13 November 2009
South Wight Housing Association (SWHA) has launched fire safety initiatives for residents and staff. SWHA’s Resident Fire Safety Initiative has been created in partnership with Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service. The project complements fire safety upgrade work to blocks of flats across the Island, which commenced earlier this year and is ongoing.
A series of fire safety talks has been organised for residents and will take place in SWHA’s hostels and outreach locations in Ryde, Newport and Sandown. The initiative is designed to educate residents about personal fire safety measures in their current home and wherever they may move to in the future.
Particular focus will be given to vulnerable young people, homeless people, mother and baby groups, residential supported schemes, learning difficulty, mental health and outreach schemes. The courses have been co-ordinated in partnership with Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue community team and SWHA’s fire equipment consultants, Wightfire Ltd.
The Staff Fire Safety Initiative has been developed with Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service and consultants Wightfire Ltd and Firesure UK Ltd. The programme is aimed at all SWHA Scheme Managers and their care and support partners, Islecare, the Real World Trust and the Island Women’s Refuge. Training days include fire simulations and fire detection equipment demonstrations.
Property Services Manager, Neville Tomblin, said:
“All fire safety initiatives are designed with our residents in mind. These projects are part of an ongoing fire safety programme working with Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.
“The programme of fire safety upgrade work in combination with resident and staff initiatives has been immensely beneficial and we have received positive feedback from our residents. We plan to continue this work on an ongoing basis to ensure our residents have the highest level of fire safety we can provide.”
Future fire safety initiatives include:
• Portable sprinkler system trials
• Promotion of Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Home Safety Checks
• A day at Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service training centre for young people living in SWHA schemes.
For further information about SWHA go to www.shgroup.org.uk/SWHA