Firefighter Tom Taylor has been chosen to help promote Public Service Day on Wednesday 23 June – after raising thousands of pounds for the NHS through his Frontline Coffee charity.
The day, officially launched by the United Nations as long ago as 2003, has barely been recognised in the UK until two years ago, when public sector and civil service membership club Boundless took up the cause.
Now it is gaining increasing recognition, with Tom’s story at the forefront of the campaign.
The firefighter who works for Somerset & Devon Fire & Rescue Service,...
Starting today (12 May 2021), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service – with partners from Devon and Somerset County Council, the Devon Air Ambulance, Devon and Cornwall Police, Avon and Somerset Police and Highways England (and others) – will take part in a social media road safety campaign My Red Thumb Day.
My Red Thumb Day is a national campaign aimed at drivers and passengers. It highlights the importance of not being distracted by a mobile device while driving.
Drivers and their passengers are being asked to break the habit of looking at or using mobile devices...
Exeter City Council is looking at bringing in a new fire safety management policy for its housing stock. The local authority is looking closely at escape routes in flats and ensuring that they are kept free of clutter. Personal belongings placed in escape routes can hinder evacuation in the event of a fire as well as prevent fire and rescue officers from accessing areas of the building. Council Officers and Councillors have worked closely with Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service in reviewing its fire safety management policy, referencing Local Government Association advice,...
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service’s bike advocate team have taken delivery of a new Triumph motorbike. The bike is part of the services road safety educational toolkit for educating and raising awareness with bikers.
In order for the Fire Service to work effectively with the most at risk groups, they have vehicles which help them interact with drivers of all ages in a way that is more meaningful for them. The Fire Bike team have expert knowledge in bike safety and are able to take the motorbike directly to the audience and interact with driving groups across the...
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has developed a bedtime safety campaign to raise the awareness of the importance of having a bedtime routine.
This was based on data from the previous year that established a number of fire deaths and injuries that were caused by people drinking, smoking and cooking late at night and them becoming distracted or falling asleep.
One part of the campaign focused on the most vulnerable, aged between 75 – 85 who are often alone when they die or are injured (not necessarily living alone).
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are delighted to announce that they have signed a partnership agreement with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust to enable NHS Practitioners to refer patients for free home fire safety visits. The agreement came about after the formation of the multi-agency Bariatric and plus size working group which was looking at how the NHS and Fire Service could work together to reduce risk in this client group. The agreement has resulted in Fire Officers from the Prevention team in South Devon carrying out “Trigger point” training for NHS staff to...
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is asking residents of Cranbrook to be considerate when parking outside their homes.
The Service is becoming increasingly concerned that fire crews could be seriously delayed getting to an emergency incident because of inconsiderate parking.
Roads on which the fire service are experiencing problems include:
Seven Acres
Alma Villa Rise
The end of Barn Orchard
Yarlington Mill
Post Coach Way (between Brooks Warren and the country park)
Pets living in Honiton now have a better chance of surviving household fires – thanks to new oxygen masks for animals being carried on the town’s fire engines.
The funding for the set of specially-designed masks to Honiton has been provided by Honiton's Fortescue Lodge.
Honiton's Fortescue Lodge donated the money for a set of masks to Smokey Paws, the not-for-profit organisation trying to help family pets in the event of a fire. Honiton is the first fire station in Devon to receive the life-saving devices.
Watch Manager Wayne Broom said: “As a dog owner myself, I...
With sunny weather predicted for this week many people will be encouraged to be outside, whether this is a causal stroll in the countryside or hiking across Dartmoor.
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service remind walkers and campers to be mindful of the impact and damage that a gorse fire has on the environment. They also tie up valuable fire resources for some time.
The Fire Service are advising people to be vigilant in rural areas and follow this simple advice:
extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
A budding local author, Kristie Herd, 29 from Exeter, is on the hunt for pledges in a bid to release her debut novel, Love’s Vindication.
Kristie, a Helpdesk Officer at Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, has approached a number of publications but as yet, has had little success. That was until she discovered Kickstarter, an organisation dedicated to finding new ways to fund innovative projects, big or small.
The projects are supported by pledges from those who wish to back an idea.
Until now Kristie has reached out to family and friends for pledges and...
