Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
Operational area
Country  England
County  Cornwall
Agency overview
Employees 752
Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury
Facilities and equipment
Stations 31
Website
Official website

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The brigade employs 428 retained firefighters, 201 full-time firefighters, plus over 120 support and administrative staff.[1] Created under the Fire Services Act 1947 as "Cornwall Fire Brigade", the name changed to "Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service" on 1 October 2009,[2] leaving London and Cleveland as the only two UK fire services to use the name "Fire Brigade".

For organisational purposes the Fire Service is divided into three divisions: Eastern, Central and Western. The service is administered by Cornwall Council, headquartered in Truro.

As part of the FiReControl project, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Services' control room was planned to switch over to the regional control centre in Taunton, Somerset. Originally scheduled to take place in July 2010, the cutover date was revised to January 2012,[3] however the plan was scrapped in December 2010.[4]

Fire stations

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service operates 31 fire stations,[5] of which two are crewed day and night (wholetime), five are day-crewed (Monday to Sunday, 07:00 to 19:00) and the remainder are crewed by retained firefighters, who live near to their fire station and can arrive there within five minutes of a call being received. Due to an influx in visitors during the summer months, Newquay is changed to a wholetime structure during the summer period. The breakdown of stations is as follows:

The Service operates a variety of fire appliances including water rescue ladders, water rescue tenders, light 4x4 tenders and pumps, as well as specialist vehicles for operational support, marine support, environmental support and command support.

Wholetime/retained stations

Falmouth station
Helston station
St. Keverne station
St. Columb station
Location Type Appliances
Camborne Wholetime/Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 RT, 1 LRU, 1 IRU
Falmouth Wholetime/Retained 2 WrL, 1 L/4x4, 1 OSU, 1 MSU with 1 RIB
Penzance Day-Crewed/Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 L/4x4, 1 ESU
Newquay Day-Crewed/Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 2 ALP(1 operational, 1 operational/spare), 2 HVP, 1 USAR
St. Austell Day-Crewed/Retained 1 WtL, 1 WrT, 1 OSU
Truro Day-Crewed/Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 ALP
Bodmin Day-Crewed/Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 RT, 1 LRU, 1 4x4, 1 IRU, 1 ESU
Helston Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4 (co-responder), 1 WC
Mullion Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4 (Co-Responder)
Perranporth Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Redruth Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
St. Ives Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 4x4
St. Just Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4, 1 ICU
St. Keverne (Co-Responder) Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Fowey Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Mevagissey Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Padstow Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Polruan Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
St. Columb Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
St. Dennis Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4, 1 WFU
St. Mawes Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4, 1 Co-Responder Car
Bude Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 4x4
Callington Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Delabole Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Launceston Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 ICU
Liskeard Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT, 1 WC
Looe Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4, 1 LAV
Lostwithel Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Saltash Retained 1 WrL, 1 WrT , 1 ESU
Torpoint Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4
Wadebridge Retained 1 WrL, 1 4x4, 1 WC

Appliances

Co-responder stations

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service works in partnership with South Western Ambulance Service to provide emergency medical cover to area of Cornwall. These are areas that have been identified as having a greater need for ambulance cover. The aim of a co-responder team is to preserve life until the arrival of either a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) or an ambulance.[6] Co-responder vehicles are equipped with oxygen and automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment.

The fire stations operating as co-responders are:

Workshop and stores

The Service workshop and stores are located at the rear of Camborne fire station. The workshop contains three pit bays, one HGV ramp bay, one car and van ramp bay and a spraying bay. The setup enables up to six vehicles to be in the workshop at any one time.

The workshop also houses the stores, including both clothing and equipment, and holds over 7,000 items including operational equipment like branches and radios, and clothing from tunics to dress uniforms. This is always updated to ensure any equipment or clothing needed is ready to be dispatched immediately to wherever it is needed.

The workshops also maintain all of the operational equipment, from repairing the lengths of hoses to the breathing apparatus (BA) sets; this is carried out by the specialist "hose shop" also located on-site.

Emergency repair is available 24/7 through an "on call" system where mechanics take turns to provide 24-hour service if an appliance or equipment becomes defective.

Fire appliances

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service uses a variety of front-line and specialist appliances:

Water rescue ladder (WRL)

Also referred to as the 'first away' appliance, it is usually mobilised to every incident. It carries an array of equipment including crash rescue equipment (CRE), breathing apparatus, water rescue equipment and a thermal imaging camera.

There are occasions when a Water Tender would instead be mobilised first to keep the Water Tender Ladder available; the Water Tender may attend incidents where a house is flooded or persons have locked themselves out.

