Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

14/06/2026

This week is Drowning Prevention Week (June 13-20). Sadly the UK has seen a few accidental drownings since the warm weather has arrived. Here Group Commander for Prevention at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Dave Smith has shared a message on how to stay safe.

Be Water Aware.

Find out more at: https://orlo.uk/of8MN

12/06/2026

Drowning Prevention Week begins this weekend (June 13-20). Here Tom Golder from the Water Rescue team at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue explains how to stay safe around water.
Most of us walk, run or cycle by rivers and lakes without a second thought — but did you know that 54% of people who drowned between 2019–2024 never intended to enter the water? And 578 people tragically slipped or fell in while out and about.
Here’s how you can stay safe on your local routes:
📱 Keep your mobile phone charged
🚶 Stay clear of the water’s edge
🛤️ Stick to proper, marked paths
🌙 Avoid poorly lit or dark routes
Looking out for yourself helps keep our community safer. Stay aware, stay safe.
Find out more at: https://orlo.uk/3VRK2

11/06/2026

❤️

We have some heartwarming news to share following yesterday’s devastating fire at the Jungle Box in Buntingford.

While carrying out the fire investigation, we incredibly discovered a baby tortoise alive in the aftermath, despite earlier fears that all the animals had died.

A small but powerful moment after a very difficult incident ❤️

Our investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

10/06/2026

We know that many of you are concerned about the fire in Buntingford this morning.

Here is an update from Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Cook:

" In the early hours of this morning we received calls to a significant fire at The Jungle Box in Buntingford. Crews worked hard to contain the fire and prevent it spreading to neighbouring units. I’d like to thank all crews for their professionalism and hard work and fire control colleagues for their calm and efficient handling of the calls.

"Sadly, we can confirm that a number of animals were inside the building at the time of the fire and did not survive. An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway"

10/06/2026

Update 9.43am :
We are now beginning to scale back our response. Two fire engines and an aerial ladder platform remain at the scene, and crews will continue to damp down hotspots and make sure the area is safe.
Residents may still notice some smoke in the area, so if you think you are likely to be affected, please keep your windows and doors closed. We will be carrying out a fire investigation to establish the cause of the fire.

Original post:
Firefighters are currently dealing with a fire at a unit on the Watermill Industrial Estate in Buntingford. They were called at 3.19 this morning and have worked hard to stop the fire spreading to other units on the site. Ten fire engines and an aerial ladder platform are currently on scene while they tackle the blaze. No one has been injured and there was no one on site as the fire began. We are asking those in the local area to keep their windows and doors shut as the fire is generating a fair amount of smoke.

08/06/2026

Drowning Prevention Week – 13–20 June
This week we’re supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention Week, a national campaign aimed at helping everyone stay safe in and around water.

As the weather warms up, it’s more important than ever to understand the risks and make safe choices. Most drownings are preventable, and a few simple steps can save lives.

✅ Know how to spot water dangers
✅ Learn basic water safety skills
✅ Supervise children at all times near water
✅ Float to live – if you fall into water, fight the urge to swim

Find out more at: https://orlo.uk/bFXF1

08/06/2026

Watch footage from last week's planned training exercise at The Snow Centre in Hemel.

These multi-agency events help us work better together, for a safer Hertfordshire. 👇

04/06/2026

This Volunteers’ Week we’ve been celebrating the amazing work our Community Fire Safety Volunteers do and what they get from it.
Rosie is one of our volunteers and here’s what she had to say.
“Over the past year, I have really enjoyed volunteering with Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am grateful for everything I have learned through the training, events, and opportunities I have been involved in. One of the things I have valued most is the chance to meet so many amazing people. Everyone has been so welcoming, supportive, and willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Seeing the dedication and passion of those within the organisation has been genuinely inspiring and has given me a real appreciation for the difference they make in our communities. Being part of such a positive and encouraging team has helped me grow in confidence, develop new skills, and given me even greater motivation to achieve my goal of joining Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.”
https://orlo.uk/XDQ6Q

04/06/2026

❤️ Better prepared emergency services + resilient partnerships = a safer Hertfordshire.

That's why we take part in planned training exercises, like the one on Monday at The Snow Centre in Hemel.

Learn more about the Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum here 👉 hertfordshire.gov.uk/br2025

04/06/2026

Welcome to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service!
We’re delighted to welcome our newest recruits into the service, who have now passed out having completed their 16 week training. The new firefighters will serve communities across the county and now join fire stations where they will continue to develop their skills as part of the operational crew.
To find out more about careers with us visit https://orlo.uk/HgA14