Minister Launches Key Project

March 2008

MINISTER LAUNCHES KEY PROJECT ecretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears visited Sthe Service recently to officially launch a unique information-sharing project which will provide better services for vulnerable elderly people. The Service has worked in partnership with numerous agencies including the NHS, Cheshire County Council Social Services, Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Information Consortium and Business Insight and IT providers IBM and Esprit to set up a system and protocol for sharing information about vulnerable people. The system ensures the risks facing vulnerable residents are reduced and that people are given easy access to all the support and advice they need. In launching the initiative. Hazel Blears, said: initiatives will allow us to “This is an excellent example of the Fire and target those in most need and Rescue Service spotting an issue and doing to continue reducing house something about it. fires, damage to property, fire “You are thoroughly respected and trusted in deaths and injuries.” the communities you serve and as a result of your During her visit the drive and determination and the commitment of Minister spent an hour key partners, vulnerable elderly people in Cheshire meeting staff from across the can now benefit from many more services.” Service and was also Councillor Tony Hooton, Chair of the Fire introduced to 92-year-old Authority added: “My thanks go to our partners Mrs. Marjorie Clayton of who have worked with us to accomplish a truly Poynton who received a whole package of support services as a result unique achievement. This project and other of information received during a Home Safety Assessment. I N Chester’s Reporters Caroline’s look a in the hot marathon S likes p7 seat p11 bid p20 I D E PLUS... Red routes hit the headlines – page 13 1 Service sets the standard

he Service has achieved Level 3 of the Equality Standard for Local Government – Tone of the first authorities in the country to do so through an independent assessment. Following an intensive review of the Service, the external assessor praised the organisation for its progress in embedding equality and diversity across the organisation. To achieve the Standard an in depth self- assessment report had to be prepared and submitted and this was then checked by the external validator who also spent two days interviewing staff from across the Service as well as some key partners. The report concluded: “The three elements of the assessment: the self assessment document, the Case studies such as the Service’s text messaging for deaf supporting evidence and the interviews provided a residents were highlighted in the self assessment document consistent view of CFRS’s achievements …… In particular it should be noted that during interviews staff were both comprehensive action plan to help the organisation’s new enthusiastic and well-informed about improving the way in target of achieving Level 4 of the Standard by July 2009 and they deliver services and employ staff.” Level 5 in 2010. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Kathryn Foreman said: “I am delighted that we have achieved Level 3 and that we were Equality training for able to do so within our challenging deadline of December 31, 2007. “The achievement is down to hard work and members of staff commitment by people throughout the Service, including November saw the delivery of the first Equality and our Authority Members, but I would like to say a particular Diversity Course run at Service Headquarters in Winsford. thank you to Erin Fulton our Equality and Diversity Officer In total three courses have been completed and each for leading us through the process.” Watch or Department will be covered over the next twelve months to include over 300 members of staff. The assessment judged the Service against the following Over the summer LDC’s Jon Caulfield attended a two day themes: course in Sheffield provided by the ADDRESS project • Leadership and Corporate Communications (Achieving and Delivering, Diversity Results within the • Consultation, Community Development and Scrutiny Emergency Services Sector) which was funded by CFOA and • Service Delivery and Customer Care all Fire and Rescue Services nationally will receive the input. • Employment and Training The course is designed to educate both operational and support staff on all aspects of Equality and Diversity, including The Service’s Equality Task Group is now drawing up a discrimination, racism, ageism, and harassment. Tax rise held at 2.8% ire Authority Members have or 3p per week extra. Members said it such as building safety and voted to keep the Council Tax had been possible to keep the increase rescues from road traffic collisions Fincrease needed to fund the down thanks to a combination of strong • Extra community safety Service in 2008 – 09 down to 2.8%. financial management in recent years, advocates to work with £550,000 of efficiencies and savings, businesses in identifying risks in At the meeting on February 13, together with a good grant settlement their premises Members set the organisation’s budget from the Government. • Better information to frontline staff for 2008-09 at £40.7m and fixed the when responding to emergencies Council Tax level at the equivalent of New developments to be funded by in key commercial premises £62.71 a year for a Band D home. the 2008-09 budget include: • Better protective clothing and The increase is equivalent to just • New posts to provide training equipment for firefighters £1.71 a year more for a Band D home – expertise for firefighters in areas 2 in my view. . . The news that we have been externally It’s not just about making our recruitment assessed as being at Level 3 of the Equality more open and accessible, it includes our safety Standard for Local Government is a work out in the community and our approach to tremendous achievement for our whole some of the emergency incidents we respond organisation. to. We took the challenging decision to put From the assessor’s report it is clear that he ourselves through an independent, external was impressed with the level of enthusiasm and assessment of our progress rather than opt for support shown by staff in every one of the the less rigorous self assessment route which interviews he carried out. some of our fellow Services have done. Our challenge is to continue our progress Doing so put us under a lot more pressure, and achieve the next levels in the Standard. but I am convinced it has helped to ensure that True success, however, will be when everyone everyone in our Service is really clear about the automatically considers the equality impacts of Steve critical importance of equality and diversity in their work without having to go through a formal McGuirk everything we do. process. Eagle-eyed Liz comes to the rescue hester’s Community Fire Protection Admin Manager Liz CParry was taking telephone call explaining to a business owner about the requirements under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order when she saw what she believed to be steam issuing from the side of the George Street Centre opposite the Fire Station. Liz said, “I knew there were building works in the area, so I kept an eye on it, but continued with my call. After about 15 seconds, the ‘steam’ became thicker and I thought this didn’t seem right.” She alerted Station Admin Manager Catherine Wilson who spoke to WM Rodaway and the White Watch crews carrying out training on the drill yard. operational crews and TANNOY true team work here at Chester Fire Station.” Liz continued, “I dialled 999 on the office mobile and was connected to Control and told them about the smoke and the Area Manager for location.” Community Risk Reduction Protection A member of White Watch put out a Tannoy message for a John Redmond said “I running call for all on-duty crews and the bells went down. would like to Less than a minute later, they were on their way to the scene congratulate Liz for her where they found the blaze in the main hall. speed in alerting the “Support staff at the front of the station had a great view emergency crews to this fire. Thankfully on this occasion there of the crews working hard to bring the blaze under control. At was no-one inside but there easily could have been as we its height two appliances from Chester, two from Ellesmere were aware that the building is used by people sleeping rough Port and an aerial appliance were in attendance. - so well done Liz.” “It all happened so quickly - within about a minute - but it The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. was a fantastic example of support staff working with 3 White watch enlist local MP

