Fire service expected to do more about arson
The Wales Audit Office has declared that the South Wales Fire Service needs to consider doing more in order to prevent arson in the region.
This recommendation comes from the comprehensive audit and inspection service which covers an expansive range of public services.
The Auditor General for Wales has challenged the fire service to reduce the number of fires in the region that are set alight on purpose. At the moment this accounts for around four out of five blazes.
Auditor Huw Vaughan Thomas did admit that the fire authority is “well managed” but the report still emphasised the need to bring down the arson rate, which has now become the highest in the country.
He said: “The authority is very conscious of the challenge and its arson reduction team is delivering a number of initiatives with some success.”
Arson is something which needs to be considered by businesses everywhere and not just in this part of Wales. Malicious fires are a big threat to organisations in all sectors and so it is necessary for them to protect their premises by installing the latest fire safety and security measures as a safeguard. Fire training for staff is another important consideration.
Fire protection system upgrade to Channel Tunnel
It has been reported that the Channel Tunnel is all set to get a major fire safety enhancement within the next year, with one fire protection sprinkler having already been installed.
The fire protection system, which has been developed to use water mist, will cost Eurotunnel £20 million in total.
This new development was given the green light following a huge freight train fire not far from the French coast which occurred back in September 2008.
The sprinklers have been made to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire and thus stop it from spreading any further.
One safe fire extinguishing area has already been installed, with the other three sprinklers due to be put in place inside the Channel Tunnel by the end of 2011.
Jacques Gounon, Chairman of Eurotunnel, has confirmed that the fire protection system has been adapted towards the conditions of a working railway tunnel.
This new equipment will ensure that the Channel Tunnel is in a better position to deal with any fire-related incidents in the future.
If you are the owner of a business and you are unsure that your premises are properly equipped to tackle a fire, then you should consider calling in the professionals to conduct a fire risk assessment on your behalf.
Fire safety initiative arrives in Dumfries
The nationwide fire safety show which has been going round Scotland to try and educate people about the very real threat posed by house fires has now reached Dumfries and Galloway.
Shoppers at Loreburne Shopping Centre came face to face with the burnt out remains of a home ravaged by fire as fire crews adopted serious measures to urge people to protect their properties against the risk of fire.
The region has suffered from a high number of house fires over the last few years and so it is hoped that this initiative will encourage people to install fire alarms in their homes.
Firefighters were ready to offer advice on fire safety to those passing by the stand and also gave people the chance to benefit from a free home visit from the fire service to check for hazards and fit smoke alarms if needed.
Fergus Ewing, the community safety minister, said:
“The Scottish Government and Fire Services are working hard to educate people about the dangers of fire.
“The most important message we would give is to not be complacent, always be on your guard, and to regularly check your smoke alarm to ensure that it is in working order – it can save lives.
“This tour will take this vital safety message directly out into Dumfries and Galloway communities, offering people practical advice on how they can keep their homes and families safe from fire.”
Electrical Safety Week 2011
More than 200 house fires in 2010 were caused by misusing electrical appliances, and in 2007 more than 40 people died.
Electrical Safety week has highlighted the dangers of overloading electrical sockets and misusing electrical appliances.
County Fire Officer, Steve McGuirk said “A fire in your home is devastating, but many of these fires are preventable. It is really important that people make sure their appliances are in good working order and are used safely. The majority of electrical fires start in the kitchen so we would ask people to be extra careful in that are especially.”
Fire safety advice offered to shoppers in Stirling
It has been reported that shoppers at the Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling were faced with the true reality of what a house fire can do last week, where fire crews staged a fire safety event.
On display at the two-day event were the devastated contents of a living room which had been ravaged by flames.
This startling realisation was set up to highlight the effects of a fire on the home and to remind people that they really need to ensure that their property is protected, following a number of fatal house fires in Scotland during the Christmas holidays.
As well as fire safety advice offered to the public, fire crews also gave shoppers the chance to take advantage of a free home fire safety visit where the property will be checked for fire hazards.
Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service’s Douglas Dick, the station manager responsible for community safety, said:
“A home fire safety visit is a quick and easy way to make sure your home is safe. Fire service staff will make sure that you have sufficient smoke alarms and that they are installed correctly. If necessary they will install new smoke alarms free of charge.”