FIREMEN AT WORK

SUPER STATIONS

Photo: Wikipedia

From Newham Recorder - Dec. 9, 2009

REVAMPING East Ham Fire station into one of four rescue super centres is revealed.

The London Fire Brigade has launched consultation on its draft Safety Plan to modernise and improve the service. The proposal is to establish the highly-equipped centres at the High Street South station as well as Edmonton, Heston and Croydon.

Each would have on base a range of rescue equipment including pump ladders, pumps, fire rescue units and urban search and rescue appliances.

These specialist vehicles - five models are available - can carry vast range of equipment from drills ands concrete breakers and its own generator and lights to heavy hydraulic equipment for lifting trains. There is even a flat-bed unit to carry timber and equipment. These centres would allow much better management and maintenance of the highly specialised skills required, says the draft plan.

VICTORY

More than 300 firefighters were killed in the line of duty protecting the London region during World War Two.

NEW MALDEN

Photo: Private collection
New Malden fire station in 1920s or 1930s. Traditional metal helmets were replaced by compressed cork helmets in the 1930s to guard against electrocution.

PECKHAM - 2009

Photo: Sky News

On Nov. 26, 2009, flames swept a construction site, jumped a street and ignited an apartment block and a pub at Caribrooke Gardens, Peckham.

"At the height of the blaze there were 30 fire engines and over 150 firefighters tackling the fire," according to a London Fire Brigade press release. "Around 310 people were evacuated from their homes and moved to emergency accommodation."

No serious injuries were reported at the fire at Sumner Road and Rosemary Road.

"The ferocity of the fire was a challenge when we first arrived," said Steve Turek, assistant fire commissioner, quoted by the Associated Press. "All the buildings were simultaneously burning."

Paul McKenzie, owner of the gutted Golden Lion pub, told the BBC: "I opened the fire door into the club room and it was just hot. The glass in the windows were cracked and I thought, 'You know what, this not somewhere you want to be.'"

RED WATCH

INTO THE FUTURE

Classic postcard portraying new addition to fleet.

DOCKS - 1864

Image: Illustrated London News
"In December 1864, a fire destroyed several buildings in the St Saviour's Dock at Dockhead, Bermondsey. The engraving is notable for its depiction of the London Fire Engine Establishment's floating fire engine in action," according to Port Cities London web site.

NORTHWOLD ROAD

During World War II, Auxiliary Fireman Walter Crabb (2nd row from top, 2nd from left) attended recruit school at No. 2 Training Centre 'C', Northwold Road, and upon graduation was assigned to No. 28, Whitechapel, London, on Sept. 30, 1940, according to a Crabb family genealogy web site.