Stalybridge Fire Station's Blue Watch invited students from Hyde Clarendon Sixth Form College to the station to join them for training to find out about what Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) does to protect communities.

The students were particularly keen to know more about the wider role GMFRS has in large-scale national emergencies as they are studying public services.

Crew Manager Greg Punshon, based at Stalybridge's Blue Watch, said: "The visit was organised by me through Alan Kirk who is a retired Watch Manager from Ashton Fire Station who now works at the college.

"About 30 students attended and they were given a talk about the national resilience capability by Firefighter Alan Horsfield who is a mass decontamination instructor.

"They then had a walk through the mass decontamination structure and looked at all the equipment carried on the IRU (Incident Response Unit)"

The young people were shown what firefighters would do during a chemical incident - where those thought to have been contaminated have to disrobe, enter the decontamination unit to shower before moving into a robing area where they will then be checked by firefighters to ensure they are free from contamination, before being allowed to leave the scene.

Special packs containing disposable clothing are then given to those who have been affected because their clothes would have been contaminated.

You can see more images from the visit on our Facebook page.

Crews from Atherton, Hindley and Leigh fire stations were called to a terraced house in Firs Lane, Leigh, at 7.39pm on Monday, May 20.

The woman had managed to get out of the house before crews arrived and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the property to tackle the fire using hose reels. 

The fire involved a blanket and a chair in a ground-floor living room and it was caused by a cigarette after the woman feel asleep while smoking.

Crews used a high pressure fan to clear the smoke from the house before leaving the scene. The woman managed to escape uninjured.

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton, said: "Thankfully this fire was dealt with quickly by the crews and caused only a small amount of damage, but it could have been much worse.

"Carelessly discarded smoking materials are still a major cause of fires in the home. Always stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully, and don't smoke if feeling drowsy, taking medication or drinking alcohol.

"The safest way to avoid having a smoking-related fire in your home is to not smoke at all and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service provides information on local stop smoking services to support you."

For more information on this and for further safety advice, visit the GMFRS website: /fire_safety_advice/home_fire_safety/smoking_safety.aspx

Earlier this year fire dog Ace joined the Service - and he is also part of the national resilience register to help with search and rescue operations if needed.

Yellow Labrador Ace graduated from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) Training Academy with flying colours and is now ready to hunt for survivors when disaster strikes.

Crew Manager Mike Dewar, who is GMFRS' dog handler and part of the Fire Investigation Team, introduced three-year-old Ace to the Service in September 2011.

Mike said: "Ace took to his early training really well and demonstrated all the characteristics that are required of a good search dog - he is very fit and agile with a search drive that allows him to be totally focused on his work.

"It has taken 18 months to train him to the appropriate standard, which involves many facets of search and rescue during which a high degree of trust has been built up between us.

"Ace learned in the early days by watching older search and rescue dog Echo work the rubble sites and started off doing very basic work, but due to his drive he was soon undertaking the same searches as more experienced dogs."

The assessment that all Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) dogs must undertake to gain competency are done at one of three locations in the UK - The Fire Service College, MFRS, and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service's USAR training facility.

Mike continued: "The robust assessment is designed to simulate a real USAR incident with all the distractions that would be found such as food, people and noise, and always starts with a comprehensive brief by the handler to the assessment team.

"It's vital that the dog being assessed has the ability to work in dangerous and challenging environments."

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority (GMFRA) David Acton said: "To take a normal family pet and train it to be a highly trained search dog, which is now a national asset for resilience, takes a lot of hard work and dedication by the handler and the dog."

Nine-year-old Echo will be Ace's right-paw dog until he hangs up his boots once and for all later this year.

Blue Watch crews acted as role models when six teenagers from Wigan Council's Youth Offending Team (YOT) donned fire gear and joined in hose drills at Wigan Fire Station on Friday, May 17.

Watch Manager Tony Callaghan said: "It was great to have the young people with us at the station and to see the difference in attitude from when they arrived to when they left a few hours later was really encouraging.

"We talked to them about the consequences of fire setting and car crime and did some hose drills and had them shadow us wearing breathing apparatus through a dark smoky training house.

"We really seemed to have a positive effect on them as firefighters - and if we can discourage just one of them from stealing a car and having an accident which sees us having to cut them out of the wreckage, then it's worthwhile."

The teenagers, aged between 14 and 19 are on a six month rolling programme with Wigan YOT working in partnership with Wigan Warriors Community Partnership.

As part of their morning at the station, Firefigher Joe Steven spoke to the young people about road traffic collisions the crews have been to.

Wigan Warriors Community Development Officer Tommy Gallagher said: "We approached GMFRS because we thought it would help the young people with structure and discipline.

"Our involvement is about health, fitness and team building and the young people really enjoyed their day with the fire crews at Wigan.

