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British Red Cross - Fire and Emergency Support Service

The fire and emergency support service (FESS), is provided by British Red Cross volunteers using a specially adapted vehicle. They will arrive at the scene of any incident within 90 minutes of being called out and provide practical help and emotional support to those affected by fire.

FESS support includes:

• immediate temporary shelter in the FESS vehicle
• help in finding temporary accommodation
• first aid and emotional support
• advice on the help available from other organisations
• support with the care of children and pets
• use of shower and toilet facilities
• clothing, toiletries and light refreshments
• the use of a telephone and camera to assist with insurance claims

The fire officer in charge of the fire-ground can ask for the vehicle and will include how many people need help and what sort of help is needed.

What you need to do

After the fire has been extinguished, the fire officers will thoroughly examine the building, and will advise you of any apparent structural or other defects. If the building is considered unsafe by the emergency services:

• they will inform the local building control officer
• public access may be fenced off and the building repairs left to you
• they may shore up or demolish the property to avoid danger to the public

If you can't live in your home after a fire, you could:

• try to arrange temporary accommodation with relatives or friends
• contact your local council's housing office (or ask the fire brigade or police to do this for you, if it is out of office hours)
• contact your local social security office for short-term financial assistance

When the emergency services leave, you are responsible for the security of your property. Your insurers will expect you to make sure your home is secure. Remove all valuables from the property if it is safe to do so, and close all doors and windows. If windows and doors need boarding up, contact your local council if you are a council tenant. Or, if out of hours, the fire brigade or police may contact them for you.

Owners or private tenants should contact a 24-hour glazier, which you can find in the Yellow Pages under ‘glaziers’. Inform the police if you leave the property before it is secure, explaining any arrangements you have made with contractors.

You will probably be charged for most of the above services, but you may be able to claim some costs back through your home insurance.

• Choosing traders and service providers
• Find out about emergency out-of-hours repairs to council homes Opens new window

What to do next

Following a fire, it is advisable to:

• contact your insurance company as soon as possible
• contact gas, electricity and water suppliers
• don't be tempted to switch any gas, electricity or water supply on if they have been turned off
• get utility supplies and installations checked and repaired by a qualified person
  

Contacts for gas, water and electricity supplies and installations can be found in the Yellow Pages.

If you live on a low income and have no home insurance

People on a low income may not have adequate insurance. Many households also let their policy lapse if they are facing financial problems. If you need financial support to cover expenses like insurance, you maybe able to qualify for a Community Grant. A Community Grant helps people to live independently in the community and helps to ease exceptional family pressures.

If you have children or other vulnerable people in your family, you can get help from social services. Contact your local council's social services department. Your council may also provide contact details for a broker they feel provides a low cost service for those on a low income.

• Community Care Grants (money, tax and benefits section)
• A to Z of local councils

What to do if you are left homeless by fire

There are services available to you if you are made homeless by fire. Follow the link below to find more information.

• Homelessness

More useful links

• Fire prevention
• Crisis Loans (money, tax and benefits section)