April 2011

Keeping Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Personnel Informed Emotional mission

heshire members of the Turn to the centre pages for more International Search and pictures of the team’s mission. CRescue (ISAR) team are back safely from an emotional and Bryn in Japan challenging rescue mission to a New As we were going to press Bryn, the Zealand city left devastated by an Service’s Search and Rescue dog and earthquake. his handler Steve Buckley had just On Tuesday, February 22, Mark returned from yet another difficult UK Coleman, Stuart Devereux, Andy Hurst, ISAR mission. Gareth Scott, Mark Bushell, Daryl This time the pair had been sent to Codling, and Paul Bickerton got the call Japan following the devastating that they were needed to help with the earthquake and tsunami. search and rescue mission in Christchurch. Read the full story in the next edition Scale proved especially challenging for of the Alert. The seven, who are all members of the team. the UK ISAR team went on to spend 15- Sadly the team found no survivors in days in the city during which they the building. However, they did recover searched and cleared three complete STATE OF THE ART 13 bodies, which helped give closure to city blocks and also carried out the families of the victims. searches on specific buildings. TRAINING CENTRE The tremendous efforts of the team This included a major operation have been appreciated by the New around the collapsed Pyne Gould Zealand authorities and the people of Corporation office block which had seen Christchurch. multiple rescues in the early stages. Mark concluded: “I don’t think there Mark, who was the Operational was a single member of the UK team Commander of the UK Team, explained: who did not at some time shed a tear. “We carried out a 150-hour search and I think what touched us most was the rescue operation on the site. This encouragement, support and gratitude involved a demanding and technical shown to us by the New Zealand operation to deconstruct and search people. Personally I will never forget the whole building ensuring that any either this mission or the people we casualties could be recovered.” met and I am really glad that we were A number of aftershocks, some able to make a difference and help Turn to page 8 for full story. measuring as high as 5 on the Richter them recover from this terrible event.”

I PLUS N highest ranking S for I website D - p16 Road safety Dream come The Spotlight Rain or shine E events - p5 true - p9 - p12 - p13 alert 2 april • 2010 Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service raises £11,000 for hearing dogs for deaf people

heshire Fire and Rescue Service and the former Mayor of Cheshire East Council has presented a Cwhopping £11,000 to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the former Mayor of Cheshire East Council has presented a whopping £11,000 to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Fire and Rescue Service staff and Fire Authority Member and former Mayor Cllr Margaret Simon spent the past year raising money for the cause and were able to provide two people with working dogs. The grand total was presented to the charity after n Fundraisers from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service with Cllr numerous activities including a Fire Cadet unit from Crewe Margaret Simon and Annie one of the hearing dogs holding a bag packing day in a local supermarket. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin said, “We were safety and the seed was sown for us to help. “I believe the really pleased to be able to help this charity. The hearing two dogs are settled in their new homes and working dogs that have been trained by the Charity will make a big brilliantly for their handlers, which makes us extremely difference to the lives of their handlers. “There was a core proud.” section of staff who worked tirelessly to raise this money after Cllr Simon said, “Having a dog is a wonderful way of a talk to our work placed Women’s Institute. A handler giving somebody with hearing problems the confidence to spoke of an incident when her hearing dog alerted her to a live a fairly normal life. The bond between a dog and its smoke alarm sounding in her home and then led her to owner is very precious.” Fairtrade fun

Runcorn’s Green Watch was ‘baking for success’ during a Fairtrade Fortnight event at Astmoor County Primary. As part of the crew’s Phoenix Project, which runs in conjunction with the school, firefighters were only too pleased to get stuck into making finger licking chocolate brownies and fruit smoothies all made with Fairtrade ingredients. The purpose of the enjoyable event was to raise awareness of the work of the Fairtrade Foundation. The organisation that works to ensure that producers from poorer countries get a fair deal for the products they produce. All the baked goods were sold to raise some much needed money for an environmental initiative that aims to help the nation’s bee population. n Watch Manager Tim Robinson and an Astmoor Teacher “Show off their Label” and Crew Manager Steve Sweeting and some of the pupils proudly display some Fairtrade chocolate. april • 2010 3 alert in my view. . . The organisation’s budget for 2011/12 and for all firefighters. As well as a new Incident the IRMP 8 has now been agreed by our Command Suite and training facility in Fire Authority. Macclesfield. I am delighted that despite the fact we, like These investments are only possible many other public services, are facing some because of the £2 million in efficiencies and hard times we are still able to invest in both savings we have managed to find.I know that the safety of our operational crews and the there are some who would wish us to stay the public. same and keep responding in the same way we always have. What I will say to them is that Key safety projects planned over the next – it just isn’t possible. 12 months include: However, what I will also say is that I am • Buying two new standard fire engines and a proud of our organisation, its people and what specialist midi appliance with four-wheel it achieves. By working together and drive embracing the Service’s new values and • An annual programme to replace thermal behaviours, I am confident that we can image cameras on every appliance ul continue to make the right decisions to ensure Pa • New technology to improve how staff can a professional first class service. what it k identify and support at risk households. Hancoc achieves. By working together I am certain These projects follow a near £1 million that we can continue to make the right investment over the last 12 months which has decisions to ensure a first class service is seen PBI Gold fire kit and breathing apparatus maintained. South Cheshire College students get hands on wenty students from South carry out the cutting to remove the Cheshire College attended roof. Crewe Community Fire Station T The students were then given as part of the Public Service course. instruction on how we remove the The group of 16 to 18 year olds are casualty from the vehicle using a long completing a BTEC Level 2 Diploma in board. A student volunteered to play Public Services which aims to provide our casualty and his fellow students well informed and well presented worked together to remove him from recruits for a wide variety of uniformed the driving seat on the Long Board. and public services. On hand was The event organisers Firefighters Blue Watch to give the group a Leigh Bowen and Ryan Younger were practical demonstration on how pleased the morning was a great Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service deal success. with Road Traffic Collisions. The group watched Blue Watch firefighters deal with a scenario of a vehicle still on all four wheels involved in a road traffic collision with two casualties trapped inside. The casualties were played by two of the attending students. Following the demo and under strict supervision of the instructors and firefighters the students were given the opportunity to get hands on with the equipment in cutting up a second vehicle. They were shown how to stabilise and carry out glass management on the vehicle then to alert 4 april • 2010 Hannah meets the challenge