atch Manager Chris saying “What a great incentive to stay Rodaway enlisted the help safe, get free advice and fit free Wof local Labour MP smoke alarms. This initiative has high Christine Russell in delivering Home targets but the crew of White Watch Safety Assessments to the Chester Chester insist they are very achievable community. and that I fully support all the hard work that Cheshire Fire and Rescue The MP was very eager to learn Service does in looking after the about what information is given to safety of all our communities,” she members of the public and assisted in said. fitting smoke alarms. Local resident Ray Kelly was a little surprised to see Mr Kelly was very happy with the Christine on his door step and must service that was provided and have thought a snap election had although a supporter of another been called and door step canvassing political party, he was more than had begun! But he did allow staff happy to allow Christine into his access when they explained that they home. He commented; “After all the had come to carry out his requested bad press MPs receive it was nice to Chester MP Christine Russell helps out with a HSA. see her out and about showing Home Safety Assessment support to a great service provided by The MP had only good things to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service”. say about the service that we provide Government confirms council shake-up

ork is now underway to prepare for a new form of local government in Cheshire after the Government confirmed a radical shake-up of Wlocal authorities in the area. Local Government Minister John Healey has confirmed that two new councils covering East and West Cheshire will be created, with responsibility for providing all services in their areas. The move means the abolition of Cheshire County Council along with the six districts of Chester City, Congleton Borough, Crewe and Nantwich, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Macclesfield Borough and Vale Royal District Council. Mr. Healey said: “The two-unitary proposal has demonstrated through rigorous assessment that it can create flagship new councils improving services and opportunities for local people, and bringing potential savings for council tax payers.” The new councils are due to formally take up their powers from April, 2009, although elections to ‘shadow authorities’ are scheduled this May. Work is already underway within the Service to look at options for developing Performance Delivery Groups in light of the shake- up. The Fire Authority is also due to make recommendations on its future structure as from April 2009 it will be made up of nominated councillors from East and West Cheshire as well as Halton and Warrington. Details of proposals for PDGS and the Fire Authority will be included in future issues of Alert.

4 Focus on community cohesion

wo Key national policy advisors recently visited Crewe Fire Station as part of a Tfact finding initiative - David Williams the new Director of Race, Cohesion and Faith for the Department of Communities and Local Government and Emma Varley, the Fire Representative for the Local Government Association. The emphasis of the presentations was on community cohesion and community engagement – these are both issues high on Emma and David’s agenda. Presenting were Chief Fire Officer Steve McGuirk and Deputy Mark Cashin; Professor Miranda Thurston, who is developing research about our Respect programme and Ken Clemmons, Director of Policy and Marketing for Age Concern Cheshire, along with Lesley Walton, Regional Programme Manager for The Prince’s Trust. Every opportunity was given for the service’s partners to express what it was like to work with the Service. In addition to the formal presentation, David and Emma were introduced to and listened to testament from Advocates who are working with children, vulnerable adults and Gypsy and Travellers. In addition young offenders from the Thorn Cross Cadet Unit, Fire Cadets from Crewe and the young people from the Princes Trust gave an excellent account of themselves. In his closing comments David (pictured right engagement. Lesley Walton from The Princes Trust commended the during his visit) said he had been touched by the Service for its “truly inspirational team leaders”. The LGA’s Emma Varley level of commitment and professionalism from said, “It was great to meet so many passionate people and hear about the members of the Service in community wide range of valuable work taking place”. Burns night celebration success

Over 150 people attended the first “Burns Night” event organised by Headquarters Sports and Welfare department at the Fourways at Delamere. Scottish dancing was helped along by a Ceilidh band and traditions were upheld including Pipers accompanying the haggis for its famous address. There was no shortage of men in kilts, and our own Harry Nelson read a poem which needed some help with the translation. Over £300 was raised for the North West Air Ambulance on the night from raffles and games. Due to the success and positive feedback, this is hoped to be an annual event with the venue and entertainment already booked for 24th January 2009.

