From the District

District  Manager Nick Smith

The people of Leeds can be assured that we are making the district a safer place to live and work.

We have set out plans to prioritise our services in the community over the coming year and we would encourage you to take a look at these plans in detail.

Leeds Risk Reduction Plan 2013-14 and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Action Plan for 2013-14

Our priorities are:

  • to deliver a proactive fire prevention and protection programme. In simple terms, we want to prevent fires occurring in the first place. To date, our actions have been extremely successful in this area and we have saved lives. We intend to work with partner agencies and target those most at risk to continue this programme
  • to deliver a professional and resilient emergency response service
  • to provide a safe, competent and diverse workforce
  • to provide effective and ethical governance and achieve value for money in managing resources.

 

What's happening in the Leeds District

 

Do you know:

  • You’re four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works.
  • Every five days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.

 

In light of several recent serious fires including fatalities West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to reiterate pertinent fire Safety Points:

  • Stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully. Put them out. Right out!
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Use a proper ashtray – never a wastepaper basket.
  • Make sure your ashtray can’t tip over and is made of a material that won’t burn.
  • Don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around. They can easily fall over and start a fire.
  • Take extra care if you smoke when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs, or if you’ve been drinking. You might fall asleep and set your bed or sofa on fire.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
  • Ensure you have working smoke alarms and test them regularly.
  • Be prepared by making a plan of escape in the event of a fire.
  • For a free home fire safety check and further advice please contact 0800 587 4536

 

Leeds Charity Ladder Climb

On the 4th May we will be holding a charity ladder climb, taking place at the Marks & Spencer store, Briggate, Leeds City centre. This will be a non-stop climb performed by over forty firefighters who are attempting to climb the height of The Empire State Building…..twenty times!

All support on the day will be hugely appreciated and proceeds will go to The Firefighters Charity. This charity provides rehabilitation to injured firefighters. Come down and enjoy this fun filled day.

 

Wide Area Flooding Exercise – Leeds City Centre.

There have recently been two large fire service exercises in Leeds City Centre. On the 7th & 19th of March we undertook a wide area flooding exercise. This was to test the fire services ability to rescue a large number of stranded people in high flood waters.

The exercise took place on the River Aire between Asda House and The Royal Armouries. There were six fire appliances and three support appliances available to fire service officers in their attempts to find a quick resolution to a highly challenging realistic scenario.

Specialist water rescue teams and equipment were utilised for searching a large area. These included a powered boat which has been provided in response to continued flooding around West Yorkshire and the UK. Crews were able to complete difficult recues in a short space of time, dealing with well-rehearsed British Red Cross volunteers in a successful way.

This was a great exercise that allowed us to deal with live casualties and test our procedures.

 

Working in partnership with The Rotary Club

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are working in partnership with The Rotary Club; fourteen volunteer members of the Calverley Branch of the Rotary Club have received training to carry out home fire safety checks (HFSC’s) in their own area.

Rotarians know their community inside out and their local knowledge is invaluable to us because they are well placed to know who would benefit the most from fire safety advice and interventions in their homes and where to locate these people.

Having visited members of their community, some were found to be at greater risk and were subsequently visited by dedicated Fire Service ‘High Risk Prevention Officers’ who provided further specialist intervention.

The service the Rotarians provide alongside the Fire Service could potentially save the lives of the more vulnerable members of their community and over 150 HFSC’s have been undertaken to date.

Working in partnership with Rotary Club volunteers to reduce risk within their own communities, means that WYFRS is able to target our own resources into those areas of higher risk.

 

New Young Fire Fighter's Scheme for West Leeds

A proposal for a Young Fire-fighters scheme at Stanningley is on-going. A site meeting had taken place with Darren Todd from the Property Department to identify what resources/funding would be required.

It is felt that the demographics of Stanningley and the surrounding areas makes it an ideal location for the setting up of a YFF’s facility. Local schools will be approached and it is felt that the number of students required to maintain the facility at Stanningley will not be a problem.

