Fire safety message offered in second language

9:10am Monday 13th November 2006

A FIRE safety message is being sent to migrant workers - in their own language.

Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is calling on businesses to hand out the leaflets to staff from abroad who do not use English as their first language.

Martin Carnell, brigade spokesman, said: "We are aware that we have a large population of migrant workers from countries within the European Union such as Portugal and Poland, and this could well increase with the EU expansion.

"We are aware that some migrants live in rented transient accommodation with a very high occupancy rate.

"It is these workers that we are particularly anxious to target through their employers so that we can provide them with leaflets giving life-saving information."

Cllr Jim Mochnacz, Somerset County Council's portfolio holder for community protection, said: "The fire service has a duty of care to all residents of Somerset and provides information that can be accessed by all members of our community.

"I hope these leaflets will help to inform the minority ethnic communities of the importance of fire safety in the community."

The leaflet is available online at www.somerset.gov.uk/fire or by phoning 0845-3459188.