"Hearing first hand from a firefighter about the consequences of car crime and arson really struck a chord with them."

It's hoped the pilot project will see Wigan Blue Watch crews become a regular fixture of the Wigan YOT programme.

One teenager said: "It was brilliant, I learnt loads about how dangerous fires can be and the consequences of what could happen if you steal a car."

Borough Manager Steve Sheridan said: "We hope this pilot scheme will see Wigan YOT and Wigan Warriors in the Community work in partnership with GMFRS on a regular basis to help engage with the young people on fire and road safety.

"Not only will our crews have a positive impact on the lives of these young people it helps get important messages about safety across to them in accordance with GMFRS' Road Safety Strategy."

To find out more about Wigan Youth Offending Team go to http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/HealthSocialCare/YouthOffending/

To find out more about Wigan Warriors in the Community go to http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=58

To find out more about GMFRS Road Safety Strategy go to http://authority.manchesterfire.gov.uk/Published/C00000186/M00000429/AI00001639/$Appendix4RoadSafetyStrategy2012.doc.pdf

Caitlin Alcock, who is just 16-years-old, was on her way from Leigh Fire Station on Tuesday, May 14, to carry out a Home Safety Check with a firefighter, when they drove up to the aftermath of a collision on Leigh Road.

Caitlin, who is from Ashton-in-Makerfield, said: "We just saw a crowd of people and there was a lad lying on the floor all dazed and confused.

"I got out of the car and the people told us he'd just been knocked off his motorbike and they'd rung for an ambulance which was on its way.

"He was talking which was obviously a good sign but he said he couldn't move his legs. His mum appeared, and I was able to chat to her and keep her calm."

Wigan Red Watch Firefighter Barry Taberner was able to take control of assessing the man's condition.

Firefighter Barry Taberner said: "When the ambulance arrived, Caitlin helped to stabilise the man's head and hold it still as paramedics lifted him onto a longboard and into the ambulance.

"She also chatted to the young man and his mum providing them both with reassurance in a crisis.

"Despite her tender years and the fact she's an apprentice with GMFRS, Caitlin was fantastic and incredibly calm in what was an emergency situation."

Caitlin is shown with Chief Fire Officer Steve McGuirk

Caitlin, who left Cansfield School last year, is one of 12 young people who are six months into the first apprenticeship scheme offered by GMFRS in conjunction with Salford City College and the National Apprentice Service.

Having been a Community Fire Cadet with GMFRS in Farnworth for three years, Caitlin's involvement with the Service is particularly poignant after her 19-year-old cousin Daniel was tragically killed in an accident.

A metal drum he was cutting caught fire at a Wigan factory in 2005, when Caitlin was just nine-years-old.

She said: "Ever since it happened I've wanted to work for the Fire Service, so getting this apprenticeship was fantastic and I've packed loads into my first six months on the career ladder."

Caitlin's year-long apprenticeship was funded by The National Apprenticeship Service, and she is working towards a number of qualifications, as well as working in the community carrying out Home Safety Checks, fitting smoke alarms and helping people to work out escape routes.

Eleven other GMFRS apprentices have also been working around Greater Manchester since the scheme began last year.

Community Safety Manager Reg Dempster said: "It is incredible that after just a few months with us Caitlin has helped someone in an emergency like this.

"Caitlin has shown a real enthusiasm to learn and develop all the relevant skills that come with the role of a Community Safety Advisor and not only is she is she a very valuable member of the team she's also shown she's fantastic in an emergency."

Caitlin's year-long apprenticeship was funded by The National Apprenticeship Service, and she is working towards a number of qualifications, as well as working in the community carrying out Home Safety Checks, fitting smoke alarms and helping people to work out escape routes.

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton said: "Caitlin's actions are to be commended, she will really have reassured the people involved and even helped to get the man safely into the ambulance.

"I'm delighted that while being given a chance as a GMFRS apprentice when the jobs market is so difficult, she has proved herself in this way.

"By working with Salford City College, the skills we are giving our 12 apprentices will be something they can use in a career with us, other public sector organisations and even in the private sector so this should open up some real opportunities for them.

"It furthers the work we are already doing to improve the lives of young people through a number of programmes by giving them a potential route into work."

To find out more about what GMFRS' apprentices have been up to, read their blog on the GMFRS website here: /updates/apprentices.aspx

A car that crashed and led to the death of a 24-year-old man from Tameside was taken to key locations in the town during National Road Safety Week.

GMFRS community safety advisors and volunteers spent three days talking to hundreds of people about the dangers of using mobile devices while driving.

Community Safety Advisor Oliver Harrison said: "We put on two successful events in the town centre and went to Aquinas College as part of National Road Safety Week. spoke to over 130 sixth form students ranging from 16 to 18 years old.

