Home

18 Healthy Winsford Safety visit saves householders Chester’s White Watch was called to a cooker fire in Chester and upon arrival Firefighters discovered that a pan had been left unattended under a grill of the cooker. Casualty Carer Firefighter Green administered oxygen therapy to the occupants who had vacated the property due to slight smoke inhalation. The North West Ambulance Service arrived and took the occupants to hospital to ensure they were in good health and did not suffer breathing difficulties.  Adam and Suzanne with attendees at the “Healthy Winsford Open Day” Detectors were previously fitted at the property Advocates Suzanne West and Adam Shaw attended a “Healthy by Chester Fire Station which activated to raise Winsford Open Day” at the Neighbourhood House on Finsbury Walk. the alarm. The following day Crews called in on Attending were people from the stroke association, Weaver Vale the occupants to ensure that they suffered no ill Housing Trust and Vale Royal Borough Council. Cheshire Fire and effects and reiterated the home safety assessment Rescue Service gave people home safety advice and let them know details previously explained when the detectors about our free home safety assessments service. were installed. Faith in human kindness The following letter was sent to a Chester newspaper from grateful relatives: In December our elderly parents had a fire in their kitchen. The emergency services were called and two fire engines and an ambulance arrived. When we got there our parents were being cared for by a neighbour which we are very grateful for: The fire was not too serious but our parents had to be taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation.

When they arrived at the Countess of Chester Hospital they  Chester’s White Watch only had to wait a short time before being seen. We cannot praise the Fire Service enough – they were wonderful. After putting out the fire, four members of White Watch called at mum and dad’s the following day to see if they were alright. They also gave mum a box of chocolates which we think was a lovely gesture. It restores our faith in human kindness in a world where people are often uncaring. Thank you to the emergency services for being so kind to our Mum and Dad. Word search prize winners

Thanks to the many of you who entered our December Word Search. The missing word was ANGELS. Congratulations to: Fiona Smith from Red Watch, Control; Sarah Parker, Corporate Intelligence and Karen Warren from Community Safety who all win a £25 shopping voucher.

 Karen, Sarah and Fiona receiving their vouchers. 19 Friendly five-a-side raises £400 A charity five-a-side football tournament held on 11 January at Winsford’s Woodford Lodge Astro Turf pitch. There were six teams on the day, each team playing four games. Results were calculated on a score points system with the two top teams in the final, where Warrington and Crewe joined the Training department to make one team. The winning team on the day was Warrington, who received tickets for the Everton v Bolton premiership game. Runners up team were Crewe / Training who got vouchers for JJB Gym. The Tournament, which was VERY competitive, raised around £400 for Northwich Firefighter Tony Kane’s Appeal.  Action on the Astro Turf Cadets USAR joint climb high water exercise As a teambuilding fun night out Knutsford Fire t the end of January Cheshire’s USAR team attended a four Cadets enjoyed a great evening at Northwest day water rescue exercise in North Wales mainly around the Face Climbing Centre in Warrington. Arivers at Capel Curig and on the Menai Straits, Anglesey. They completed lots of challenging climbs This included flood water rescue, rope access, casualty under the watchful eye of the instructors, including management, management of search operations, RAF search and a tricky ‘overhang’. Many of them were surprised rescue helicopter winching, rescue boat handling techniques/scenarios at how well they completed the climbs and another and night exercises running over three evenings. trip is being planned for later in the year. This joint exercise was also attended by Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, Northern Ireland and Nottinghamshire and was designed to challenge both team members and equipment.

 Team members had to use a variety of skills and techniques during the exercise

 A brave Cadet takes to the climbing wall

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