text:
Date Added: 31st October
Press Officer: Sarah Lander
Telephone: 01243 752448
Call Ref: 10029
Time: 09:25-10:15
Location: ART GALLERY - NORTH PALLANT CHICHESTER
Incident: Smell of Smoke - fire alarm sounding - smell of smoke coming from plant room machinery - machinery isolated by WSF&RS - full search of building made using thermal imaging camera to confirm no fire situation - building naturally ventilated - WrLx2 Chichester, WrL Bognor
Call Ref: 10036
Time: 10:20-11:40
Location: MEDICAL CENTRE HIGH STREET SELSEY
Incident: Fire - small fire in 1st floor kitchen - 2BA, 1Co2 extinguisher used by WSF&RS - accidental - WrL Selsey
Call Ref: 10046
Time: 17:41-17:56
Location: HOUSE - BRIGHTON ROAD SHOREHAM
Incident: Fire - small fire involving calor gas cylinder in porch of house - fire out on arrival of WSF&RS - cylinder removed from house to open air and inspected by WSF&RS - advice given - accidental - WrL Shoreham
WrL Water Tender Ladder
L4T Four Wheel Drive Vehicle with Water Tank
CU Command Unit
HR Hose Reel
RIB Rigid Inflatable Boat
BA Breathing Apparatus
HRT Heavy Rescue Tender
ALP Aerial Ladder Platform
BASU - Breathing Apparatus Support Unit
WrC Water Carrier
PPV Fan Positive Pressure Ventilation fan
TIC Thermal Imaging Camera
FIO Fire Investigation Officer
TRU Technical Rescue Unit
Date Added: 23rd October 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
A man was lucky to be rescued by firefighters last night after a blaze in his flat initially went undetected when the building's fire detection system was reset.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the three-storey block of flats on Rowlands Road in Worthing at 22:09pm after what was believed to be a false alarm turned out to be a small fire in a second floor flat.
A fire crew from Worthing were on the scene within 6 minutes of the 999 call and immediately carried out a thorough search of the building. They quickly discovered a smoke logged flat on the second floor of the property and were able to rouse the occupier, who was in bed, leading him to fresh air and safety. He was given oxygen therapy at the scene for mild smoke inhalation but did not go to hospital.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire, which started as a result of unattended cooking, using a hose reel and a CO2 extinguisher, containing it to just the kitchen area.
Incident Commander Mark Upperton from Worthing Fire Station said afterwards:
"Many residential blocks of flats have linked and hard wired smoke detection systems which give occupiers an added level of protection. The resident in this case assumed the system was activating as a result of a false alarm and tried to reset the panel a number of times before dialling 999.
"We know that false alarms do happen - people perhaps burning their toast and so on - but it's vital not to assume it's a false alarm because lives could be put at risk. If people are in any doubt, they should always dial 999.
"We'd also like to remind people about the risk of cooking late at night, particularly if you are tired or not feeling well. Please make a safe choice and have something to eat that doesn't need to be cooked."
Did you know that West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers FREE Home Fire Safety Checks? Call 0800 3286487 or log onto www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire to find out if you are eligible.
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Date Added: 19th September
Press Officer: Sarah Lander
Telephone: 01243 752448
Fire caused by tea Towels at Milland pub
Firefighters Midhurst and Liphook were called to the Rising Sun Pub in Iping road Milland at 5:04 this morning after a fire started in tea towels in the ground floor kitchen area.
The tea towels had been taken out of the tumble dryer earlier in the day, and whilst still hot and been bundled into a plastic box where they started smouldering.
The 6 occupants in the upstairs flat of the pub were alerted in the early hours of the morning by the smoke alarm on the ground floor of the pub, and on investigating saw that the pub was smoke logged.
On receiving the call the Sussex Control Centre operators who are highly trained and in contact with the fire engines on their way to the scene, remained on the phone with the occupants, giving them special fire survival guidance which included staying in the 1st floor room, until the arrival of the fire crews
Crew Commander Matt Gamblen who attended the scene said: The fire survival guidance the The Sussex Control Centre operators give is essential to follow. It means that the firefighters have detailed information that they can act on.
On arrival firefighters entered the complex layout of the pub and led the 6 occupants to safety.
The fire was extinguished using breathing apparatus and hose reels
Crew Commander Matt Gamblen "It is very important that laundry is not confined after coming straight out of a tumble dryer as there is always the possibility that this type of incident may occur."
He also urged people not to leave tumble dryers, dishwashers or washing machines running overnight
"We would also like to remind people about the danger of leaving appliances like tumble dryers, washing machines or dishwashers running overnight or while out. They can be a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors."
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to take extra care when cooking after attending a dozen kitchen fires over the bank holiday weekend.
Between Saturday morning and Monday night (August 23-25) firefighters were called to 12 separate kitchen fires across the county. Most started as a result of cooking being left unattended. Two of the occupiers involved had to be led to safety and another needed treatment for smoke inhalation.
Careless cooking is the most common cause of accidental house fires in West Sussex with around two-thirds of all house fires starting in the kitchen.
Deputy Safer Communities Manager for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Adrian Carter, said:
"We work very hard as a Service to promote kitchen fire safety to the local community so attending this many in such a short space of time is a real concern. Thankfully, the fires were brought under control very quickly by our crews and haven't led to serious injury. However, the consequences could have been far more serious and many of them could easily have been avoided."
"The Home Fire Safety Checks that we have been carrying out over the last decade and the smoke detectors we have fitted undoubtedly means that many lives have been saved because people are getting an early warning of a fire. However, a smoke detector alone cannot prevent a fire starting in the first place so we are again urging people to take a few simple precautions to minimise the risk of a fire occurring" Adrian added.
Tips to stay safe in the kitchen:
. Kitchen fires often occur when people leave cooking unattended - if you are called away from the cooker then ensure you take pans off the heat
. Clean toasters, hobs and grill pans regularly to avoid a build up of crumbs or fat which can easily catch fire
. Cooking after drinking alcohol can be a recipe for disaster - consider having something that doesn't need to be cooked
. Don't put oven gloves or tea towels down onto a hot cooker after you've used them
. Never fill a chip pan (or other deep-fat fryer) more than one-third full of oil. Consider using a thermostatically controlled deep-fat fryer - this will ensure that the fat does not get too hot
. Never use water on a chip pan fire - it will create a potentially lethal fireball
. If a pan catches fire don't move it - it will be extremely hot
. Turn off the heat only if it's safe to do so - never lean over a pan to reach the controls
. If you do have a fire in the kitchen, don't take any risks - get everyone out and dial 999.
To find out if you are eligible for a Home Fire Safety Check call 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire where you can also access a full range of fire safety advice.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to take extra care when cooking with hot oil following a spate of chip pan fires across the county.
Within the last fortnight, firefighters have been called to 3 separate chip pan fires in Elmer, Bognor Regis and East Preston. All three fires were caused by the pan being left unattended on the cooker hob. Thankfully, none of the occupiers involved sustained serious injury.
Careless cooking is the most common cause of accidental house fires in West Sussex with around two-thirds of all house fires starting in the kitchen. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service works hard to raise awareness of the dangers of hot oil, using Fire Station Open Days and community events to dramatically demonstrate how easily a small oil fire can become a potentially lethal fireball.
Community Fire Safety Officer, Jackie Boyle, said:
"Many people assume that chip pans are a thing of the past. These three incidents in such a short space of time certainly prove otherwise. Pans filled with hot oil are extremely dangerous and even leaving them unattended momentarily is long enough for a fire to develop.
"One of the occupiers involved took a very serious gamble by attempting to carry the burning pan outside. This could easily have caused burns that would have lasted a lifetime and spread a fire through their home. Our advice is to get everyone out and call us, rather than try and tackle it yourself.
Tips on frying safely:
. Most kitchen fires occur when people leave things unattended, so don't let yourself be distracted while cooking, if you are called away from the cooker take pans off the heat
. Never fill a chip pan (or other deep-fat fryer) more than one-third full of oil
. Consider using a thermostatically controlled deep-fat fryer - this will ensure that the fat does not get too hot
If a pan catches fire:
. Don't move it - it is likely to be extremely hot
. Turn off the heat if it's safe to do so - but never lean over a pan to reach the controls
. Don't use a fire extinguisher on a pan of oil - the force of the extinguisher can spread the fire
. If you have put the fire out, leave the pan to cool completely.
Having a working smoke alarm in your house could save your life - make sure you are protected.
For more advice on staying safe in the kitchen call the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Community Safety Team on 01243 642879 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire
Pic: http://www.wsfb.co.uk/pictures/200814/pic6.jpeg (open in separate window)
Firefighters are urging people to ensure their cigarettes are extinguished properly following a flat fire in Crawley yesterday afternoon.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the two-storey block of flats on Ewhurst Road at 4.55pm yesterday (August 17) after a cigarette left unextinguished set light to a sofa causing significant damage to the ground floor property.
The occupier, a man in his 50s, was out of the property when the blaze started. Thankfully, because West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service had previously carried out a Home Fire Safety Check at the property, the flat was protected by a Careline System with a specialist 'Firelink' smoke alarm. This meant that an operator at a 24-hr monitoring centre was automatically alerted to the fire and could place the 999 call to the Fire Service.
A fire crew from Crawley was at the scene within 5 minutes of the alarm being raised and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the blaze using hose reels preventing it from spreading.
Smoking is still the single biggest killer in accidental fires in the home. In the last 2 years in West Sussex, two thirds of all fatal house fires have been smoking related.
Fire Investigation Officer at the incident, David Shaw, said afterwards:
"The most important piece of advice we can offer to smokers is to make sure you use an ashtray and extinguish your cigarettes fully when you have finished smoking. Please take extra care if you are tired or have been drinking and never smoke in bed."
"We'd like to remind people that we offer free Home Fire Safety Checks to give safety advice and, where appropriate, fit smoke detectors or other specialist fire detection equipment. Priority is given to those who are elderly or more vulnerable. Call free on 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire"
West Sussex Fire & Rescue offer the following simple safety advice to smokers:
. Stub out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully
. Use a proper ashtray - never a wastepaper basket
. Make sure your ashtray can't tip over and is made of material that won't burn
. Take extra care when you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that can make you drowsy - it's very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning
. Don't smoke in bed - if you need a lie down, don't light up. It's too easy to doze and for bedding to catch light
. Keep all matches and lighters well out of the reach of children
. Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance and start a fire
Pic: the fire damaged sofa http://www.wsfb.co.uk/pictures/180814/pic2.jpg (open in separate window)
Date Added: 8th August 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
Firefighters are reminding people of the dangers of late night cooking and drinking after a man had to be rescued from a fire in his Bognor flat in the early hours of this morning.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the two-storey block of flats on Manor Way in Elmer at 12.53am this morning after the occupier of the ground floor flat, a man in his 50s who had been drinking, fell asleep leaving a pan burning on the hob.
Fortunately, the flat was fitted with an working smoke detector, which alerted the occupier of a neighbouring flat to the developing fire. The quick-acting neighbour forced entry to the ground floor flat and rescued the sleeping occupier before raising the alarm. Both men were later taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
A crew from Bognor Fire Station was on the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised and saw smoke and flames pouring from the flat's windows and door, which had blown out from the intensity of the fire. Three additional fire crews were immediately requested while the initial firefighting operations got underway.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus carried out a search of the whole block of flats but thankfully all the occupiers had already safely evacuated. The blaze was then quickly brought under control and extinguished using jets and hoses. The flat sustained considerable fire, smoke and heat damage. Two neighbouring flats were also damaged by fire and smoke.
Incident Commander and Green Watch Manager from Bognor Fire Station, Jon Etherington, said afterwards:
"This man had a very lucky escape. Had it not been for the neighbour's brave actions, this may very well have ended in tragedy. While we would remind people not to put themselves in harm's way by entering a property they believe is on fire, we would urge people to act if they hear a smoke alarm going off for any length of time in a neighbouring property. Don't ignore it, call 999, you may just save a life."
"This is not an isolated incident. Cooking is by far the most common cause of house fire we attend. We'd ask people to think twice about getting the pan out if they are very tired or have been drinking; it really is a recipe for disaster. Don't take the risk of putting the hob or grill on; just make something that doesn't need to be cooked instead."
"We're very thankful that the man's home was fitted with a working smoke alarm, although he wasn't roused by it, his neighbour was and that made a life-saving difference. If you have an older or vulnerable relative or neighbour who hasn't got a working smoke alarm, then please encourage them to get in touch with us for a free Home Fire Safety Check."
To request a Home Fire Safety Check call free on 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire
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Date Added: 6th August 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging the public to take extra care when lighting bonfires after a man sustained burns to his face yesterday afternoon.
A fire crew from East Grinstead were called to Rowplatt Lane in Felbridge at 4.19pm yesterday (August 5) after a 28-year old man attempted to start a bonfire with petrol and the flames flashed up into his face.
The bonfire was out prior to the arrival of the fire crew and the man was treated by South East Coast Ambulance Service. He was subsequently taken to hospital.
Incident Commander and Watch Manager at East Grinstead Fire Station, Kim Taylor, said afterwards:
"People are sometimes tempted to use petrol, paraffin or lighter fluids if a bonfire is hard to light or to get going, but it is incredibly dangerous. It's very difficult to gauge quantities and you run the serious risk of the fire flashing up and burning you.
"Thankfully, his injuries aren't life-threatening but this incident certainly had the potential to be far more serious. If you are planning to light a bonfire, please just follow some basic safety rules so you don't come to harm."
West Sussex Fire & Rescue recommends the following advice when lighting a bonfire:
. Don't use petrol or paraffin to get the fire going - use fire lighters if a fire won't start readily.
. Build your bonfire away from sheds, fences and trees.
. Avoid having a bonfire in windy conditions - it increases the likelihood of the fire spreading out of control.
. Don't build it too big, and make sure it is stable.
. Don't burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint - they can produce toxic fumes or explode.
. Don't leave your bonfire unattended or leave it smoulder when you have finished - make sure it is fully extinguished.
. If a bonfire does get out of control - don't risk injury by tackling it yourself, call 999.
. Let your neighbours know you are planning to have a bonfire or they may end up dialling 999.
For more information on recycling your garden waste log onto www.recyclingforwestsussex.org and for further fire safety advice call the Community Fire Safety team on 01243 642879.
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Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
10th June 2014
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is reminding people to take a little extra care with their alfresco cooking following fires in Chichester and Bognor yesterday evening believed to have been caused by disposable BBQs. Two fire crews from Chichester were needed to tackle a blaze in a recycling plant in Westhampnett shortly before 6pm last night. Thankfully, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to quickly extinguish the fire using hose reels and main jets. Although, at this stage, the cause of the fire is unknown, recycling staff reported seeing a number of disposable BBQs discarded in the rubbish.
