Wigan Red Watch Crew Manager, Martin Pike has been recognised for his actions at a rescue from height incident on November 13, 2017 at Pagefield Mill, Wigan where he brought a woman to safety.

On arrival, Martin observed a young female stood at the top of a four storey mill threatening to take her own life.

Martin proceeded to enter the mill and made his way to the roof via the stairs where the young female was. After 20 minutes, he managed to convince the 15-year-old to step away from the edge of the building and accompany him out of the mill where other agencies could provide support.

The afternoon saw the Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, Bolton Borough Manager Lee Coleman, Wigan Station Manager Wayne Van Hecke and the two crews from Red Watch at Wigan come together to celebrate Martin’s gratitude.

Dawn opened the colleague recognition event by saying: “What makes GMFRS the best service in the UK is the people, and how they go above and beyond.

“Each and every firefighter in the service go the extra mile and therefore it is so...

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GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) newest fire recruits have today (Thursday, February 1) taken part in a series of wellbeing and resilience sessions, to coincide with national #TimeToTalk Day.

As part of their induction into the role of a Firefighter, the recruits’ training, coinciding with the national campaign, has given them a better awareness and understanding of mental health and the support available.

The service is committed to offering this support, which forms part of the new and innovative Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship Standard that is now being delivered by GMFRS as part of a pioneering nationwide piece of work.

On Monday January 29 the Service launched its very first firefighter apprenticeship programme with its newest cohort of recruits.

Almost 30 recruits are undertaking a two-year programme that will enable them to gain the technical skills, knowledge and behaviours of an operational firefighter. They will be equipped with the necessary knowhow for their future...

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GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has been working in partnership with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (PCFT) since 2013 to reduce the risk of fire for people living with mental health needs and to improve fire safety awareness and practice within PCFT.

To celebrate the partnership and it’s achievements to date; and to promote this as good practice, an event was held on Monday, January 22 called ‘It’s Time to Care About Fire’, attended but more than 80 people from health, social care and fire and rescue services across the UK.

Leaders from PCFT and GMFRS signed a refreshed partnership agreement in which both parties agreed to continue to work together towards a common goal of improving fire safety and health and wellbeing.

Geoff Harris, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Prevention and Protection at GMFRS, opened the event and outlined the background to the partnership and the relationship between fire and mental health.

Geoff said: “It’s clear GMFRS and PCFT have identified...

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AN investigation by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has found that a blaze on the site of The Christie hospital last year was caused by welding works taking place on the roof.

Dozens of fire engines from across Greater Manchester tackled a large fire at the hospital’s Paterson building on Wilmslow Road on April 26, 2017. The building is leased to the University of Manchester and is the headquarters of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute where globally renowned research takes place.

Following a lengthy and complex fire investigation process, GMFRS has now concluded that the fire was caused by hot embers and used rods from welding works that fell through a gap in the roof onto combustible materials in a plant room below.

GMFRS’ Assistant County Fire Officer and Director of Prevention and Protection Geoff Harris said: “Following an extensive forensic investigation, interviews, and reconstructions carried out between all the parties involved in this incident, GMFRS has...

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GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are currently recruiting for future Prince’s Trust Courses.

The free programme gives young people the opportunity to gain qualifications, meet new people and be part of an amazing experience during the 12-week course. You’ll be part of a team of young people who will gain careers advice, work placements, and take part in a series of community based projects which often include a trip to another part of the country for a few days.

You will also have the opportunity to work towards recognised qualifications, as well as developing your skills, such as:

-          Prince's Trust Certificate in employment, teamwork and community skills

-          Health and safety training

-          Manual handling training

-          Basic food hygiene

-          First aid at work

-          Adult literacy and numeracy

-          Personal, employability, achievement and reflection for learning

Many young people who have taken part in...

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GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Manchester City Council are working with the building owners of the Lighthouse Apartments to provide reassurance to residents following an apartment fire in the heart of the city’s Northern Quarter. 

More than 50 firefighters responded to the incident which broke out at 4pm on Saturday, December 30 at a high rise building in Joiner Street, Manchester. Crews responded quickly to the incident and tackled the blaze which started in the open plan kitchen area of a ninth floor residential apartment. Crews worked in challenging conditions to extinguish the fire which had spread to the wooden balconies on several floors.

The building’s fire alarm systems worked as they were designed to do with a smoke detector warning the occupant of a fire, who then evacuated. When the building-wide communal fire detection subsequently activated, it initiated a call to the fire service and triggered the safety features of the building installed for firefighting.

Since the...

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CHRISTMAS came early at Manchester Central Fire Station as the Burns Camp Christmas Party came to town.

Children who attend the Burns Camp are invited to the festive extravaganza every year and 2017 proved to be the biggest and best party yet.

The camps, which take place each summer, are an opportunity for children who have been injured in fires to make friends with children who have similar injuries.

Firefighters, staff from Manchester Children’s Burns Unit along with other volunteers, including doctors, nurses and clinical psychologists, work with the children to build their confidence through physical activities including rock climbing, caving, abseiling and canoeing.

Teamwork challenges and group activities also encourage the children to develop effective coping strategies for dealing with difficult situations such as teasing or bullying.”

The camp is still free of charge for the children and has been running for nearly 20 years.

For more information visit www.manchesterburnscamp.co.uk

Watch a video from this year's party here:

RESIDENTS across Salford are receiving reassurance from fire safety staff following the tragic house fire on Jackson Street.

Firefighters, community safety advisors and volunteers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, along with staff from Salford City Council, City West Housing and Victim Support, are out in force Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The teams are giving fire safety advice and offering Safe and Well visits, fitting smoke alarms and helping people stay safe in their homes.

Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of those involved in this heart-breaking incident.

“The community pulled together in this unimaginably difficult time and we are making sure that they are supported and feel safe by visiting nearly 200 houses in the nearby area.

“If you have any further information that could help please contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 8797, or via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11.”

Any local residents who would like further...

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WIGAN Community Fire and Ambulance Station has officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at the brand new joint station in Robin Park Road. 

Yesterday (Monday, December 18, 2017) Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) were joined by local schoolchildren to celebrate the occasion along with special guests, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes. 

Firefighters from Wigan’s White Watch and paramedics who also work at the station were joined by Year 6 pupils from nearby St Mark’s CE Primary School and their teachers. 

The ceremony saw the Mayor of Greater Manchester cut a red and a green ribbon representing the two emergency services, with the ribbons being held by 10-year-old Hollie Dickinson and Callum King from St Mark’s. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “It’s a privilege to officially open Wigan Community Fire and Ambulance...

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GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) latest recruits set themselves a real challenge last weekend – by fundraising a huge amount of money for Fire Fighters Charity.

On Saturday, December 2, trainee firefighters completed a 5k walk wearing a full fire kit and breathing apparatus, raising an incredible £2,735 for the charity. 

The recruits spent the day walking to different parts of the City Centre, from Piccadilly Gardens to Deansgate, St Ann’s Square and then all the way back through Market Street until they reached their starting point of Manchester Training and Development Centre in Cassidy Close.

Lewis Jeffery, The Fire Fighter’s Charity Service Co-ordinator, said: “On behalf of the charity I would like to thank the trainee firefighters for taking on this fundraising challenge.

“The money raised will go towards the continued great work of the charity, ensuring that the centres and the services continue to provide valuable support and recuperation to those current and retired members of staff that...

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