Welsh Assembly agree to principles of new fire safety measure
It has been reported that the Welsh Assembly Government have agreed unanimously on the general principles of a new fire safety measure regarding the installation of automatic sprinklers in newly built Welsh properties.
The measure, which was put forward by Ann Jones, the Labour AM for the Vale of Clwyd, on the 24th of November this year, would ensure that all these new homes would need to have this fire safety equipment fitted by builders.
Although the support for the measure was unanimous, recommendations were still offered by the chair of the legislation committee, Rosemary Butler AM, as to its implications over how the water supply will be provided and maintained as well as the impact on affordable housing.
She also warned that the installation costs are likely to be more than the original estimate given when the measure was introduced.
The Finance Committee’s chair, Angela Burns AM, countered that although the cost to developers may be higher, the housing market itself should not be impacted significantly if the measure were to be agreed upon.
It was also suggested that the systems may prove to be a plus point to potential house buyers looking at these properties.
The amendment measure will be considered by the legislation committee who are concerned that fire takes the lives of around 20 people in Wales every year.
Rebuilding programme to start on fire-wrecked school
A Doncaster school which was brought to the ground in a huge fire nearly a year ago is now set to rise again from the ashes, with building work to start in February 2011.
Wates Construction is the contractor selected to carry out the 12-month building programme on the school next year with the planning application due to be submitted soon.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault forcing the school to finish its term early before the Christmas holidays, with pupils continuing their lessons in temporary classrooms since March.
The Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, said:
“To get to this stage so quickly is testament to the work undertaken by the council’s school rebuilding team and the school. This is great news for Campsmount.”
Headteacher at Campsmount Technology College, Andrew Sprakes, said:
“We are delighted that all our hard work has paid off and we are now in a superb position to move forward with the new school building that our students, staff and community so richly deserve.”
The business unit manager at Wates Construction North East, David Price, said:
“The determination in the face of adversity shown by Andrew Sprakes and his team inspired us to design a truly inspirational new learning environment to raise the aspirations and achievements of generations of young people. We look forward to working with the council’s school rebuilding team and the school to turn these visions into reality.”
Emmerdale to screen the tragic consequences of arson
It has been revealed that a tragic fire is to tear through the homes of the inhabitants of the soap Emmerdale in a shocking storyline to be aired this coming January.
In a move that will have the soap’s many viewers guessing, two as yet unnamed characters of the show will lose their lives in the blaze with more left injured, which was started deliberately.
The events that unfold will affect the whole village as they try to come to terms with the fire which devastates a whole row of cottages.
Series producer of the soap, Gavin Blyth, said:
“This is going to be one of the most dramatic and tragic events ever to rock Emmerdale and no-one will be untouched by the fire’s devastating consequences.
“The whole village will be thrown together for these gripping and heart-wrenching episodes which will launch us into an unmissable 2011.”
While Emmerdale may only be a TV show, the points it raises regarding fire awareness and the threat posed by arson further highlights the need for fire safety to be given serious consideration, whether you are a business or home owner.
In fact, if you own your own business it is a legal requirement to ensure that members of your staff are trained as fire wardens and go on an appropriate fire training course.
Knutsford pupil wins chance to be firefighter for the day
A primary school pupil enjoyed the opportunity to see what it is like to be a firefighter after winning a Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service competition.
Ella Sheard, a Year Six pupil from Goostrey Primary School, received a VIP invitation to Knutsford Fire Station, where she could take along her classmates, by beating the rest of the competition with her environmental poster design.
By winning the competition, the 10-year-old and the rest of the class got to visit the station where they went on a tour and saw how the fire safety equipment on the appliance is used. The pupils also got to use the fire hose on the drill yard. A teacher also tried out new firefighter equipment in the form of the gold firekit.
The unitary safety manager for Cheshire East, Sue Cleaver, said:
“The competition proved to be very successful with some great designs being submitted by pupils from all ages. “One of the main things the judges were looking for was a clear fire safety message and good colourful graphics and Ella’s poster had both these elements.
“Her poster was chosen out of hundreds and I would like to thank everyone who entered our competition and for making it a great success.”
The campaign was set up to warn the people of Cheshire about the dangers associated with arson fires and how they can harm the environment.
Pembrokeshire firefighters attend to floods
Due to the recent flooding in parts of Pembrokeshire, fire crews have had to respond to a number of incidents.
The county has been beset with heavy rain and in some areas people had to be rescued from cars.
A spokesperson for the fire service said:
“We got a call out to Llangwm near Neyland, after a few cars stuck in flood water, with reports of people in the vehicles.
“By the time we arrived, police had also attended, and a passerby had already pulled those people out safely.”
As well as these kinds of instances, the firefighters have also been using pumps to remove water from homes.
The Mid and West Wales service has been called out to a number of residences around Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest.
There have also been issues regarding surface water on the roads where the fire service has been involved too, although most of these situations have been describes as minor, isolated incidents.
The fire service has had to help out with the flooding problems in addition to the usual call-outs for fires within the county. When it comes to fire safety, it is important to ensure that your home or business is protected against the threat posed by fire.