Wellington Fire Station 65th Anniversary Celebrations

Wellington Fire Station celebrated its 65th anniversary after a chance discovery on Ebay uncovered the station’s opening programme of 1953.

Retired firefighters, including a 93-year-old veteran, joined the Wellington mayor, members of the Fire Brigade Society and firefighters and officers to mark the event.

The Wellington station in Haybridge Road was “the centre” of Shropshire fire brigade when it was built in 1953 with satellite stations at Shifnal, Oakengates, Ironbridge, Newport and Albrighton, said Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 25/05/2018 - 11:21

Ebay Find Sparks Fire Station Anniversary Celebrations

A chance discovery of an old document on ebay has sparked 65th anniversary celebrations for a Shropshire fire station.

A member of The Fire Brigade Society had found the original programme for the opening of Wellington Fire Station in 1953 on the internet auction site.

“It was too good an opportunity to miss,” said Richard Hickman, The Fire Brigade Society's West Midlands Administrator."

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Mon, 14/05/2018 - 17:27

Fire and Police “Work Better Together”

Fire and Police are “working better together” to rescue vulnerable people who threaten to jump from bridges or high buildings in a training initiative launched by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters skilled in rope rescues can quickly ensure trained police negotiators are hooked up so that they safely talk to a person in distress.

They will also be on hand to rescue the person who may be in a precarious position on a high ledge or at the top of a tower block.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Tue, 08/05/2018 - 14:37

Effects of Grenfell Tragedy in Shropshire

Changes will be made to make buildings safer in Shropshire following the Grenfell tower block tragedy, say senior officers from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Fire officers are expected to be given more powers to question new developments and planned alterations to buildings when Dame Judith Hackitt reveals the results of her review of building regulations next month (May) following the Grenfell high rise flats tragedy in which 71 died when the 24 storey block was destroyed by fire in June last year.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 27/04/2018 - 16:30

If at First You Don't Succeed...Try, Try, Again

A Shropshire firefighter is taking part in a second attempt to beat the world record for playing the longest ever game of rugby after the Guiness Book of Records called foul and ruled out the first marathon effort.

Officials disallowed a record breaking match when six hours of film footage vanished despite the team playing consecutive rugby for 32 hours. Without the full film evidence, they could not prove the record had been smashed.

Submitted by Deryn Jones on Wed, 25/04/2018 - 17:06

More than £2,000 Raised for Charity

A senior Shropshire fire officer and three Staffordshire firefighters battled sun, snow and torrential rain to cycle 240 miles over three days to raise more than £2,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Group Manager Neil Griffiths, who works at Shrewsbury fire HQ, cycled from Uttoxeter to Combe Martin in Devon with Watch Managers Mitch Stafford and David Clewlow and firefighter Russ Brown, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, based in Uttoxeter and Cannock fire stations.

Submitted by Deryn Jones on Wed, 25/04/2018 - 16:55

Shropshire's Firefighter Expertise Highlighted at National Conference

Shropshire’s expertise for having one of the best run “on call” firefighter operations in the UK has been highlighted at a national conference.

Fire Officer, Group Manager Jon Temple and Watch Manager Tony Talbot showcased how Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service manages the Retained Duty System which employs 343 on-call firefighters who operate out of 22 of the county’s fire stations, most of them rural.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Fri, 23/03/2018 - 11:38

On their Bikes For Charity

A senior Shropshire fire officer is joining three Staffordshire firefighters to cycle 240 miles to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Group Manager Neil Griffiths will cycle from Uttoxeter to Combe Martin in Devon setting off at 6.30am on Monday, March 26. He will be joined by Watch Managers Mitch Stafford and David Clewlow and firefighter Russ Brown, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, based in Uttoxeter and Cannock fire stations.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Thu, 22/03/2018 - 16:52

Easter Fire Safety Campaign

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched an Easter fire safety campaign for friends, family and neighbours to spread the word about the importance of having smoke alarms in the home – and to ensure they work.

A series of awareness events are being held at libraries across the county featuring a colouring competition for children to teach them about fire safety.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Tue, 20/03/2018 - 16:16

Fire Safety Seminars for Business

Shropshire company bosses are being urged to attend an education seminar at Telford or Shrewsbury fire stations to learn more about their legal responsibilities for fire safety at their commercial premises.

The Business Education Seminars run by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service also give an insight to business owners about what they need to do before property inspections are carried out by fire officers.

The two hour seminars are being held for the business community by fire safety officers on March 26 and 27 from 10am to midday and 2pm to 4pm.

Submitted by Elaine.Adams on Sun, 18/03/2018 - 14:20

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