Then, at 11.19pm last night two fire crews from Bognor were called to a blaze involving a disposable BBQ on the balcony of a 1st floor flat in Bognor High Street. Thankfully, the firefighters found the fire out on arrival but had to check the area with a thermal imaging camera and cut away part of the wooden decking to ensure it could not reignite.
Watch Commander at Chichester Fire Station, Carl Halewood, said afterwards:
"Both these incidents had the potential to be very serious indeed. Each year we are called to extinguish dozens of fires where BBQs have either got out of hand or where coals have been discarded carelessly.
"Now that the county is enjoying some hot weather we want to help people enjoy their summer socialising safely. By taking a few sensible precautions these kind of incidents are completely avoidable."
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service recommends these few simple precautions to ensure alfresco cooking stays safe:
. When using a disposable barbeque make sure the coals are completely cold before throwing them away.
. Don't leave your barbeque unattended at any time.
. Make sure that your barbeque is placed on clear level ground where it will not tip over.
. Use approved barbeque fuel or firelighters to light it, never petrol or paraffin.
. Keep barbeques away from the house, shed, fences, garden furniture or overhanging trees and shrubs.
. Keep children and pets well away from the cooking area.
. Empty any spent ash on to bare soil, not into a dustbin.
. If you are lighting a barbeque in the countryside or on the beach - check beforehand that it is an authorised area.
For a full range of fire safety advice visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire or call the Community Fire Safety Team on 01243 642879
Date Added: 20th May 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
Two firefighters from West Sussex have been deployed as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK ISAR) to support flood-affected communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mick Lewin and Charlie Eastwell are part of the UK team of 33 that also include firefighters from Hampshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Mid and West Wales.
The call for international assistance came following large scale flooding and landslides in areas of Bosnia and Serbia which have buried homes and stranded thousands of people.
Mick and Charlie, both part of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's Technical Rescue Unit, are working in the area of Tuzla and are primarily responsible for organising logistics for the UK team.
The Uk team, who are using a range of water response equipment including 4 rigid inflatable boats, have already carried out 42 rescues including a number of vulnerable and elderly people who were trapped and unable to swim to safety. The team have also been delivering vital food and water supplies to those choosing to stay in their homes.
Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex, Sean Ruth, said:
"We're proud that we have a specialist team of firefighters in West Sussex who are trained and equipped to respond to this kind of disaster locally, nationally and internationally. We don't yet know how long the mission will last but the team are self-sufficient for 10 days and are working round the clock to support this life-saving search and rescue operation."
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's Technical Rescue Unit is one of twenty-one specialist search and rescue teams strategically situated around the UK.
The teams are primarily funded by central Government through its New Dimensions programme. The programme, which was launched following 9/11, provides the UK with a more resilient response to major incidents such as widespread flooding, structural collapses, terrorist attack and transport emergency. Thirteen of these teams are trained to be deployed oversees as part of the UK response when a foreign government appeals for help after a natural disaster.
The Technical Rescue Unit consists of 12 specially trained West Sussex firefighters who have been part of the International Search & Rescue (ISAR) team who have responded to recent international rescue missions in Haiti, New Zealand and Japan. The two members on this deployment and their home locations are:
Crew Manager Mick Lewin - Billingshurst
Firefighter Charlotte (Charlie) Eastwell - Hove
Date Added: 15th May 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
Firefigters in West Sussex are reminding people to check the positioning of their mirrors following a fire in Turners Hill earlier today (15 May).
Crews from East Grinstead and Crawley were called to the terraced house on East Street in Turners Hill at 11.25 this morning after a make-up mirror on a bedroom table reflected sunlight onto the curtains which smouldered and then caught light.
Thankfully, the property was fitted with a working smoke detector and although the occupier was out at the time a neighbour heard the detector activating and raised the alarm.
On arrival fire crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and quickly put the fire out using a hose reel and carbon dioxide extinguisher, preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the property.
Crew Commander from East Grinstead Fire Station, Keith Lanaway, said afterwards:
"This may sound like a freak incident, but it isn't the first time our fire service has attended a fire starting in this way. Our advice is, wherever possible; make sure mirrors and glass ornaments are not positioned in strong sunlight or on windowsill.
"It also highlights, once again, the importance of every home having a working smoke alarm. Even though the occupier wasn't at home, the alarm caught the attention of a neighbour who dialled 999. Had the property not had a working smoke alarm, the fire could have developed into something much more serious."
Did you know that West Sussex Fire & Rescue offer FREE Home Fire Safety Checks. Find out if you are eligible by calling 0800 328 6487 or visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
Firefighters from Arundel and Bognor were called to the flat above the Holly Tree Pub in The Street, Walberton at 1.36am this morning after a fire started in a tumble dryer on the 1st floor.A woman from Walberton was able to escape safely from a flat fire in the early hours of this morning thanks to a working smoke alarm.
The occupier, a woman in her forties, was asleep in bed when tea towels, left in the machine following a drying cycle, ignited. Thankfully, the flat was fitted with a working smoke alarm which activated and alerted the woman to the developing fire giving her the time she needed to escape safely.
On arrival firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and extinguished the blaze using a hose reel and covering jet. The woman, suffering from mild smoke inhalation, was given oxygen therapy by the fire crew at the scene but did not need hospital treatment.
Incident Commander from Arundel Fire Station, Richard Tout, said afterwards:
"This is another example of where a working smoke alarm has potentially saved a life. The lady was asleep in bed and had the smoke alarm not alerted her, this fire could have had tragic consequences. Because the smoke alarm gave that vital early warning, the woman closed her internal doors, preventing the fire from spreading, and escaped safely.
"We would also like to remind people about the danger of leaving appliances like tumble dryers, washing machines or dishwashers running overnight or while out. They can be a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors."
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offer free Home Fire Safety Checks where firefighters visit homes by appointment to give safety advice and, where appropriate, fit smoke detectors or other specialist fire detection equipment.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service particularly want to hear from those who are:
. Are 65 or over and live alone
. Have a physical disability or frailty affecting their ability to either summon help or escape in an emergency
. Use a Community Alarm or Emergency Monitoring service like Careline or Lifeline
. Have a sensory impairment or difficulty hearing a standard smoke alarm
. Have a cognitive impairment affecting their ability to remember things or retain information, such as dementia
To request a Home Fire Safety Check call free on 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire
Date: 20th March 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
More than 30 firefighters are currently tackling a blaze at Millais School in Horsham. The fire is now under control and there are no reported injuries.
All staff and pupils were safely evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were called to the school on Depot Road at 14.52 this afternoon after a fire was reported on the 3rd floor of the 3-storey building.
Firefighters from Horsham were at the scene within 7 minutes of the alarm being raised. On arrival smoke was seen issuing from the roof so four additional crews were immediately requested.
Crews are fighting the fire using 8 breathing apparatus wearers, 6 jets as well as an aerial ladder platform so the blaze can be tackled from above.
Depot Road is currently closed between the juntion with Orchard Road to the west and Comptons Lane to the east. Police are advising parents wishing to collect their children to do so via Highlands Road to the south of the school.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Date Added: 18th February 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 642880
Firefighters in West Sussex are warning people about the dangers of playing in water after being called to rescue a boy who got into trouble on the River Lavant yesterday evening.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were called to the stretch of river in the Hornet in Chichester shortly after 6pm last night after the 12-year old, who was playing on a makeshift raft with two friends, fell into the water and was swept downstream.
