Working together to end fire heartache
Fire service and foodbank aim to keep us safe
A first-of-its-kind partnership between firefighters and a foodbank aims to encourage fire safety across Renfrewshire.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue service is piloting an innovative scheme which will see firefighters visit the lifeline service to offer people advice on staying safe.
Paisley station manager John Divers, who is the mastermind behind the hook-up, says the threemonth trial will help reach some of the people most at risk.
And if it proves successful, it could be rolled out across the whole county.
John says a trip to his local supermarket sparked the idea.
“We have free home fire safety visits where we will go out to peoples’ homes and give them fire safety advice to reduce their risk of having a fire in the home”, he said.
“Often people who get these visits have their house tidied up and aren’t at a high risk of having a fire within the home.
“Those that are statistically at higher risk don’t contact us and we have problems trying to get to these people.
“It might be for a variety of reasons. They might have mental health problems, drug or alcohol misuse or a disability, but for whatever reason we are not getting to those people who are most at risk.
“With that in mind, I was going through Tesco in Renfrew when I noticed they had a trolley for foodbank collections and I felt it could be a good way to reach more people.”
The programme – which kicks off on August 1 – will involve firefighters heading to food banks in Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone to speak with clients and offer input, with the hope of signing them up for free home fire safety visits.
John added the programme is part of the SFRS’s overall strategy of protection and prevention.
It is believed this is the first time a scheme like this has been rolled out anywhere in the country and Elizabeth Alexander, manager of Renfrewshire Foodbank, is very excited about the potential opportunities.
She explained: “We find that we have good success when agencies and people come into the foodbank to offer some sort of help.
“People are more inclined to follow through with it. I think it’s because they have met the person and they feel involved.
“It could save a life. If you have a smoke alarm that can alert you in time before a fire takes hold then that’s got to be worthwhile. Even if it’s one life, it’s got to be worthwhile.
“Recommending changes to reduce the risk of fire in the first place, that’s got to be beneficial.
“For people in crisis things like safety in your own home may go by the wayside because they are too busy concentrating on surviving.”
Firefighters in Renfrewshire will also hold an internal donation of items to be handed over to the foodbank as part of the link-up.
With foodbank use set to increase with the roll out of Universal credit in Renfrewshire in September, Elizabeth is urging people to hand in what they can.
You can call Renfrewshire Foodbank by calling 0300 102 2500 or email manager@renfrewshire. foodbank.org.uk
You can also make donations at Unit 12, 80 Abercorn Street, Paisley, on Monday and Friday from 10am until noon or on Thursday evenings between 5pm and 7pm.
Everyone who uses a foodbank is referred by a frontline agency or professional, such as a Citizens Advice worker, health visitor or children’s centre.
If you have a smoke alarm that can alert you in time before a fire takes hold Elizabeth Alexander