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The role of the services

Fighting fires can be just a small part of a firefighter's everyday work. Only one in three calls to the fire and rescue service is about a fire, and the services deal with many kinds of emergency and non-emergency situations. Their work includes pumping out floodwater, attending chemical spills and helping at road, rail and air crashes - including emergency casualty care. Fire and rescue services also rescue people who are trapped in buildings and lifts.

Some organisations, such as the British Airports Authority (BAA) and the Defence Fire Service, which provides cover at military and Ministry of Defence sites, maintain their own independent fire brigades.

The role of firefighters in the prevention of fire

Firefighters also have a large role to play in preventing fires and in educating people about the dangers of fire. They:

• provide advice on fire prevention
• advise people on fire escape routes and fire hazards in the home
• inspect premises to make sure they meet fire safety regulations
• work with schools - teaching pupils, for example, about the dangers of fireworks and matches

Ensuring your home is safe

The fire and rescue service provides a checklist that you can use to see how safe your home is. It will help you to identify any danger points around your home. You can find the checklist in 'Fire safety in the home - a quick guide'.

• Fire safety in the home - a quick guide

Request a visit from your local fire and rescue service

If you are concerned about fire safety in your home, you should contact your local fire and rescue service. Many fire and rescue services offer free home fire safety checks. They will visit your home to help you identify any potential fire risks, and show you what to do to reduce or prevent them. They can also help you to develop an escape plan for your property.

• Find contact details for your local fire and rescue service

More useful links

• Find a police force, neighbourhood policing team or police authority

• Emergency medical services - where to go for serious illnesses or injuries Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts