Central Fire Station HQ

[Radiorails]

There was a feeling, in the fire brigades of Britain, that as older firemen, who had served during WW2 and were retired or reaching retirement age, that the experiences of WW2, with reference to structures of buildings and their behavior, was something that would be lost. This was applicable to all ranks and not only those serving in cities and large towns but were also frequently from rural areas who were called to support the larger conurbations when needed. e.g. two places come to mind Coventry and Plymouth but other places can be included.

 

[boilerman]

Being ex Birmingham Fire & Ambulance Service 1959 to 1989 the Halfords fire often crops up on the WMFS Retired & Serving fighters Network Facebook Page where its acknowledged that the fire fighting was in the best traditions of the Service, with acts of bravery and numerous injuries sustained in preventing the fire jumping the road and spreading to adjacent premises. I know from previous comments an experienced Senior Officer (who fought fires in the Blitz ) had the foresight to see the dangers of falling scaffolding and withdrew firefighting operations behind a demarkation line. Eventually, the whole of the scaffolding from floor to roof collapsed into the street, but it did not breach the line (a chalk mark) in the road. Initially, it could have been worse the 1st response donned Breathing Apparatus and entered the building via a wheeled escape ladder in efforts to find the seat of the fire when a flash-over occurred they managed to get back to the entry point and escaped with an inch of their lives with the help of their Comrades.
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Thanks for your service aggie, we'd be lost without you all