There are a number of different course available, including the 2 year BTEC Cert and the 1 year BTEC Award as well as other shorter courses.

Personnel from Stanningley will be trained up as instructors using the experience and knowledge of current instructors working out of Gipton

About this district

Leeds district covers an area of approximately 213 square miles with a population of 750,000, made up of 130 different nationalities.

Leeds is the most important financial, legal and business centre outside London.
There are a number of high risk sites, including two major hospitals, two large sports stadia and a number of large shopping outlets. The area’s main transport links are Leeds Bradford International Airport, Leeds Railway Station, the M1, M62 and M621 motorways and A1 trunk road.

Leeds is home to the successful East Leeds Young Firefighters scheme, based at Gipton Fire Station and the district includes a community safety department and arson task force.

Leeds District Stats

Population 750,000+

Size of Area 213 miles2

392 Personnel

17 Fire Appliances

213 Fires Put-out

589Incidents Attended

Stats from February 13

Fire stations in this district

External view of Cookridge fire station

Cookridge

Cookridge is in fire service terms a relatively new station although having been constructed in 1990 it is now 20 years since opening.  The station area covers the north western part of Leeds which...

External view of Garforth fire station

Garforth

Garforth Station, built in 1985, serves a population of 45,297 people and covers the eastern part of Leeds district which is approximately 34.70 square miles.  This includes the mainly residential ...

External view of Gipton fire station

Gipton

Gipton Fire Station, built in 1937, is situated on Gipton Approach, off the A64 on the east side of Leeds.  The station has two appliances and is staffed 24 hours a day.  The team is made up of a s...

External view of Hunslet fire station

Hunslet

Located on Dewsbury Road, Hunslet covers the residential areas of Beeston, Cross Flatts, Holbeck, Middleton, Belle Isle and the new high rise developments that border the River Aire.  There is a po...

External view of Leeds fire station

Leeds

Leeds Fire Station provides an excellent service to the local community and the people of West Yorkshire.  The station serves a population of 65,526 and the area incorporates 29,238 dwellings.  The...

External view of Moortown fire station

Moortown

Moortown Fire Station, built in 1956, is situated at the Harrogate Road end of Stonegate Road.  It houses two operational wholetime fire appliances.  The station is staffed by a station commander (...

External view of Morley fire station

Morley

Morley Fire Station is located on Corporation Street and was built in 1961.  The station protects a population of 57,677 people and covers the area of Morley and locations of Drighlington, Gilderso...

External view of Otley fire station

Otley

Otley Fire Station covers the town of Otley and also the wider area of Menston, Weston and Askwith.  The station area is approximately seven square miles.  The station is managed by a station comma...

External view of Rawdon fire station

Rawdon

Rawdon Fire Station was built in 1974 and serves an area of approximately sixteen square miles including the areas of Rawdon, Yeadon, Guiseley, Hawksworth, Menston and parts of Apperley Bridge.  Th...

External view of Rothwell fire station

Rothwell

Rothwell Fire Station, built in 1963, is located on Carlton Lane.  The station protects a population of 35,127 people and covers the area of Rothwell and locations of Thorpe, Robin Hood, John O'Gau...

External view of Stanks fire station

Stanks

Stanks station, built in 1973, serves a population of over 42,452 people, covering approximately 14.39 square miles which includes the mainly residential areas of Whinmoor, Swarcliffe, Whitkirk, Co...

External view of Stanningley fire station

Stanningley

Stanningley Fire Station is located at the junction of Stanningley Road and Swinnow Lane and covers the western part of Leeds, which includes the mainly residential areas of Pudsey, Bramley, Armley...

External view of Wetherby fire station

Wetherby

Wetherby Fire Station, built in 1957, is situated in the centre of the small market town and houses one operational fire appliance that is staffed on the day crew system.  The station commander (wh...

News

  • 07 Sep

    Authority launches county-wide consultation on fire cover plans

      12-week listening exercise Councillors today launched a 12-week public consultation exercise on radical plans to reform fire cover across West Yorkshire. Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling’s...

