Category: Shouts

Wednesday turned into quite a busy day for us. Earlier we had the gas leak following an RTC and, at 4.30pm, another shout. This time it was for a fire on a boat but the boat was on dry land.

We tipped out in the ERT to Harbour Road in Oulton Broad to the International Boatbuilding Training Centre. Blue Watch were coming from the other end of town and we committed to the incident a few minutes ahead of them (is this how things might be when they move south of the river later this year?).

The boat was about 20 feet long and was well alight in the small wheelhouse. The hosereel was run out with me following behind with two lengths of 45 and a branch. Those that had been renovating the boat were 'pretty sure' that all cylinders had been removed. However, as the flames were beaten back it was clear to see that one had been left behind – a 45kg Propane cylinder. The 45 was hung over the side of the boat as an improvised monitor to cool the cylinder.

We then set the LPP into the river to feed the 'monitor' directly, giving it a good cooling jet.

Job done. Back to Normanshurst and wait till the night Watch came on duty at 6pm and then home for tea…

Busy old station…

I'd booked myself off the run for most of today. For once my day job was going to take precedence over Suffolk Fire and Rescue. With a couple of the guys travelling from as far afield as Manchester and Gloucester I didn't think it would be too polite to dash off on a shout in the middle of our meeting!

Within minutes of getting back from the railway station and seeing off the last of my colleagues, my alerter had me dashing for the exit.

Ladder 1 had gone to a fire in undergrowth on Corton Cliffs and had just put in an Assistance Message – Make Pumps 2. As I was well ahead of anybody else I thought I might take a precautionary wee just so I wouldn't have to expose myself on Corton Cliffs – not a good idea (if you know the area you'll know what I mean!).

Now why is it that when you're in a hurry you can't pee? Is it the added adrenalin? Perhaps I didn't really need a wee after all. Matters weren't helped by the bells going again and there being one of the station alarms just feet behind me! I get there in the end and make sure all equipment is stowed safely.

By now others are arriving from all directions and we need the Unimog too.

We head for Ladder 1 on Corton Road and get ready to dump our tank into theirs. Plenty of time because around six lengths of 45 were run out along the narrow cliff path with three lengths of the hosereel attached to this.

I then acted as water shuttle in Ladder 2, filling up from the hydrant that was a few hundred metres back up the road.

As usual there's always one of our number that just has to talk to the girls. This time it was a diminuitive (Dobbie sized) WPC that got the full attention of this particular firefighter. I'm not naming the individual as to do so might result in his bits being cut off with a rusty cheesewire, popped into a Jiffy bag and posted through his door!

And that was that. Plenty of hose to make up, hosereel to wipe clean and lay flat delineators (cones) to be removed from the vicinity of our very compact WPC. No prizes for guessing who volunteered for that task…

Eleven days without a shout… That's a record in the seven years I've been at Normanshurst.

And, of course, the drought came to an end on Saturday – right in the middle of a family get together for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. I was digesting my main course and psyching myself up for a large slice of Black Forest gateau and cream when that little black thing with cobwebs on it kicked into life. Bugger! "Got to go, sorry…" as I leave the family to divvy up the dessert without me in the reckoning for a piece…

Animal rescue – horse in a ditch at Uggeshall, just off the A145 between Beccles and Halesworth.

Green Watch get dressed in their water rescue gear as Mel finds the van has a flat battery – again. Jump leads on from the mains battery charger, stand clear and off she goes… I think Workshops need to take a look at that!

Billy and I set off on the Unimog while phone calls are made to make up the crew for Ladder 1.

By the time we were nearing Uggeshall Ladder 1 has caught us up and they follow us in, relying on my Boy Scouts map reading skills. And, as luck would have it, we hit the spot and were met with the site of a horse laying on its side in its very own mud bath.

Ladder 1 pulled up behind us but the Water Rescue van was nowhere to be seen. They'd taken a different route and arrived from the opposite direction.

