October/November 2002
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| Welcome to the second article in a new series on Pudsey.com | |||
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.... and hello again from
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You won’t have failed to have heard about the fire service strikes planned for November and December as this news seems to be the top of every news bulletin as I write. It is certainly a very worrying time for everyone and whilst I feel I could not write this article without mentioning the dispute, I do not think that it would be right to use this space for discussing this subject. Everyone will have their own views on the matter and all I wish to say is that the firefighters involved have not taken the decision lightly and that people should realise that, like every story in the news, there are many more issues behind the head lines. |
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I mention this in case you had forgotten when bonfire night was.
Fireworks have been going off most times of the day and night for the
past month and so I assume that many people may becoming confused as
when these celebrations are normally held. Aside from the nuisance
value, it is often over looked that fireworks are explosives and this
fact has been brought home recently by figures showing that Leeds and
Bradford currently have the highest numbers of injuries caused by
fireworks in the country so far this. As well being responsible for
enforcing the safe storage and sale of petrol, the fire service also
has the same authority over explosives. Consequently anyone wishing to
sell fireworks has to apply to the fire service for a licence to do
so. Once a business has submitted their application crews from the
local fire station make a visit to check that the fireworks are stored
and sold within the requirements of the law. So if you are shopping in
Pudsey and a crew of firefighters are wandering around with the
manager you will have some idea now as to what they are doing.
Unfortunately at this time of year, a firefighters involvement with
fireworks does not end at the point of sale, but also at the point of
delivery! It is being increasingly popular whilst attending rubbish
and bonfires in the Pudsey and Bradford area for youths to fire
rockets and air bombs horizontally at fire crews. Thankfully so far
this year we have had no serious public disorder and apart from the
occasional thrown stone none of my crew have been hit, but I always
make a point of instructing them to wear their flash-hoods up and
helmet visors down when attending fires where there are gangs of
youths present.
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Firefighters from Pudsey will be joining the Remembrance Parade on
Sunday 10th November to lay a wreath at the cenotaph.
It will be the last time crews from Pudsey Fire Station will attend the ceremony as the station is closing in February 2003. Hopefully personnel from the soon to be opened Stanningley Fire Station will attend next year and maintain a fire service presence. I fear that Remembrance Day is becoming lost on the young these days but they must realise that we are not only paying tribute to those who gave their lives for us during the two World Wars, but also those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts like the Falklands and Gulf Wars. As firefighters we now have two days a year which are significant
to ourselves and the memory of our fallen colleagues. On Remembrance
Day we think of those who lost their lives fighting the fires of the
Blitz and of course September 11th when so many colleagues died in the
collapse of the Twin Towers. |
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In fact only this week another firefighter has died. Leicestershire
firefighter Bob Miller was killed in a warehouse fire whilst searching
for a vagrant believed to be sleeping there. Roy leaves a widow and
two teenage sons. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has set up a
memorial fund for Bob and anyone wishing to make a donation should do
so by forwarding monies to :- |
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| Last months article..... Click here | |||
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If you want to get in
touch with me regarding anything to do with the fire service, drop me
an email via
safe@pudsey.com
Visit the web site of the West Yorkshire Fire Service where you will find more information and links. |