Harry Nelson helps with Piping in the haggis. 5 Praise for Port volunteers olunteers Fred Thomas, Bill Blackie (ex-firefighters) Ellesmere Port staff would like to say a big “thank you” to and Diane Christall give up one day per week of all our volunteers and keep up the good work! Vtheir own time to conduct Home Safety Assessments (HSA’s) within the Ellesmere Port and Neston area. They work as a team of three, and have sound relationships not only with the staff at Ellesmere Port station, but also within the local community. They positively represent the Fire and Rescue Service within the Ellesmere Port area and the station often get ‘thank you’ letters and phone calls from the public, praising and thanking them for their time following their visits. Fred said; “We are very proud to wear the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s uniform and help the community of Ellesmere Port and Neston”. They have been volunteers for approximately one year and their goodwill and contribution is highly appreciated. They mainly focus on the outstanding HSAs with the Advocates. (left to right) Bill, Fred and Diane Cheshire make presentations to Ghana Firefighters In 2003 the World Rescue Station Officer Felix Akpaloo and Ghana National Fire Service is Organisation highlighted that there Station Officer Frank Amoako were hoping to hold their first regional were limited skills and equipment in mentored by Cheshire’s John Boswell extrication competition this May which the Ghana National Fire Service for who visited the area at that time and on will be supported by the United dealing with road rescue incidents so 4th February this year both Officers Kingdom Rescue Organisation. This will representatives from Cheshire Fire were invited to Tyne and Wear be a prime opportunity for crews to and Rescue Service and other UK and Metropolitan Fire Service to attend a demonstrate rescue techniques in a Australian Services volunteered their specialist rescue road traffic instructor realistic time critical training time in order to raise the skill levels course. environment. of rescue operatives and enhance the Attending the course from Cheshire quality of service in Ghana. was Watch Manager Martin Barnes who worked closely with the Ghanaians over the two weeks. IN BRIEF The course was based around advanced rescue techniques and trauma care supported by the STUDENT SAFETY great northern air ambulance Watch Manager Steve Davies team. attended the Chester University At the end of the course a Housing Fair at the end of January presentation was held in order for representing Chester Community Fire Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Protection. to present a gift to each Officer of This was a one-stop-shop for laptop computers which will be students to receive advice on lots of used to help facilitate training in issues ranging from tenancy deposit Ghana utilising power point schemes to fire safety. Throughout preloaded presentations. the two days approximately 900 students attended while we gave fire safety advice and even a deaf alarm Watch Manager Martin Barnes referral. Steve was ably assisted by presents one of the laptop members of the Community Fire computers. Safety Department.

6 Chester’s ‘old’ and ‘new’ ecently Chester White Watch has under gone changes to their Rwatch structure - a case of out with the “old” and in with the “new” developing system. There are three new firefighters on the Watch, each being given two Watch mentors to assist them in every stage of their development to qualified firefighters, overseen by Watch Manager Chris Rodaway. White Watch attended an incident in January at a new complex of buildings in Seller Street Chester in the early hours of the morning. The report was from a member of the public who indicated that the smoke alarm had been sounding for some time and they could not raise a response from the flat involved. A Breathing Apparatus (BA) team “Lookie-likies” Si and Wayne - the successful rescue BA team entered the flat; the team consisted of Si Woods (firefighter for 24 years) and Si Woods expert guidance and The incident demonstrated that as Wayne Clarke (time served six mentor to Wayne helped the rescue go good guidance, realistic training and months). On entry they discovered a smoothly and with the backing of a close mentoring can be a benefit to all young female who was unconscious on slick team approach and another Watches and have successful outcomes her bed and Wayne carried the casualty developing Firefighter Michelle Green, as one of our newest firefighters can out onto the staircase. The cause was a the casualty was successfully handed testify. very burnt pan of pasta and a heavily over to the ambulance service. Oxygen Well done Si and Wayne – known as smoke logged flat, proof as if it was was administered at the scene and the the “Lookie-likies” (which one’s needed that drinking and cooking do casualty wasn’t hospitalised but the which?). not mix as she had fallen asleep after property suffered 20 per cent smoke putting on the cooker. damage. Volunteers join the team

Warrington volunteers attended a very successful training session in January held at Warrington Community Safety. The interactive session was designed by Ann McElroy and Joy Hughes to introduce the Volunteers to each other; have a greater understanding of the role of the Community Fire safety department; to build-up the competencies of the Safety team and to establish the importance of their role within the team. The enthusiasm with which they all got involved spoke volumes about the amount of commitment made. The Safety team were out together in various roles during Warrington's "Whatever It Takes” week in February.

From l to r: Mark Baker, Saleem Khan, Paul King, Emma Barlow, Ian Knott, Ann Mc Elroy, Joy Hughes. Team member and active volunteer Marcus Eltringham was unable to attend. 7 Zig Zag lessons for parents uncorn firefighters have been can reduce the chance of any tragic our very important road safety collaborating with their accidents. This initiative is not about messages.” colleagues at Halton Borough confronting people ‘doing wrong’ it is R Firefighter Johnny Monaghan who Council School Travel Plan Team and another opportunity to pass on one of organised the event said; “When we gave out leaflets and advice think of parking outside to parents and guardians on our schools we always best practice for parking try to avoid the yellow vehicles near schools when ‘zig zags’ but this is not dropping off or collecting always the only place to their children. avoid. Parking near The ‘ZIG ZAG’ initiative junctions or close to delivered by firefighters and pedestrian crossings School Travel Plan Advisor are also dangerous and Kelly McKeown is designed to a very important make the areas around our message is to slow primary schools safer through down!” advice and education. The ZIG ZAG Watch Manager Mike Clark initiative was run during said “The roads in our the third week of communities become January at ‘home time’ extremely busy at ‘school run’ at the majority of time creating dangers for road Runcorn’s Primary users and pedestrians alike. schools. By parking responsibly and Parents being handed safety advice during ‘Zig Zag’ week safely close to our schools we Helping hand with Blue Watch at Widnes were invited by Wade Deacon High Hazards School and the Halton Education and Business Partnership to lecture over 250 students about hazard awareness recently. The initiative gave Blue Watch an opportunity to engage with students who were taking the British Safety Council Hazard Awareness examination before going into their future work placements. The event was well received by the students and teachers giving them the opportunity to discuss Fire Safety and Risk Assessments in the work place. The lectures concluded with the students taking the examination and receiving a BSC certificate. Firefighter Stuart MacKenzie Lecturing to Year 10 Childrens diabetes group visit On 8th February Blue Watch at Widnes invited the Widnes and St Helens Children’s Diabetes UK Group to the Fire Station. The children and their families enjoyed their visit and got involved with various activities planned by the watch. The visit increased the knowledge and understanding of this condition to the Watch and gave the families an opportunity to speak openly to the firefighters about Type One diabetes and how the children coped with the condition. Having diabetes didn’t stop the children from getting involved with crews and looking around the fire engines, using hose reels and learning about fire safety. The families showed firefighters that diabetes was part of their everyday family life and growing up as young people with diabetes the children share the same hopes and ambitions as people without the condition. 8 Campaign cuts cooker