I took a line and edged round the muddy ditch and into the corner of the field into which we were hoping to pull the horse. I took a step closer to the horse to tie the line to its halter when my left foot just kept going down. Down to the point where mud went up between my leggings and my boots and over the top to, quite literally, fill my boot. Bugger, for the second time!

After a couple of failed attempts the line was tied directly around the horses neck and we started the tug-o-war. Surprisingly the horse came free with just six of us pulling on the line. And after a short breather the horse was on its feet and wondering what all the fuss was about.

Now for a clean up – disinfectant spray, high pressure hose over my firekit, outside and inside my boot and a soggy left trouser leg that gradually seeped mud down my leg all the way back to Lowestoft. And does that stuff stink? Not only that, you can't get rid of it either.

Hose down again at Normanshurst, showered left leg and back home for a general delousing.

And finally, a large chunk of Black Forest followed by a similarly large chunk of anniversary cake. Never let it be said that the Fire Service or the pungent aroma of ditch water ever spoils my appetite.

There I was, trying my best to look as if I was enjoying a spot of gardening, all for the benefit of the onlooking Mrs C, when the station alarm sounded. I froze in anticipation, waiting to see if my pocket started to vibrate – my alerter going off, not me getting excited at the bells going down! But nothing. Ladder 1 left the fire station and headed into town.

Bugger! Looked like I'd have to keep up the pretence of enjoying doing the garden…

And then, barely two minutes later, just as I'd resumed the weeding position, the station alarm went again followed hot on its heels by my alerter.

Take a look at some images from the fire at Rushmere's DIY in Lowestoft

What to do first? Wheeled Karen indoors at lightening speed, coat off, telly on and phone on her table. Change from my shorts into jeans, out the front door, pile all my gardening tools and the wheelbarrow under a bush and legged it across to the fire station.

Just one light up – Ladder 1's job was now Make Pumps 2 at Rushmere's DIY on Newcombe Road, Lowestoft near to the Birds Eye factory.

Even as we were piling onto Ladder 2 the bells went again for the ERT. It seems that Jim Parsons on Ladder 1 was putting in assistance message before even getting to the job and we could see why. As we turned out of the fire station towards town we could see a huge plume of smoke billowing into the sky. Th assistance message had been Make Pumps 4 so Clifton were on their way to. This would also mean that the Command Support Vehicle (used to be FCV) from Beccles plus their pump would also be mobilised too.

We pulled up just past Ladder 1 to hit the fire from the south side, having gained entry into the yard of the neighbouring business, Star Frost. Two 45's and a hosereel were run out in short order, stopping the fire spreading into an area were numerous cylinders were stored. Early and prompt action to remove two Acetylene cylinders from immediate danger meant that these potentially lethal 'bombs' were out of harms way.

One more assistance message went in – Make Pumps 6 – for personnel, bringing two pumps over the border from Norfolk.

With three hydrants being used we gradually won the battle of having sufficient water to fight the fire, which had totally destroyed the wood store that was attached to the rear of the DIY store.

Once our sector was closed we helped other crews to clear the burnt wood as damping down continued. Small seats of fire kept appearing as the heat held within the wood piles was not being reached by the hosereels. This meant the entire burnt and charred contents of the wood store had to be removed through the black morass that was the gloopy mixture of charcoal and water, and piled up in the yard.

Pumps from Wrentham and Southwold arrived as relief crews and we headed back to Normanshurst to get everything cleaned up.

Needless to say, the garden didn't get finished last night. Shame…

It seems like I've hardly been in bed above five minutes when my little noisy companion kicks off – that's my alerter and not the present Mrs. C.

Sluggishly I get dressed, really not wanting this at all and jog up the road softly effing and blinding to myself.

Blue Watch, with only a crew of four, have mobilised to a horse stuck in a ditch at Camps Heath, about three miles from the station. The Unimog is required too and goes mobile with a retained crew of Mel Buck and Ben Horne.

