Role of the Fire Service

Routine Work

Training
This may involve either lectures to maintain and improve the firefighters knowledge, or it may involve practical training. Practical training can be done either at a Station, under a well controlled environment, or at locations that have been assessed and can provided safe but more realistic training environments. In addition each Station organises tactical exercises which are designed to simulate a variety of larger incidents and involves a number of Stations training together.

In addition to the training organised at the Station, there is a central Training Centre that personnel attend for training courses. Some courses are run on the Station using Training Centre Instructors, and this allows the fire appliance, manned by the firefighters attending training, to remain available in its own area.

Community Fire Safety
Due to the importance of Community Safety, and the benefits it can have in preventing fire and saving life, it has become a huge part of the Station workload. It is our aim to have every Fire Station equipped with facilities so it can better serve as a Community Fire Station and offer advice.

Currently the operational crews carry out school visits to educate children in home fire safety and not to play with matches etc. They also conduct home fire safety visits where they offer free advice to members of the public in their own home on how to prevent fires, how to detect fires, how to have a free smoke alarm fitted and, what to do in the event of a fire occurring i.e. how to get out safely.

Each Station Commander, whilst co-ordinating the Station's work, has an active position on the local district Community Safety Partnership which has members from the Local Authority, Police, Social Services etc. These Partnerships are formed to work together and share resources to make the community a safer place in which to live. The Station Commander also sits on various other Partnerships to achieve this aim.

High Risk Visits
Each station identifies premises in its area that may either have a high life risk, dangerous substances or, other factors that would make it more difficult to control should there be a fire. Information and plans are collected on these premises and, firefighters visit annually to familiarise themselves with the site and update information accordingly. This allows firefighters to deal quickly and effectively with incidents at premises which pose a high risk.

Standard Tests
Although all equipment receives a quick visual check every day, every piece of equipment receives a more thorough check/test. This is done on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis depending upon the equipment in question.

Hydrant Checks
Firefighters check water hydrants in their Station area on an annual basis for defects and to ensure that they are serviceable and ready for use in the event of a fire.



Top of Page