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.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but the mixture of busy celebrations and winter weather bring some additional risks during the festive season.

Here are 12 sets of safety tips to help you stay safe this Christmas:

Twinkly lights shining through windows are one of the first signs Christmas is rapidly approaching.

But as with all electrical items, faulty or misused equipment can lead to fires.

After a year packed away in a cupboard, lights can become unsafe, so check for damage such as frayed wires or damaged bulbs.

We recommend using LED lights because they generate little heat and there are no glass lamps to break, reducing the risk of fire.

Never overload electrical sockets – only use one plug per socket, and don’t ‘daisy-chain’ extension leads by plugging one into another.

Remember to turn your lights off before you go to bed or leave the house.

Aside from lights, other festive adornments can also pose a risk.

Decorations burn easily, so keep them away from heaters, lights, candles and other heat sources. 

That counts as much for your Christmas tree as it does paperchains, tinsel or plastic banners.

If you have a real tree, keep it fresh and regularly watered – a dry tree is highly flammable.

If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure it is fire retardant and complies with safety standards.

It’s easy to be lured by bargains when Christmas shopping, but if something is too good to be true, it probably is.

Counterfeit or poorly made products can pose a risk of electrical fires.

Buy from reputable retailers and check to make sure products meet British safety standards.

You can register many appliances after you have bought them, ensuring you get warnings and product recalls if a fault is found by the manufacturer.

From advent crowns to festive scented burners, candles are a popular part of Christmas for many people.

But it’s important to remember safety advice when burning naked flames in your home.

• Place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces

• Keep them away from flammable materials, including curtains, paper and Christmas decorations

• Don’t leave candles unattended – extinguish them when you leave the room

• Consider using LED alternatives

Christmas is a time of sharing food with family and friends. 

However, cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home in the UK, so it’s important to stay safe, especially at a time where it’s easy to get distracted or you may have enjoyed a festive tipple:

• Never leave cooking unattended and try to avoid distractions.

• Don’t cook if you’re under the influence of alcohol or medication.

• Keep towels, cloths and packaging away from the hob and the oven.

• Clean your cooker, grill and oven regularly to prevent fat and grease build-ups.

Electric bikes and scooters are becoming increasingly popular, and likely to be found on Christmas lists this year.

As with all electrical items, ensure you are buying products which meet safety standards, and from reputable retailers.

E-bikes and E-scooters pose a particular risk due to their use of large lithium-ion batteries.

Before you buy one, think carefully about where you might charge it

Ideally, charge in a shed or other outbuilding rather than in your home.

Don’t charge in bedrooms, hallways or anywhere else which will block an escape route if there is a fire

Always use the supplied charger, or buy a replacement from the manufacturer, rather than choosing a cheap alternative.

More information is available via the National Fire Chief’s Council ‘Charge Safe’ page

‘Tis the season for social events, but enjoying some festive cheer can end in tragedy.

Each year, we support the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ message.

The majority of drownings involve people walking or running near water, and the RLSS points to figures showing 46% of accidental drownings of people aged 18-25  involve alcohol and/or drugs.

• If you’ve had a drink, stay away from the water

• Find an alternative route home, avoiding waterways

• Make sure your friends get home safely, and don’t walk home alone if you can avoid it

• Remember: cold water shock kills.

You can read more in our full coverage of the 2025 campaign

Winter brings greater challenges on the roads, including shorter days, icy roads and poor visibility.

At the same time, social events, Christmas shopping and family get-togethers see many braving the elements.

Be mindful of the conditions, adjust your driving style appropriately, and ensure both you and your vehicle are safe to drive.

It’s also a good idea to keep winter and emergency essentials in the car, such as an ice scraper, first aid kit, torch, and empty fuel can.

Sunglasses may seem an odd essential in the winter months, but the low sun can dazzle drivers and cause glare.

More information is available on our Road Safety page

If your home has a wood burner or open fire, or you’re staying in a holiday let which does, Christmas may well be a tempting time to light it for some festive glow and warmth.

To help you keep safe:

• Only burn approved solid fuels, such as ‘Ready to Burn’ wood

• Keep the firebox door of your wood burner shut to prevent fuel from escaping

• If you have an open fire, use a fireguard to prevent sparks and embers from reaching flammable materials such as carpets

• Extinguish the fire before you leave the house or go to bed

• It’s also important to keep flues clear of soot and debris, so book an approved chimney sweep if yours is overdue a clean.

Many of us will be hosting family and friends over Christmas and New Year, and it’s important to keep everyone is safe.

Make an escape plan and discuss it with family and visitors, so everyone knows what to do and how to get out in the event of a fire.