annah Lloyd from Cheshire West and Chester’s Community Safety Department has successfully Hengaged with the staff and pupils at a number of schools containing pupils that have specialist needs. Hannah used her skills to make some pretend rockets and sparklers which were a big hit with the children and enabled her to demonstrate visually how to use sparklers safely. Hannah also used the Key Stage 2 package to a variety of age ranges and the feedback from pupils and staff alike has been very positive and they are looking forward to next year. Collision in Church Minshull he emergency services while other crew members set up and received a call from a lady who got to work in stabilising the vehicle. had stopped at the scene of a T A Fast Response Paramedic road traffic collision on a country arrived on scene and assessed the road between Crewe and Winsford. man’s injures. Two Crewe fire appliances were The Incident Commander, Watch mobilised and proceeded to Earnswick Manager Jami Jennings, requested the Lane at Church Minshull. On arrival fire attendance of the Haz Mat Unit from crews were met with one saloon car Crewe to attend to utilise the lighting that had left the road and come to rest mast on the vehicle due to the remote on its side, the roof against a tree, with location of the incident. the driver still trapped in the vehicle. The male casualty was released Also on arrival the crews found that from the vehicle and transported to a child had escaped from the vehicle hospital via ambulance and fire crews and was comforted by firefighters and made the vehicle safe. members of the public at the scene

Army cadets visit Widnes Fire Station Army Cadets from Widnes have spent the day with Blue Watch at Widnes Fire Station. The Cadets were working towards a community award and got the chance to experience a day in the life of a firefighter. The group consisted of 22 cadets aged between 14 and 16. Throughout the day they took part in different activities to experience the variety of work the Fire and Rescue Service undertakes. Activities consisted of a Station tour and fire safety talk, hose running skills, breathing apparatus scenario, equipment familiarisation, a chip pan safety demonstration and a road traffic collision demonstration. The day was a great success with all those involved thoroughly enjoying the experience. Blue Watch would like to thank all those involved. april • 2010 5 alert Chester and Birchwood Road Safety Events rews from across Cheshire were out and about this Cwinter promoting some vital seasonal safety messages. Chester’s Red Watch were joined by members of the road safety team and volunteers for an event at their local B&Q. They handed out more than 100 winter driving packs, which included ice scrapers, tyre pressure gauges and 300 information packs. The team also completed more than 40 vehicle winter driving checks. Birchwood’s Blue Watch organised a similar event at Birchwood Shopping Centre to improve road safety as part of National Road Safety week. In addition to handing out the winter driving packs the Watch also performed two road traffic extrication demonstrations. Hard hitting safety message

Students visiting Stockton Heath Fire Station received a hard-hitting safety message in a bid to influence their future driving habits The station’s B Watch played host to a number of sixth form groups from Warrington’s Priestley College. The young people, who were all studying Public Services, took part in tours of the station before sitting down to a frank and powerful talk about road safety. Firefighter, Andy Jones, who helped lead the sessions explained: “We teach the young people all about how we deal with incidents, give them the chance to take part in a practical rescue exercise before ending the session with some messages that we hope will stay with them well into the future and help us to cut the numbers of people hurt and killed on the roads.” The road safety talks involved the showing of some thought provoking videos and sobering first hand accounts of what it is like to be a firefighter called to a fatal collision. During one of the sessions the crew was also joined by a special speaker from Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution who was serving a sentence for killing someone in a collision. Glenn Young, who first made contact with the guest speaker, said: “The talk was very powerful. I think it had a real effect on the students who were able to hear from someone who, up to a few years ago, was just like them, studying for his exams – that was until a collision changed his life completely.” The crew is hoping to work with further groups throughout the year. alert 6 april • 2010 Graffiti projects help teach ‘Respect’ espect teams in Widnes, Respect teams also produced some fire Runcorn and Ellesmere Port safety themed art after working with Rhave been letting their creative Andy Birch from Dime One murals. sides loose on some stunning graffiti The funding for the Halton team art projects. work was provided by Cllr Kimberley It was Station Manager, Phil Kilgour, Anderson who also kindly funded a who first encouraged members of the mountain biking session in Delamere Respect group based at Widnes to put Forest for the team. their art skills to good use by planning, The Service delivers the Respect designing and producing a piece of programmes in partnership with graffiti art which is to be displayed on Cheshire Police and Young Addaction. the station. All members of the group which was led by David Warren, took part in this project and had fun producing what is a one-off piece with a very important safety message. Ellesmere Port and Runcorn Fire Station also got their own piece of art with a fire safety theme. Young people from Ellesmere Port and Runcorn Post fire support team makes a difference he Service’s Post Fire Support Team (PFST) is approaching its first has been operating for more than nine months now and Tthanks go to everyone who has assisted during this time. A recent case has highlighted the good work that the team do in times of need: In the early hours of 9 January, resident Ian Threadgold felt the temperature rise from a fire in the ground floor shop below his flat. Winsford and Northwich crews attended and successfully extinguished the fire and provided a home safety assessment. This incident left no structural damage to the flat only a vast amount of smoke damage throughout. The PFST were soon in action cleaning the walls, floors, units and surfaces. Ian appears to be very pleased with the work and support the PFST provided and appreciated the service greatly. To be part of our proactive team or for more information on the volunteering opportunities CFRS has to offer e-mail Claire Bennett, Volunteer Coordinator on claire.bennett@cheshirefire.gov.uk