The force of the water carried the boy dangerously close to the culvert pipe, where the river goes under the city, before he managed to pull himself onto a small brick ledge.
A crew from Chichester Fire Station were on the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised and were able to reach the boy using a system of ladders and ropes. The boy, who was suffering from cold and shock, was treated at the scene by paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service but did not need hospital treatment.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Incident Commander in charge of the rescue, Kim Taylor, said afterwards:
"This young lad had a very lucky escape because this could have been a much more serious incident. If he had been swept a few more feet downstream into that culvert pipe then I have no doubt we would be talking about a tragic outcome.
"This incident really does highlight how dangerous playing on, or wading into, water can be. The protracted period of rain and higher than usual water levels mean that the risks are even greater at the moment. However, even if the water doesn't look deep it can still be highly dangerous. Our advice is simple - don't put yourself or others at risk just stay out of the water."
Date Added: 10th February 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
A rise in chimney fires across the county has sparked a safety warning from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
Since Friday (7-9 February) firefighters have been called to 9 separate chimney fires in Amberley, Rudgwick, Crawley, Southwick, Storrington, East Preston, South Harting, East Grinstead and Bepton. Thankfully, the responding crews were able to extinguish the blazes quickly and prevent them from spreading, but chimney fires can be devastating.
Chimney fires are one of the most frequent incidents attended by the Fire Service. During 2013 (January 1 - December 31) West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attended 220 chimney fires across the county.
Jackie Boyle, Community Fire Safety Officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said:
"We all know the weather has been miserable of late so it's only natural that people are turning to open fires to keep warm and cosy, but if basic safety precautions aren't followed they can become a serious fire hazard. The best piece of advice we can give to anyone planning to light a fire is to make sure they get their chimney checked and swept each year.
"Of course, you should also make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home - that early warning to a fire really is a lifesaver and means damage to your property can hopefully be kept to a minimum."
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers the following advice:
- Have your chimney swept at least once a year, twice a year if burning wood.
- When burning wood, use dry, seasoned woods only.
- Build smaller, hotter fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
- Never burn cardboard boxes or waste paper.
- Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
- Do not overload the grate or appliance.
- Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires.
- Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Make sure wood burners and other fire appliances are installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
To find your local chimney sweep, contact the National Association of Chimney Sweeps on freephone 0800 833464 or www.nacs.org.uk
Fire safety advice is free and easy to access from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service call 01243 642879 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire
Date added: 8th July 2014
Press Officer: Sarah Smith
Telephone: 01243 752448
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their homes after fire seriously damaged a flat in Crawley this morning.
Firefighters were called to a block of flats on Coxcombe Walk in Bewbush just before 9am this morning after an incense stick is believed to have ignited a fire in a ground floor flat. The property had no working smoke alarm and the fire is believed to have smouldered undetected for some time.
A crew from Crawley were on the scene within 5 minutes of the 999 alarm being raised and, on seeing smoke pouring from the flat window, immediately requested two additional crews to assist.
The occupier, who had managed to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews, was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. A breathing apparatus team immediately entered the heavily smoke-logged property to rescue the occupier's pet dog and rabbit. Sadly, although the dog was given oxygen therapy by firefighters, it died at the scene.
The blaze was quickly extinguished by fire crews using hose reels and a covering jet but the flat was left severely damaged by both fire and smoke, leaving it temporarily uninhabitable. Welfare, advice and support for the occupiers was provided by Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service volunteers.
Incident Commander, Paul Barber, said afterwards:
"Sadly, a family have lost a beloved pet, but had the occupier's children been in at the time of the fire, the consequences could have been even more tragic. We urge people to make sure they have a working smoke alarm in their home. It is the only thing that can guarantee you that life-saving early warning to a developing fire.
"Don't forget we offer free Home Fire Safety Checks where we'll visit homes by appointment to give safety advice and, where appropriate, fit smoke detectors or other specialist fire detection equipment. We give priority to those who are elderly or more vulnerable."
"We also want to remind people to take extra care with candles and incense burners. Please make sure you place then in suitable holders and on stable, heatproof surface and only burn them when you are in the room."
Would you or someone you know benefit from a Home Fire Safety Check? West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service particularly want to hear from those who are:
. Over 65
. A lone parent
. Disabled or with an impairment
. Single adult living alone
. Immobile or without assistance
To request a Home Fire Safety Check call free on 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire


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Sure, St. Patrick's Day is one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year, but the celebrations don't stop there. In addition to green beer, Shamrock Shakes, and a heaping plate of corned beef and cabbage,.
St. Paddy's Day has some serious potential to make things fun for children and families alike.
Get in the Spirit of St. Patrick's Day with these Fun Treat Ideas!
From "pot o' gold" treasure hunts to four leaf clover crafts, your kids can celebrate the spirit of the holiday at home and in the kitchen.
Since St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year, it's a great opportunity to spend the weekend enjoying the festivities and traditions that come with the Irish holiday.
To get you ready, don some green garb, find some golden chocolate coins, and start thinking green. You'll enjoy creating these green-themed treats with your kids so much, it will quickly become a project for the whole family.
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subset: commoncrawl


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students »
It's In the Bag
Share Project pushes students to eschew environmentally-toxic plastic shopping bags (pictured above: Hundreds of students take part in the Earth Day demonstration.) To celebrate Earth Day, Cook Elementary School students showed – in dramatic fashionRead More »
Committee to consider public's input in search for new chancellor
Share (pictured above: Debra Miller listens as Chancellor Donald Reaves speaks last year at the grand opening of a center named in his honor.) The search is on for the next Winston-Salem State University chancellor,Read More »
Geneticist: Science doesn't support racial distinctions
Share (pictured above: Dr. Georgia Dunston speaks at WSSU.) Dr. Georgia Dunston is a well known genetics professor and scholar and founder of Howard University's National Human Genome Center, but she told an audience atRead More »
Humble Nigerian millionaire shares his 'Journey'
Share (pictured above: Hakeem Belo-Osagie is among Africa's richest men.) One of Africa's wealthiest businessmen visited Wake Forest University on April 1 to speak candidly with students about the peaks and valleys of his venerableRead More »
Rolling Along Splendidly
Share WSSU's clinic on wheels reaches those out of reach Since its inception over three years ago, Winston-Salem State University's Rams Know HOW (Healthcare On Wheels) Mobile Clinic has served thousands across the communityRead More »
Editorial: Letters to the Editor
Share Thank-you To the Editor: The Chronicle's 29th Community Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 22 was an outstanding event of which the Winston-Salem office of Legal Aid of North Carolina felt privileged to beRead More »
Alumni invest in their alma mater's future
Share (pictured above: new queen Rhonda Johnson gets prepared to be crowned.) Members of the Brown Alumni Chapter of Winston-Salem State University celebrated the organization's 63rd anniversary by making an investment in the institution'sRead More »
Principal of the Year honor for Childers
Share Joe Childers, the principal of Atkins Academic & Technology High School, has been named a 2014 Regional Principal of the Year by the Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet andRead More »
Musicians to lead Reynolds students in concert
Share International recording artist and Emmy-winning composer Mark Wood, an original member of the multi-platinum-selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, is bringing his groundbreaking music education program "Electrify YourRead More »


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My two best friends and I looking fly
This blog is for all the happy nappys and the new nappys. Yes I use the word nappy, dont have a cow. In this blog I will be giving product reviews, hair care tips, styling tips and encouragement to all my sisters who kept their naturals never to look a hot comb in the teeth. Sisters your hair is celebration in the world!(got that from Gwendolyn Brooks lol) I have been natural for over five years, done many big chops for others, and guided, helped and encouraged many friends and associates along their natural hair care journey, and now I wanna help you, share with you, and learn from you too.
