In March 2012, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority (DFRA) supported Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Sean Frayne’s proposal to promote safer houses for residents of communities within Derbyshire to provide £200,000 funding towards the retrofitting of sprinklers in domestic dwellings. This was based on the criteria that £20,000 would be offered to each Council, Borough/District (or Housing Association / Arm’s Length Management Organisation where Council did not own their own property) on the basis that this would be match funded by them up to the same amount.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has now announced that nine of the ten local authorities in Derbyshire will support the campaign and have committed to match fund with the Service, giving a total spend of £360,000.00 towards the project.

Local Authorities who have committed are:
v Derbyshire County Council
v Derby City (Derby Homes)
v Chesterfield Borough Council
v NE Derbyshire (Rykneld Homes)
v Bolsover District Council
v High Peak (High Peak Community Housing)
v Amber Valley (Futures Homescape)
v Erewash (Three Valleys Housing)
v South Derbyshire District Council

For each local authority, the funding can be used for retrofitting domestic sprinklers, installing them in new developments identified for vulnerable persons at risk to fire, or for the provision of portable misting systems until a more permanent provision (if necessary) can be provided.

Due to the success of the project, a further £200,000.00 has been set aside by DFRA for the project in 2013/14.

On the 15 March 2013, the Service held a networking event at their headquarters in Littleover Derby, for those authorities involved in match funding. This was an opportunity to share experiences and celebrate the many successes achieved. Several authorities have now completed successful retrofits of domestic sprinklers into properties, ensuring houses and their occupants are safer from the impacts of fire.

This is a fantastic working partnership that ensures together, we continue to reduce the impact of fire on our communities and reduce the costs associated with death, injuries and refurbishment within the County by installing domestic sprinklers and portable misting systems into homes.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service will continue to work closely with Derbyshire County and the District Authorities, Derby City Council and other partners to ensure that the benefits of domestic sprinkler systems are passed on to all those with a responsibility for providing, developing, or building new homes.