On Monday 3rd October, Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service "Action Wards" initiative will be launched in Copeland at The Hub, Whitehaven Harbour at 11.30.
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 Copeland, Whitehaven’s Harbour 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 communities and reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour. Events in Harbour Ward over the next six months will include:
- Extensive home safety visits.
- Distribution of community safety materials, information and advice
- Closer partnership working with Community Police Officers
- A mobile Fire Station on site in the ward.
- Multi-Agency Weekly Surgeries for residents (involving Fire and Rescue Personnel, Police Officers and Local Councillors)
- Fitting Domestic Sprinklers in high risk properties
- Active engagement with local schools to deliver community safety messages.
- Full participation in promoting Bonfire safety and reducing the risk in the days leading upto Bonfire night.
- Advice and guidance to commercial premises to improve Fire Safety Management.
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 the Harbour Ward.
County Councillor Geoff Hodgson, 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 the Harbour 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."
Paul Hancock, Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager for Allerdale and Copeland says:
"The Action Wards programme will provide us with an excellent opportunity to actively engage the local community and address the issues that are relevant to them.
We are seeking to work closely with our key partners to reduce the number of incidents which occur in the Harbour Ward. The scheme will help create safer homes and businesses and a cleaner environment for the whole community in Harbour Ward."