|
A successful partnership between Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to improve fire safety in buildings, is to continue for another four years. The agreement has now been extended until 2012, to reinforce the existing fire safety arrangements in operation between the two organisations such as reducing the risk of fires in County Council owned buildings, raising awareness about fire prevention and making sure buildings have the best possible fire protection measures. Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service seal their new partnership Hampshire County Council has 5,000 buildings across 1,000 sites, from schools, care homes, libraries and museums, to historic structures and modern high tech buildings. As part of this renewed union, a dedicated officer from the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will continue to be seconded to the County Council's Property, Business and Regulatory Services department to help protect those who use or visit County Council buildings, from the risk of fire. The officer's duties also include reviewing projects, commenting on fire safety matters and taking part in training programmes. The partnership was originally launched in 2005 and since that time, has resulted in a number of successes to enhance the safety of people using County Council buildings with measures such as a reduction in the cost and number of major arson incidents at buildings, the introduction of a targeted arson reduction strategy and dedicated fire safety manual, and a reduction in the number of false alarms from automatic fire alarms in premises. Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Ensuring that Hampshire County Council premises are protected as much as possible from the risk of fire is a priority for both us and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, which is why it is vital that we continue to work closely together to achieve this aim. Much has already been achieved thanks to this important partnership and I look forward to many more years of success." So far, the County Council has provided over 25 sprinkler systems following the assessment advice of the seconded fire officer and these have been in a range of projects including schools and residential care homes. The assessment process takes into account the use, occupancy and other social factors such as risk of arson attack. Where the risk is assessed as being of a level for which sprinkler protection would be beneficial, then they are included in the project. Assistant Chief Officer Steve Hamm, Head of Community Safety at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "As a Service, we recognise the importance of working in partnership with other local authorities and agencies to achieve and improve the delivery of ‘joined-up' services to our local communities. It enables resources to be targeted where they will have the most effect and allows for specific local needs to be tackled using the most appropriate resources and skills. "Our partnership with Hampshire County Council, along with the risk assessment procedure, ensures maximum benefits of fire protection measures such as sprinklers, whilst also reducing the risk of fires in the county and raising awareness about fire prevention." For more information visit Hampshire County Council |
