DECEMBER 2012 INFORMATIVE The quarterly bulletin of the North Fire and Rescue Service

RECYCLING IN SUPPORT 'TIME IT RIGHT - DON'T SET IT ALIGHT!' OF FIRE FIGHTERS CHARITY Staff return to supermarkets across Clothing banks located at fire stations. town to talk to shoppers about the importance of cooking safely. REMINDING FARMERS TO MONEY FOR OLD SOAP - 'CALL BEFORE YOU BURN' THOUSANDS RAISED Staff revisit livestock markets to reinforce burning code to landowners.

www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk Preventing / Protecting / Responding “I’ve worked for Airbus for nine years having learnt something that they will “Today we had the opportunity to and in that time have seen some of remember and use whilst driving.” engage with young people, many of our apprentices unfortunately involved whom are only just passing their driving in accidents. As an employer, we have Acting Sergeant Mark Jones from tests to further educate them on road a duty of care to young people to help Police Roads Policing Unit safety matters.” them get to work safely. Over the past also attended. He said: “Multi-agency 12 months we have presented this road safety events have proved to be Welsh Ambulance Service Paramedic initiative to over 300 apprentices.” an excellent way of getting people to Dermot O’Leary said: “I wholeheartedly think about the consequences of their endorse the efforts of all agencies that Gareth Griffiths, Senior Fire Safety driving, and by working in partnership, have been here today. Any opportunity Manager for North Wales Fire and we want to get across to young drivers in communicating with young people Rescue Service added: messages such as the dangers of not such as this is a plus.” wearing a seatbelt, driving too fast and “As a fire and rescue service we attend using mobile phones. a high number of road traffic collisions involving young people – and we are doing all that we can to educate our youngsters and drive down the number of tragedies on our roads.

“We are using every opportunity to engage with youngsters and educate them about road safety. By using visual displays as well as presentations we are hoping that they leave the events Shock tactics DRIVE home road safety Hard hitting images of traffic accidents and video interviews with Rhodri wins fire survivors were used to drive home key messages in a road safety awareness event held at Airbus in October. safety competition

North Wales police officers, paramedics Ryan Taylor, a third-year apprentice, Ysgol Bethel pupil Rhodri Campbell is a happy camper now that he has won a brand from the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We have seen some pretty The Deadly Impact event was new tent with a host of accessories after taking part in a summer safety competition and members of the North Wales Fire graphic stuff. It makes you more aware aimed at 17 - 25 year olds, organised by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. and Rescue Service united to highlight of the consequences and makes you who are most at risk of being the consequences of speeding, not think twice about your driving behaviour. involved in a crash. Statistics Four year old Rhodri took part in a quiz taking part in quizzes to highlight wearing a seatbelt and driving under It’s especially good for the younger show that most drivers are highlighting a number of fire hazards set common fire safety dangers and help the influence of drink or drugs to an apprentices who have just passed their male and most fatal casualties up within a special tent on the maes of them understand how to keep as safe audience of 160 Airbus apprentices. test, but it will make me think about involve female passengers. the National Eisteddfod in Glynllifon in as possible from fire during the summer distances, mobile phone and seatbelt August. months. The stark reality of what it is like to use, especially in taxis where people be involved in a serious road accident don’t always use them. It’s really great Apprentice Training Advisor Darren Thousands of youngsters took part in “We had a great reaction to the was brought home to the apprentices that Airbus takes the time to put on Collins, who arranged the event, said: this and other similar competitions at campaign while out and about at events when they watched emergency services these kinds of events.” events attended by North Wales Fire and we’re thrilled to be presenting this personnel in action at a mock crash “We are delighted that the emergency and Rescue Service throughout the amazing prize to Rhodri, thanks to the scene in which three apprentices Two first year apprentices, who are services have come together to educate summer, and Rhodri’s answer sheet generosity of Gelert Ltd.” acted as casualties, one of whom was currently learning to drive, said that our apprentices, who are the most was the lucky winner whose entry was pronounced “dead” at the scene and the event was really powerful, with vulnerable on the roads. The more we chosen at random. A spokesperson from Gelert Ltd said: placed in a body bag. one adding: “There is a lot of useful can do to educate our young drivers the information here. It will certainly make better and, hopefully, our apprentices Rhodri won a luxury six berth tent along Front seat passenger Fleur O’Hagan, me think twice before getting into cars will cascade what they have learnt with inflatable beds and sleeping bags, “We’re proud to be working in a second year apprentice, was given with my mates – some of them use to their friends. This dramatic way of all kindly donated by Gelert Ltd. partnership with North Wales Fire life-saving treatment by paramedics for mobiles while driving.” reminding everyone to use a seatbelt, www.viewcreative.co.uk and Rescue Service to ensure “serious injuries” and extricated from whether they are a driver or passenger, Terry Williams, Community Safety that everyone using our products the wreckage, which involved cutting to keep to the speed limit and not Manager for and Môn, said: in the great outdoors is kept as the roof off the car. She said, “It was a to drink and drive, dove-tails with our “The summer safety competition has safe as possible from fire.” really scary experience – I never want to Bike Safe, Drive Safe and Pass Plus seen youngsters from across the region be in that position for real.” campaigns."

