Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is ready, willing and able to help in any way it can during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Service has signed up to the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) ‘Ready, Willing and Able’ campaign launched last week.
Firefighters and support staff across Cumbria will be sharing stories on social media about how they are using their wide range of skills to provide community reassurance and help, in response to the national crisis.
More than 300 members of staff from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have stepped forward to volunteer for extra duties to support Cumbria’s emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers are currently providing back-up support to the newly-formed community support hubs within the county to deliver food parcels and urgent medicines.
In addition, dozens of retired firefighters from Cumbria who have left the Fire Service in recent months have offered to return to work as operational firefighters if they are required.
Whitehaven fire crews have delivered food parcels to vulnerable residents as part of the emergency effort. And crews from Whitehaven and Frizington fire stations brought some Easter joy to hundreds of families by delivering 1,500 Easter eggs, donated by Morrisons, over the Bank Holiday weekend, while observing social distancing rules.
Steve Healey, Chief Fire Officer, Cumbria County Council, said: “Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service are Ready, Willing and Able to do all we can to minimise the impact of COVID-19 and help support people here in Cumbria.”
Cllr Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Fire and Rescue, said: “The emergency services are a close knit family in Cumbria and the Fire and Rescue Service is ready, willing and able to support our colleagues and partners in whatever ways we can.”
Roy Wilsher, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “Fire and Rescue services across the UK are renowned for responding professionally to the unexpected and this national crisis is no different.
“We are very proud of crews for stepping forward, using their wide-range of capabilities and skills to ensure community reassurance and support, while continuing to respond to emergencies, during COVID-19. The commitment to their communities during this critical time is a reflection of their continued humanity and care.”
