Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 18/10/2010 09:23

Residents in Camelford, St Ives and Truro are invited to a safety surgery at their local one stop shop as part of Cornwall Council’s recently launched initiative which sees Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service firefighters holding regular safety events at one stop shops throughout Cornwall.

Firefighters Clyde Ferguson and Shaun Edwards from Delabole Community Fire Station will be at Camelford one stop shop, College Road, Camelford, PL32 9TL from 9.30am – 11.30am on Thursday 21 October
Station manager Chris Stevens from St Ives Community Fire Station will be at St Ives one stop shop, The Guildhall, Street-an-Pol, St Ives, TR26 2DS from 10.00am – 12.00 noon on Monday 25 October
Firefighter Alan Anderson and crew manager Mark Glanville from Truro Community Fire Station will be at Truro one stop shop, Carrick House, Pydar Street, TR1 1EB from 10.00am – 12.00 noon on Wednesday 27 October.

Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury explains: “Each of Cornwall Council’s 23 one stop shops will be hosting information and advice sessions as local firefighters from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service use this outlet to get out important safety messages and to speak to people about how to prevent fire in the home and how to make themselves and their families as safe as possible.”

A firefighter will attend their local one stop shop once a month for a 2 hour safety surgery to speak with people and provide potentially life saving advice.

CFRS will also be providing wall display racks containing prevention and protection leaflets at all one stop shops.

Later this year, the next phase of the initiative will be rolled out to support the out and about services in east Cornwall and provide resources for the mobile one stop shops in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council cabinet member Lance Kennedy said: “This is a good example of using council resources wisely and to full capacity. Firefighters will be using the one stop shops to reach the community and will be able to work with one stop shop staff to identify people who may be at high risk from fire. Firefighters can then arrange to carry out a home fire safety check at an agreed time. These surgeries will be advertised by OSS staff and the firefighters will also be involved in developing information for the frequently asked questions data base on Cornwall Council’s website.”

Cornwall’s 23 One Stop Shops already provide advice and information on all council services including housing, benefits, council tax, refuse and recycling. There is also help available to fill in forms, hand in documents and speak to a council specialist either in person or by phone.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for customer first Joan Symons said: “This new initiative will provide information and help from yet another council service. I am pleased to see resources being shared and staff working together to provide the best possible service to customers.”