The London Fire Brigade is to work closely with Newham’s Eastern European residents as part of their ongoing commitment to build links with communities across the capital.
The ‘Fire Community Safety Officers project’ involves 13 community engagement specialists targeting some of London’s many diverse communities with information on how they can protect themselves from fire.
Working alongside the Brigade’s Borough Commander for Newham, John Talbot, and firefighters at East Ham, Plaistow, Silvertown and Stratford Fire Stations, Fire Community Safety Officer Harvey Sahota will be talking to the borough’s Eastern European residents and visiting community organisations.
The project, called Safe Living in Newham, will aim to further develop the Brigade’s links in this particular community and raise fire safety awareness, particularly by encouraging smoke alarm ownership and promoting Home Fire Safety Visits.
Harvey will also be working with the borough’s firefighters to raise their cultural awareness of Newham’s Eastern European community.
Borough Commander John Talbot said: “It is one of our priorities as a fire brigade to prevent fires from occurring in the first place, by making sure all of the capital’s diverse communities have access to information about fire safety
“One of the most important services we offer are free home fire safety visits. Once we’ve made an appointment, local firefighters will visit your home and talk about fire risks. We’ll give you information on how to prevent fire and how to escape if one breaks out in your home. We will also fit free smoke alarms if you need them.
“By undertaking this work with the borough’s Eastern European community we will be able to explain how people can protect their homes and businesses from fire.”
