TORBAY Amateur Radio Society has a large membership with many members either working or retired, having a vast range of skills being able to give a monthly talk on their chosen subjects.

This month TARS welcomed Simon M3 VTO, a retained firefighter at Totnes.

Firefighter is probably the wrong terminology as more often than not calls involve a rescue situation which can often include animals as well as humans.

Most homes and places of work tend to be safer with the modern health and safety regulations, improved electrics and smoke alarms but we must not get complacent.

The talk was very much a reminder of what people should be aware of such as closing doors and planning and discussing an escape route, whether it be at work or in the home; making sure smoke alarms are working correctly and checking them regularly; having a fire blanket in the kitchen to smother fat fires is advisable; and placing fire extinguishers in an area where flammable substances are often kept.

Simon commented on some of the 'shouts' the Totnes station has attended from rescuing a trapped horse, removing children from locked cars and dealing with fuel and oil leaks, often working in conjunction with other emergency services.

One recent incident involved a lit candle being placed in a cardboard box on a window sill with curtains.

After a very interesting talk, Simon showed a couple of videos on how quickly a fire can go from a spark to being totally out of control.

One involved an armchair that within four minutes of ignition engulfed the whole room. Another showed a Christmas tree blaze after a fairy light failure.

It was a very interesting but chilling evening, leaving members with a few safety thoughts that they can apply at work and in the home.

For information on joining the club, call 01803 528801.