Fire and Rescue Service gets tough on tobacco as cause of house fires

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service and other local agencies joined forces yesterday to launch the Luton Tobacco Control Partnership (LTCP).

The partnership aims to improve the health and quality of life for local adults and children and is encouraging comments on a draft five year strategy.

The strategy covers 2011-2015 and sets out measures to prevent peoplle taking up smoking, motivating and helping them to quit and protecting communities and families from the harm caused by tobacco.

Consultation on the draft strategy runs until 17th December 2011 and comments are welcome.

Tobacco is one of the most challenging public health issues it
causes around 246 deaths in Luton every year, impacts negatively on the local economy and contributes to social problems. It is estimated that 40, 278 people in Luton smoke: that's about 1 in 5.

In the last year, tobacco-related materials were linked to 111
local fires.

Community Safety Manager Terry Daniels joined the launch to represent the interests of BLFRS in discouraging cigarette-related fires.

Download a copy of the strategy and consultation questionnaire from
www.luton.nhs.uk or www.luton.gov.uk/LTCP

For more information or a draft copy of the strategy for comment,
contact Olena Sawal, Luton Tobacco Control Partnership Coordinator on 01582 532 056 or email olena.sawal@luton-pct.nhs.uk

Partnership members include the Council, NHS Luton, Luton Community Services, Bedfordshire Pre- School Learning Alliance,Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, Luton and Dunstable Hospital Trust, Luton Drug and Alcohol Partnership,Integrated Youth Service, British Heart Foundation, Bedfordshire & Luton Education Business Partnership, South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust(SEPT) and NHS Bedfordshire - Oral Health team.

The charity QUIT, which presented a lively and interactive session on tobacco facts at the launch, has now visited all secondary schools in Luton to highlight tobacco-related issues to young people.

Winter warning - stay safe

Christmas - celebrate with caution says Fire and Rescue Service

Tis the season to be merry - but make sure you and your guests stay safe and well.

*Having a party? Make sure there are plenty of ashtrays inside or that people outside don’t put drop lit cigarettes in wheelie bins or on piles of wrapping paper near the back door

*Guests staying the night? Make sure everyone knows how to get out or where door keys are kept in case of fire in the night

*Lights, candles - take action ! Keep Christmas candles away from furnishings and over hanging decorations. Switch off Christmas lights at night.

*Stuck for that special gift? Buy and fit someone a smoke alarm - it could save their life.

Winter Warnings

When winter draws near so do additional dangers from fire in the home.

Bedfordshire and Luton FIre and Rescue Service is warning people to take care as the temperatures drop.

*Check your electric blanket is safe - old and worn ones should be replaced.

* Traditional open fires and more fashionable log burning fires are more popular now fuel prices are rising. Be sure to have your chimney swept before lighting up.

* Portable heaters pulled out of the cupboard in winter should be kept away from fabrics and furnishings and unplugged at night

* Power cuts - always keep a battery torch handy - and take care with candles and tea lights at ALL times

*Always have a working smoke alarm - if you cannot fit your own the Fire and Rescue Service will do it for you call 0800 043 5042

Warning over train track fire

Firefighters were called to deal with a fire alongside the railway track off Belmont Road, Flitwick on the evening of November 3rd. Smoke was drifting across the tracks which were busy with commuter trains.

A 999 call was received at 19.02 and two crews from Ampthill, followed a crew from Toddington, were despatched.

Rail authorities closed down the tracks and isolated power whilst firefighters used high pressure hoses to put out a fire which had stretched along 40 metres of trees and hedgerow. Crews were at the scene for an hour.

Station Commander Andy Draper who attended the incident said it was believed the fire was started by children or young people: “Without the fast action of crews the fire would have spread to a larger wooded area of bigger trees which could have caused the rail tracks to be closed for longer.

“Special safety measures have to be taken to allow fire crews to work alongside the track - and this includes stopping trains which is a great inconvenience to many people.

“It goes without saying that playing near railway lines is dangerous and playing with fire, just a deadly. We hope that parents remind their children to play safe so they stay safe.”

Multi-agency response to chemical drama at Luton

999 teams put into practise procedures they have rehearsed when a call to the Hockwell Ring area of Luton looked as though it could be a serious chemical incident.

Police responding to a report of a possible burglary at an address in Acworth Crescent found an overwhelming smell of chemicals coming from a sealed door at the two-storey flats.

At 10am police called Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, who are the first line of defence for such incidents, and upon arriving firefighters decided to request an expert chemical incident evaluation by a HazMat (Hazardous Materials) Officer.

The situation at Acworth Crescent, combined with background intelligence from Police, led officers in charge to fear this could be a case of “chemical suicide” - where household cleaning materials are combined to create a deadly cocktail of gasses. This are increasingly common and information is easily accessible on the internet.

