The public safety organisation has carried out almost 5,000 checks on the homes of those who are vulnerable, this has directly led to the progress that has been made in reducing the number of people who lose their lives in house fires.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services have implemented a successful new project that has certainly contributed to the drastic improvements, their 'People at Risk' strategy which was implemented in 2017 has reduced the number of house fatalities by 33%. Furthermore, the public safety organisation is systematically checking the structure and exit passages of houses around Northern Ireland in an attempt to reduce the number of accidental fires.

lan Walmsley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has said: “the number of fire instances we are dealing with has dropped significantly over the last 10 or 15 years”. He adds “we have almost been victims of our own success because we have been driving down the number of fires that are occurring, which is what we want to achieve. “But with that comes a wider role for us within society and the community.”

This new responsibility is coming from the fact that on average the population is living longer due to a multitude of reasons, resultingly more support and care in the community is needed now more than ever to aid the growing older and high-risk category of society.

What’s more, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, are reminding and educating all homeowners about the importance of having a working smoke alarm. With the Head of Prevention, Mr Lennon saying “ it is especially important to ensure your home, and the homes of your family, friends and neighbours, are fitted with working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are vital as they alert occupants of the house to a fire, allowing more time to escape.” 

It appears that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services is trying it's best to solve problems of the present day, all whilst planning to be well prepared for the future which is what every Fire and Rescue Service should continue to do.

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