Do you have any comments or suggestions for Be future editions of the Alert? If so call the Service’s Corporate Communications team on 01606 868786 Alert! or email chris.blackham@cheshirefire.gov.uk april • 2010 7 alert THANKS Virtual learning FETE VISIT {I would just like to take the resource opportunity to warmly thank you attending our Fete at Ash Grove Primary School and Nursery. Despite your hectic schedule and earlier turn out it was very much appreciated that you continued to attend. Thank you for your efforts and enthusiasm. Many thanks once again. | ELLESMERE BLUE WATCH n David Nicol delivering the session at the SHQ Open Day {My wife and I would very much like number of staff from across These materials include learning to express our thanks to all the the Service attended a series guides, pocketbooks, book reviews officers involved in the incident last Aof sessions introducing and an online library of journals. Tuesday. We were extremely people to a new virtual reality impressed with the prompt and All of these resources are useful for training resource. efficient manner in which they dealt staff who currently study for leadership with the fire and limited the damage The sessions were run by David and management formal qualifications to our property. We were also very Nicol from Ashridge. All staff who are within or outside the Service. grateful for their re-assuring courtesy interested in self-development have If you would like to gain access to and humour. access to the Ashridge Portal as part of | the portal please contact Vicki Aspell or the Service’s subscription to the Fire Sarah Baker in the Learning and Service College. David introduced Development team who will be able to people to the extensive range of high TRUE HEROES give you details of the website and quality self learning materials that are password. {I write to express my sincere available to them through the portal. gratitude for the way my emergency call to you was dealt with. Your firefighters arrived quickly and were extremely efficient at dealing with the situation and soon had the fire Explosive visit extinguished, preventing it from spreading to the house, remove my vehicle from the burning garage and embers of Green Watch from Ellesmere Port enjoyed a visit from the isolate the gas supply, minimising MRoyal Logistics Corp Bomb Disposal Engineers, Chester Detachment. any further damage. I was regularly kept updated of the The Bomb Disposal team situation and you were more than consisted of Sgt Bonnet and Ozz the happy to answer any questions that operator, both veterans of Northern I had. Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. The crews were treated to a presentation I suspect that the public on the and practical demonstration of the whole underestimate the fantastic equipment carried on their response work that you do but I have done vehicle. nothing since the weekend but sing your praises and have also The visit was good humoured promoted the use of fire alarms to and very well received. The Watch my friends and family. You truly are was left with a deep respect and heroes and deserve every penny admiration for the difficult and you earn. dangerous job the bomb disposal God bless you all and keep you crews do. Both teams ended the n Firefighter Jack Fellows can be seen safe. day with a much clearer modelliing the blast protection suit worn by | understanding of how the other the Bomb Disposal Team Janice, Grappenhall works. alert 8 april • 2010 Training boost at Macclesfield fire station

A NEW state of the art Training and Features for Firefighter training school children and offers chip pan fire Community Education Centre has include: Fully operating chimney; demonstrations and domestic been unveiled at Macclesfield Fire different window designs; vertical shaft sprinklers demonstrations, which can Station, and is believed to be the and ladder; fully functional loft area; be seen from a safe viewing area first of its kind in the country. moveable walls and doors; staircase inside the building. The property can and a crawling gallery. also be filled with smoke to help The facility, which cost £150,000 to educate people on the hazards of fire build resembles a detached house and The facility will also be used to in the home and work place which will was designed to provide firefighter's promote fire safety to community provide valuable training if anyone is with practical training in the use of groups including: Prince's Trust ever faced with a fire in their home. breathing apparatus and search and students, Cheshire Fire Cadets, youth rescue techniques. groups, local resident groups and Prince’s Trust Crewe Team 31

