Alerter - the firefighters blog

Flat fire, Bramble Green, Lowestoft

The peace and quiet of a Sunday morning was shattered on the dot of 7 as my alerter threw a wobbly and I threw myself out of the front door.

The speed I left meant I hadn't really assessed the weather and as soon as my feet hit the path I did a very credible impression of Torvill & Dean doing the Bolero! Boy, was it icy!

My first thought was that we must be off to an RTC but the tip sheet showed we were off to a flat fire barely half a mile from the station.

As we turned into Northgate we could see a plume of smoke rising in the distance even though it was only just starting to get light. As we pulled up in Bramble Green there were flames already issuing from the bedroom of the first floor flat.

A BA team from Ladder 1 of Lowestoft South entered via the front door and made their way up to the flat. Prior to them making an entry into the bedroom the 45mm covering jet was used to knock the flames back.

Having run out a 70mm length from our pump to Ladder 1 so they had plenty of water I then moved on to run the BA board. Our BA team (John Hubbard and Jason Balls) were committed to the flat, continuing to search the property and also to ventilate.

And, as usual, the hive of activity comes to an abrupt halt and it was a case of making up all the gear ready for the off.

A quick trip up to Lowestoft South to recharge our cylinders before a Fire Priority to a single vehicle RTC out near ParK hill, Oulton. All this before 9:30!

Fire in Lound, near The Village Maid, Lowestoft

I really have an exciting social life you know! Friday night, it's just gone half eight and all I can manage is a fitful doze on my bed. It doesn't get any more 'on the edge' than that.

And after 10 days without a shout it certainly didn't seem that the Fire Service were going to 'treat' me to a night out either.

How wrong you can be...

Bang on 20:40 and my little black number (that's my alerter not some a party frock!) goes into overdrive and sends me from prone to front door in seconds.

By the time I've jogged across to the fire station the cold night air has just about woken me up. Tally up in the drivers position and then off to get the tip sheet and see where we're off to.
All I could glean from the tip sheet was that we were being sent to a house in Lound, opposite The Village Maid pub. Well I wouldn't be needing directions for that then, having enjoyed countless meals in the pub I knew exactly where to go...

So, with a crew of six, we headed towards the A12 and Jay Lane, by far the quickest route to Lound when you're trying to get 14 tonnes of fire engine there in a hurry. As we turned into Jay Lane and started to accelerate down the long straight, the ominous glow of a well developed fire could be seen in the distance.

Dennis confirmed out loud what we already knew - "She's a goer!"

We had by now heard radio traffic that this was a Make Pumps 4 job and we were being assisted by pumps from Norfolk - the incident was just a couple of hundred metres from the border.

And as we turned into Lound an Assistance Message went in for Make Pumps 6 and aerial appliance required,

I pulled up right outside The Village Maid, behind Ladder 1 from Lowestoft South and with two Norfolk pumps ahead of them. It was quickly decided that we should act as base pump and take water directly from the pond, pumping it to the Yarmouth pump for them to deliver through three lines of hose.

The hard suction was off, connected, submerged in the pond and into the eye of the pump and we were ready to go.

I couldn't actually see the house from where I was but would, every so often, see the fire break out again before a main jet hit it back again.

The Turntable Ladder (TL) and its support pump were en route from Ipswich but height was needed prior to their arrival to effectively tackle the flames. So two 135 ladders were deployed and firefighters using Working at Height equipment got to work to subdue the fire.

In due course the TL arrived and we supplied it via the Yarmouth pump as it made light work of attacking the remaining areas that were still on fire.

And me... Well as driver and pump operator you sometimes have a lonely existence, standing at the back of the pump keeping water flowing and no one to talk too. But when you're right outside the pub and it's heaving as festivities get underway you tend to have a few people want to chat with you!

A tray of coffees appeared from the pub and were set down on the base of the village sign. Close to me but not close enough. When word spread that hot drinks were available they soon disappeared and I didn't get a sniff. Irritable - you bet!

