Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service

The Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service which deals with a broad range of incidents on Guernsey, including fires, road traffic accidents, assisting property owner after storm damage or flooding and incidents involving hazardous substances.[1][2]

Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service
Operational area
Country Guernsey
Agency overview
Established1922
Annual calls891 (2015)
Employees58 whole time
10 part time (2017)
Chief Fire OfficerJ P Le Page
Facilities and equipment
Stations1
Website
Fire Brigade website

History

The earliest records show new fire engines delivered from London in 1768. The engine, probably a hand drawn pump, being kept inside the Town Church, Guernsey, being relocated in 1823 to the Glategny Esplanade in Saint Peter Port. It was not until 1873 that a horse drawn manual pump was acquired for use by trained firefighters employed by an insurance company, the "Mutual", housed at Tower Hill, Saint Peter Port.[3]:5

In 1884 the Parish of Saint Peter Port bought the Mutual engine and assumed responsibility and based the engine with a hand cart and ladders at the Town Hospital. Hand pumps were later based at Saint Peter Port Harbour and St Sampson's Harbour.[3]:5

1909 saw the acquisition of a motorised fire engine, a Merryweather pump on an Aster chassis, it was named Sarnia and a purpose built fire station was built in Upland Road. In 1922 the cost was taken over by the States of Guernsey and in 1935 a 1931 Albion Merryweather escape carrier was bought and named Sarmia II. The equipment was relocated in 1935 to the Town Arsenal, buildings previously used by the Royal Guernsey Militia.[3]:6–7 Sarnia II has been preserved and is kept at the Guernsey Occupation Museum.

In 1939 Guernsey Airport was opened and a Morris Commercial fire truck was supplied, to be manned by airport staff if the need arose. Four Austin trucks were also acquired just in time for the bombing of Guernsey and the German occupation of the Channel Islands during which time a German officer commanded the fire brigade.[3]:8–11

It was in 2005 that the Fire Brigade name was changed to the current Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service. The Fire Service are regulated by, obtain powers from and have duties set out in The Fire Services (Guernsey) Law, 1989 as amended.

Herm

The Fire Service maintain some equipment and a team of retained firefighters on the island of Herm.

Airport

There are thirty six trained fire fighters working at Guernsey Airport, forming the Airport Fire Service.

Stations
Station Name Duty System Appliances
GuernseyWholetime/Retained/Cross Crewed4x WrL, 1x TL, 1x HRT, 2x Fo/WrC, 1x CSU, 1x CoRo
HermRetained, Notified Via Voicemail1x WT, 1x FFT

Vehicle Glossary/Callsigns

Fire Appliance Glossary
  • Water Ladder (WrL): 11 / 12 / 14 / 17
  • Fire Fighting Trailer (FFT): Herm Whiskey
  • Heavy Rescue Tender (HRT): 23
  • Water Tank (WT): Herm Echo
  • Turntable Ladder (TL): 22
  • Foam/Water Carrier (Fo/WrC): 20 / 21
  • Command Support Unit (CSU): 26
  • Co Response Unit (CoRo): Victor Romeo

Emergency Services on Guernsey
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References
  1. "States of Guernsey - Fire". www.gov.gg. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  2. Blume, Yvonne. "Two days at Guernsey Fire Service featuring James Manning". ybphotographic. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  3. Edwards, Bill. Firefighting in Guernsey.


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