Cleveland fire Brigade joins forces with health partners to keep residents safe and well

Cleveland Fire Brigade has joined forces with health partners across Teesside in a further bid to keep residents safe and well in their homes.

From this week the Brigade will be extending its Home Fire Safety Visits to the over 65s to include checks and advice on a range of health related issues. In addition to ensuring residents have working smoke alarms, fire escape plans and advice on how to keep them and their loved ones safe from fire, Brigade staff will also carry out checks and issue basic equipment to prevent falls in the home.

Through completing a simple check sheet they can also refer people to dementia support organisations, befriending services, the Brigade’s Stay Safe and Warm scheme, stop smoking services and alcohol support services.

Ian Hayton, Chief Fire Officer, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners in health and social care to use our skills and experience in keeping people safe in their own homes. We are very experienced in visiting people in their homes and looking at a wider range of issues will allow us to make every contact count to benefit vulnerable people on Teesside and embed Fire as a Health Asset.

“If you are over the age of 65 and our staff offer to complete a free Safe & Well visit, we strongly recommend you accept and take advantage of the wider benefits we can bring in trying to keep you safe in your home.”

Steve Pett, General Manager, Specialist Services and Partnerships at University Hospital of North Tees, said: “North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have been delighted to work in partnership with the fire service, our local authorities and the voluntary sector to help deliver the safe and well visits initiative. We believe our fire service colleagues’ input will make a real difference in helping to reduce the risks of falls amongst the elderly and vulnerable in our local communities.”

Residents are unable to request a Safe & Well Visit however they can still request a Home Fire Safety Visit by calling 01429 872311. You will be given specific fire safety advice for you and your family and we will fit smoke alarms for free where needed.

We'd really like to hear what you think about blue light collaboration - the topics are central to the lives of all the people working in the emergency services - and beyond. Come along to FIRE’s Congress: Reimagining the Emergency Services: From integrated governance to integrated service delivery will take place at West Midlands Fire Service HQ on November 15. Have your say on the changes that are happening in your service.