Fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while helping others will be remembered by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) colleagues in a powerful tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11.

The ‘Walk 343’ event will honour each of the 343 firefighters from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) who lost their lives while responding to the terrorist attacks in 2001.

To mark the solemn anniversary on 11th September, TWFRS colleagues will collectively walk 343 miles by completing one-mile loops around Newcastle city centre.

Both firefighters and support staff will take part in the remembrance event, some donning their fire kit and breathing apparatus as part of the challenge.

The challenge is an opportunity to remember fallen colleagues, reflect on the values of courage and service that unite fire and rescue service personnel across the world, and raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which continues to provide vital support to members of the UK fire and rescue community.

The event is led by Jay Shepherd, Andy Nelson, and Sam Nicholson from TWFRS.

(Pictured left) Station Manager Jay Shepherd said: “The 343-mile challenge is a powerful way for our crews to honour the 343 firefighters who lost their lives while responding to the tragic events of 11 September 2001. Their courage and selflessness continue to inspire firefighters around the world.

“Every mile completed represents our respect for the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11.

“The challenge reflects the very best of the fire service: teamwork, commitment and remembrance.

“At the same time, we’re proud to support The Fire Fighters Charity, whose work provides essential lifelong support to serving and retired firefighters, helping them recover from physical injuries, mental health challenges and the demands of our profession.”

Members of the public can support the event by donating to the Walk 343 JustGiving Page via www.justgiving.com/page/tyne-and-wear-fire-and-rescue-service-18?msockid=02e001162a4c6fdb32e216b12be86e94

Alongside the Walk 343 event, TWFRS colleagues are also taking part in the Step-tember Challenge, organised by the Service’s Sports and Welfare club.

This sees staff members choosing their own challenge, with activities including completing 343 minutes of reading, 343 miles of cycling or running, and 343 press ups.

When Natalie Mortimer stepped onto the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service podium to receive the prestigious Silver Axe Award more than two decades ago, she had no idea where her career would take her.

One of only two North East female firefighters ever to receive the award at that time, her achievement marked a significant milestone when female firefighters remained a rarity within the Service.

Now, 24 years later, recently retired Natalie of North Tyneside sees that legacy continuing through firefighters like Daisy Hunter, the latest Silver Axe recipient, who is embarking on her own fledgling operational career with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

 For mother-of-two Natalie, the journey began long before she joined the Service. Determined from a young age to become a firefighter, she initially faced a barrier beyond her control: a height restriction that prevented her from applying.

Undeterred, she joined the Royal Air Force, fulfilling her desire to serve and work as part of a dedicated team. When the fire service’s height restriction was eventually removed, she seized the opportunity to pursue the career that she had always aspired to.

Natalie, aged 50, dreamed of an occupation that offered purpose, teamwork, daily challenges and the opportunity to help others when they need it the most. 

“I have always wanted to serve my country and my community, be part of a close-knit team and make a positive difference to people’s lives,” Natalie said.

Her determination paid off when she was announced as the Silver Axe winner at her passing out parade, a prestigious award which is bestowed upon the recruit firefighter who has consistently achieved the highest marks for the duration of the gruelling 14-week training course.

The moment remains one of the most proud and emotional memories of her career. “My parents were divorced, but they both attended the parade together,” Natalie recalled. “Nobody knew who had won the Silver Axe until it was announced on the day.”

“My mam had never wanted me to join the Fire and Rescue Service because she genuinely believed the job would be too difficult for me. To prove to myself and to her that I could do it, and then receive the award was incredibly special.

“At the same time, my dad was living with a brain tumour, and we knew he did not have long left. For him to see me begin my new career and achieve that recognition made the moment even more precious.”

Natalie went on to enjoy a distinguished career, becoming an instructor, supporting numerous recruit courses and later becoming the Service’s first female Breathing Apparatus Lead Instructor. Away from the fire station, she also won the World Firefighter Ironman Championship in 2018.

Before retiring, Natalie had worked on station at Newcastle Central and Tynemouth Community Fire Stations [alongside a stint at Station Bravo in Newcastle’s West End].  She furthered her career by delivering dedicated specialist roles within the Service at the Training School, Operations Department, the Breathing Apparatus School, Service Improvement and for the HMICFRS Inspectorate. 

Among the newest role models helping to shape the future is 27-year-old Daisy Hunter, who has recently started her operational career at Hebburn Tri Station.

Originally from Richmond in North Yorkshire, Daisy previously worked with racehorses and later at an estate agents, before pursuing firefighting.

“I’ve always wanted a job that keeps me active and gives me the chance to help people,” Daisy said.

“The training course was one of the best experiences. It was tough at times, but in a good way, and I learnt a huge amount from it.

“What attracted me to the fire service was the variety, working as part of a supportive team, and being there for people on some of their worst days. I like knowing that what I do can make a real difference, and it’s a job I can genuinely be proud of.”

Having now made the transition from the training ground to operational firefighting, Daisy is focused on continuing to learn and develop.

