Archive News Items
Back to the Future?
Prior to the night closure from 01 October 2011, we had a fire appliance at Windsor with over 350 separate items of emergency equipment (as per the station inventory). There was a minimum crew of 4 (sometimes up to six!) and the appliance was available 24 hours a day.
Then at a meeting of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority dated 28 September 2011, a ‘compromise agreement’ was struck between that body and the Royal Borough of Maidenhead and Windsor Council (with deference to ‘Royalty’ we must also remind you of the £40 million inferno at Windsor Castle in 1992?)
Commencing from 01 April 2012, the standard fire appliance will be replaced with a new concept - an ‘LFE’- a local fire engine. This is a van-size fire engine festooned with local emblems and symbolisms of ‘community’, but as effective, as one local Councillor aptly described as, a ‘chocolate tea pot’.
Why? A ‘LFE’ is in effect a ‘mini’ fire engine carrying reduced Breathing Apparatus capability, limited road traffic collision equipment, limited (if any) line rescue facility or water rescue provision. The ‘LFE’ will NOT be able to internally commit Firefighters to the vast majority of residential blazes, since that appliance will ONLY have a crew of THREE?
Furthermore, the ladder carried upon this ‘LFE’ will barely reach the second floor of most buildings- which may be disconcerting if you are awaiting rescue from one of the very high town centre buildings?
So practically what is the most fundamental difference? Well, if this new ‘mini’ fire engine arrives at a blaze in the huge Windsor area it CANNOT commit to internal firefighting until a ‘normal’ fire appliance turns up (unless there is a ‘confirmed life risk’, in which the dangerously low crew level of 3 are expected to attempt a ‘first strike’?) Therefore, for the majority of fires within residential and business premises, the ‘mini’ fire engine will have to wait for a back up appliance from elsewhere, such as Slough, Langley or Maidenhead. Valuable extra minutes equate to the loss of life, injury and property damage.
The ‘LFE’, according to a recent Brigade communication, will be, ‘…based at…Slough Fire Station’. So, following the future sale of the lucrative St Marks Road site in Windsor (worth £millions and therefore an integral manoeuvre for this whole closure charade which began over 5 years ago), any ‘new’ Windsor Fire Station will be no more than a ‘council lock-up’ operated by Slough Firefighters.
Prior to the 1992 Windsor Castle blaze our local fire station lost a retained (part-time) appliance in 1987. Recently, the Royal Borough has also experienced the closure of Cookham Fire Station. Bold assertions were made concerning the prospect of the Royal Borough Council forming their own break-away Fire Authority? Now, by ‘mutual agreement’ between the Royal Borough Council and the Fire Authority, Windsor Fire Station has been downgraded 24/7 to the status of a ‘toy fire engine’.
We shall robustly continue this campaign to ensure that the unique operational risks presented within this vast station area are fully protected by the right resources, otherwise Her Majesty the Queen may experience yet another, ‘annus horribilis’?
Windsor Fire Station to be relocated
Windsor Fire Station to be relocated within Windsor Castle? According to the Chief Fire Officer, quoted in the Royal Borough Observer newspaper, this was one option presently being considered. Strong rumors had been circulating for some time regarding discussions between the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, to maintain a ’24 hour firefighting presence’ for the town.
The Brigades latest Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2011/12 states, ’The proposed changes at Windsor Fire Station have created a great deal of media and public attention. Officers from the Service are continuing discussions with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead officers to identify alternative options, which are acceptable to both parties.’
Windsor Fire Station is likely to become even busier as they will be covering more calls upon retained (part-time) station areas, such as Ascot. The Action Plan states,’ The Service is proposing to send whole time fire engines to lower risk calls (e.g. Automatic Fire Alarms, trees or bins on fire and incidents such as flooding) where retained appliances would normally attend.’
Finally, the Action Plan makes reference to ‘Heritage’ and acknowledges that there are 4,335 heritage sites within the County, specifically mentioning Windsor Castle and The Guildhall. It then goes on to detail Berkshires 2,667 listed properties – of which there are 456 in Windsor alone!
A New Era for Windsor Fire Station?
The following is the latest development concerning Windsor Fire Station which could attract significant publicity, as the measure is somewhat unique and innovative…
Under the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 the Royal Borough Conservatives have commenced an initiative to take control of Windsor Fire Station. Richard Coates a former Chief Fire Officer will act as advisor to a new committee.
For further details please follow this link.
Why the Town of Windsor must retain a 24hour fire and rescue emergency response.
For 150 years Windsor has maintained a form of 24hr emergency fire response and for only 41 of those years, including the 6 years of the national war time fire service, has the control financing and direction of the fire service in Windsor not been in the hands of locally elected and appointed councilors and officials of the borough. Read the full article by Richard Coates
The Campaign for our Future
Historically, on the 25th July 2007, the Fire Authority voted to accept the proposals of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Integrated Risk Management Plan. One aspect of such is to CLOSE down Windsor Fire Station at NIGHT, but many people firmly believe that this would be a preliminary to full closure since the site is worth £££ millions
The Brigade is proposing that Slough Firefighters will cover Windsor’s large station ground in addition to their own? This concept is seriously flawed since Slough Fire Station is the second busiest station within Berkshire - therefore it is entirely possible that they may NOT be available.
