No.3 Fire Force

Criticism was levelled at the government for providing insufficient leadership during 1940 and early 1941. In fact, the only action taken by the Home Office was to send inspectors to provincial cities to report on bomb-damage, and to distribute a series of memoranda to local authorities encouraging careful preparations to combat incendiary fires. The absence of a direct chain of command between the Home Office and the 1,450 brigades further undermined resource co-ordination. Pressure from several senior officers in the London Region about the inadequate level of protection in provincial cities culminated in the appointment of the Labour MP Herbert Morrison as Home Secretary in October 1940.

Formerly leader of the London County Council, Morrison was sympathetic to the demands for greater government control of the service. Negotiations, however, lagged, and it took the heavy raids of April 1941 to force Morrison to propose nationalisation to the War Cabinet, which duly ratified the scheme on 8 May. During parliament's debate of the Fire Service (Emergency Provisions) Bill, Morrison insisted that there was a clear difference between peacetime and wartime fire protection, stating that 'fire-fighting, in substance, had become a military operation, and, certainly for the period of the war, had ceased to be a municipal one.' It took just thirteen weeks to nationalise the fire service. Even the Treasury, notoriously resistant to allowing exchequer support for fire protection, agreed to fund all emergency costs as well as a quarter of each brigade's peacetime costs. Yet, like so much public policy towards fire protection before, during and after the war, nationalization was a knee-jerk reaction to fire disasters.

Furthermore, although it was national in name, in practice the National Fire Service (NFS) was a regional structure. Britain was divided into 39 Fire Forces, each commanded by a Fire Force Commander; each Fire Force was divided into separate divisions and further sub-divided into 'Columns' and, finally, 'Companies'. The Fire Force Commanders were responsible to Chief Regional Fire Officers, who exercised extensive powers over the deployment of manpower and equipment within their boundaries. There were between 2 and 4 Fire Forces in each region. The best officers were stationed in those areas deemed of the highest importance, which meant many existing officers were relocated, demoted or pensioned off. Furthermore, the AFS was incorporated into the NFS, which went some way to ending the animosity between the auxiliary and professional fire-fighters, and abolished the police brigades. The only brigades which remained outside the NFS were the hundreds of works brigades that protected industrial premises and were funded by their parent companies (many of which had rendered valuable assistance during the air-raids of 1940-41, especially in the West Midlands).

In fact the relative rapidity of nationalisation, when it came, was only possible because of the series of preceding piecemeal reforms of 1937-40. The establishment of the Fire Service Inspectorate in 1937, and the formation of the Regional Commissioners in 1938 helped to lay the groundwork for nationalization by centralizing responsibility for fire policy, dividing the country into manageable regions, and inspecting local standards. Moreover, the Home Office had been involved in the procurement of appliances, especially pumping and ancillary equipment, and the improvement of water supplies as well as the standardisation of hydrants, since 1938, and had ordered local authorities to draw up risk-assessment plans (as they are now known) in order to allocate resources. Evidently, the Home Office had also learned from the delays in establishing mutual assistance schemes during the First World War by creating 12 special area schemes in 1939 under emergency powers. The creation of a separate Fire Brigade ('K') Department within the Home Office (previously the fire service had been the administrative responsibility of the Police Department) and the hiring of a Fire Adviser to the Home Secretary were the final 'preparatory' steps.

Owing to the threat to national security, Morrison only gave 'K' Department three months to make the transition from local to national footing, during which time the constitution and organization of the NFS was formalized. By the autumn of 1941 the NFS was fully operational, with 'K' Department issuing instructions and conducting inspections on a frequent basis to co-ordinate service delivery. This transition, however, was undertaken during a period of virtual inactivity by the Luftwaffe. Indeed, the NFS never faced air-raids to the extent of those experienced in 1940-41, although the Tip-and-Run and Baedecker raids and the 'Little Blitz' all challenged the new structure. In fact the performance of the structure was far from a glowing success, largely owing to its multiplicity of tiers. Disputes between the 'K' Department, Regional Commissioners and some Fire Force Commanders over the powers of setting conditions of service, the mobilization of appliances and other operational procedures such as procurement led to friction at the higher levels. At the operational level, Column and Company Officers argued over who was responsible for directing fire fighters during incidents, while Divisional Officers clashed with Fire Force Commanders and their assistants when implementing policy.

Absolute responsibility for the operation and the administration of the Fire Service passed to the Home Office and financial responsibility was assumed by the Government as from the 1st July, 1941, subject to a standard contribution by Local Authorities equal to 75 per cent of the rate levied for peace-time Fire Brigade purposes for the year 1939-1940. Administrative control passed to the Home Office on the 18th August, 1941 and on this date the City of Sheffield Police Fire Brigade ceased to exist and became part of No. 3 Area of the National Fire Service.

Sheffield, along with a small part of the West Riding of Yorkshire formed the "A" and "B" Divisions of this area. Superintendent C. Teather became the Senior Divisional Officer and was attached initially to "B" Division with Headquarters at "Bishopholme", Herries Road, Chief Inspector J. W. Singleton was appointed Divisional Officer of "A" Division.  The active strength of personnel within the Area covered by the former Sheffield Brigade and Auxiliary Fire Service at this time was over 1.000 whole-time men and some 250 women with nearly 700 part-time personnel of both sexes. Nearly 300 pumping appliances were available.

