A partnership between Wales & West Utilities and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is helping to raise awareness of the support that people can receive from both organisations.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, has strengthened its links with GFRS, working in partnership to raise awareness of the support that they can provide.
As part of its ‘Safe and Well’ visits, GFRS will be issuing carbon monoxide alarms to vulnerable people and providing information on how to stay safe from the deadly gas.
The fire service will also be able to give the people it visits information on other ways Wales & West Utilities can support those most in need, including signing people up to the Priority Services Register, connecting them to the gas network through the Warm Home Assistance scheme and installing Locking Cooker Valves to help older people remain in their homes for longer.
Stewart Edgar, Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“By working alongside our partners at Wales & West Utilities, we are identifying those residents on the network that are the most vulnerable.
“We have arranged Safe and Well visits to fit carbon monoxide sensors to properties which will help us to protect even more of the County’s residents.”
Sarah Hopkins, People & Engagement Director at Wales & West Utilities said:
“As a values-based business we’re keen to work with partners that share our way of doing things and our priorities of customer service and safety, so we’re delighted to be working with GFRS. We recently met the exacting British Standard 18477 for our work in supporting vulnerable customers but there is always more we can do, and partnerships are a key way we can help deliver for those who need us most right across the communities we serve.”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service that serves the south west of England and Wales, puts customers at the heart of the business and is rated the top utility company in the UK for customer service. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.