"Many of the young people were shocked at the graphic road traffic collision display and this provided some serious discussion among the students about driver behaviour.

"Even though the weather left a lot to be desired with rain all morning long, the students still came out in large numbers to look at the crashed car and learn the tragic true story of Rob, a 24-year-old man who lost his life in the collision after being three times over the drink limit, speeding and not wearing his seatbelt.

"Several students commented they felt sick after seeing the mangled wreckage and a few came back to the display on more than one occasion with their friends so they could also take a look and listen to the road safety advice."

Oliver, Apprentice Community Safety Advisor Greg Brunt and GMFRS volunteers Ryan Topping and Matthew Helps spoke to hundreds of people in the town and more than 130 students during the visit to Aquinas across the three days.

Oliver added: "We organised the college event through Eddie Moore, vice principal at Aquinas, to coincide with the lower sixth students going on study leave before their exams - a crucial time when young drivers' minds might be elsewhere and, therefore, not on road safety."

The wreckage from the fatal collision last year drew people's attention and prompted them to start discussing driving safety issues such as speed, not wearing seatbelts and drink driving with the GMFRS team.

Greater Manchester Police joined them on Wednesday, May 8, to run a separate operation targeting motorists who flout the law by driving through the town centre bus lane, endangering pedestrians.

This GMP work also sparked plenty of discussion between several members of the public about near misses they themselves have had with inconsiderate motorists.

The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) Road Safety Week ran from May 6 to May 12 and focused on pedestrian safety, raising awareness of the importance of looking after each other when using roads and the potential consequences of being distracted.

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton said: "It's great to reach out to young people and teach them about the harsh realities of what can happen on the roads if you don't fully pay attention to what you're doing.

"GMFRS' Road Safety Strategy targets new and young drivers who are statistically more at risk of being involved in a road traffic collision in their first year of having passed their test."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has been supporting the event for several years by flying the rainbow flag at its headquarters in Swinton.

This year, GMFRS has invited firefighters and staff across the county to take part and fire stations and training centres across the Service will be taking part to show its continued support for the event.

IDAHO is marked around the world each year on May 17 as a call for respect and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people worldwide.

It marks the date that homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of the World Health Organisation on May 17, 1992.

GMFRS' Assistant Chief Fire Officer Peter O'Reilly said: "Taking part in the Flying the Flag initiative is an opportunity to visibly mark IDAHO day by flying the rainbow flag and we are delighted to be taking part once again.

"The event not only raises awareness of the continuing impact of homophobia and transphobia but also recognises and celebrates LGBT staff within GMFRS and people locally in our community."

For further information on this topic, visit http://www.lgf.org.uk/ or https://www.stonewall.org.uk/

Families flocked to the station in Park Road to watch live road traffic collision demonstrations, have their vehicles checked and learn about staying safe on the roads - as a driver and a pedestrian.

The event on Saturday, May 11 was part of CFOA's (Chief Fire Officers Association) National Road Safety Week, which ran from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) joined forces with Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, Trafford Council's Road Safety Unit and various other organisations for the day to raise awareness of road safety.

Students from Trafford College gave demonstrations on how to check your car is safe while volunteers from local bike companies carried out free maintenance checks and repairs, helped by the Trafford Youth Offending Team.

Firefighters and paramedics gave a live demonstration in the station yard of what they do when they get called to a collision.

The scenario focused on an elderly driver who was trapped in the vehicle and a child that had been knocked over and caught under the wheel.

Stretford Station Manager Gethin Curzon said: "It may surprise some people to know that firefighters are now called to more road traffic collisions than fires and this is something that we are working to reduce.  

"The aim of this event was to work with our partners to raise awareness of road safety - focusing on the themes of looking after each other on the road and the destruction of distraction as part of National Road Safety Week.

"Despite the rain we had various activities going on throughout the day - our volunteers and Prevention staff gave presentations in the GMFRS community event vehicle and children enjoyed sitting in the fire engines, ambulances and police cars and bikes.

"Doing a live demo was a great way of showing the public just what can happen and what crews have to deal with - demos like this really hit home with people and hopefully help to get a serious message across.

"I would like to thank all partner services and agencies involved for their support in making the day a success."

There was face-painting and giveaways for children as well as information stalls from The Magistrates' Association, Institute of Advanced Motorists and Greater Manchester Probation Trust.

A total of 39 fire and rescue services across the UK took part in National Road Safety Week, which this year focused on pedestrian safety, raising awareness of the importance of looking after each other when using the roads and the potentially devastating consequences of being distracted.

Saturday's event at Stretford was just one of a whole host of road safety activities run by GMFRS and other emergency services last week.

GMFRS' Road Safety Strategy targets new and young drivers who are statistically more at risk of being involved in a road traffic collision in their first year of having passed their test.

