Thursday 7 May
2009
07.00hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) has joined
forces with the police and farmers in South Gloucestershire to help
make farms safer.
As part of Farm Watch, set up by Avon and Somerset Constabulary,
farmers are given fire safety and security advice.
Supported by the National Farmers Union (NFU), the scheme is
aimed at farms across villages including Almondsbury, Easter
Compton, Hallen, Northwick, Over, Pilning, Redwick and Severn
Beach.
Stuart Matthews, AF&RS Community Safety Officer for South
Gloucestershire, said: "Fires on farm land can present unique
challenges for firefighters. Farms are often in isolated locations
where water supplies can be difficult to access and outbuildings
often house easily combustible and flammable materials.
"There are a number of steps that can be taken to limit the damage
caused by fire, or even prevent fire from happening in the first
place – this is where we can share our experience and knowledge to
reduce the risk and help people say safe."
Farm Watch was the brainchild of Severnside Neighbourhood PC
Louise Thomas. She said: "There are more than 100 farms on my beat.
They can be vulnerable to thieves because of their remote locations
and the value of some of their equipment and livestock which can
run into thousands of pounds.
"Someone from the Neighbourhood Team visits the farm personally,
recommends security improvements and marks and takes a photographic
record of equipment. This will hopefully deter thieves but if not
will help us identify the rightful owner of recovered stolen
property."
The initiative includes a crime alert text service through the
National Farmers' Union – police will notify the NFU of any rural
crime in the area so that all their members can be alerted.
Forty-six farms have already signed up. There will be quarterly
meetings involving police, farmers, the NFU, Neighbourhood Watch
and AF&RS to share information.
Alistair Murdoch, Group Secretary of the Berkeley and South
Gloucestershire branch of the NFU, said farmers welcome the
move.
He said: "PC Thomas presented her ideas at the April branch meeting
and it was universally welcomed as a very positive initiative.
Thieves have been targeting quad bikes, ride-on mowers and 4x4
vehicles in rural areas, and sometimes police struggle to find the
owners of unmarked property.
"We're glad to be able to work with the neighbourhood officers to
alert farmers when incidents happen."
Top tips for farm fire
safety
Farms are particularly vulnerable to arson, their isolated
location, open boundaries, readily ignitable hay and straw stacks
make them an easy target.
-
Hay and straw should be removed from fields as soon as possible
after harvesting.
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Keep farm machinery chaff free, serviced and in good
condition.
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Make sure that any fire hydrants either close to or on the farm are
kept available at all times.
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If possible, have a tractor with machinery free, to cut a fire
break should the need arise.
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Have a full water bowser or tank in close proximity when
harvesting.
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Know the location of and regularly check and maintain open water
supplies for fire fighting.
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Remind farm workers of their need to be careful with cigarettes and
matches while harvesting.
For more
information, visit the farm fires section of the Department for the
Environment, Food and Rural Areas (Defra) website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/pdf/farmfires.pdf