Fire protection team offering support for Northants businesses during lockdown

Northamptonshire businesses concerned about the security of empty premises during the lockdown are being offered bespoke advice by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

With town centres and commercial areas closed up and quiet, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Protection team are hard at work offering support to businesses and managed housing landlords to boost their security and give them confidence while their premises are completely shut down.

More than 800 fire safety inspections at businesses of all kinds were carried out last year and, during the Covid-19 outbreak, the face-to-face work has been scaled back in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

But business owners are being encouraged to make contact with the team, who are there to help on the phone.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Protection Manager Scott Richards said: “We will all have seen pictures of empty town centres in Northamptonshire, but business owners and managers will doubtless be concerned about making sure premises that are shut down completely are as secure as possible against potential intruders.

“The Protection Department is still at work and striving to give advice and information to businesses such as pubs that can take greater steps to secure fire escapes for example, than they can when it’s business as normal.”

Scott said that now could also be a good time for premises owners to consider how the risks to their property and business may have changed in recent weeks and ask they look towards a period of recovery when the lockdown is lifted.

He said: “I would encourage any business with queries over fire protection and locking up a premises to get in touch, so that we can help them review the risk and give them advice and support over the phone."

Scott added that landlords of houses in multiple occupation can also ring for advice.

He said: “Landlords have very specific obligations and knowing that their tenants are probably indoors much more than usual should focus the minds of anyone who thinks their fire prevention measures need a review, and we hope they will give us a call.”

The Protection Team has already been making telephone calls to care homes in the county to help them consider any increased fire risk during the lockdown, offering them support and reassurance during an already anxious time.

To contact NFRS Protection Department, email [email protected] or call 01604 797000.

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