Brigade H&S Rep

Brigade Membership Sec

David Bennett

Robert Thomson

07769 309448

07817 583623

Name of fund Ewan Williamson Memorial Fund

Name of bank Unity Trust Bank plc

Sort Code 08 – 60 - 01

Account No. 33028512

see also General Secretary circular

THE FIRE BRIGADES UNION
LOTHIAN & BORDERS

…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…

For Immediate Release
Monday 13th July 2009

Firefighter Fatality in Edinburgh:
Union Sets Out Key Areas for Investigation

The Fire Brigades Union has set out the key areas for investigation following the death of Firefighter Ewan Williamson on 12th July in Edinburgh. The Union stresses these are typical of the areas of investigation in firefighter fatalities, to establish all the facts surrounding the incident.
FBU Health & Safety Officials at Brigade, Scottish & UK levels, will be fully involved in a Joint Accident Investigation with Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service and the Health & Safety Executive (Scotland).
The investigation will look at:
• Sequence of Events (and establish a Timeline);
• Procedures;
• Training & Equipment;
• Building Construction;
• Any other relevant matters.

Roddy Robertson, Executive Council Member for Scotland said: ‘Unfortunately, as a Union, we have had to deal more and more with this type of tragedy. This does not make it any easier. Hard questions need to be asked and every effort to lean from this disaster must be taken’
Andy Fulton, Brigade Secretary for the Lothian & Borders Fire Brigades Union said “The investigation is about establishing the facts and learning lessons for the future. It is not about attributing blame.
“This is how the Fire Service keeps improving public and firefighter safety. Unfortunately, almost all of the advances in public and firefighter safety have been as a consequence of such a tragedy. We must and will learn the lessons from this incident.

“Firefighters & Control Staff in Lothian & Borders would like to thank the multitude of people who have sent messages of condolence and support. These have come from Fire Services across the UK, as well as individual Firefighters, Councillors, MSPs, Scottish Ministers (including the First & Deputy First Minister) and members of the public.”
We very much appreciate & welcome these messages, which we will pass on to the family & close colleagues of Ewan Williamson. There are too many to acknowledge them individually, so this is a collective ‘thank you’.

**ENDS**

For Further Information Contact:

Andy Fulton Lothian & Borders Brigade Secretary Mobile: 07801-047-610

Roddy Robertson Executive Council Member for Scotland Mobile: 07801-047-601

Ken Ross Scottish Secretary Mobile: 07801-047-602

SCOTLAND

…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…

For Immediate Release

Sunday 12th July 2009

Tragic Death of Firefighter in Edinburgh

UPDATE

Firefighters throughout Scotland are devastated at the loss of one of our colleagues at a fire in Haymarket, Edinburgh in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service were attending a fire in a bar in Edinburgh when the tragedy happened. At least 20 people were rescued from the multi-story tenement block above the bar.

Ken Ross, Scottish Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union said “It is devastating news that we have lost a firefighter colleague in the line of duty and that another is injured. Our thoughts are primarily with his family who will be distraught at the loss of their loved one. His friends & colleagues will also be shocked & distressed.

“Deaths in the line of duty touch everyone who works in the Fire Service. The death of our colleague in Edinburgh will be felt very deeply by everyone in the Service in Scotland and across the UK.

Roddy Robertson, Scottish Executive Council Member of the Fire Brigades Union said “The firefighter who died and the one who was injured were a breathing apparatus team who entered the building. The precise details of what happened will be a matter for the various investigations.

“Fire Brigades Union Officials are already looking at all Health & Safety issues relating to this incident. They will be working with the Health and Safety Executive and Lothian & Borders FRS managers.

Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union said “This terrible news is a reminder of just how deadly our profession can be. Our thoughts are with all our colleagues in fire services across the UK who will be touched by these events.

“There are no borders to grief and this death will impact on fire crews across the UK. They will all give full support and assistance our colleagues in Lothian & Borders.

Andy Fulton, Brigade Secretary for the Lothian & Borders Fire Brigades Union said “It’s a very hard blow to lose one of our fellow firefighters. We all work closely with each other together and we’re a close-knit Fire Service.

“It is difficult to adequately describe the impact the death of a fellow firefighter has on everyone in the Fire Service. We are all stunned and deeply hurt by this loss although we all know we have to keep working to provide a Fire & Rescue Service for the people of Lothian and Borders.

**ENDS**

For Further Information Contact:

Roddy Robertson Executive Council Member for Scotland Mobile: 07801-047-601

Ken Ross Scottish Secretary Mobile: 07801-047-602