The UK Fire and Rescue Service

There are 49 separate fire and rescue services in England and Wales. Together with their counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland, they form the UK Fire and Rescue Service.

Fighting fires can be just a small part of a firefighter’s everyday work. Only one in three calls to the fire and rescue service is about a fire, and the services deal with many kinds of emergency and non-emergency situations. Their work includes pumping out floodwater, attending chemical spills and helping at road, rail and air crashes – including emergency casualty care. Fire and rescue services also rescue people who are trapped in buildings and lifts.

Some organisations, such as the British Airports Authority (BAA) and the Defence Fire Service, which provides cover at military and Ministry of Defence sites, maintain their own independent fire brigades.

Firefighters also have a large role to play in preventing fires and in educating people about the dangers of fire. They:

• provide advice on fire prevention
• advise people on fire escape routes and fire hazards in the home
• inspect premises to make sure they meet fire safety regulations
• work with schools – teaching pupils, for example, about the dangers of fireworks and matches

If you are concerned about fire safety in your home, you should contact your local fire and rescue service. Many fire and rescue services offer free home fire safety checks. They will visit your home to help you identify any potential fire risks, and show you what to do to reduce or prevent them. They can also help you to develop an escape plan for your property.