Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Today, saw the official launch of ‘Rescue 365’, a community interest company that specialises in providing Health and Safety Training and Advice. Based in Carmarthen in West Wales, Rescue 365 provides training and consultancy in many areas including health and safety, first aid, fire safety, working at height and water rescue, as well as bespoke solutions depending on the client’s needs.  Rescue 365 is a Community Interest Company run by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. As a community interest company, profits are reinvested back into Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) community safety initiatives, or the wider community. In just its first few months, Rescue 365 has seen rapid growth with clients ranging from global companies such as TATA Steel and RWE in the private sector, as well as local authorities and education providers right across Wales and England. At Rescue 365’s official launch at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, MAWWFRS Chief Fire ...

Car destroyed in Morfa street blaze | Llanelli Star : A car was destroyed in Llanelli as fire ripped through it. Firefighters were called at 4.45pm on Friday to Pen-Y-Fon Street in Morfa, Llanelli where the car was ablaze with smoke pouring from the bonnet.

Car smashes into garage in Burry Port | Llanelli Star : A car smashed into a garage on a Burry Port street. A Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the incident was reported at 4.33pm on Friday.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to provide support to areas of the UK affected by flooding. On Friday, the Service deployed a Swift Water Rescue Team from Hay on Wye Fire Station and specialist pumping equipment to assist with the current flooding situation in the Thames Valley. Over the weekend, relief crews and additional equipment from Ammanford Fire Station were sent to Whitleywood Fire Station in Berkshire. For more on this story, click on the headline link to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters had to use three hose reel jets in order to extinguish a car "well ablaze" on the M4 near Hendy. Numerous calls were made to the fire service after a car was seen in flames, but two fire crews attended the scene. More on this story and pictures in the headline link to the Llanelli Star.

Three people and a dog have been rescued from a Llanelli flat fire in the early hours of this morning. At 3.54am today, two fire crews from Llanelli attended a fire at a flat in Cowell Street, Llanelli. See link in headline for more.

Fire crews evacuate Llanelli hotel | This is South Wales A total of 25 people were evacuated from Llanelli's Diplomat Hotel yesterday afternoon when a fire broke out in the laundry room. Smoke filled part of the hotel as two fire crews from Llanelli raced to the scene of the blaze, which was reported at 3pm.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council, Councillor Sian Thomas, is pictured with crew members at Pontyates Fire Station, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Ammanford Fire Station is hosting an open day next weekend with fun and entertainment for all the family. The event is taking place on October 6 from 10am-3pm, and it is being organised by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. There is no entry fee and all monies raised will be donated to the Firefighters Charity, which is the UK’s provider of services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for serving and retired firefighters and their families. There will be a variety of games, activities, refreshments and demonstrations throughout the day, including a chip pan fire and community safety and road traffic collision displays. There will also be stalls selling merchandise such as Blaze Bear toys and Children’s Fire Helmets. Local firefighters and community safety staff will be on hand to chat to visitors about the fire and rescue and work in helping to keep communities safe from fire. Craig Flannery, Community Station Manager said: “This is a great opportunity to meet Ammanford...

