Fire Prevention and Community Safety
This research provided significant insight for a multi-agency approach to fire prevention among at-risk groups in Merseyside. Led by Dr Mark Taylor, Mrs Hulya Francis. Prof Paulo Lisboa and Dr Ian Jarman, the work modelled those groups in relation to combined fire, health, social and crime risk.
The research enabled agencies to identify and reach at-risk people to promote preventative health and social care measures, along with reducing causal factors associated with residential fires.
It enabled inter-agency collaboration between fire and rescue, health, social care and police services to support residents and signpost them effectively to relevant partners.
Impact on the Liverpool City Region
The research provided innovative insight to inform a successful multi-agency preventative approach which has now been adopted as a form of best practice.
As a result of the research, more targeted home fire safety checks have resulted in significantly fewer house fires (down 25% from 2013/2014 to 2019/2020). This has realised financial savings of £877,300 and allowed Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to use its resources more effectively.
“The modelling has undoubtedly contributed to a significant reduction in accidental fires helping to make Merseyside a safer place. I have no doubt that the work carried out by LJMU from 2010 to the present day has benefitted MFRS and more importantly, the people of Merseyside.” - Chief Fire Officer for MFRS