A draft Local Fire and Rescue Plan has been put out for public consultation to allow residents to know the local direction for the SFRS and this consultation will determine the details contained in all the local Fire and Rescue Service plans for future.
The consultation highlights the wide range of services provided by the local Fire and Rescue Service, revealing that accidental dwelling fires caused by factors associated with vulnerable people accounts for just over 1 in 3 of all accidental dwelling fires. Increasing the ownership of working smoke detection gives early warning of fire and will also contribute to mitigating the severity of fires and fire related injuries within the home.
It is also not uncommon for those at risk from fire to also be at risk from other injuries within the home, in particular from injuries arising from slips, trips and falls. Those persons injured through falls may often be affected by other medical conditions such as dementia. The SFRS has a role to play in contributing to the protection of those at risk from injury and harm within the home. Through operational attendances and delivery of home fire safety visits, the SFRS has the opportunity to identify those at risk and through an assessment of such risk, refer individuals to partner organisations for additional support.
SNP Councillor Mags MacLaren for Paisley Northwest said: “This consultation is open to the public to let them have their say on the local Fire and Rescue Service.
“I would encourage residents to read and then contribute to this consultation. It reveals the wide-ranging role of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“I would also encourage everyone to get a Home Fire Safety Visit and to ensure that any elderly relative has such a visit. These are important not only for making residents safer in their homes but also for highlighting potential risks due to medical conditions such as dementia.”
The formal consultation for this draft Local Fire and Rescue Plan will run until 26 June 2017. The consultation is available online at firescotland.citizenspace.com.