The organisation was built up in anticipation of air raids which fortunately did not materialise and the peak strength was nearly 1,300 whole-time personnel and 2,000 part-time. 

The advent of the NFS changed the existing Police Fire Brigade rank structures as follows:

Not only did the National Fire Service spawn a new rank structure it also brought about a steady influx of new utilitarian fire appliances derived from mass produced military vehicles. These vehicles quickly replaced the local authority and acquired motor car and trailers which had been used throughout the heaviest bombing raids of the war. However, this new breed of fire appliances brought about the innovation of the covered crew cab, and for the first time protection from the elements was included in fire appliance design. Furthermore, the new fire engine red for the NFS was battleship grey.

	Photograph shows appliance retained at Elm Lane Fire Station after the war.
Bedford Heavy Unit:During World War 2 around 1,000 pumps were built on the Bedford chassis,and most were capable of producing 700gpm through four delivery outlets. A second variant was also built which could deliver 1,100gpm through six deliveries. These were designated as Extra Heavy Units.	1943 Austin K4 Escape Carrying Unit: Built to Home Office specifications for the National Fire Service, the appliance was fitted with a Barton front mounted pump.
Austin K2 Auxiliary Towing Vehicle: Based on the 2 ton lorry chassis,they were fitted with utility bodywork accommodating a crew of six,hoses and a 30ft ladder. Some 4,000 of these vehicles were ordered by the Home Office during the Second World War for the N.F.S. They were mainly used to tow heavy trailer pumps, and to carry equipment and crew. The Austin K2 units were not designed to carry water.	Austin K4/Merryweather 60ft hand-operated Turntable Ladder: with front mounted American Barton pump. A total of fifty hand-operated Merryweather turntables were built and mounted on Austin K4 chassis for the Home Office between 1942/43. These appliances were designed to be used by crews who were not necessarily qualified turntable ladder operators.

Mi Amingo - B17 Flying Fortress - Encliffe Park

Whilst many aircraft crashed on the moors around Sheffield, one crash in particular, is remembered due to its closeness to everyone. This short section relates to the crash of the American Airforce B-17 (Mi Amingo) in Endcliffe Park, and is dedicated to my late Great Uncle Robert Plane, one of the first NFS Firemen to reach the scene.

As dusk fell on 22 February 1944, a B-17 Flying Fortress (Mi Amingo) of the 8th Air Force fell from the sky over Sheffield, and crashed in woodland at the edge of Endcliffe Park. In spite of the efforts of townsfolk, none of its crew of ten could be saved.
 
A memorial stone which, weighs half a ton is located in Endcliffe Park, it carries not one but two bronze plaques, stands about fifty metres from the café and is surrounded by ten oak trees deliberately planted to commemorate the lost airmen. In spite of this, it is deceptively easy to overlook.

>For more detail about Mi Amingo please use this link

1941- 1944 Air Raids:

During 1941 the period 1942 the Luftwaffe mounted further 'Tip-and-Run' and Baedecker raids against Sheffield.

In anticipation of "D" Day on June 6th 1944, numbers of firemen were transferred to coastal areas—particularly the south coast— and immediately afterwards, when it became obvious that the danger of air raids on inland towns had largely passed re-organisation commenced. The Divisions were eliminated and No. 3 Area formed into four Sub-Areas, Sheffield and district becoming Sub Area A.

The first Bomb fell in Sheffield on the night of August 18th, 1940, and the last fell on April 25th, 1944. During this period the Imperial War Graves Commission recorded the deaths of 619 people during the bombings of Sheffield with the majority (466) being killed on the nights of 12-13th and 15th December 1940. All the names of the people who died are recorded on the Sheffield Roll of Honour. >>View the Sheffield Roll of Honour

The alert sounded 130 times during the war. Most of the alerts were false alarms due to enemy aircraft flying across the region while on their way to other targets. However, on 16 occasions of those 130 alerts the alarms were genuine.

Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) was May 7 and May 8, 1945, the dates when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Germany and the end of the Third Reich. The surrender of Germany was authorised by Hitler's replacement, President of Germany Karl Dönitz. The act of military surrender was signed on May 7 in Reims, France, and May 8 in Berlin, Germany.

Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day, also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, or V-P Day) is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Japan occurred, and subsequent anniversaries of that event. The term has been applied to both the day on which the initial announcement of Japan's surrender was made in the afternoon of August 15, 1945 (August 14 North American date), as well as the date the formal surrender ceremony was performed in Tokyo on September 2, 1945.

The end of the war in 1945 brought about a reduction in the number of personnel and appliances in the Service, nationally and locally, and the necessary re-organisation to cater for peacetime needs was carried out. It was realised, however, that the fire defence of the country would have to be on a much larger scale than pre-war. It is true to say that the war years brought about immense changes in the fire brigade profession, and almost every activity in the service acquired a new outlook.