Some of the latest incidents handled by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - 20 June 2012 10:59 Nant Fach, Llangranog, New Quay: Appliances from Newcastle Emlyn and New Quay attended a road traffic collision involving a pick up truck and a JCB fast track vehicle at Nant Fach, Llangranog. Fire Service released one male casualty using cutting equipment. The casualty was taken to hospital by ambulance. 19 June 2012 12:51 Cwrt y Gollen Barracks, Crickhowell: An appliance from Crickhowell attended a gas leak at the Cwrt y Gollen Barracks in the town, caused by workmen collecting hay. The leak was isolated and properties nearby were advised to remain indoors, keeping windows and doors closed. The A40 was closed as a precaution. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service provided an appliance from Brynmawr as support. 18 June 2012 13:37 Outside Dawnus at the rear of Amazon, Ffordd Amazon, Swansea: Appliances from Swansea Central and Neath attended a road traffic collision involving an ov...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are holding and attending a range of different practical and educational events during Child Safety Week (until 24 June 2012) to help parents, carers and young people learn more about keeping children safe from fire and reducing the risk of serious accidents. Throughout the week Young Firefighters in Swansea, Lampeter, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire will be talking to their peers at local schools and youth groups about home fire safety. As part of the service´s ongoing Phoenix Project, courses are running throughout the week in Machynlleth and Haverfordwest for young people aged 11 to 25 years old to help build confidence and promote independent thinking through fire service activities.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service As experts predict more heavy rain and strong winds will sweep across Wales, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are urging people in affected areas to be vigilant to the danger of flooding. Last weekend, around 150 firefighters battled extreme conditions to help residents throughout Ceredigion and Powys affected by the floods. Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government, has praised Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and the emergency and responder services, for their brave and swift coordinated response to the floods.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Senior Managers at Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service have referred the ongoing disagreement with the Fire Brigades Union over crewing changes at Llanelli Fire Station to the National Joint Council Technical Advisory Panel. In October 2011, elected members on the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority agreed to change the current crewing arrangements at Llanelli Fire Station in order to improve services to the communities of Llanelli. However, despite ongoing consultation with firefighters at Llanelli Fire Station, the service has failed to reach an agreement with the Fire Brigades Union in relation to how these changes should be implemented. In an attempt to move forward the Service has referred the matter to a panel of independent experts at the National Joint Council for Fire Services.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were honoured to receive the Queen´s Diamond Jubilee Medal at a ceremony held at Fire Service Headquarters on 8 June. The medals were awarded as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. They are awarded to emergency services personnel who have been in paid service, and who had completed five full calendar years of service on 6 February 2012. More than 900 officers at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been awarded the medal, and the special ceremony was held to give representatives from across the Service an opportunity to receive their medal in a formal setting.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Representatives from the emergency services and other agencies visited Caldey Island to provide information and advice to islanders about keeping safe in the event of a fire, crime or medical emergency. Officers from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed Powys Police, Welsh Ambulance Service and Environment Agency Wales met with resident monks, local community representatives and tourists on the island. The purpose of the visit was to increase the islanders awareness across a whole range of issues including fire safety, environmental awareness and offering advice on emergency action to take in the event of crime, fire or a medical emergency.

Latest incidents reported by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - 29 May 2012 13:42 A487, Talybont to Taliesin: Crews from Tregaron and Machynlleth attended a road traffic collision involving a large goods vehicle and a private motor vehicle. One trapped male casualty was released by Fire Service using cutting equipment and taken to hospital via ambulance. 13:09 Swansea Airport, Fairwood: Crews from Swansea Central and Gorseinon attended a fire involving a two-seater aircraft on the runway. Fire was extinguished by airport fire crew prior to Fire Service´s arrival. Crews dampened down wreckage using hose reel jet and foam. Pilot was unharmed but treated by air ambulance paramedics on scene.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters from Morriston, Gorseinon, Pontarddulias and Pontardawe recently carried out an exercise at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, involving a simulated fire in the operating theatre suite, designed to test the hospital's internal emergency procedures, as well as providing a realistic scenario for firefighters to deal with. Firefighters were deployed to the affected area wearing breathing apparatus and laying out equipment to carry out simulated firefighting and search and rescue activities, whilst hospital staff were treating patients and implementing their own emergency procedures for such incidents. The exercise was carried out with absolute minimal interruption to the routine operation of the theatres, and as such did not affect the care and treatment of patients which was continually monitored and maintained by hospital staff.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Older people across Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to request a free Home Fire Safety Check from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to help make their property safer from fire. A Home Fire Safety Check is usually carried out by two Fire Service representatives who will provide advice on making your home safe from fire, help with planning escape routes and install new smoke alarms, with 10-year batteries, where needed.

Latest news from Lampeter and Carmarthen fire stations - 28 May 2012: 16:47 A485 Gwyddgrug, Pencader: Crews from Lampeter and Carmarthen attended a road traffic collision involving two private motor vehicles. Fire Service released one person from vehicle using Webber rescue equipment and small gear. An environmental pack was used to absorb spillage and both vehicles were made safe by crews.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are working with Ceredigion County Council´s Road Safety section to offer advice to families on how to improve child safety in the car. Parents and guardians are invited to get their child´s car seat checked free of charge after previous checks in Ceredigion showed that 8 out of 10 car seats were fitted incorrectly. Expert advisors will be available to check seats at the following locations during Child Safety Week (18th to 24th June): 18th June, 10am to 3pm at Tesco in Cardigan. 19th June, 10am to 3pm at Co-op in Lampeter. 20th June, 10am to 3pm at Morrisons in Aberystwyth.