Scottish fire service and Neighbourhood Watch refresh safety partnership
Iain Hoey
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Scottish fire service expands partnership with Neighbourhood Watch
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is formalising a national prevention strategy through a renewed collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland (NWS).
This refreshed approach builds on existing local activity and reflects a renewed focus on collaboration at a national level.
A key early step in the partnership is the co-location of NWS staff within the SFRS East Asset Resource Centre at Newbridge.
Working side by side supports closer day-to-day collaboration and joint planning.
The partnership brings together the fire safety expertise of the service with established community-led networks.
Both organisations aim to make safety advice clearer and easier for people to act on.
National expansion of the alert system
The SFRS is now adopting a fully national approach to using the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alert system to share fire safety messages directly with residents.
The SFRS Prevention Directorate leads this platform which allows messages to be targeted by location, age and housing type.
Cathy Barlow, Deputy Head of Prevention for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “This refreshed partnership allows us to build on what has worked well locally and take a more consistent national approach to prevention.
“Co-locating with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and expanding the use of the Alert system helps us reach communities more effectively with practical fire safety advice.”
Strengthening community connections
Richard Whetton, Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance at SFRS, supports the partnership as a trustee on the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Board.
Lesley Clark, Director for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland said: “We’ve worked alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for many years, and this renewed focus strengthens that relationship.
“By working more closely and supporting a national approach, we can help communities across Scotland feel informed, supported, and better connected on safety issues which aligns with our vision of Safer Neighbourhoods Stronger communities.”
Both organisations will continue to build on this partnership to improve outcomes for communities across Scotland.
