Cleveland Fire Brigade will be offering businesses safety advice as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) UK Business Safety Week 2017. The week runs from 11th – 17th September and aims to make sure businesses and their staff have the information they need to prevent, protect and respond to fire incidents in the workplace.

The week has been scheduled to run at a time when many businesses will be recruiting additional members of seasonal staff in the run up to the Christmas period. New recruits may not have the same level of fire safety awareness as permanent members of staff, and may not be aware of the steps needed to protect themselves, their customers and colleagues. It’s also a good opportunity to remind employers of the need to review fire risk assessments and training and make sure existing staff know the importance of fire safety.

Phil Lancaster, Director of Community Protection for Cleveland Fire Brigade said, “This is a timely opportunity to remind employers of their responsibilities, making sure all employees are aware of fire safety and to look at ways of reducing the risk of fire. We will be asking local businesses to:

  • ensure they have taken action to prevent fires in the workplace
  • take action to protect themselves from arson
  • make sure all staff know how to respond appropriately in the event of an incident
  • work with their local fire service to reduce false alarms and enforcement notices

“It is all about education rather than enforcement. We are coming up to the busy time of the year with many offices, shops, hotels and pubs recruiting additional seasonal staff and there may be a need to raise general awareness as well as ensuring all procedures are in place and alarms are regularly tested.”

Fire and rescue services across the country will be holding a range of events and activities to engage with businesses in their communities, working with them to help improve their knowledge of fire safety.

Throughout the week Cleveland Fire Brigade staff will be engaging with businesses in their communities, working with them to help improve their knowledge of fire safety.

Business owners are welcome to get free safety advice and information at:

Date: Friday 15 September

Time: 10am – 4pm

Location: Startforth Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate

NFCC Protection and Enforcement Lead, Mark Hardingham commented: “I’m delighted that the National Fire Chiefs Council is again working with small and medium size businesses to help them ensure that they are able to operate in a way that is safe from the terrible effects of fire. These businesses make a massive contribution to the UK economy and local communities and we want to help them to do this in a sustainable and safe way.”