INFORMATIVEMARCH 2014 The quarterly bulletin of the North Fire and Rescue Service

NORTH WALES FIRE Fireworks proceeds ploughed back AND RESCUE SERVICE into community SHOWCASES WORK Firefighters from Deeside, and Mold have presented local charities and organisations TO MINISTER with money raised from their annual bonfire and fireworks displays. Minister for Local Government and Government Business, Lesley Griffiths AM, visited to learn about the work carried out by the Fire and Hard-hitting road safety Rescue Service. lesson for students DRIVING DOWN in North Wales DELIBERATE FIRES Emergency services join forces to encourage youngsters to drive safely. Arson Reduction staff team up with local partners to tackle deliberate fires.

www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk Preventing / Protecting / Responding Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith said: “Our emphasis on preventative work “The excellent work the Service has evolved in recent years and the visit provides along with other agencies provided an opportunity to show the across North Wales was evident very Minister how we engage with the more recently during the flooding in Rhyl and “Protecting our communities vulnerable members of our communities other areas.” is our number one priority in our efforts to make North Wales a and being able to showcase safer place to live, work and visit.” The Minister’s visit to North Wales was and explain in detail some preceded by visits to see the work of the of the work we do is an Local Government and Government other two Welsh fire and rescue services excellent opportunity for us to Business Minister Lesley Griffiths said: in South and in Mid and West Wales. demonstrate our wide range of “I am pleased to be able to see the programmes and initiatives. breadth of work which is carried out by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, including prevention, promoting safety and providing a rescue service.”

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NORTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE SHOWCaSeS work to minister

Minister for Local Government and Government Business, Lesley Griffiths AM, visited North Wales in December to learn first hand about some of the work carried out by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The visit started at Dangerpoint, the The centre welcomes approximately The Service’s achievements in relation award-winning safety education centre 6,000 visitors from schools across to its programme of home fire safety which is based in Talacre, . North Wales every year. checks, the work of the Arson Reduction Team, the Phoenix Project’s youth Opened in 2005, DangerPoint is a North Wales Fire and Rescue Service engagement initiatives, as well as the registered charity developed by a group also highlighted some of its recent joint Road Safety Intervention Project of organisations including North Wales projects and achievements, including with North Wales Police, all featured in Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue its Platinum award for corporate health. the work showcased for the event. Service and BHP Billiton Petroleum Ltd The Service was awarded the highest as a purpose-built educational visitor possible accolade in recognition of its An overview of the recent significant centre. It features interactive displays ‘outstanding’ commitment to corporate flooding events and the impact they had on the importance of social safety on social responsibility and social on the local area was also highlighted the roads, in the home, on the beach engagement in July last year. to the Minister before she travelled to and much more, with specially trained Deeside fire station to meet local fire rangers to take the children around the crews, where there was a display of the centre and educate them in all aspects Service’s water rescue units. of personal and social safety. www.viewcreative.co.uk

// 2 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk // 3 Creuddyn pupils win through to Landowners urged to final of a national safety quiz ‘Call before you burn!’

