1 December 2009, 09/281
Sparks of success as Bonfire
night hailed safest yet!
Bonfire night 2009 has been
confirmed as being the safest yet for West Lancashire, thanks to
partnership work and extra fire awareness activities.
For the past few years agencies
including West Lancashire Borough Council, Lancashire Fire and
Rescue, Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire County Council have
put together a bonfire strategy and run the Brightsparx campaign to
reduce the number of accidents, injuries and unauthorised fires in
the run up to 5th November.
Latest figures for this year’s Guy
Fawkes celebrations show that is has been the safest on record yet,
with bonfires and deliberate fires slashed by almost half from the
previous year (from 113 to 60). Nuisance and anti social behaviour
incidents were also reduced.
The Council’s Street Scene Services
were able to clear up all the ashes and debris left from the
remains of the bonfires even quicker than before to make areas
clean, safe and green again.
Councillor Paul Greenall, Portfolio
Holder for Community Safety and Street Scene, said: "Bonfire night
is an enjoyable experience but it can also be one of the most
dangerous times of year, which is why we work hard with our
partners to ensure that the safety of our residents is not
jeopardised. Our actions with all partners and community
organisations are clearly working because there has been reductions
all round and this year’s statistics show that it has been the
safest on record."
As part of the Neighbourhood Management Safer Stronger
Communities Project, a ‘Your Community Matters’ event was held in
Digmoor to make it cleaner, safer and greener in the run-up to 5th
November. Selected areas were tidied up, repaired and painted and
skips and rubbish collections were used to help reduce the amount
of fuel for burning. This had positive results in Digmoor, where
fires are usually much higher.
Extra educational events were also planned in the run-up to
Bonfire night to ensure that young people were aware of the dangers
with the Fire Service visiting a number of schools to give safety
talks.
For the first time ever a three-day fun activities programme
called Go4it run by the Young People’s Service with the Police and
Fire and Rescue Service also took place at Skelmersdale Fire
Station. The events were aimed at young people aged 11 to 18 in a
bid to divert them away from anti social behaviour, stone throwing,
firework misuse and deliberate fires.
It was organised by agencies including fire, police and
Lancashire County Council’s Young People’s Service and it had a
positive impact. More than 300 youngsters attended to try out
everything from climbing towers, motorbike tests, laser target
shooting, speed challenges and the chance to chat to firefighters.
During the three days when the event was being held, there were no
incidents of stone throwing or firework misuse and crews only
attended one anti social deliberate fire.
Grant Murdoch Operations Manager for the Young People's Service
said: "The activities provided made a real difference to the
variety of things to do and places to go during firework season
with around 300 young people involved. The impact on the community
in terms of safety demonstrates the importance of providing
positive activities where partners are working together. Young
People have given very positive feedback about the events and we
will work again next year to build on this with partners
contributing again to a successful and safe time for the
community".
Fire Service Group Manager John Buck, Community Protection
Manager for West Lancashire and Chorley said: "We are delighted
that West Lancashire was able to enjoy its safest ever bonfire
period. The citizens of West Lancashire can justifiably be proud of
their fire and rescue service who have worked tirelessly to make
Lancashire a safer place to live. None of the success of the
Brightsparx campaign could have been achieved without many agencies
working together, and the unprecedented reductions of the number
deliberate bonfires and rubbish fires is a testament to their
work".
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