Cyclists Take A Well Earned Break

Firefighter Graham Rowley, of Shrewsbury’s Red Watch, takes a well earned break at the end of the first day of a marathon charity cycle ride in which he and colleagues rode 67 miles from Shrewsbury to Ludlow via six fire stations.

Graham is with Zoe Foster, a sports massage therapist and Helen Smith, an Indian head masseur at the end of the first day of the cycle ride to visit all 23 Shropshire fire stations.

A total of 20 cyclists completed 67 miles today ending day one at Ludlow fire station where the cyclists were "pampered."

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 23/09/2016 - 11:35

Marathon Charity Cycle Ride Sets Off

Cyclists from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service set off this morning on a marathon 239 three day cycle ride to all of the county's 23 fire stations - all in aid of The Severn Hospice and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Fire Chief Rod Hammerton said: “It will be a challenge and I am not sure I am looking forward to it. But I am sure the good company and beautiful scenery will carry us all through. My thanks go to the organising team who have spent so much of their own time bringing this all together but I know they were inspired and motivated by doing it for such good causes.”

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Thu, 22/09/2016 - 12:10

Fire Chief Gets On His Bike

Shropshire’s new Chief Fire Officer will visit each of the county’s 23 fire stations…on his bike.

It’s not the usual approach for a new boss to meet staff working in the far flung corners of the county or another cost cutting exercise.

But the pedal powered tour is all in aid of charity as Rod Hammerton takes to two wheels along with more than 20 firefighting colleagues, support staff and family and friends from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Wed, 21/09/2016 - 17:52

Electric Blankets Danger

Electric blankets can be a serious fire safety risk, warn Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, which is offering free checks at county fire stations in September.

A quarter of electric blankets are condemned as dangerous after they fail the test, revealed Fire Safety Officer Alison Teece.

“Your electric blanket may appear safe especially if it is not very old but damage to the blanket is not always visible and this can lead to it catching fire,” warned Alison.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Thu, 15/09/2016 - 10:44

Farm fire prevention advice

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have attended 10 incidents across the county in the last 10 days involving bales of straw on fire.

Some of the incidents involve large quantities of hay, with 450 bales of straw on fire at Crudgington (pictured), 300 tonnes of straw near Hodnet and 250 bales of hay smouldering in Nesscliffe. We have also attended 4 incidents involving a combine harvester, tractors and balers.

The following advice is given on the NFU Risk Management Programme:

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/09/2016 - 16:06

Chernobyl Children Have Fun With Shropshire Firefighters

It was fun and laughter all the way for children from Chernobyl hosted by Shropshire firefighters as part of an annual respite visit.

A dozen youngsters, aged between 10 and 12, squirted water in the parade ground at Shrewsbury fire HQ, were given treats at the station and shared a meal with firefighters.

It was all part of a visit to Shropshire organised by the county branch of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline (CCL), which county firefighters support along with other organisations.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Mon, 05/09/2016 - 12:09

Beware Garden Weed Burners

A fire safety warning has been issued by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service after gardeners accidentally set their gardens ablaze with calor gas burners to kill weeds.

Firefighters attended two garden fires in two days at homes in Telford and Shrewsbury in August.

A 79-year-old woman suffered slight smoke inhalation when she fought a fire with a hosepipe when flames spread to a wooden fence and decking at her home in Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, as firefighters were on their way to the scene.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Thu, 01/09/2016 - 09:12

Essential Fire Advice For Business

Shropshire company bosses are being urged to attend an education seminar at their local fire station to get important information about their legal obligations for fire safety at business premises.

The two hour seminars are being held across the county in September by fire safety officers at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Tue, 30/08/2016 - 09:59

Chimney Fire Warning

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning householders with chimneys to get them swept as they launch their annual chimney fire safety campaign this September.

Many people do not realise the severe damage that can be caused to homes and potential danger to the occupants when a chimney catches fire, especially during the night, say fire officers.

Over the past year, firefighters were called to deal with 114 chimney fires in the county – most of them avoidable, they say.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 26/08/2016 - 11:26

More than £40,000 Raised For Fire Fighter Charity

Shropshire fire crews have collected a staggering £40,484 in a series of charity events over the past year smashing their fundraising target four fold.

Their efforts have helped the Fire Fighters Charity support 34 local beneficiaries, said charity service co-ordinator Ashley Brown.

In recognition of their efforts, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Ashley by Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton at Shrewsbury fire HQ on behalf of the Fire Fighters Charity.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 26/08/2016 - 10:02

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