From the District

District Commander Chris Kirby

The people of Kirklees can be assured that we are making the district a safer place to live and work.

We have set out plans to prioritise our services in the community over the coming year and we would encourage you to take a look at these plans in detail.

Kirklees Risk Reduction Plan 2013-14 and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Action Plan for 2013-14

Our priorities are:

  • to reduce risk across Kirklees, with a focus on supporting the integrated risk management planning process, in particular across Huddersfield, Batley and Dewsbury fire stations
  • continue to work effectively with partners across the district, highlighting the risk to both individuals and property
  • achieve more with the same or less resource, specifically targeting projected activity and using a combination of prevention, protection and response.

 

Whats happening in Kirklees district...


Stay warm and safe

With the recent wintry weather across the county, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is giving advice on how to stay warm and safe this winter following a number of fires in the home.

Can I remind you all “ some vulnerable members of the community are taking risks to keep warm during this wintry spell. We have seen increased use of alternative heating sources including portable space heaters, wood burning stoves, and fireplaces. While these devices add welcome warmth, they also significantly increase the risk of fires”.

Most accidents happen because people sit too close to them or stand them too close to clothing or other items in the room.

Follow these simple rules for safe use:

•Make sure all heaters are well clear of furnishings and on a flat surface

•Try to sit at least 1m (3') away from the heat source

•Use a fire guard, permanently if you have young children

•Don't dry laundry by the fire, or on the fire guard

•Never block or obstruct an air vent as proper ventilation is essential

•Make sure the heater is regularly serviced

•Make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted on each level of your home and that you test them weekly.

If you do have a fire:

Do not attempt to tackle the fire. GET OUT, closing any doors to contain the fire and smoke. STAY OUT, don't be going back inside for your belongings etc and DIAL 999.

About this district

Kirklees is one of the largest metropolitan districts in England and Wales, with a population of 404,000 spread over an area of 157 square miles.

The area is a contrast between remote, rural areas and town centres. It includes a major motorway (M62) and rail network, together with risks such as Stendedge tunnel, three major hospitals and seven Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) sites.

Kirklees has a history of strong partnership work, which continues to go from strength to strength.


Kirklees District Stats

Population 404,000+

Size of Area 157 miles2

268 Personnel

12 Fire Appliances

95 Fires Put-out

229Incidents Attended

Stats from February 13

Fire stations in this district

Batley Fire station

Batley

Batley Fire Station, built in 1983, covers an area of approximately eight square miles, serving a population of 55,149 people.  The station covers Batley, Hanging Heaton, Soothill, Staincliffe and ...

External view of Cleckheaton Fire station

Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton Fire Station personnel strive to make Cleckheaton a safer place and reduce overall incidents by maintaining the ability to deal with fire and rescue when required. The area incorporates...

External view of Dewsbury fire station

Dewsbury

Dewsbury Fire Station, built in 1964, is located on Huddersfield Road on the outskirts of Dewsbury heading towards Huddersfield on the A644.  The station has a number of fire engines and specialist...

Headquarters

Built in 1867 on what was the Halfway House Colliery.  The house was occupied by several families until it was taken over by West Riding Council in 1947, when the premises were put to use as a home...

External view of Holmfirth fire station

Holmfirth

Holmfirth Fire Station was constructed in 1965 and sits in the valley on the outskirts of the village centre.  The station is managed by a station commander who is also responsible for Skelmanthorp...

External view of Huddersfield fire station

Huddersfield

Huddersfield Fire Station, built in 1960, sits on the edge of town and allows interaction with members of the public. There is a population of 119,239 and the area incorporates 52,000 dwellings. Pe...

External view of Marsden fire station

Marsden

Marsden Fire Station, built in 1956, is located on the A62 just outside the village centre and is set in the dramatic and beautiful scenery of the Peak District National Park and the South Pennine ...

External view of Meltham fire station

Meltham

Meltham is situated five miles west of Huddersfield, has a population of 7999 and incorporates 3329 dwellings in the area.  The fire station, built in 1954, is situated in the centre of the village...

