The National Fire Service was a single fire service created in Britain in August 1941 during the Second World War, bringing together the wartime national Auxiliary Fire Service and the local authority fire brigades.
Before 1941, there were two fire teams in the city – the Sheffield Police Fire Brigade and the volunteer Auxiliary Fire Service – with different uniforms. Together they faced the horror of the Blitz of December 1940, when seven firefighters lost their lives and many more were injured as the city centre was engulfed in a firestorm on the night of December 12.
Thanks to the fire service and everything they do to keep us all safe every day of the year. You can learn more about their history at the National Emergency Services Museum on West Bar Green.
1. Stub it out
Valley Park Primary School students were invited to meet crews at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Central fire station after they sang on the steps of Sheffield City Hall in support of the brigade's stop smoking campaign, aimed at saving lives Photo: JPI
2. Safety first
Lord Mayor of Sheffield Coun Jane Bird gets a fire safety check at her home, with Peter Holmes and Carol Rowland from South Yorkshire Fire Service Photo: Dean Atkins
3. Chernobyl visitors
Children from Chernobyl who were visiting the city for a summer break learning firefighting skills at the fire service's Training & Development Centre at Handsworth. Elena Kukharevich has a go with a fire hose with with watch manager Pete Wood in July 2009 Photo: Roger Nadal
4. Life-saving award
A Sheffield firefighter who saved the life of a heart attack victim whilst off duty was recognised with a special fire service award. Martin Farmer, based at Lowedges fire station, came to the aid of 63-year-old Dave Western at Abbeydale Badminton Club, Sheffield Photo: submitted