To find out more about the strategy and what it means for you, go to http://authority.manchesterfire.gov.uk/Published/C00000186/M00000429/AI00001639/$Appendix4RoadSafetyStrategy2012.doc.pdf

Volunteers, community safety staff and crews from Stretford Fire Station joined other emergency services and local community groups at Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC), Old Trafford, for a school open day on Wednesday, May 8.  

More than 3,000 youngsters from across the region attended the day to watch Lancashire play Essex and take part in a host of physical, fun and educational activities hosted by the LCCC Foundation, local community groups, Greater Manchester Police, GMFRS and the Armed Forces.

Year five children from St Hugh of Lincoln RC Primary School in Stretford

GMFRS Volunteer Co-ordinator Andy McGurgan said: "We took along the Service's parade engine which pumped out music and the children all really enjoyed it and we also had a fire engine and crew from Stretford there showing the children around the fire engine and its equipment.

"We also had the community event vehicle set up where we were able to show videos and share information with the schoolchildren about the work of GMFRS and our range of schemes for young people.

"In particular we talked to the children about road safety and how to look out for each other on the roads as part of National Road Safety Week - which runs from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12 and this year focuses on pedestrian safety and distraction.

"The GMFRS caged soccer unit was transferred into a mini cricket course to be in-keeping with the theme of the day and this was a main attraction for the youngsters - allowing us to meet and engage with a range of young people from across the North West who we usually wouldn't get the chance to meet.

"We had ten volunteers helping out as well as crews and Community Safety Advisors and we were thrilled to be part of it. It was very busy and quickly ran out of giveaways!"

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The event was part of The Lancashire Way - a joint project which Lancashire County Cricket Club, LCCC Foundation and the Lancashire Cricket Board are undertaking throughout 2013.

Michelle Carney, director of LCCC Foundation which organised the event, said: "The LCCC Foundation uses the power of cricket to motivate, educate and inspire our community and we hope that by experiencing cricket first-hand we will encourage young people to try a sport that they may not have thought about before and want to visit again with their families."

Young people taking part in a year-long garage based training project got a unique insight into the devastating aftermath of a road accident thanks to a partnership between Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Wigan based charity, Fix It UK.

On Thursday, May 9, the young trainee mechanics aged between 14 and 19, looked on, as crews cut through the framework of a car to free one of their youth trainers.

16-year-old Becky Jane said: "It's actually something you'd never want to see for real, it's quite depressing and sad seeing it.

"You really get the idea of what it'd be like, and I suppose it'd be terrifying if it did happen - if it didn't kill you first."

Their visit took place during National Road Safety Week - which runs from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.

GMFRS Children and Young People Co-ordinator, Tricia Flynn said: "We've been working with Fix It UK for some time and as part of National Road Safety Week we invited some of their students to the Station to help raise their awareness.

"We focussed on how dangerous distraction can be, so whether they're driving or on foot crossing roads, mobile phones, wearing headphones, texting - they can all result in road accidents, which can prove fatal, and it's our firefighters who have turn up to horrific crash sites to free them."

Fix It UK is a Spring View based workshop that provides an alternative practical option for students who could benefit from this type of learning experience.

Fix-It-UK Youth Trainer Mark Rennie said: "Seeing the firefighters having to work really hard to free one of their own will really have had an impact and they will have got a lot out of it - it's shock tactics.

"Now if they're disaffected, and are ever tempted to steal a car, or get in a car with someone who's had a drink, hopefully this will make them think twice.

"I hope they'll remember to wear their seatbelts and not be distracted, I had a very lucky escape from a crash when I was 17 - and I don't want it to happen to them.

"At Fix It UK we're teaching them to fix cars - at the end of the course they'll have a qualification, confidence and self-esteem and thanks to GMFRS they'll also take away a life lesson in the importance of road safety."

A total of 39 fire and rescue services across the UK are taking part in CFOA's (Chief Fire Officers Association) National Road Safety Day, which this year focuses on pedestrian safety, raising awareness of the importance of looking after each other when using roads and the potential consequences of being distracted.

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton said: "It's great to reach out to young people outside of mainstream education and teach them about the harsh realities of what happens if you don't wear a seatbelt.

"GMFRS' Road Safety Strategy targets new and young drivers who are statistically more at risk of being involved in a road traffic collision in their first year of having passed their test.

"By working with Fix It UK we're helping to improve the life chances, career choices and opportunities of these young people."

To find out more about GMFRS' Road Safety Strategy go to http://authority.manchesterfire.gov.uk/Published/C00000186/M00000429/AI00001639/$Appendix4RoadSafetyStrategy2012.doc.pdf

To find out more about Fix It UK go to http://www.fixit-uk.org/about-us/  

BUDDING film directors at a Greater Manchester college have recreated the dramatic scene of a fatal collision to highlight the potential dangers faced by drivers and pedestrians using the county's roads.

