Thursday 24 February 2011
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Taking a Pride in Parkside, Houghton Regis
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) joined residents of Parkside in Houghton Regis, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedfordshire Police and the DVLA as part of a 'Pride In' event on the estate.
Following the success of a number of Partnership Environmental Days in 2010 and the recent Pride In Downside event in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Council invited residents to join forces and learn more about their area and what services are on offer from local authorities.
During the Pride In Parkside day which took place on 15th February a number of actions took place including:
* Central Bedfordshire Council's waste team cleared away 1.7tonnes of rubbish in the area including a dining room table and a settee;
* The environment team cut back overgrown hedges along pathways in the area;
* Bedfordshire Police provided a mobile police station and distributed information about personal safety and preventing burglaries;
* BLFRS carried out a 'walkaround' with 20 potential fire risk areas being identified and cleared;
* The DVLA clamped three vehicles including one which had a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification);
* Suggestions were made to the housing team about how anti social behaviour could be combatted in the area; and
* Trading Standards distributed a number of leaflets to residents about a range of topics from scams to consumer complaints.
Cllr David McVicar, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles at Central Bedfordshire Council said: "It was very pleasing for the council and our partners to be able to go to Parkside and offer helpful tips and advise about creating a safer neighbour for the residents who live there.
"It is important that we work with organisations such as the Parkside Voice Stakeholders to find out what the local issues are and then assist them in resolving problems.
"The Pride In Days have proven to be popular events and I hope that we and our partners can continue to work together to offer this important service."
ends
Following the success of a number of Partnership Environmental Days in 2010 and the recent Pride In Downside event in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Council invited residents to join forces and learn more about their area and what services are on offer from local authorities.
During the Pride In Parkside day which took place on 15th February a number of actions took place including:
* Central Bedfordshire Council's waste team cleared away 1.7tonnes of rubbish in the area including a dining room table and a settee;
* The environment team cut back overgrown hedges along pathways in the area;
* Bedfordshire Police provided a mobile police station and distributed information about personal safety and preventing burglaries;
* BLFRS carried out a 'walkaround' with 20 potential fire risk areas being identified and cleared;
* The DVLA clamped three vehicles including one which had a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification);
* Suggestions were made to the housing team about how anti social behaviour could be combatted in the area; and
* Trading Standards distributed a number of leaflets to residents about a range of topics from scams to consumer complaints.
Cllr David McVicar, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles at Central Bedfordshire Council said: "It was very pleasing for the council and our partners to be able to go to Parkside and offer helpful tips and advise about creating a safer neighbour for the residents who live there.
"It is important that we work with organisations such as the Parkside Voice Stakeholders to find out what the local issues are and then assist them in resolving problems.
"The Pride In Days have proven to be popular events and I hope that we and our partners can continue to work together to offer this important service."
ends
Monday 21 February 2011
Two rescued from burning pub
Fire crews rescued one person by helping them down a ladder and led another to safety via internal stairs after fire broke out in a town centre pub in Bedford.
A 999 call at 18.12 on Saturday February 19th led to four fire engines, from Bedford and Kempston stations, the Operational Support Unit and the Aerial Platform converging on Midland Road outside the Paddington pub for several hours.
Flats on the first and second floor above the pub where smoke logged.
A Fire Investigation determined the fire was started accidentally.
Officer in charge Station Commander Mark Hutchings praised the effective work of the crews in stopping the fire spreading further throughout the property and in saving the lives of those trapped: “It was a professional job, well done by our team. The fire was contained to two rooms but the smoke had spread - and it is most often the smoke that kills.”
BLFRS always advises people to fit a smoke alarm. www.bedsfire.com
What would you do if flooded.....
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service will be joining Emergency response partners from Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) who will be putting their flood response skills to the test in the first week of March.
The public are invited to two events where they can find out about the flood risk in their area and how they can protect themselves. A Flood Awareness Day will be held in Harpur Square, Bedford, on Friday March 4 from 9am to 4pm, and a Flood Evacuation Exercise at Cedars Upper School, Leighton Buzzard, on Saturday March 5, from 10am to 5pm.
An exercise to test emergency responses to severe flooding in Bedfordshire and Luton will take place on Tuesday March 8. As part of the national Exercise Watermark exercise, a range of possible scenarios will be acted out, included stranded motorists, flooded homes and isolated communities.
The exercise will involve all local authorities including police, the Environment Agency as well as the full range of NHS, ambulance and hospital trusts which serve the county.
Chairman of BLLRF, Asst Chief Constable Kath Govier from Bedfordshire Police said, “Exercise Watermark will be a real test of our ability to deal with a range of issues such as burst riverbanks and surface water flooding. The effects of flooding can be devastating so it is essential that we are all prepared to deal with the risk.”
BLLRF supports the 'What would you do if...?' campaign which aims to help everybody living or working within Bedfordshire and Luton to be prepared and consider what they would do if faced with an emergency. Log onto www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Council tax increase 0% by BLFRS
Following one of the lowest council tax increases in the UK last year (of just 1 %) , the local fire and rescue service is this year is going one better and is holding to a 0% increase for 2011/12.
