On Tuesday 21st October, colleagues from Community Housing attended the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Awards Ceremony held at the Guildhall in Worcester, where we were delighted to accept the Chief Officer’s Employer Award, along with fellow recipients, Fusion Creative Graphic Design Agency.

The award was presented by Chief Fire Officer, Jonathon Pryce and goes to employers who support their colleagues to become On-Call Firefighters for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, as well as making exceptional contributions to the safety and well-being of their local community and playing a pivotal role in the development of safety campaigns to support those communities.

Over the years, we have supported five colleagues to carry out their duties as on-call firefighters for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, with one colleague still actively volunteering in the role while working for us.

The health and safety of our customers has always been a top priority so we’re pleased to have been recognised for the work we do, such as regular fire risk assessments, flat fire door inspections, home safety checks alongside the Fire and Rescue Service and increased fire detection in properties ensuring early protection for residents.

This is alongside regular campaigns alerting customers to fire risks and potential dangers, such as mobility scooters, electrical appliances and candles etc.

We also support the Fire and Rescue Service to carry out training exercises, allowing use of our high-rise blocks to help them maintain their expertise with potential hazards in these types of property.

Vicky Hyde, Operations Support Manager for Voids at Community Housing, said: “It’s great that Community Housing has received this award. They’ve supported me as an on-call firefighter for just over two years, which has allowed me to help Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service with the vital, life-saving work they do in the community”.