Students from Bury College have been working closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and other emergency services to simulate a road traffic collision in which a young man is killed crossing the road.

On Wednesday, May 8, students acted out the story on the college campus with the help of crews from Whitefield and Bury fire stations along with officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and paramedics from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

Fake blood and theatrical make-up was used by students from the make-up department and drama students put on their best performances to make the scenario as realistic as possible.

Taking place during National Road Safety Week - which runs from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12 - the aim of the event is to raise awareness amongst new and learner drivers of the dangers of being distracted as a driver or pedestrian, particularly by using mobile phones and other media gadgets while driving or crossing the road.

Students from the college's media department filmed the event and as part of their course they will produce a hard-hitting DVD which will be shown to around 5,000 students to spread the message of road safety.

Watch Manager Craig Pinder, who organised the event, said: "We've been working on this road safety day since February and I think it's been a huge success.

"The main aim of the day was to raise awareness of how dangerous it is to use mobile phones and iPods etc. when crossing the road or driving because distraction can kill, and I hope that the event itself and the resulting video will allow us to get across vital safety messages to young people in Bury.

"The students have put so much effort into organising this event, working together with different departments in the college to create a realistic scenario and they have done a fantastic job.

"The sense of ownership they have for this project, the fact that they've created their own messages for their peers, and the opportunity for GMFRS to work jointly with our colleagues at GMP and NWAS has really helped to make this day more impactful."

A road safety stall was also set up in the college canteen, providing information, advice and GMFRS road safety car accessories to hundreds of passing students.

Director of the safety DVD, Jack Maidment, aged 17 - a creative media production and film studies student - said: "We worked with the fire service to set up a scenario, from which we created a storyboard and structured the filming. It has been a great project to be involved in."
 
A total of 39 fire and rescue services across the UK are taking part in CFOA's (Chief Fire Officers Association) National Road Safety Day, which this year focuses on pedestrian safety, raising awareness of the importance of looking after each other when using roads and the potential consequences of being distracted.

Chief Inspector Rachel Buckle, from GMP's Road Policing Unit, said: "Reducing the number of lives lost on the roads of Greater Manchester has been our top priority and I'm pleased to see that 22 lives have been saved in comparison to last year. However, 51 people have still died in road accidents in 2012 and this is 51 too many.

"Greater Manchester Police has been working with partner agencies to reduce road deaths and we will not rest on our laurels while lives are still being lost to careless driving, drink-driving, speeding, driving while using a mobile and refusal to wear a seatbelt.

"During my time as a police officer I have attended many fatal collisions whereby lives could have been saved had our simple advice been followed. I'm appealing to drivers, passengers and pedestrians to stay safe, follow our advice and help us to make the roads of Greater Manchester safer for all."

Ben Nuttall, aged 24, Louis Sheeran, aged 22, and Liam Dobson, aged 21, were presented with a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation during a ceremony at Ramsbottom Fire Station on Tuesday evening (May 7, 2013).

The men - who between them have 22 years kayaking experience - were taking advantage of the heavy rainfall and fast-flowing water between Nuttall Park and the Burrs Activity Centre on September 26 last year when they spotted something orange in the distance.

As they got closer they noticed it was a man marooned in the water wearing a life jacket and clinging to a branch.

The man, in his mid-50s, had got into difficulties after going into the river alone in a small inflatable boat with no emergency equipment or helmet and only a basic life jacket.

The trio were well prepared - they had ropes, wet suits, helmets and mobile phones so using ropes and a sling, Ben and Louis secured themselves to a tree and managed to get a rope to the man and free him from the water - getting him safely onto the river bank, while Liam called the emergency services.

Some of the man's clothes had been swept away by the force of the water and his legs and feet were cut and bruised. He also appeared to be pinned against a rock, which made it even more difficult for him to get out.

He was suffering from hypothermia so Ben and Louis stayed with him until firefighters arrived a few minutes later.

Several appliances were sent to the scene just after 2pm and crews worked with the kayakers to get the man safely up the river bank, which was made more difficult due the fact that he was barefoot.

Eventually he was brought to safety and taken to hospital where he made a full recovery.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jim Owen, who presented the men with their awards, said: "It's unlikely that anybody would have seen the man where he was to call for help and without these three experienced kayakers he would have almost certainly died as the water was staggeringly fast.

"I would like to commend Ben, Louis and Liam for their brave actions in rescuing the man and assisting the fire service in bringing him to safety - ultimately saving his life."

Louis, an electrical engineering student who lives in Ancoats, said: "We're really grateful to receive the commendation but we are mainly just glad that we were in the right place at the right time to help rescue the man.

"We're all experienced kayakers and know how dangerous water can be so would never go into the water unprepared, which is even more important in fast-flowing water."

