Bonfire night safety underway
Fire officers have been working with community police and council youth teams to reinforce safety messages in the run up to bonfire night.
The first week of November is one of the busiest in the early winter months for both police and fire crews.
In past years there had been incidents where fire crews were attacked while trying to extinguish dangerous bonfires.
Police, locally and nationally, have also drafted in extra resources to meet the surge in demand and the illegal and dangerous misuse of fireworks
This year it is complicated by the fact the Cop26 climate summit is being held in Glasgow, placing huge demands on police officers from across the country.
Local police commanders have given assurances to the council and public that there will be no impact on local policing by the summit.
West Lothian Council’s community regeneration teams worked with Youth Action project staff and the emergency services two years ago to tackle growing problems with bonfires and firework misuse in Blackburn.
Such was the success of that scheme, working with the community, that multiagency planning has become the standard in West Lothian around planning for Bonfire Night.
Other council teams including Nets and landscape crews are also involved in the planning during the run up to bonfire night - often removing “unofficial”
bonfires being built by teens on open spaces in communities.
In a report to the West Lothian Community Safety Board, watch commander, Paul Harvey, and station commander, Lynne Gow, outlined details of the work undertaken so far.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) officers have been working with campus police engaging in schools to outline the dangers of fire and firework misuse.
Digital engagement materials are being developed for targeted school age groups P6-S2 - and will be provided to all schools.
Joint engagement, with police and fire service officers at targeted (high-tariff)
schools has taken place “virtually” via Police Scotland school campus officers. Where safely possible, face to face engagement will be carried out.
The SFRS Community Action Team will also provide virtual support for schools appropriate to the risk.
All primary schools will be provided with interactive educational resources through GLOW- the education services platform.
West Lothian Youth Action Project developed “diversionary” activities including basketball competitions for teens in Blackburn in the first year of the Blackburn Bonfire Night action Group
events in 2019.
Local councillor, Kirsteen Sullivan, said she hoped the success of that evening could be replicated in other areas which historically had had problems on and around bonfire night including some in Livingston such as Craigshill.
Fire officers said they were happy to help develop similar projects with neighbourhood groups.
The SFRS also works with council Trading Standards officers visiting retailers to offer advice on firework sales and storage in line with the recent changes in firework legislation which came into force at the end of June.