New Inverclyde fire safety partnership launched
A new partnership has been launched in Scotland to raise awareness of how people with drug and alcohol issues could be more at risk from fire hazards.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with Inverclyde Addiction Services (IAS) to launch the partnership, which will target high-risk groups with alcohol and drug problems.
The partnership was launched after recent figures revealed that addiction issues, excessive consumption of alcohol and mental health problems are the major contributing factors in around half the number of fires, fire crime and fire-related casualties in Scotland.
The partnership will combat these problems by:
- Offering fire awareness training to housing providers and addiction teams across Inverclyde
- Providing Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service personnel with basic drug and alcohol awareness training in addition to their regular fire safety training
- Conducting home fire safety visits to those most vulnerable to fire safety hazards
- Raising awareness of fire safety hazards in the home
- Making assistance available and accessible to help people improve the fire safety arrangements in their homes
Commenting on the partnership, Councillor Joe McIlwee said:
“By joining forces, we hope to tackle this issue head on and reduce the amount of alcohol and drug related fire incidents in the area, resulting in a safer stronger community.”