Last week, I visited Kirkby Lonsdale where Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s (CFRS) Prevention and Protection teams were providing fire safety visits to residents and businesses in the area.
The visit was one of several following the devastating fire in December where a man sadly lost his life.
I was proud to see the work that our Fire and Rescue Service had carried out in reassuring residents and how the community had come together in the aftermath of a devastating tragedy.
We have also seen similar community spirit in Gosforth and Bransty following major incidents in both areas where CFRS were called to action.
The Fire and Rescue Service’s remit extends to so many areas, not just attending emergencies, so I am using my article this week to focus on the work of Home Safety Fire Visits.
The Service last year carried out over 8,000 visits to some of our most vulnerable residents and you can refer yourself or someone you may think is at risk by visiting Cumbria Fire and Rescue’s online tool on their website.
Home Safety Visits provide an essential service to our most vulnerable residents across Cumbria.
These visits are designed to assess and identify potential fire hazards within a home and provide advice on how to reduce those risks.
Every year, fires occur in homes across the UK, often due to preventable causes such as faulty electrics, cooking accidents, or smoking-related incidents.
The work that our Fire Service does to raise awareness of these risks and advise residents on how to keep their homes safe is invaluable.
When Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service crew visits a home, they will not only conduct a thorough safety assessment but may also provide smoke alarms and advice tailored to the specific needs of that household.
Whether it’s ensuring that smoke detectors are in place, discussing escape plans, or providing tips on fire safety, these visits make a real difference in helping people protect themselves and their families.
It’s a proactive, forward-thinking approach that has saved lives and prevented countless injuries over the years.
However, the work of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service doesn’t stop there. We also need more dedicated on-call firefighters to join our ranks.
Kirkby Lonsdale as a community currently has six on-call firefighters, these individuals are a testament to Cumbria and their community, many of our fire stations are looking for extra on-call firefighters and you could be one of them.
Becoming an on-call firefighter is a fantastic way to give back to your community.
On-call firefighters are vital in ensuring that our rural and remote communities are served quickly and effectively.
If you have a passion for helping others and want to play a key role in keeping Cumbria safe, I encourage you to take a look at the information pack on Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s website.