21/10/2003

Emergency service funding to help society's 'most vulnerable'

Eleven fire and rescue services across England are set to benefit from £4.5 million of funding over three years to help them target those most a risk from fires in the home.

Subject to approval by Parliament, the money - of which £900,000 will be made available this year – comes from the £43 million three-year investment, announced in the recent Fire White Paper, for community fire safety and arson reduction programmes in England and Wales.

The Community Fire Safety (CFS) Innovation Fund will focus resources on the most vulnerable people in society living in the 11 areas most at risk from fire.

Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope said: "The risk of being killed or injured in a fire does depend on where a person lives. Although on average about six people die each year in accidental house fires in each fire authority area, about 40% of all accidental dwelling fire deaths occur in just 11 fire authorities with the highest fatality rates.

"Through the CFS Innovation Fund, we will focus resources on those 11 areas currently suffering the highest number of fire fatalities."

Evidence suggests that those living in more deprived communities face an increased risk of suffering an accidental fire in the home, and from being killed or injured by fire.

The funds have been allocated on the basis that they will drive down the number of accidental fire deaths in the brigade areas targeted. Projects likely to be adopted and extended include home fire risk assessments; the creation of community fire stations; and, youth diversion work, such as young firefighter schemes.

(gmcg)

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