Grahams Fire Page West Yorkshire Fire Service on the World Stage

Officials to challenge cost-cutting moves if they hit efficiency

Gary Asquith in Birkenshaw does a job that most of us would really not want to do - often involving scenes of devastation and tragedy.

Fire Authority expects to have to make more savings

Fire chiefs in West Yorkshire will next month ask councillors to agree to a recruitment freeze in anticipation of huge budget cutbacks. Officers have been discussing how to make savings of up to £20 million without harming front-line services due to expected reductions in Government funding.

Silsden Firefighter Awarded an MBE


Colin Smith

A Silsden man said he was “stunned” to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List. Colin Smith, 58, has been awarded an MBE for services to local government. He has been a retained firefighter at the Silsden station for 36 years and works full-time as a wood machinist at W Hanson Ltd Woodturners and has lived in the area nearly all his life. He said he was first told he had been put forward for an honour on November 13, but did not learn the nomination had been accepted until December 30.“ I thought it might be a practical joke,” he said. “It’s a bit of a shock really.”Mr Smith joined the fire service in 1974 after being encouraged to follow the example of a work colleague. A spokesman for West Yorkshire fire and rescue service said Mr Smith was the county’s longest-serving firefighter. He said: “We offer him our congratulations. He’s earned the respect and admiration of all his colleagues.”

Minister Opens Search and Rescue Training Facility at Fire Service Headquarters Birkenshaw

Click for video and Story by Bradford T & A

Regional Fire Board Acknowledges Anger Over New Control Centre for West Yorkshire





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Fleet List Updated including Safety Central 14/11/09



West Yorkshire Fire Service Introduce Dave the search dog


West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has welcomed a new recruit – a search and rescue dog. Dave, a 12monthold
Labrador, works with WYFRS’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team and is currently honing his skills to sniff out people trapped in collapsed buildings.



First Encounters with Appliances of a Different Kind

CARP and Command Unit
For West Yorkshire

Ex West Yorks Machine lives on in the TV Industry

Visit www.fireengine4hire.com

Newest Appliance S803 EUB Ex - West Yorkshire Heavy Rescue Pump from Leeds

A fleet of 28 new Citro�n Berlingo First vans has been specified by West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYF&RS) for fire prevention duties. With the delivery of these Berlingo First vans, there are now 90 Citro�ns in the 420 strong WYF&RS vehicle fleet.Mike Walker, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Services Fleet Controller, explains,"We have a good experience with Citroens. The Berlingo First van has proved to be reliable, versatile and good value, which is important when you are spending tax payers money.Sporting a dramatic livery" thanks to half-wrap vinyl graphics from Oxford-based Media Fleet the Berlingo First vans show the fire prevention service that West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service offers. The livery images include a fire safety message, a road safety message and an arson alert message showing a burnt-out car on an estate."We have a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting a safe environment from fires. The Berlingo Firsts will be used to deliver this fire prevention message, whether installing fire alarms, explaining arson prevention or attending local fetes and galas,"adds Mr Walker.The Berlingo Firsts have been supplied by Citroen dealer Dutton Forshaw in Preston and have been acquired on Lloyds TSB Autolease five-year/50,000 miles contract hire leases.West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service serves a population of more than two million spread over an area of some 800 square miles. The authority has been a pioneer in developing community fire safety programmes, which is where the new Citroen Berlingo First vans will be deployed.

Firelink Update


Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling

Firefighters in West Yorkshire are now using new hi-tech radios designed to deal with major incidents such as terrorist attacks. The radios, part of the O2 Airwave network have all now been installed. It will enable crews to talk directly to police and ambulance command centres as well as communicate on an internal fire and rescue service network. The radio system, known as Firelink, is part of a 4 1/2 billion Government investment looking to improve responses to large-scale emergencies including terrorist attacks, industrial accidents and severe weather alerts.West Yorkshire Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling said: "Firelink is already installed in control rooms and the technology has been fitted in fire appliances. They also have computer equipment (Data terminals) which will display maps and site information, along with incident information to help crews tackle incidents more effectively.

The vehicles will be based at Keighley, Todmorden and Holmfirth

Katie's Story

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