Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 05/03/2012 14:37

Around 1,150 sheltered housing tenants in East Cornwall will be given advice on staying safe in their homes thanks to a new partnership between Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) and Cornwall Council’s Housing Service.

By teaming up with East Cornwall Landlord Services (ECLS), part of the council’s Housing Service, firefighters have trained sheltered housing support staff to deliver Home Fire Safety Checks as part of their regular visits to tenants.

During the visits to local homes Housing Service staff discuss fire safety issues with tenants and provide information and leaflets. Tenants in need of further support are referred on to CFRS staff who revisit the home to provide more specific help and advice.

Station Manager Mark Blatchford, from the CFRS prevention team, said: “This partnership means we can ensure valuable fire safety messages are given to tenants in their homes by people they trust.

“Firefighters will also be on hand to put out fires, but we want to stop them from happening in the first place. Our Home Fire Safety Checks aim to make people aware of potential fire hazards in the home and give advice on how they can best protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Jane Barlow, Cornwall Council’s Head of Housing, added: “Our joint work with CFRS is very positive and effective – it enables housing staff, who are in regular contact with residents of sheltered accommodation, to include fire safety as part of their discussions with our tenants and to ensure that they have the support they need to address these issues.

“Our staff have really seen the benefit of being able to undertake this work as part of their wider support role and have been keen to work with CFRS to help us both ensure the safety of our older tenants.”

For more information on fire safety contact Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 358 1999 or visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire.