Community initiatives

Chip pan fire

These are just some of the community initiatives that we are involved in…

Chip pan exchange scheme
We are developing a strategy to enable us to target at risk people in the community who use traditional chip pans and encourage them to swap them for modern cool-wall fryers which are safer.

Community credit card
As part of our partnership with BSAFE in Bolton, we hope to agree a scheme whereby workers such as community wardens, Police Community Support Officers and traffic wardens will carry a Community Credit Card which will enable flytipping, rubbish, needles and graffiti to be reported quickly and dealt with effectively.

Beat Sweep
Following a successful pilot scheme held in the Kearsley Ward in the summer of 2006, we will be co-ordinating and participating in a Beat Sweep (an initiative to improve communities involving the Fire Service, Police, different local authority departments and other partners) in the Deane and Willows Safer Neighbourhood.

Seatbelt awareness campaign
Working with Greater Manchester Police, Bolton Road Safety and the DVLA, we ran a campaign to try and reduce the number of deaths and injuries that occur as a result of people being involved in road traffic collisions and not wearing seatbelts.

Hoax calls
In July 2007, we carried out a one week campaign with the Bolton Evening News. A daily article appeared in the newspaper and hoax calls were available to listen to on their website. The campaign resulted in an over 60% reduction in hoax calls.  

Sensory services
In Bolton, are committed to part fund 30% of the costs of installing smoke alarms for the hearing impaired community in Bolton. We have also funded a firefighter to attend a British Sign Language course.

Youth engagement
We have planned to deliver four Youth Engagement Programs with links to domestic violence, anti-social behaviour and low level crime. 

Careline
Careline is an organisation which looks after the welfare of 7,500 of the most vulnerable persons in our community.  Clients pay a subscription for a service which includes a panic alarm and other associated support services. We are working with Careline to establish a Supplementary Dwellings Directory which will enable us to offer their clients a first class service and priority Home Fire Risk Assessments.

Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
As part of Bolton’s Affordable Warmth Strategy, fire service personnel carrying out Home Fire Safety Checks can identify people who would benefit from funding to keep their homes warm, we then refer them to the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre. In return, their personnel can refer people for home fire risk assessments.

Education Programme
Community fire safety officers are involved in delivery fire safety education to all key stage groups in schools across Bolton.  All fire stations have a comprehensive programme of primary school visits.  During their primary school years children receive fire safety education during years 2 and 5.

Crucial crew
Community fire safety staff are also involved in the running of the Crucial Crew scheme, a multi agency approach to safety in the home for children in Key Stage 2.  The event is held once each year and is organised and run in conjunction with the police, ambulance service, and other local organisations that provide a wide range of safety information.

Learn not to burn
Operational crews are involved in The Learn Not to Burn Quiz, visiting local primary schools and teaching fire safety to children in year 5.  The classes provide teams who attend their local fire stations and take part in a knock out fire safety quiz, with the winners going on through various rounds to a grand final.