Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to prevent instances of fire related death and injury (Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, Part 2, Section 1 & 2). The Service has created a procedure to adopt that duty through the delivery of Safe and Well visits in respect of information and intelligence gathered or received from partner agencies in relation to threats or risk of arson to identified persons.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service accepts Threat/Risk of Arson referrals from any external agency where any of the following have been identified;

• An individual/s has received a direct threat of arson
• An individual/s has been the victim of an arson attack
• An individual/s is deemed to be at risk of arson e.g. domestic abuse.

The purpose of a Threat of Arson Safe and Well Visit is to provide enhanced fire safety precautions to a domestic property using a number of risk specific measures and to provide extensive fire safety advice to the occupants, as follows;

• Providing and installing free and additional smoke alarms throughout the property. Particular emphasis is given to fitting additional alarms behind, or near to, the external doors;
• Fitting arson proof letterboxes (locking letter plate);
• Utilising fire retardant sprays where necessary i.e. curtains, front door mat;
• Providing fire retardant throws and bedding where necessary;
• Giving fire survival advice for use in the event of a fire in the home;
• Giving practical advice on identifying fire hazards in the home and how to reduce them;
• Formulating a household specific fire escape plan with the occupier(s). This may include evaluating and checking which, if any, windows are suitable for escape use;
• Assessing the property both internally and externally with a view to reducing the potential for fire.

A Threat/Risk of Arson Safe and Well Visit can be requested by completing the RBFRS Threat/Risk of Arson Referral Form and emailing it to safeguarding@rbfrs.co.uk , warrene@rbfrs.co.uk (Liz Warren – Safeguarding Manager) and hellendd@rbfrs.co.uk (Darci Hellend – Safeguarding Support Officer) during office hours.

For concerns during the evening, weekend and bank holiday please contact Thames Valley Fire Control Service and request to speak with the Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Duty Office on 0118 358 9333. On receipt of the referral the address of the property at risk/threat will be flagged with Thames Valley Fire Control Service and our internal Risk Assessment Officers to ensure an increased response should there be an incident at the property.

We will aim to visit the property within 48 hours’ wherever possible to complete the visit.