Coping after a fire
If you have been unfortunate enough to experience a fire you
may find the leaflet 'after the fire' (PDF 139kb, opens in a
new window) helpful.
It's filled with advice on how to cope with the aftermath of a
fire, from ensuring the safety of your home to starting the clean
up process.
Also find out about the Fire Victim Support Service, who attend
serious fires and provide shelter and support to the
victims.
The Fire Victim Support Service
It’s 2.30am, you and your family wake up to find the house is on
fire. You grab the children and the two dogs and all of you leave
the house in your nightwear. Luckily for you when the fire and
rescue service was called, the Fire Victim Support Unit was also
paged.
The specially trained volunteers arrive on the scene shortly
afterwards. You can then move from the back of the fire appliance
with a blanket wrapped around you and climb into the heated unit.
You are then offered heated refreshments, clothing, emotional
support, use of a camera to assist with insurance claims, first aid
and a telephone to call any family or friends.
Your children are cleaned and can play with some of the toys and
your dogs can be fed and walked.
The team will then contact your insurance company or local
authority housing department on your behalf and arrange alternative
accommodation.
When it is then deemed safe, the team will enter your home to
collect anything you may need, which can be salvaged. They will
then ensure that the property is secure.
Transport to your temporary accommodation will then be arranged
and you will be helped to settle in.
Contact details of the service and a fire pack explaining what
to do next will then be given to you.
All of these services are provided completely free of
charge.
How is the service run?
The service started in Avon in 1996 and is run by the British
Red Cross Avon branch in partnership with AF&RS. It provides
practical and emotional support to people whose homes have been
affected by fire.
Volunteers who are on call via pagers run the service and use a
specialist vehicle, which provides immediate shelter and carries
light refreshments, a toilet and a shower.
How often is the service called upon?
This can vary quite considerably each year. In 2003 the unit was
called out 16 times to assist 37 people and two pets.
The volunteers will only attend a fire if requested to do so by
the fire and rescue service. They expect around 25 calls on average
a year.
Who pays for this service?
Sponsorship and donations fund the service. As well as the costs
for fuel, telephone calls and refreshments, maintenance to the
vehicle, personal protective equipment and training also need to be
paid for.
The team raise money to provide cover for weekends, evenings and
bank holidays.
How can I help?
There are a number of ways to help the service. They are always
looking for volunteers. Financial support and donations of
resources are also welcome.
For further information visit www.redcross.org.uk