Press Releases from Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:26:40 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk/images/M_images/rss20.gif http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk Press Releases from Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=185 At 17:12 on the 8th of March 2010, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service received a call to a girl trapped near the water at the Forth and Clyde canal, Cumbernauld Rd, Banknock.Fire crews were dispatched from Denny, Falkirk, Larbert and Alloa. On arrival firefighters acted promptly to rescue a 12 year old girl who was unable to free herself from the mud and ice. Once she was released she was attended by the Scottish Ambulance Service. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:11:27 +0100 http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=379&Itemid=185 Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service has appointed a new Chief Fire Officer. The Service has offered the position to Kenny Taylor who is currently Director for Service Delivery within Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service. It is anticipated that Kenny will take up the position on 2 April following the retirement the current Chief Fire Officer Steven Torrie on 1 April. Kenny has had a varied and distinguished career in the Fire Service, starting off as a recruit in 1983 in Bo'ness and then moving to Alloa. Within ten years of joining the Service he had been promoted Station Officer within the Staff Department at Service Headquarters. Kenny was then promoted to Station Commander, covering the Falkirk and Bo'ness area. He was latterly Director of Service Delivery, having been promoted from Head of Operations in June 2008. The appointment was offered to Kenny following a comprehensive interview process overseen by the Appointments Committee of the Central Scotland Joint Fire and Rescue Service Board. The full Fire Board will be advised of the appointment at its next meeting on the 26 March. Convener of the Joint Board, Councillor Craig Martin, said: This appointment comes at a time of both challenges and opportunities. However I am confident that Kenny has both the experience and leadership to ensure that Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service continues to meet the very high expectations that the communities of Central Scotland have come to expect . Kenny Taylor said: It is an honour to be offered to position of Chief Fire Officer for Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service. The coming years for the public sector in Scotland will present many challenges but what is key for me is that we maintain front line service delivery and we enhance our efforts to educate our communities about the very real danger fire presents. My predecessor, Steven Torrie has set a high bar and has ensured the Service is in the best possible position to meet future challenges. Under my leadership, I hope this will continue . Chief Fire Officer Steven Torrie, said: Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service is extremely pleased that the Joint Board has appointed Kenny Taylor in this position. Kenny has served the people of Central Scotland since he joined the Service 27 years ago. This experience and knowledge will stand him in good stead to lead the Service in the years to come . Notes to Editor's: The Appointments Committee consists of six Councillors and Brian Fraser, the head of Scottish Fire Service Advisory Unit who acts in an advisory capacity. The Six Councillors are: Councillor Craig Martin; Councillor Georgie Thomson; Councillor Irene Hamilton; Councillor Paul Owens; Councillor Alan Nimmo and Councillor Graham Lambie. Images of Kenny Taylor are available on request. ENDS Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:17:54 +0100 http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=374&Itemid=185 At 23:04 pm on 11 February 2009, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service received a call to a recycling facility in Greenfield Street, Alloa. On arrival, firefighters discovered a single storey building approximately 50 x 100 metres well alight. There was a large quantity of paper and textiles within the building. Firefighters initially tackled the fire from the outside of the building. However, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to fight the fire from the inside. Five appliances from Alloa, Tillicoutry, and Stirling were initially called to the scene. Firefighters from Bo'ness were then called to assist at 00:34 am. Over 28 firefighters were in attendance at 01.00 am. Early in the morning of 12 February, crews from Larbert, Falkirk, Dunblane, Alloa and Stirling were called in to relieve crews that had initially been called to the incident. At 09:35 am on 12 February, 12 firefighters are still in attendance at the scene dampening down and are likely to be on site for the rest of the day. Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service and Central Scotland Police will now carry out an investigation into the cause of the blaze. Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:15:08 +0100 http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=373&Itemid=185 Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service is to make a significant investment in firefighter training. The proposal was agreed as part of its budget for 2010/11. The budget for 2010/11 was considered at a meeting of the Joint Fire Board which was held on Friday 29th January. This will allow the Service to enhance their current training provision, including specialist water rescue training and realistic fire training in a carbonaceous burning unit. This training is vital for the continuing professional development of our firefighters and will help to ensure their safety whilst in extreme environments. The carbonaceous burning unit will give firefighters experience of a realistic fire environment. The current unit the Service has is operated by gas and is not reflective of the intensity or movement of an actual fire. As the number of fire-related incidents declines, this is even more important as firefighters are generally experiencing less on-the-job development. The Service has been able to make this investment due to efficiency savings in other areas. It has been Service policy to reinvest efficiency savings into maintaining front-line service delivery. In last year's budget this allowed the Service to create four additional firefighter posts. Savings have been made in a number of areas, including the introduction of a managed vacancy policy for support staff and the reduction of middle manager positions. The overall budget represents a decrease of 3 per cent although this is mainly due to a change in the pension arrangements. Chief Fire Officer Steven Torrie, said: In an extremely challenging external environment, this budget represents a positive investment in frontline service delivery. Firefighter training is vital, especially as we are responding to fewer fire-related incidents so our firefighters are experiencing less on-the-job development. The Service has consistently managed its business in an efficient and effective way and the budget reflects this. This budget not only enhances our emergency response but it sets the Service up to manage, as far a possible, the many challenges in may face in the coming years . Joint Fire Board Convener, Councillor Craig Martin said: The Joint Fire Board has consistently stated that the protection of front-line services will be maintained where possible. This budget delivers on this principle. The Service has continued to deliver efficiency savings in order to invest in areas that are a priority. In an unprecedented financial climate, this prudent approach to financial management has ensured that we can continue to deliver for our communities . Notes to editors: The Joint Fire Board meeting was held on the 29 January 2009 at Falkirk Council. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:54:06 +0100 http://www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=372&Itemid=185 Emergency service personnel, victims of road traffic collisions and the families affected will be involved in a week long road safety event, which will be shown to over 4,000 Central Scotland teenagers. The initiative, Safe Drive Stay Alive has been organised by the Central Scotland Road Safety Partnership which includes Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service; Central Scotland Police; NHS Forth Valley and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The event will involve a re-enactment of a fictitious crash involving a group of young people. People affected by such incidents - emergency services, victims and the bereaved - will then speak frankly and openly about their feelings, experiences and life afterwards. This event predominately targets young and inexperienced drivers that are statistically more likely to be involved in a road traffic collision, either as a driver or as a passenger. The event aims to get across the long lasting and severe consequences that driving irresponsibly can have. By allowing them to hear from people that have been affected by road traffic collisions, it is hoped that they will follow our simple advice on how to drive more safely. In 2008, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service attended 186 road traffic collisions. Last year 11 people died last year on Central Scotland's roads. In addition 134 serious injuries were sustained with 28 serious casualties within the 17-25 age group. Chief Fire Officer, Steven Torrie, said: Safe Drive Stay Alive is an innovative partnership event, targeted towards young people that are statistically more likely to be involved in a road traffic collision. The event allows people that have been directly affected by a road traffic collision to share with the young people the very serious and long lasting consequences of irresponsible driving. There is no other event like this . Chief Constable, Kevin Smith, said: Too many young people are killed or seriously injured on our roads in Central Scotland. We have a responsibility to warn them about the risks they may take but also they have a responsibility to listen and to improve their driving behaviour. Fiona Mackenzie, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley said; NHS Forth Valley fully supports this campaign which aims to alert young people to the risks they face on the road. Having a crash is not only extremely distressing, but can be life-altering, and affect not only those involved but families and friends and the emergency services who are called to assist. Lewis Campbell, General Manager of the East Central Division at the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: Our ambulance crews witness first hand the tragedy caused by traffic accidents, more often than not involve young drivers. It is imperative that youngsters understand the harsh realities of irresponsible driving and this initiative achieves that. Notes to Editors: Safe Drive Stay Alive will be shown at the macrobert centre in Stirling from the 25 - 29 January 2010. Media are invited to the VIP show on Wednesday 27 January at 11.30 am. There will be 11 performances shown to 4,000 young people from 21 schools and 4 colleges across the Forth Valley region. Safe Drive Stay Alive has been running since 2008. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:51:19 +0100