Fire Prevention

			Duke of Edinburgh silver awards were presented to members of Saron Youth Club by Station Officer S. A. Lewis, officer in charge of Ammanford fire Station. L to R Mr. Murphy, John Davies, Station Officer S. A. Lewis, Melvyn Thomas, Stephen Thomas and Mr. Arthur Walters, warden.
		PHOTO: JOHN PHILIPS Tirydail

Stan Lewis Stn Officer at the time presenting Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Duke of Edinburgh silver awards were presented to members of Saron Youth Club by Station Officer S. A. Lewis, officer in charge of Ammanford fire Station.

L to R

Mr. Murphy, John Davies, Station Officer S. A. Lewis, Melvyn Thomas, Stephen Thomas and Mr. Arthur
Walters, warden.

PHOTO:
JOHN PHILIPS
Tirydail

Youngsters who won a painting competition

TOP ARTISTS……Youngsters from the Ammanford area who won a safety painting competition organised by the Amman Valley Health Visitors and the Fire Brigade to prevent scalds and burns. The winners were Craig Mahoney; Karen McMinn; Kieran Bowler; Cerith Rees;

Catrin Vaughan; Alun Jones; Haylley Davies; Bethan Morgan; Catrin Davies; Daniel Mainwaring; Gareth Francis; Christopher Rees;

They are pictured with Health Visitors Hazel Clements and Lyn John and Sub Officer Val Freimanis and Firemen Clive Smith and Arwel Hughes from Ammanford Fire Brigade.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN

Walters Rd school visit the fire station

NO, this way – young James Price demonstrates how it should be done to Sub Officer Teifion Williams.

James was in a party of youngsters visiting Ammanford Fire Station last week from Walters Road School. They were given a chance to see a new hydraulic lift which will be based at the station.

PHOTO:
PETER EVANS

Pupils from Ammanford's Walters Road school were given a sneak preview of Simon Snorkel last week.

For that's the name of a new hydraulic lift which visited Ammanford Fire Station last week. The youngsters were invited along by local fire chief David Grove and his men.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN

			DILWYN THE DRAGON waves goodbye to pupils of Ammanford Welsh School, during a visit by fire officers.
		PHOTO: GUARDIAN

Dilwyn the Dragon visits the Welsh school

DILWYN THE DRAGON waves goodbye to pupils of Ammanford Welsh School, during a visit by fire officers.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN

			MAKING WAVES...Ammanford nursery schoolchildren visit the town's fire station as part of a fact finding mission. The youngsters also visited the Police Station, Brynteg and Margaret street surgeries, a chemist, a vet and the church.
		PHOTO: ROBERT TREHARNE

Ammanford Nursery school visit the fire station

MAKING WAVES...Ammanford nursery schoolchildren visit the town's fire station as part of a fact finding mission. The youngsters also visited the Police Station, Brynteg and Margaret street surgeries, a chemist, a vet and the church.

PHOTO:
ROBERT TREHARNE

Winners of a painting competition for Fire Safety Week

AMMANFORD shops are a blaze of colour this week – thanks to local children.

Shops, offices and the town's library are exhibiting paintings and projects by local primary school children taking ‘Fire Costs' – the theme of Fire Prevention Week – as the subject.

“We are trying to get the message across in a different way,” Divisional Fire Prevention Officer David Bush told the Guardian.

“Each year we have a Fire Prevention Week but this year there has been more emphasis on children. And we are delighted with the results.

“The paintings show that they have thought carefully about the subject and have absorbed a lot of what they've been told.”

Brigade officers have taken a mobile bus and ‘Dilwyn the Dragon' around primary schools, highlighting the dangers of fire with the help of visual aids and literature.

Teachers have helped hammer home the safety message.

THE DANGER OF FIRE…This is the message spelt out in colourful paintings by Ammanford Junior and Infant School children which are on display in local shops and the library,

Pic With Fire Officer Ryland Mathews, Elizabeth Thomas, Philip Verbinnen, Owen Williams, Leanne Morris and Dharminy Yoganathan.

“The idea is to make children think about the cost of fire, both in terms of life and property,

“Those thoughts have been in their minds when they've been painting and drawing. And who knows, some of the paintings could be adopted nationally for fire safety posters?

