local incident reports - 2006/08 -------------- archived incident reports   TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE West Sussex fire engines go to Russia

PROTECTING PREVENTING RESPONDING ------------------------------------------------------------ There are 2 fire stations in the Rother Valley area. Midhurst & Petworth click either station for details Both are equipped with 2 x WrL and 1 x L4T

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are offering free home fire safety checks
throughout the County that includes the FREE fitting of a smoke alarm.
For more information please call FREEPHONE 0800-3286487
or book your Home Fire Safety Check on-line by visiting www.westsussex,gov.uk
Smoke alarms save lives. Please test yours to make sure it works

DOWNLOAD FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR DEAF OR BLIND PEOPLE
Posted 23 May 2007

Home fire safety advice for people who have a sensory disability can now be downloaded from the web pages of West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service. On the website is an audio file for people who are blind, and a film using sign language made for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
They can be accessed via www.westsussex.gov.uk, Fire and Rescue Service, Home Fire Safety. They are also available free of charge on CD-Rom or DVD by contacting the Community Fire Safety team on 01243 752451. Lionel Barnard, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "This is yet another development reflecting our Fire and Rescue Service's commitment to spreading the home fire and safety message.
"Both the audio file and the film contain valuable information and advice - advice that could be life saving. They are also a valuable teaching tool for when our firefighters go into the community to teach home fire safety to vulnerable residents. "I would urge friends and relatives of people who have a sensory disability to bring this to their attention if they are not already aware of it."

'Don't leave your TV on stand-by'
That's the warning from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service following a fire in Worthing early this morning
20th Mar. 2007

Two crews from Worthing Fire Station were called to a house in Hythe Road, Worthing at 00.05am this morning , to reports of an explosion and fire. When crews arrived, the occupiers were outside and smoke was pouring from the rear of the house. 4 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and contained the fire to a ground floor conservatory. The fire caused severe heat and smoke damage throughout the property.
The Red Cross attended with their Fire Emergency Support Unit to offer assistance and help to the occupiers in this traumatic time.

The cause of the fire was put down to a television that had been left on stand-by, which caught fire and exploded. Watch Commander Darren Wickings said ' We urge people to turn off all unnecessary electrical items when leaving the property or going to bed. Televisions left on stand-by still have an electrical current in them, which caused the fire in this instance. It is also recommended to close as many doors as possible, as this will contain the fire to a small area. Also ensure that you have working smoke detectors in your home and have an escape plan'

'We urge people to have one of our free Home Fire Safety Checks, in which fire crews come around to your home and discuss fire safety issues, formulate an escape plan as well as fit smoke detectors free of charge.
To apply for this service, please call 0800 3286487'

FIREFIGHTER DESIGNS WEST SUSSEX BEER MAT SAFETY DRIVE
Posted Tuesday November 28 2006

A dramatic eye-catching holographic beer mat and poster that graphically shows the consequences of drinking and driving is spearheading a safety campaign designed by a West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service firefighter.

The idea to use what is called 'lenticular' posters and beer mats came from Gary Waters, who is based at East Grinstead Fire Station. They are two superimposed pictures. First you see four young people enjoying a drink in a bar then the image changes to show them badly injured in a car crash. The wording on the beer mat and poster also changes ? from 'Drink and Drive' to 'Drink and Die'.

Gary Waters said: "Dealing with the consequences of drink driving is unfortunately a regular thing for the emergency services. Every time I see people killed or injured in a crash involving a drunk driver makes me want to try and warn others. It's such a needless waste of life."

Originally it was only going to be used in Mid Sussex. However, Lionel Barnard, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "We thought it was so effective we've decided it should be used throughout the county."
The campaign is also being backed by West Sussex CC's Road Safety Unit, its Community Safety Team, Sussex Police, local district and borough councils and local Crime and Disorder Prevention Partnerships.

Tuesday 11th July 2006 - 21:00
Midhurst power lines collapse
Police & Midhurst fire brigade were called to a collapsed power cable pole tonight, on New Road, only a 100 yards from the fire station. The pole was left at a dangerous angle blocking the footpath and threatening to fall into oncoming traffic supported only by the cables being held by an adjacent street light. WSCC sent a workteam to the scene.