A Northamptonshire firefighter took centre stage at an international conference demonstrating how the UK Fire Service can improve its rescue of animals from water. Mick Titcombe, a Command Training and Operational Assurance Team Manager at Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, was a keynote speaker at the annual BARTA (British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association) …
This week the Fire Service is bidding a fond farewell to Steve Corcoran, fondly known as Korky, who will be retiring after more than 35 years of sterling service. Steve (pictured centre above) is the third generation of firefighter in his family, with his grandfather Patrick Corcoran serving as a firefighter in London during the …
The latest intake of wholetime firefighters for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have completed an intense period of training with their Passing Out parade at the Fire Service College. The 12 new apprentices had been welcomed to the Service back in April and underwent a two-week induction course in Northamptonshire before attending the College, which …
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service continued its recent run of winning medals at the Welsh Firefighter Challenge. Taking place in Swansea over the weekend (June 3), the Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a regional sporting event for serving and retired firefighters. The event raises both awareness of the skills that firefighters need to keep communities safe, …
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has left the scene of a fire at Bridge Street in Northampton. Crews were called to the scene shortly after 5am on the morning of Friday May 31 and found a well developed fire at the site of the derelict Fat Cats building. At the height of the blaze, we …
Feeling safe at home is something important to most people but, for those with dementia, achieving this has its own challenges. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is supporting Dementia Action Week (20th – 26th May) by encouraging people to sign up for a free home fire safety visit, which can help those with dementia …
Nikki Watson will join Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service as Chief Fire Officer on Thursday 16 May. Following the conclusion of an IOPC investigation, which found that there was no case to answer in respect of any of the allegations against her, Nikki is ready to start her new role. Nikki, who retired from a …
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue has welcomed twelve new wholetime firefighters to the Service. The new firefighters have completed a two-week induction to the service where they were given the opportunity to learn about the organisation by spending time with different departments, including Prevention, Protection and Business Services. The new recruits have now gone to the …
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have delivered a course designed to teach vital life skills to young people in Rushden. Nine young people aged between 11-14 from RUSH 2The DEN Youth Club took part in a range of practical and classroom-based sessions designed to improve their relationship with uniformed emergency services. Across three all-day sessions …
Fire, Police and Ambulance services in Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties joined forces last week to test their joint response to a terrorist and chemical attack during a multi-agency training exercise at Silverstone circuit. Exercise Callicarpa, one of the largest training exercises of its kind in recent years, allowed the emergency services to test their strategic …
Don’t leave candles burning when you leave the room.
You should always keep an eye on naked flames wherever they are!
Don’t plug too many plugs into a socket.
This can cause an electrical fire.
Never touch the oven or fireplace unless a grown up is with you.
Ask a grown up to check the smoke alarms once a month.
Never take the batteries out when it goes off by accident, you might forget to put them back in.
Unfortunately, the very features that provide this fast response can also produce unwanted signals arising from activities other than a real fire.
These can prove both costly both to the Fire Service, by initiating unnecessary turnouts of fire appliances and to the building operator. Evacuation of a building as a result of a false alarm signal can result in loss of production and general disruption of normal business activities.
Visit our Unwanted Fire Signals page for more details on our unwanted fire signal reduction policy.
Compliance with the simple rules below will help to release the fire service for more essential duties.
They may also help to save you from the permanent loss of business so frequently associated with a major fire.
Make sure you carry out a continuous fire risk assessment of your building ensuring the following points are followed:
Download the documents below for assistance with completing your risk assessment:
Blank Fire Risk Assessment Proforma (PDF 117KB) Fire Risk Assessment (worked example for office premises (PDF 462KB)
Fire Risk Assessment (worked example for House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)) (PDF 389KB)If you feel, having read the guidance, that you:
You will need to appoint a specialist to carry out the risk assessment for you. Such a specialist must identify the fire safety measures that need to be in place. You should maintain close involvement in the process.
The Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council have produced a document (Guidance Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor) for information on how to select an appropriate person or organisation to carry out the risk assessment on your behalf.
The guide and other helpful documents are available via the link below:
Weather patterns in the UK usually mean that extreme conditions such as ice, snow and heavy rain can happen suddenly and can often leave drivers unprepared for what they might face on the roads.
Many drivers may fail to realise the extent to which extreme weather can affect aspects of driving such as visibility and stopping distances. Stopping distances can double in wet conditions and can increase ten-fold in ice and snow. Add to this the fact that reactions to hazards become impaired when drivers cannot see clearly, and the results can be fatal.
If possible, avoid driving in snow and other dangerous conditions such as fog, heavy rain and ice. Think about if there are any alternatives such as home-working arrangements; particularly if you live in a rural area.
Change the way you drive depending on the weather
The numbers of people choosing to cycle for fun, fitness or to get to work has increased by more than a quarter in twenty years and an incredible 3.2 billion miles are cycled on our roads every year.
Bikeability
Cycling is an effective sustainable mode of travel to school, however, all pupils cycling must be made aware of the need for safety and security when cycling. The National Standard Cycle Training is a progressive scheme that moves through three levels to give parents the reassurance that their children have the necessary skills and confidence to cycle to school. Children are encouraged to achieve all three levels of training. Bikeability is organised by our Highways Team in Northamptonshire. If you would like further information regarding Bikeability training please contact them on cycletraining@kierwsp.co.uk
Please visit the Think website for further information and safety tips on cycling.
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