“As far as we're concerned fire safety is a round the year event.

“We are continually visiting schools, shops and factories.

“But for one week each year – Fire Safety Week – things come to a head.

“Because if we save just one life, it will have been worthwhile.”

ALL FIRED UP… Dilwyn the Dragon surrounded by little ones from the Ammanford pre-school playgroup at the Fire Service bus in Carregamman Lane during Fire Safety Week.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN



SPECIAL REPORT GUARDIAN reporter Aldwith Davies talks to the firefighters at Ammanford station and gives some pointers on how to avoid a blaze in your home in a two-page feature coinciding with Fire Safety Week. PREVENTION BETTER THAN THE CURE SAY the word ‘fireman' and most people picture a helmeted figure on a ladder, hose in hand, directing water onto a burning building. But in reality the work of a fireman involves far more, And one of those vital tasks is fire prevention, Shops, schools, factories, pubs, old people's homes – these and many more buildings are checked to make sure that safety measures are being adhered to. “It's no good having a fire door if it's been propped open,” says divisional officer David Bush. Another part of the fireman's duty is to check hydrants – the source of water supplies used for fire fighting. There are also daily drills so each team member is familiar with every single piece of equipment on the fire engine. More and more dangerous chemicals are being transported by road and collisions can cause spillages. Firemen have to be able to identify chemicals and know how to deal with them “The job is more technical than most people realise,” said Mr. Bush. “While there have been many changes, water is still the cheapest, most convenient and most often used fire extinguishing medium.
FIREMEN DEAL WITH ALARMING RISE IN EMERGENCY CALLS THE NUMBER of call outs Ammanford Fire Brigade receive annually has been rising at an alarming rate over the last five years. In 1987 the Ammanford firemen responded to 278 calls, these included car and property fires, road traffic accidents, grass and hedge fires, chimney fires and false alarms. The following year the figure increased to 300, but by 1989 the number of calls shot up by more than a third to 399. In 1990 there was another rise to 429, and officers say the number of calls so far this year suggest that total could be topped again.	HOAXERS PLAGUE TOWN'S FIREMEN THE number of emergency calls attended by fire brigades in England and Wales has increased from 685,980 in 1986 to 949,500 in 1990. This figure includes special service calls such as road traffic accidents and false alarms. The number of calls for the Dyfed County Fire Brigade for the same period has risen from 4,523 to 5,631. While Ammanford Fire Station attended 160 fires, 79 special service calls (Car accidents etc) and 106 false alarms.
YOUR HOME IS A FIRE RISK – OFFICIAL HOMES are the biggest fire risk – and that's official. The information comes from Dyfed Fire Brigade's Divisional Fire Prevention Officer, Mr. David Bush. Common sense can prevent fires and negligence can lead to tragedy – that's his message during Fire Prevention Week. “We have no power of entry to private dwellings but there's a lot that householders can do to make their homes safe,” he told the Guardian. The main cause of a kitchen fire is still the chip pan. “The fat overheats, curtains and chip-board units quickly catch fire and you end up with a major incident,” he said. His advice is: Never leave a chip pan unattended but if it is on fire throw a damp towel on it and turn off the gas or electric. Don't be tempted to lift the towel or the air will get to it and it will ignite again. Never lift a burning chip pan and never put water on it or the burning fat will explode. One relatively cheap device which can save lives is a smoke detector. “We are continually advising people to fit them and this week surveys are being undertaken at Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen to see how many there are. They would make ideal Christmas presents for elderly people,” said Mr. Bush. He points out that they should be tested weekly by pressing the button or panel and that a short bleep every now and then means the battery needs changing. Another danger zone in the home is the three-piece suite stuffed with flammable foam which gives off toxic fumes when alight. “New furniture has foam which is a lot more resistant to fire but it's going to take years for the old foam to pass through the system. It's the chemicals in the smoke which is the killer. “It's difficult for many families to buy new furniture when they are struggling to put food in their mouths.” Another piece of advice is – get out of the house quickly enough when a fire starts. SEE CFS “People try and deal with it themselves instead of summoning help. Elderly people in particular tend to be too independent. They don't realise how quickly domestic fires spread or how fatal smoke and fumes can be. Other hints are: Return electric blankets to manufactures every three years for servicing. Never leave portable heaters in a draught or where they can be knocked over. Never refill paraffin heaters indoors or when they are alight. Keep guards around open fires and don't leave newspapers or clothes nearby. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. Stub cigarettes out properly. Never smoke in a chair or bed if you're likely to doze off.

SPECIAL REPORT

GUARDIAN reporter Aldwith Davies talks to the firefighters at Ammanford station and gives some pointers on how to avoid a blaze in your home in a two-page feature coinciding with Fire Safety Week.

PREVENTION BETTER THAN THE CURE

SAY the word ‘fireman' and most people picture a helmeted figure on a ladder, hose in hand, directing water onto a burning building.

But in reality the work of a fireman involves far more,

And one of those vital tasks is fire prevention,

Shops, schools, factories, pubs, old people's homes – these and many more buildings are checked to make sure that safety measures are being adhered to.

“It's no good having a fire door if it's been propped open,” says divisional officer David Bush.

Another part of the fireman's duty is to check hydrants – the source of water supplies used for fire fighting.

There are also daily drills so each team member is familiar with every single piece of equipment on the fire engine.

More and more dangerous chemicals are being transported by road and collisions can cause spillages.

Firemen have to be able to identify chemicals and know how to deal with them

“The job is more technical than most people realise,” said Mr. Bush.

“While there have been many changes, water is still the cheapest, most convenient and most often used fire extinguishing medium.

FIREMEN DEAL WITH ALARMING RISE IN EMERGENCY CALLS

THE NUMBER of call outs Ammanford Fire Brigade receive annually has been rising at an alarming rate over the last five years.

In 1987 the Ammanford firemen responded to 278 calls, these included car and property fires, road traffic accidents, grass and hedge fires, chimney fires and false alarms.

The following year the figure increased to 300, but by 1989 the number of calls shot up by more than a third to 399.

In 1990 there was another rise to 429, and officers say the number of calls so far this year suggest that total could be topped again.

HOAXERS PLAGUE TOWN'S FIREMEN

THE number of emergency calls attended by fire brigades in England and Wales has increased from 685,980 in 1986 to 949,500 in 1990.

This figure includes special service calls such as road traffic accidents and false alarms.

The number of calls for the Dyfed County Fire Brigade for the same period has risen from 4,523 to 5,631.

While Ammanford Fire Station attended 160 fires, 79 special service calls (Car accidents etc) and 106 false alarms.

YOUR HOME IS A FIRE RISK – OFFICIAL

HOMES are the biggest fire risk – and that's official.

The information comes from Dyfed Fire Brigade's Divisional Fire Prevention Officer, Mr. David Bush.

Common sense can prevent fires and negligence can lead to tragedy – that's his message during Fire Prevention Week.

“We have no power of entry to private dwellings but there's a lot that householders can do to make their homes safe,” he told the Guardian.

The main cause of a kitchen fire is still the chip pan.

“The fat overheats, curtains and chip-board units quickly catch fire and you end up with a major incident,” he said.

His advice is:

Never leave a chip pan unattended but if it is on fire throw a damp towel on it and turn off the gas or electric.

Don't be tempted to lift the towel or the air will get to it and it will ignite again.

Never lift a burning chip pan and never put water on it or the burning fat will explode.

One relatively cheap device which can save lives is a smoke detector.

“We are continually advising people to fit them and this week surveys are being undertaken at Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen to see how many there are. They would make ideal Christmas presents for elderly people,” said Mr. Bush.

He points out that they should be tested weekly by pressing the button or panel and that a short bleep every now and then means the battery needs changing.

Another danger zone in the home is the three-piece suite stuffed with flammable foam which gives off toxic fumes when alight.

“New furniture has foam which is a lot more resistant to fire but it's going to take years for the old foam to pass through the system. It's the chemicals in the smoke which is the killer.

“It's difficult for many families to buy new furniture when they are struggling to put food in their mouths.”

Another piece of advice is – get out of the house quickly enough when a fire starts. SEE CFS

“People try and deal with it themselves instead of summoning help. Elderly people in particular tend to be too independent. They don't realise how quickly domestic fires spread or how fatal smoke and fumes can be.

Other hints are:

Return electric blankets to manufactures every three years for servicing.

Never leave portable heaters in a draught or where they can be knocked over.