  • 20 Aug

    Neighbour thanked for brave rescue

    A man who rescued his neighbour from a house fire has been honoured by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. John Brimble of Brooklands Lane, Seacroft, Leeds, broke a window and climbed into...

  • 14 May

    Young Firefighters celebrate graduation

    Around 200 teenagers from schools around West Yorkshire passed their Young Firefighters course with flying colours. The young people carried out a number of fire drills in front of their family,...

  • 23 Apr

    Hero Trio

    Cookridge station commander, Nigel Atkins, has hailed three local heroes who helped avoid a potential tragedy in Headingley last August. Jill Taylor, who lives in Woodbridge Vale, Beckett Park,...

  • 02 Mar

    Firefighters clean up for charity

    Stations across Leeds district will be making a splash for charity cash in March. Stanningley, Otley, Rawdon and Cookridge will all hold car washes to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity on...

  • 29 Feb

    Care home exercise

    Firefighters will take part in a training exercise in Burley in Wharfedale on Thursday, 15 March 2012. The exercise, at the old Scalebor Park Hospital, Moor Lane, will test West Yorkshire Fire...

  • 10 Feb

    Chimney fires spark warning

    A spate of chimney fires in Ilkley and Otley has prompted firefighters to issue a warning to people to have their chimneys swept regularly. A combination of the cold weather and soaring price of...

  • 08 Feb

    Tragedy prompts heater warning

    West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to take extra care when using portable heaters following a tragic fire last night (7 February 2012). Firefighters were called to the flat...

  • 30 Jan

    New district commander for Leeds

    West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has appointed the new district commander for Leeds. Group Manager Nick Smith said he is committed to making the city a safe place to live and work. “It’s a...

  • 16 Dec

    Green light for fire cover plans

    Chief ‘disappointed’ but convinced change is unavoidable  Plans for far-reaching reform of the county’s fire and rescue service were given the green light by councillors today. West Yorkshire...

  • 15 Nov

    Stay safe on the roads

    Young drivers will hear shocking details of the devastation firefighters face when they turn up at the scene of a crash during Road Safety Week 2011 (21 to 27 November). The personal testimonies...

  • 02 Nov

    Leeds Rhinos back bonfire safety campaign

    Leeds Rhinos have backed West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's bonfire safety campaign. Ronnie the Rhino and player Rob Burrow met with firefighters from Leeds Red Watch and Blaze Bear at...

  • 31 Oct

    Have a happy and safe Bonfire Night in Leeds district

    West Yorkshire’s firefighters are urging people to enjoy their Bonfire Night at an organised event. Last year, fire crews dealt with 118 bonfire related incidents between 1 and 8 November – 34...

  • 18 Oct

    Preparing for a safe Bonfire Night in Leeds district

    Fire service staff will be blitzing Leeds in the run-up to Bonfire Night with a series of safety talks and action days in a bid to ensure the big day passes without incident. Hundreds of school...

  • 19 Sep

    Fire prompts smoke alarm warning

    Firefighters are urging people to check their smoke alarms regularly after they were called to a house fire and discovered the property’s only smoke alarm did not have batteries. A man was taken...

  • 26 Jul

    Trial enters third phase

    A third and final vehicle is about to go on trial in Leeds to tackle small fires in the city. Since April, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been trialling a Fire Response Unit (FRU) in...

  • 20 Jul

    Meet your local firefighters

    ** UPDATE - Garforth Fire Station's Open Day raised more than £2,000 for charity. The money will be split between The Fire Fighters Charity and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Thanks to all who attended!...

  • 19 Jul

    Holiday getaway prompts motorway safety warning

    West Yorkshire firefighters will be urging drivers to take care on the motorway when they head off on their holidays this summer. The Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) Road Safety Day on...

  • 18 Jul

    Update: car explosion, New Farnley

    It is hoped that West Yorkshire firefighters will be leaving the scene in Maple Grove, New Farnley, Leeds, this afternoon following yesterday’s car explosion. Firefighters have been at the...

