Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) helped businesses in diverse communities manage their risk of fire during the Chief Fire Officers Association’s (CFOA) UK Business Safety Week which ran from Monday September 5, until Sunday September 11.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s Fire Prevention and Protection Teams, together with Crime Prevention Officers from Merseyside Police, visited businesses and community organisations in Knowsley, Sefton, Liverpool, Wirral and St Helens.
Around 80% of businesses never re-open after a fire and the focus of this year’s Business Safety Week has been engagement with diverse business communities.
Specialist Business Fire Safety Advisors from MFRS offered information and support to proprietors on how they can grow their businesses whilst ensuring they provide a safe environment for their customers and employees.
Teams also gave practical advice to business owners about how to install cost-effective fire safety and arson prevention measures, and how they can put plans in place to allow them to keep trading should the worst happen.
During the week, around 165 Business Safety Visits were undertaken across Merseyside, including a high visibility campaign on Lodge Lane and Smithdown Road with visits carried out by Prevention and Protection Officers and Operational Fire Crews from Old Swan, Kensington and Toxteth.
Fire & Rescue staff reported a high level of engagement in the community and were able to offer advice on Arson prevention, Fire Safety, Business Continuity, legislation and crime prevention and reporting.
Protection Compliance Manager, Karen Hughes, who led the community engagement campaign for MFRS said: “Fire can cause major disruption for businesses and we will always help owners look at ways they can protect themselves from fire hazards.
“A fire in a commercial building can put the lives of staff and customers at risk and can damage valuable stock as well as the business premises.
“This can make it impossible for a company to continue its day-to-day work, which not only affects the organisation but also its employees, reputation, suppliers and customers.
“During Business Safety Week we visited diverse communities in Merseyside to offer advice and support and we were very pleased with the level of interest and engagement we encountered.”