As a precaution homes in the same block were evacuated - and an evacuation centre was set up nearby with the help of the St John Ambulance and other agencies. This was the minimum evacuation zone which was chosen to reduce disruption to the neighbourhood.

Chemical decontamination equipment held by BLFRS was sent to the scene (disrobe and shower units) in case they were required - and experts from the national decontamination unit were called.

Police and ambulance crews stood by.

Emergency crews in protective chemical suits went into the building at approximately 2 pm. They found a scenario similar to the “chemical suicide” but no person or body.

After making the scene safe all 999 crews left the scene at approximately 5 pm. Police were continuing to seek the occupant of the house.

Group Commander Chris Adams who is the HazMat officer said: “This had all the hallmarks of a chemical suicide. If this had been the case deadly poisons could have been in the air and would have killed anyone going in unprotected. Our first priority is to minimise the risk to the public nearby and to the First Responders so we have to take all precautions. The teamwork achieved as a result of previous rehearsals with various multi-agency partners such as Police and Ambulance worked well. And the support agencies who put together the evacuation unit were very efficient.”

Area Commander Tony Rogers: “In such cases we have to be prepared for the worst case scenario. I congratulate the team on a well thought through approach causing the minimum amount of disruption to the neighbourhood.”

Keep safe on the roads this winter

photo caption: Firefighters rescue seven times as many people from wrecked cars as they do from burning buildings

Winter car check-up at Luton Fire Station
Car owners in Luton can get a free winter car check-up on Saturday 6th November to help them prepare for possible colder weather ahead.

The Luton Borough Council's road safety team is offering this service at Luton Fire Station, in Studley Road, from 10am-3pm.

The checks that will be made include fluid levels and the condition of windscreen wipers, lights, indicators and tyres.

Drivers will also get a 'check sheet' advising them about any defects that need repair, as well as information about safer winter driving.

Cllr Dave Taylor, Portfolio Holder for road safety, said: "Our road safety officers will be on hand throughout the day to advise motorists about the importance of having regular vehicle servicing.

"Drivers may not realise, for instance, that they could end up with a hefty fine plus penalty points of up to three points per tyre if caught with illegal tread. There is even the possibility of losing your driving licence.

"More importantly, having sufficient tyre tread and correct pressures is vital for safe grip, handling and optimum braking."

The event is supported by the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Representatives from Autoglass will also be in attendance to offer free windscreen repair - and faulty windscreen wipers can be replaced at a cost.

For more information, please contact Luton's road safety team on 01582 54 62 63.

Fire crews stop blaze spreading from one semi to another in Luton

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire on October 31st, at Telscombe Way, Luton.

Station Commander Steven Allen, who was in charge at the scene, said: “The fire crews did a good job in stopping the fire spreading to the adjoining property.”

Four fire engines and the Aerial Platform were used to combat the blaze which began as a small electrical fire and spread to the roof.

Winter Warnings from Fire Service

When winter draws near so do additional dangers from fire in the home.

Bedfordshire and Luton FIre and Rescue Service is warning people to take care as the temperatures drop.

*Check your electric blanket is safe - old and worn ones should be replaced.

* Traditional open fires and more fashionable log burning fires are more popular now fuel prices are rising. Be sure to have your chimney swept before lighting up.

* Portable heaters pulled out of the cupboard in winter should be kept away from fabrics and furnishings and unplugged at night

* Power cuts - always keep a battery torch handy - and take care with candles and tea lights at ALL times

*Always have a working smoke alarm - if you cannot fit your own the Fire and Rescue Service will do it for you call 0800 043 5042

Fireworks - take care

Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller says: “Every year somewhere in the UK people are injured by fireworks. This is the beginning of a long season for fireworks and candlelit celebrations across a range of cultures represented in Beds and Luton.

“On November 5th we recommend families go to organised displays. If you must have your own display then ALWAYS follow the Firework Code on the box.

“Injuries and upset are also caused by people misusing fireworks by letting them off in public places at inappropriate times of the day and night. They are dangerous and should be treated with caution.

“These words of warning extend to everyone using fireworks to celebrate whether it is Diwali or the later Chinese New Year.”

Christmas - celebrate with caution

Tis the season to be merry - but make sure you and your guests stay safe and well.

*Having a party? Make sure there are plenty of ashtrays inside or that people outside don’t put drop lit cigarettes in wheelie bins or on piles of wrapping paper near the back door

*Guests staying the night? Make sure everyone knows how to get out or where door keys are kept in case of fire in the night

*Lights, candles - take action ! Keep Christmas candles away from furnishings and over hanging decorations. Switch off Christmas lights at night.

*Stuck for that special gift? Buy and fit someone a smoke alarm - it could save their life.