snowfireHertfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service helped to ensure vulnerable residents in the region were able to get a hot meal during the recent cold snap.

Over the past two weeks, firefighters from around the county have been using their 4x4 vehicles to help Hertfordshire Community Meals (HCM) deliver over 1,000 meals to residents who have difficulty in preparing a cooked meal or are unable to obtain a meal from another source.

Richard Thake, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: "Provided our firefighters aren't needed to deal with an emergency situation, Fire and Rescue teams are available to help deliver meals as part of the council's resilience plan to ensure we can reach vulnerable residents during severe weather.

"Hertfordshire Community Meals do a great job but when it’s snowing it can be hard for them to reach isolated residents who don’t live on salting routes. I’m glad to hear that the plan worked so well and that all the meals were delivered."

Firefighters also used the visits to deliver winter safety advice to residents, including showing them how to heat your home safely by ensuring that open fires have a fire guard around them at all times, heaters are in good condition and gas appliances are checked each year by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register.

Colette Wyatt-Lowe, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said: “As well as extending my thanks to our Fire Service, I’d also like to thank volunteers who own 4x4s who came forward to help deliver the meals.

“With cold weather likely to continue for the rest of the week, we’re appealing to residents to check on any vulnerable neighbours from time to time to see if they need a helping hand.”

For more safety advice visit www.hertsdirect.org/wintersafety 

Posted 28/01/2013 by richard.hook@pavpub.com