Four pupils from Ysgol y Creuddyn in represented North Wales in the Following on from the successful “We are urging all landowners national final of the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme Quiz in February. controlled burning campaign which undertaking controlled burning to has been running for the last notify us by calling our control room on They competed against the winners of The quiz tested the pupils on their three years, North Wales Fire and 01931 522006. This will help avoid the regional heats held in Dyfed Powys, knowledge of community safety, Rescue Service visited livestock false alarms and crews being sent out Gwent and South Wales at the final in substance misuse, anti-social markets in January, February and unnecessarily as well as ensuring we Cardiff. On the day of the final, the team behaviour, crime, arson and personal March to conclude the controlled are ready to respond in the event of a from Penrhyn Bay came fourth. safety issues. Working in burning campaign for this year. burn getting out of control. The quiz was based on lessons delivered The All Wales School Liaison Core partnership Staff also visited winter fairs across “We are also asking these landowners to schools across Wales as part of the All Programme aims to work towards Wales as an extension to the campaign to be responsible when it comes to Wales School Liaison Core Programme. achieving a reduction in crime and in this season. The visits were aimed at controlled burning. The fires are set During the event, the year 8 pupils had disorder amongst young people through ensuring landowners take on board in areas where access is extremely to use their knowledge and know-how to the medium of education and to promote Kevin Jones, Arson Reduction Manager, and Môn to some basic safety procedures and difficult and water supply is limited. answer questions aimed at helping them the principles of positive citizenship in said: “I’d like to congratulate all the notify the Service’s control room when If such a fire gets out of control, this adopt safe and healthy lifestyles. schools and their wider communities. pupils who took part and the winners protect from conducting a burn on their land. can place tremendous pressure on It is taught in primary and secondary in particular. It’s a great event that we the dangers resources, with firefighters tied up for The regional heat saw teams from five schools across Wales have been supporting for a number of The Heather and Grass Burning Code a considerable length of time trying local authority areas in North Wales years now. We are hoping in educating of Carbon states that burning is allowed only to bring it under control. These fires competing - Ysgol y Creuddyn, ; Mr Owain Gethin Davies, co-ordinator young people about crime and safety between the 1st of October and the can put homes, livestock and the Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, ; for personal social education at Ysgol y issues that they will help us to tackle Monoxide 31st of March in upland areas and lives of crews and residents at risk Darland High, Rossett, ; Elfed Creuddyn, said: “I’m very proud of the the problem of deliberate fire setting between the 1st of November and the as firefighters are kept from attending High School, Buckley, Flintshire; and team as they’ve all worked hard.” across Wales.” As part of their continued local 15th of March elsewhere. genuine emergencies.” Ysgol Bodedern, . partnership working, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Gofal Many farmers took the opportunity Farmers and landowners are asked to a Thrwsio Gwynedd a Môn have towards the end of the period to follow the guidelines below if they are been successful in their application undertake controlled burning of heather, planning a controlled burn: to become members of The Royal grass, bracken and gorse on their land. The team led on a bonfire safety Local residents were pleased to see both Society for the Prevention of Accidents Ensure you have sufficient people and Driving down campaign in partnership with Community police and fire and rescue staff working in (ROSPA), ‘Be Gas Safe Programme’. Staff from the Service visited Mold, equipment to control the fire. Support Officers from North Wales Police. partnership to tackle the problem. Bryncir and markets as well as Check wind direction and ensure there deliberate The campaign featured a fire safety ROSPA provided 200 carbon monoxide the winter fairs at Gaerwen and Builth is no risk to property, roads and wildlife. competition highlighting the dangers of The Arson Reduction Team is continuing detectors, a briefing pack, and 2,000 Wells, providing specially designed If a fire gets out of control contact the fireworks and two young people were to monitor the situation regularly. ‘I’m Staying Safe Gas Safe’ leaflets. tax disks branded with the controlled fire and rescue service immediately, fires recently presented with their prizes. burning number and leaflets reminding giving details of location and access. Celfyn Evans, Partnership Manager landowners how to conduct a safe It is illegal to leave a fire unattended or The Arson Reduction Team has Ryan Thomas from Blaenau for Gwynedd and Môn, said: “The ‘Be controlled burn. This is the second time to have too few people to control it. been working tirelessly in an effort and Jamie Mackintosh from Prestatyn Gas Safe Programme’ aims to make staff have attended the markets during Always ensure a fire is completely out to reduce the number of deliberate High School both won an iPod shuffle. people aware of the dangers of carbon the current campaign. before you leave it and check next day fires across North Wales over recent monoxide and steps that can be taken to ensure it has not reignited. months. An emerging trend in deliberate fires in to prevent poisoning, such as the need Gary Brandrick, Senior Fire Safety the Southsea area of Wrexham prompted for regular servicing of fuel-burning Manager, added: “We have had an the organisation of a hotspotting appliances, good ventilation and use of excellent response to our ‘Call before and engagement event in the area audible detectors. you burn!’ campaign. By visiting local supported by the Arson Reduction Team, markets we are able to make face to County Office staff and the local police “With gas appliances and flues that face contact with landowners to get our Community Support Officers. have not been properly installed, messages across. We have also visited maintained or ventilated known to be the winter fairs this year as these Staff visited the area during the event among the causes of carbon monoxide events are very popular and provide offering advice and community poisoning, the key focus of North Wales us with another opportunity to talk to reassurance. The initiative was a great Fire and Rescue Service and Gofal a farmers who burn. success with over 200 properties Thrwsio is to target the key risk groups, visited, 13 home fire safety checks particularly low income families with carried out as well as visits to local young children, over 65s and members businesses offering support. of households with chronic illness or a disability.”