If you’re using extra heaters to keep guests warm, be safe:

• Keep portable heaters away from curtains, furniture and decorations.

• Ensure they aren’t used to dry clothes, and remember to turn them off when you go out or go to bed.

This is as good a point as any to remind you to ensure you have working smoke alarms fitted, and test them regularly!

Whether it’s broken festive lights or defunct electricals from a twixmas clear-out, your rubbish could be a disaster waiting to happen if you don’t take care.

Batteries have caused hundreds fires in bin lorries and at waste transfer sites in recent years.

Lithium-ion batteries can be found inside many everyday household electricals, from laptops, mobile phones and tablets, to electric toothbrushes, vapes and earpods – as well as festive light-ups and even musical Christmas cards.

These batteries can become crushed or damaged in bin lorries or at waste sites if they aren’t recycled and can lead to fires which are particularly challenging to tackle.

The Nation Fire Chiefs Council recommends using the Recycle Your Electricals locator to find the nearest place to safely dispose of your batteries and electricals.

Fireworks will appear back in registered shops in the run up to New Year’s Eve.

We’d always encourage you to attend an organised display, but if you do decide to buy your own:

• Only buy fireworks with a CE or UKCA mark on the box to ensure they are safe

• Remember only adults can buy and set off fireworks

• Always follow the safety instructions provided with your fireworks to help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe. 

We hope you have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!

More information on celebrating safely is available in our ‘Celebrations’ section

Keeping vulnerable adults safe from harm was put in focus as professionals from across the North East met to share their experience and drive forward improvements in safeguarding. 

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and the Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB) hosted a multi-agency learning event on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at TWFRS Headquarters in Washington. 

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and the Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB) hosted a multi-agency learning event on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at TWFRS Headquarters in Washington. 

Delegates explored key safeguarding themes, with an emphasis on enhancing collaborative approaches to protecting vulnerable adults.  

The day centred around three critical topics: 

• Hoarding – understanding the complexities and risks associated with hoarding behaviours, and how agencies can respond effectively. 

• Escalating Safeguarding Concerns – recognising when concerns require escalation and ensuring timely, coordinated responses. 

• Making Safeguarding Personal – promoting person-centred safeguarding that respects the rights, wishes, and dignity of individuals. 

The Reflective Learning Circle event reinforced the importance of early intervention, shared responsibility, and a wholistic approach to safeguarding, with the individuals’ views and wishes at the core. 

It brought together representatives from TWFRS, Gateshead Council, Northumbria Police, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, and Gateshead Housing. 

Organisers said the day underscored the vital role joint working plays in safeguarding adults at risk, shining a spotlight on innovative practices, real-world case studies, and collaborative solutions. 

By fostering open dialogue, sharing best practice, and strengthening professional networks, TWFRS and Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board continue to champion a proactive and united approach to adult safeguarding. 

Alan D’Arcy, TWFRS Safeguarding Manager, said: “Safeguarding is not the responsibility of one agency alone. It requires a collective commitment to act, to listen, and to learn.  

“Events like this allow us to build stronger partnerships and ultimately create safer communities.” 

Nicola Bailey, Independent Chair, Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board, said: 

“The Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board plays a vital role in promoting and supporting multi-agency working, and the recent local learning review held on 3 December at TWFRS Headquarters is a great example of this in action.  
 

“Events like these give us the opportunity to come together as partners, reflect on real cases, and identify how we can improve the systems, processes, and protocols that underpin our work. 
 

“As Independent Chair of GSAB, I am proud to see the commitment shown by our partners, who take time out of their busy schedules to engage in this essential work. 
 

“Their dedication demonstrates a shared responsibility to safeguard and protect those most at risk in Gateshead, and together we are making a real difference.” 

Festive cheer can quickly turn to tragedy after one too many drinks.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) joined forces with our partners at Newcastle City Council to support this year’s Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) “Don’t Drink and Drown” campaign (6-12 December).Sub-title or introductory text can go here, if required

The campaign urges partygoers to:

•            Look out for your friends, make sure they get home safely.

•            If you’ve had a drink, stay away from the water.

•            Find an alternative route home; avoid walking near the water.

•            Remember: cold water shock kills.

Lifesaving Throwline Boards Installed on Newcastle Quayside

In time for the festive season, Newcastle City Council has installed nine new throwline boards between Ouseburn and St. Peter’s Basin, bringing the total to 23 boards along the riverside from Redheugh Bridge to St. Peter’s Basin.

Since the first of the throwlines were installed back in 2023, they have already helped save the lives of two people.