Their major capabilities include pumping up to 2,000 litres (440 gallons) per minute between two locations. It has a storage capacity of 1,850 litres (396 gallons). The pump carries a 13.5 metre (44 ft) ladder, a short extension ladder and a roof ladder.

Water rescue tender (WRT)

Also referred to as the "second away". These appliances are broadly similar to the Water Tender Ladders, but carry a different range of equipment, with ladders up to 10.5 metres (34 ft). They are not the primary responder to a road traffic collision, despite carrying hydaulic cutting equipment. The water tenders are used to support water tender ladders at fires and to attend miscellaneous calls. Some Second Away appliances have the advantage of being 4x4 and sometimes they will be the first appliance to respond in harsh weathers such as snow, fire control may also mobiles the second away to turn out first if the incident is situated in a field and the all wheel drive would be necessary. A water tender, like its counterpart, is capable of carrying up to six firefighters.

Light 4x4 appliances

Light appliances are based on a 4x4 chassis and designed with off-road capability. These appliances would be requested, or mobilised with the main appliance, to incidents that may be difficult to reach - either due to narrow roads or the terrain. The co-responder units tend to be the light 4x4 appliances allowing a faster response time, and to keep the main appliance available. These vehicles have a lightweight pump mounted on the back which feeds either a hosereel or 75 mm hose.[7] They can also be fed by a small on-board water tank or from a hydrant.

The 4x4 appliances have the capability to carry a crew of up to four. Some carry four sets of breathing apparatus in the cab. The appliance carries a limited amount of equipment (due to its size). These vehicles tend to be Toyota Hiluxes, Vauxhall Bravas or Landrovers.

Command support unit

The Command Support Unit is a Mercedes-Benz 814D-derived vehicle as well as 2 modified Mercedes Sprinter Vans. They are mobilised to any incident over 4 pumps or by request of the incident commander. The CSU carries specialist equipment to be able to effectively take control of any situation. In the rear of the unit are specialised computers with links to chemical identification databases and aerial maps. The command support units are also fitted with satellite systems and external Television screen which can show maps to senior officers viewing from outside

The vehicles are crewed by both officers and firefighters and are able to communicate with fire control as well as officers and firefighters on the fire ground. It is also acts as a booking in centre for arriving crews.

Rescue tenders (RT)/ Line Rescue Units (LRU)

The Rescue tenders are based on a Mercedes Atego chassis. The RTs are mobilised by the incident commander or though a pre-determined attendance. It carries specialised cutting and spreading equipment, lifting gear, supporting tools, and lighting units.The RT is also fitted with a heavy duty winch mounted at the front of the vehicle which enables it to pull or support objects. It is crewed by specially-trained wholetime and retained firefighters from Camborne and Bodmin fire stations.

The two Line Rescue Units (LRUs) are based on a Mercedes-Benz 1124 4x4 chassis with a Hiab crane on the rear of the vehicle and a Mercedes Atego chassis. Both units carry specialist rope rescue equipment as well as powerful winches and lighting units. The LRU also carries confined space packs which are used when casualties are trapped in a small space such as a mine. AS the same with the RT's heavy duty winches are mounted on the vehicles to help in pulling or supporting an object.

Operational Support Vehicle (OSV)

The 2 operational support vehicles are based on mercedes sprinter chassis and are based at Falmouth and St.Austell fire stations. They provide extra equipment such as extra breathing apparatus cylinders as well as dry suits and water/mud inflatable rescue platforms, because of this water rescue capability they are usually sent as part of the attendance to any water incident. They can also act as a BA command and entry point for larger incidents.

Welfare unit

The welfare unit is based on a specially modified Mitsubishi Fuso chassis. The unit comprises a small kitchen area in one locker with a fridge and hot water urn. Hand washing facilities in another locker and ample cupboard space in another. At the rear there is also 2 unisex toilets. This unit generally goes to large fires where crews are going to be in attendance for a long period of time as it allows the firefighters and officers to have a short break, and serves hot and cold refreshments and provides sanitary needs for the crews. This unit is based at St.Dennis fire station

Environmental support unit (ESU)

The 2 environmental support units are based on a Vauxhall Movano chassis and are based at Bodmin and Penzance fire stations. These units carry specialist equipment to deal with chemical incidents such as spillages. They carry extra gas tight suits (GTS), oil absorbent granules, dammit mats and paste and over-drums for sealing leaking chemical drums. They are usually part of the predetermined attendance to all incidents involving chemical incidents.

Limited access vehicle (LAV)

The Limited Access Vehicle or LAV is based on a Kawasaki Mule and is stationed at Looe fire station. Then vehicle was adapted by brigade workshops to carry a portable pump, ladder, hoses and branches and 2 sets of BA. The LAV is designed to navigate around the very small streets of Polperro and is towed to the incident by a Toyota Hilux L4P.