The contribution of the Windsor appliance has also been disregarded: For example, from April 2006 to April 2007, Windsor backed up Slough on 170 occasions and Langley 69 times. In the period 2007 to 2008, Windsor attended Slough 64 times. Windsor also backs up Maidenhead, Ascot and Bracknell on a regular basis. One Senior Fire Control Operator referred to the Windsor appliance as, ‘The glue which holds east Berkshire together’.
We believe the integrity of the emergency fire cover in east Berkshire will be seriously compromised as a result of this questionable plan. When the fire service is compromised, so are lives and property. It is particularly noteworthy that the Warwickshire Brigade was issued with a Health and Safety Executive Improvement Notice following the deaths of FOUR Firefighters during an incident.
Therefore the campaign by the Fire Brigades Union plus the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, to maintain Windsor Fire Station as a 24 / 7 emergency resource, will now intensify. The Windsor Branch of the Fire Brigades Union has, following discussions with the Executive, committed to a long-term strategy to preserve full fire cover within the area. We will be undertaking a detailed empirical study of risk factors both present and future (the Brigade has previously relied upon historical data to build its case) The conclusions will be reported and placed before a number of influential bodies.
We shall also be developing a media-orientated campaign, engaging with the many strong and prominent links which we have forged to date. We are acutely aware of the significance of ‘getting our message across’ and will be using all communication forums associated with marketing and media resourcing.
Oliver Duguid
Some of you may have recently observed an article in the local Express/ Advertiser newspapers concerning Oliver Duguid?
In 1986 Oliver- a toddler- was left in his mum’s car in Old Windsor, as she popped to the shop in the village. The vehicle caught well alight very rapidly. Oliver suffered horrendous burns and severe lung damage. The melting roof interior fell upon him too. Oliver endured 39 operations – mostly during his childhood.
Oliver, who is now 25, has recently visited the fire station to offer his full help, support and assistance to the campaign. He has an amazingly positive outlook and regards this as his ‘second bite of the cherry’ on life. The swift attendance of the Windsor crew was a factor which both Oliver and the Firefighters at Windsor believe saved his life. In the future, if Windsor closes at night, Slough is meant to be covering our area. But, they may be NOT be available since they are the second busiest station in the county and their travel times will exceed that of Windsor.
In simple stark terms, Oliver may well have died awaiting an appliance from Slough, because minutes within a burning car and minutes awaiting treatment are precious.
Please Don’t Play With Fire!
(A personal experience from burns victim John R Crampton of Datchet)
I was 8 years old, which was back in 1973 when I first caught fire. It was more of an explosion really. All my clothes caught fire instantly and it wasn’t until my friend’s father threw a bucket of water over me that I became extinguished – nearly of life as well as of the flames.
How? My friend Adam and I had found a piece of rusty railway track in the woods surrounding Waterloo in Belgium where I lived. It was my idea that it would be best to burn off the rust with fire – so we drowned the track in petrol in his garage and through a match on to it. I experienced a type of vertigo, sickness, pain and panic within seconds.
The big mistake was when the doctor decided to remove the ‘loose’ skin with something that looked like tongs and then wrapped the right leg injury in bandage.
Six months of treatment followed at a new specialist burns unit in Brussels using new techniques. Each time I went into theatre the surgeons had to anaesthetize me fully to use gauze, brown paste and other medicines to save me. Bubbles of lymph nodes the size of golf balls developed up both sides of my legs.
Today the scars still exist. I don’t think I need to explain my support for any Fire Station. Today I’m a writer and photographer for Listed Heritage magazine and The Royal Society of St George – both who have covered the Windsor Castle Great Fire article. Even the Journal for the British Fire Services Association has published a copy.
Please share in confidence your experiences with me John R Crampton at global888@btinternet.com www.heritageworldmedia.com
The Bolton Road Blaze - March 7th 2009
A house fire in Bolton Road, Windsor on Saturday March 7th afternoon dramatically demonstrated the need for Windsor Fire Station to maintain 24 hour coverage in the town. At its peak 7 fire appliances, a hydraulic platform and mobile control room were deployed to this quiet residential street to bring the inferno under control. As the first appliance from Windsor arrived on scene the semi-detached Victorian dwelling was already enveloped by thick acrid smoke bellowing from the doors, windows and roof space. A two man team wearing breathing apparatus were dispatched into the building, as the crew assessed the situation and called for additional resources. The second appliance on scene arrived some minutes later from Slough and was subsequently joined by crews from neighbouring towns which of course took further valuable time to arrive.
Despite the fact that the incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon with many people out and about to observe, the fire had already spread throughout the dwelling before the first crew arrived. At night and with even a short delay in the arrival of Fire & Rescue teams, the situation might have been even more serious and the consequences for a family asleep in their beds could have been devastating.
