Fire and Emergency Support Service helps over 400 people

The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service, based at Keynsham Fire Station, has attended almost 100 incidents in the past 12 months. 

Working with its sister service, in Swindon, the two teams of volunteers provide cover for the old "Avon" area and the county of Wiltshire, and provided much needed support for 409 people (and over 20 pets) during 2012.

Between the two counties, the FESS teams attended over 110 fires, as well as 17 floods, 2 gas explosions, a power cut, a building collapse and a road traffic collision. The vast majority of these incidents were attended by the Keynsham vehicle

2012 was the busiest year on record for the service, which also saw the launch of their brand new replacement vehicle in October. The new unit, a customised Fiat van, was quite literally thrown in at the deep end in November and December as flooding repeatedly affected the region. 

Service Co-ordinator Dan Spencer said "Our crews in Keynsham and Swindon are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide support to people affected by fires, floods or other incidents. During severe weather, we are able to supplement our two FESS vehicles with additional 4x4 vehicles with drivers trained to respond in the worst conditions. In February we will be launching an additional service based in Gloucester to increase our capacity within the South West."

As 2012 drew to a close, volunteers barely had time to draw breath and prepare for the new year, as the first call of 2013 came in at 00:01 on New Years Day! Crews attended a fire at UWE, and were then out again later in the day to help a lady following a fire in South Gloucestershire.

If you have time to spare to help people in their hour of need, please get in touch with Dan Spencer at the British Red Cross on 0117 3012619 or email wag_fess@avonfire.gov.uk