Hello!
Welcome to issue 12 of my monthly newsletter.
My name is Paul Dennett and I am the Director of 1st Attendance Training Group Ltd. At 1st Attendance we deliver fire safety training, fire equipment servicing and first aid training throughout the UK.
In this newsletter I am going to discuss my thoughts on what’s happened this month within the fire safety and first aid sectors plus what we have learnt and achieved as a business that makes us better.
Before we get in too deep, here’s a story or two that caught my eye when scanning the sector publications.
Fire incidents in the news
Major fire destroys event production warehouse
One of the biggest commercial fires this summer saw around 20 fire engines and 125 firefighters tackle a huge blaze at the warehouse of a Jewish-owned event production company, SVS Productions, in north-west London. The fire completely destroyed the warehouse, sending a large smoke plume across the capital and forcing nearby residents to leave their homes as a precaution.
Walthamstow wildfire
As the hot, dry weather continues, in July the London Fire Brigade responded to a significant wildfire in Walthamstow. Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were called to a fire that spread across a railway embankment, gardens, sheds and damaged a house. Thankfully there were no reported injuries
2026 wildfire season continues to break records
This summer has seen one of the most active wildfire seasons the UK has experienced. By mid-July:
🔥 More than 18,600 hectares of land had already burned
🚒 Over 65 large wildfires (greater than 30 hectares) had been recorded across the UK
⚠️ Fire services issued repeated warnings as successive heatwaves left vegetation exceptionally dry
Fire safety prosecutions & enforcement
B&B company fined £26,000 following guest complaint
A guest staying at a five-bedroom B&B near Shepton Mallet raised concerns about fire safety, prompting an inspection by Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Inspectors found:
- No suitable fire risk assessment
- A fire alarm system with nine faults
- Poor maintenance of emergency lighting and firefighting equipment
- Defective fire doors
The company was fined £26,000, ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £5,700 in prosecution costs. The premises were prohibited from being used for sleeping accommodation until the issues were rectified.
Takeaway:
This case started because one guest spoke up. Fire safety isn’t just about passing inspections. Your customers and staff will notice when things aren’t right.
Property managers receive suspended prison sentences
Two property managers in Windsor were prosecuted after serious fire safety deficiencies were discovered in a mixed commercial and residential building above a restaurant.
Fire officers found:
- No suitable fire detection system
- Inadequate emergency lighting
- Defective fire doors
- Poor electrical and gas safety standards
Both managers pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, received 14-week suspended prison sentences, and together were ordered to pay more than £9,200.
Takeaway:
The Responsible Person isn’t just responsible in name. Where serious failings exist, individuals, not just companies, can face criminal convictions.
Fire fact
Fire safety trivia:
🔥 Which everyday household item causes more accidental fires in UK homes?
A) Washing machines
B) Microwaves
C) Air fryers
D) Cooking hobs
Answer: D – Cooking hobs.
Unattended cooking remains one of the leading causes of accidental house fires across the UK.
🔥 Did you know?
In a serious fire, the temperature at ceiling level can be over 600°C, while just one metre lower it may be hundreds of degrees cooler.
This dramatic difference is caused by thermal layering, where hot gases rise and form a super-heated layer beneath the ceiling.
That’s why firefighters are trained to stay low, and why the advice to crawl beneath smoke can genuinely save your life.
Sometimes moving just a metre lower can mean the difference between life and death.
🔥 Did you know?
A typical room fire can double in size every 30–60 seconds.
That’s because as materials heat up, they release flammable gases in a process called pyrolysis. It’s actually these gases, not the solid object itself, that burn.
By the time you can see large flames, many of the items in the room are already releasing fuel into the air.
That’s why a small fire can become unsurvivable in just a few minutes.
This month’s stats and reviews
- Customer locations visited: 58
- Courses delivered: 63
- 5 star Google reviews (last 30 days): 41
- Trust Pilot reviews: 30
- Video testimonials: 4
Some kind words from our customers:
‘Paul has been fantastic. I really enjoyed how hands on the training was, as well as the discussions Paul had us having. He’s been really engaging, helpful, and I’ve found the information really interesting and informative’
‘Excellent fire training course for our staff. Colin our trainer was professional, engaging, and explained everything clearly in a practical and easy-to-understand way. The session covered fire safety procedures, extinguisher use, evacuation protocols, and emergency awareness with real-life examples that kept everyone involved. Our team found the course informative, well organised, and very useful for the workplace. Highly recommend 1st Attendance for any business looking for high-quality fire safety training.’
‘⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Training, really enjoyed the session that Matt provided, would recommend to anyone looking for fire training’
‘10/10 training from Paul!’
Click on Paul’s image below to listen to his smashing review:
Need more convincing? Here’s more 5 star reviews.
My thoughts
Firstly, I’d like to start with a bit of an apology. You may have noticed we missed last month’s newsletter. As many of you know, we’re a growing family business and, like many small business owners, sometimes I get so caught up in looking after customers, supporting the team and driving the business forward that something has to give. Unfortunately, last month’s newsletter was one of those things!
That said, it reminded me why I enjoy writing these updates. They’re a chance to step back from the day-to-day and share what’s happening in the world of fire safety, along with a few thoughts of my own.
Over the past couple of months, we’ve seen fire crews stretched by an increasing number of wildfires across the UK. With hotter, drier summers becoming more common, it’s a reminder that fire safety isn’t just something that happens inside buildings anymore.
At the same time, I heard a report on the BBC this week highlighting concerns raised by Electrical Safety First about unsafe electrical adaptors and chargers being sold through online marketplaces. It found that many products failed basic safety standards, increasing the risk of electric shock and, in some cases, fire.
It got me thinking…
Whether it’s a discarded cigarette starting a wildfire or a cheap electrical adaptor overheating in someone’s home, many fires begin with something that could have been prevented.
We all like a bargain, and online shopping has never been easier. But when it comes to electrical products, especially chargers, extension leads, travel adaptors and anything used to charge lithium-ion batteries, it’s worth spending a little extra and buying from a reputable retailer. A cheap purchase today could become a very expensive mistake tomorrow.
As always, prevention is better than cure. Taking a few extra moments to make safe choices can help prevent the next fire before it ever starts.
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read our newsletter and for your continued support of 1st Attendance Training Group. I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, and I’ll see you again in next month’s edition. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who’d appreciate a first aid or fire‑smart update.
Let’s Keep Talking
We’ve now launched a simple referral programme.
If you know another business, whether it’s a client, supplier, or someone in your network that could benefit from fire training, first aid, or extinguisher servicing, drop us an email with their:
- Business name
- Contact name
- Phone number
If they go on to book with us, and once they’ve completed their training or service, you can choose either:
Nice and simple. It’s our way of saying thank you for pointing people in our direction and helping us keep working with good businesses like yours.
Stay safe and alert!
Paul
Proud kit sponsors of Emersons Green Junior Football Club - U14’s girls