Now would be a good time to say a big, big thank you to The Village Maid for feeding us and providing copious amounts of hot drinks. Sandwiches, baguettes and chips - a veritable feast - and thankfully received by the firefighters who had, by now, been tackling the blaze and salvaging contents of the house for the best part of four hours...

One relief crew was left at the incident throughout the night, checking for hotspots.

Time to head home and back to bed...

Warriors in Fire Boots - a tribute to the valour of firefighters

Being a bit of a bookworm I was surprised and chuffed to be given the opportunity to read Warriors in Fire Boots that recounts tales of the heroic deeds carried out by men and women of the Fire Service over the last 150 years.

When you read of the conditions and fires that our predecessors encountered it's simply amazing to learn of the countless acts of heroism and selflessness that unfold before you.

These guys had very little in the way of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) - fire kit - and invariably had to rely on dodgy water supplies, steam-driven pumps and faced buildings with virtually no built-in fire prevention / protection and the haphazard storage of highly flammable products...

Time and again men undertook rescues that seem impossible but carried them off with little more than a nod to the extreme danger they were in. But there are plenty of incidents where luck runs out and I find myself thinking of how I'd cope if confronted by fires of the magnitude described in this book.

A large part of the book is given over to the immense challenges faced by the National Fire Service and the Auxiliary Fire Service during World War II - not only the Blitz but throughout the whole of the war. I can't even start to comprehend fires that have 500+ pumps mobilised to them. Oil refinery fires that burn for weeks or the utter and complete devestation caused when hundreds upon hundreds of houses are destroyed in a few hours, the enormous loss of life - how did the men and women of the Fire Service face this day after day and still come back for more?

And then we head into more recent times and the loss of Fleur Lombard in Bristol back in February 1996. Fleur was one of the first female firefighters in Avon, leading the way as more and more women now realise their ambition of becoming firefighters. The fire in which Fleur died was set deliberately. The death of any firefighter is hard to bear but losing someone through the deliberate and callous actions of an arsonist is beyond comprehension.

Reading about so many firefighters that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in doing the job they love could be morbid and depressing but I feel different to that...

It's inspiring and uplifting that men and women still willingly put their lives on the line to save and protect those in their community. And, if called upon, I hope that I can live up to the bravery and heroism that fills the pages of Warriors in Fire Boots.

 

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Women rescued from flat fire in Lowestoft

These things always bite you on the backside when you're least expecting it.

Work has been really busy lately and the lack of shouts has, in some ways, been welcome allowing me to concentrate on getting our new business up and running.

So, whilst in a meeting at our offices, my little friend made himself known and I was apologising and disappearing out of the door in one bumbling move as the shock of my alerter going off took hold!

For a change I wasn't first in and Mark had already taken the drivers position. So I'd be in the back as a BA wearer with Simon Reeves. It would be nice to be driven for a change instead of being the chauffeur...

Maybe not though. The tip sheet was sending us to a flat fire literally just around the back of the fire station in Normanshurst Close and the two words that makes the adrenalin surge just a tad more - "persons reported" was tagged on to the end.

 It's not even a minutes drive from the station to Normanshurst Close and we could see a hive of activity outside the affected property. And once Dennis had seen the BA Entry Control board set up he shouted the customary "two to the board" order meaning Simon and I hotfooting it to BAECO just as soon as we'd pulled up.

As is usual at these sort of jobs it's organised chaos as hosereels are run out, followed by a covering jet and a whole host of other kit. No sooner had we arrived at Entry Control and we were ordered to get under air straightaway as we were going in immediately. A fire had been located but the incident was still 'persons reported'.
Simon and I got under air, did our checks and were then making our way towards the flat with our hosereel when the shout went up that a casualty had been found. We dropped the hosereel and went to the front door ready to meet the first BA team and the casualty.

