General News


Kent team continues rescue operation

Seven firefighters from Kent have set up camp in Iran and are helping to search for survivors of Friday’s huge earthquake. The Kent team has been split up and they are continuing the rescue operation even though hopes of finding survivors are said to be dwindling. More than 15,000 people are thought to have died…


Firefighters join rescue effort

Seven Hampshire-based Fire Fighters have arrived in Iran, following a devastating earthquake. The Hampshire Fire and Rescue fire crew form part of the international rescue effort which will be searching for survivors. It is estimated the earthquake near Bam has killed between 10,000 and 25,000 and injured another 30,000 people The fire crew flew out…


Race against time for search team

British rescuers in Iran have not given up hope of finding earthquake survivors despite recovering only bodies so far. But the leader of the Rapid-UK search team admits the chances of finding people alive in the ruins of Bam are dropping with each passing hour. More than 60 UK doctors, paramedics and volunteers have joined…


Utter Devastation

BRITISH rescue experts were arriving in Iran to help search for survivors of the devastating earthquake which has claimed the lives of up to 25,000 people. Recovery teams flew from Stansted airport last night (Friday) after the government paid for an aircraft to fly to the stricken country. International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, who described…


Yet Another Lucky Dog

ANGO IN THE DARK (Animal Rescue) Ten year old Jack Russell ‘Tango‘ recently had very good reason to feel grateful for the perseverance of West Sussex firefighters when she entered a rabbit warren whilst out on a walk with her owner. On the afternoon of the 14th April, crews from Station 14 Storrington were originally…


New Dimension Urban Search and Rescue

GUIDANCE FOR BRIGADES CONCERNING INTERIM URBAN SEARCH & RESCUE ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN ENGLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND                                 CONTENTS 1.0  Introduction 2.0  USAR System – a vision 2.1   Response 2.2   Structures & hazards 2.3   Equipment 2.4   Training and development for Operational Responders 2.5   Training and development for Command 3.0  Planning for Urban Search & Rescue 4.0 …


Cheshire Fire & Rescue

Historically, the UK Fire Service has been responding to disasters overseas for a number of years. London Fire Brigade responded to both the Mexico City (1985), and El Salvador (1986) earthquakes and teams from London, Kent and Hampshire attended the Armenian earthquake in December 1998. However these efforts remained largely uncoordinated and any actions rested…


London may get extra fire rescue units

Specialist fire rescue units, similar to those used at the Potters Bar crash site, could be assigned to give coverage to any part of London within 15 minutes of an emergency call. The vehicles can deal with anything from road accidents and chemical spillages to people trapped in collapsed buildings. They carry equipment for heavy…