team of youngsters from the Prince’s Trust personal development programme in Crewe has Atransformed a community garden. The group of 16 to 24-year-olds from Crewe’s Team 31 took on the challenge to give the communal open space at Rowan House, Wistaston, a makeover. They chose the project at the Wulvern sheltered housing site from a shortlist of three. The need for the revamp had been championed by resident Terry Hughes, who consulted his neighbours to find out what they wanted to be done with the plot. Over three weeks, the team members took on tasks including landscaping, fencing, making a recycling area, installing raised beds and creating vegetable patches. Residents had also asked the team to help wildlife flourish, so the members created a bog garden, planted wildflowers, and installed insect and bird boxes. Prince’s Trust project manager Sarah McCreaddie and assistant Pete Jones helped to organise the work. Sarah said, “The team has worked extremely hard to complete the project in three weeks and I am very proud of their achievements.” Terry added, “We were delighted that the Prince’s Trust selected our project to work on. The garden has been given a new lease of life and will be enjoyed by everyone.” The team members were joined by their families, partner organisations and Mayor of Crewe Cllr Jacquie Weatherill to celebrate the opening. As a result of the project’s success Cllr Weatherill invited n PTT Team welcome Cllr Weatherill to open the community garden and Cllr Weatherill welcoming her guests to the Team 31 to the mayor’s parlour for a tour and afternoon tea Mayor’s parlour. and six members attended. They enjoyed looking around the council chamber and learning about the role. hearing what I had to say, and showed me great courtesy. Cllr Weatherill said, “I was delighted to welcome The Their time spent with the Prince's Trust has obviously helped Prince’s Trust Team to the mayor's parlour and show them enormously and they told how grateful they were to have around the council chamber. They were all very interested in been given the opportunity.” april • 2010 9 alert Action packed visit to Widnes idnes’ Red Watch invited 75 children from West Bank Primary School to come and join Wthem for a morning at the station. After a warm welcome from the Watch the children got a glimpse of firefighting by way of two practical demonstrations. First was a two car collision where firefighters had to rescue a volunteer, one of the children’s parents, from a vehicle. The second was a fire in a building where the firefighters put up a ladder and entered a building to extinguish the fire. After the demonstrations the children were split up into was then allowed to squirt water from a high pressure hose five groups. They were then taken off to experience different reel. parts of station life. This included the chance to look The children took away a goody bag which contained a around a fire appliance and the chance to learn about questionnaire testing them on things they had learned during some specialist equipment. the day. A winner of the best questionnaire will receive a The children also learnt how to tie the ‘alpine butterfly prize. Station Manager, Phil Kilgour said: “The day was a knot’, which they all enjoyed. They then put the Watch in huge success with children, teachers and firefighters all having the spotlight during a question and answer session. fun and learning lots. I was so glad to be able to experience Firefighters were able to explain how the Service works and this fantastic day. Many thanks go to Gary and his team for what happens when you ring 999, including the importance their enthusiasm and professionalism, coupled with making of giving the correct and accurate information. Each child the event light-hearted enough to keep the children engaged.” VIP visit for a little hero Firefighters from Macclesfield made little Lucas Barton’s dreams come true after they read about his brave actions in the Macclesfield Express and invited him along for a visit. The four-year-old helped alert the emergency services after his great-gran had a fall – helping to ensure that she got the treatment she needed. After reading his story in the local paper and finding out he was a huge fan of the fire service, Lucas and his family were invited down to the station. He was then given a VIP tour around the fire station which included the chance to ride in a fire engine and squirt water from a hose. Watch Manager, Tim Welch, said: “We were delighted to welcome Lucas as an honorary member of Blue Watch for the afternoon. He is a lovely lad and knew all about the equipment and fire engine including the breathing apparatus and cutting gear - we were all really impressed by his knowledge he could most definitely be a firefighter of the future.” Lucas was joined on his visit by his great-grandmother, Olive Barton and his mum, Michelle. Lucas’ great-gran, Olive, commented: “I really hoped that The crew, which included Tim Welch, Rob Bailey, Tony something like this would happen to him – it means so much. Poynton and Dave Jones also presented Lucas with a He is Fireman Sam mad!” Fireman Sam cuddly toy to remember his visit by. alert 10 april • 2010 ISAR Team in New

n A team picture taken at the end of the operation just before the team left for home.

n This picture shows the team working on the Pyne Gould Corporation, a building totally devastated by the earthquake. The team worked in some incredibly challenging circumstances to recover 13 bodies from the site.

n The team pictured as they carry out a search across the city. They helped clear three complete city blocks during their time in Christchurch. n The demanding and technical operation centred on the Pyne Gould Corporation building involved the team working around the clock for 150 hours to search for survivors and recover casualties. april • 2010 11 alert

from Zealand The Chair

You cannot help to be filled with pride and admiration when you hear about the Cheshire team’s mission to New Zealand. They travelled half way round n Base camp – this series of tents became the team’s home for 15 days. There were tents to sleep in, wash the world to help a community that in and control operations from. When an ISAR team is was facing its darkest hour. deployed they are self sufficient for at least 10 days The professionalism, expert so as not to draw on valuable local resources. skills and compassion made a real difference to the people of Christchurch. You only have to n Strong links were built read the quote on the from of the between the UKISAR team Christchurch newspaper, which is and local people. As they now on display in the reception of prepared to pack up for the headquarters, to see what their journey home the team were actions meant to the people of invited to a Maori 'Hungi' New Zealand. I would encourage ceremony at a local Modai everyone to read it. (community church) just outside Christchurch. This On behalf of myself and the moving experience came Vice Chair and all members of about through the strong links Cheshire Fire Authority I would like the team had built while to congratulate and thank all of the working alongside the Maori team for their selfless actions plant operators all week. which are truly inspiring. I would also like to extend our best wishes to our search and rescue dog Bryn and his handler Steve Buckley who at the time this publication went to print had just returned from a harrowing operation in Japan. During the operation Bryn sustained an injury to his leg, however this did not stop him in his work and I am delighted to say that he is now back home and recovering well. It is such an honour to be part of an organisation that contains such commitment and dedication. People that are ambassadors not only for the Service but also for the country. n On their return the team told their story to the region’s media during a press conference at Service’s headquarters. alert 12 april • 2010 IN THE Medical Director Dr Mark Forrest