  • 06 Jun

    New Safety Rangers to patrol Leeds

    MEDIA INVITE Moortown Fire Station (Stonegate road, Moortown, LS17 6EJ) will host a series of Safety Rangers courses between 27 June and 1 July. Reporters/photographers are invited to attend....

  • 18 May

    Young firefighters celebrate their graduation

    More than 200 teenagers from schools around West Yorkshire passed their Young Firefighters course with flying colours this month. The young people carried out a number of fire drills in front of...

  • 31 Mar

    Praise for on-call service

    Major changes made at on-call (retained) fire stations across West Yorkshire are proving a huge success. A year ago more than £1m. was set aside to boost the availability of fire engines crewed...

  • 25 Jan

    Rare cattle rescued from blaze

    Around 80 rare-breed cattle were rescued from a blaze in a barn at Temple Newsam, Leeds, last night (23.01.11) thanks to the quick-thinking of firefighters. Firefighters from Gipton, Stanks,...

  • 22 Nov

    Firefighters appeal for safer roads (Leeds)

    Leeds firefighters will be urging drivers to slow down, belt up and switch off during this year’s Road Safety Week (22 to 28 November).  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has joined...

  • 16 Nov

    Leeds White Watch confident of a memorable Movember

    Members of Leeds White Watch have their sights fixed on having a marvellous Movember. So far, the watch’s funloving approach to fundraising has raised £1,300 for the UK’s leading prostate...

  • 21 Oct

    Safety project reaches climax

    A campaign to improve safety for older people in west Leeds reaches its high point next week. A special interactive summer safety event will be held at Safety Central in Bramley on Wednesday, 25...

  • 21 Oct

    Brigade supports Leeds pride

    West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting Leeds Pride Day 2010. The event, on Sunday 1 August, will make history by being broadcast to 84 countries around the world on internet radio....

  • 14 Oct

    Awards for Leeds young firefighter

    Seventeen-year-old student Lee Knight of the David Young Academy has been named East Leeds Young Firefighter of the Year. Lee is the first recipient of the award for East Leeds Young Firefighter...

Events

  • 28 Jul

    Garforth Fire Station Open Day

    Garforth fire station open day will take place between 10am and 3pm. Attractions will include tombola stalls, raffle, Freddie the fire engine, bouncy castle, road traffic collision demonstrations from crews and refreshments will be available.

Statistics

From To Personnel Appliances Incidents Fires
01/02/2013 28/02/2013 392 17 589 213
01/11/2012 30/11/2012 390 18 732 271
01/10/2012 31/10/2012 392 18 713 235
01/09/2012 30/09/2012 395 18 710 218
01/08/2012 31/08/2012 392 18 713 204
01/06/2012 30/06/2012 399 18 697 209
01/05/2012 31/05/2012 405 18 722 243
01/04/2012 30/04/2012 405 18 662 251
01/03/2012 31/03/2012 407 18 771 322
01/02/2012 29/02/2012 409 18 686 240
01/01/2012 31/01/2012 409 18 626 184
01/12/2011 31/12/2011 413 18 598 129
01/11/2011 30/11/2011 416 18 806 237
01/10/2011 31/10/2011 421 18 880 283
01/08/2011 31/08/2011 427 18 955 349
01/07/2011 31/07/2011 428 18 1024 417
01/06/2011 30/06/2011 426 18 965 371
01/05/2011 31/05/2011 427 18 962 434
01/04/2011 30/04/2011 433 18 1202 626
01/03/2011 31/03/2011 437 18 894 342
01/02/2011 28/02/2011 444 18 659 170
01/01/2011 31/01/2011 443 18 781 248
01/12/2010 31/12/2010 442 18 885 238
01/10/2010 31/10/2010 444 18 969 372
00/00/0000 00/00/0000 1174 53 1869 483

Contact

Tel
0113 2904840

Email