// 4 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk // 5 Fireworks proceeds ploughed Firefighters work with Caia Park back into community youngsters to promote fire safety Local firefighters from Wrexham Youngsters from Pentre Gwyn, Venture have been working with youngsters and Kingsley Circle youth clubs visited Firefighters from Deeside, Rhyl and Peter Edwards, Watch Manager at from Caia Park to create short Wrexham Fire Station to view their work Mold have presented local charities Mold Fire Station, thanked everyone films promoting fire safety and on a big screen. and organisations with money involved in organising last year’s highlighting the negative effects raised from their annual bonfire and bonfire; “It was a real team effort with of deliberate fire starting. The film produced by Pentre Gwyn youth fireworks displays. everyone pulling together to produce an club came out top following viewing by a excellent event that was enjoyed by the This initiative was a partnership between judging panel, and the youngsters were Simon Smith, Chief Fire Officer, presented whole community.” North Wales Fire and Rescue Service awarded with vouchers by Wrexham County representatives from 30 different and The Caia Park Partnership Youth Council for Waterworld, Wrexham. All three charities with cheques totalling £4,000 Firefighters from Rhyl Fire Station Team, who are contracted to deliver youth groups were thanked for their hard work at Deeside Fire Station in December. presented staff at the Cuddles Special provision on the Caia Park estate by and presented with a small prize. Care Baby Unit (SCBU) with two new Wrexham Youth Service. A number of local charities such as plasma televisions, purchased with The winning film can be viewed on the Jonathan Stumpp from the Caia Flintshire Arthritis Care as well as a percentage of the money raised at Crews from Wrexham Fire Station were North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Park Partnership Youth Team added: national charities such as St John’s their bonfire. allocated a youth club from the Caia Park Youtube channel. “The project has been a great way of Ambulance were amongst those to estate and worked with the young people developing mutual respect and has given benefit from the event. Another 18 local and national charities who attended the clubs to create their Gary Brandrick, Senior Fire Safety Manager, the young people a real insight into the also benefited from a donation from the own short films. said: “This project has been a great way work firefighters do and the potential Nigel Sephton of Deeside Fire Rhyl event’s profits. for us to engage with the youngsters from consequences of fires and deliberate Station said: The firefighters worked with the Youth Caia Park, building good relationships. It fire setting. SCBU Manager, Mandy Cooke, said: Team to undertake a number of visits has helped the young people think more “We’re so grateful to the organisers of to the youth clubs, fostering good about the negative effects of fire starting “We’re thrilled to be working with North the firework and bonfire display and to relationships and working with them on and the importance of fire safety in the Wales Fire and Rescue Service and home, and we hope this will stay with them we’re looking forward to building on this “There was a great turnout for all those who attended and donated the end goal of producing a short video for years to come. relationship in the future by working with this year’s fireworks display and so generously.” clip communicating important messages I would like to thank each and through a medium of their own choice. them and the Arson Reduction Team.” “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every person attending for making Kev Warner, Watch Manager at Rhyl the Caia Park Partnership for working with it possible for us to donate to Community Fire Station, said: “We are us in this innovative way.” these worthy charities. proud to be working with the residents of North Wales to keep them as safe as “It was a pleasure to see the possible on bonfire night, and seeing the charities receiving their cheques money going back into the community The campaign will run until May with from our Chief Fire Officer. I would makes all the organisation and hard ‘We don’t want the online cooking quiz available on the like to thank Deeside Silver Band work worthwhile.” to come dine Service’s Facebook page to support the for playing during the presentation, supermarket campaign. Beer mats and and all the representatives for with you!’ posters are also distributed to pubs coming along to receive the throughout Conwy. donations.” campaign launched In Conwy county, between the 1st of April 2012 and 31st of March 2013, At Mold Fire Station, Dawn Docx, Deputy in Conwy firefighters were called to 77 accidental Chief Fire Officer, presented £500 to fires in the home. 35% of these fires North Wales Fire and Rescue each of the three chosen charities, Staff are out talking to shoppers about were caused by cooking. Service launched its cooking Barnados, The Leukaemia Trust and how to stay safe in the kitchen, providing campaign, ‘We don’t want to come Shooting Stars. free kitchen timers to encourage Gwyn Jones, County Safety Manager, said: dine with you – Think Safe, Cook people to think safe when cooking and Safe!’ in Conwy in February that remember to time cooking correctly. “Time and time again we attend house targeted shoppers in a bid to reduce fires which have started in the kitchen the number of kitchen fires that And people can put their safety – it is so easy to forget your cooking, occur in the area. knowledge to the test by trying out a especially if you are tired, distracted cooking safely quiz with £100 worth or have been drinking. But the Cooking is a major cause of accidental of supermarket vouchers for the consequences can be devastating. fires in the home in North Wales – lucky winner. We don’t want to come dine with you this campaign highlights the dangers and tackle your kitchen fire.” of leaving your cooking unattended and follows on from other successful campaigns run in Wrexham and North Gwynedd.