External view of Mirfield fire station

Mirfield

Mirfield Fire Station was constructed in 1965 and sits on the outskirts of the village centre.  The station is managed by a station commander who is also responsible for Holmfirth and Skelmanthorpe...

External view of Skelmanthorpe fire station

Skelmanthorpe

Skelmanthorpe Fire Station was constructed in 1956 and sits on the outskirts of the village centre.  The station is approximately 200 metres above sea level.  The station is managed by a station co...

External view of Slaithwaite fire station

Slaithwaite

Slaithwaite Fire Station, built in 1962, is a retained station staffed by a mix of retained and wholetime retained personnel.  It is situated in the heart of the Colne Valley approximately 4 miles ...

News

  • 12 Apr

    Your community needs you!

    As far as jobs go, they don’t come much more important than one which involves serving your community and saving lives. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is appealing for people in the rural...

  • 21 Feb

    Precept rise agreed to ease pressure of drastic cuts

    The average household in West Yorkshire will have to find less than 10p extra per week to pay for their fire and rescue service next year. The rise of £4.99 per year for band D households –...

  • 07 Sep

    Authority launches county-wide consultation on fire cover plans

      12-week listening exercise Councillors today launched a 12-week public consultation exercise on radical plans to reform fire cover across West Yorkshire. Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling’s...

  • 10 Aug

    Emergency crews tested

    Emergency crews will be joined by search and rescue dogs for a large exercise at Kirklees College on 14 August. Exercise Summer Palace is a sequel to December’s Winter Palace, which saw...

  • 26 Jun

    Motorway smash to test crews

    A dramatic motorway pile-up will put the emergency services through their paces in a multi-agency training exercise. The training exercise, to take place on Sunday, 1 July, at the former St...

  • 29 May

    Countdown to Emergency Services Show

    The 2012 Emergency Service Show is shaping up to be the best yet! The event will take place at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service HQ in Bradford Road, Birkenshaw, on Saturday, 7 July. All...

  • 14 May

    Young Firefighters celebrate graduation

    Around 200 teenagers from schools around West Yorkshire passed their Young Firefighters course with flying colours. The young people carried out a number of fire drills in front of their family,...

  • 09 Mar

    Praise for firefighters at Ravensthorpe blaze

    The ‘splendid professionalism’ of firefighters prevented a blaze at a food processing plant in Ravensthorpe last night spreading to a local day nursery, houses and neighbouring businesses. When...

  • 06 Mar

    Firefighters to clean up for charity

    West Yorkshire fire stations will be making a splash for charity cash in March. Car washes will be held at Cleckheaton, Batley, Dewsbury and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service HQ this month...

  • 14 Feb

    Top award for fire investigator

    West Yorkshire fire investigation officer Peter Crowther is one of only 15 people in the UK to have achieved the prestigious Certified Fire Investigator award. Watch Manager Peter Crowther, who...

  • 16 Dec

    Green light for fire cover plans

    Chief ‘disappointed’ but convinced change is unavoidable  Plans for far-reaching reform of the county’s fire and rescue service were given the green light by councillors today. West Yorkshire...

  • 13 Dec

    Chief's Christmas toy appeal

    Toys and gifts donated by fire and rescue staff will be presented to the Salvation Army for distribution to children in need at 10am on Tuesday, 20 December.  The handover will take place in the...

  • 25 Nov

    Firefighters train for animal rescue

    Firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Technical Rescue Unit joined forces with an equine clinic at a charity open day to demonstrate large animal rescue techniques. The...

  • 21 Nov

    Huddersfield firefighters turn the town yellow

    Huddersfield firefighters will be out in force during the next month selling yellow helmets for The Fire Fighters Charity. Green Watch will also take the opportunity when meeting members of the...

  • 15 Nov

    Stay safe on the roads

    Young drivers will hear shocking details of the devastation firefighters face when they turn up at the scene of a crash during Road Safety Week 2011 (21 to 27 November). The personal testimonies...

