Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 17/05/2004 10:00

A new initiative entitled ‘Operation Fire Safe’ aims to save lives this summer in the busy town of Newquay.

The operation is a pilot scheme set up by Restormel Borough Council and Cornwall County Fire Brigade to improve the fire safety in premises that offer accommodation in the Newquay Area.

A team of firefighters and officers from Restormel will visit all known houses in multiple occupancy (HMO’s) in the Newquay area, conduct free fire risk assessments to improve safety, ensure landlords are aware of their duty of care to comply with the law and identify any other HMO’s in the area not known to either Restormel or the Fire Service.

Councillor Roy Taylor, Restormel Borough Council Cabinet Member explains: “We expect this initiative will prove to be very successful. We are keen to see action to improve safety in HMO’s especially fire safety. It is very difficult to ensure that all premises that offer accommodation, either for residents or holidaymakers, reach our safety recommendations, as we are not aware of all of them”
He cont: “By highlighting the work we are about to commence we hope landlords will take the opportunity to contact and assist us in helping them become fire safe. The primary aim is to prevent any horrific fires happening this summer and in the future”

Divisional Commander Ted Simpson explains: “The initiative is collaboration between Cornwall County Fire Brigade, Restormel Borough Council and, hopefully, the landlords of accommodation in Newquay. We hope that by working together we will prevent any potential fires occurring and so make Newquay a safe place in which to live, work and visit”

He cont: “We want landlords to help us to keep Newquay fire safe. Cornwall Fire Brigade and Restormel are providing personnel to assist in checking the premises, and in some circumstances free smoke alarms will be fitted if required. This initiative is not designed to highlight those that are not as fire safe as they could be – but to assist them in becoming fire safe”

Teams from both organisations will be working from Newquay Fire Station. They will visit premises on foot and aim to reach most of their objectives by ‘Run to the Sun’ Weekend. All the information they collect will be put on a database to ensure that nothing is overlooked.
If Operation Fire Safe works Cornwall County Fire Brigade and Restormel will be extending it to other towns that are at risk.