The door to this property was uPVC which aren't easy to break into. The first BA team had entered through the space that the bottom panel had occupied before being removed by our 'big red key' - the door enforcer. And with the rest of the door refusing to budge, this was the way out with the casualty too. Kneeling down and reaching in to the flat we were able to grab hold of the casualty as Phil and Ben passed her out to us. Then, with the aid of another firefighter, we got the lady out to the waiting paramedic.

I think it was fairly certain that only one person was likely to have been in the property but we have to make sure. So, while Phil and Ben continued their original route around the flat, Simon and I went in through thre front door and off to the right into what we quickly discovered was the bedroom.

At this point the fire still hadn't been extinguished and we found a dark, ominous orange glow ahead of us as we proceeded into the room at low level. The rise in temperature also signalled that we were getting close to the fire!  Simon dealt with the fire as I continued to sweep around the room searching for any further casualties, thankfully not finding anyone else.

With the fire now out and windows being opened the smoke began to clear quite quickly. This allowed us to see the devastation that fire so easily creates in such a short while. We stayed in the bedroom for another 15 minutes or so damping down and checking for hotspots. We were also careful not to disturb the area too much as Fire Investigation would be arriving to try and ascertain the cause of the fire.

And with our air supply dwindling we emerged into the sunlight ready to drop our sets and relax our tunics. This new fire kit is excellent but I was feeling just a tad warm and eager to strip off and grab a bottle of water...

A good all round team effort by everyone, as usual. Special mention to Phil and Ben as the first BA team in. It's never an easy job. Gaining entry, plenty of smoke and heat, and then dragging the casualty to safety - well done guys.

Job done. Back to the fire station, clean our BA sets and then back to work to pick up where I'd left off...

North Lowestoft firefighters feel a tad unloved

Firstly an apology.

It's been ages since I last blogged. But I have an excuse (or two) to use in my defence.

To be honest, we've been really quiet. Apart from a string of fires on Corton Cliffs we haven't really had any working jobs worth mentioning. So, in the greater scheme of things, that's good.

But, on the other hand, we keep our solitary pump on the run for all but the odd hour here and there in any seven day period. So, for the vast majority of the time our pump is available for shouts, standby's or anything else for that matter but not a squeak.

It's been that quiet that I can't remember the last time I changed the battery in my alerter!

Conversely, our esteemed colleagues over the river at Lowestoft South can get 7 shouts a day... Strange but true.

Now I would like to spout forth on all of this but I fear I can't. One feels that Big Bruv may well be watching... Things I'd like to talk about range from standby's to crewing levels and use of available resources to recruitment and a few other things too. But I can't, so I won't.

Ah, just remembered... Another reason for not blogging is I've recently started a new business. My business partner, Wendy Takman, and I have taken on a franchised business called thebestof Lowestoft. We showcase the best businesses in Lowestoft and are now seeing a great deal of interest from local business owners.
Take a look at our website - you'll even see us in glorious Technicolor in our homepage video...

Flat fire, Normanston Drive - persons reported

After a busy week at work, with some momentous business decisions being taken, I was really looking forward to snuggling down in my pit and getting a half decent night's sleep.

And when you're looking forward to the Land of Nod it's guaranteed that someone or something will do its utmost to spoil things...

Last night just proved the point. Bang on 1am my little adrenalin enducing friend kicked off and had me spring from the warmth and comfort of my bed.

After struggling with clothes, door keys, alerter and trainers, I was jogging over to the station hoping that the chilly night air would raise me from the stupified state I found myself in!

First in, drivers tally up and then get the tip sheet to see where we were off to... Just a matter of a couple of hundred metres away from the fire station, on Normanston Drive.

Some of the guys coming in had had to pass the property but hadn't seen anything untoward.

Tipped out with a crew of six and seconds later pulled up outside the flat where quite a few Police officers had now arrived. Straightaway we could see thick black smoke billowing out of the front, first floor window.

Pump in, open the tank, turn on the supply to the hosereels and one hosereel is pulled completely out (60m) to cover the distance from the road to the flats. Then I pulled out our flaked lengths of 45 and charged this to act as our covering jet, should it be required.