Dr Mark Forrest, the driving force “Many people will have met me at behind trauma training within the the scene of a critical incident, my role Service, takes time out of a very is to oversee our trauma care delivery busy schedule to chat to Alert but also to provide advanced level about his work. In addition to being medical skills on scene to support the Service’s Medical Director, Mark firefighters and the ambulance service. is also a Consultant in Anaesthetics Feedback from firefighters is that they and Critical Care at Warrington are often relieved to hear that ‘X102’ is General Hospital. attending a serious incident or potentially hazardous rescue,” explains Mark explains, “A typical week for Mark. me is very mixed. It might be I am needed to provide anaesthetic and Mark is proud to be viewed very Course (ATACC), which trains doctors, emergency cover for the hospital much as ‘our doc’. Even if he cannot nurses, firefighters and paramedics theatres and A&E departments or attend an incident then he will still from all over the world to the most perform routine orthopaedic surgery. provide advice or support by phone or advanced levels of trauma care. On a Friday I take charge of radio, through Control, for difficult or Warrington’s new Intensive Care Unit, ongoing incidents or rescues. He also ATACC is non-profit making and which is the largest in the area in likes to attend debriefs and is happy to income is re-invested in the course or addition to being the critical care lead receive questions about casualty care the Medical Rescue Team. This team for ressusitation and trauma.” issues via email. supports local emergency services and has previously won a National Mondays and Thursdays are Mark, who trained at Liverpool NHS award for this and Mark has however, Mark’s ‘fire days’ when he Medical School, has been a personally been granted a National works for the Service organising Consultant in Anaesthetics and Critical Clinical Excellence Award for his work casualty care, equipment, training, Care for more than 10 years. He has in the field. Governance or supporting other been recognised by the Royal College initiatives such as road safety. of Surgeons as one the national The ATACC Disaster Response medical experts in extrication and Team is registered with the UN/OCHA Since the beginning of the year rescue. He has also spent more than a (Office for Coordination of Mark has held an operational role for decade working and training with fire Humanitarian Affairs) and has the Service attending any life or limb and rescue services. responded to a number of emergency threatening incident whenever he is situations across the world. available. Mark adds, “I think this knowledge really helps me operationally when Mark concludes, “Whilst many liaising with the Officer in Charge and international fire and rescue services working closely around crews – we have Medical Directors, ours is the first ‘speak the same language’, which UK fire and rescue service and I think it helps continuous activity and highlights the organisations ongoing minimises the time spent by the commitment to saving lives and to casualty at the scene.” improving our casualty care.” Over the years he has been actively Firefighters with a particular interest involved in trauma training around the in trauma can then extend their skills globe. Mark introduced the latest to attend the ATACC course or generation of human patient simulation become one of Cheshire’s first ‘Fire training to the area and developed a and Rescue Medics’ with additional number of courses for the Mersey training (RTACC) and a short hospital School of Anaesthesia. One such attachment with Mark. course was the highly successful Read an extended version of this Anaesthesia Trauma and Critical Care feature on the intranet. april • 2010 13 alert Introduction to Emergency Management

ighty-five delegates from 12 organisations attended Exercise ‘Checkmate 1’ an Introduction to EEmergency Management hosted and arranged by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service at the end of last year. The scenario was centred around a fictitious gas pipeline Anyone involved or interested in how the different explosion occurring within Cheshire. Delegates discussed agencies work together in large incidents can download the what their organisations would do during such an event and Cheshire Local Resilience Forum Multi-Agency Emergency presentations were given by Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, Response Manual off the following website Police, Local Authority, Health, Environment Agency and the www.cheshireresilience.org.uk to see the responsibilities of media on how they would contribute to such a multi-agency the agencies involved. incident. Taking our IRMP on the road

An innovative new approach to engaging the public on our draft plans for the year ahead has been hailed a success after hundreds of people gave their feedback on our proposals. Fourteen community roadshows across Cheshire, Halton and Warrington were organised throughout January and February in a joint endeavour between the Corporate Communications and Community Fire Safety departments. These not only enabled people to learn more about the Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2011/12 and share their views, but also presented an opportunity to give out important road and home safety messages. The Corporate Communications team would like to thank the advocates, crews and volunteers who helped throughout the events. n Members of the Corporate Communications and At the time of Alert going to press, more than 500 staff, public Community Fire Safety teams canvass views outside and volunteers had shared their views about the proposals. Booth’s in Knutsford Pets as therapy dog Dolly is the name of Crewe fire station’s P.A.T. (Pets as Therapy) dog who has been recruited to visit residential care and sheltered housing centres within the area and provides an often pleasant memory evoking experience of interaction with “man’s best friend”. At the same time Dolly’s Firefighter colleagues offer residents n Dolly the dog going out to work with Firefighter Dave general advice on fire safety within the home and give Baylay and Watch Manager Paul Rowlands management some input regarding reducing unwanted fire signals. alert 14 april • 2010 Farmers welcome a fire safety visit