Never refill paraffin heaters indoors or when they are alight.

Keep guards around open fires and don't leave newspapers or clothes nearby.

Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Stub cigarettes out properly.

Never smoke in a chair or bed if you're likely to doze off.

Walters Rd school gets a fire safety message from Stn Officer Alan Lewis

SQUIRT ‘EM OUT…..Little Kyle Price from Walter's Road School Ammanford gets the National Fire Safety Week message – Fire Costs – as she pretends to put out an imaginary fire coming from the matches belonging to Station Officer Alan Lewis.

			TAKE CARE – THAT'S THE MESSAGE…Helping to make the kids aware of the danger of fire is Dillwyn Dragon, who popped along to Ammanford Fire Station on Tuesday to help hand out the vital advice to youngsters from the town's Parcyrhun School.
		PHOTO: GUARDIAN

TAKE CARE – THAT'S THE MESSAGE…Helping to make the kids aware of the danger of fire is Dillwyn Dragon, who popped along to Ammanford Fire Station on Tuesday to help hand out the vital advice to youngsters from the town's Parcyrhun School.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN

			FOR A DAY … youngsters Emma Thomas (11) and Paul Jones (10) have won Ammanford Fire Station's Fireman-for-a-day prize during last week's “Take Care Because Fire Can Cost” campaign. With them making the presentation are firemen Mike Cooper (left) and Clive Smith.
		PHOTO: GUARDIAN

Mike and Clive with the winners Emma and Paul

FOR A DAY … youngsters Emma Thomas (11) and Paul Jones (10) have won Ammanford Fire Station's Fireman-for-a-day prize during last week's “Take Care Because Fire Can Cost” campaign. With them making the presentation are firemen Mike Cooper (left) and Clive Smith.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN

			FIRE ALERT….. Awareness to fire safety was highlighted in National Fire Safety Week supported by Dyfed Fire Brigade. Since it was introduced the national event has helped to save lives after raising public awareness about the dangers of fire. Its aim is to raise the profile of fire safety both in the home and in the workplace. Taking part were representatives from central and local government; industry and commerce; local voluntary groups; and members of the public. National Fire Safety week which ran from October 18th-23rd provided focus for many groups and individuals not normally in fire safety with the aim of encouraging good fire safety practice throughout the year. Pictured above are two pupils from Betws Primary School, Ammanford, who won a painting competition aimed at bringing home the dangers of fire. They are Tammy Edwards and Justin Jones, who are pictured with headmaster Mr Emir Morgan and Station Officer Jeff Jones.
		PHOTO: JAMES DAVIES

National Fire Safety Week at Betws Primary school

FIRE ALERT….. Awareness to fire safety was highlighted in National Fire Safety Week supported by Dyfed Fire Brigade. Since it was introduced the national event has helped to save lives after raising public awareness about the dangers of fire. Its aim is to raise the profile of fire safety both in the home and in the workplace. Taking part were representatives from central and local government; industry and commerce; local voluntary groups; and members of the public. National Fire Safety week which ran from October 18th-23rd provided focus for many groups and individuals not normally in fire safety with the aim of encouraging good fire safety practice throughout the year. Pictured above are two pupils from Betws Primary School, Ammanford, who won a painting competition aimed at bringing home the dangers of fire. They are Tammy Edwards and Justin Jones, who are pictured with headmaster Mr Emir Morgan and Station Officer Jeff Jones.

PHOTO:
JAMES DAVIES

			ABOUT 220 people took to the streets of Ammanford on Sunday as part of “Transplant Walk For Life” in aid of the Kidney Research Unit for Wales Foundation. Youngsters who joined in the walk pictured with Mayor and Mayoress of the Town, Cllr and Mrs. Bill Spencer, and local firefighters including former Iris boxing champion Terry Magee.
		PHOTO: GUARDIAN

Ammanford Fire Station support the Walk for Life

ABOUT 220 people took to the streets of Ammanford on Sunday as part of “Transplant Walk For Life” in aid of the Kidney Research Unit for Wales Foundation.

Youngsters who joined in the walk pictured with Mayor and Mayoress of the Town, Cllr and Mrs. Bill Spencer, and local firefighters including former Iris boxing champion Terry Magee.

PHOTO:
GUARDIAN