LOSS OF A FORMER COLLEAGUE Ray Ratcliffe Ray succumbed to a long term illness aged 68 He joined Hampshire Fire Brigade in Oct 1978 and was posted to G/W B24 Southsea, serving there until March 1989, before transferring to B23 Copnor, from where he retired in May 2000.

LOSS OF A FORMER COLLEAGUE - Dave Harris (1/2) Dave passed away on 25 Aug after a very short battle with lung cancer. He joined Hampshire Fire Brigade in Jan 78, was posted to RW B24 Southsea, promoted to LFF on WW B24, served at B23 Cosham, TC & BW B18 Gosport before retiring.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS - Dave Harris Dave’s funeral will be held at Portchester crematorium 23rd September at 10:45.   His family would be honoured to see anyone that served with him at the funeral.

Announcing the appointment of our new senior leadership team. Sabrina Pennington-Down has been appointed as the service’s first non-operational Assistant Director, while Andy Piller has been appointed as the service’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer. orlo.uk/Rf4Fr

LOSS OF A FORMER COLLEAGUE - George Isherwood George passed away following a fall on 25 August aged 84. He joined Surrey Fire Brigade September 1968 and moved to Portsmouth Fire Brigade July 1973 serving at B23 Cosham and B20 Copnor retiring as a Ff in April 1996.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS - George Isherwood George’s funeral service will be held at Portchester crematorium at 10:45 on Wednesday 17 September. Any donations people would like to make are to go to the Fire Service Benevolent Fund. All are welcome should they wish to attend.

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LOSS OF A FORMER COLLEAGUE - Terry Craven The PMA have been advised, by his daughter Claire, that on Sat 6 Sept, Terry Craven passed away peacefully at the Mountbatten Hospice. Details of his service record & funeral arrangements will be forwarded in due course.

Fire cadets Lauren & Annabelle were selected to attend the Fire Angel Leadership Foundation Programme in Sweden to represent HIWFRS. See M ore about their Swedish adventure and support their fundraising 👉 bit.ly/4meXMd8

LOSS OF A FORMER COLLEAGUE - Derek Overfield Derek Overfield died on Sunday 7th September in Basingstoke hospital with his wife Hilary at his side. He was the last serving Hampshire Fire Service Chaplain. He started in November 1998 but our records do not show when he left.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS - Terry Craven His funeral will be held at Romsey Crematorium at Ridge. On Wed 15 Oct at 11:00 followed by a Wake at Wellow Golf Club.    If attending please text 07828573312 for catering purposes.    Donations to the Mountbatten Hospice.

From today 15 Sept 2025, Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has taken up the role of Chief Fire Officer for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. She takes over from Neil Odin who is retiring from the Service following a 34-year career.Find out more hantsfire.gov.uk/new-cfo-takes-…

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS - Ray Ratcliffe Ray’s funeral will take place at 10:00 on Wednesday 8 October at St Pauls Church, Barnes Lane, Sarisbury Green, SO31 7BG. All friends and colleagues who wish to attend are welcome to the service and to the graveside for the interment.

WINCHESTER FIRE STATION REUNION NOTIFICATION winchesterrfc.typeform.com/fire-reunion

Romsey Open Day facebook.com/share/p/19eMqb…

🛟 New throwline water safety cabinets have been installed on the banks of the River Itchen in Southampton. Unlocked via a 9⃣9⃣9⃣ call the cabinets protect the equipment so that it’s ready to save lives when needed. Read more 👉 bit.ly/SotonThrowline… Southampton City Council

🐶 It was a ruff day for Elfie the puppy after she got her head stuck in her wooden food and water stand. On-call firefighters from Hartley Wintney Fire Station quickly got to work to cut free the 15-week-old black Labrador. Read more 👉 bit.ly/ElfieDogRescue 🐾

We are saddened by the passing of former Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates QFSM, a highly respected & accomplished member of our fire services community. From everyone at FFC, we extend our condolences to Mark’s family, friends & colleagues.

bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… New fire station in East Cowes