Organ Theme by simurai


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13th Annual Manhattan Open
July 25-27, 2014
The 13th Annual Manhattan Open was held from July 25-27, 2014, at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St. across from Penn Station, New York, NY.
The final standings, with prizes, for all sections are now posted.
Please use the following links to obtain more information regarding the 2014 Manhattan Open:
- Tournament Information: Sections, schedules, entry fees, prize funds, hotel info, etc.
- Standings


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Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS
Ratings based on 13 reviews
Write a review
Are you a patient of Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS?
Reviews (13)
5 out of 5 stars
DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction - Austin, TX
Dr. Whitfield put me at ease immediately under some very sensitive circumstances. I had complete confidence in his extensive expertise and can-do attitude, and appreciated his consideration and concern for me and my health issues. I ESPECIALLY appreciated his effort to explain my condition/progress to my children before and after my surgery. As far as I am concerned, Dr. Whitfield is second to none and tops in my book!
5 out of 5 stars
Dr. Whitfield Should Be Your FIRST Choice As a Surgeon! Be Very Wise in Your Choice of a Doctor! Austin, TX
Dr. Whitfield in short summary was very educated, calm, professional, diagnostically accurate and a very skilled surgeon. He was very compassionate, listened well, explained well and overall was there for me during every step, question, etc. He was at my bedside(with great bedside manners) before surgery, upon awakening and during each follow up visit. Almost all of my office visits were with him seeing me, not someone else. He was very attentive to details, outcome and aftercare of my multiple surgeries for breast cancer reconstruction. He has always followed me up with personal phone calls to see how I was doing...even when I was back home in Kansas City. I will only choose Dr. Whitfield for any future needs if they arise. He can be trusted with your surgical needs.
5 out of 5 stars
DIEP Flap Reconstruction After Bilateral Mastectomy - Austin, TX
Dr. Whitfield was professional, frank, and confident. Couldn't ask for more in a surgeon.
5 out of 5 stars
Breast Cancer Survivor - Austin, Texas
Dr. Whitfield is skilled, courteous and compassionate.
5 out of 5 stars Breast Reconstruction
52-year-old Mother of 3, DIEP Flap Reconstruction--SO Happy with the Results! - Austin, TX
I couldn't be happier with my DIEP results or with my choice of surgeons. I knew from my first appointment that I had made the right choice. Dr. Whitfield clearly explained both the DIEP and implants procedures in terms my husband and I could understand. I've been his patient for about nine months and have learned a few things: he cares passionately about his patients and wants us to have the best possible outcome. He is a perfectionist and an artist. He is warm, personable, and fun…there have been times I've had to remind myself that I was in his office because I had cancer…what a gift he gives to his patients to be able to help them forget that for even a few minutes! Dr. Whitfield can generally control what happens in the OR but can't control how a patient's body will respond or how a patient behaves during recovery. He is human; he gets understandably frustrated when things don't go as planned or when a patient doesn't follow his advice but his bedside manner is exemplary. He is amazingly gifted and my reconstructed body is evidence of that! One of the many blessings that have come from my cancer journey has been the privilege of getting to know him. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Whitfield and his excellent, compassionate staff and have and will continue to recommend him to anyone facing breast cancer reconstruction.
5 out of 5 stars
37 Year Old with Breast Cancer - Austin, TX
Dr. Whitfield is kind, caring, and capable. His bedside manner is superb. He makes certain that all of your questions and concerns are fully addressed and taken care of.
5 out of 5 stars CoolSculpting
40 Yr Old Active Male with Gut and Love Handles - Austin, TX
Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS with Breast and Body Center of Austin was incredible answering all my questions/concerns in detail.
5 out of 5 stars Breast Reconstruction
"58yo with Breast Cancer, Bilateral Reconstruction with DIEP Flap Procedure" Breast and Body Center of Austin, TX
Dr. Whitfield is a considerate and a highly competent plastic surgeon who is passionate about his practice!
5 out of 5 stars
Bilateral Mastectomy with Diep Procedure Reconstruction - Austin, TX
He spoke to me in words I could understand and I had the utmost confidence in his experience!
5 out of 5 stars Breast Reconstruction
Mastectomy and Reconstruction Patient
Dr. Whitfield is great to work with, very easy to understand. He also has a great sense of humor, and an easy manner.


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I was recently gifted a couple of $1 old Orchid notes :) My first ones!!
They look rather dainty to me, being small and flowery :)
I have a number of old notes and coins. They include the bird and the ship series in various denominations. This is just a platform to share my collection. Thanks for viewing.


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Product Recycling Fund
The price of this item includes a contribution to a Product recycling fund to ensure that waste electrical and electronic equipment is collected and recycled in a responsible manner.
For the most important people in the world
Kids have a lot of work to do – like developing who they are, discovering the world and then starting their journey to independence. So having the right things at home can make it a little easier. From the day you bring them home until they're almost all grown up, our children's furniture will help you turn your home into the best possible playground.
For lots of growing up
Find your children's room style
From baby 0-2 to children 3-7, our children's products are designed for safety, development and of course, fun. Browse our children gallery to find cots, changing tables, toy storage, furniture, textiles and more in your style, so you can focus on helping them grow.Explore all children's room styles
Please note that some items from the Children's IKEA range are not available at IKEA Alexandra.
Do check the stock availability on the product page before dropping by our stores. If you have any queries, please contact our Customer Service team at 6786 6868 or email us at email@example.com.
Toss out the rule book
Learning for life comes from playing for fun
Kids love to play pretend (we grown-ups call it role-play), and toys that encourage it are a good thing. That's because imitation helps kids develop and teaches them important skills they'll need when they grow up.See more toys & play
It's a masquerade
Get a little creative by spending an afternoon with your child making masks for a fancy ball. All you need is some paper, scissors, lots of glitter, sequins and a little imagination.See more children 8-12 range
Welcome home
We all know STUVA is great for storage, but who knew it was also great for building a dollhouse in? Well, maybe your kids.See more children 3-7 range
Play with heroes
See more toys & playSee more small furniture
Almost everything becomes more desirable in mini form. Just take one look at the shrunken, iconic IKEA products of HUSET doll's furniture and you'll understand.
Don't miss an inch
Getting your little one to stand up straight and hold still can be a challenge. Get a little help from a few fantasy friends with ROKNÄS height chart.See more baby rangeSee more children 3-7 range
14 ideas to delight your children (and the child in you)


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There aren't any power tools on Drilled Mouths. Rather, the site provides exclusive footage of fresh-faced babes getting their throats worked over by guys with significant stiffies. Unlike some sites in this niche, most of the scenes throw in a least a few minutes of fucking, so it isn't all just hardcore throat banging.
They make the scenes intense, as most of the gals end up with mascara smeared down their cheeks, not to mention having faces covered in globs of sticky semen. The girls are hot and really let the guys have their way with them. Calling the site DrilledMouths is in no way an exaggeration of what goes on in the scenes. These dudes really go to town.
