Out of the Ashes : Stories from Lancashire

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
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Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service's first podcast series.We talk to people who have had life-changing experiences that brought them together with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. They tell the often unseen side of emergencies and their stories could save your life. 

Episodes

  1. NOV 24

    Episode 12: Future Firefighters: Your Guide to Fitness and Fuel

    Fitness is a key part of being a firefighter, whether you’re on-call or wholetime. In this episode, we speak to Amanda, our Service Fitness Advisor, about everything you need to know to get fit for the fireground. We cover how to prepare for the firefighter fitness test, tips for staying hydrated and fueling your body properly, and we bust some common firefighter fitness myths along the way.  Whether you’re thinking about applying or just curious about the role, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you perform at your best. Links to Websites/Resources discussed in the episode: Bleep Test TikTokChester Treadmill Test TiKTokWeights/Strength required (scroll down to On-call firefighter fitness requirements to see Strength Test)If you’re interested in finding out more about on-call firefighting at LFRS and would like to register your interest, please head to our website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/oncall.  For more information about wholetime firefighters at LFRS, head over to www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/wholetime. And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    24 min

  2. MAY 30

    Episode 11: Alert and Ready: An On-Call Firefighter’s Story

    Have you ever been curious about what it’s like to be an on-call firefighter, what the fitness test involves, and how to apply for the position? With recruitment for on-call firefighters opening soon, we’ve put together a podcast episode featuring a conversation with On-call Firefighter Sue Ward, about the ins and outs of the role. On-call firefighters are community members who live or work near an on-call fire station and can quickly respond to emergencies by crewing a fire engine - usually arriving at the station within 5 to 8 minutes. The service employs people from all walks of life in the role, ranging from self-employed tradespeople, stay-at-home parents to employees of small businesses and large, well-known organisations. They are paid for their time and are professionally trained firefighters who work alongside full-time colleagues to respond to a wide range of incidents from road, rail or air crashes, to floods, fires, chemical spills or rescuing people trapped in confined spaces. Our applications open on Monday 2nd June, and close on Friday 27th June, with training courses beginning in October. If you’re interested in finding out more about on-call firefighting at LFRS and would like to register your interest, please head to our website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/oncall And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    23 min

  3. 12/11/2024

    Episode 10: Reflections with the Retiring Chief Fire Officer

    In this heartfelt episode of Out of the Ashes: Stories from Lancashire, we sit down with Chief Fire Officer Justin Johnston as he prepares for retirement after an extraordinary 30-year career in the fire service.    Justin discusses the challenges of modern firefighting, including responding to climate-driven emergencies, adopting cutting-edge technology like drones and AI, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and championing equality, diversity, and inclusion within the service. He also shares leadership insights, career-defining moments, and plans for the future, including supporting fire service research and spending more time with family—and his dog, Milo.  And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    44 min

  4. 11/15/2024

    Episode 9 - Empowering Young Lives Through The King's Trust Programme

    In episode 9, we’re shining a light on a surprising but incredibly impactful area of our work at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service—the positive influence we have on children and young adults through our community programs. We’re particularly focused on the King’s Trust Programme, previously known as the Prince’s Trust Programme, which we’ve been proudly delivering for 23 years. The highlight of this initiative is the Team Programme, a 12-week, full-time course designed to help young people aged 16 to 25 build confidence, motivation, and practical skills. Since its launch in April 2001, we’ve supported over 7,000 young people in our local communities, and we now offer more of these programmes than any other fire and rescue service in the UK. In this episode, we're joined by three special guests: Caroline Hooson, Youth Engagement Coordinator at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service; Karolina, a Prince’s Trust Support Worker; and Iqraa, who recently completed the programme. Together, we’ll explore the life-changing impact of the Team Programme, hear Iqraa’s personal story, and discuss how the programme equips young people for success—both in their personal lives and future careers. For more information about the programme, please visit: www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/princes-trust Links to Resources discussed in the episode: Iqraa's article - WORK EXPERIENCE: Iqraa's Time at Colne Life HQ • Colne Life MagazineThis episode was recorded in August and September of 2024. Please note, in October 2024, the Prince's Trust changed their name to The King's Trust, reflecting our Royal Founding President's continued dedication to our work. And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    26 min

  5. 09/24/2024

    Episode 8: Unexpected Businesses Disruptions, Are you prepared?

    In episode 8, we’re joined by three expert guests: Esma, Senior Business Continuity and Emergency Planning Officer at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services; Emergency Planning and Risk Manager, Julie Ferguson from Lancaster University; and Dharmesh Nayee, Emergency Planning Officer at Lancashire County Council. Together, we dive into a topic that’s vital for every business, no matter its size or industry—Business Continuity Planning, or BCP for short. We explore what a Business Continuity Plan is, how to begin creating one for your business, and the best ways to put it into practice. For more information about all things Business Fire Safety, please visit: www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/safety/business-safety Links to Websites/Resources discussed in the episode: The Flood Hub Lancashire Resilience ForumEnvironment Agency Section of Flooding on the Government websiteRemember, it's not just about protecting your business, it's about protecting your employees, your customers, and your future. And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    30 min

  6. 05/30/2024

    Episode 7: On the Alert, the role of an on-call firefighter

    As we'll soon be opening up recruitment for on-call firefighters, in this episode we will be discussing the topic of the role of on-call firefighters with On-call support officer Adam Wagstaff and on-call firefighter Leanne Walker. On-call firefighters are members of our community living and working in Lancashire who often have another job but also respond to emergencies from home or work when needed. They must live or work close to an on-call fire station and be able to respond quickly to crew the fire engine; generally being able to get to the station within 5-8 minutes.  The service employs people from all walks of life in the role, ranging from self-employed tradespeople, stay-at-home parents to employees of small businesses and large, well-known organisations. They are paid for their time and are professionally trained firefighters who work alongside full-time colleagues to respond to a wide range of incidents from road, rail or air crashes, to floods, fires, chemical spills or rescuing people trapped in confined spaces. Our applications open on Monday, June 17, and close on Sunday, July 7, with training courses beginning in November. If you’re interested in finding out more about on-call firefighting at LFRS and would like to register your interest, please head to our website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/oncall.   And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    31 min

  7. 03/11/2024

    Episode 6: Safety during Ramadan

    In Episode 6, we speak to  Community Safety Advisors Faz and Farzana and discuss safety during Ramadan.  This celebration is held during the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Ramadan marks a time of fasting for Muslims all over the world. People who observe Ramadan abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk, only eating one meal before sunrise and another after sunset. This year it is approximately celebrated from the evening of 10th March until 9th April, with Eid being celebrated around the 11th April. Together we discuss what their Ramadan celebrations look like with their families, advice on how to stay safe in the kitchen whilst cooking and the importance of having a working smoke alarm and an evacuation plan. For more information about safety during Ramadan, please visit  www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/ramadan. If you'd like to book a home fire safety check, please visit  www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/home-fire-safety  And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    30 min

  8. 03/08/2024

    Episode 5: International Women's Day 2024

    In Episode 5, we are celebrating International Women's Day (Friday 8th March), this is a global day celebrating the achievements of women. In the episode we speak to Group Manager Caroline Harrison and Watch Manager Sarah Holden and discuss this year’s theme which is inspiring inclusion.  The episode explores their experiences of being a female firefighter and motherhood, the fitness levels and recruits course required and how you could prepare and what International Women's Day means to them. And, who knows, we may see more and more women realising what they are capable of and encourage them to apply for a role they didn’t previously think they could do. And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    30 min

  9. 11/17/2023

    Episode 4: International Men's Day 2023

    In episode four, we speak to Station Manager James Crouan, Firefighters Gary Fernandez and Davey Byers, and our Safety, Health and Wellbeing Advisor Bekki Ford ahead of International Men's Day 2023 (19 November 2023). This day is all about making a positive difference to the well-being and lives of men and boys. The episode explores each colleague's story and things that helped them, the stigmas they have found around men's mental health and it provides examples on how you can help and support those people around you who may be struggling. (Please note, We are not medical experts.  Our colleagues are sharing their own experiences and stories). Links to Websites/Resources discussed in the episode: uk.movember.com click on the men’s health tab for links to information about spotting the signs, how to have difficult conversations and suicide prevention. SHOUT crisis line – text SHOUT to 85258 or visit their website giveusashout.orghubofhope.co.uk is a mental health database providing postcode search function, so wherever you are, you can access support. Work Support: If you are a serving or retired fire service personnel (operational or non-operational) the Fire Fighters Charity is there to support you firefighterscharity.org.ukAlong with their support programmes to improve health and wellbeing they have just launched a crisis line, to support fire service personnel (serving or retired) if they experience thoughts of suicide.  The crisis line number is 0300 373 0896And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    29 min

  10. 07/27/2023

    Episode 3: Over £100k damage from a £2 disposable BBQ, are they worth it?

    In episode three, we talk to Paul O’Brien who shares his story of a devastating house fire which began from a seemingly innocent disposable bbq which he placed  into a wheelie bin after a day of celebrations back in 2021. The waste from these items can remain hot enough to cause a fire for far longer than people realise. For Paul a £2 disposable bbq caused over £100k of damage and placed him and his family into temporary housing for 2 years.  Together with Paul, we would like to raise the awareness of the dangers these items can pose and how the safe disposal of the hot waste is extremely important. If in any doubt, always douse a disposable bbq with water or tip it into a metal container in a safe place and ensure the contents are fully extinguished before ultimately disposing of it. For more information about barbecues and chimenea safety, please head to our website on www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/bbq   Paul also reflects on his new venture as an on-call firefighter at Lytham and provides an exclusive insight into how his family have found this new role following their house fire, his emotions at his first incident and how it feels to protect his local community.  If you would like to know more about becoming an on-call firefighter visit www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/oncall And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    23 min

  11. 07/13/2023

    Episode 2: Igniting conversations about wildfires

    Get ready to listen to our next installment of Out of the Ashes: Stories from Lancashire. In episode two, join us as we delve deep into the flames that burn over and underground with one of our wildfire experts, Station Manager Rob Harvey. Rob shares his valuable knowledge and first- hand experience of scorching wildfires. We explore how in hot and dry conditions BBQs, campfires and cigarettes can quickly ignite and spread.  As a fire and rescue service, we are now more prepared than ever before to extinguish wildfires with our recent investments in new equipment and resources but ultimately we want people to understand the risks associated with disposable barbecues and naked flames on any type of open grassland and the extensive damage and devastation they cause. This time of the year is when we see an increase of calls for moorland and grass fires and with the warm and dry weather set to continue over this summer, we want everyone to take extra care and look after Lancashire.  And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    25 min

  12. 07/10/2023

    Episode 1: Community first responder helps save the life of Leyland resident

    In our first episode, we speak to a woman whose heart stopped beating and the community first responder who, along with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) crew, saved her life.  Diane Fenton went into cardiac arrest at her home in Leyland in January 2023. Her husband immediately dialled 999 and began chest compressions, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s first ever community first responder, Andy Dow, was the first to arrive on scene.  Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is running a trial involving non-operational staff volunteering as community first responders from the workplace, supporting North West Ambulance Service. Community first responders are trained to provide life-saving treatment to patients in the vital first few minutes of an emergency until ambulance crews arrive. If you’re interested in becoming a Community First Responders (CFR), you can send your name and address to CFR.recruitment@nwas.nhs.uk to find out if NWAS are looking for volunteers in your community.  And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

    18 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service's first podcast series.We talk to people who have had life-changing experiences that brought them together with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. They tell the often unseen side of emergencies and their stories could save your life. 

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