spate of farm fires in rural Cheshire West and Mark Abram, the Service's Head of Community Fire Chester prompted the Service’s Community Fire Protection, explained, "We recognise that the pressures of AProtection team to take a farm fire safety heavy work loads, long days and competitive markets facing roadshow to Beeston's weekly livestock market. local farmers leave them with little spare time to consider matters of safety. With that in mind we felt that more could The team, including Steve Hughes, Mandy Eeles and be done to spread safety messages to the farming Pete Chadwick, hosted a drop-in session in the Market Café community in rural Cheshire and felt that this would be best providing key safety messages including how to comply with achieved by going out to them”. fire safety legislation and tips on completing a fire risk assessment. The Service's new Farm Safety leaflet was distributed with help from Unitary Performance Manager John Salt and Cllr Eleanor Johnson, which considers the growing costs of farm fires across the UK and provides fire safety messages about keeping safe on the farm including an Arson Reduction Checklist to remind farmers of the potential dangers. Community Fire Safety Advocates provided information on fire safety in the home and several home safety checks were requested on the day. Information about the Service's new innovative online home safety assessment form ‘Home Safety Direct’ was also given. Farmers attending the event welcomed the effort made to visit them and the advice offered was very well received. Up, up and away for Cheshire’s High Sheriff The title of High Sheriff of Cheshire has probably never been quite so appropriate as when Diana Barbour paid a visit to Chester Community Fire Station. That’s because Mrs Barbour was treated to a bird’s eye view of the city on board the station’s hydraulic platform, lifting her 60ft above the skyline. “The view of Chester and surrounding countryside was beautiful, but I hate to think what it’s like up there when the fire hose is being used and it is being buffeted and blown around in the depths of winter,” she said. “I was glad to be clipped on!” The tour of the station was one of the last engagements Mrs Barbour is undertaking as her one-year term of office comes to an end. In her role to look after high court judges when they visit Chester’s crown court, she has developed her already keen interest in the rehabilitation of prisoners and work to engage young people in meaningful activity. service does. I had the honour of opening the Phoenix During her visit she learned more about Cheshire Fire Boxing Club at Warrington Community Fire Station last year, and Rescue Service’s youth work – including its hugely which is another example of how the Service helps young successful Prince’s Trust courses, cadet scheme and the people in the county.” RESPECT programme, which is run with partners for Richard Gerrard, Manager of Green Watch at Chester troublesome and excluded children. who welcomed her to the station, said: “We would like to She said: “Before I became High Sheriff I was unaware of thank Mrs Barbour for taking the time to visit us and show all the fantastic community work that the fire and rescue her support for all that we do.” april • 2010 15 alert New Cadet Leader IN BRIEF ongratulations to newly yard where, assisted by firefighter, appointed Leading Cadet Wayne Clarke, the Cadets carried out a CAbbie Davis of Chester’s Fire simulated Road Traffic Collision drill with BENNETT’S Cadets. the recovery of a person trapped in a small saloon car. Abbie passed her assessments and COURT is now confidently leading the group of The cutting gear, including a Fire Cadets with her colleague Joe Holmatro power unit, were used giving Elsom. the assembled Cadets a full insight from SAFETY arriving at a collision to the extrication of Winsford firefighters delivered a After being awarding her rank a casualty. home safety presentation to markings it was straight on to the drill residents of Bennett’s Court Sheltered Housing offering safety advice. Crews handing out safety leaflets and visited residents apartments to offer additional advice on request. MAKING THE GRADE Congratulations to everyone who n Abbie receiving her rank markings from Watch Manager Chris Rodaway has successfully completed their studies in the ILM Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management and were presented with their Certificate Glimpse into a modern day at a ceremony recently hosted by Chief Fire Office, Paul Hancock Participants were a pilot group fire and rescue service within the Service and the feedback they gave has informed the Children from Over Hall Community Primary School in Winsford visited the development of a Management and Service’s Headquarters for an insight into the workings of a modern day fire Leadership Qualifications and rescue service. Framework for leaders and More than 20 Year Three pupils children attended for the visit. They took part in a managers across the service. question and answer session about what we do and about what fire is, its causes and how to prevent it. The children then took part in an emergency call role play As a result the Service is continuing and also visited the Control room where the 999 calls are received. to support more than 40 people through the ILM process from levels three to seven. BE SAFE BE SEEN! White Watch at Widnes invited a local pre-school group to attend the station as part of ‘National Road Safety Week’. The children were treated to a demonstration by the Watch of how to be safe when walking to school and were given high visibility n Children from Over Hall Community Primary School with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Advocate Suzanne West at Winsford Fire Station during their visit to fluorescent arm bands. Headquarters. alert 16 april • 2010 Fire safety at the Petty Pool Trust

rews from Northwich contacted the Petty Pool Trust, which is an organisation that provides Cschooling for people with learning difficulties, to offer their services in educating the young people to the dangers of fire.

More than 85 students were shown a practical n Karen Noden with a practical demonstration to students demonstration highlighting possible fire hazards that can exist in the home as well and encouraging people to Ten sessions were delivered in total. These concluded with a create a safe bedtime routine and to plan and secure a certificate of achievement being presented to the students. The safe exit from their property. Petty Pool Trust was also given a certificate in recognition of a partnership in learning, which was presented by Cheshire West B Watch’s Daniel Meeks and Advocate Karen Noden, and Chester’s Unitary Performance Manager, John Salt. were recruited to deliver to the students with help from Joy Hughes, Hannah Lloyd and Therese James, not Due to the great success of the project, discussions have forgetting the input from the rest of B Watch. already started on delivering this course on an annual basis. ‘Faultless’ Website gets performance top mark s A Stockton Heath crew received high praise The Service’s website received a three star ran3king, the from a member of the public after they highest ranking possible for non-Local Authority websites, in attended an incident at his home. the 13th annual Better Connected survey. A letter of thanks was sent to the crew In the report the site was described as ‘Informative and following their successful handling of a house fire attractive with masses of information....an excellent site. The on Hilton Crescent in Appleton. Neil Chetwynd, the annual survey is carried out by the Society of Information home owner wrote: “I would just like to put in Technology Management (Socitm). 482 websites were examined in writing my whole hearted gratitude to the fire detail, nine of which were Fire and Rescue Service sites. Our site service at Stockton Heath on behalf of myself and was highlighted as an exceptionally good non-local authority my family. website, receiving a Very Good rating. It was ranked higher than “Nick and his team were fantastic, so other fire and rescue services including London Fire Brigade, professional it was unbelievable, communicating Greater Manchester and Merseyside. with me every step of the way, keeping me Tim Bevington, Head of Corporate Comms, is delighted with informed as events unfolded and dealing with the the result: "Our website is an important way for us to offer safety situation with very little disruption. advice and support to residents and businesses. We work hard to “I am particularly grateful for the way they ensure it is used to pass on useful and worthwhile information as looked after my partner and my two young sons soon as it is available in an easily accessible and inviting way.” following the evacuation, they received the utmost care and attention. Throughout the ordeal, myself and my family were kept calm and reassured by everyone involved. “I would also like to add that the support I received after the incident by Mike was very much appreciated. What I experienced last night, in my eyes from start to finish, it was faultless.” An appliance from Warrington also attended the incident. april • 2010 17 alert Hedgerows in Widnes idnes Fire Station has had a ‘green’ makeover thanks Wto the efforts of the Fire and Army Cadets. Blue Watch coordinated the special event, which saw more than 40 people coming down to the station and helping to plant 220 trees to form a hedgerow. Katie Lowe from Cheshire Landscape Trust was on hand to pass on valuable information about the correct procedure for planting trees. Apart from it being a windy day all those who were involved thought the event was a great success. Widnes Army cadets were invited to assist in the tree planting project. Detachment Commander Sgt John Andrews said, “It is part of the Army Cadets training programme to take part in local community projects so this was an ideal event. It was hard work but the Cadets enjoyed taking part. We would like to thank Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for inviting us along.” The project formed part of the Station’s plans to increase biodiversity on this site. It is hoped that the hedge saplings that have been planted will in future provide an ideal habitat for shelter and food for birds. Blue Watch would like to thank all those involved and also Morrison’s Supermarket for providing n Fire and Army Cadets planting the hedgerows and shrubs. Pictured planting shrubs refreshments on the day. in September Stuart Mackenzie, Brian Cadwallader, Paul Rostance and Chris Cook. NHS Foundation Trust North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is bidding to become an NHS Foundation Trust – a health service organisation accountable to the communities it serves through public members and governors. If you are a Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire or Cumbria resident and have an interest in the way YOUR local ambulance service is delivered, you can sign up to become a public member. Membership is free and gives you the chance to help shape how this key emergency service partner develops in years to come. For further information email [email protected], telephone 0845 112 0 999 or visit www.nwas.nhs.uk