The 46 videos can be downloaded as both clips and full-length flicks. You can expect to find some great-quality footage, but the bulk of them are good in quality. Some scenes last 15 minutes or so, but other run for over 20. The ones I watched finished with some incredible money shots.
There are also 46 photo galleries with good-looking images. The site is probably best appreciated for its videos, but the photos are definitely crisp and professional looking. There are anywhere from 70 to 130 images per set and you can download them in Zip files.
There are always a few pictures at the beginning of each set showing the cute female performer posing solo, normally in pretty panties and showing off her lovely tits. They look so innocent until the guys start ramming their rods down their throats.
There are 29 bonus sites available, including Creampied Sweeties, Dirty Ass 2 Mouth, 18 Virgin Sex and Strapon Service. These sites are part of the 1 Pass For All Sites network and they come in handy because a new mouth hasn't gotten drilled since 2009. Posted dates make the material seem newer than it actually is.
Drilled Mouths has some worthwhile content, but not enough of it, so the site isn't worth sticking with for an indefinite amount of time. Then again, you might want to stick around for a while if the extras appeal to you as well.
|By: Will Peters
|Number of Reviews: 1489
|Average Score: 63.9
- Comment by: Ely1CambsUK - Score: 90/100 - Date: 4/28/2012
Pro; Very strong downloadable contents with plenty of other euro channels that comes with DrillMouths.com to suit most peoples taste in hard porn.
Cons; not many video's with DrillMouths.com but there is plenty of other channels to get your moneys worth from these lot, but sadly I wish they had more updates coming in because it's hardcore and the girls get there faces rough up !
Overall; worth checking out if you don't mind the rough sex Euro style.
Score; (90)
- Comment by: Seth - Score: N/A - Date: 7/4/2009
This website have VIRUS!!! When I downloaded this website videos to my computer. It cause my computer to go slow then freeze at later time. It cause my computer's CPU Usage to go maximum 100% all the time since you turn on the computer plus it cause my memory to increase slowly to maximum and then my computer freeze. It happened for days since I download this videos. Once I tried to delete all those videos. Then my computer went BACK TO NORMAL! Fuck this website! This website have VIRUS, MALWARE, etc. This website destroy your computer! I want REFUND!
$19.95/30 days (Reg. $
|Limited Trial $1.00/2 days, rebills at $39.95
|$59.95/90 days
|$99.95/365 days
|Cross Sales: 1 pre-checked
|Pic sets: 46+
|Pics per set: 105
|Zip sets: Yes
|Pic Res: 800x600
|High Res: No
|Number of movies: 46+
|HD Porn: No
|Streaming: Yes
|Average Length: 18 mins
|Full length videos: Yes
|Download Limits: No
|Video Formats:
Windows (832x468; 2000k)
Flash (832x468; 2000k; streaming)
Windows (832x468; 3145k)
MP4 (832x468; 3910k)
MP4 (832x468; 3910k; streaming)
|Preview DrilledMouths.com members area
|Independent Biller(s):
|Epoch, CCBill
|Customer Service:
Pros & Cons
-exclusive content
-mostly good-quality videos
-bonus sites
-stopped updating
-pre-checked cross sale
-no keyword tags
09/07/2013- Stays at 67. -Will
08/19/2012- From 69 to 67: Not a lot of content. -A.K.
11/27/2011- From 74 to to 69: Scores adjusted to new criteria. -Chris
01/03/2011- Stays at 74. -Wayne
01/02/2010- From 75 to 74: No updates in six months. -Charlie
10/20/2009- From 76 to 75: Amount score adjusted to current standards. -Bryce
03/18/2009- From 80 to 76: Scores adjusted to current standards. -Rhino - Initial review: 3/18/2008
|Content Quality
|Content Amount
|Unique Content
|Video Downloads
|Video Streaming
|Other Score
|User Score: 45/100
|2 votes
|2 comments
|User Top Rated Sites


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The post We're Hiring! Help us build our community. appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
With our fifth accelerator just around the corner, we're looking for someone to come and help manage and grow our community of startups, mentors and investors.
The role is very varied, and a great opportunity for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the world of startups!
For a full job description, see here: https://docs.google.com/a/oxygenaccelerator.com/document/d/12ESzJM-GdFNoVx3idoe_FizO3kn5zblDQTUarO0dZT0/edit
The post We're Hiring! Help us build our community. appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post Who's attending Oxygen Bootcamp 2014? appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
During the intensive two-day Bootcamp, we will give our shortlisted startup teams exposure to some of the best mentors and investors Europe has to offer as well as advice, support and a chance to meet alumni.
Here are our shortlisted teams – good luck to them all!
Birdie List
Campus Interaction
Cloud Layar
Crypta Labs
Extended Mind
Invoice House
Landlord Gams
Lifebox App
Pitch Me
Untold Games
If you missed out on applying this time round, sign up for our newsletter to hear first about our 2015 Accelerator programmes.
The post Who's attending Oxygen Bootcamp 2014? appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post Tried & Tested: Meet some Oxygen alums appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
Stylect – OA Class of 2013
As with all the good startups, the Stylect guys' idea was simple – Tinder for Shoes. And as with all the brilliant startups, we knew instantly that we liked the team and their attitude – plus their great experience. It was an instant 'swipe right'. Little more than 6 months later, and the team has gone from idea to being featured in the global app store and received a whole host of press such as Wired, Tech Crunch, FastCompany and Bazaar Users have made about 20 million swipes, with the average user swiping over 400 shoes and some swiping over 10,000.
They recently received backing from Forward Partners (now headed up by well-known VC Nic Brisbourne), closing a £290,000 seed round bringing total raised by the company to £320,000.
Lowdown – OA Class of 2013
You're running late, you jump in a taxi, and then realise… you have no idea who you're actually meeting or how to get there. Lowdown gets you instantly ready for your next meeting, ensuring you know exactly who you're meeting and where you're going by pulling in calendar, location, LinkedIn, company, Twitter and even email info into a stylish and usably delightful app.
They've received £260,000 in seed funding so far, and have had press coverage from TechCrunch , BloombergTV, Radio5 Live, with thousands of people from over 40 countries trying out the app, as well as being named 'Start-Up Winner by Future Foundations'. We're loving using the app and can't wait to see how it develops over time.
Hobzy – OA Class of 2012
Hobzy has those sought after secret ingredients of a super-smart yet seriously easy-going and well-formed team, along with a great idea for a massive market. Hobzy is a social networking website for hobby craft enthusiasts, where users can also sell their bespoke creations in an online marketplace. Think Etsy plus your nan's knitting circle for the 21st century.
With a growing team of 6, they raised £100,000 of funding last year and received a further £285,000 in funding from a consortium of angels and investors.
Do you have an amazing startup in the making? Come accelerate it with Oxygen's tried and tested 13 week accelerator programme. Applications for our London October programme close on August 17th.
The post Tried & Tested: Meet some Oxygen alums appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post 5 signs you're ready for an accelerator appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
Joining an accelerator can be a natural next step up. They can give you the time and space to go from a bedroom business to a fully fledged startup with the investment and knowledge to grow. However, as the number of accelerators has skyrocketed, so have their acceptance rates, usually sitting at just 1 – 3% acceptance rate for the sought after programmes. You normally have to go through a fairly rigorous selection process, so you want to apply when your chances of getting a place are at their best.
This is a two way thing as well; if you join a programme when you're too early stage, you won't be able to immediately act on the advice you're getting, so it won't be as effective.
