The fire safety activities carried out by members of the Fire and Rescue Service are a combination of legal requirements, goodwill advice and the continuing process of community education, the ultimate objective of which is to reduce the incidences of death and injury from fire and maintain a fire safe environment.
"Fire Safety" comprises a combination of responsibilities and obligations, ranging from legislative enforcement and community education to incident investigation and after fire care.
Fire Safety Inspectors throughout the area may make requirements, or give advice, in respect of a wide range of premises including sports grounds, hotels and places of work, such as offices, shops and factories. This responsibility is contained within a vast array of Acts and Regulations, including the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, to name but two.
Fire Safety Inspectors also advise other enforcing agencies, such as Licensing Justices, Local Authorities and Health Authorities on the standards to be applied in premises like pubs and clubs, residential care homes, hospitals and houses in multiple accommodation.
Amongst their many roles, Community Safety Officers carry out higher risk Home Fire Safety Risk Assessments, as a way of ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community are identified and afforded the most appropriate protection. The protection, which may be provided in conjunction with other agencies such as Health and Social Services, may take the form of simple fire education, being provided with smoke alarms or ultimately residential sprinkler systems.