A combination of this 0% council tax increase and a cut in the tax payer monies it receives from Central Government, means the local service is not just fighting fires and saving lives, but fighting costs and saving money.
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service Chief Paul Fuller: “We will still be there when you dial 999 and we will still be working in the community to help prevent fires and road accidents. There will no loss of frontline service and no station closures* - we be making these savings by working more efficiently.
“We consider that we have always provided value for money and a service that people want from a modern Fire and Rescue Service - but now we are watching every penny - in much the same way as people are in their own lives.”
The cost to an average Band D council tax payer for their local fire and rescue service will be - as last year - £82.44 or 22.6 p per day.
Like other public bodies BLFRS is facing more cuts in the money it receives from Central Government - broadly 25% over the next four years. BLFRS had already been cutting costs and saving tax payers’ money.
“Efficiency savings are when the cost of an activity is reduced but the quality and effectiveness remains the same,” explains Assistant Chief Fire Officer Julian Sears,
“The previous Government set out efficiency saving targets for all fire and rescue authorities for the three years 2008/09 - 20/11. Our target was £1.260 Million - we beat that by £0.386 Million.
“The current Government has announced reductions over four years 2011/12 - 2014/15. We plan to deliver savings totalling £0.573 Million in 2011/12”
Future savings being considered are:
* Sharing support staff functions with other authorities or brigades
* Saving costs on the operational fleet by purchasing vehicles at the end of their lease and extending their use
* Make 24/7/367 firefighter cover more efficient through a revised shift system
More News from the Combined Fire Authority which met at Dunstable Community Fire Station on Thursday February 3rd.
* The national announcement that the Regional Control Centre project had been cancelled by Central Government showed that BLFRS made the right decision earlier in 2010/11 to put money aside for new technology at the brigade-wide control at Kempston.
Members heard that the existing 999 control room was sound - but that the new system, which will come into action in 2012, will link more effectively with back-room IT for data collection and processing.
“We made the right decision for Beds and Luton. Our current 999 call handling and mobilising is robust - but the new one will be welcome to support our successful modern fire and rescue service here in Beds and Luton,” said CFO Fuller.
* The Regional Management Board - which had been set up in parallel with the RCC has been disbanded.
* A question was raised at the CFA about a town plan for Leighton Buzzard which showed the site of the Fire Station being used for something other than a fire station. CFO Fuller said : “We are aware of this plan - it is not our plan and we have no plans to close any fire stations. We recently conducted an extensive study of risk in the county and decided that all of our stations are where they should be to allow fire engines to be mobilised swiftly to all areas.”
A combination of this 0% council tax increase and a cut in the tax payer monies it receives from Central Government, means the local service is not just fighting fires and saving lives, but fighting costs and saving money.
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service Chief Paul Fuller: “We will still be there when you dial 999 and we will still be working in the community to help prevent fires and road accidents. There will no loss of frontline service and no station closures* - we be making these savings by working more efficiently.
“We consider that we have always provided value for money and a service that people want from a modern Fire and Rescue Service - but now we are watching every penny - in much the same way as people are in their own lives.”
The cost to an average Band D council tax payer for their local fire and rescue service will be - as last year - £82.44 or 22.6 p per day.
Like other public bodies BLFRS is facing more cuts in the money it receives from Central Government - broadly 25% over the next four years. BLFRS had already been cutting costs and saving tax payers’ money.
“Efficiency savings are when the cost of an activity is reduced but the quality and effectiveness remains the same,” explains Assistant Chief Fire Officer Julian Sears,
“The previous Government set out efficiency saving targets for all fire and rescue authorities for the three years 2008/09 - 20/11. Our target was £1.260 Million - we beat that by £0.386 Million.
“The current Government has announced reductions over four years 2011/12 - 2014/15. We plan to deliver savings totalling £0.573 Million in 2011/12”
Future savings being considered are:
* Sharing support staff functions with other authorities or brigades
* Saving costs on the operational fleet by purchasing vehicles at the end of their lease and extending their use
* Make 24/7/367 firefighter cover more efficient through a revised shift system
More News from the Combined Fire Authority which met at Dunstable Community Fire Station on Thursday February 3rd.
* The national announcement that the Regional Control Centre project had been cancelled by Central Government showed that BLFRS made the right decision earlier in 2010/11 to put money aside for new technology at the brigade-wide control at Kempston.
Members heard that the existing 999 control room was sound - but that the new system, which will come into action in 2012, will link more effectively with back-room IT for data collection and processing.
“We made the right decision for Beds and Luton. Our current 999 call handling and mobilising is robust - but the new one will be welcome to support our successful modern fire and rescue service here in Beds and Luton,” said CFO Fuller.
* The Regional Management Board - which had been set up in parallel with the RCC has been disbanded.
* A question was raised at the CFA about a town plan for Leighton Buzzard which showed the site of the Fire Station being used for something other than a fire station. CFO Fuller said : “We are aware of this plan - it is not our plan and we have no plans to close any fire stations. We recently conducted an extensive study of risk in the county and decided that all of our stations are where they should be to allow fire engines to be mobilised swiftly to all areas.”