major safety campaign was launched in December to help Areduce the number of house FIRES fires caused by unattended cookers and grills over the festive season. Called ‘Your Grill Can Kill,’ the campaign highlights the dangers of leaving cookers, grills and deep fat fryers unattended – even for a moment. Figures show that nearly 50% of all accidental house fires in Cheshire start in the kitchen – often when cookers and grills are left unattended. ‘Your Grill Can Kill’ banners are now on display at the 24 fire stations across the county, and more than 20,000 households received leaflets giving information about the campaign. pans unattended when cooking (if you Latest figures show that the The leaflets gave advice on how to are called away when cooking remove campaign was a major success with cut the risks of kitchen fires, and include food from the heat); Keep pan handles reduction in cooker fires amounting to the following tips: Use a thermostatically turned in to avoid accidents; Keep the 25% over a two month period. controlled deep fat fryer – or better still, toaster away from curtains and wires; For more information on how to stay have oven chips; Keep tea towels and Keep your grill, oven and hob clean – a safe in the home and reduce the risks of flexes away from cooker tops; Do not build up of fat can easily catch fire; kitchen fires, visit: place metal objects inside the When you have finished cooking, make microwave; Don’t ever leave grills and sure the oven is turned off. Specialist training Safety advice Cheshire’s SART team have spent two training days with Merseyside colleagues at their training centre in Merseyside. goes global The training days were held the last weekend in January and included: Update on current USAR and UKFSSART Chester’s Community Fire Protection team visited one policy and activities; construction of ‘LOBO’ access of the largest employers in the area to carry out a Post equipment; familiarisation with ‘Clan Lucas’ rescue Fire Inspection. equipment; ‘BOBCAT’ driver and operation training and A small fire had involved an electric motor on a car Module 2 familiarisation. manufacturing production line and although this was a small fire, the Emergency Action Procedures worked well and no member of staff was put in danger during the incident. The fire risk assessment was adequate at the time of the incident. While recording the significant findings of the revised risk assessment, it was recognised that the motor involved could be replaced with another procedure without any major changes in their manufacturing process and it is now believed that the new work practice of this international organisation has been adopted world-wide. The department has been able to achieve one of the Service’s key aims by improving community safety by risk reduction and by achieving one of the seven organisational objectives - Protect life, property and other interests through detailed risk analysis and assessment.

The team familiarising themselves with the equipment. 9 Minding your language ocal Advocates at Macclesfield Fire Station experienced first Lhand in January the difficulties of at Macclesfield communicating with people from diverse communities. In a joint initiative between Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Constabulary, Macclesfield Primary Care Trust and the GMB Union, foreign students studying citizenship as part of their ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) course attended the station for a talk from each of the partners. The programme was devised by Garry Harney, the regional FBU-Learn official and local Advocates as a way of improving and highlighting social inclusion within the community. Students were given information about how the Fire & Rescue Service responds Advocate Julian Hickman with foreign students to incidents as well as the importance of prevention through the Home Fire Safety 50 students visiting the station from a important issues as well as making process. They also received information diverse range of backgrounds including people feel part of the wider community on the structure of the Police and Brazilian, Lebanese, Czech, Chinese, they live in” said Keith Roughly, Community Support Officers, how to Malaysian, Latvian, Polish and German. Community Safety Manager for access NHS services as well as the Macclesfield and Congleton. “Hopefully, “This is an excellent way of reaching important role Unions play in protecting this model can be extended across the some of the most difficult groups to employees in the workplace. county as a way of helping to integrate access in the community and spreading ESOL learners into society”. Four sessions so far have seen over the word about Home Safety and other Crews in river rescue drama

