As the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) enters what is historically the busiest time of year for accidental house fires, Area Manager (AM) John Dickie, the Capital’s Senior Officer said: “At this time of year we see the devastating impact fire has on people’s lives when they might normally be celebrating the festive period. I urge everyone to consider the risk of fire in their house, what they should do if a fire occurs and to make sure they have working smoke alarms.”
The national campaign to get the people of Scotland to “Join the fight against fire” will feature TV and radio adverts for the festive period beginning on Friday 13th for the “12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety”. The campaign hopes to make people consider asking for a Home Fire Safety Visit and also consider any vulnerable family, friends and neighbours who may also benefit from the visits.
Locally in Edinburgh a Community Safety Partnership (ECSP) Fire Safety Initiative will dovetail with the national SFRS campaign. The three year initiative is centred on people in the communities of Edinburgh who are at higher risk of fire. Councillor Cammy Day, Chairperson of the ECSP said “The Community Safety Partnership Fire Safety Initiative is a real opportunity for the City’s resources to be targeted to those who the multi-agency group deem to be at high risk of fire. Working together, building upon previous work, this focused approach will reduce the impact of fires on the citizens and communities of Edinburgh.”
A recent development with the initiative has seen the upgrading of a council house in East Edinburgh which is now suitable for an occupant with vulnerabilities which make them more likely to have an accidental house fire. Steve Gourlay, Prevention and Protection Manger for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Edinburgh said “This house has had a number of modifications with the most significant being the installation of a domestic sprinkler system. The system will function automatically in the event of a fire and will knock down or extinguish it, protecting the occupant and the property. As part of the Fire Safety Initiative it is important that we look at any measures than can protect people in our community who are vulnerable. The support from Council Housing colleagues from the East Team in Edinburgh has resulted in this house being modified and without this partnership approach it would not have been possible for us to progress this.” He went on to say “The initiative update to the Partnership coming at this time gives the added opportunity to raise the profile of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service national campaign and get communities of Edinburgh to join the fight against fire”. The ECSP initiative will provide a number of tailored risk reduction measures within households where a high risk of fire is prevalent.
If you or someone you know may benefit from a Home Fire Safety Visit, you can arrange this by visiting our website at www.firescotland.gov.uk or by calling 0800 0731 999 .
If you are using twitter show your support using #jointhefightagainstfire and follow us in Edinburgh. @scotfire_Edin
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
