Communities
- Protecting your community
Fire Safety and Sustainability
Many current Government initiatives and development programmes are being delivered under the banner of 'Sustainable Communities'. Fire safety must be at the heart of this action to make it truly sustainable and ensure funding and investment does not go up in smoke.
Identifying those at risk
Government is promoting sustainable housing to deliver long term improvements in housing stock. The Living Spaces programme is helping to develop play areas, community gardens and local parks and greens in deprived areas. However communities in deprived areas suffer the highest incidence of arson. Those living on the lowest incomes are 31 times more likely to suffer a fire and 16 times more likely to die in a fire. Ownership of an operational smoke alarm among domestic properties most at risk of fire was only 34% in 2003.
Protect investment
Arson still costs the economy £2.8 billion per year. Investment in vulnerable areas needs to be clearly aligned with the Fire Service's Community Fire Safety work. These communities need to be properly protected from the threat of arson. Projects under the New Deal for Communities, Local Strategic Partnerships, Neighbourhood Renewal Units – should all ensure proper consultation with the Fire Service is carried out so as communities really are sustainable. The Building Schools for the Future programme now underway aims to rebuild or renew every secondary school in England over a 10-15 year period. |
Advice and information
APB has got a leaflet available to download for free that gives advice on how to protect places of worship against arson.
Over 160 road vehicles go up in flames every day. Our leaflet gives some practical advice about how to tackle the problem.
 Community Charter for Fire Protection
This joint publication sets out the vision the ABI, CBI and FSB share of a successful, modern UK Fire & Rescue Service. It outlines the business sector’s beliefs for the principles and actions that should be at the core of the Fire Service.
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