Page 2 - link magazine

Malicious!
_ by Sub Officer Pete Townsend, Westlea Fire Station
is 10 4A It would be all too easy after by a bleary eyed and confused
eleven years in what has been for occupant who quite apart from
BRITISH PAPER & BOARD me a varied and exciting career to having no knowledge of the
FEDERATION
I NDUSTRY
talk to you about the workings of reported fire is less than happy at
PHOTOCOPYING Wiltshire Fire Brigade. It is indeed being rudely awakened on a fools
one of a firefighters favourite errand.
from single copies to pastimes to reminisce about This, alas, is not the half of it.
80 page bound books incidents they have attended - During all the commotion caused
particularly when in the company by this malicious act, Swindon's
SINGLE of colleagues. This practice I once fire defence has its guard down.
Should a genuine fire occur
heard described as 'fighting fires
around the coffee table' and for within this time the vital, perhaps
COPIES me that sums it up perfectly. Not life saving minutes will be lost.
unlike a good wine, these stories The potential consequences are
7p per improve with age, with every enormous, and I would envy no
repetition the tale becomes more
man or woman or child the
graphic until the end result is burden of an avoidable death on
copy exaggerated out of all recognition. their conscience.
Technology as with most things
But is enjoyable just the same.
After much deliberation I have West Swindon's fire appliances in the modern world is pro-
-Artwork facilities available chosen a subject that is anything emerges from its temporary garage gressing in leaps and bounds, not
at the Link Centre
-Double sided copying but dear to a fireman's heart. In least in the field of telecommun-
fire brigade jargon it is called "The spews out the details of the ications. The fire brigade is no
-Collating/stapling
Mickey" but to be more accurate, incident, the printout information longer completely at the mercy of
the malicious false alarm'. may vary but the action is always the 'crank' caller. Calls are now
British Paper & Board Imagine, if you will being put in the same. being traced in seconds rather
Industry Federation our position for a few minutes. The adrenalin is running and than minutes, and fire control has
You are torn from your slumber the response is immediate. The the facility to hold phone lines
Papermakers House at perhaps 3.00a.m. on a foul appliance bay doors rise and the open when a call is doubtful.
Rivenhall Road morning. The station bells clang fire engines that have been More and more offenders are
Westlea out their alarm while the waiting in anticipation roar into caught and dealt with harshly -
teleprinter clatters away and life and rapidly exit the station. there being half a dozen cases in
Tel: 886086 The drill now is second nature. West Swindon since the
The firefighters clamour into beginning of the year alone.
firekit and haul 451b breathing In conclusion my message is
apparatus sets onto their backs, simple, to the small minority out
the officer in charge refers to street there that think a malicious call to
maps to determine the quickest any emergency service is nothing
route while the driver skillfully but a harmless prank then think
hotel bis
J~\ maneuvers the twelve tonne truck again! To the rest of you thank
speedily to the scene. A short you for your continuing support.
while later the appliances arrive, 'The completion of West Swindon's
the crews quickly dismount fire station on Mead Way, Westlea
hoses are reeled off and fire has been delayed untilJune. The bad
pumps scream into action - it is weather in January and February
only then that we are confronted has been blamed.
There's live Dixieland Jazz at the Have a go Club An idea from
Hotel This with the Pete Allen Jazz Band Chris and Gill Lowthian
The basic idea is to give young specialists would have met the
on the third Sunday of the month.
people between the ages of 10 and children and then may be
Reserve a ticket, which includes 16 the chance to experience any encouraged to operate on a more
abuffet lunch, on 514777. activity that can be arranged on a permanent basis. Ideas welcome.
one off basis. 'Phone Martha Parry on 871212 ext
I am not suggesting a weekly 234 with offers of help.
Come and try the selection of French, meetingbut, initially, once a month
English and European dishes in our to get suggestions from the youth Thanks for the
warm and friendly restaurant. themselves for ideas on the type of donations
activities they would like to HAVE
You'll be delighted by the good quality A GO AT. It may be necessary for A collecting box in aid of famine
and reasonable prices the club to be divided into age relief work in Ethiopia at the West
groups depending on the event. Swindon Centre has been
The other advantage is that it emptied and £92.19 has been
Full a la carte menu and three course
would not necessarily rely upon delivered to Oxfam.
inclusive menu at £8.50. the same adults organising all the The centre manager Lionel
Children welcome. time. Different adults would have Dicks suggested placing a box
Family lunches on Sundays. different contacts. Invitations to in a public place to appeal for
Relax before and atter in our the general public could be via The donations and The Linkgave the
Linkmagazine to offer their services appeal publicity with an update
intimate bar lounge.
on a ONE OFF BASIS. on the crisis in Africa in the
Hotel Ibis, Delta Business Park A full time co-ordinator would February edition.
Great Western Way, West Swindon. probably be required. Many thanks for your
After a while a pattern of interests contributions which will help to
Telephone: 514777 may emergeand more specificciubs reduce the magnitude of the
could then be organised. The famine crisis in a small way.