News

Today we joined together to wish Chief Fire Officer Stuart Errington a long and happy retirement, following his last day at Fire HQ. Stuart, our first ever “home grown” Chief, followed in his father Eddie’s footsteps joining CDDFRS on 11th January 1993 and worked as a firefighter in Newton Aycliffe and Consett before moving up the ranks working at the service’s training centre and eventually taking a secondment to work for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and leading on a Fire Control National Project. After re-joining the service, Stuart was promoted to Head of Risk in 2007. In 2012, he was appointed as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, becoming Chief Fire Officer in 2016.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) re-launch their Christmas safety campaign in partnership with The Safer Durham Partnership  The campaign ‘Be Present This Christmas’ has launched across their social media platforms to raise awareness of key road, home and water safety messages.  Be Present this Christmas is about raising awareness of the increased risks faced by local communities at Christmas time. The aim of the campaign is to make sure everyone is present around the dinner table this Christmas.   

Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the day to bring a large fire at an out building under control close to Tanfield Manor in Stanley. Working alongside a number of...

Around this time last year, Durham Reds responded to a Special Service incident in Durham City Centre, which involved a man wanting to end his life. Our crews...

A new County Durham centre to train offshore workers in emergency firefighting has welcomed its first delegates through the doors after receiving approval from oil and gas training body, OPITO.  The centre, which is a joint venture combining the expertise of AIS Survivex, the UK’s leading energy trainer and the real-world firefighting skills of Vital Fire Solutions (VFS), the trading arm of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), is now accredited to run OPITO courses. 

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) have thanked the public after a fall in incidents across the bonfire period. Always, one of the busiest weekends...

We are extremely proud of White Watch Control who were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation this morning by Chief Fire Officer Stuart Errington. They were awarded the certificate for their calm, professional and reassuring advice during a difficult 999 call. Earlier this year, Control Crew Manager Caroline Wells received a call from a destressed female who was trapped in her property due to a fire. Caroline quickly and calmly provided critical fire survival advice and reassurance to the occupant until our crews arrived and rescued her safely.

Earlier this afternoon, crews from Consett, Middleton and Teasdale and Bishop Auckland were called to reports of one occupant trapped in a car at Westgate Ford. With the...

As Bonfire Night approaches, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service are joining forces with their partners to encourage members of the public to attend an organised firework display and giving out tips to stay safe in the lead up to the 5th November. CDDFRS have are launching the #BetterBonfire campaign on social media in partnership with Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council and Durham Constabulary to ensure the public are aware of the dangers of bonfires and fireworks which includes the firework code, safe use of sparklers and keeping your furry friends safe indoors.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service's (CDDFRS) Station Manager Craig Jewkes was honoured to be part of the procession at Her Majesty’s funeral last Monday (19th of September.)  Craig was one of just 16 firefighters from across the UK selected to take part in the state funeral last week.