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21 June 2006
Fire support partnership strengthened
A fire can be a devastating experience.
Whether at your home, business or wherever, a serious blaze can leave you distressed, disorientated and in need of a helping hand.
This week a special support service, staffed and run entirely by British Red Cross volunteers, which has helped hundreds of people cope with the aftermath of fire is to have a new name.
The Fire Victim Support Unit, which is housed at Sprowston Fire Station, is being renamed the Fire and Emergency Support Unit. The British Red Cross feels that this name more accurately reflects the work carried out by the unit and also removes the stigma of "victim" from those who receive help from the Red Cross personnel.
An official relaunch for the support unit vehicle will take place at Sprowston Fire Station on Thursday, June 22 at 10.30am.
To mark the occasion a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Mac Graham Scott the new British Red Cross Area Service Manager for Statutory Support and Mike McCarthy the Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk.
Mr McCarthy said: "The volunteers who run the support unit do a fantastic job. The immediate aftermath of a fire in your home for example can leave you without some of life's basic essentials. How do you make phone calls? What if you've lost your insurance documents in the fire - who do you call? What if you need a nappy for your baby or a change of clothes? Or what if you just need a cup of tea and a reassuring word? The support unit helps with all this and more.
Mr Scott said: "British Red Cross teams work around the clock to make sure that local people get the help they need when faced with a crisis such as a fire. We are proud to support Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service in this way, by offering people practical and emotional support."
Wyndham Northam, Cabinet Member for Fire and Community Protection at Norfolk County Council said: "Through the fire and rescue service we are happy to not only see our partnership with the Britsh Red Cross go from strength to strength. This is an excellent support service which hopefully you will never have to use, but if you do you will be glad it is there."
** Naomi Reynolds, who was supported by the unit following a fire in her Norwich flat, will be present on Thursday and is happy to talk about her experience.
Statistics for the Norfolk Fire & Emergency Support Service:
Started recruiting and initial training in September 2001 and the service was launched in March 2002
Total call outs in 2002 = 10 assisted 20 adults and 11 children
Total call outs in 2003 = 44 assisted 67 adults and 19 children
Total call outs 2004 = 57 assisted 71 adults and 39 children
Total call outs in 2005 = 59 assisted 36 adults and 19 children
Call outs in 2006 to date = 17 assisted 35 adults and 6 children
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. It enables vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, the Red Cross helps them to recover and move on with their lives.
For further information
Martin Barsby, Communications Officer, Norfolk Fire Service, on 01603 819759
or mobile 07919 492313.
E-mail martin.barsby@fire.norfolk.gov.uk.
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