Graphic showing landmarks in Tyne and Wear with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in the centre

News

October 22, 2025

“Just A Normal Day” Film Highlights Devastating Impact of Deliberate Fires

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has launched a powerful new short film to raise awareness of the consequences of deliberate fire setting – as crews prepare for one of their busiest times of the year.Last year, firefighters from TWFRS responded to 683 deliberate fires during the darker nights period (17 October – […]

Image of firefighter using hose reel to extinguish fire in residential area. Youths seen in forefront of image.

October 8, 2025

TWFRS Responded to an Average of 13 False Alarms Daily in 2024

As thousands of students settle into university accommodation across Tyne and Wear this October, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is urging everyone to help reduce false alarms. In 2024, TWFRS responded to 4,965 false alarms – an average of 13 every day. Many of these incidents occurred in student housing, often triggered […]

September 18, 2025

Donated Train Puts Fire Crews on the Right Track for Emergency Response Training

This week, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Training Centre took delivery of an extra special donation. Here’s a few clues. It travelled 11-miles between Howdon and Washington.  It weighs a mammoth 40-tonnes and measures 29 metres in length; and is known only as No. 4019. Any ideas? Well, it’s a yellow Metro carriage […]

Decommissioned Nexus Metro train being loaded onto track at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue site

September 3, 2025

Brave council worker receives CFO Commendation award

This week (Tuesday 2nd September) a hero council worker received a special CFO Commendation award at TWFRS Service Headquarters in Washington. James Kilpatrick, works as a Joiner for Newcastle City Council and his selfless brave actions made earlier in the year have been recognised by Chief Fire Officer, Peter Heath. In March, whilst driving on […]

James Kilpatrick of Newcastle City Council is receiving his award from Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath outside of Service Headquarters in Washington.

July 4, 2025

Year in Review 2024/25: A Landmark Year of Innovation, Service and National Recognition

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is proudly reflecting on a remarkable year marked by innovation, community engagement, and national acclaim. In its 50th anniversary year, TWFRS celebrated five decades of service with a focus on transformation, sustainability, and a continued commitment to public safety. This milestone was fittingly recognised when TWFRS was […]

Two TWFRS Firefighters wearing the new specialist Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets from Draeger Safety UK Ltd. Pictured in front of the new Welfare and Enhanced Logistics Support Vehicles.

June 24, 2025

Fire and Rescue Service Education Project Inspires Young People from Across the Region

This month has seen the latest group of young people completing a community-based programme aimed at inspiring confidence, team building and developing new skills. Phoenix, is an innovative diversionary programme designed to support young people across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, who are aged between nine and 25. The co-delivered project presents targeted prevention work […]

(left to right) Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath; Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth; and Rob Clow Area Manager - Community Risk & Response, Prevention & Fire Control at Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. They are joined by the young people from the Phoenix programme.

June 13, 2025

National Resilience, Urban Search and Rescue Dogs take part in annual grading and exercise

This week, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service as a National Resilience training delivery partner will be hosting a National Resilience three-day specialist annual grading and training event at its training centre in Washington, with 15 of the country’s leading National Resilience Urban search and rescue (USAR) dogs and their handlers. The three-day National […]

The image shows 15 of the country’s leading National Resilience Urban search and rescue (USAR) dogs and their handlers pictured on a collapsed building training facility at the Brigade Training Centre in Washington.

June 5, 2025

TWFRS Go Green to Help Save the Planet

The UK’s fire and rescue service of the year, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is proud of its green credentials that are helping to save the planet. The service is talking about the importance of organisations making key and significant changes to their working practice that will have a long-term impact on […]

Fire and Rescue Employees standing next to a fleet of electric vehicles at a charging point. Fire Appliances are in the background of the image.

April 28, 2025

Dramatic River Rescue Launched National Water Safety Campaign in Newcastle

To kick off a national water safety campaign, firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) staged a dramatic river rescue – highlighting essential drowning prevention techniques. On Monday 28th April, the River Tyne became the backdrop for the mock water rescue carried out by officers from the TWFRS fire boat team.  Passers-by […]

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Fire Boat with five firefighters on board on the River Tyne in Newcastle

April 25, 2025

Fire Service Joins Partners to Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour in Sunderland

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has joined forces with Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police to combat anti-social behaviour in the city, following a recent rise in deliberate secondary fires. The joint initiative focuses on the South Hylton Park area, where crews have responded to several incidents in recent weeks. It aims […]

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Sunderland Council Representatives standing in front of a fire appliance