// 2 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk // 3 Firefighters remind farmers Ceremony celebrates ‘Call before you burn!’ commitment and dedication The Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd, His Simon Smith, Chief Fire Officer, said: Following on from the successful controlled burning campaign which has been running for the last Honour Huw Morgan Daniel, presented “Receiving a medal is an important two years, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service visited livestock markets across the region in Long Service and Good Conduct occasion for every firefighter and October and November to ensure landowners take on board some basic safety procedures and notify Medals to five members of staff during this ceremony collectively represents them when conducting their burn. a presentation ceremony held at over 100 years of commitment and Community Fire Station in September. dedication to the fire and rescue service in North Wales. All recipients can take The Heather and Grass Burning Code Gareth Griffiths, Senior Fire Safety Staff will visit these markets again early The Medal is awarded to firefighters pride and satisfaction in receiving their states that burning is allowed only Manager, said: in the new year to continue to promote by Her Majesty’s Representative in Long Service and Good Conduct Medal s between the 1st of October and the the campaign before the burning season recognition of 20 years of service. or Loyal Service Awards.” 31st of March in upland areas and the ends in March. 1st of November and the 15th of March “Every year during controlled The Chair of the North Wales Fire and Eight Community Awards were also elsewhere. burning season we are called to countless false alarms and Rescue Authority, Councillor Aled Morris presented by the Chief Fire Officer and Jones presented the Loyal Service Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority in Many farmers will now be taking the controlled burns which have award to a member of the Service’s order to recognise members of staff and opportunity to undertake controlled spread - so we decided to take support staff who has completed 20 the community who have worked hard to burning of heather, grass bracken and this campaign to the livestock years of service. improve community safety in North Wales. gorse on their land. markets and make face to face contact with landowners Staff visited markets in Mold, Gaerwen, to get our messages across. , Bryncir, , and and gave away specially Recycling in support of the Fire Fighters Charity designed calendars and air fresheners “We are urging all landowners branded with the controlled burning undertaking controlled burning to notify North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has and are all taking part in the “The items are collected by the charity’s number, together with leaflets reminding us by calling our control room on signed up for The Fire Fighters Charity pilot and have the charity clothing banks recycling partners, who pay the charity a landowners how to conduct a safe 01745 535805. This will help avoid Recycling Scheme – a national initiative located outside their buildings. fee for the textiles received. Supporting controlled burn. false alarms and crews being sent out where clothes banks are placed outside the recycling scheme not only raises unnecessarily as well as ensuring we fire stations across the UK. Philip Morris, Environmental and funds for injured fire fighters but also are ready to respond in the event Energy Conservation Engineer for North has a positive environmental and of a burn getting out of control. The Fire Fighters Charity is the UK's Wales Fire and Rescue Service and economic impact.” leading provider of services that North Wales Police, explains: “Britain "We are also asking these enhance quality of life for serving and produces around 650,000 tonnes of Paul Claydon, Assistant Chief Fire Officer landowners to be retired fire fighters, fire personnel and textile waste a year, and textiles make for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service responsible when it their families. Their vision is to make a up 12% of landfill sites. Sadly, only a added: comes to controlled positive difference by supporting people quarter of this is recycled. burning. The fires in the fire and rescue community when are set in areas they are in need. Over the years, they “This scheme involves textile items, “Across the UK, over £200,000 where access is have helped hundreds of thousands donated by members of the community, is raised every year for The extremely difficult of individuals by providing world-class being recycled, with wearable items Fire Fighters Charity through and water supply treatment and support services. being sent to developing countries and this recycling scheme. We’re is limited - should unsuitable items being recycled for the hoping to boost this figure the fire get out of Stations in Abersoch, , , rag trade. further with the new clothing control, this can , , , banks we’re placing outside place tremendous these stations in North Wales. pressure on Building on last year’s partnership resources, working, North Wales Fire and Rescue with firefighters “Currently we are running this as a pilot Service also teamed up with officers tied up for a project at eight stations – but if it’s from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley considerable successful we’d like to roll it out to more Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty length of time stations across the region. and the Heather and Hillforts project trying to bring them at some of the markets. The aims is under control. These “My appeal to our residents is to use to help encourage farmers in areas of fires can put homes, these clothing banks to get rid of outstanding natural beauty to undertake livestock and the lives of crews unwanted clothes and textiles and help their controlled heather burning safely, and residents at risk as firefighters protect our environment as well as whilst still improving the habitat for are kept from attending genuine supporting The Firefighters Charity in the agriculture, wildlife and the landscape. emergencies." amazing work that they do.”

// 4 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk // 5 Money for old soap- ‘Time it right – thousands raised! Don’t set it alight!’

