GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE STEAM RAILWAY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The GWR Fire Department is the only volunteer fire service in Gloucestershire. It exists to promote fire safety on the railway, provide a first attendance at any fire or other emergency along the entire length of the railway from Broadway to Cheltenham Race Course and to assist the emergency services as required.

In addition to fire-fighting and a limited rescue capability the department also provides a large part of the first aid cover for the railway. The department also works with the Gloucestershire Ambulance Service operating two Community 1st Responder schemes at Toddington and Winchcombe when crew are available. Members of the dept. who have appropriate first aid qualifications undertake additional training in the use of defibrillators and oxygen therapy. They will respond to life threatening medical emergencies within a three mile radius. The scheme is run by St John Ambulance in conjunction with the Ambulance Service. Two defibrillators were donated to GWR via the British Heart Foundation as a result of a donation from the Mayor of Cheltenham’s charity.

We are also working towards a memorandum of agreement with Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service which will bring us into a closer working relationship with them. We have already attended one incident with our local retained station at Winchcombe where our Land Rover fire appliance was useful for an “off road” job.

The GWR Fire Department is a member of The British Fire Services Association.

Training days are held at least once a month at Toddington Station, the departments home base. Additionally, an annual training course is held at Gloucester fire station run by GF&RS.

Anyone considering joining the fire department does not have to become a fire-fighter, there are lots of other jobs available. First aid, vehicle maintenance, control and communications, health & safety, fund raising and administration are all jobs vital to the department.

We try to have at least two members of the department on duty on every operating day but more volunteers are needed to meet this goal. If you are interested in joining us please speak to any members of the team at Toddington any weekend, or contact the Head of Fire Department c/o the railway at the usual address.