Monday 14 February 2011
Help police find Henlow arsonists
A series of fires were reported in Henlow and Clifton in the early hours of Sunday February 13th.
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Control Room received the first call at:
* 00.09 to a fire in Arlesey Road, Henlow Village to a pile of tyres and other materials in a field.
A fire crew from Shefford attended and using water back packs, designed for use in hard to reach locations, put out the fire.
* Whilst Shefford firefighters were still at Arlesey Road, fire control received another call at 01.43 to a fire at Elm Close, Henlow Village. Across border support was brought in from Herts FRS's Hitchin station initially and then Shefford moved on to the scene.
The fire took in two wheelie bins, a car, trees and the plastic frontage to a house.
* At 02.30 control received a report of a skip fire at Whiston Crescent, Clifton. Shefford crews attended.
*At 02.34 a BLFRS duty officer filed a report to control of another incident at the High Street, Henlow of a wheelie bin which was put out by police using dry power.
Much of this activity was monitored from above by a police helicopter.
Bedfordshire Police said: “We can confirm we are investigating a series of arson attacks in the Henlow and Clifton area. The arsons took place between 1am and 2am on Sunday 13th February, during which 5 bins were damaged along with a skip and hedges. One bin was also reported stolen.Nobody was hurt. The offences happened in Elm Close, Coach Road and the High Street in Henlow whilst another offence took place in Whiston Crescent in Clifton.
“Safer Neighbourhood Officers are aware of the offences and are seeking to identify those responsible for the damage, anyone with information can contact the PS Andy Rivers on 01234 842531."
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Control Room received the first call at:
* 00.09 to a fire in Arlesey Road, Henlow Village to a pile of tyres and other materials in a field.
A fire crew from Shefford attended and using water back packs, designed for use in hard to reach locations, put out the fire.
* Whilst Shefford firefighters were still at Arlesey Road, fire control received another call at 01.43 to a fire at Elm Close, Henlow Village. Across border support was brought in from Herts FRS's Hitchin station initially and then Shefford moved on to the scene.
The fire took in two wheelie bins, a car, trees and the plastic frontage to a house.
* At 02.30 control received a report of a skip fire at Whiston Crescent, Clifton. Shefford crews attended.
*At 02.34 a BLFRS duty officer filed a report to control of another incident at the High Street, Henlow of a wheelie bin which was put out by police using dry power.
Much of this activity was monitored from above by a police helicopter.
Bedfordshire Police said: “We can confirm we are investigating a series of arson attacks in the Henlow and Clifton area. The arsons took place between 1am and 2am on Sunday 13th February, during which 5 bins were damaged along with a skip and hedges. One bin was also reported stolen.Nobody was hurt. The offences happened in Elm Close, Coach Road and the High Street in Henlow whilst another offence took place in Whiston Crescent in Clifton.
“Safer Neighbourhood Officers are aware of the offences and are seeking to identify those responsible for the damage, anyone with information can contact the PS Andy Rivers on 01234 842531."
Monday 7 February 2011
Stamp out fires started by smoking on March 9th
pic caption: Terry Daniels and the Tobacco Control Partnership
More than 100 fires were started locally by smoking materials last year.
Now Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) is helping to encourage people to “stub it out”.
No Smoking Day on 9th March will see BLFRS Community Safety Manager Terry Daniels and team joining an anti-smoking event at The Mall Shopping Centre in Luton.
“A carelessly discarded cigarette will smoulder and could lead to a fire overnight,” explained Terry, “and without a working smoke alarm to alert you and your family, you could be overcome by the fumes as you sleep. We ask people to think about that when lighting up a cigarette.”
The event at The Mall will be in partnership with the Luton Tobacco Control Partnership.
Many fires start in the kitchen when grills and pots are left unattended - or fat and oil spill from pans. February 21st sees the start of National Chip Week which is a celebration of the nation’s favourite food - but firefighters hope to encourage people to take care when preparing french fries at home.
“Fat and oil pans can so easily start a fire - we do advise people to use safer electric deep fat fryers or buy oven chips,” added Terry.
For more local fire safety information go to www.bedsfire.com
Keep a cool head in the kitchen on February 21st
Many domestic fires start in the kitchen when grills and pots are left unattended - or fat and oil spill from pans.
February 21st sees the start of National Chip Week which is a celebration of the nation’s favourite food - but firefighters hope to encourage people to take care when preparing french fries at home.
“Fat and oil pans can so easily start a fire - we do advise people to use safer electric deep fat fryers or buy oven chips,” says Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety Manager Vicky Allen.
No Smoking Day on March 9th is another focus point for fire safety as more than 100 fires were started last year locally - caused by cigarette materials.
“A carelessly discarded cigarette will smoulder and could lead to a fire overnight,” explained Vicky, “and without a working smoke alarm to alert you and your family, you could be overcome by the fumes as you sleep. We ask people to think about that when lighting up a cigarette.”
Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller says: “The single most important thing people can do to stay safe in their homes is to fit a smoke alarm
“If a fire starts overnight then you and your family may not live to see the next morning - please fit one today.”
For more local fire safety information go to www.bedsfire.com
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