Do you have any comments or suggestions for Be future editions of the Alert? If so call the Service’s Corporate Communications team on 01606 868786 Alert! or email chris.blackham@cheshirefire.gov.uk alert 18 april • 2010 Arrivals New starters TOM WILLIAMSON SARAH DORNFORD-MAY Tom has joined the Finance Department Sarah has joined the Communications as an Accountant at SHQ and after team as a Communications Officer. She leaving university, worked at the Audit previously worked as PR and Marketing Commission for over four years working Manager for British Forces Broadcasting within local Government and the NHS. Service and prior to that worked for over 10 years as Head of Press and PR at MARTIN BOARDMAN Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Tarporley Fire Station welcomes new on call Firefighter Martin Boardman. Martin is EMILY WILLIAMS a chartered forester and manages Emily is a HR Assistant working with contracts on behalf of utility companies. Payroll and Pension at SHQ. She was When not busy in the community, Martin previously employed by a local enjoys scuba diving and bad DIY! employment agency.

KARL CONROY DEBBIE WING Karl has joined us as an on-call firefighter Debbie works as the Systems at Birchwood and is currently studying a Development and Work Force Information Criminology Course at Chester University. Officer in the Human Resources His hobbies include rugby and motorbike Employment Service at SHQ. She was racing. previously employed by a local employment agency.

ELAINE EDWARDSON CAROLINE EVANS Elaine is an Admin Assistant working in After having completed her degree in Learning and Development. Previously Business and Human Resource she worked as an Administrator for Management last year, Caroline then Schools and Settings (Yearly Years) for spent some time working as a Sales Cheshire East Council. Administrator before starting at Cheshire Fire and Rescue as the HR Admin Assistant for Resourcing. LISA GERMANY Lisa has joined us from the Lincolnshire ALAN GRIFFITHS Police control room where she worked for Alan’s role is the Miquest Asset over two years. She has joined Red Management Support Assistant. He was Watch in the Control Room as a Fire previously employed at Cheshire Fire and Control Operator at SHQ. Rescue Service as a firefighter for 28 years. ALISON SYLVESTER-JONES Allie is covering maternity leave as the LEE SCANLAN Cheshire West and Chester Unitary Lee has joined us as an ICT Technician Performance Administration Manager. based at SHQ. He has worked in a similar She previously worked for the Association role for over six years undertaking various of Voluntary Organisations Wrexham as long term contracts including The Post their Business Support Manager. Office. Farewells Leavers FF Edward Dalton Bollington 1 Nov 17 yrs 11 mths Lorraine Thomson SHQ 31 Dec 3 yrs 4 mths Steven Binnie SHQ 16 Nov 2 yrs 8 mths Martin Brennan Sandbach 2 Feb 13 yrs 4 mths Jayne Dunn SHQ 17 Nov 1 yr 7 mths WM Ian Dunbar Northwich 28 Feb 17 yrs 5 mths FF Andrew Brier Bollington 10 Dec 9 yrs 9 mths Andrew Megram SHQ 28 Feb 3 yrs 4 mths Retirements FCop Jane Astles SHQ Control 1 Dec 24 yrs FF Neil Evans Congleton 31 Dec 32 yrs 4 mths FF Robin Thornhill Ellesmere Port 17 Dec 27 yrs 8 mths FF Michael Harvey Chester 17 Jan 25 yrs WM Brian Cadwallader Widnes 26 Dec 30 yrs 6 mths april • 2010 19 alert Mercian mara thon White Watch Runcorn continued to go the extra mile with their participation in another fundraising event when members of the Watch completed a local leg of the recent Mercian Marathon. The Mercian Regiment have tragically lost 12 members of their regiment whilst serving in Afghanistan and more than 70 have returned after suffering life changing injuries, including some in their early twenties who are now facing the future as multiple amputees. The event was organised to raise money to support the families of these brave soldiers. Pte Amir Unsworth and Brigadier John Donnelly of The Mercian Regiment were joined by Gav Hanson, Rob Everson, Dave MacGugan and Rob Turner for approximately six miles. n Members of White Watch with the Mercian marathon runners They were flanked by a Police escort, military vehicles and both Runcorn fire appliances. They were cheered along the way by Gav Hanson said, “It was an honour to be involved in members of the public who had turned out along the route to such a worthwhile event. The Watch has worked incredibly give their support. hard in supporting both local and national charities this year and we have become almost local celebrities in our efforts The most poignant stage of the route was when the runners to help others. This particular event was certainly were joined for a mile by nine-year old Nathan Horton whose something that was close to our hearts and gave us great father, Martin Horton, tragically lost his life this year whilst pride to have been involved.” serving in Afghanistan.

