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Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has scooped yet another national award for its innovative approach to community safety.
The Service has won the ‘Innovation in strategy at a local level’ category at the hotly contested E Government Excellence national awards. This was for the Service’s SPRINGBOARD (Starting Proactive Response, Introducing New Gains, Benefiting Older-people and Reducing Dependency) project that adopted a partnership approach to improving the safety and quality of life for older residents.
Cllr David Topping, Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and so rewarding to be recognised at a national level for a project that really has contributed to both the safety and wellbeing of older people living in our community.”
The project centres around Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s delivery of Home Safety Assessments to the over 65’s. Traditionally these visits would just check for and give advice about fire hazards. However, the Service expanded this by joining forces with partner agencies to look at and address other issues that may be putting older people at particular risk.
Working alongside partners at Age Concern as well as local Health and Social Services, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service effectively tapped into existing electronic databases which helped them identify and reach people who may require extra help. This resulted in the Service arranging to visit more than 47000 people aged over 65. During the visits they were able to offer not only potentially life saving advice but also refer people to other agencies and services who were able to offer additional support with other issues.
Paul Hancock, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “This really is a pioneering project and the first of its kind to embark on data sharing agreements between agencies that have enabled us to effectively reach out and assist potentially vulnerable members of our community. As a result we have seen not only a reduction in the number of fire related injuries but also our partners have enjoyed a greater uptake in the services that they offer.”
Jill Walters, Chief Executive of Age Concern Cheshire, said: “We are all delighted, SPRINGBOARD is unique nationally and is a major contributor to the health, well being and safety of older people. Fire and Rescue Service personnel’s work across Cheshire has become far more effective as a result of the commitment of individuals in local government, social care and Primary Care Trusts who have made this national accolade possible. This award recognises true partnership working which is bringing real benefits.”
The awards were presented on 19th January at the City of London’s Guildhall. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, opened the ceremony via video link from 10 Downing Street.
For further press information please contact Sian Corrigan at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service on 01606 868305.