Salvation Army and fire service team up to help most vulnerable

Crew managers Alan Carroll and Raymond Maguire, firefighter Norman McCall, Captain Stephen Moir and Hope Kitchen volunteers Helen Brown, Janice Auld, Betty Laing, Lilian Waddell and Sheila Morrison

The Salvation Army in Cumbernauld has teamed up with its local Fire and Rescue Service to promote fire safety among some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Corps officer Stephen Moir welcomed fire fighters from Greenfaulds Road station to speak to people who use the Hope Kitchen foodbank.

The pilot scheme took place over six weeks at The Salvation Army’s base on Clouden Road and Cumbernauld crew manager Alan Carroll is hoping it can be rolled out across the country. He said: “This has been a successful initiative because it has allowed the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to engage with a section of the public that we consider to be the most vulnerable and in need of our support.

“Many people we met have chaotic lifestyles and so we would previously not have had the chance to speak to them.

“We’re hoping similar schemes could be rolled out across North Lanarkshire and the West service delivery area because The Salvation Army runs these kitchens across the country.”

Captain Moir said: “We are dedicated to caring for vulnerable people so by partnering with the Fire and Rescue Service on this project it’s helping get an important message out. This kind of initiative could be established at other corps around the country.”

Anyone wishing to arrange a free home fire safety visit, can call SFRS on the freephone number 0800 0731 999, or text "check" to 61611. They can also contact their local community fire station or see the website www.firescotland.gov.uk.