Councillor David Acton, Chair of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "At this time of year, people may be tempted to go for a swim in a local river, lake or canal, and while this may seem like a good idea at the time, it is extremely dangers.

"There is no supervision by lifeguards to help you if you get into trouble and the water is often a lot colder than you expect, which can impact on your physical capabilities.

"The water can also be deep and there is no way of knowing what lies beneath the surface.

"Never drink alcohol during or just before swimming or while carrying out activities such as boating or water skiing. And if you're going to go swimming, make sure that somebody is nearby so you can shout for help if you get into difficulties.

"If you see someone in difficulty in the water, tell somebody immediately and dial 999 - never attempt to rescue someone from the water yourself."

Firefighters will be visiting neighbours during the next few days and offering Home Safety Checks to those living near to the house in Timperley who have been left shocked by the scale of the fire.

A crew from Altrincham Fire Station remained at the detached house on Henley Drive, Timperley, until lunchtime on Tuesday, May 7, to ensure the fire that had started in the early hours of the previous morning was entirely out.

Altrincham Station Manager Kevin Brogden said: "The man involved in this fire was incredibly lucky to make it out and we hope he recovers from his ordeal quickly.

"While he had a smoke alarm, it was positioned in the garage and he could've had an earlier warning to the fire if they had been positioned elsewhere in the house.

"Our firefighters worked tirelessly at the scene yesterday morning to bring the fire under control and they've been here since to make sure it's fully out.

"Once that's done, we will be knocking on doors and speaking to people in this community to talk to them about fire safety - we will even be offering to fit smoke alarms so you know they are in the right place to give you the earliest possible warning if there ever were a fire."

Crews from Altrincham, Sale and Wythenshawe fire stations were called to Henley Drive at 5.40am on Monday, May 6.

A 54-year-old man was woken to a fire in his home after his cat jumped on the bed and alerted him to the blaze.

He got out of the house before crews arrived and was given first aid by a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service trauma technician as he was suffering from the effects of inhaling smoke and had burns to his head.

Four firefighters in breathing apparatus fought the fire with jets.

An aerial appliance was also brought from Stretford Fire Station to fight the fire from above.

The man's cat died in the blaze and the man remains in hospital. It is thought the fire started due to an electrical fault.

Councillor David Acton, Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "Our firefighters have put more than 24 hours into tackling this blaze - but their work will not stop there.

"Crews are now going to do as much as possible in this community to try and make sure that no one else suffers in the same way.

"If you see them over the next couple of days, it is worth stopping for a chat and letting them make sure you have smoke alarms fitted in the right place in your home."

For a Home Safety Check - which may include the fitting of two free smoke alarms - please call 0800 555 815 or visit /fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx

Crews will be giving advice on fire safety, carrying out Home Safety Checks and offering reassurance to residents following the fire in Haughton Green.

Tameside Borough Manager Jon Heydon said: "It is terribly sad that a woman has lost her life in this fire and our thoughts are with family, friends and neighbours, who will no doubt be shocked and upset.

"Firefighters faced difficult conditions this morning and did a good job of ensuring the fire didn't spread to other homes.

"Crews will be in the community this afternoon and tomorrow to ensure that anyone with concerns about fire safety following this incident can get advice and support from them."

Firefighters from Ashton, Hyde and Gorton fire stations were called to a blaze at a bungalow on Denbigh Road, Haughton Green, at 1.25am on Monday, May 6.

When crews arrived, they discovered the entire bungalow was on fire and it was believed that a woman was inside.

Six firefighters in breathing apparatus began tackling the fire with jets.

Due to the scale of the incident, crews also put jets on neighbouring houses to stop the fire spreading to them.

A 59-year-old woman was brought from the bungalow and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 58-year-old woman who lives in a house nearby was suffering from the effects of inhaling smoke but declined the offer of treatment by a GMFRS trauma technician and ambulance staff.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service fire investigators and officers from Greater Manchester Police have been at the bungalow throughout the morning.

Initial investigations suggest that the fire started in the bedroom as a result of smoking materials. The matter will be passed to the coroner.

For a Home Safety Check - which may include the fitting of two free smoke alarms - please call 0800 555 815 or visit /fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx

The humanitarian mission to the former Yugoslavian state has been set up by fire and rescue charity Operation Florian, which aims to save lives overseas by donating reconditioned fire engines and emergency equipment to the world's poorest regions.

The trio of firefighters will be leaving Manchester on Sunday, May 5 and they'll take it in turns to drive the Volvo FS6 engine to its final destination of Bogdanci, which lies just 10 miles from the Greek border.

Firefighters Rhodri Jones from Sale Fire Station, James Copley from Bolton Central and Arif Ahmed from Manchester Central will be joined by Pete Boon from Stansted Airport Fire and Rescue Service when they head to Hull where the engine will cross the channel on a ferry.

