Fire protection team offering support for Northants businesses during lockdown

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Bosses concerned about the security of empty premises can get advice from the county's fire service

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Northants businesses can speak to the fire service about keeping their premises safe during lockdownNorthants businesses can speak to the fire service about keeping their premises safe during lockdown
Northants businesses can speak to the fire service about keeping their premises safe during lockdown | ugc

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.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

News you can trust since 1869
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice