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Firefighters on Merseyside are piloting a new way of tackling fires - a motorbike fitted with water tanks and a high-pressure jet.
It is being sent to put out small fires.
The idea is to keep full-sized fire engines and crews free to respond to bigger emergencies.
John McCormack from Merseyside Fire and Rescue explains how it works to the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft.
It is being sent to put out small fires.
The idea is to keep full-sized fire engines and crews free to respond to bigger emergencies.
John McCormack from Merseyside Fire and Rescue explains how it works to the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft.
Merseyside Fire-Bike
Award after Blackpool firefighter's rescue bravery
Mr Seaward met the Jakubowskis at his fire station on Tuesday morning.
A firefighter whose snap decision saved the lives of a family trapped on the roof of a burning building in Blackpool has been given a top bravery award.
Dean Seaward climbed a ladder through smoke without breathing apparatus to reach the three people after an arson attack on a takeaway below.
Andrzej Jakubowski, his wife Katarzyna and son Michal were led down to safety in November 2008.
Mr Seaward told the BBC he was "just doing his job".
The firefighter met the family on Tuesday for the first time since the rescue.
Firefighters were called to the fire at the Maryam takeaway on Lytham Road, South Shore, in the early hours of 25 November 2008.
They were told that a family from the first-floor flat had climbed on to a roof to escape the flames, cutting off any escape route.
Crews could not see the roof because of the dense smoke generated by the fire, but fearing the family might jump or fall, Mr Seaward decided he had no time to get into his breathing gear and scrambled up the ladder.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said the decision saved the lives of the Jakubowski family.
The Queen's Gallantry Medal is awarded for exemplary acts of bravery and fewer than 600 have been handed out since its introduction in 1974.
Asked how he felt about the honour, Mr Seaward said: "Basically I did my job that every firefighter in the county would do. I don't feel I've done anything special really.
"It has come as a big surprise to me really. I feel really deeply honoured and proud.
"But I am part of a team as well so it's not just my actions on that night, it should reward the actions of the other crew that was there as well, because I wouldn't be able to carry out those actions without them."
Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland said: "The lives of a mother, father and son were saved by the quick reactions of the fire crews involved and in particular the sheer selfless actions of firefighter Dean Seaward."
A firefighter whose snap decision saved the lives of a family trapped on the roof of a burning building in Blackpool has been given a top bravery award.
Dean Seaward climbed a ladder through smoke without breathing apparatus to reach the three people after an arson attack on a takeaway below.
Andrzej Jakubowski, his wife Katarzyna and son Michal were led down to safety in November 2008.
Mr Seaward told the BBC he was "just doing his job".
The firefighter met the family on Tuesday for the first time since the rescue.
Firefighters were called to the fire at the Maryam takeaway on Lytham Road, South Shore, in the early hours of 25 November 2008.
They were told that a family from the first-floor flat had climbed on to a roof to escape the flames, cutting off any escape route.
Crews could not see the roof because of the dense smoke generated by the fire, but fearing the family might jump or fall, Mr Seaward decided he had no time to get into his breathing gear and scrambled up the ladder.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said the decision saved the lives of the Jakubowski family.
The Queen's Gallantry Medal is awarded for exemplary acts of bravery and fewer than 600 have been handed out since its introduction in 1974.
Asked how he felt about the honour, Mr Seaward said: "Basically I did my job that every firefighter in the county would do. I don't feel I've done anything special really.
"It has come as a big surprise to me really. I feel really deeply honoured and proud.
"But I am part of a team as well so it's not just my actions on that night, it should reward the actions of the other crew that was there as well, because I wouldn't be able to carry out those actions without them."
Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland said: "The lives of a mother, father and son were saved by the quick reactions of the fire crews involved and in particular the sheer selfless actions of firefighter Dean Seaward."
Organisations must take a fresh look at their fire safety obligations after the decision by the Court of Appeal to uphold the record £400,000 fine against retailer New Look.
According to Law firm Shoosmiths, the judgement suggests that in allowing fire safety risks to persist, organisations create “a risk of almost unrivalled proportions to individuals” and that this should be reflected in the level of fines.
The high level of the fine came as a surprise to many in health and safety legal circles, given that there were no deaths or injuries arising from the fire last year at New Look’s Oxford Street premises.
The starting point of New Look’s fine was actually £600,000, but was discounted at the original hearing to £400,000 in view of factors such as there being no casualties and New Look pleading guilty.
The Court of Appeal’s endorsement of that level of represents a departure from the norm in health and safety cases, where fines of £500,000 and over are reserved for cases of major public disaster.
Partner and regulatory specialist at Shoosmiths, Ron Reid, said the fine related to New Look’s failure to control risk.
"The hefty fine removes any doubt that retailers, and other organisations responsible for fire safety, cannot be complacent when it comes to complying with the regulations. This penalty was imposed because of a failure to control risk rather than as a result of injury."
"Those controlling premises subject to the regulations must review current policies to ensure compliance, and consider the structure and layout of their premises and what goes on in them."
"Whatever the opinion about the level of fine, there’s no question that managers ignoring or failing to address fire safety risk obligations now do so at their peril."
According to Law firm Shoosmiths, the judgement suggests that in allowing fire safety risks to persist, organisations create “a risk of almost unrivalled proportions to individuals” and that this should be reflected in the level of fines.
The high level of the fine came as a surprise to many in health and safety legal circles, given that there were no deaths or injuries arising from the fire last year at New Look’s Oxford Street premises.
The starting point of New Look’s fine was actually £600,000, but was discounted at the original hearing to £400,000 in view of factors such as there being no casualties and New Look pleading guilty.
The Court of Appeal’s endorsement of that level of represents a departure from the norm in health and safety cases, where fines of £500,000 and over are reserved for cases of major public disaster.
Partner and regulatory specialist at Shoosmiths, Ron Reid, said the fine related to New Look’s failure to control risk.
"The hefty fine removes any doubt that retailers, and other organisations responsible for fire safety, cannot be complacent when it comes to complying with the regulations. This penalty was imposed because of a failure to control risk rather than as a result of injury."
"Those controlling premises subject to the regulations must review current policies to ensure compliance, and consider the structure and layout of their premises and what goes on in them."
"Whatever the opinion about the level of fine, there’s no question that managers ignoring or failing to address fire safety risk obligations now do so at their peril."
New Look judgement to 'shake up' fire risk profile
400 people were evacuated during the fire and a large part of Oxford Street was closed for two days
Fire put out at British nuclear weapons base
Fire crews have extinguished a fire at a nuclear weapons base west of London, the British Ministry of Defence said Wednesday.
The fire broke out late Tuesday in "a building within the conventional non-nuclear explosives area" of Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, Berkshire, about 45 miles west of the British capital, the Ministry of Defence said.
The base fire and rescue service, along with Royal Berkshire fire fighters, put out the fire, according to ministry.
One AWE staff member sustained minor injuries.
The ministry said a full investigation has been ordered and there were "no radiological implications" associated with the fire.
The fire broke out late Tuesday in "a building within the conventional non-nuclear explosives area" of Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, Berkshire, about 45 miles west of the British capital, the Ministry of Defence said.
The base fire and rescue service, along with Royal Berkshire fire fighters, put out the fire, according to ministry.
One AWE staff member sustained minor injuries.
The ministry said a full investigation has been ordered and there were "no radiological implications" associated with the fire.