Newton Abbot Fire Station

Congratulations Sam.
Today Crew Manager Samuel Malpass from our station started a new role, additional to his on call duties at Newton Abbot.
Sam has gained a full time role in DSFRS, as a whole time crew manager in the Community Safety Team based at SHQ.
... This is a huge achievement after a promotion process with many other candidates.
This means that Sam will carry out his new day job enhancing safety where people live, then protecting our community, operationally when he is back in Newton Abbot.
Brilliant effort Sam, well deserved. Once again congratulations from all of us.
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Once again today our pumps had the honour of leading Newton Abbot Carnival procession through the town.
The crews have joined in the fun throughout the day, earlier competing in the wheel barrow race.
This is always an enjoyable event for us and great to be recognised and supported by our local community.
... This is the first carnival for some of new team members, hope they had a great evening.
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Welcome to our new recruit Firefighter Richard Norton.
Richard is our latest new member of the team having completed his on line tests, practical assessment, interview and medical.
In a couple of weeks he will attend his initial 12 day training course, where he will learn the basic skills required to attend operational incidents.
... After this he will learn to wear breathing apparatus, use hydraulic rescue equipment and water rescue kit.
Lots to learn in his development over the next few months.
Welcome to the team Richard!
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Our crews were among the 12 fire engines at this incident this afternoon in Torquay.

This weeks training at Newton Abbot Fire Station, the crews got hands on and practiced operating CAFs (Compressed Air
One appliance has a CAFs system built in which why it’s important for all crew members to be up to date with training.
CAFs is another method we can use for firefighting. A layer of foam can be put over a fire to help smother the flames and help prevent further spread.
... As some of you may have seen, the station underwent some minor construction work recently. This work was the installation of specialist drainage systems to allow such training take place.
As you can see in the pictures, the crews always have a bit of fun when practicing with CAFs.
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Take part in the consultation The Safer Together programme is about how we as a Fire Service plan to change to meet your needs. The consultation period runs form the 2 July through to 22 September and we are keen to hear your feedback, and opinions on our proposed options to change. We are happy to respond to your feedback but our Facebook page is not monitored 24/7. Please visit our website (link below) or send any questions/messages to our dedicated email address: safertogetherprogramme@dsfire.gov.uk https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/…/…/TakePar tInTheConsultation.cfm…

Last Sunday (30 June 2019) our crews initially responded to an incident at the town quay, before being directed straight to a car fire in a garage at Haldon Hill.
Upon arrival crews found a car parked right next to the shop. The car was on fire, with flames confined to the bonnet/engine area. Before we arrived members of the public tried to suppress the fire with extinguishers.
FF’s Laura Hutchings and Mellissa Chegwin both donned our new Interspiro BA sets to tackle the fi...re.
I think this is the first time the new sets have been worn operationally since we took delivery the week before, and also an all female BA team, another first at the station.
Back up by our colleagues from Danes Castle Fire Station the fire was extinguished used a fog spike, and then once the bonnet had been opened using hydraulic rescue gear, a hose reel was used.
The crew remained on scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished due to it being on a garage forecourt.
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Congratulations Sam.
Today Sam Rhodes became a qualified fire engine driver!
Sam successfully passed his EFAD course. This stands for Emergency Fire Appliance Driver.
... Sam can now drive under ‘blue light’ conditions, holding the huge responsibility of getting the crew and equipment as quickly but above all safely to an emergency!
Well done Sam!
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You may have heard of our Safer Together programme which is looking at ways to change the way we operate our fire stations. Some have too many resources and others need more. We need to ensure we have the right number of firefighters and fire engines in the right places based on the different risks in each of our communities. On the 1 July - 20 September we will launch our Safer Together public consultation to give you the chance to have your say on the future of your service.... Feedback.
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to answer your questions on our Facebook page as it is not monitored 24/7. Please visit our website for our Safer Together FAQs which should tell you all you need to know or send any questions/messages to our dedicated email address: safertogetherprogramme@dsfire.gov.uk https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/…/Service…/ /SaferTogetherFAQS.cfm…
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This morning our new Breathing Apparatus set went ‘on the run’
These new sets have loads of features which will provide benefits to the wearers. Integrated blue tooth communications on each set allow us to talk to each other in a fire clearly with having to press a button on a radio.
New technology helping to improve our safety at incidents.

Dedication to the end and beyond!
As you know from last evenings post Crew Manager Rob Barr retired at midnight.
Well, in true dedication to his on call role of 38 years, his pager went off less than an hour before retirement, at 23:12!
... Rob and the crew from Newton Abbot were requested to help the 12 fire engines tackling a large industrial unit fire in Crediton.
Rob booked out as Officer In Charge of our engine and headed off on his last incident.
The time spent on scene went into the early hours, past official retirement time, so he asked the Area Manager if it would quality for double time.
Mmmm, don’t think so some how!
The photos were taken at 00:47!
Returning in the early hours of Saturday morning, he finally removed the battery from his pager.
Once again, from of all us, happy retirement Rob!
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Rob Barr’s last day!
After 38 years on call at Newton Abbot Fire Station Rob Barr is retiring today!
18th May 1981 - 14th June 2019.
... This puts Rob as the longest serving member of all time at Newton Abbot Fire Station.
Rob finishes his career as a Crew Manager, having been promoted a few years ago from his firefighter role.
This amazing achievement and dedication to our local community has seen Rob attend 10’s of thousands of incidents. He is one of the few to have been on both of the major fires at Trago Mills.
Over recent years he has taken on the role of lead training officer on the Mass Decontamination Unit, teaching many firefighters how to use the equipment.
As you can see from the photos things have changed dramatically. Most of us can’t remember the yellow leggings and donkey jackets! Best not mention the moustache!
Pictured in some photos are a couple of our colleagues no longer with us, who Rob enjoyed working with.
Being ‘on call’ and responding immediately when paged for 38 years is incredible and not possible with out the support of Rob’s lovely wife Nikki and family. We have to thank them as well.
Working along side his brother, Mike and nephew, Chris for many years Rob has seen many firefighters join and leave. He has always been a true ‘hands on/practical’ firefighter with many of us learning from his experience’s.
20 year long service medal, both Queen Elizabeth jubilee medals and honoured by Newton Abbot Town Council are just some of his achievements, and even making the front cover of a book.
All of us at the station wish him good luck in his new found time off exploring in his new motor home.
Best Wishes for the future Rob.
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Two years ago today, 72 people sadly lost their lives at the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. We should all take a moment to remember all those affected. 💚

Brief clip of our fire engine arriving at the bus on fire in Chudleigh on Monday evening (10 June 2019).

At 06:53 this morning (04 June 2019), our fire control was receiving many 999 calls reporting fire at the Sheddon Hall Hotel, near the seafront in Torquay.
The derelict hotel was found to be well alight with a fully established fire upon arrival of the first crews.
A total of 10 fire engines and many support vehicles attended the incident. This included both pumps from Newton Abbot.
... Crews worked hard and by lunchtime had the fire under control enabling the incident to be scaled down to 3 pumps and an aerial platform.
This afternoon and into the evening the hotspots continue to be monitored.
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