The rest of us plonk ourselves down expecting a long wait. But, by now, Ladder 1 has arrived at the incident and its obvious they'll need a bit more muscle… So the bells go for Ladder 2 and, with a cheery wave, we wish them well as they head for the entombed horse.

However, our smugness doesn't last as the bells toll again, this time for the ERT. Very audible effing and blinding now… That's our cue to head off towards Camps Heath.

We arrive at Dairy Farm and can see, in the distance, the lights surrounding the spot where the horse is stuck. More lighting is taken from the ERT as well as a host of other gear that may come in useful for unsticking the horse.

Mel and Dennis try to find a safe route for the Unimog to get across the muddy pasture / marsh and decide to give it a go. Mel reversed the Unimog through the gateway but, almost immediately, the drivers side started to sink rapidly into the soft ground. It was now the case of rescuing the Mog as well as the horse!
We attached the winch cable from the front of the Unimog to the front of Ladder 2 and Mel was able to winch himself back on to a firmer footing.

The only option open to us now was a manual extrication. A line was tied around the horse's neck and around 12 of us set to in giving gentle but firm pulls. A change of direction saw the horse start to come free of the mud and eventually fully clear. She looked and sounded in a sorry state – laying very still and snorting quietly. She was given a few minutes to regain her composure as we started to make up all or gear. And a short rest was all Shannon needed. I could see her and her stable mate being led across the muddy ground towards the farm, with Shannon not looking too worse for wear.

And that was that. Back to Normanshurst to clean all the gear and head off home – over two hours afterbeing so rudely awakened…

Someone is obviously getting some sort of perverse pleasure in setting multiple fires up on Corton Cliffs and last night, the added bonus, of a fire right down on the beach.

And so, when the alerters went off last night, everything at Normanshurst was tipped out. Ladder 1 with Green Watch onboard had taken the initial call but very quickly made it Make Pumps 3 with the Unimog required too.

I drove the ERT and we headed off towards Corton Road. Dennis Newton passed a message via talk through to get us to set into the hydrant that's situated just where the houses end on Corton Road and the Warren starts. It was eight lengths from us to Ladder 2 and then on from them up to Ladder 1.
Before the the line of 70 was complete I started to trickle water into the hose to let it start on its way, therefore ensuring that water gets delivered more quickly once the 'water on' command is given.

And then it was just a case of ensuring that I'd always got a good level in my tank and push water up the line at about 7 bar.

Meanwhile two seats of fire were being attacked from the top of the cliffs with hosereels, 45's and beaters. Down on the beach, 'Billy' and Rachael were getting to grips with the fire down there from our very own ship of the desert – the Unimog.

So for around two hours I was on my tod, pumping water to the 'action' about 300 metres away.

My boredom was alleviated by the arrival of three recruits from the course that's underway at Normanshurst. They'd come to see what sort of job we'd got and see the Fire Service in action – or in my case, inaction!

As they seemed interested in what was happening I told them all I knew. And then, after a full two minutes, they knew as much as me!

Finally got back on station as the clock struck twelve – midnight that is… Crawled into bed at 1 – night, night…

I really need to get out more often!

Last night I sat at home watching the Eurovision Song Contest (the first time in years – honest!) and almost enjoyed the spectacle. I'd made it though all 26 entries without falling asleep – an achievemnet worthy of some sort of trophy in itself!

The bouncy and far too happy Russian hosts had just opened the voting when my alerter got my vote by singing its own little tune.

Over at the station I ripped the tip sheet from the printer and saw we were off to a fire in some stables and there were probably horses trapped inside. With a crew of six we headed out off towards Blundeston not really sure of what we'd find.

Cheesey put Ladder 2 in the fend off position behind Ladder 1 and we set about getting our tank of water dumped into Ladder 1. A quick glance at the brick built stable block was enough to register that there were flames pouring out at each end and along the roof.

I then ran out a line of 45, using three lengths to ensure we'd got some spare to play with. Unfortunately we couldn't put water through this line as the only water left was in Ladder 1 and this was supplying the hosereels.

