Author: charley-farley-737

Date: 20th October 2008
Time: 1951
Type: Smoke issuing
Address: Britten Centre, Lowestoft
Initial Attendance: Normanshurst 01 and 02

I didn't really look at the tip sheet – only to see we were heading for The Britten Centre in Lowestoft and reports of smoke being seen.

We all thought it would be a Smoke Cloak that had activated in one of the shops of the Britten Centre. Smoke Cloaks are an automated way of filling a shop with smoke to make it virtually impossible for a burglar to find their way into (or out) of the shop once the burglar alarm has been activated.

Cheesey was driving and he headed for the pedestrian entrance to the shops between the Library and the Elderley People's Club. Just as we pulled up Steve Mullen (OIC of White Watch tonight) called us up on the handheld radio to suggest we approached from this direction. Cheesey took Ladder 2 down the footway between the buildings, stopping outside QD.

Wisps of smoke could be seen coming from one of the permanent (and well secured) market stalls. As Ladder 2 was closer (White Watch had come into the Britten Centre via the Bus Station) we used the Combi tool (cutters and spreaders) to force entry to the stall through one of its metal roller shutters.

As an orange glow became more obvious under the shutters, I ran out two lengths of 45 and charged it. It's usual practice to run out a covering jet like this in case things go tits up and the hosereel just isn't enough…

Mel and Greg set about the shutters – cutting and spreading until a nice 12 inch high aperture had been made. Right on cue, a keyholder for the stall arrived, opened another shutter, allowing the hosereel to douse the small fire that was situated under the counter.

And with everything out and all the gear stowed it was time for everyone to practice their Pete Beale (remember him Eastenders fans) impressions…

"Pound o' carrots, get ya luvverly carrots here sweetheart"

"Melons, luvverly ripe melons"

Thankfully, before long, we were off back to Normanshurst and all the would-be barrow boys called it a night…

Date: 8th October 2008
Time: 1630
Type: RTC, HGV on side, person trapped
Address: Horn Hill, Lowestoft
Initial Attendance: Normanshurst 05, 01 and 02

I was actually at home when the alerter went off – had come home early to do a few bits of painting (DIY not watercolours).

Was jogging up the road when I could hear my name being called. The voice was faint, almost inaudible, but with a definite out-of-breathiness to it. I looked round and could see Dennis pedalling hard for the station. "Put my tally up, put my tally up", came wafting up the road. I waved my acknowledgement as I dodged the traffic on Normanston Drive.

The tip sheet said it was an HGV on its side, person trapped, located at the Asda roundabout at Horn Hill on Lowestoft.

As we went over the bascule bridge traffic was backing up in the two lanes approaching Asda. I had to take it pretty slowly in the oncoming lane hoping that approaching traffic would see us coming. Wrong way round the first roundabout to then be greeted with the sight of an articulated lorry on its left hand side on the Lings roundabout.

The lorry was carrying a forty foot container holding rolls of paper from SCA Recycling on Victoria Road. Witnesses said the driver wasn't driver quickly as he negotiated the roundabout. His load must have shifted as he turned right causes the whole thing to roll to the left. That's 22 tons of paper plus the lorry, making a total of around 39 tons. Luckily no one was standing on the pavement where the truck ended up.

Nothing we can do as heavy lifting is required. We went back to Normanshurst on standby while Green Watch were at the scene waiting for the crane to do its bit.

And to think, on Tuesday night we had a lecture from George Moran all about HGV RTC's. We'd all been muttering that we never have anything like that around here!

We had a shout this afternoon to a car leaking petrol. Nothing unusual in that you might think.

But today was the first time at Normanshurst that we had encountered a new Fire Ground Order (FGO) that came into effect on the 1st September.

The new FGO states that two pumps will be mobilised to any incident that is on or near a roadway when that road is a 'fast' road (speeds in excess of 40mph). But because Control will never be able to know the speed of any particular road, the FGO will cover every incident that is on or near a road.

This may seem excessive but it is done for a good reason. The extra personnel can then ensure the safety of the firefighters working on the incident by directing or stopping traffic or even using the extra pump in the 'fend off' position.

And this all came about because of increasing worries about firefighter safety especially after the tragic death of a Stevenage firefighter (Watch Manager Paul Mallaghan). Paul was attending a car fire on the A1 when he and a colleague were struck by a VW Golf.

[Sentence deleted…]

Date: 30th August 2008
Time: 2010
Type: House
Address: Whapload Road, Lowestoft
Initial Attendance: Normanshurst 01 and 02

I must be getting old… Saturday night and the only thing I'm looking forward to is a repeat of a repeat (etc.) of Dad's Army!

But before that it's over to the station for a shout to reports of a house fire on Whapload Road. Ladder 1 mobilises as I dodge the traffic crossing Normanston Drive. I'm first in so take the drivers tally and we book mobile with Dennis Newton in charge and Greg Osborn and Howard Clark in the back.

It's just controlled burning of rubbish but from a distance probably looked like a building was involved.

We headed off with me commenting to Dennis that it looked like I'd get to see Dad's Army after all…

As Dennis closed us down over the radio with Control we heard a Fire Priority message for Normanshurst 01. We could hear the turnout alarm as we made our way around the back of the station. As the appliance bay came into view we could see two lights up – Ladder 1 and the PRT.
So straight into our bay, jump out, get my gear onto the PRT and we're off again. This time it's to an RTC on the A12 at Rackhams Corner.

As we came out of Lowestoft and onto the dual carriageway we could see loads of blue lights ahead but quite a way beyond Rackhams Corner. Over the radio we were given the corrected location – on the southbound carriageway, south of the Hopton roundabout. We went past the incident and doubled back at the Jay Lane crossover. As we picked our way through the police cars, paramedic fast response vehicle and ambulance, you could see the trail of mud and debris that the car had left behind.

Even though the road had been closed I still parked the PRT in the fend off position, to protect ourselves and others in case any vehicles did somehow get to use this section of the road. No cutting gear was required, just the tool box so that the battery could be disconnected. The stem light was used to give lighting to the scene – paramedics dealing with a casualty on the verge and the police handcuffing a young man.

Some of us then set off with torches and the Thermal Image Camera as there were reports of a third individual involved. After a quick scout round we left any further searching to the boys in blue.

And that was us done. Poodled off back to the station and home having well and truly missed Dad's Army… You stupid boy!

Date: 30th August 2008
Time: 1720
Type: Garage
Address: Winnipeg Road, Lowestoft
Initial Attendance: Normanshurst 01
Final Attendance: Normanshurst 01 and 02

This was the second shout of the day for us. I'd missed the first one, only having been in the station a few minutes before to sign out for a couple of hours. This one is known as Sod's Law. Most Saturdays at noon I'll be at home but today I was taking the present Mrs. Carter out for a meal at the Village Maid in Lound.

Just after five I heard the substitute Ladder 1 go out on a shout and I got that feeling in the water that we might be going too. Sure enough, within about ten minutes, the alerter kicked off. I was a bit slow out of the blocks so Cheesey beat me to the drivers slot.

When we arrived at the junction of Winnipeg Road and St.Peters Street we were met by Phil Johnston valiantly trying to get a water supply for Ladder 1. He'd got the hydrant in and was about to run the first of around four lengths of 70 up Winnipeg Road to the pump. We helped with this and then got hose ramps out for traffic going along St.Peters Street.

Most people slow right down when they see these minor obstructions in the road. But not long after we had placed the hose ramps we were treated to the sight of a taxi taking off as he hit the ramps too fast! [Sentence deleted…]

For the next half hour or so we watched as traffic negotiated the hose ramps – some stalling as they reached the top of these mammoth little bumps, others missing them completely, while some just sat there looking at them and wondering what to do next!

The fire had been in what looked like a derelict garage at the back of Winnipeg Road. The whole place was overgrown and full of junk. It took an extended hosereel and two lines of 45 to give the garage and the surrounding pile of rubbish a good drink.

Meanwhile, out on the road, we were still watching the traffic. It's lucky there weren't any shunts as people keep moving forward but have to crane their heads owl-like to see what's happening. And even just standing about making sure no one drags the hose with them up the road finds us sweating like porkers. Not surprising when, in addition to our fire kit, we're wearing hi-vis jackets – a bit like wrapping yourself up in clingfilm!

Back to the station just after six to clean some hose and then off home…