  • 31 Oct

    Have a happy and safe Bonfire Night in Kirklees

    West Yorkshire’s firefighters are urging people to enjoy their Bonfire Night at an organised event. Last year, fire crews dealt with 118 bonfire related incidents between 1 and 8 November – 12...

  • 18 Oct

    Preparing for a safe Bonfire Night in Kirklees

    Fire service staff will join forces with partner agencies in the run-up to Bonfire Night to keep Kirklees safe. Hundreds of school children across the district will benefit from safety talks in...

  • 23 Aug

    Car boot sales at fire HQ

    Two car boot sales are to be held at fire service HQ in Birkenshaw next month. The events will take place at the Bradford Road complex 9am-1pm on 4 and 25 September. Fee: £5 per car and £7 per...

  • 22 Jul

    Summer holiday arson warning

      Cleckheaton’s fire station commander is calling for young people to keep away from the town’s derelict buildings this summer. He’s also appealing to eagle-eyed members of the community to...

  • 06 Jul

    It's show time for emergency services

    West Yorkshire’s emergency services will pull out all the stops this Saturday when they put their most impressive equipment and resources on display. The Emergency Services Show will take place...

  • 10 Jun

    Countdown to Emergency Services Show

    Plans are gathering pace for next month’s Emergency Services Show, which promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The event, which will take place at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue...

  • 18 May

    Young firefighters celebrate their graduation

    More than 200 teenagers from schools around West Yorkshire passed their Young Firefighters course with flying colours this month. The young people carried out a number of fire drills in front of...

  • 11 Apr

    Fires prompt wildfire warning

    The weekend’s moorland fires have prompted a warning by West Yorkshire’s firefighters about the importance of taking care while in the countryside. Since Friday evening, moorland fires have...

  • 31 Mar

    Praise for on-call service

    Major changes made at on-call (retained) fire stations across West Yorkshire are proving a huge success. A year ago more than £1m. was set aside to boost the availability of fire engines crewed...

  • 06 Jan

    Fire chiefs call for safer new year

    Over the 15 day festive period, West Yorkshire’s firefighters turned out to more than 1300 incidents – 300 up on the same period last year. 192 of those turnouts were to fires involving people or...

  • 22 Nov

    Firefighters appeal for safer roads (Kirklees)

    Kirklees firefighters will be urging drivers to slow down, belt up and switch off during this year’s Road Safety Week (22 to 28 November).  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has...

  • 16 Nov

    Rope rescue at Galpharm stadium

    Three dramatic rope rescue exercises are being planned at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield’sprestigious sports and leisure complex. The event will provide vital, realistic training for the West...

  • 21 Oct

    Stay safe this bonfire night

     Kirklees Arson Task Force staff are planning a safety blitz in the run-up to this year’s Bonfire Night. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Kirklees district team will join forces with...

  • 21 Oct

    Fire chiefs support pink picnic

    The event, on Sunday 25 July, is the largest free Pride festival in Yorkshire and will feature live acts, DJs, exhibitions, fun fair rides and market stalls.West Yorkshire fire chiefs are backing...

  • 14 Oct

    Station commander issues warning over derelict buildings

    Cleckheaton’s station manager has issued a safety warning to young people playing around derelict buildings. Firefighters have attended over a dozen incidents near derelict industrial land on...

  • 14 Oct

    Working together for a safer community

    Firefighters will be joining forces with partners for Operation Focus this month to drive home road safety messages and personal safety in the Spen Valley.  Operation Focus, which runs from 10 to...

  • 14 Oct

    Firefighters issue wildfire warning

    Firefighters are urging people to take extra care while out in the countryside. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is hoping to halt the recent spate of moorland fires such as those recently...

  • 14 Oct

    Batley firefighters issue safety warning

    Batley firefighters are urging people to take extra care in the home. The warning comes following a handful of accidental fires in the Batley area, mainly caused by cooking, smoking and...