// 6 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk // 7 inflicted on the body and the clinical “Multi-agency road safety events have Hard-hitting skills I would use to ultimately try and proved to be an excellent way of working save their life. These young adults in partnership to get people to think road safety deserve a future and I don’t beat about the consequences of their driving. around the bush when I tell them what lesson for could go wrong while driving. students in “Making young adults aware of the “The practical demonstrations danger on the roads might mean less of realistic events, coupled with incidents for us where we literally have presentations from all partners North Wales to pick up the pieces.” will hopefully have a lasting impact on the young people who Students across North Wales North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended.” have been receiving a hard-hitting used video clips and audience lesson in road safety over the last participation to try and educate students. few months. Visits took place at colleges in Deeside, Community Safety Team Leader, Sharon Northop, Glynllifon, , , Llandrillo, and Bangor. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Bouckley, said: “The Deadly Impacts joined forces with The Welsh Ambulance Roadshow makes youngsters aware of Services NHS Trust and North Wales their responsibilities on the road, and Police for an education tour of colleges the potentially fatal consequences of across the region. speeding or not paying attention while driving. The partnership is designed to teach youngsters about the dangers of the “The Fire and Rescue Service attends ‘Fatal Five’ – excessive speed, anti- a high number of road traffic collisions social driving, no seatbelts, drink or involving young people – educating drug-driving and using a mobile phone youngsters in this way is aimed at whilst driving. driving down the number of tragedies on our roads.” The ‘Deadly Impacts Roadshow’ was launched at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, North Wales Police warned of the where paramedic Dermot O’Leary gave consequences of being responsible for a graphic account of what happens to a collision, including penalty points on the human body in a collision. your licence and even prison.

He said: “I explain what injuries they Inspector Martin Best from the North could suffer in a collision, the damage Wales Police Roads Policing Unit said:

// 8 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk