Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is committed to working towards making Norfolk safer

Jersey Fire and Rescue Service have created an excellent clip which shows how valuable a sprinkler can be and dispels some of the myths surrounding them.  

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Small Business Survival Event being held in Norwich today.  Click on the poster for a downloadable version.

We will also be sending out the following 6 tips to all our followers on the social networks.

1. Did you know that the most common causes of fire in industrial premises in Norfolk are cooking appliances, followed by Smoking materials and electrical / industrial equipment - has the potential for this been considered in your Fire Risk Assessment?

2. A fire Risk assessment is a legal requirement if you run a business and employ people Check out Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service for links to Fire Risk guidance. 

3. 95% of all Automatic fire alarm calls Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service attends are false alarms caused by system faults or failures to manage the system properly. This relates to down time in your business check out this link for info to avoid false alarms.  

4. Sprinklers not only save lives, but save businesses to. A high percentage of businesses will fail following a serious fire, therefore the installation of a sprinkler system will protect you and your business from risk of loss check out http://www.bafsa.org.uk/mission.php

5. People with disabilities need extra assistance and support to evacuate in the event of fire. A PEEP - Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan should be provided for each employee and resident where necessary to ensure their needs are accounted for in the event of a fire check out https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/14898/fsra-escape-disabled.pdf

6. If you need any fire safety advice on how to comply with the law contact Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service on 01603 810351 and ask for your local Fire Safety Advisor. We are there to help you.

Ever wondered what it would be like to drive a Fire Engine, a Bus, a Police Car or a Tractor Trailer – here is your chance to get behind the wheel of some really amazing vehicles.

On Sunday 14th July 2013, The Fire Fighters Charity and British Red Cross will visit The Former RAF Coltishall Site to give people the chance to drive a variety of large and unusual vehicles all kindly donated by local businesses and the emergency services in the ‘Norfolk Driving Challenge’.

Volunteers from Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service are helping to organise this event to raise money for two very worthwhile charities:

1. The Fire Fighters Charity (Supporting injured Fire Fighters and their families)

2. British Red Cross (A volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis)

We are now starting preparations for the 2013 event. Our target this year is £20,000.

The idea is simple - the event is open to both men and women of all ages who hold a current full manual driving licence. All you need to do is pay a £10 a non returnable registration fee and then undertake to raise at least another £90 in sponsorship. It makes a great day out for all your family and friends.

Event Organiser, Laura Harden said, “The Norfolk Driving Challenge promises to be an exciting day, with the chance to operate a fantastic collection of vehicles. Other types of driving events can be uncomfortably competitive with an emphasis on speed. The Norfolk Driving Challenge is much more relaxed with the focus on handling vehicles with skill and enjoying new experiences, as well as raising money for such good causes.”

The challenge is to drive a wide variety of weird and wonderful vehicles! Each Driving Challenge is unique, but at any given event you can look forward to driving at least five different types of vehicles.

Chief Fire Officer Nigel Williams said “Fire and Rescue Service staff, along with colleagues in The Firefighters Charity and The British Red Cross, know only too well the importance of charitable fund raising and the positive outcomes it brings. All over Norfolk our teams raise considerable sums of money for our own charities and for many other worthy causes. Once again it is our pleasure to work in partnership with The Fire Fighters Charity and the British Red Cross with another ‘Charity Driving Challenge’. This provides anyone who can drive the opportunity to experience a wide range of different vehicles from fast cars to fire engines. So... do you want to come and have a go? Bring your family and friends to let them see what you can do”.

Sarah Hurren, community fundraiser for the British Red Cross in Norfolk, said; "The driving challenge is going to be a lot of fun, and we are really glad to be working with our partners at the Norfolk fire service to make it happen. We work closely with the fire service through our Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS), and our teams of trained volunteers and fully-equipped vehicles are on standby 24 hours a day in case they are called by the fire service to the scene of a fire. We can provide first aid, comfort and reassurance to people who have lost their homes and possessions, offer them food, drink, clothes, hygiene packs and even a hot shower - and we will also help people find somewhere to stay or deal with insurance claims. Our partnership with the Norfolk fire service has worked very well so we are delighted they have involved us in this brilliant driving challenge.

Laura Harden of the Fire Fighters Charity explained, “Behind the fun, there is a very serious message that we are supporting those heroic fire fighters who risk their lives for us. When they run into a burning building, there is always the very real risk of serious injury, and when the worst happens not only fire fighters suffer, but also their families. The Fire Fighters Charity helps support injured fire fighters, both physically and emotionally, enabling them to return to work faster. Unbelievably, the Charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on beneficiary and public donations”.

If you would like to take part in this fantastic event and try your hand at driving some unusual vehicles, register at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk or contact Fundraising Support on 01256 366566 if you have any queries.

Click on the image below to take you an ebook containing the illustrated project work of art student Rebecca Carpenter. Rebecca shadowed Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service staff to gain an insight into our work. The images contained within the book are Rebecca’s account of her time with us.