Fire officers to offer safety advice to proprietors as part of Business Safety Week

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) will help businesses in diverse communities manage their risk of fire during the Chief Fire Officers’ Association’s (CFOA) UK Business Safety Week which runs from today, Monday September 5, until Sunday September 11.

Over the next seven days, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s Fire Prevention and Protection Teams, together with Crime Prevention Officers from Merseyside Police, will work with 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 is engagement with diverse business communities.

Specialist Business Fire Safety Advisors from MFRS will offer 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 will also give practical advice to business owners about how to install cost-effective fire safety and arson prevention measures, and help them put plans in place to allow them to keep trading should the worst happen.

Protection Compliance Manager, Karen Hughes, who is leading the community engagement campaign for MFRS said: “Fire can cause major disruption for businesses and we will be helping 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 will be visiting diverse communities in Merseyside to offer advice and support to proprietors about how they can keep their premises and their employees safe from fire.”

CFOA President Paul Hancock said: “Business Safety Week is a reminder that fire and rescue services are here to offer help on making the workplace safe from fire.

“We ask employers in Merseyside to make fire safety a priority for their businesses, staff and customers and encourage them to contact Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service for practical advice and guidance on implementing fire safety measures in their premises.”

For more information and advice call Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service on 0800 731 5958 or visit www.merseyfire.gov.uk

The following organisations also have helpful resources which may be useful to business owners:

· Fire Industry Association (FIA): www.fia.uk.com

· Fire Protection Association (FPA): www.thefpa.co.uk

· British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE): www.bafe.org.uk

· Merseyside Prepared: www.merseysideprepared.org.uk

· RISC Authority: www.riscauthority.co.uk

· Department of Communities and Local Government: www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities

· Merseyside Police: www.merseyside.police.uk/advice-and-protection/burglary-and-theft/business-safety