HALF of the Islanders visited by firefighters after the JEP launched the Make a Plan campaign lacked any satisfactory form of fire detection, it has been revealed.
Two weeks ago the JEP joined forces with the Fire and Rescue Service to urge residents to have a home fire safety visit – during which firefighters offer advice and fit free smoke alarms.
Today community safety officer Ryan Hall, who has carried out many of the visits, said that half of the homes he visited either had no smoke alarms, or had only one.
He said: ‘We have been relatively pleased with what we have seen but there are still a lot of people who obviously need us to fit a free smoke alarm.
‘The campaign has really made people understand the importance of being protected from fire.
‘We have had a lot of requests for home fire safety visits from parents with young children, as well as those expecting children and people who will be taking in students during the summer. We have also had a lot of calls from more elderly residents.’
He added: ‘A lot of people have told us that they had been meaning to arrange a home fire safety visit for weeks or even months and the campaign had spurred them on to make the call. We have been very busy since the campaign started, and we hope it continues.’
The Fire and Rescue Service has received 63 requests for home fire safety visits since the campaign began. It would normally expect to receive about ten requests during the same time period.
Retired firefighters have been called in to help meet the demand and the calls have been prioritised in order of those most at risk of fire.
Marc Le Cornu, community safety officer, stressed that the home visits were not tests, and said that Islanders would not be criticised if their homes lacked adequate fire protection.
He added that the visits were not intrusive, and said that firefighters would inspect only the rooms that they are asked to.
*Phone 445967 for a free home fire safety visit.
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