Salamander Archives

147 / 189

7
FIREFIGHTERS
NEWS
From Tyne and Wear
Meet the Chief
From Devon and
Somerset
Improving Public
Safety by Working
in Partnership
Last year was the first time no one in Tyne and
Wear died in an accidental house fire. This was
a significant achievement and Tyne and Wear
Fire and Rescue Service is believed to be the
only metropolitan area ever to have achieved
this.
Salamander caught up with Tom Capeling,
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief
Fire Officer and asked him how they achieved
this. Tom said: “There is no doubt this has
been due to our effective Home Safety Check
Strategy and the phenomenal dedication of our
staff across the Service, our very clear
targeting strategy that supports the
‘protection’ ethos we are passionate about
within this Service. It is also down to our
continuous education campaign which has led
to an increase in smoke alarm ownership, our
proactive partnership working, the
commitment of people in Tyne and Wear, and
a degree of good fortune.”
Tom has worked for the Service for 25 years
after seven years in the Royal Navy working as
a marine engineering mechanic. Starting as a
Firefighter Tom worked his way up to Tyne
and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s top post.
In 2007 he became an Area Manager;
responsible for the Service's estates,
procurement and stores, fleet maintenance,
contingencies and special projects and the
Control Room services. He was then
promoted to Assistant Chief Fire Officer for
Community Safety and spent three years
leading community safety and the Service's
frontline emergency response service. He was
appointed Chief Fire Officer in February 2012.
Tom’s focus has been on reducing the risk to
the community by improving performance,
reinforcing the importance of intelligence led
decision making, changing how the Service
responds to fires and working with partners to
make Tyne and Wear a safer place to live.
Tom is facing his biggest challenge yet with
significant reduction in funding. He said:
“Protecting the most vulnerable in society is
our number one aim. The challenging financial
situation will make this aim even more difficult
to achieve. We need to provide our services in
a different way to ensure we continue to
reduce the risk to our community. However,
given the dedication and professionalism of the
staff who work at Tyne and Wear, and our
partners, I know that they will rise to this
challenge and that the Service will continue to
be one of the best in the country.”
Chief Fire Officer,
Lee Howell had the
pleasure of presenting certificates of
appreciation to two partnerships that have
been established with Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service. The certificates were
awarded to Bourne Leisure Group and
Yarlington Housing Group celebrating the
positive outcomes that have been achieved.
Bourne Leisure Group were commended for
their on-going commitment to improve Fire
Safety for their employees and their guests.
Yarlington were commended for installing four
Domestic Sprinkler Systems in some of the
properties of their most vulnerable residents.
Lee Howell said: “I’m absolutely delighted with
the partnership we have with Bourne Leisure
and Yarlington, it is certainly going to allow us
to improve public safety for those most at risk.
It also shows a commitment between industry
and the fire and rescue service, working in
partnership to deliver improved outcomes for
the public. The commitment is inspiring and
we look forward to a long and fruitful
relationship with both organisations. “
The future
The Master Sends Condolences
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
look forward to building upon both
relationships in the future to everyone’s
mutual advantage as well as the wider
community.
Chairman of the Fire Authority, Mark
Healey said: “I’m really impressed to see
people coming together to improve Fire
Safety. Well done to Yarlington Homes for
taking the initiative and starting to put
sprinklers into their properties. It’s smart
partnership working as they picked
homes in vulnerable people living in rural
locations.”
“Well done to Bourne Leisure as well,
they are very pro-active in fire safety
nationwide. I was very interested to hear
about their take on Carbon Monoxide so
we look forward to doing some
collaborative work in the near future. So a
really exceptional day for the Fire Service
and fire safety in general.”
Our Master has sent condolences to the
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue
Service following the tragic death of fire
brigade member Stephen Hunt on 13th
July. Stephen was involved in dealing with
the fire that started in a hairdressing
facility in the city. The family of the 38-
year-old father of two described Stephen
as “an old-fashioned gentleman” who
“lived to serve his country.” As well as
being a firefighter, Stephen Hunt also
served with the Royal Signals regiment for
seven years. A book of condolences and
support fund for Stephen can be accessed
from the GMFRS site at