A housing association has signed a “life-saving agreement” with the fire service.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cartrefi Conwy and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is aimed at averting potential tragedies before they happen.
As a result of the MoU, all new tenants will have the opportunity to receive home safety check and fire safety advice.
The two organisations will also cooperate on a series of safety initiatives in communities across the county of Conwy.
Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy, hailed the MoU as an “important and potentially life-saving agreement”.
Mr Bowden said: “This is a significant development for Cartrefi Conwy because a key priority for this company is the safety of our tenants.”
“What we really like about this agreement with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is the proactive approach to fire safety so it’s actually looking after our tenants before they start their tenancies.”
“It gives them the skills and the knowledge to help them to be safer in their homes. Prevention is the name of the game.”
Tom Pye, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Partnership Manager for Conwy and Denbighshire, is delighted that Cartrefi Conwy signed up to the MoU.
He said: “This agreement is very important. It’s easier to save a life through good advice at the beginning rather than when the worst case scenario happens.”
“That is the whole ethos behind North Wales Fire and Rescue Service – it’s about protecting people through preventative work.”
“As a registered social landlord, Cartrefi Conwy is best placed to ensure our message reaches the people who live in one of their 3700 homes throughout the county.
“Smoke detectors are already fitted in most social housing and we can give advice on escape plans and various other things such as electrical safety and gas safety.”
“We’re very keen, for example, that people don’t use chip pans. If people really want chips, we suggest that they get a deep fat fryer.”
“What we are hoping to achieve is to prevent a fire and the injuries and worse still, death from fires.”
“We’re hopeful that this initiative will drive down fires in the North Wales communities.”
“A lot of these tragedies are so avoidable by people taking on good advice and advice that is completely free and fire checks that are completely free. What price can you put on a life?”
It was a message echoed by Wil Pritchard, Cartrefi Conwy’s Health and Safety Advisor.
He said: “By putting the effort now, we are aiming to avert potential tragedies in future.”