Mercifully in this instance it would appear the occupants of the property and neighbours were evacuated without serious injury but with nighttime cover shortly to cease in the town it will only be a matter of time before such an event occurs in the dead of night. In such a scenario critical minutes will be wasted as crews travel from Slough, Maidenhead or Bracknell to Windsor and during this time lives will be put at risk and property will be destroyed.
Full credit to the crews from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue who executed their duties professionally and courageously, but observing the teams as they exited the house, their clothing, helmets and breathing apparatus covered with black soot, should serve as a reminder that rapid intervention in such circumstances saves lives.
More details on this incident and letters from local residents
High Court fight commences to keep Windsor Fire Station open 24/7
On Wednesday the 25th July 2007, the Fire Authority voted to accept the proposals of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Integrated Risk Management Plan. One aspect of such is to CLOSE down Windsor Fire Station at NIGHT.
This was due to come into effect in late 2008 / early 2009 but the organizational timescale's are now under review as a result of pending legal action.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council have commenced a judicial review of the public consultation carried out by the Brigade. This extraordinary action may see the Brigade plans deemed unlawful and a new, more open and thorough consultation ordered. This action will be heard in the High Court this year. A fair public consultation would then accurately reflect the immense public support for Windsor Fire Station leaving the stations future secure.
Meanwhile, the Brigade is proposing that Slough Firefighters should cover Windsor’s large station ground in addition to their own? This concept is seriously flawed since Slough Fire Station is the second busiest station within Berkshire - therefore it is entirely possible that they may be unavailable.
The contribution of the Windsor appliance has also been disregarded: For example, from April 2006 to April 2007, Windsor backed up Slough on 170 occasions and Langley 69 times. Windsor also backs up Maidenhead, Ascot and Bracknell on a regular basis.
We believe the integrity of the emergency fire cover in east Berkshire will be seriously compromised as a result of this questionable decision. When the fire service is compromised, so are lives and property.
Therefore the campaign by the Fire Brigades Union and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, to maintain Windsor Fire Station as a 24 / 7 emergency resource, will intensify within the forthcoming months.
The Brigade has finally reinstated our campaign website which has been banned for over 4 months.
They’ve really dragged their heels in reinstating access – this took over 6 weeks! (As opposed to seconds to disable access to the website which was done without warning, consultation or indeed a legitimate reason)
Quote from the Fire Brigades Union Representative…
‘At last this draconian ban has been lifted and Firefighters throughout Berkshire can once again access a legitimate trade union resource.’
Falling Short of the Runway?
Not only has the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services Integrated Risk Management Plan failed to take into account the existing risks concerning Windsor and the surrounding areas, but those concerning the expansion of Heathrow Airport have not even been considered (As verified by the Assistant Chief, Mr Tidbury)
The Windsor appliance attended the 1972 Trident aircraft crash at Staines which saw the loss of 118 lives. In more recent times, the British Airways Boeing 777 which landed short of the runway at Heathrow, could easily have been approaching the airport from the Berkshire direction?
Big news from the council!!! They’ve commenced a judicial review in the High Court against the Brigade concerning the public consultation.
The Facebook Group is also generating considerable strength and prominence!
Legoland Shows their Support
A relieved theme park manager has backed the campaign
to retain Windsor Fire Station's 24-hour cover after a toxic chemical
fire.
Windsor firefighters were first to arrive at Legoland on Monday when
a chemical storage tank went up in flames.
Children were evacuated from the Winkfield Road park's Traffic and Adventure
Land after a member of staff raised the alarm at 4.20pm.
Within minutes, an engine from St Marks Road had arrives, followed
by crews from Slough, Langley, Ascot and Bracknell.
The storage tank contained chlorine to treat the water in park rides.
No one was harmed, but the park was closed to the public at 4.50pm and
the firefighters remained at the scene until 11pm.
Vicky Brown, Legoland's general manager, praised her staff and the
firefighters for their quick response and called for the Royal Berkshire
Fire Authority to rethink its decision to remove Windsor's night-time
cover.
She said: "An incident of this nature underlines the need for round-the-clock
emergency cover, and we fully support the campaign to keep our local
fire station in Windsor open as a 24/7 resource."
LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and
knob configurations, the Minifigure and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the
LEGO Group. © 2007 The LEGO Group.
Fire Authority Meeting: Wednesday 13th February 2008
The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is the body which voted in July 2007 to downgrade Windsor Fire Station. The structure of that Fire Authority was still in its infancy as a result of the Local Government elections. The decision has public and Firefighter safety ramifications throughout East Berkshire, which the members may not have been fully appraised of? The Fire Brigades Union believes that the time has come for the Fire Authority to rescind their original decision. If the Fire Authority refuses to keep Windsor Fire Station 24/7 then they will subsequently have the integrity of that decision tested when the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council take the matter for judicial review before the High Court. Full contact details for ALL the Fire Authority Members are supplied on this website (Including details of those who voted to close Windsor!) so please let them know of your concerns.
The decisions taken by these public officials will directly the safety of you, your family, friends and colleagues.