How to reduce the risk of fire to Shropshire business is the subject under discussion at a series of seminars organised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for September.
Companies are being urged to send a senior representative to the seminars at fire stations in Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow, to learn more about their legal responsibilities about fire safety.
Pat Johnson, a Business Support Supervisor at the brigade, said they want to increase awareness about business fire safety and highlight the “common shortfalls” revealed when fire officers audited premises.
“There is a need for premises to carry out their own full fire risk assessment and the seminars will highlight what the risk assessment process involves, what to expect when Fire Safety Inspecting officers visit to audit your premises and common shortfalls found during audits,” he said.
Ludlow Home Care owner David Bowen said the business education seminars were “vital” for every company, large or small.
Mr Bowen, who runs an established bedrooms, kitchens, garden and DIY centre at a two acre site at Ludford Bridge, has introduced a number of extra fire prevention measures after attending a seminar in March this year.
“We always have been very fire safety conscious but the seminar does ensure you are even more aware of your responsibilities. It is a vital course to help ensure you are reducing the risk of fire and meeting all the legal requirements.”
Fires at county firms have reduced by almost 50 per cent over the past decade with more fire safety education from specialist officers at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. But firefighters still attended 137 business fires over the past year.
A total of 1,603 “at risk” county businesses paid a visit by fire prevention officers last year in the bid to reduce fires even further and another 2,000 are being visited in 2014/15.
The shock statistic though is that many firms never recover from a fire on their premises, said Pat Johnson, the brigade’s business support supervisor based at Shrewsbury fire HQ.
Every three months they hold business seminars to educate county firms. The next two hour sessions will be held at local fire stations from 10am to midday and 2pm to 4pm at Shrewsbury fire HQ on September 4;Telford Central fire station, September 9; Oswestry Fire Station, September 10; and Ludlow Fire Station on September 16.
“It could be the most vital two hours any business owner or senior manager spends which could save their business from fire,” added Mr Johnson.
For more information contact Pat Johnson at pat.johnson@shropshirefire.gov.uk or call the Business Fire Safety Department on 01743 260193.
