Fire and rescue services join Age Action Alliance

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined organisations from across the voluntary, private and public sectors to address the challenges of our ageing society. Staffordshire is one of 13 fire and rescue services that have joined the national Age Action Alliance as founding members.

The Age Action Alliance will work together to improve the lives of older people and help transform communities into better places to grow older. The Chief Fire Officers Association and the 13 fire and rescue services that have joined collectively make up the biggest industry sector to have joined the Alliance. The launch of the Age Action Alliance comes at a time when the first ever CFOA National Older Persons Strategy is being finalised ready for its launch at the end of the year.

As the first national initiative of its kind, the Age Action Alliance aims to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged older people, prevent deprivation in later life and challenge age discrimination. It will build on successful projects developed by the voluntary and private sectors and government programmes and will champion innovative ways of working to deliver practical solutions.

Staffordshire's Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Peter Dartford, who is also the CFOA Prevention Lead, commented: "The fact that we are the largest industry sector to have joined the Age Action Alliance demonstrates the commitment fire and rescue services have to improving the lives of older people. The forming of this alliance has never been more vital as our population ages at an unprecedented rate.

"Here in Staffordshire an increasing proportion of our fatal fires are involving older people, a trend that is worryingly reflected across the country.

"Being part of the Age Action Alliance demonstrates our determination to join forces with even more organisations and share best practice to further develop the fantastic work that is already going on in fire and rescue services, to make a real difference to the lives of older people."

Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed the launch of the Age Action Alliance: "People are now living longer, more active lives and we must do more to reach out to older generations, not only to help the most vulnerable but also to better understand their needs and recognise the important role they play in society.

"So many older people take an active role in their local community that puts many of us to shame.  I want to encourage others to follow in their footsteps, through volunteering and being part of the Big Society so we can all benefit from their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm.

"The launch of the Age Action Alliance will unite those working in this sector in celebration of the role of older people in this country and ensure their voice is heard at the very heart of government."

The vision of the Age Action Alliance is that it will be informed by older people themselves. It will tackle several issues relevant to older people, including public health and active lifestyles, safe warm homes, improving the lives of excluded groups, combating loneliness and isolation, working on age-friendly neighbourhoods, promoting digital inclusion and new attitudes to ageing.

For information on the Age Action Alliance visit: www.ageactionalliance.org