Partnership with Fire Service to Ensure Safe Homes

Homes in Somerset has been working with Devon & Somerset Fire Service to build an even stronger partnership between our services, looking at ways we communicate change, and offering training opportunities.  

The fire service recently took delivery of an Ariel Ladder Platform, and they used the Homes in Somerset-managed Westfield House in Bridgwater, to train on.

This allowed them to assess how the appliance would perform at the high-rise block.

The appliance worked well and reached all storeys, including the roof and on all sides of the building, making any worst-case scenario manageable going forward.

John Dempsey, Compliance and Building Safety Officer, said: “It was a great day watching the fire service work, and discussing Westfield House. The addition of this appliance marks a significant improvement for resident safety.

“We’re looking forward to further collaboration across the Homes In Somerset portfolio, which will include incident reporting and less invasive entry methods to reduce damage when access is not easily available during an emergency as well as providing spaces for training where appropriate.

“It was also a good opportunity while there to engage with some of the residents, I’d like to thank them for their valuable feedback, which we will look to respond to action in the coming months.”