How do you know if you're ready for an accelerator? 5 signs you're ready:
1. You have a team of (more or less) equal equity share co-founders (yes, it's more than just you), with a diverse set of skills in that team to make your vision a reality. This is your full-time commitment.
2. You can clearly identify the problem you're solving, the market you're targeting, and why you're different from the competition. You won't struggle to answer questions about this in any way.
3. You have traction, of some kind. It might be emails from a launch page, beta testers or small amount of revenue. Whatever it is, it shows initial validation and shows that you're the kind of team who want to build a product people really want.
4. You're getting ready to scale – you've proved certain points, but now you need to go bigger, and investment is well in your plans for the next few months.
5. You are ready for an intensive burst of focus on your business, ready to take any feedback that comes your way and everyone in the team feels the same.
I'm not ready! What can I do about it?
Our next 5 day Pre-accelerator takes place in sunny Tenerife in September – find out more about getting your startup accelerator ready.
Oxygen Accelerator's next London programme is also open for applications until August 17th. Get your application in, or email firstname.lastname@example.com if you have any questions.
The post 5 signs you're ready for an accelerator appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post Interview with Linisha Palm of PhotoPitch appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
How would you describe PhotoPitch in under 50 words?
A forward-thinking platform connecting photographers and photo-buyers. Photo-buyers describe their need and receive beautiful, brand-specific images from talented photographers worldwide without the need for searching. PhotoPitch is an innovative, more efficient way to collect original, brand oriented content and bespoke marketing visuals.
What made you decide to start working on PhotoPitch?
Working at an agency, I was often frustrated by being unable to find exactly what I needed when sourcing photographs for campaigns. There were no brand related photos, and I found stock photography sites to be outdated, irrelevant and clichéd. An alternative of course would be to hire a photographer but this is costly and time consuming. Pitching my idea in Silicon Valley created an opportunity to meet up with Jens who's skill sets very well compliment mine. We started pitching our idea to various clients and investors and we soon realised that we had a solid concept which landed an angel investor and therefore had the resources to move forward – and so PhotoPitch was born. We've come a long way since then, with many different developments and alterations in strategy, it's not exactly what we started with – it's better.
How is it like being a woman in the startup world which is mainly run by men?
I definitely see this as more of a benefit than a drawback. In some ways it can feel as though you have something to prove, but this just makes me more determined and assertive which is essential when you're starting a business. There are so many knock backs that you have to be able to brush them off and be self-assured, and I think this is a typically 'masculine' trait that I am picking up from the males around me. And of course, it is useful being surrounded by tech geeks who I can turn to when my computer knowledge fails me! On the other hand though, many of the feminine traits I possess more naturally are giving me an edge over my peers such as inclusiveness of others and communication. It would be great to see more females in the start-up world in general, as we do make very persistent and competent entrepreneurs, but I think in the tech industry there is a long way to go until there will be a balance.
What were you looking at when choosing the team?
We needed our core founding team to cover all the necessary skills required. So I am responsible for marketing and business development, Jens specialises in Finance and front-end development and Mikkel is our tech guy who keeps everything running behind the scenes. Between us, we have the skills to drive our business forward – but not without a little help! ?When we were putting together our extended team we were looking for driven individuals who understand the importance of teamwork and communication. Our team is very flexible which is important for a start-up as our direction and tasks are constantly changing – you have to be adaptable. We also want to try and be as diverse and international as possible so we can learn the best practices from around the world, and take PhotoPitch anywhere we can!
What are you most excited about at the moment?
I'm most excited about being in the UK! We have a much larger market here and working with an accelerator programme has given us access to mentors who can help us to quickly drive in the right direction. We've got new leads and contacts through extensive networking thanks to our mentors. We're also adapting our business model to have a greater focus on online content, as that is what our client such as Aegis Media Group, are requesting. The fast pace that everything is moving at is so exciting, and hopefully our next stop is a UK investor.
What is your favourite app or piece of software that helps you every day?
We use Podio for our internal project management system and we couldn't get by without it. It allows us to organise tasks and activities, keep a record of our sales and clients, monitor upcoming ideas and progresses and most of all – communicate in one place. With our team split in two different countries, it's an invaluable programme we simply couldn't do without.
What one piece of advice would you give to people who are planning on starting their own business?
Go for it! Everyday is a new challenge and the whole process is one huge learning curve. Of course, there are days when you go to bed thinking, 'have I made a mistake? Is this the right thing to do?', but when you get your first sale, your first investor, your second office it makes it all worthwhile. If you have a driven personality and an idea, run with it, it may just take off!
Website: www.photopitch.me
Facebook: facebook.com/PhotoPitch
Twitter: @PhotoPitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/photopitch_me
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/photopitch
The post Interview with Linisha Palm of PhotoPitch appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post Switch-off time: International Dinner! appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
So, we try and build social elements into the programme as much as possible, such as our recent 'International Dinner'.
As our teams are so international and we have teams from countries such as Mexico, Denmark, Belarus, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Ukraine, Syria, Poland, Australia (and of course the UK), organising this dinner was heaven to our stomachs.
On the menu: Mexican nachos and burritos, Danish smørrebrød, Polish pierogi and barszcz (borsch), Pork pasta, Syrian Magic Beans with tahini sauce, mint and yogurt sauce, Middle Eastern Kabsa, English roast chicken and to finish it all off we had some Polish Bison Vodka – Zubrówka.
While we were eating, we also spoke about each country, getting to know interesting facts, history and culture as well as the political situation in each. In the office, the focus is on business – so getting to know a little bit more about the founders & their countries is always welcome. Thank you teams for great food and a great atmosphere!
If you are involved in a startup community and have people from around the world, we would recommend organising something similar. As well as tasting amazing, it connects people; changing the old proverb a bit, we could say that the way to a man's honest discussion is through his stomach. It worked for us.
The post Switch-off time: International Dinner! appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post Founder's Story, Nick Holzherr: Is there a perfect startup recipe? appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
So, we like to learn and for our next Founder's Story we were invited to join Nick Holzherr in the Whisk office in Birmingham. In Nick's own words, Whisk is all about 'when I see a recipe I like, I can quickly add it to my online shopping basket and know I'll have everything I need to prepare it.' The new app also cleverly scales the quantities of food in proportion to the number of people in your party, which means no more tricky calculations about how many packs of ingredients you'll need. Whisk uses major supermarket giants, for example Tesco and Waitrose, to deliver the items ordered direct to people's doors.
Coming to the office, even without knowing what exactly Whisk is, you get the idea that most likely it is some kind of product that focuses around food. The first thing that you see when entering the office is a big kitchen – fully equipped, with many spices on the shelves and many tables to simply sit down and enjoy your food. The team has weekly dinners with all the members joining for one big feast. You could have imagined a big pot with some kind of stew and Nick putting little bit of salt, a little bit of pepper, some exotic spices and voila a recipe for a startup is ready. If only it was that easy.
It took a little bit more time and energy to kick off his business, but now Whisk has a team of 20 people, and has secured around £750,000 investment. It was great to hear from Nick some tips that he learned during his startup journey:
1. Have a crystal clear proposition – To make sure that everyone understands your business seems obvious but it is so hard to achieve, you need to master it so investors will care about what you do.
2. How do you make money? – Any investor will ask you as soon as he/she understands what you do – make sure you have a clear answer.
3. How will you get customers to use your app? Posting it on an App Store is just not enough – average app usage is 100 customers per app and it's only this high because it is pulled up by big players like WhatsApp, Facebook etc.