She said: “The recruits’ course gave me good grounding, but being on station has helped everything start to make much more sense in practice. Everyone has been really welcoming and supportive, which has made settling in a lot easier.”

Like Natalie before her, Daisy impressed throughout her recruit course and was ultimately awarded the Silver Axe.

“Honestly, I was really surprised,” she said. “The whole course had worked extremely hard throughout, so being recognised for my efforts was a really proud moment.”

As Daisy begins the next chapter of her career, she is already looking forward to helping people when they need the Service most and making a positive difference within communities across Tyne and Wear.

Asked what advice Natalie would offer the new Silver Axe winner, she said: “Be proud of what you have achieved. Embrace every opportunity, continue learning, challenge yourself, and never be afraid to aim high.

“Always go forward in your career and be the very best version of yourself. Believe in your abilities, stay true to your values, and remember that you have earned your success. The future is yours to shape.”

For two women connected by the same prestigious award, but separated by a generation, the values at the heart of the Fire and Rescue Service remain unchanged: dedication, teamwork, resilience and a commitment to serving others. For further information about the work of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service please visit www.twfire.gov.uk

On Wednesday 24^th June, nine young people, ten Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service colleagues and Merlin the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) dog travelled around 40-miles across road and sea as part of a special baton relay event to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of The King’s Trust.

The relay leg across Tyne and Wear took place on Day Three of a five-day, region-wide event, during which an Olympic torch-style baton is passed through Redcar, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland.

 

The Tyne and Wear leg visited a number of local landmarks including The Angel of the North; Washington ‘F’ Pit Museum; Cox Green Footbridge; Penshaw Monument; Souter Lighthouse and The Leas; and finishing with a trip across the River Tyne on-board the Nexus-operated Shields Ferry (travelling from South Shields to North Shields). This is where they handed the baton over to representatives from the Newcastle United Foundation.

John Anderson, Diversionary Activities Manager, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are proud to support The King’s Trust as it celebrates 50 years of empowering young people. The programme provides a vital springboard, helping individuals build confidence, self-esteem and the life experience they need to succeed both socially and professionally. “At Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, we see first-hand the positive impact it has – giving young people the skills, resilience and belief to fulfil their potential and play an active role in their communities.”

The TWFRS King’s Trust TEAM programme takes place across three community fire stations at Farringdon, South Shields and Washington.

TEAM is a free, 12-week personal development programme for young people aged 16–25 who are not in full-time employment, education or training. It is delivered in three community fire stations at Farringdon, South Shields and Washington.

The course offers each participant a valuable opportunity to discover hidden talents, take on new challenges and develop into a more confident, capable individual. TEAM is designed to boost confidence, motivation and employability skills, and providing the young people with the chance to build a strong foundation for future success, while also providing the chance to meet new people and enhance their CV.

The relay is a fun way of letting people know the importance of the King’s Trust and how many lives it has changed over the past five-decades.

If you are aged between 16 and 25 and would like to sign up for the next King’s Trust programme across Tyne and Wear then please register your interest by filling out the following form.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have joined forces to help save young lives.
 

The organisations are working together on a new, targeted approach to water safety education, focusing on secondary schools in communities identified as a priority.

 

The programme brings together the expertise of both organisations to deliver engaging, practical lessons to help young people understand the risks around water, and how to respond safely in an emergency.

The sessions are jointly organised and delivered by staff from both services, ensuring consistent, high impact safety messaging. A two-week campaign saw the team reach 783 pupils.

During the lessons, pupils learn essential water safety skills, including:

• How to recognise danger
• When and how to call for help
• The safest actions to take if someone gets into difficulty in the water.

The sessions place a strong emphasis on bystander safety, reinforcing the message that at pupils should never enter the water themselves but instead use available rescue equipment such as life rings or throwlines wherever possible.

The programme supports the National Fire Chiefs Council Be Water Aware campaign, which runs from 27 April to 3 May.

The national campaign highlights the impact of water related incidents and encourages simple, practical actions that can prevent drownings and save lives. – https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/campaigns/be-water-aware/

By delivering these lessons directly in secondary schools, TWFRS and the RNLI aim to build lasting water safety awareness, equipping young people with the confidence to make safer choices around water and to act responsibly if an emergency occurs.

For more information about the Be Water Aware campaign, visit:
https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/campaigns/be-water-aware/

We are pleased to announce a new partnership between TWFRS and Teakisi, an organisation dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of minority communities across the North East.
 

This collaboration marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to inclusive recruitment, improved representation, and meaningful community engagement.

Why This Partnership Matters
 

As part of our ongoing efforts to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, we are working to:
 

Increase awareness of TWFRS career opportunities within minority and ethnic communities.
 

Improve representation and diversity across all parts of our organisation.
 

Build trust and visibility with community groups who may not have previously engaged with TWFRS.
 

Learn from lived experiences and cultural insight to strengthen our approach to inclusion.

Our partnership with Teakisi gives us a unique opportunity to connect with new audiences, gain valuable perspectives, and promote TWFRS as an employer of choice.