A good source of water was found when we were told that a house about 150 metres away had got an outdoor swimming pool. Four firefighters set off with the LPP (Lightweight Portable Pump) followed by others carrying hard suction and lengths of 70 (myself included).

A hydrant had also been found, some distance away, outside Blundeston Prison. And by now the ERT (NT06) had arrived and dumped it's tank into Ladder 2. So I went back to the branch on the 45 I'd run out ready for a drop or two of water. We were then pulled out to don BA as a large section of the roof was made of corrugated asbestos. And with plenty of these nasty little fibres flying about you don't want to breathing too much of them in.

Steve 'Dobbie' Hollington (White Watch) and I got our sets on and returned to the front of the stables – Dobbie on the hosereel and me on the 45. Other teams were fighting the fire from the rear of the stables.

And that was pretty much all my involvement. I needed to get back to Lowestoft and was able to swap with Mel Buck who'd brought out tea and coffee in the station van. Unfortunately the crews didn't get back to Normanshurst until well after 1am this morning.

So I'd missed all the voting on the Eurovision but was glad to hear that our entry had come a creditable fifth. And this is the last time I'll admit to having watched the Eurovison Song Contest…

Forgot to mention that all the horses were safe.

Rumour has it that one of the horses has a serious smoking habit and dropped a lighted match while trying to light his roll up.

For once the timing of my alerter going off was perfect. I'd just finished my spag bol and wiped up the last bit of juice with a piece of garlic bread when the alerter kicked into life. Oh well, the washing up will have to wait…

When I jog through the appliance bay I'm met by the great and good of Red Watch (and Rachael) waiting to come on duty at 6pm.

Ladder 1 is already out with Green Watch on board and there's just one light up for Ladder 2. A quick look at the tip sheet and it's Make Pumps 2 on Corton Cliffs in Lowestoft for an undergrowth fire. Just as everyone starts arriving, the bells go again. It's now Make Pumps 3 and the ERT is required.

Not knowing how many we'll get turn in, I hang back and take the drivers tally on the ERT (NT06). Go to stick my fire kit in a locker only to be gentled reminded by the onlooking Red Watch that there is space for the drivers kit on the nearside of the appliance.

Ladder 2 mobilises with a crew of five as we wait to get a full crew of six. Knowing the area we're going to it's always handy to have as many firefighterson a crew as possible. Dragging hose through undergrowth, establishing a water supply from the not-too-close hydrant all eats up resources.

So, with a full complement on board, I head out into the early evening traffic.

Section deleted here…

We were about to turn into Corton Road for the long straight run to the fire when we were instructed to approach from the opposite end. So we carried on towards Yarmouth, past Tesco's, down Corton Long Lane and then back along the cliffs. I even had the chance to try out the three stage sirens – using the different settings depending on your distance from a 'hazard' – changing between each one by simply pressing on the road horn button situated on the steering wheel.

With smoke drifting across the road I pulled up in the fend off position, even though the road was closed off behind us – can't be too careful especially with some of the numpties out there on the road!

We extended the hosereel and then I ran out two lengths of 70 from Ladder 1 to us. A hydrant was being set into about 400 metres away going into Ladder 2, delivering to Ladder 1 and then finally to me on the ERT. Once the water supply was established, a 45 was run out on to the cliffs to enable the crew to blast the undergrowth and root out any hotspots.

I had an early shower, courtesy of a stuck non-return valve on the collecting head of the tank fill. I'd plugged the 70 from Ladder 1 into the collecting head and given the 'water on' to Dave Ives only to be met with a torrent of water heading in my direction. Water off was my next request to Dave, funnily enough, as I stood there dripping just as ADO (or is it Group Manager now) Labdon strolled up. I think his immediate thought was that I'd f**ked up but not on this occasion… The non return valve had stuck in the open position allowing the water going in to the collecting head to come out just as quickly! Use of a Finger, Index, Mark 1 rectified the problem…

Thankfully the fire was extinguished pretty quickly and we were able to head off after a quick wash down of the hose and other gear.

