Salamander (December 2017)
The Salamander is the official publication of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters, keeping our Members and Supporters up to date with what is happening within the Company. It is also a focal point for the Worshipful Company of Firefighters Charitable Trust highlighting the good works that they undertake.
In this issue Our Master (John Mansfield) gives his editorial on his background and his duties so far as Master. We have our Common Hall and our newly appointed Wardens Andrew Mayes (Upper Warden), Frances Blois (Renter Warden) and Graham Maltby (Under Warden) who give us a brief bio of themselves.
Frances Blois is the current Chair of the Charitable Trust and gives us a breakdown of how your donations are supporting good causes from the Grenfell Tower counselling of firefighters to Children's Burn Camp and overseas training.
A visit was made to the Channel Tunnel back in June with a very informative presentation on the organisation of fire and rescue services in the tunnel, the processes for liaison with our French colleagues and a description of major incidents that have occurred in the tunnel.
The Fire Industry Charity Ball was held at The Oxfordshire Golf Club and Spa on the evening of Friday 29th September 2017. The event was held in partnership with the Fire Protection Association (FPA) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and Hosted by Ian Moore (CEO FIA).
This year’s St Florian’s Installation Banquet was held on the 20th October and, with the kind permission of the Prime Warden and Court of the Saddlers’ Company, the dinner was held in the Great Hall of the magnificent Saddlers’ Hall.
In November, the Worshipful Company of Firefighters held its annual black-tie fundraising dinner, in support of fire related youth training, education and support schemes. The focus of the dinner was on the Fire Cadet activity and the Burns Camp, which supports young burns survivors.
The Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2017 supported the LSO Discovery Programme to encourage young organists, Music in Hospitals and St Paul’s Cathedral Music Outreach. Fund raising was achieved by inviting people to participate in a variety of activities. One was a 629ft abseil of the Leadenhall (Cheesegrater) Building in the City. Read our Past Master Alan Wells experience of this descent.
Public Relations & Marketing Committee Retirement, A look at Past Master Viv Jones achievements whist being the Chairman of the PRM for the past six years.
The Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) has officially changed its name to the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC). Another change is the use of electronic media - 2433 Squadron now have a busy Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Three of the London Brigade’s Fire Cadets have recently returned from their once-in- a-life-time opportunity trip to Nepal, which they completed with cadets from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. The key purpose of the trip was to help finish the build of a six classroom school in Kangel, that was being built by the international charity called Classroom in the Clouds.
Our regular feature of Brigade News covers Recruitment to awards and the people behind the scenes.Another regular feature is the Meet the Chief and in this issue Dawn Whittaker CFO East Sussex FRS gives an overview of her workload and experiences.
Lastly our Clerk Steven Tamcken wraps up this issue with news and events that are effecting our Company.