By now our BA team of Mel and Gary had entered the front door and were making their way to the first floor to tackle the seat of the blaze.

I now needed to set into a hydrant and, unusually there was one right outside the affected property.

Now this has to be a first for me... Nine out of our full complement of 10 on call firefighters had turned in but, of course, we can only take a maximum of 6 on the pump. The other three, with the blessing of Control, jogged to our assistance - not quite Knights in shining armour but their arrival was very welcome.

Soon after we arrived the incident became Persons Reported which meant the on call firefighters from Lowestoft South and an ambulance would now be mobilised.

Red Watch put in a BA team, initially with a search and rescue brief and then to assist with ventilation of the property.

We put up a 9m ladder to the rear of the property to check the roof space for fire spread and hotspots. And, for the first time, our Safe Working at Height equipment was used operationally.

From the initial 10 minutes of manic activity we were suddenly at that point where calm has descended, pumps are leaving the scene, equipment is being made up and thoughts are turning to a cuppa and slipping back into a nice warm bed...

Perhaps a snooze is in order this afternoon.

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Fire - St.Peters Street, Lowestoft

So there we were having our crew piccy taken to commemorate the opening of North Lowestoft Fire Station when the turnout alarm made its presence felt. It takes us a few seconds to react as the turnout alarm isn't quite as strident as the doorbell! Is that someone at the door or have we got a shout?

It's a shout... Came through on the tip sheet as Loft at a property on St.Peters Street in Lowestoft, barely half a mile from the fire station.

Of course we are now very much the focus of attention as we busy ourselves with getting mobile. Funny how having 60 odd people watch you makes things happen in slow motion... Everyone had helpfully moved to one side but this meant I had to push my way through the crowd to hit the big black button that opens the front and rear appliance bay doors. A few 'Excuse me, thank you's' later and I was able to get to the drivers seat of the pump.

Pre-flight checks - radio on, handheld radios, tip sheet, crew of six, seatbelts, 999 button pressed and we're good to roll. Stand back folks!

I'm hoping there's some really good pics of me as we pulled out, steely jawed and a determined look on my face! I think I was more worried about mowing down an honoured guest on the inside or a protestor on the outside, so the look is probably not that good.

By the time we got to the bottom of Normanston Drive we could see the smoke billowing up from the affected property. As we pulled up everyone got to work. Mel and Jason donning BA, Mark setting up BA Entry Control, Gary getting the short ex ladder off, me putting the pump in and getting the hosereel laid out and Dennis putting in an Assistance Message of Make Pumps 4.
We then laid out and charged our flaked lengths of 45, ready to use as a covering jet.

Dennis stuck his head round the front door only to be confronted with the sight of a well developed fire at the top of the stairs. Mel and Jason entered the house, made their way to the stairs and then advanced up them to tackle the seat of the fire.

Meantime, I'm setting in to the hydrant which, thankfully, was just across the road, outside the Tudor Rose pub.

The fire was brought under control quickly, also being attacked in the adjoining property by the on call firefighters from Lowestoft South.

And soon the cavalry was arriving - the Hydraulic Platform (HP) and support pump from Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft 01 (just back from the RTC on the Barnby Bends).

The HP backed right up to us so that they could get good access to the roof. Their crew then removed tiles to allow ventilation and to attack any hotspots in the roof space. And instead of getting their support pump set in to them, I just supplied the HP with enough water for damping down.

And that was that...

A big thank you to the guys at Lowestoft College for supplying hot drinks and muffins. You're stars!

And Councillor Colin Spence, who had only just officially opened North Lowestoft Fire Station, was brought down to the job by the Dep to see, first hand, what it is the cheapest to run Fire and Rescue Service in the UK actually does. That's a top rate service delivered by a dedicated team of firefighters - many of whom where on call firefighters - just the people the Dep had been speaking so warmly of just minutes before.

They say that actions speak louder than words...

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Lowestoft North Fire Station - official opening

After its postponement due to snow last November, our new fire station had its official opening yesterday.