Mutual assistance

The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, gives fire services the power to assist other fire services or fire authorities in what is known as mutual assistance.[8]

The fire services that adjoin Cornwall are as follows:

Notable incidents

This incident saw possibly the largest fire brigade attendance in UK history: 78 different brigades (with over 200 appliances, 147 of which responded from London Fire Brigade) and 38 different military units spread detergent and pumped out contaminated water. The clean-up lasted months and the brigades stayed on-site throughout working 24/7. Cornwall Fire Brigade set up a workshop near the Lizard to maintain the appliances on-site whilst refilling them and portable pumps with petrol. In the height of the operation over 1,600 personnel were on scene.

A fire broke out at the Queens Wharf dock and spanned 360 ft; the dock was well alight. 11 appliances attended as well as a fireboat, which surveyed the situation from the bay.

The first call came into Fire Control in Truro at 16:00 to report a person trapped in a car with the water rising. At 17:30 a major incident was declared and search and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose along with other helicopters throughout the Southwest assisted the fire brigade and Coastguard in evacuating people. 25 appliances attended the scene along with a further 22 for relief purposes. Although the brigade could not do anything with regards to the pumping out of water they assisted searching for persons trapped in their cars and homes and helped bring them to safety via the RNAS search and rescue helicopter. The brigade also carried out salvage work once the water had receded. The brigade were in attendance for a number of days with nearly the whole of the brigades pumping resources in attendance as either first response or as a relief crew.

The first 999 call was received at 00:17; crews from Newquay were first on scene and requested further appliances to attend. The fire consumed all three floors of the hotel and three people died at the scene. 25 appliances attended with support appliances; Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service also provided a turntable ladder, officers and USAR assistance. The cause of the fire is believed to be arson, but no one has been charged. As of the outcome to the incident questions were raised over the retained staffing levels at Newquay fire station and the brigades lack of operational aerial ladder platforms.

The Fish Factory ship the Athena caught fire 230 miles of the southwest coast of the isles of Scilly. 98 of the 111 crew were forced to abandon ship into the life rafts; these were picked up by the container ship the Vega. The Athena was then taken under tow to Falmouth Bay, where Cornwall Fire and Rescue's MIRG (Marine Incident Response Group) was then flown out by helicopter to the ship. Once on board, they started to fight the fire in the hold of the ship which contained around 600,000 cardboard boxes. However, in the early hours of the morning they were forced to evacuate after carbon monoxide levels reached a dangerous level; a couple of firefighters were taken to hospital. The ship is now in control of a salvage team who are finding the best outcome for the ship.

During the night and the early hours of the 16/17 November torrential rain hit the south coast of Cornwall, the ground became saturated and water began to run off of the surrounding fields into the already overflowing rivers causing many to burst their banks. The worst places hit by the storm were Mevagissey, Lostwithiel, The Glynn Valley, St.Blazey, Portloe, St.Austell and Pentewan. Many places saw 3 to 4 feet of water flooding hundreds of homes and shops and causing landslides. Cornwall FRS deployed appliances to the worst-hit areas to pump out shops, roads and homes and to assist with salvage work. Around midday Devon and Cornwall police declared the scenes a Major Incident. There were no casualties.

At around 8:00 am a worker was changing over an acetylene cylinder when the tank began to vent and ignited; this in turn ignited other venting tanks. On arrival of the brigade a 300 m[9] cordon was put in place which required surrounding houses and the docks to be evacuated. The brigade extinguished the initial fire but then had to cool the cylinders constantly for 24 hours to prevent the cylinders from exploding due to the heat and pressure buildup. In total Cornwall FRS sent 6 pumping appliances, 1 command support unit, 1 operational support unit, 1 welfare vehicle. The incident lasted for 24 hours and required numerous relief crews to attend overnight.

Other emergency services

References

  1. ↑ "Facts & Figures". Cornwall County Fire Brigade. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  2. ↑ Cornwall Council - Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Homepage. Cornwall.gov.uk (7 March 2009). Retrieved on 15 September 2013.
  3. ↑ http://www.swfirecontrol.co.uk/whatisfirecontrol.asp
  4. ↑ "Control room scrapping 'will help Devon and Somerset". BBC News. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  5. ↑ "Structure". Cornwall County Fire Brigade. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  6. ↑ SWAST Fire Co Responders
  7. ↑ Front Line Appliances. Theccfbforum.proboards66.com. Retrieved on 15 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004". OPSI. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  9. ↑ BBC News Falmouth Dock Fire. Bbc.co.uk (17 June 2011). Retrieved on 15 September 2013.

Further reading

External links