On disembarking in Zeebrugge, Brugge, the team will drive through six European countries including Belgium, Germany and Austria before arriving in Macedonia mid-week.

Rhodri Jones, a 31-year-old firefighter on Blue Watch at Sale, said: "Firefighters in Macedonia are using engines that are almost 50 years old.

"Whilst they're still in working order, it means that rescue personnel are restricted, not only in how quickly they can respond to an emergency, but also in how fast they can bring a fire under control.

"By donating this British fire engine, we aim to improve safety levels within the community as a whole.

"It's going to be a pretty arduous journey. We'll be travelling at a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour, with a total distance of 1,812 miles to go, so we expect to be on the road for around three days."

Once they've delivered the fire engine - donated by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service - the team will stay for a week to provide comprehensive training to firefighters at the station.

The modern 'water ladder' engine, which is capable of delivering 2,250 litres of water per minute, can transport six firefighters and 1.5 tonnes of equipment.

Operation Florian has been actively supporting the Macedonian local and national fire service since 2007. To date it has donated 17 fully equipped fire appliances, 300 breathing apparatus sets, 30 sets of hydraulic rescue equipment to over 25 municipalities in the region.

Representatives from the charity have also trained over 200 Macedonian firefighters in effective rescue techniques, including road traffic collision and first aid, as well as delivering workshops on community safety strategies in an effort to improve.

For further information on the charity, please visit the website www.operationflorian.com

Mayor of Westhoughton Councillor Ryan Battersby was invited to Bolton Central Fire Station after he presented certificates to youngsters on one of the Service's Prince's Trust schemes during a ceremony at The Reebok Stadium last month.

He spent a shift with Red Watch crews on Monday, April 29 when he experienced the adrenalin rush of two emergency call outs, got to grips with the firefighters' equipment and attended a community visit.

Bolton Borough Manager Ian Bailey said: "Cllr Battersby came to the last Prince's Trust event that we held in Bolton and he was really moved by it and enjoyed meeting the youngsters and hearing their stories.

"We chatted and he said he would like to get a greater awareness of the fire service and what we do so we invited him down for the day."

Cllr Battersby, aged 22, said he was inspired by the firefighters during the day but was very nervous. As a boy he dreamed of being a firefighter after watching Fireman Sam and London's Burning. 

He said: "We were called out twice during the day. I was very nervous of an emergency and of not acting quickly enough.

"But the watch were very down to earth. They put me at ease and I had a great laugh and a great day. It was an experience that rounded off my mayoral year brilliantly."

The first call out was to a fire alarm at a residential home and the second, which came as Cllr Battersby was tucking into his lunch, was to a home in Farnworth where smoke was reported to be coming through a window. The crew were stood down as another engine was closer to the incident.

During the day, firefighters and Cllr Battersby also paid a visit to Bolton Children's Opportunity Group in Lowndes Street to speak to youngsters with learning and physical disabilities and show them the fire engine.

He added: "It gave me an insight into the role and life of a firefighter - I would definitely consider being a firefighter if I was a bit fitter."

Crews from Bolton Central Fire Station spent the morning at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School in Farnworth demonstrating HeartStart techniques to the children.

Firefighters Matthew Halsall, Dale Martin and Patrick Charles delivered the training to the Year Six pupils along with their Crew Manager Dave Holden.

They are all trained teachers of British Heart Foundation's (BHF) HeartStart, which teaches lifesaving CPR and means they are able to deliver life support to youth groups and school children of all ages.

The crew was watched on by a special guest - GMFRS' Chief Fire Officer (CFO) who was visiting Bolton fire stations for the day and spending time with the watches.

Crew Manager Dave Holden said: "The children were very well behaved and attentive. All the children were able to deal with a faint, bleeding, choking, heart attack and cardiac arrest by the end of the session.

"It was a very worthwhile event promoting life-saving skills as part of the school day."

Bolton Central Station Manager Steve Parkinson said: "Firefighters in Bolton have been delivering HeartStart throughout the community for a year now following training by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedics.

"Cardiac problems affect a lot of families in Bolton so as a community fire station we see it as our responsibility to help make everyone more aware of heart health and emergency life support procedures."

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling has been campaigning to deliver lifesaving treatment to school children for some time.

Suleman Patel, aged 54, appeared before Bolton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, after pleading guilty to three fire safety offences.

Patel, from London, jointly owns Derby Mill in Thomas Street with his brothers but was responsible for managing the property through a separate company he owns.

On Sunday, April 8, 2012, a fire broke out on the fifth floor of the mill - resulting in around 30 firefighters tackling the blaze.

Crews were called to the property at 8.05pm and after breaking in, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using jets and searched every floor.

The mill was undergoing roofing work at the time and the fifth floor was not in use.

