READING Borough Council has been awarded Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s first Partnership of the Year Award for its work to protect residents across the borough.
The accolade was given during the fire service’s annual awards ceremony at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
It comes after the council has worked closely with the fire service to help keep residents who use adult social care services safer from the dangers of fire.
The council has made a significant number of referrals for the fire service to conduct fire safety and welfare checks, called safe and well referrals.
The work has included raising awareness of the training available and the referral process to other providers of adult social care services.
Residents who use adult social services could be in particular danger of fires due to having difficulty with mobility and the use of prescription medications like oxygen, moisturisers and creams which can be flammable.
A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service welfare check includes a visit and assessment providing advice on smoke alarms, making people aware of the best way to escape and exit routes in the event of a fire.
This is particularly important for less mobile residents, highlighting potential dangers such as overloading extension leads, and determining whether smokers require fire-retardant accessories or special ashtrays.
The award recognised the council’s commitment to mandatory fire safety training for new employees and annual refresher training for all others, among other internal safeguarding processes.
Councillor Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, said: “This work has inevitably prevented fires and the devastating injuries and loss of life as a result.
“It is invaluable work making fire safety fixed securely in the forefront of people’s minds when they are working with residents who use Adult Social Care services.
“We aim to support the life that matters to our residents, which could be staying in their own homes, and this can be made safer through an assessment from the fire service.
“Well done to the team that has implemented this and made connections across the borough and with partners like the fire service to improve resident safety.
“The project has much more to offer, and we will continue to work with the fire service, care providers and our residents to enhance awareness of fire safety.”
The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s general safety advice for everyone includes having working smoke and CO2 alarms which are tested regularly.
Residents should also make an escape plan in case of a fire.
They are also reminded not to leave large electric scooters or other hazards in communal areas; not to leave cooking unattended or after drinking alcohol; to take care when cooking with large amounts of oil; and to take extra care getting rid of ash and cigarette butts and not smoking in bed.
