Latest news with #NFRS
BBC News
7 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Norfolk fire service using GoodSAM video app to combat wildfires
Video technology was being used to battle a surge of fires in open spaces during the hot and dry start to the the first six months of this year, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) had been called to 101 incidents that it referred to as "fires in the open". That is more than three times as high as the 29 in the same period last Mason, NFRS group manager for operational response, said call handlers in the control room were using the GoodSAM mobile app to see what resources needed to be deployed."It allows our operators to see the incident in front of them through the person's mobile phone," he said. Explaining the process to BBC Radio Norfolk, he said: "We'll send them [members of the public] a text message with a link and that basically turns their camera into a live stream so we can see the incident and what that allows us to do is, very quickly and dynamically, to move additional fire appliances towards that incident if we can see it is escalating or growing quite quickly."And on the flip side, if the incident is smaller scale, then obviously we can manage our response to that sort of incident."So we're working really hard to manage the risk and put the appropriate resources on the incident as quickly as possible." Mr Mason said the service had seen a "steady increase in incidents across the county" with 15 open fires since Monday. The spike came amid the driest start to a year in England since 1976, with Anglian Water stating that a hosepipe ban "could still be needed" in the region this Mason continued: "We're seeing a really broad combination of incidents that are involving careless disposal of things like barbecues, cigarettes or glass bottles, through to campfires and bonfires that people are having."Also, some unfortunate incidents relating to farming machinery hitting flints or rocks in the ground and inadvertently causing a fire in a field as they are trying to harvest." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Two women rescued from river by firefighters
Two women – one unconscious – were rescued from a river in Nottingham after getting into trouble in the water. Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said it went to Gunthorpe Lock at about 22:30 BST on Tuesday after receiving reports of a woman struggling in the arrival, one woman could be seen in the river and firefighters entered the water and brought her back to safety, the service inflatable boat was deployed to search for the second woman who was found unconscious by firefighters, but after treatment from East Midlands Ambulance Service she gained consciousness, NFRS added. Chris Navin from NFRS said: "I am relieved that this incident didn't end in tragedy, but it very easily could have."Open water may look calm, especially late at night, but it can also be unpredictable. We advise that when around any type of water, you are aware of your surroundings and don't go too close to the edge."If you see someone in trouble in water, never go in after them. Call 999, give them your exact location, and leave it to the professionals – this way, you're not risking your own life too."
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wildfire warning after hectic weekend for Norfolk fire crews
A busy weekend for a county fire service has sparked a plea for people to be careful while enjoying the summer Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) crews have been called to 32 "fires in the open" since an amber heat health warning came into force at 12:00 GMT on reached around 30C (86F) in the county on Saturday and the UK Health and Security Agency has since extended the amber warning until 09:00 on head of operations, Paul Seaman, said the risk of wildfires was "very high" due to the hot and dry weather. Fires in the open are described as those affecting grass, heathland or woodland spate in recent days has mostly been small in scale, with crews called to locations including Kelling, West Winch, Thetford and Wymondham. One in Shouldham this morning was caused by a disposable some large wildfires caused major damage in the county during a July 2022 heatwave which saw temperatures pushing 40C (104F), and it is that danger which has been Seaman said: "Over the weekend, we saw increasing numbers of avoidable fires in the open across Norfolk."Our crews responded quickly to contain them, but the risk of wildfires is currently very high due to the hot, dry ongoing weather."The cause of some of these fires were out of control bonfires, barbecues and bin fires caused by carelessly discarding cigarettes and barbecues."While the hot weather continues, we would ask residents and visitors to Norfolk to take extra care, not use disposable barbecues and take a picnic instead. Please don't have bonfires, as these can quickly get out of control and please discard of smoking materials safely and take litter home with you."NFRS say that during the same weekend last year, when the weather was cooler, crews attended 13 fires in the service has also issued an appeal on social media for drivers to avoid parking over yellow hydrant covers, which are used to maintain an engine's water are 22,000 hydrants across Norfolk and NFRS has appealed for people to take notice of the yellow 'H' markings on roads and signs. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
New equipment to help crews tackle wildfires in Nottinghamshire
New equipment to help tackle wildfires is ready to be deployed across wildfire support vehicle, which is equipped with a perforated blue hose that creates a protective water wall up to eight metres (26ft) high, will be based at Eastwood Fire carries essential tools such as specialist backpacks, wildfire blowers, beaters and Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said the equipment also provided the means to clear debris, create fire breaks and target hard-to-reach hot spots. The arrival of the vehicle follows the recent rollout of small fire units at stations in East Leake and Warsop, along with the introduction of Tuxford Fire Station's Polaris - also known as the "misting unit" - which is designed to help tackle rural said the enhancements were part of the brigade's "ongoing delivery and improvement project" aimed at equipping crews with advanced tools to effectively respond to a wide range of incidents - particularly in rural and woodland said it was "committed to being as prepared as possible for any incident across Nottinghamshire and beyond".However, it has urged members of the public to play their part in preventing wildfires by not using disposable barbecues in parks or open countryside, taking their litter home and disposing of cigarettes appropriately.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wildfire risk in Northamptonshire as heatwave set to hit
A fire service gave a wildfire warning after the UK was set to experience a heatwave. Northampton Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) urged people to take care when using barbeques and disposing cigarettes outside, as temperatures of 31C (86F) were forecast this to the Met Office, the Fire Severity Index (FSI), which measures how severe a fire could be, was very high for Sadler, area manager for operational response at NFRS, said: "We're asking the public to listen to safety advice during this time, and to follow any local fire bans and restrictions issued by your local council or authority. Always call 999 if you see any signs of smoke or fire." He added: "In response to the higher risk level, we have reviewed our operational capabilities to make sure that we are prepared to respond and keep the people of Northamptonshire safe and protected from fire."As a result of the dry spells, the fire service asked residents to ensure barbecues were not left unattended and cigarettes were fully extinguished before said people should also avoid using sky lanterns or fireworks, and should not burn garden waste. It encouraged people to take litter home with them, as broken glass bottles could spark wildfires. The Met Office's definition of a heatwave is when a temperature threshold lasts for at least three consecutive days, varying from 25C across the north and west of the UK, to 28C in parts of eastern England. Whilst Northamptonshire had experienced intermittent warm temperatures in recent weeks, the warm spells had not been long enough to be classed as a heatwave. This week, however, temperatures were set to vary from 24C to 31C - which would be the hottest temperatures of 2025 so far. Heatwaves were becoming more common due to climate could create problems for infrastructure, such as train tracks expanding and buckling in the heat, causing services to run at slower most recent heat-related disruption to the railway was in July 2022 when temperatures broke the UK temperature records and National Rail issued a "do not travel" warning. According to National Rail, there were currently no weather-related disruptions reported. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
