Fire safety for rough sleepers

30th January 2012, 15:01

Homeless people across Wiltshire have been supported by a scheme organised by Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The Service provided 132 street survival bags to a number of local charities for distribution. Inside the waterproof backpacks are items such as a smoke detector, a tin for cigarette ends and a wind-up torch. Also provided are personal hygiene items, basic utensils, a first aid kit, a survival blanket, a sleeping bag and a bed roll. The scheme was piloted in Trowbridge in 2008 after a series of fires in derelict buildings which it's thought were started by candles or fires which had been lit by people trying to keep warm. The scheme, was later rolled out to Salisbury, Swindon and Chippenham. The Service works with charities such as Alabaré, the Drugs & Homeless Initiative and Doorway to ensure that the help reaches those who most need it.Incident reduction manager Nicola Cocks said: “The scheme has been running now for a couple of years and we know that these bags can make a real difference to someone living rough. Obviously we would prefer people not to be sleeping on the streets or in derelict buildings, but we can make life a bit safer for them if that is how they are living. For example, providing them with a bed roll, a sleeping bag and thick socks will help them stay warm, so hopefully they won’t need to have a fire. A wind-up torch reduces the need to use candles for light – these are all things that can help make them safer"