ire Crews from Runcorn, Widnes, Warrington and Stockton Heath Fworked together in a great team effort when shivering rowers stranded on a river bank after their £20,000 boat capsized were plucked to safety in a dramatic rescue in Runcorn on 3rd February. Nine women, all members of a Liverpool University rowing team, ended up in the Weaver Canal near the Ineos chemical plant at Clifton. Red Watch Manager Mike Clark from Runcorn Fire Station said: "The wind became a problem and made the water 2.45pm with support from six fire choppy, causing the boat to take on appliances and paramedics. water. It sank away from them and they "Our new boat is a lot lighter, faster went into the water but they were all and more manoeuvrable," said Mike. good swimmers and made it to the side "It's a credit to our Warrington crew how but were trapped on a bank by quickly they launched it. The women brambles and dense vegetation. The were very very cold but in good spirits." danger to them was exposure as it was bitterly cold.” They were treated for exposure and mild hypothermia and had hot showers A new fire boat led the rescue at at Runcorn Rowing Club before being The grateful very cold ladies being taken to local Hospitals for check-ups. returned to the “mainland”. 10 from Reporters in the The Chair appliance, completing a home fire safety check, road traffic collision extrication hot seat training and attending an incident in the town. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service She said of her experience; “My day invited Cheshire-based reporters to had flown by and reinforced how there visit stations and be “firefighters for is no typical day for a firefighter. With the day”. such a friendly and enthusiastic crew Six intrepid female reporters they really made me feel one of the accepted the challenge and visited their team and discovering they recruit on a local stations following up their part-time basis, I might be tempted”. experiences with articles explaining the role of a Our recent top rating by the Audit modern day Commission is an achievement firefighter. which everyone in our Service can One such be justifiably proud of. reporter Rachel Only one Authority in the country Leslie from the scored as highly as Cheshire across Wilmslow Express the three areas inspected by the gave a full Audit Commission and of all 47 account of her authorities in England there are just day with Green five of us judged to be “performing Watch at strongly”. Wilmslow which included Independent inspections like this introduction to the are important as they are a clear equipment on the indication of the progress we are making and how we compare with The Wilmslow Express’ Rachel Leslie with Green Watch other Services trying to tackle the same issues and problems as us. The real test of our performance, Top of the class! however, is what impact we are having on improving the safety of our communities in Cheshire, Halton Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has been rated as one the best in the and Warrington. country and has the fastest improving performance on key fire safety targets. That’s why it is particularly A national report published in February compared the performance of all 47 fire pleasing to see our Service authorities in England and it puts Cheshire as one of only five who are judged to be highlighted in the report as the “performing strongly”. fastest improving on key community The detailed review by the Audit Commission, the national body which ensures safety performance indicators. The public services deliver value for money, also reveals that the Service has improved number of primary fires, accidental its performance on 82 per cent of its national performance indicators - more than dwelling fires, deliberate primary any other fire authority. fires, non-domestic fires and false The Commission’s inspection is part of a programme called Comprehensive alarms have fallen and the number Performance Assessment (CPA) which has involved: of fires that spread from where they started has reduced. • a scored assessment of the quality of frontline services • checks on whether the Authority is providing value for money For our residents and • a review to see if the Service’s performance is ‘travelling in the right direction’. businesses, it is also important that our Authority delivers these Only one other authority in the country scores as highly as Cheshire across all improvements at the same time as three inspection areas and in their report the inspectors said: “Cheshire has providing good value for money. significantly improved outcomes in its priority areas and is improving at a faster rate than others. Keeping our Council Tax increase down to 2.8% is good news and it “The number of primary fires, accidental dwelling fires, deliberate primary fires, means we will still be able to invest non-domestic fires and false alarms have fallen and the number of fires that spread in both our emergency response from where they started has reduced.” and community safety during the The Audit Commission’s full report is available on its website – next financial year. www.audit-commission.gov.uk 11 Cathedral tribute to colleagues

undreds of firefighters, elected from the National members and government Centre: Station Hministers from across the Manager Coleman, country paid tribute to the four Watch Manager firefighters who lost their lives in a Cadwallader, Crew warehouse fire in Atherstone on Stour Manager Scott and in November 2007. Firefighters Hurst and Brothwood. The service for John Averis, Ian Reid, Ashley Stephens, and Darren Yates- The Canon of Coventry Cathedral, William Brown said: “The memorial Badley was held on Friday 25 January Adrian Daffern, conducted the service. service is our final goodbye. It allows us at Coventry Cathedral. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s to collectively celebrate the lives of Brigade Chaplain, The Reverend Canon John, Ian, Ashley and Darren, all of Cheshire was represented by five David Capron and County Fire Officer whom were all very brave men firefighters who were mobilised to the William Brown gave readings and dedicated to a job they loved.” incident in November after the request tributes. Public boost for Warwickshire firefighter fund street collection for the Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund took place Aon Saturday 29 December in Macclesfield Town Centre and was a tremendous success. Organiser Simon Sidebottam would like to thank all those involved in organising and running the event, especially: Volunteers Barrie Green and Peter Chadwick for providing the Outreach Vehicles, and generating many Home Fire Safety Assessments; Poynton Firefighter Martin Barnes who dressed as Welephant and Rob McDonough who gave up his time at very short notice; Macclesfield’s Retained Firefighter Mick Jones who achieving the highest individual total box of £193; Wayne Francis for recording and overseeing all moneys received; Ben Wood for negotiating with local traders providing food and drink and finally Macclesfield’s Blue Watch for their support. All personnel worked together on the day and with the generosity of the donations we received from our colleagues, friends, families and Macclesfield’s general public, we raised a grand total of £1050.00 in just five hours! Welephant and Macclesfield Firefighters at the Charity Event

12 Red routes hit the headlines

heshire Safer Roads • Communications – Deliver Partnership (CSRP) has high profile campaigns, Claunched a ‘Red Routes’ safety produce creative literature and initiative to highlight which roads keep a high profile in the media. pose the highest level of risk for road • Enforcement – Enforce all traffic death and injury. offences, remove all uninsured/ Anyone using a ‘red route’ has a role disqualified drivers from our roads to play in making it safer and should and create high visibility uniformed There is no such thing as a take responsibility for any actions when prescence. using a red route. “dangerous road” – it’s how • Engineering – Improve road design, 21 roads are being signed as ‘red layout, signage and surfacing. the road is used that makes routes’ and will feature a range of high- it an issue! • Education – Safety information to profile multi-agency activities out of the general community; lesson packs road safety toolbox including: the people using them. Road users can for teachers and develop safer do a few simple things such as driving at • Engagement – Encouraging people driving policies with employers. an appropriate speed for the conditions to get involved via action teams, Partnership Manager Lee Murphy to help reduce the number of incidents. panels and community said, “Road Safety is something we all Red Routes are signed to make people speedwatch. have a responsibility for. It’s not the aware of the risks but tackling them is roads themselves that are a danger, but the responsibility of everyone”. Volunteer training take off wo of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Volunteers/Cadet Leaders Pete Chadwick and Alan TOwen recently attended the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) Airfield Rescue and Firefighting Supervisors course held at the International Fire Training Centre at Teesside Airport. This is the CAA's equivalent to the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh. Along with other airfield firefighters from British Airways, Yorkshire Air Museum, the CAA, Perth Airport, HEMS (London Air Ambulance) and Air Aireean they completed an intensive residential course that qualifies them to supervise rescue and firefighting services at low category airfields in the UK. The photo shows Pete and Alan in front of the training school's Carmichael Cobra MFV (major foam vehicle) that they used for all the drills and exercises on the course. The exercises covered a range of incidents from light aircraft fires at fuelling points through helicopter incidents and on to a Trident major air accident that covered engine, undercarriage, fuel spill fires and extrication of casualties from within the fuselage. All the incidents involved 'hot fires' to enable them to be as realistic as possible for the crews reacting to them. The school had full size steel simulators that could be set alight over and over again which allowed the severity and to cover theory, technical, leadership and Civil Aviation law, position of the fires to be varied each time. finally sitting a final exam covering all the aspects of managing an airfield's rescue and firefighting service. All the attendees had to act as Crew/Watch Managers at the incidents and were assessed on their abilities to react to Pete and Alan have now expanded their airfield fire service the incidents, control, command and supervise the crews experience which they feel will help in contributing to their dealing with them. Along with the practical exercise they had roles as volunteers and cadet leaders in Cheshire.

