Cornwall County Fire Brigade 1948 – 1998
CATHEDRAL TALK FOR GOLDEN JUBILEE SERVICE
(TD Jones )
Within the next few minutes it is my task to try and give you a history of the Cornwall County Fire Brigade over the last 50 years. To compare it with the old saying of putting a quart into a pint pot is a major understatement.
It will be inevitable that in trying to cover the creation, development and happenings of the brigade since its formation 50 years ago, many things, which some of you will remember, and cherish, will be missed – for that I apologise in advance.
On the 1st of April 1948 the Cornwall County Council were given the responsibility of providing fire protection for the county, as required under the Fire Services Act of 1947, replacing the National Fire Service which had provided that service since its
formation in 1941 for war-time purposes.
(The new Fire Authorities, designated by the Act, were to make provision for a Fire Brigade which among other things included the following requirements.
1. They were to provide fire appliances and equipment,
2. Premises in which to house them,
3. Make provision to receive emergency calls and re-transmit them as necessary in order to turn out the appropriate stations.
4. Ensure that personnel are employed to carry out the duties,
5. Provide training for those people.)
Although there had been many towns, villages and other organisations in the county who had run fire brigades in the past, this was the first time that the County Council had been given that overall responsibility and with it the need for a co-ordinated service.
The County Council formed a Fire Service Committee, which, included representatives of District Councils, who were to prepare a scheme for the formation of a fire brigade.
Inevitably the question of costs were raised and whilst the Home Office were to meet 25% of the expenditure the balance had to be met by the county, which, as might be expected, provoked much debate. Eventually a scheme was accepted, but only after the intervention of the Home Office, to ensure that nationally agreed standards of fire cover were maintained, which meant that an initial budget of £72,000 was established
for the first year, this being about twice the figure initially proposed.
This was really a budget which allowed little for development or the replacement of old and inadequate equipment but did enable the formation of the brigade which met nationally agreed standards of attendance at fires.
The formation of the brigade was primarily from appliances, equipment and buildings which had been used by the National Fire Service together with the selection of personnel who had, in most cases, been serving within the NFS. It was however
necessary to reduce the overall number of people required to run this peace time service against that which had been required for wartime needs.
Fire appliances consisted of self propelled pumps and towing vehicles with trailer pumps, which had been provided for wartime emergency purposes, and these together with some old pre-war units formed the main firefighting force of 56 pumping units and 4 special appliances.
The premises were mainly wartime acquired buildings, some built or adapted by NFS building squads often with reclaimed materials. There were only a few stations which had been purpose built units from pre-war days.
What were the risks that had to be protected ?
1. Firstly a resident population of nearly 350,000 people, increased to a much higher figure during the holiday periods, with the added problem of high density occupation.
2. Property within the county of varying size, use and complexity.
3. Specialised risks such as shipping, strategic and vital international communication links and certain high risk military and government establishments.
4. Specialised rescue needs associated with mines, disused mineshafts and cliffs.
5. There was also the special requirements which needed to be met in a county having 320 miles or so of coastline and with many of the centres of population locate on the Coast.
6. Attendance at road accidents and other emergency situations.
On the formation of the brigade there were 35 Fire Stations consisting of :-
7 manned by whole time and retained personnel
22 manned solely by retained personnel
6 Local Fire Units manned by volunteers (3 were disbanded during year, and one was upgraded to retained status).
These were formed in 4 Divisions centred on Penzance, Falmouth, Bodmin and Saltash.
Today there are 31 fire stations, 6 having whole time members.
In 1948 there were 560 persons in the brigade overall.
80 whole time uniformed members
434 retained
23 volunteer
23 non-uniformed in Administration, Workshops, Stores etc.
There are 664 people on the current establishment.
During the first year there were 778 calls attended by the brigade.
Last year there were 7,113.
Fire fighting, rescue and other emergency planning needs within the county produce a quite unique combination which requires special consideration, preparation and action. As a peninsula, with about 320 miles or so of coastline, the shape and size of our county presents many problems, not least of those being the lack of assistance that can be offered by adjoining fire brigades, which means that Cornwall has to be virtually self sufficient when dealing with major outbreaks of fire or other resource demanding incidents.
Protection had to be provided for a resident population of nearly 350,000, increased considerably during the holiday season. Property of varying size, use and complexity,
including military and other government establishments.
Provision had to be made to deal with ship fires, at sea and in harbour, also to meet rescue needs from mineshafts, cliffs, road accidents, floods and other emergencies.
Shortly after the formation it became very evident that a replacement of old fire appliances was becoming a matter of some urgency and the county made funds available to embark on a major replacement during 1951/52 when 30 appliances were purchased, mainly Water Tenders with 6 Pump Escapes. This overcame a major problem at that time but still left the brigade with many wartime units giving first line cover within the area.
Introduction of a light weight four wheeled drive appliances, based on the Austin Gypsy chassis, helped considerably to work in areas where limited access and difficult terrain existed. More recently there has been development on an ultra light appliance with an even better access facility.
In the late 60’s and early 70’s the need to re-assess the replacement of the now ageing fire appliances on a yearly, and more realistic pattern became evident, which resulted in
new vehicles being introduced embracing the latest technology and development. This policy has continued and the brigade are now equipped with a fleet of modern, high technology appliances.
The refurbishment of fire stations, and preparation for replacement, started slowly in the late 50’s and it was not until much later that the first of the new ones were completed. It was not until the 1970’s that a concerted effort was made to obtain sites and build stations.
In 1967 Brigade Control and Headquarters moved into vacant accommodation at Old County Hall, following the move by other departments into the new hall, and it was on this change that the brigade were able to introduce its own radio scheme and install the latest call out equipment which considerably improved the mobilising and overall communications of the service with its attendant improvement in efficiency.