Fire crews from across North Wales Staff have returned recently to supermarkets across Wrexham town got all in a lather in September - to talk to shoppers about the importance of cooking safely. raising over £5,000 towards the national car wash in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity. Over half of all accidental fires in the “Time and time again we attend house home in North Wales involve cooking fires which have started in the kitchen The money raised for The Fire Fighters food – and this figure rises to over 58% – it is so easy to forget your cooking, Charity was boosted by an agreement in the Wrexham region, where there’s especially if you are tired, distracted with Barclays Bank, who pledged to the highest number of cooking related or have been drinking. But the match fund the money raised at a fires per head of population. consequences can be devastating. number of the fire stations. The ‘Time it right – Don’t set it alight!’ “Hopefully, if you live in the Wrexham Paul Claydon, Assistant Chief Fire campaign highlights the dangers of area, you will have come across us at a Officer, said: “I am delighted we were getting distracted whilst preparing food supermarket near you – we ask that you able to raise so much money for this and the risks involved with leaving Staff from the Corporate Communications please take notice of our campaign. And worthy charity - thanks to the hard work cooking unattended. Department and firefighters first hit don’t forget – smoke alarms save lives. put into the fundraising by all the staff, the shops to talk to shoppers in March For a free home fire safety check call their families and friends, and to the Forgetting to turn off the hob, leaving and April of this year, and the second our 24 hour freephone number on public for supporting us by having their food in the microwave for too long, phase of the campaign has just finished 0800 169 1234.” cars washed at the station.” overheating a chip pan, burning the in November. Advice was provided on toast, leaving the oven on – all of these how to stay safe in the kitchen, with can spell disaster in the kitchen and free kitchen timers used to encourage can lead to serious injury or, even more people to think safe when they are worryingly, the loss of life. cooking and to remember to time their cooking correctly. Those entering a ‘Fish not Fire’ cooking safely quiz were entered into a competition with the chance of winning a fishing Competition hamper full of luxury items.

Paul Whybro, Community Safety Manager for Wrexham and , said: Robert Wyn Davies, Watch Manager at Blaenau Fire Station, presented trophies at a fishing “We had a great response to the competition held by Cambrian Angling ‘Time it right – Don’t set it alight!’ Association, North Wales Fire and campaign launched earlier this Rescue Service and North Wales year which was why we went Police during the summer. back for the second phase, visiting Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco The aim of the event was to engage with and Morrisons on a number of youngsters in the area Fridays in October and November. and take the opportunity to educate them about deliberate fires whilst taking part in a fishing competition.

Thirty three youngsters took part in the event on Llyn Morynion and 70 fish were caught. The Arson Reduction Team supported Merry Christmas the event as part of its youth activity programme. The team has donated The ‘Sgotwr nid Llosgwr’ cup for the past Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas from all seven years. the staff at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

// 6 www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk // 7 Students help bring fire safety messages to life Students starting their university life in North Wales were given fire safety advice courtesy of a series of imaginative videos created by young actors at Glyndwˆr University.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service “North Wales Fire Service wanted to do commissioned the group of theatre and something a little bit different to promote performance students to produce the short fire safety to freshers students and they clips, which have been posted on YouTube. approached us to see if we wanted to be involved. Each of the student safety videos features a fictional story based on a different safety “They were originally only going to pick one theme – all with a hard-hitting message. of the five videos to use in their publicity but they liked them so much they decided to go These include Miss Flame 1963, a spoof with all of them." chat show which features guests with burns caused by fires, and Seven Deadly Sins, Paul Whybro, Community Safety Manager for where clips focusing on seven different Wrexham and Flintshire, said: actions including gluttony, lust and avarice reinforce the fire service’s‘Get Out, Stay Out’ message. “We were thrilled to be working with students from Glyndwˆr University and Students delivered the project from scratch, were very impressed by the standard devising their own story ideas and then of their work. It’s important that scripting, storyboarding and acting them out. students understand the importance Filming and editing was led by another of staying safe while having fun – and Glyndwˆr University student, Chris Mungovan, by working with Glyndwˆr to create who studies creative lens media. these short, quirky videos we hope our potentially life-saving messages Elen Mai Nefydd, senior lecturer in theatre will really hit home.” and performance, said:

The five videos were used in a North “We work with external Wales Fire and Rescue Service Facebook organisations constantly to competition where viewers were encouraged provide our students with real-life to ‘like’ their favourite. projects and this is the latest one. To view the videos visit: www.youtube.com/nwalesfireservice

Fire Fighters charity Draws Winners

Paul Claydon, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, picked the winners of this year’s Fire Fighters Charity Raffle in November.

The winners were Kate Hughes from Amlwch who was presented with the first prize of £150, Mark Ellis from Rhyl who received £100 and Sheryl Teal Bromley from Mostyn who received a prize of £50.

Paul Claydon said: “I’d like to thank everyone who donated to this worthy cause by buying a ticket over the summer and congratulations to all the winners.”

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