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Firefighters blaze trail on two wheels

Sep 4 2007

By Jane Tyler, Birmingham Mail

 

FIREFIGHTERS in Cannock and Rugeley are getting on their bikes as part of a new initiative to address the growing problem of deliberate fires.

Crews will be out and about on mountain bikes carrying out risk reduction work within the community.

They have swapped four wheels for two to enable them to get into the places where firebugs strike.

These include open spaces like Hednesford Hills and Cannock Chase.

The firefighters will be working closely with police community support officers from Staffordshire to stage joint patrols.

They will also be teaming up with the Ranger Service.

The bikes are provided by Cannock firm Swynerton Cycles.

One of the initiatives the firefighters will be pushing are Home Fire Safety Checks where crews go into a person's home and point out potential hazards.

Ian Sloss, area commander for the fire service in Cannock, reassured residents, saying firefighters would still be responding to emergencies in traditional fire engines.

"This initiative will be high profile and will see firefighters actively working in the communities of Cannock Chase to reduce the incidents of arson," he said.

"Working alongside the police and the Ranger Service, we want to make Cannock Chase and Hednesford Hills a safer place for members of the public to visit and enjoy.

"Arson puts individuals at risk, not only those who set the fires, but members of the public and ultimately the firefighters who have to put these fires out."

Mr Sloss said only a small number of other fire services had taken up the initiative.

To book a free Home Fire Risk Check, call 08451 22 11 55 or visit www.staffordshire fire.gov.uk ..SUPL:

 

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