Help To Reduce Elderly Fire Deaths Advocated
A new scheme aimed at reducing the number of fire deaths and injuries among Cumbria's ageing population is being launched later today (Monday 11 September).
New figures show that people aged over 60 account for more than three quarters of all Cumbrians killed in fires during the last seven years.
Now, Cumbria's Fire & Rescue Service has joined forces with the county council's Adult Social Care department to train three dedicated advocates to fit free smoke detectors and provide potentially life-saving advice to older people across the county.
New figures show that people aged over 60 account for more than three quarters of all Cumbrians killed in fires during the last seven years.
Now, Cumbria's Fire & Rescue Service has joined forces with the county council's Adult Social Care department to train three dedicated advocates to fit free smoke detectors and provide potentially life-saving advice to older people across the county.
The new service is being launched at the home Windermere resident Gordon Gregg who will be receiving a free Home Safety Check from one of the county's new older persons' advocates.
The new fire prevention service for older people is an important part of firefighters' enhanced community safety work which is helping to put prevention on an equal footing with cure at a time when figures show that two in every three people who die in fires do so before the Fire and Rescue Service is even called.
Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer Bernard Dolan said: "This new service will help older people to make their homes safer and reduce the risk of fire.
"The new scheme has been made possible thanks to teamwork between the Fire and Rescue Service and the county council's Adult Social Care department whose staff will be recommending the service to older people.
"Conversely, if one of our new advocates has concerns about the wellbeing of an older person, they will contact the county council's Adult Social Care team and other caring organisations with the resident's permission in order to secure their health and wellbeing.
"The new scheme is also benefiting from important partnerships which we have developed with several local charities including Age Concern, the Cumbria Deaf Association and local disability groups.
Cumbria County Council's Director of Adult Social Care, Jill Stannard said: "This scheme will help more older people in Cumbria to lead independent and safer lives.
"The partnership we have developed with the county's Fire and Rescue Service means that older people are going to receive vital help and information which will ultimately reduce their risk of being harmed in a fire."
To arrange a home visit by one of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service's older persons' advocates, people can contact the freephone number 0800-358-4777.
The new fire prevention service for older people is an important part of firefighters' enhanced community safety work which is helping to put prevention on an equal footing with cure at a time when figures show that two in every three people who die in fires do so before the Fire and Rescue Service is even called.
Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer Bernard Dolan said: "This new service will help older people to make their homes safer and reduce the risk of fire.
"The new scheme has been made possible thanks to teamwork between the Fire and Rescue Service and the county council's Adult Social Care department whose staff will be recommending the service to older people.
"Conversely, if one of our new advocates has concerns about the wellbeing of an older person, they will contact the county council's Adult Social Care team and other caring organisations with the resident's permission in order to secure their health and wellbeing.
"The new scheme is also benefiting from important partnerships which we have developed with several local charities including Age Concern, the Cumbria Deaf Association and local disability groups.
Cumbria County Council's Director of Adult Social Care, Jill Stannard said: "This scheme will help more older people in Cumbria to lead independent and safer lives.
"The partnership we have developed with the county's Fire and Rescue Service means that older people are going to receive vital help and information which will ultimately reduce their risk of being harmed in a fire."
To arrange a home visit by one of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service's older persons' advocates, people can contact the freephone number 0800-358-4777.
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