And then home to face the congealed remainder of the spag bol and the washing up…

Last Wednesday I'd only been in the office about ten minutes after doing a Learn and Live presentation when my faithful friend sprang into life, shattering the peace.

I was fourth in and jumped in the back of our venerable Ladder 2 to hear that we were off to Bungay for a Make Pumps 6 shout. I heard the bit about a thatch but not that it was a thatched barn. So, with our crew of four – Mel Buck as OIC, Simon Reeves as driver and Al Soards and myself in the back – we chugged off towards Bungay.
The ERT, with its superior speed and the fact that's it's 20 years younger than Ladder 2, was soon slip-streaming us before we'd even got as far as Beccles.

As we neared Bungay we could see a pall of smoke rising above the Bungay – Halesworth Road. We pulled up outside the farm to find out what we needed to do. Already at the incident were Ladder 1 from Normanshurst, Beccles, Bungay, Loddon, Halesworth and Harleston. Shortly afterwards the Hydraulic Platform and support pump arrived from Great Yarmouth. By now the incident had been escalated to Make Pumps 10.

As there was only one hydrant close to the farm, the water supply was critical. A water shuttle had already started with the Loddon pump filling up at a hydrant on a nearby housing estate. We joined in with Ladder 2 and the ERT. This still wasn't getting enough water to the fire ground so Mel arranged for us to take over Bury's Ladder 1 (which was at the incident as support pump to Bury's Forward Control Vehicle). I drove Bury's pump, heading for Bungay Fire Station along with the Loddon pump to fill up from their hydrant. Now, with two pumps at each hydrant, we were filling up and forming a queue back at the farm, ready to dump our tanks into either the Beccles or Bungay pumps.

An assistance message had also been put in for the water bowser from Framlingham (Framlingham 09). This has a capacity of around 8000 litres – nearly five times what one of the fire engines can carry. The two man crew set up their dam and dumped their water into this. They then used the hydrant at the fire station while the rest of us reverted back to the hydrant in the estate.

With the dam in place, the Bungay pump took a supply from this to then feed the main jets on the fire ground. As we pulled up we'd sit there and fill the dam as and when it's level dropped.

Refreshments magically appeared in the back of a car – homemade sandwiches, crisps, tea and coffee. A godsend, as the time must now have been past 3pm and my stomach had thought my throat had been cut! I've no idea who our culinary saviour was but a big thank you for feeding in excess of 60 firefighters, it really is appreciated…

Soon after this we headed back to Lowestoft via the cross country route. And on such a glorious day it was nice to be chauffered about in our very own charabanc.

Back at Normanshurst we thought we'd be getting away at 6pm when the night Watch took over. No. They were heading straight out to the job and we'd be on standby, covering the town, possibly till 10pm.

Thankfully Lil, our station cook, had dug out a chicken curry from the freezer. We nuked this and, together with a plate of chips, a meal was created…

And, an hour earlier than expected, we got away at 9pm. So with a shout at 7.15 in the morning, a Learn and Live presentation and then this prolonged shout, I'd spent something like 13 hours in the service of Suffolk Fire and Rescue. That's not a problem… The problem arises when you get back to your normal job next day and have to play catch up…

You can’t even have a Tom Tit these days without your Alerter making you shut up shop early and leave the paperwork till later! I think you get the idea…

Anyway it was two pumps to Beckham Road in Lowestoft for a fire in a tumble drier. Not much for us to do when we eventually got there in our old bus (we’ve got a reserve pump while ours is receiving TLC). In fact it’s that slow that two mobility scooters and a learner driver overtook us on the way to the job!

Back just before 8am and time for me to rush home, get changed into uniform and back to the fire station in time to leave at 8.15 for a Learn and Live presentation at Benjamin Britten High School.

And this was only the start of what proved to be a long day with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service…