A specialist Fire Protection Officer visited the building on April 10 and found two areas where there was evidence of people sleeping inside.

Patel acknowledged that beds and a kitchen had been provided for security guards he employed but he had not reviewed the fire risk assessment that he had done in 2010 and there was no smoke detection in the areas where people were sleeping.

When the officer returned on April 17, the security guards were present but when asked to show how they would get out in a fire, they led the fire officer to a door which once opened was blocked by a padlocked gate so they could not get out without returning for a key.

Warren Spencer, prosecuting for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, told the court: "There was a fire risk assessment in place but it had not been updated to take account of people sleeping on the premises.

"Where people are sleeping the requirements for fire safety are stricter for obvious reasons - people don't smell smoke when sleeping."

Mr Patel told the court that he had a project manager who was in charge and did not tell him that workers were sleeping there.

The magistrates fined Patel £3,500 for each offence and told him this was a serious case - his guilty plea had reduced the fine from the maximum of £5,000.

He was also ordered to pay the full costs of the prosecution of £2,828 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Head of Prevention and Protection at GMFRS, Peter O'Reilly, said: "The fact that Mr Patel was aware of his obligations for fire safety, but did not think about the risks to those sleeping in the mill, shows a disregard to the safety of his workers.

"Fortunately, nobody was harmed as a result of the fire because it occurred in an occupied part of the building and our crews quickly brought it under control. In the end, the incident led us to identify the problems but the fire could have had devastating consequences for those sleeping inside." 

Sixteen-year-old Caitlin Alcock joined GMFRS in October 2012 as a trainee community safety advisor along with 11 others who took their first steps on to the career ladder in the first apprenticeship scheme offered by the Service.

The group has recently competed against apprentices from other fire and rescue services in the Brathay Challenge - which involved them taking part in a number of tasks that allowed them to showcase their community work and willingness to learn new skills, such as by job shadowing colleagues. 

Caitlin said: "I had the opportunity to take part in a job swap as part of the challenge and was extremely excited and nervous as I requested to spend time with Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Steve McGuirk.

"I had an excellent day with the Chief who had planned to spend the day at Oldham Borough.

"We started off at Chadderton Fire Station where we received a warm welcome before sitting down to talk with various members of staff.

"Borough Manager Kev Talbot was good enough to give me a guided tour of the area while driving around Oldham, and I was made to feel at home by everyone I came across and really enjoyed the experience.  I look forward to visiting there again!

"Later we journeyed to the front lines to meet firefighters where they had the opportunity to ask the Chief any questions they had around the upcoming changes to the Service.

"What a fantastic day it was and I can't believe how much I learned.  To be allowed the chance to shadow Steve was just brilliant - but don't worry boss I won't be replacing you just yet!"

GMFRS' County Fire Officer and Chief Executive, Steve McGuirk, said: "We're delighted to be able to give Caitlin and the others a chance by launching the apprenticeship scheme at GMFRS.

"By working with Salford City College the skills they acquire will give them something they can use in a future career - either at GMFRS or elsewhere."

The apprentices' fantastic efforts during the challenge, and day-to-day activity since then, have been communicated to the outside world using their blog on the GMFRS website, which also feeds through to Twitter.

The apprentices are young people who have already had some contact with GMFRS, such as through the Prince's Trust courses, Cadets and FireFly, following a targeted recruitment campaign.

You can read the apprentice CSA blog here - http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/updates/apprentices.aspx 

Investigators from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) found that a company which rents one of the units at the site was burning off wood in a yard.

The burning got slightly out of control and spread to rubbish before reaching a nearby metal container which contained fireworks.

Firefighters were called to the address on Morton Street in Failsworth at 6.09pm on Tuesday, April 30.

The container of fireworks set alight and exploded resulting in an adjacent cabin containing LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) cylinders also setting on fire.

Six fire crews were in attendance at the height of the incident and used jets to fight the fire.

A GMFRS Trauma Technician treated two men at the scene who were suffering from burns before they were taken to hospital by the ambulance service.

One man was later discharged and a 45-year-old man remains in hospital where he is believed to be in a stable condition.

Watch Manager Neil Helmrich from Philips Park Fire Station, who was initially in charge of the incident said: "Firefighters applied water to the LPG cylinders until they were deemed safe and tackled the fire from a distance using four jets and a ground monitor to bring it under control."

The incident was scaled down to four fire crews at around 7.45pm but cylinders were discovered within another container shortly after and firefighters put a cordon in place and started to the cool the cylinder.

Firefighters continued the cooling process throughout the night and the site was deemed safe at around 10am on Wednesday, May 1.

A multi-agency investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the storage of the fireworks.

For advice on the safe storage of fireworks, please visit the GMFRS website here: /fire_safety_advice/business_fire_safety/storage_of_explosives.aspx