13 Centre Campaign IN BRIEF GARY SNAPS slashes false UP AWARD alarms by 40% he David Lewis Centre in Alderley Edge which provides support for people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions, has successfully Tworked with the Service to cut false fire alarm call outs to its premises by 40%. This is part of a wider campaign urging organisations to cut the 98% of false automatic fire alarm call outs set off in business premises across Cheshire. By identifying the problem buildings on site, staff helped David Lewis’ Health and Northwich Firefighter Gary Williamson Safety team make the system has again scooped a top more efficient. Technical Fire photography award. Gary, seen here Safety Officer Jeanette Murphy holding a copy of National said: “By compiling the alarm Photographic magazine, received the call out statistics and Editors Award for the best images in presenting them to the centre the Gallery Section, and received a we were able to show them cash prize. exactly where the property maintenance staff needed to Editor Damien Demolder commented make changes and manage on Gary’s images, “This really is a their fire detection systems first-rate macro shot. The detail is better.” brilliantly sharp and the backlighting The Centre has changed lifts it perfectly from the smoke detectors for heat background.” detectors in kitchens and laundries and also replaced break glass alarm points with LIFE SAVED BY key activated points in the main problem areas. The rural SMOKE nature of the centre also meant tiny insects – thrips – were getting into detectors DETECTORS and activating the system so On 13 January crews from Knutsford by placing flea collars around attended a bedroom fire in a house some of the fire detection Robert Penny and Jeanette Murphy welcome the close to the fire station. systems it deterred the reduction in false alarm calls insects. On attending this incident it soon A risk assessment of the 27 care homes on site allowed the Centre to decide to came apparent that a Cheshire Fire turn off its alarm systems automatic connection to the fire service monitoring centre and Rescue Home Fire Safety between 7.30am and 9.30pm as enough staff were on site to investigate the cause assessment had been carried out on of the alarm and reactivate it at night when it was really needed. the property and as a result the Fire and Safety Manager for the David Lewis Centre, Robert Penny said, “We are activation of the detectors alerted the delighted that the measures we have put in place have had a positive impact in occupier, potentially saving her life. reducing the number of false alarm calls outs. We will continue to work to further The assessment was carried out prior reduce unwanted activations and to reduce our fire hazard and risk levels into the to the current owner taking future.” possession and crews revisited the Jeanette concluded: “The approach taken by the Centre is a great example of address the following day to give how an organisation can look at its systems and address the issue of false safety advice to the current occupier. automatic alarm call outs to business premises. We are continuing to urge The cause of the fire was smoking businesses across the Wilmslow area to keep their fire systems properly maintained materials. and staff well trained in fire procedure.”

14 he support given by the Service On the same day the crew used the to different areas of the country boat to rescue an elderly couple and Tduring major flood alerts has their dog and later investigated reports been formally recognised by Flood of people trapped in a boat marina, colleagues. subsequently rescuing a further eight people. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Frank The following week Cheshire sent a Duffield sent a thank you letter to Thanks 20-strong team including retained Cheshire for the assistance provided firefighters from Malpas, community during a recent flood alert. safety advocates from Chester, Crewe, Macclesfield and Ellesmere Port and In it he said: “On behalf of The certificate thanks Cheshire for volunteers from organisations like Bank Humberside Fire and Rescue Service the dedication and commitment of its of America and Bentley Motors back to and our partner agencies I would like to personnel during the floods of 2007. The the area to help during the recovery express my gratitude for the support initial response saw a six strong team operation. and assistance provided by your from Warrington, Runcorn, Knutsford organisation following the prolonged and Winsford assembled with a range of Fire Authority Chairman Cllr Tony period of wet weather. equipment including Warrington’s Hooton, who was presented with the rescue boat, while relief crews from certificate, said: "I am pleased that we “Drawing on lessons learned from Chester, Warrington, Ellesmere Port, were able to respond quickly with June 2008, the systematic deployment Macclesfield and Crewe also attended. specialist equipment and staff during of High Volume Pumps (HVP’s) and the the initial crisis, as well as offering timely response by partner agencies, the At the peak of the floods 16 further help during the recovery risks posed to our communities were appliances from all over the country operation. greatly alleviated.” were sent to assist and shortly after their arrival in Worcester, the Cheshire “This certificate will serve as a The Service has also been presented crew took the boat and used it to rescue reminder of a time when all the with a certificate from Hereford and nine people who were stranded by country's emergency services pulled Worcester Fire and Rescue Service for floods of up to five feet deep. together during a crisis situation, and the help provided during last year’s worked as one.” severe flooding. Trainee firefighter learns fast

Winsford crews attended a serious house fire on late evening on 31st January on the High Street. Already in attendance was Trainee Firefighter James Jones who is on the current firefighter course. He was staying at a neighbouring property when he realised smoke was issuing from the premises. He scaled the back garden fence, entered the property and helped one resident to safety. At the same time a friend made the call to the emergency services while James went up the stairs and escourted a confused resident from the smoke filled hallway. Winsford crews were quickly at the scene and were confronted with a severe house fire with flames breaking through the roof. Winsford crews were joined by appliances from Middlewich and Northwich as well as the hydraulic platform from Chester. After all the excitement, James then went to bed and made it on time for the next days training!