Donnelly thanking White Watch for their efforts. The following letter arrived from the Mercian Regiment Brigadier JPS arathon. The marathon has been a total success: I would like to thank you for your generous support to the Mercian M Regiment, those loyal and selfless young men and mission accomplished. Today has been all about the soldiers of the stained serious and life-changing injuries. You have women: many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice or have su e cares and reveres them, and that really matters to shown them and their families just how much the county of Cheshir roes is long and difficult, stretching over decades our soldiers. The road ahead to recovery for many of our Afghan he ionately that we must be able to help provide for them rather than months and years. The Mercian Regiment believes pass e rely on fund raising, donations and grants to do this, for the rest of their lives and be there for the families of the fallen. W paid out over 275,000 in grants to soldiers in need so your generous support is essential to this process. Last year we eeable future, we must intensify this effort. and, as the Regiment continues to serve in Afghanistan for the fores confident that we will hit our £20,000 target. Thank We have raised over £11,000 before the marathon started and I am ce to the lives of those who need it most. you once again for your generosity; it really will make a huge differen A really good effort and very much appreciated. Winning entry A pupil from Goostrey Primary School became a firefighter for the morning after she won an environmental poster competition organised by the Service. Unitary Safety Manager for Year Six pupil, Ella Sheard, beat stiff Cheshire East Sue Cleaver Ella’s winning design is now competition with her winning poster said, "The competition proved to be displayed on the front of fire stations and was given a VIP invitation along very successful with some great across Cheshire East. with classmates to visit Knutsford Fire designs being submitted. One of the Station. They were given a tour of the main things the judges were looking for The Service received over 200 station and shown the equipment on was a clear fire safety message and entries to its poster competition and the fire appliance before being let loose good colourful graphics and Ella's you can view the poster designs of the with a fire hose on the drill yard. poster had both these elements”. four finalists by visiting our website. alert 20 april • 2010 SPORT & WELFARE • SPORT & WELFARE • SPORT & Charity Sport & Welfare Hats moustaches Widnes’ Red Watch supported a month long campaign to raise money to fight prostate cancer by all growing moustaches. So far the 11 firefighters have collected over £400 thanks to sponsorship from colleagues, relatives galore and friends. Members of the Service’s Women’s Crew Manager Gary Institute (WI) and staff took on the Simpson said, “My challenge to knit, natter and learn a new friend’s dad had prostate skill or improve on one they already cancer so I thought it had. would be a good idea and talked the rest of the The group then decided to produce crew into it. babies hats which were given to maternity wards at hospitals in the area to keep Everyone looks at you newborn babies warm during the recent strangely and you find cold snap. One intrepid knitter even made yourself explaining why the hats while she watched the World Cup you’ve grown it. With it Games and managed to complete two per being a male disease we game in the colours of the teams’ flags. realise there is a serious side and wanted to raise awareness. We don’t mind people laughing at our expense. The worse thing is it is really itchy. People who grow moustaches and beards now have our respect.” n Helen Crick with staff and a newborn baby n Watch Manager Jason Fletcher with Crew Manager at Macclesfield General Hospital. Gary Simpson and Red Watch Widnes Firefighters trailblaze for charity An intrepid group of retired and retirement, local firefighters still look to Roberts, Mike Dean, Pat Allen, Dave serving Firefighters from Cheshire help out their local community and the Windsor, Maurice Hunt, Keith Rich and Fire and Rescue Service blazed the Service by raising money for charities Dave Greatorex with special mention to 35 mile Sandstone Trail across that are obviously dear to their hearts.” Mike Hayward who organised a quiz Cheshire and Shropshire for charity, and gave us the proceeds.” Tarporley Cottage Hospital is one of raising over £1600 for The Fire only three in the country that is fully Fighters Charity and their local funded by charitable donations. Roland Hospital. Dawson, Board Trustee for the hospital The eight men completed the said, "All monies received are extremely arduous challenge from Frodsham to welcome and help in all aspects of Whitchurch in Shropshire in just ten running a local hospital.” hours. The Sandstone Trail website Martin Dowle, Community and Road advises that only the super fit can Safety Manager with the Service, and complete the Trail in that time with most who organised the event, said, "We people taking three days with overnight would like to thank many local stops. businesses for their assistance. n Back (l-r) – Keith Rich, Dave Butters, Keith Brooks, Area Manager for However the real success of this event Maurice Hunt, Mike Dean. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said, was the dedication of those that took Front(l-r) – Les Roberts, Pat Allen, "It doesn’t surprise me that, even in part on the day – Dave Butters, Les Martin Dowle, Dave Windsor