Firefighters courage revealed on latest Royal Mail stamps

Louise Foster | Monday, September 07, 2009

Their courage and bravery saves thousands of lives every year, now the Royal Mail has paid tribute to the modern-day firefighter on six dramatic stamps.

Issued on 1 September, the Fire and Rescue Service stamps turn the spotlight on those who regularly risk their own lives to save others, and the testing conditions they operate under.

The Fire Service College were delighted to be asked to be involved in this project and provided the setting for two of the stamp pictures. The rescue scenario shows three of the college instructors demonstrating rescue techniques. 

Many aspects of the work of the modern firefighter have changed in recent years.  Firefighters are now called to deal with incidents such as wide-scale flooding and situations where search and rescue skills are required. This is all in addition to their more recognised role of responding to incidents involving fires and road collisions, as well as their vital work with the public to prevent fires and accidents occurring in the first place.

This new set of Royal Mail stamps captures the whole range of the vital work of the modern firefighter in saving lives and preventing fire.  

The modern day Fire and Rescue Service is equipped to deal with the whole range of these emergencies and activities, and the Fire Service College is honoured to play a significant role in supporting the Service and its firefighters to fulfil all of these roles with customary professionalism.

If you would like to learn more about the stamps or to order a set, please visit the Royal Mail website http://www.royalmail.com/portal/stamps/jump1?catId=32300674&mediaId=104000759

Ends

For further information contact:

Neil Thompson, Communications Officer, Fire Service College
Email: nthompson@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

Mob:    0782 540 3492

Notes to editors

The 1^st Class stamp shows two firefighters tackling a blaze, while on the 54p stamp a firefighter has donned specialist clothing and breathing apparatus to deal with a chemical incident.

Often first on the scene at a traffic accident, more specialist equipment is in use on the 56p stamp as firefighters work to free the occupants of a vehicle.

The severe floods of 2007 resulted in a massive rescue effort by Fire and Rescue teams up and down the UK and features on the 62p stamp.

Firefighters trained in urban search and rescue (USAR) techniques use an array of equipment, including man's best friend as featured on the 81p stamp, to lift, cut away and remove debris from collapsed buildings and damaged vehicles so that the search for casualties can begin.

Fitted smoke alarms in your house? Fire Safety features on the 90p stamps and acts as a reminder of this vital part of firefighters' work in the community, from school visits to detailed surveys of businesses.

 The Fire and Rescue Service - Stamp by Stamp

 1^st Class - Firefighting

Two firefighters close in on a blaze with a hose.

 54p - Chemical Fire

Toxic chemicals and fumes require specialised clothing and breathing apparatus.

  56p - Emergency Rescue

Specialised cutting gear is used to rescue the occupants of a damaged vehicle at a road traffic accident.

 62p - Flood Rescue

Dealing with extreme weather conditions presents different challenges, and requires its own specific training and apparatus

 81p - Search and Rescue

Specially trained dogs are available to locate people trapped in collapsed buildings and travel around the world to help in earthquakes and other disasters.

  90p - Fire Safety

Prevention and fire safety training are just as important as tackling fires, this stamp shows a public fire safety demonstration.