The County Council continued to give very tangible consideration to improving the overall situation within the brigade and although there was the usual battle for funding
it was during the 1970’s that they made finances available to enable substantial developments to be made in the service.
During this period breathing apparatus was provided for the first time on all retained stations, crash rescue equipment was provided on at least one appliance on each station and other specialised facilities and equipment were introduced, with the
provision of three new concept Emergency Tenders at Camborne, Falmouth and Bodmin.
It was at this time that a large Hydraulic Platform was introduced into the brigade.
Many of the outstanding and specials incidents attended by the brigade could be mentioned and I give a few as an example of those which have occurred over the 50
years.
Fore Street, St Ives – extensive fire in the holiday season – evacuation needed
Red Lion Hotel, Truro – lorry crashed into the front of the hotel with serious casualty and building collapse
River Tunnel, Truro – Rescue of 6 men during flash flood – BEM awarded for this rescue.
Ships – Stylianus Restus (Fertiliser) – Vancouver City (timber ship) – from Atlantic Pegase (Abandoned ship in channel) Kukawa (brought into Falmouth Docks)
Market Jew St., Penzance – Shop premises, serious risk of fire spread
Torrey Canyon where we dealt with the influx of personnel from over 70 fire brigades, and a number of army units, when appliances and equipment were withdrawn from Home Office stores to deal with the major problem of clearing oil from beaches and harbours.
Harvey’s Depot, Hayle – Timber store and builders merchants
The Quay, Mevagissey – Shop premises, congestion and serious risk of fire spread
Castle an Dinas – Road accident, fatal casualties
Heathcotes, Station Road, Poole – synthetic yarn store, difficult fire, high fire loss
(Thanks and recognition are given to the people and organisations which have worked along with and supported the fire brigade, it would be difficult to mention them all (due to limited time) but in mentioning some I apologise for those which I will inevitably miss. Those concerned would include :-
County Council Departments, District, City and Borough Councils
Police, Ambulance
Harbour Authorities
Water Undertakings
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
WRVS
Salvation Army
RSPCA
The development of Fire Prevention, or Fire Safety as it is now called, during the 50 years has been quite immense in that in 1948 the requirement on the brigade was that advice was to be given when requested. Since that time, the introduction of
Legislation, placing the responsibility on the brigade, has meant that factories, offices, shops, hotels and guest houses are among those premises which now need to be regularly inspected and the appropriate certification approved. In 1948 115 inspections were made and 7,563 during the last year. (It was on the requirement to certify hotels and guest houses for fire safety that Cornwall made the most direct contribution at national level, being involved with the working party in establishing the appropriate legislation and standards as it was evident that after introduction the fire authority would be responsible for inspections on nearly 10% of the premises affected nationally.)
(All these changes meant that there were heavy demands on the need for training and this aspect of the service developed in the county in company with other requirements. Many brigade members attended specialised courses at the Fire Service College and other national training establishments. It is to the credit of the brigade, and the individuals, that a number of officers from the brigade were chosen as instructors at the Fire Service College which among other things enabled them to bring the specialised knowledge and experience held in Cornwall for the benefit of the service generally).
Finally, and I’ve saved the most important until the last, the people in the brigade. All those uniformed and non-uniformed members who over the years have given greatly of their time, devotion, ability and courage have helped to develop this brigade to the highly efficient and dedicated service that it is today, where, some 3,000 people have served since 1948
Whilst we often hear about the firefighters who are at the sharp end of the business we must never forget those who support them, the administrative staff who ensure that all the essential planning is made and dealt with and that the delivery of equipment, pay and welfare matters are never found wanting.
The people in workshops, who ensure that the appliances and equipment are always in a serviceable and reliable condition and who also respond to deal with any emergency breakdown at short notice and often work in difficult conditions to carry out repairs or service the vehicles during a long and difficult incident.
Brigade Control provide that vital link with the general public and co-ordinate the communications and movement within the brigade and for attendance at emergencies.
One must never ever forget the unbounded support and encouragement given by the “families” of brigade members or the inconveniences they often experience as a result of being part of an instant response’ organisation.
As some measure of the valuable service given by members it may be appropriate to mention the recognition which they have received.
Hundreds of members have been awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for 20 years service and many have received recognition for 25 years of service to the Cornwall County Council. Some have been honoured by the award of British Empire Medals for special acts of bravery and for service to the community, and others the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.
The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery, Royal Humane Society medals, St John’s Life Saving medals have also been awarded and there have been numerous occasions when individuals and stations have been presented with awards by the RSPCA for the rescue of animals from dangerous situations.
It is difficult to give sufficient acknowledgement to the dedication , enthusiasm, expertise and courage shown by the members of the service in dealing with what is well known to be a most dangerous activity. The training and application which is
needed today, with all the complexity of the modern world, along with the sheer physical requirements has to be applauded.
(This would seem to be particularly so with the retained members who give a commitment to the service for immediate response when they already have their normal work to attend to. The strain which can be imposed at busy times is worthy of
special mention and this was never more noticeable shown than in the summer of 1976 when over a period of some 6 weeks or so there was such a demand on the brigade, during the hot dry period, that some of the retained personnel were absent from their normal place of work for very long periods and they and their employers had to deal with the extra problems this brought about. For the self employed person this seemed
to be particularly severe.)
The residents and visitors in this county of ours are indeed fortunate to have a highly technically developed brigade where well trained and experienced members show a dedication and commitment which would be hard to equal and impossible to better.
The ability. physical effort and bravery shown by those who deal with fires and other emergencies is something that is recognised by all.
I am certain that all those 3,000 people who are, and have been, connected with the service are proud to be “part of the Cornwall County Fire Brigade”.
TD Jones