Latest news with #MidandWestWalesFireService
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Chief Fire Officer of Mid and Wales Fire Service to step down
The Chief Fire Officer at Mid and West Wales Fire Service will step down this year, ITV Cymru Wales understands. Roger Thomas has worked within the force for 29-years, taking on the post as Chief Fire Officer in April 2022. He is expected to retire in October. Mr Thomas was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours earlier this month for his commitment to the force. The news of his retirement comes after an independent investigation into culture at Mid and West Wales Fire Service published in February saw one participant brand the force an "operational boys club". Nearly half (47%) of people who responded to the survey reported personal experiences with bullying and harassment in the service since June 2021, and over half (54%) had witnessed such behaviours, the report found. 10% of female survey respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment, with the report suggesting sexual assault or harassment continues to go largely underreported. Responding to the independent investigation into workplace culture at the time, Mr Thomas said he apologises "unreservedly" to colleagues who have been subject to "bullying, harassment or discrimination in any form." He added, "This is wholly unacceptable and does not align with the values and behaviours that we espouse or endorse as a Service. "Secondly, I accept the findings and recommendations within the review which support my ambition to improve the culture of our Service, which was one of my key aims when I was appointed as Chief Fire Officer."
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Firefighters tackle several wildfires across Wales
Firefighters across south, mid and north Wales tackled several separate grass fires on Tuesday. One of the biggest was at Mynydd Gelliwasted near Clydach, with 20 hectares of gorse was set alight just after 19:00 GMT, according to Mid and West Wales Fire Service. The fire was so large it could be seen from the M4 and parts of Swansea, and crew said they received more than 160 emergency calls about it. Crews from Morriston, Neath, Ammanford and Pontardawe were sent to tackle the blaze which was finally extinguished just after midnight. There were concerns from some local residents that it looked near to Morriston Hospital, but firefighters confirmed there was no risk to anyone. Elsewhere crews had a busy night with another large grassfire in Ferndale and Maerdy mountain, and others in Caerphilly, Ogmore Vale, Gelli Pentre and Fairwood Common Swansea. A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said "it was pretty non-stop". North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also said IT had some gorse fire last night, including a large one at Garreg Fawr Llanfairfechan, which was left to burn out. The fire service said IT also fielded calls from south Wales because it was so busy.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wildfires: Firefighters attend several blazes across Wales
Firefighters across south, mid and north Wales tackled several separate grass fires on Tuesday. One of the biggest was at Mynydd Gelliwasted near Clydach, with 20 hectares of gorse was set alight just after 19:00 GMT, according to Mid and West Wales Fire Service. The fire was so large it could be seen from the M4 and parts of Swansea, and crew said they received more than 160 emergency calls about from Morriston, Neath, Ammanford and Pontardawe were sent to tackle the blaze which was finally extinguished just after midnight. There were concerns from some local residents that it looked near to Morriston Hospital, but firefighters confirmed there was no risk to crews had a busy night with another large grassfire in Ferndale and Maerdy mountain, and others in Caerphilly, Ogmore Vale, Gelli Pentre and Fairwood Common Swansea.A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said "it was pretty non-stop". North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also said IT had some gorse fire last night, including a large one at Garreg Fawr Llanfairfechan, which was left to burn out. The fire service said IT also fielded calls from south Wales because it was so busy.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Horizon lit up in burning orange by huge grass fire in Wales
This was the sight firefighters were faced with in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as a huge grass fire took hold in Gower. Five crews for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident at Cefn Bryn at 5.15am. The fire covered approximately 100 hectares. Fire crews had to divide the fire into two sectors between them in order to bring it under control. They remained there for almost five hours, using beaters and backpack blowers to extinguish the flames. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here. A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: "At 5.15am on Tuesday, February 18, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, Reynoldston, Swansea Central and Swansea West fire stations were called to an incident in Cefn Bryn, Gower. "The crews responded to a grass fire covering approximately 100 hectares. The incident was sectorised into two sectors and crews utilised beaters and backpack blowers to extinguish the fire. Crew members left the scene at 9am." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. See our Privacy Notice.