  • 14 Oct

    Successful end to Dewsbury waste blaze

    A deep-seated fire which has been smouldering at a Dewsbury waste site for one month has drawn to a successful end. Fire broke out at the site in Ravenswharfe Road, Scout Hill, on 7 February and...

  • 12 Oct

    Firefighters working 24/7 to tackle Dewsbury waste blaze

    Firefighters who have been working 24/7 to tackle a deep seated fire at a Dewsbury waste site could be needed for another three weeks. Fire broke out at the site in Ravenswharfe Road, Scout Hill,...

  • 12 Oct

    Protect your property from arson

    Firefighters are urging businesses to take some simple precautionary steps to avoid becoming the victims of arson. It is feared that skips, wheelie bins and bags of rubbish left close to...

  • 12 Oct

    Stepping up fight against arsonists

    Firefighters are urging businesses in the Spen Valley area to report any arson attacks, no matter how small, in a bid to close in on the criminals responsible. The plea comes following a number...

Events

  • 27 Oct

    Car Boot Sale - Fire Service Headquarters

    A car boot sale will be held at Fire Service Headquarters between 9am and 1pm.  Sellers will be allowed access from 8am; cost is £5 per car and £7.50 per van.  No trade sellers.

  • 22 Sep

    Car Boot Sale - Fire Service Headquarters

    A car boot sale will be held at Fire Service Headquarters between 9am and 1pm.  Sellers will be allowed access from 8am; cost will be £5 per car and £7.50 per van.  No trade sellers.

  • 28 Jul

    Car Boot Sale - Fire Service Headquarters

    A car boot sale will be held at Fire Service Headquarters between 9am and 1pm.  Sellers will be allowed access from 8am; cost will be £5 per car and £7.50 per van. No trade sellers.

  • 29 Jun

    Huddersfield Fire Station Annual Open Day

    The event will take place between 11am and 4pm.  Attractions include:

    Chip pan display unit

    Aerial appliance rescue display

    Childrens rides/games

    Refreshments

    Ice Creams

    Tour of fire station

    Stalls

     

    Funds raised will go to the Firefighters Charity and the Huddersfield Town Foundation

  • 16 Jun

    Car Boot Sale - Fire Service Headquarters

    A car boot sale will be held at Fire Service Headquarters between 9am and 1pm. Sellers are allowed access from 8am; cost is £5 per car and £7.50 per van. No trade sellers.

  • 26 May

    Car Boot Sale - Fire Service Headquarters

    A car boot sale will be held at Fire Service Headquarters betweeen 9am and 1pm. Sellers will be allowed access from 8am; cost is £5 per car and £7.50 per van. No trade sellers.

Statistics

From To Personnel Appliances Incidents Fires
01/02/2013 28/02/2013 268 12 229 95
01/11/2012 30/11/2012 273 12 354 116
01/10/2012 31/10/2012 275 12 269 84
01/09/2012 30/09/2012 277 12 294 96
01/08/2012 31/08/2012 276 12 343 112
01/06/2012 30/06/2012 276 12 265 93
01/05/2012 31/05/2012 277 12 317 116
01/04/2012 30/04/2012 278 12 264 99
01/03/2012 31/03/2012 280 12 328 136
01/02/2012 29/02/2012 280 12 285 105
01/01/2012 31/01/2012 279 12 295 75
01/12/2011 31/12/2011 281 12 258 68
01/11/2011 30/11/2011 281 12 347 96
01/10/2011 31/10/2011 279 12 433 159
01/08/2011 31/08/2011 282 12 483 231
01/07/2011 31/07/2011 284 12 529 253
01/06/2011 30/06/2011 285 12 420 172
01/05/2011 31/05/2011 284 12 467 225
01/04/2011 30/04/2011 283 12 567 317
01/03/2011 31/03/2011 290 12 407 171
01/02/2011 28/02/2011 293 12 297 97
01/01/2011 31/01/2011 297 12 322 104
01/12/2010 31/12/2010 302 12 402 102
01/10/2010 31/10/2010 303 12 405 143
00/00/0000 00/00/0000 819 36 828 231

Contact

Tel
01484 551864

Email