Hampshire Fire and Emergency Support Service

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service joined forces with the British Red Cross in a partnership scheme to offer the victims of house fires, flooding and other emergencies support and assistance in their time of need.

As part of the British Red Cross' emergency response role, the Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS) aims to assist people who have suffered damage to their home following a fire, flood or similar incident.

The service is delivered by specially trained British Red Cross volunteers who use a fire and emergency support unit - a specially adapted Fiat Trigano Tribute - kitted out with all the immediate necessities such as a clothing bank, toiletries, phone and documents, to offer vital emotional and practical support in a time of great need, and signpost victims to other agencies that can help them move forward.

FESS Vehicle

Red Cross volunteers work in co-operation with HFRS and are ready to respond on an automatic call-out system 24/7, to arrive at the scene of the incident within 90 minutes. The service is free to the people receiving it – all costs are met by voluntary donations to the British Red Cross.

In 2008 Hampshire FESS volunteers went to the aid of 211 individuals at a total of 100 call outs.

If you would like to become a volunteer member of the scheme or make a donation, please contact the FESS coordinator for Hampshire, Ruth Crouch on 07801 672679 or email rcrouch@redcross.org.uk. Additional information can be found via: www.redcross.org.uk.

British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service volunteers

Fess Team Photo

HFRS comments

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Deputy Chief Officer Alan House, said “The Fire and Emergency Support Service is an important asset to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. All FESS staff are volunteers and it is tremendous to know there are people willing to volunteer and assist at incidents offering people support in their time of need.”

The beneficiary

On 1 December 1 2008, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service received a 999 emergency call to a Listed thatch property on fire in London Road, Micheldever. The fire spread rapidly and a total of 12 appliances from across the area were deployed along with the British Red Cross FESS unit. Householder, Suzie Allen, had been settling in for the evening when the fire started, but thanks to the care and support from Hampshire FESS volunteers, Suzie is back on the road to recovery and has even vowed to volunteer to help others unfortunate enough to suffer the same disaster as herself.

Suzie said: “When the Red Cross volunteers Ruth and Dave arrived, they were absolutely wonderful. I’d had a panic attack and couldn’t find my inhaler. I wanted my husband but couldn’t remember any phone numbers at all. Dave was just so calming. He sat there holding my hand. I couldn’t get my breath; he just kept saying it’s okay. There was just nothing left, nothing at all. He kept saying the house is gone, but you are here. That’s the important thing that you’re okay. It’s only material things, you’re family couldn’t replace you. He was absolutely lovely. “I don’t know how I would have coped without the Red Cross volunteer’s support. I didn’t even have any shoes on at the time. Ruth got me shoes, socks, underwear and a warm top to wear. I also was given a face flannel and toothbrush – it’s all those little things you don’t think about.”

Firefighters tackle the blaze at Suzie Allen's home:

FESS Beneficiary

The volunteer

Dave Cruse, from Southampton, has been volunteering for the Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service since 1998. He said: “I first signed up to the FESS team after a speech about the service at the Hexagon Centre in Chandler’s Ford, I was recovering from cancer at the time. I wanted to sign up straight away and I haven’t looked back since. It’s the satisfaction of helping people that has kept me volunteering for 10 years. It’s when they look up to you and say ‘thank you’ and give you a hug, that’s all the payment I need.”

In 2001, Dave received an ITV Local Hero Award, which recognises the good work that people carry out in the community.