15 Festive treat in Warrington hildren in Warrington were Mark Cashin and Tracy Radcliffe from given a Christmas treat by Headquarters handing over the Selection CService staff who collected Boxes to Margaret Rowland from Home selection boxes at its headquarters Start in Warrington. in Winsford for charity. A collection was made for Homestart, based in Warrington and was organised by the Service’s workplace WI group who collected 50 selection boxes and chocolates. Safety advice in the form of a Christmas card was also given to each household who received a chocolate gift, while offering a free Home Fire Safety Assessment to help keep families safe over the festive period. At the same time Cotswold House, a centre for under-privileged families was presented with 10 bags full of Christmas presents for nursery aged children collected by staff from Jane Harrison and Jackie Sommerville Headquarters. from Cotswold House receiving their gifts. South Cheshire college visit crewe

A group of entry level students with partnership with students from the Crewe’s Station Manager Carl learning difficulties from South college, all of whom fall within the most Hanson said, ‘this is a fantastic long Cheshire College visited Crewe Fire vulnerable age group for young drivers, term initiative that I believe will make a Station on 20th February to receive passengers and pedestrians. All entry real difference and help to reduce the Road Safety advice and information level students, both able bodied and number of killed and seriously injured on from members of White Watch. less able, will visit the station in their our local roads’. first year to receive road safety advice, The youngsters really enjoyed their some of which is deliberately designed time on Station, meeting the Watch and to shock them into realising the dangers looking over the appliances, but more of careless and dangerous driving, importantly, took away some really including the use of mobile phones, useful and possibly life saving advice. drink and drug driving, seatbelt safety These young people are unlikely ever and speeding. to be car drivers but all recognised that they were at equal risk from death or Students from South Cheshire College visit Crewe injury as passengers or pedestrians. Fire Station One young man said that he did not want anyone driving him to do so in an unsafe manner as he did not want to be involved in an RTC as he was disabled enough and did not want to be worse which was a clear indication of the impact that the Watch input had on him. Whilst the young people have now gone away to record their thoughts about their visit, Firefighters here are confident in the knowledge that they take away with them some very important life skills. This visit is part of a much wider ten- year initiative being run at Crewe, in

16 Assessors Princes Trust Team renovate youth club train for Halton Princes Trust Team Number 39 recently completed their community project at Murdishaw Youth Club. The team raised over £1400 by various means and spent £700 Awards redecorating the gym and music room at the youth club. A grand opening of the Youth Club was attended by the Mayor of Runcorn and local dignitaries who congratulated the Team on their hard work.

Princes Trust Team receiving certificates from the Mayor and Consort of Runcorn and standing in front of some of their artwork. pecialist training has been organised by the Service’s Learning and Development Centre to help SWatch Managers develop their skills. The Centre has established a link with an organisation called ENTO Direct that will provide A1 (Assessor) and V1 (Verifier) awards for assessment and verification over the next two years. The first of these courses took place at Cranage Hall early in January. Seven students attended the course and the feedback has been very positive. Two further courses have now been completed involving a further 16 students, all working towards the “A1” award. The Service is committed to developing Watch Managers to ensure the credibility and integrity of assessments of competence against National Standards. This process will support the development of the workforce while learners will benefit from this approach to assessment techniques. Tasty treat’s festive message

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank Morrison’s Supermarket in Winsford for donating 1000 Christmas mince pies. Firefighters from Winsford Fire Station collected the mince pies from the store on 18 December which then allowed the Community Fire Safety Department to visit elderly persons homes in the Vale Royal area to wish all the residents a Merry Christmas and deliver the pies together with advice on keeping safe and preventing fires during the Christmas period. Fire Authority Chair Tony Hooton said “The mince pies gave a festive cheer to the elderly residents of Winsford and Northwich while a very important message was delivered by staff. We are very grateful to Morrision’s who supplied the pies which went down a treat with the residents of the elderly persons homes we visited.”

Visitors to Winsford’s Dingle Centre couldn’t believe their mince pies.

17 Arrivals New starters Andrew Selley – Senior Facilities Officer Vicki Aspell – Learning and Development Andy is our Senior Facilities Officer in the Systems Administrator property section. He was previously Vicki has worked temporarily in this post for employed for 29 years at Wrexham County the past nine months. Previously she Borough Council as Property Officer looking worked as an IT Technician at a company in after the maintenance of the council’s non- Poynton. housing stock. Jackie Madeley – Learning and Sarah Baker – Learning and Development Development Administrator Administration Manager Jackie is a Learning and Development Sarah has worked temporarily in this post Administrator (part-time) and previously for the past two years and previously worked for Cheshire County Council Older worked in sales at a local company. Peoples Services at Leftwich for nearly 10 years. Vanessa Manship – Leadership Karen Smith – Learning and Development Development Advisor Administrator Vanessa is Leadership Development Advisor Karen is a full-time Learning and working in the Learning and Development Development Administrator and previously Centre. Previously she worked for two years worked as a secretary for Cheshire Youth as a Learning and Development Officer for Offending Team for a year and for Tesco Hertfordshire County Council. Distribution in Middlewich for 11 years. Farewells Leavers FF Dave Snelson Frodsham 22 Jan 08 3 yrs CM Colin Price Stockton Heath 7th Feb 08 10 yrs 3 mths FF Lee Lloyd Frodsham 29 Jan 08 11 yrs FF Guy Davies Stockton Heath 20th Feb 08 7 yrs 11 mths FF Paul Rutter Stockton Heath 6th Feb 08 10 yrs CM Ian Millar Widnes 1 Feb 08 22 yrs 1 mth Retirements FF Robert Hughes Crewe 31 Dec 07 29 yrs 1 mth FF David Worrall Ellesmere Port 19th Feb 30 yrs FF Brian Deane Ellesmere Port 14th Jan 08 29 yrs WM Dave Hanley Crewe 27th Mar 31 yrs WM Colin Clarkson SHQ 15th Feb 30 yrs SM Mark Kerry Warrington 24th Feb 30 yrs SM Dave Langer SHQ 16th Feb 31 yrs Linda Carr Widnes 15th Feb 17 yrs 8 mths Transfers SM Sean Murphy East Sussex 6 Jan 08 9 yrs Welcome to Melanie (by Melanie Pitts) Hi, my name is Melanie Pitts the new Deaf Persons Advocate and I have now been with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for three months. You'll find me working with advocates throughout Cheshire conducting Home Safety Assessments and fitting deaf smoke alarms. • I have a huge interest in the deaf community and their access to our services. • I am part funded by Deafness Support Network and have close connections to various staff in their organisation. • I can use sign language. • I am here to offer help and advice on anything "deaf" related. • I cover the whole of Cheshire, Warrington and Halton. • I would like to be involved in Demonstrations, Open Days, Station Events etc in the future and look forward to meeting everybody. I'd welcome any questions, queries or even just to say “hello”. As I am deaf myself contacting me is best via email or text on 07917040447 or if you're at Headquarters I can usually be found in the lovely Community Safety portacabins. Many thanks to those of you who have taken great time and effort to help me settle into my new role. 18 Festive posters prove popular

Following the success of its summer parrot poster competition, Headquarters Sports and Welfare organised another event with a Christmas theme. Staff took their children either Angel or Christmas Tree posters to decorate in whatever style they wished, with many a glue stick and glitter pen running dry. Every entry received a gift with prizes being awarded to under fives, five to ten-year olds, and ten years and above, with a “special” prize being awarded to a particularly inventive member of staff. All entries were displayed in the Restaurant during the Christmas period.

A selection of the posters displayed in the Restaurant. nursery lessons in safety

At the end of January Warrington’s Green Watch visited the Day Nursery at David Lloyd’s fitness centre. The children, aged between three and four years old were shown around the fire appliance, taking it in turns to sit in the cab and try on the crew’s protective equipment. They also had great fun squirting water from one of the fire appliances hose reels. Crew manager Jason Fletcher said, “This type of community work is great fun for everyone involved, and gives the children chance to interact with the firefighters and have a look around the fire engine”. Pauline Cummings, Nursery Manager added, “The children had a fantastic time and were talking about it for days afterwards.”

Crew, staff and children from Warrington Day Nursery Caravanners lighten the load The winners of the latest health initiative “12 weeks till Christmas” were announced at the Service Health Safety & Welfare Committee Meeting on Wednesday 19 December 2007 and were as follows: 1st prize a round of Golf for 4 at Carden Park Hotel, 1st prize – Individual of one month complimentary leisure Chester – with a total loss of 4st 10 lbs and 11” from their club membership at De Vere Daresbury Park Leisure Club - waists were “The Caravanners”; Phil Hales, John Salt, Nicola Guise Graham Cross and Paul Bickerton 2nd prize – Individual of an E’spa full body massage at De 2nd prize of “Goody bags” containing fitness equipment – Vere Daresbury Park Beauty Salon - Graham Cross with a total loss of 2st 5 lbs and 8” from their waists “Finance”; Darren Griffiths, Dave Holland, Nicola Guise and Amanda Hall 19 uncorn’s Green Watch had a visit from an intrepid explorer when French firefighter RPhilippe Mariotti visited the station in January. Runcorn’s Philippe is on the first stage of a three year round- the-world bicycle ride in aid of the Firemen’s Ward Orphans Charity, which offers financial and psychological support to the bereaved families of firefighters who have died in service. The organisation French is the equivalent to the British Fire Services National Benevolent Fund. Each year around 20 French firefighters die in service, and the association currently looks after around 750 orphans. Philippe had travelled up from Hadley in Staffordshire but had suffered three damaged tyres in one day! Runcorn Green Watch Connection organised a makeshift bed for him, purchased his evening meal and donated money from their own Philippe starting his travels in France pockets to his charity. They then helped organise a route to Birkenhead and Philippe’s travels continued on to Dublin where he will contacted the ferry company for the next stage of his journey cross Ireland to Cork before making his way across the to Dublin. The following morning Firefighter Pat Gilfoyle took Atlantic Ocean to Buenos Aires in Argentina for the American Philippe down to a local bicycle shop to get the replacement stage of his challenge. bike parts required to continue his journey. Staff ready to race for life The Service is once again entering a team for the Cancer Research women’s only “Race for Life”. The chosen venue this year is Delamere Forest on Sunday 13th July. It costs £12.50 to register and entries can walk as well as run. This is the fifth year that we have entered a team and it is open to family and friends – please let Chris Blackham in Corporate Communications know if you have entered and how many, as we hope to beat last years number of 46 entries. Details are available on their web site www.raceforlife.org.uk

Some of last years entrants in the Cancer Research Race for Life. Caroline’s charity marathon Keen runner Caroline Jones from Corporate Communications, is currently training for this years Flora London Marathon on 13th April. Although many of you are aware of Caroline’s running ability, (she recently won her section at the Chester County Cross Country Championships in Birchwood) - this Marathon is a first for her as her normal running distance is 5K. She will be asking for sponsors – proceeds to the Vic Washby Trust. Sponsor forms will be circulated shortly for anyone wishing to contribute to former Cheshire firefighter Vic’s fund.