The inefficiency of centuries was erased during the war years, and it was clear there could not be any return to pre-war conditions if the public and the nation was to have adequate protection from fire.

In 1945 those members of the National Fire Service who had been called up under the provisions of the National Service Acts, were discharged from the service of the Crown and as far as possible many other members were released.  Applications were invited for the Post War Fire Service and in 1946 serving members who possessed the necessary qualifications were able to apply for permanent appointment. Many others were recruited from the armed forces.

Herbert Morrison had always stated that nationalisation would be a temporary measure and that fire protection would be returned to local control after the war. This was because local government still retained power and influence over national policy. From 1943 discussions began concerning the post-war status of the service. There were suggestions that the service should remain a national responsibility, especially as the Labour Party promised to nationalise health and public utilities, although this was resisted by Morrison and his successor, Chuter Ede, because of the animosity it would generate within local government. It was eventually decided that the service would be returned to local control, yet with some important reforms.

Final details of the new Local Government Services were contained in this comprehensive Act of Parliament known (Fire Services Act. 1947). The Act governed the return of Fire Brigades to local control and reduced the number of brigades from 1,400 to 134.

A most important requirement of the Act concerns the amount of protection to be provided within the community, and consequently, a minimum establishment of men and appliances are authorised for each Brigade.

The Fire Service Act, 1947, required fire authorities for the first time to provide arrangements for the inspection of property in their area with regard to their risk: to take steps to mitigate damage caused by water and carrying out salvage work: and for giving, when requested, of advice on fire prevention and means of escape in case of fire. It also gave powers for them to delegate their functions in whole or in part to other Fire Authorities.

As from the appointed date, and for the first time in history, the Government were authorised to make a contribution, not exceeding 25% to the cost of administering the Fire Brigades, provided the efficiency of the Brigade is up to the standards required by the Home Office. To ensure that this standard is maintained the Home Office appointed a Chief Inspector of Fire Brigades and a staff of several Inspectors who are known as Her Majesty's Inspectors of Fire Brigades.

The same liability is placed on fire brigades by the 1947 Act as the 1938 Act, (which was repealed in its entirety), i.e., the question of mutual assistance between themselves so that the resources of one are available in case of need to others.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department is the responsible Minister of the Government empowered to administer the Fire Brigades Act and he is authorised to initiate legislation on various cognate matters. Regulations are issued from time to time, dealing with conditions of service, pay, leave, pensions, training, and promotions, thus ensuring that all brigades are administered at the same standard. In making these regulations the Secretary of State must, and does, consult such bodies as Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council and the National Joint Council for Fire Brigades. These bodies are formed of representatives of the Local Authorities, Fire Engineering Technical Bodies and Associations, The Chief Fire Officers' Association, The National Association of Fire Officers and the Fire Brigades Union, thus it is ensured that any regulation made has always been agreed to before its promulgation.

During the latter part of 1947 it was realised that in order to effect a smooth change over to local authority control, certain measures would have to be taken before the Act came into force, consequently each designated Fire Authority had to take such steps as appointing staff.

1948 The fire service was denationalised; control of Fire Brigades is passed back to the LAs. However, the responsibility for Sheffield Fire Brigade now passed from the Police Authority to the newly formed Fire Authority.

Fire Brigade is Handed Back - Sheffield Star 1st April 1948

Photograph courtesy of the Sheffield Star

Today, instead of the “N.F.S." monogram, the city arms appeared on the gleaming red and gold flanks of Sheffield’s fire engines and appliances, symbolising the handing back of the Sheffield Fire Brigade from the administration of the National Fire Service to that of the City Council, under the Fire Services Act, 1947. The Act confirm a promise made to local authorities when the fire services were nationalised in August, 1941 that fire brigades should be returned to  their control when the national emergency was over. At the Brigade's headquarters in Division Street, with the men' of No.1 station on parade, the  city’s Chief Fire Officer. Mr. H. J.. Reynolds, handed over the fire service with its 100 all ranks, and its 22 vehicles to the, Lord Mayor (Ald. W. E. Yorke).

BLITZ TEST

In his handing-over speech, Mr. Reynolds, who was also Sheffield's Fire Force Commander under the N.F.S. pointed out how right the Government had been to develop and augment the fire services before the war.

The "blitz" nights in Sheffield had proved the efficacy of their precautions.

Sheffield was getting its own fire brigade back in a state of efficiency that was second to none.

The Lord Mayor, accepting the transfer, read a letter from the Home Secretary (Mr. Chuter Ede), offering his co-operation in the task of establishing and improving the brigade.

 A fire in the basement of a bombed-out building in Arundel Lane, which occurred during the handing-over ceremony, was dealt with by a spare engine, stationed outside the Division Street headquarters in case of emergency.

FIRST CALL ON "NEW" FORCE

Once again as a city brigade, Sheffield firemen received their first call to 122, Moore Street, where a blazing settee had set fire to the living room curtains and window frame.

However, what was certain is there was a lot of work to do

Photograph showing the view from the rear of the Sheffield Star Offices across to Angel Street in 1948. Courtesy of the Sheffield Star - Sheffield at War 1939-1945

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