The Risks

•            RLSS UK say that 46% of accidental drownings in those people aged 18-25 involve alcohol and/or drugs*. 3 in 4 young adult drinkers think it is okay to drink alcohol and get into the water.**

•            Young adults are three times more likely to have been swimming or entered the water after drinking alcohol, compared to older adults**

How To Use The Throwline Boards in an Emergency:

•            Call 999 and ask for the Fire Service

•            Quote the location stated on the board, for example, N7.

•            Firefighter Control will then provide the caller with a code to access the throw-bag

•            Remove bag and open Velcro toggle

•            Grab open end of bag with your throwing hand

•            Grasp rope firmly with your other hand

•            Throw bag towards the person being rescued, keeping a firm hold of the rope and pull to safety.

Tommy Richardson, Water Safety Lead for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“Christmas time is all about having fun with your friends and family, but joy and happiness can turn to tragedy in the blink of an eye when alcohol and waterways are mixed together.

“We would always urge people to abide by the advice given out by the Royal Life Saving Society UK, as sadly far too many times, we have seen the heartbreak caused by someone drowning after a night out.

“Tragedies like these can be averted by individuals avoiding waterways on their way home. Please book a taxi or get public transport as you and your family will be grateful for it in the morning.

“The investment in throwline boards by the local authority is crucial as the equipment along the riverside can ultimately help to save lives.”

Cllr Alex Hay, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The safety of everyone in our city is our absolute priority and we’re really pleased to be able to continue to provide such essential kit that offers reassurance to all who enjoy our spectacular riverside.

“The almost £15,000 invested in the nine new throw lines between Ouseburn and St Peter’s Basin is money well spent – particularly for those areas that did not have such equipment before.

“Of course we hope they are never needed but, where the previous lifebelts were often subject to vandalism and theft, these throw lines – which can only be accessed using a code given when you ring 999 – are there when they’re needed, and have more than proven their worth, helping to save lives.

“However, that does not mean our rivers do not still pose significant risk – look after yourself and others, and make sure nobody ends up in the water in the first place.”

Hayley Edney, Senior Head of Communications and Marketing at RLSS UK, said:

“We’ve launched our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign ahead of the festive season when the risk of substance-related drownings increases. The campaign emphasises the importance of making safe choices after drinking—don’t go home alone, look out for your friends, and avoid routes near water.

“We urge everyone to ‘Be a Mate’ by ensuring their friends get home safely. Alcohol and drugs significantly increase the risk near water, so please enjoy the festivities, but steer clear of water after drinking. Remember, your presence is the most precious gift you can give your loved ones this Christmas.”

For further information about RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign please visit www.rlss.org.uk/pages/category/dont-drink-and-drown 

#BeaMate

#DontDrinkandDrown

*Source: WAID (2018-2023) **Source: One Poll (2024), a UK nationally representative survey of adults aged 18+

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is thanking people across the communities it serves during another busy Bonfire Night period for the Service.

The period surrounding 5th November sees TWFRS experience additional demand on operational crews, Control Room colleagues and duty officers. The weeks running up to Bonfire Night are also a busy time for the Service’s prevention and education team.

Our Control Room team received 438 emergency 999 calls on Wednesday, 5th November – a significantly busy 24 hours, but a 9% drop compared to the same date in 2024 (481 calls). Between 1st and 5th November, we handled a total of 819 emergency calls, down 4% from the same period last year (851 calls).

In the lead-up to Bonfire Night, TWFRS delivered 73 fire safety sessions across 26 schools, helping 11,412 young people receive essential fire safety advice from prevention and education officers.

Paul Russell, Area Manager for Community Safety, stated: “We want to thank our staff, crews, community groups, and partners in the region, along with the residents we serve, for their support during our busiest time of year.

“As always, our Control Room team, operational crews, and duty officers responded efficiently to the surge of calls and requests, handling incidents swiftly and effectively.

“Our fire service collaborates with communities in Tyne and Wear throughout the year to educate individuals of all ages about the dangers of deliberate fire-setting and its potential impacts on themselves and others. These messages are especially important as we approach Bonfire Night.

“We also extend our gratitude to our partners for their support during this period, including our colleagues in blue light services, local authorities, housing associations, schools, and hospitals in the region.”

TWFRS would like to thank everyone who supported the Service during the start of the Darker Nights period – including our firefighters, Firefighter Control, Prevention and Education, and Fire Safety teams – for helping deliver key safety messages. We’re also grateful to our external partners across the region for their continued collaboration.

Anyone wishing to report incidents of antisocial behaviour relating to deliberate fire-setting can call Firestoppers anonymously by ringing 0800 169 5558 or by completing an online form www.firestoppersreport.co.uk