4. Have solid measurement of profit – When presenting to investors, have some numbers (average return per user etc.), backed up with data to support your pitch.
5. Ideally speak to experienced Angel Investors– They know what is going on the market, so will have an honest discussion with you but most likely will have only 30 min for you – so make sure that they understand what you do quickly.
6. Don't make things up or say things that you cannot deliver – Investors take notes and then follow up on your progress.
7. Definitely read this blog: www.paulgraham.com – looks crap but has great articles.
8. Have a low burn rate – People costs, rent etc. – investors like it when this is low, so cut your costs where possible.
The post Founder's Story, Nick Holzherr: Is there a perfect startup recipe? appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post UKTI Sirius programme launches search for next round talented graduate entrepreneurs appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
What is Sirius Programme?
The Sirius programme is for talented international graduates who want to set up their headquarters and settle down in the UK as a long-term plan to grow their business.
The competition run by UK Trade and Investment is one of the most comprehensive start-up support packages offered globally, and one of the best in Europe with no equity taken from enterprises. Successful applicants receive mentoring, a place at one of the UK's best accelerators, support to gain clients, set up business and raise funds to scale your business.
Launch in September 2013, last year's competition attracted 1,500 applications from across 93 countries, which subsequently whittled down to around 40 top start up companies, selected by a panel of independent entrepreneurship experts. Successful businesses included premier technology event InnoTech Summit: Bio-Bean which creates green energy by converting waste coffee into biofuel; and SaveSquared's smartphone charging device. Since January these entrepreneurs have undergone an intensive period of mentoring, training and networking and travelled across the country to various innovation and creative hubs as Newcastle, Glasgow and Birmingham.
Global International graduate with an innovative start-up idea?
Sirius are looking for the right people, with the best ideas, who really want the UK to be the place for their amazing ideas.
So what is really there for you:
Applications are now open to graduates from all over the world who have followed BA/BSc level, Master or Research degree programmes. For full details and application visit www.siriusprogramme.com. Apply by the 30th June
The post UKTI Sirius programme launches search for next round talented graduate entrepreneurs appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
The post Founder's Story, Barnaby Lashbrooke: From a garden pond to a big fish appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
This time it was Barnaby Lashbrooke, who from a very early age had a thing for start-ups and businesses in general. In primary school he was selling jokes around school and also at some point he sold the fishing rights to his parents' pond. Who would have though of such an idea? An entrepreneurial spirit! With this attitude Barnaby built his first serious business, web hosting company SupaNames, from £150 investment to 24,000 customers. He sold it, at the age of 24, for a couple of million to Pipex Communications PLC. Since then he has built Time etc – a platform that allows you to easily outsource tasks to carefully hand-picked assistants in your country. Time etc handles more than 20,000 tasks every month, from administration to marketing and operates in the UK and USA.
Barnaby went through ups and downs in his business journey and he shared with us some lessons that he accumulated throughout those years. His tips were very valuable and I hope they will be useful to you too:
1. Don't hire until is absolutely necessary – it burns loads of money and due to the lack of experience at such an early stage of the business there is a great chances of hiring people who aren't really useful.
2. Fire quickly, trust your instinct & have horrible conversations – if unfortunately you feel that you hired a bad person, fire fast, have this horrible conversation and move on. It is inevitable so the sooner you do it the better. You have to learn from it.
3. Hire people that are better than you – as simple as it sounds, this is one of the most difficult things to do, so make sure you devote enough amount of time to get the best people out there. In this way you won't later waste your time focusing on the people who require constant supervision.
4. Automate 95% of the things within your business – it will help you decrease the boring aspects of the business, however keep the 5% to add this human touch to your start-up and to create amazing customer experience.
5. Talk to your customers/users face-to-face – even in a tech industry try to have a human touch and closer connection with your customers, talk to them in person but not only the happy customers but also to those unsatisfied, they will give you great insight into your product.
6. Measure everything – it will create a better overview of the business with greater reporting capabilities, helps to identify patterns and determine strategies targeting specific customers.
7. Best investor is profit – put emphasis on making your own profits and investing them into the company rather than only waiting for next rounds of investments. Your own profit won't ask questions and take your equity, but investors will.
8. Don't try to be Richard Branson – do not diversify at the beginning too much, focus on one thing and do it right. Not everyone is as good at diversification as Richard Branson.
9. Make time to think – in this fast pace of the start-up world you cannot have a break unless you plan one, and it is important to have this reflective thinking time. Go travel, change perspective, liberate your entrepreneurial mind and look at things from a different point of view.
10. If something is a struggle most likely it won't work – if you get to the point where running your start-up is a constant fight it means something is wrong. You should feel comfortable with the things you do within your business.
11. Don't be afraid to change your business – this refers to the point above, if something doesn't really work, change it, even if it means changing the business' structure after 5 years of operating.
12. Don't lose hope – it is easy to forget all the good things that happened and difficult to erase all the bad memories. But maybe the next change will be the right one for your start-up so do not give up.
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The post Interview with Juma El-Awaisi of Braci appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>
I interviewed Juma El-Awaisi – Product Manager of Braci who is a Pharmacists and HCP with great and extensive experience in many international companies worldwide in product management and marketing. I was trying to find out what was the journey of this creative and ambitiouse start-up. Big thank you to Juma for the interview!
How would you describe your company in under 50 words?
Braci is a platform-based app – Smart Ear for deaf and hard hearing people that want to know sounds around them. It is based on simplicity, it's integrated with lots of products like smartphones and Pebble Smart Watches. It continuously listens to environment to make life safer and easier.
What made you decide to start working on your company?
Initially the idea came to Anwar, another co-founder and it was completely different concept than what Braci is today; Anwar is a heavy sleeper and he needed something more than an alarm clock to wake him up in the morning, so he developed something that splashes water on him. Anwar's situation made as wonder how do the deaf and hard of hearing detect sounds in their environment and from there came Braci – The Smart Ear.
What were you looking at when choosing the team?
People who are dedicated, hardworking, and passionate for the cause.
Anwar who is a CEO and Technical Manager of Braci, is an electrical/telecommunication engineer and inventor who has many more inventions which have been awarded in many international competitions. Amr the Designer and Developer of Braci, is a graduate of communications engineering from Jordan University of science and technology is a professional in his field with many achievements and milestones in communication engineering. So, all our team members are specialized in their field which makes working together easier.
What are you most excited about at the moment?
It really excites me to see when a user uses our product and sees how it functions and that indeed it is truly beneficial and with a smile orders one for himself/herself.
How are you benefiting from working with Oxygen Accelerator?
Oxygen has been such a great help from the start. They constantly introduce us to a broad network of people from completely different backgrounds and to those who went through the start-up process themselves. This gives us an insigne into different market possibilities as well as provides us with many advices on how to run a start-up, what to expect, what to avoid and where to look for the money.
What is your favourite app or piece of software that helps you every day?
There are so many things, one that I believe everyone must use is a Task Manager, it will help out all the team know what the progress of each team member is, and will help you know what you should be doing. "Trello" is what I personally use.
What one piece of advice would you give to people who are planning on starting their own business?
To stay focused as much as possible, and in the very early days to be 100% committed, because what you build today will show tomorrow.
Website: www.braci.co
Facebook: Facebook.com/braciInc
Twitter: @braciinc
The post Interview with Juma El-Awaisi of Braci appeared first on Oxygen Accelerator.]]>