The great and the good of Suffolk Fire and Rescue, past and present, plus many guests piled into the Appliance Bay for the ceremony at 3pm.

Councillor Colin Spence, the portfolio holder for Public Protection, performed the opening ceremony alluding in his speech to how important the station was as a central part of our community.
But before he could finish, the bells went and we hot-footed it through to the turn out printer only to find it was for the Watch with an RTC on the Barnby Bends...

So we sheepishly crept back into the Appliance Bay and listened intently to the Dep as he gave a very good account of himself in saying how wonderful us on call firefighters really are. Joking aside, and I know he was preaching to the converted and those in the know, but it didn't hurt him explaining, possibly for the benefit of the attending councillors, the role that on call firefighters play in Suffolk Fire and Rescue.

Time now for group photos... Everyone, retired firefighters, brides family - you know the score.

We were just posing for a crew piccy in front of the commemoration plaque when a now familiar sound assailed my ears. It's the bloody turnout alarm again - and this time it must be for us!

FiRE Control to be scrapped

News just in that the long overdue FiRe Control project is to be scrapped.

This was the project to amalgamate 46 separate fire control centres into 9 regional centres.

Fire Minister Bob Neill said today he had reached agreement with the main contractor, Cassidian, to call a halt to the troubled project.

The Minister said: “The progress of the project has caused serious concern..."

That has to be an understatement!

Read more about the scrapping of FiRE Control »

Electrical device designed to save children’s lives in house fires

New Cambridge Start Up, Life Light Rescue, is set to launch ‘Life Light’, the biggest breakthrough in children’s fire safety since the smoke alarm.

On average there is a house fire every 10 minutes in the UK. The fact is that in the event of fire children hide, they are usually found dead or alive, under the bed or in the wardrobe.
For firefighters entering a burning building the priority is to find the child... find the child’s bedroom and you find the child. Every second counts.

In dense smoke there is no way the fire fighters can know if the room is the parents' room, spare room, study, bathroom or even a cupboard. Every door must be opened and the space searched. The problem remains - which door is the child’s bedroom...?

The life light device is mounted on the door frame of the child’s bedroom door and is triggered by the sound of a smoke alarm.  Once triggered it sends out an intense strobe light that penetrates the densest of smoke.

Life Light has been hailed by Fire Chiefs and Industry Leaders as amazingly effective; Tom Carroll, past president of the UK Fire Chiefs Association and former Chief Fire Officer of Cambridgeshire stated: ‘It is to fire safety what cat’s eyes are to road safety’.

Life Light reduces the time firefighters spend searching empty rooms by guiding them to where your child is most likely to be hiding... in their bedrooms.  Life Light also minimises  the risk to fire fighters, saving 3 to 5 minutes in an average house fire search and rescue situation.

The Life Light was invented by founder Derek Wilson of Cambridge and has been almost 3 years in the development and patent process.

Derek was advised by various dragons to licence his product but conventional retailing would have doubled the £23 purchase price to over £50. Derek himself, a father of 3 young children, felt that this product should be available to all and therefore chose the tougher route to market, direct online sales.

Following this decision Derek took his business idea to Macintyre Hudson, 2 of their consultants liked it so much they chose to invest.

Life Lights can only be purchased online direct from www.lifelightrescue.com. The unit price is £22.99 with 20 pence from each sale donated to charity (Children In Need and The Fire Fighters Charity).

"This is a very interesting idea. One of the greatest challenges for firefighters is about rapidly locating and removing people from smoke filled buildings. Any device that will assist in this respect will be welcome in helping to address this challenge’”
Andy Fry - Chief Fire Officer of Suffolk, Director of Public Protection, Social Inclusion & Diversity at Suffolk County Council.

"Once crews enter a home which is on fire every second counts to save a life, and for fire fighters safety. Any device which can speed up the time taken to search for trapped people is vital."
Craig McIntosh - Assistant Chief Fire Officer responsible for fire safety in West Yorkshire.