On Thursday 6th October, Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service "Action Wards" initiative launches in Barrow at the Central Community Partnership meeting in Barrow Town Hall at 11.00 am.
The Action Wards Initiative will focus further efforts on four specific Cumbrian communities in a bid to drive forward the service’s fire prevention and community safety messages. In Barrow the Central Ward is set to benefit from the six-month programme.
A flexible approach has been taken in consultation with the communities to address the key issues in each area. A strong emphasis will be placed on working in partnership with other key agencies and the community in an effort to build safer, stronger cleaner greener communities and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour. Events in the Central Ward over the next six months will include:
- A comprehensive programme of home safety visits.
- Working with CDRP Partners to deliver Streetsafe operations throughout the Ward
- Distribution of community safety materials, information and advice.
- Closer partnership working with Community groups.
- Working with local schools to help with visual auditing of the ward environment linked to an extensive art project.
- Advice and guidance to commercial premises to improve fire safety in relation to waste management.
- Co ordination and management of a clean up campaign within the ward.
- Production of a community calendar and a marketing campaign to promote community safety.
- Engage with Landlords and Letting agencies to improve home safety in rented accommodation
At the launch Fire and Rescue Service personnel will be on hand to further outline the six-month initiative and the benefits it will bring to Central Ward.
County Councillor Geoff Hodgson, Cabinet spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Service says:
"The County Council is committed to improving the safety of people lives. The scheme will build on the Fire and Rescue Service’s existing community safety work and should help to reduce incidents and accidents in Central Ward.
The initiative will not only make a significant impact on safety but also make a real contribution to reducing anti-social behaviour and improving the environment. The communities that have been identified will really benefit from the resources, events and activities that this scheme will bring to them."
Alan Rawsthorne, Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager for Barrow and South Lakeland says:
"The Action Ward programme in Central, will provide an excellent opportunity to actively engage with the local community to address issues that are relevant to both them and the Fire and Rescue Service.
We are seeking to work closely with our key partners to reduce the number of fire related incidents that occur in Central Ward. The scheme will help create safer homes and businesses and a cleaner environment for the whole community in the Central Ward."