Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 22/06/2009 12:23

A joint initiative to provide essential community safety information from the police, ambulance and fire services to migrant workers was held on 14 June. A boat trip, organised in conjunction with Amber Initiatives, a not for profit organisation whose objective is to provide assistance to migrant workers in the UK, attracted 189 migrant workers.

The boat sailed from the Mayflower Steps for the two hour trip and community safety information was available in a variety of languages. There were two screenings, one in Russian and one in Polish, of an innovative DVD for migrant workers in Cornwall, providing help and advice on what to do in an emergency.

Launched at the end of last year, the DVD was the result of 12 months collaborative working between the Fire Brigade, Devon and Cornwall Police, South Western Ambulance Service and Amber Initiatives and is available to view in English, Russian and Polish. The DVD contains information to help migrant workers coming into the county, and each emergency service has key themes within the DVD.

Cornwall County Fire Brigade Station Manager Community Safety Dave Carlisle commented: “We recognise how important it is to communicate with the increasing number of migrant workers and an event such as this gives us the opportunity to not only provide information, but to get feedback on the services we provide to them.”

As well as informing viewers of the free service provided by the Fire Brigade by dialling 999, the DVD contains comprehensive practical advice on smoke alarms, kitchen safety, avoiding fires caused by cigarettes and candles, the need to plan ahead with advice on how to make sure families know what to do in a fire and how to escape safely, or what to do if trapped in a fire and, most importantly, in the event of a fire, get out, stay out, dial 999.

From the police perspective, the DVD looks at personal safety, evenings out, driving, stop and search, domestic violence and abuse and how to contact the police.

The ambulance service section gives advice about calling an ambulance, what to do if involved in a road traffic collision, chest pain, what to do in the event that someone has collapsed or had an accident, choking and bleeding.

Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury comments, “The aim of events such as this is to ensure that everyone residing in the county is aware of the variety of services available to them and equip them with the knowledge of what to do if faced with an emergency situation. This is an excellent example of partnership working between the emergency services and a local migrant worker support organisation.”

The content of the DVDs is also available online and is hosted on Cornwall Fire Brigade’s website at: www.cornwall.gov.uk/999advice

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7329