What Teakisi will bring to the Partnership
 

Teakisi will help us reach communities we don’t always have direct access to, by:
 

• Promoting TWFRS Careers
• Creating Engagement Opportunities
• Delivering Cultural Awareness Training
• Sharing Insight and Feedback
• Helping us better understand community perspectives to support improvements in inclusive recruitment. 

How TWFRS will support the Partnership

Our role is to ensure this partnership is active, visible, and meaningful. We will:
 

• Promote the partnership proudly
• Engage directly with Teakisi’s community groups
• Share learning and build together 

What Happens Next?
 

In the coming weeks, you’ll start to see:
 

• Promotion of the partnership on our channels
• Stories and insights from our work together

If you’d like to more, please contact the Culture and Inclusion Team  

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is proud to introduce the principal officer team leading the organisation: Chief Fire Officer Stewart Nicholson, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay, and Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Preston.

Together, they bring extensive fire and rescue experience and a shared commitment to delivering a safe, inclusive, and high‑performing service for our communities.

Chief Fire Officer Stewart Nicholson was appointed in 2026 and provides strategic leadership for the Service. Stewart is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, empowering staff, and ensuring TWFRS remains a learning organisation.

At a national level, he plays an influential role through the National Fire Chiefs Council, holding key positions in Organisational Learning and Operational Learning and contributing to work that enhances capability across UK fire and rescue services.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay has more than 25 years of experience in the sector, having served in Cumbria FRS, Cheshire FRS and, more recently, on secondment as Interim Chief Fire Officer at Northumberland FRS. She is also the Chair of the NFCC Command and Control User

Lynsey has been instrumental in delivering positive change within TWFRS, supporting the development of people, systems, and processes to strengthen the Service’s performance and culture.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Preston joins us following a long and distinguished 20‑year career at Cleveland Fire Brigade.

David leads People Services, Corporate Services, and Mobilising and Digital Transformation—areas essential to how TWFRS supports its workforce and delivers services to the public. His leadership will help drive technological advancement, organisational development, and staff wellbeing.

Together, the principal officer team will lead with integrity, ambition, and an unwavering dedication to protecting the public and supporting the exceptional people who work across Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is raising awareness of a major change in fire safety regulations coming into force on 6 April 2026.

Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) are designed to improve measures for people who may need support to leave their building in the event of a fire.

The arrangements, introduced under The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025, apply to certain multi-occupied residential buildings and place new legal duties on ‘Responsible Persons’ – usually building owners or managers.

The legislation follows recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It requires Responsible Persons to:

• Identify residents who may have difficulty evacuating without assistance due to a physical or cognitive impairment
• Offer a person-centred fire risk assessment
• Where the resident wishes, agree an emergency evacuation statement.

Responsible Persons must also develop and maintain a building-wide emergency evacuation plan.

With consent from the resident, building owners will share only essential information with the fire and rescue service, including their flat number and a basic indication of assistance they may need. No medical or personal information will be shared.

Residents’ participation is voluntary, and they can withdraw consent at any time.

The change applies to residential buildings of 18m or higher, those with seven or more storeys, and any building over 11m which operates a simultaneous evacuation strategy.

Fire and rescue services are not responsible for carrying out assessments, creating evacuation statements, or deciding on mitigation measures – these remain the responsibility of building owners and managers.

TWFRS has systems and processes in place to receive and record this information securely, and to use it to support effective emergency response.

Group Manager Kenneth Reed, Head of Fire Safety, said: “These changes are an important step in helping ensure people feel safe in their own homes, particularly those who might need extra support during an emergency.

“They also give clearer expectations for building owners and managers, which we fully welcome.

“It is for those Responsible Persons to put these arrangements in place. Residents who believe they may benefit from these new arrangements should contact their building owner or managing agent.”

More information is available on our website at www.twfire.gov.uk/rpeeps

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has officially launched a new Fire Cadets branch at Gateshead Community Fire Station, welcoming its first cohort of young people into the programme.

The new branch forms part of a Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2024-2027 action to expand the number of Fire Cadet branches from four to five, ensuring one in each local authority area.

The programme supports young people aged 11-17 to develop life skills, confidence and awareness of fire, road and water safety, while also strengthening their understanding of the role of the Fire and Rescue Service.

The opening night included drill-yard demonstrations, classroom activities and opportunities for guests to meet the cadets and instructors. The programme offers personal development, teamwork, self-discipline and leadership opportunities, and provides a pathway into volunteering and potential future careers within the fire and
rescue sector.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Stewart Nicholson said: “Launching the new Fire Cadets branch is a key step in our commitment to early youth engagement and community safety. The programme gives young people the
chance to grow in confidence, develop life skills and experience the teamwork that sits at the heart of our Service.

“By supporting young people at this stage, we can help create safer communities and encourage the next generation to understand the vital role of the Fire and Rescue Service.”

The Fire Cadets programme forms part of TWFRS’s wider youth engagement work, which includes schools education programmes and the SafetyWorks! interactive learning centre.