Grahams Fire Page West Yorkshire Fire Service on the World Stage

Haven't seen any privately owned Dodge's of WY around or for sale since they were wfu in the early 1990's?

Remember Odsal's Dodge in the Dayglow colours - nice!!

Odsal, Bradford & Fgreen all ran 1 Dodge for years along with most other stations.

The TUA 38 registrations, Some of the earlier machines Bradford's pump WSS 666S? I recall.

They were renowned for  Rotting & 'Falling to bits thou' Lol!!!

Any pictures to post?

Many Thanks.

Mark Elliott.

I'm thinking of starting a club called The Eusters Club, as in 'I Euster be fireman' or 'It Euster be different in my day'. Read on and see why.....and I'll get to the 'Fire Brigade' point in a minute.....

I recently had to dial 999 for an ambulance. Although I was connected almost immediately to the BT operator, I was told that there was a 4 minute delay in West Yorkshire Ambulance answering the call, and so it was. (If you think that is shocking, bear in mind that the last time I called them, about two years ago, there was a 20 MINUTE delay !!!!!)

However, once I got through, my problems were not over.

I gave the address and the reason for calling, (the fact that my mother in law appeared to be on the point of extinction, with shallow breathing, little pulse, etc, etc.)

The operator at the other end, however, ignored my concise request and description and continued to follow what I can only suspect was a script, repeatedly asking questions that I had already answered. It seemed as if common sense had been programmed out of her!

My point is this.....the  man in charge of the new MACC at Wakefield proudly states that  'he has over 10 years experience in the call centre industry'. Well bully for him! We all know what it's like to call a call centre!  It used to be the case (there's that word again, 'Euster') that to work in Brigade Control required a modicum of common sense, and so it still is. However, within the next few years, more and more people are going to be recruited for these jobs on the basis of their call centre skills, and I can see that the excellent quality of operators that we have at the moment will slowly but surely be diluted.

The same 'Script Mentality' exists in the Police, too, as I know again from experience.

I wonder if these Call Centre Specialists think that all members of the public exist in a sort of 'London's Burning' world, living in  Coronation Street next door to Emmerdale Farm, where everyone panics and runs around like headless chickens?

Eeee....when I were a lad It Euster be different, we took our own calls, and t'public were lucky if we answered 'em because of all t'cleaning and dusting we had to do, and all't memorising of General Order 1/1960 (that'll rattle a few cages...) , but you try telling 'em that today, and they won't believe you!

 Luxury!

By the way, mum in law is in hospital still (6 weeks later). The Paramedic was here in two minutes, and saved her life as far as I am concerned, but the ambulance was a further 25. What a state of affairs we are getting to.....

Hi everyone,

On friday afternoon I was passing Birkenshaw HQ, And I decided to drive up to the Workshops.

Parked by the MACC and walked into the workshops yard.

There was no one around to ask if ok, So I took about 6 photos by the side of the building.

I had actually just finished taking photos, When a manager came out of a side door, And asked me what I was doing?

Obviously I had a camera in my hand, And he asked how I had walked in?

He didn't seem bothered to ask if I was a member of WY Fire & Rescue or not, He just asked me to leave the premises.

I didn't want to make an argument, So I mentioned a few names of employees at the workshops, And we parted on good terms.

This is the first time I have ever been asked to leave when taking photos, And was surprised at the response.

Noted in the yard was:

YD52 WUL, X198 NDN, YJ58 DJH?, YJ56 EOA, And a Brand New Landrover!

I have never been aware of any signs or restricted access around the workshops etc?

Is there anyone you should ask for permission before entering Fire HQ?, As I have seen other cars & delivery vans driving in reugularly, The barrier is always on green.

Cheers

Mark Elliot.

Well I advertised it....Thought it was going to be something special...Turned out to be nothing at all about the fire service involvement in dealing with flat fire persons reported..To start with only 2 pumps attended (old ones at that), and then all I saw was  a fireman asking the crowd to get back and another pushing a stretcher. I wonder how the fire went out ? maybe it is still ongoing....

What do you think.............................

PS

Luckily, I'm away for a couple of weeks from tomorrow, so any flak will fall on stoney ground!

With reference to the above, can anyone explain to me why there is not one set standard for all applicants, and only the best are chosen?

If 'ethnic minorities' and females wish to join the service, then fine, but not at the expense of someone who would have made a better firefighter!

I'm sick and fed up of this country having to bend over backwards for other people!

If someone want to join, I think that they should get every encouragement, but let them apply on a level playing field, not, as used to happen with women applicants, getting one to one tuition at training school and retaking exams until they passed!

OK....rant over.....I get grumpier as I get older, but let's see what a can of worms this has opened!

Hi Graham, I hope you are well.

I cannot open the No 4 Video Slide Show?

Every time I click on it, It comes up saying 'Page Not Found'

Also, Is there any way I can 'Enlarge' the small site images on the

right hand side of the page.

Keep Up This Excellent Site.

Many Thanks.

Mark Elliot.

Hi Graham,

After all your hard work, it would be a shame if the members only site went down the pan. Give us a bit of time, and I'm sure that suddenly it will be buzzing!

I'll start it off......

Is there any chance of getting a log of ALL calls to West Yorks? I see pumps going past my house to  and from Wakefield, and I always wonder where they are headed.

Once a fireman, etc.....

Best regards, and thanks for your efforts,

John Stead.