What is the Fire Victim Support Service?

The Fire Victim Support Service now available in the county is the result of a partnership between West Sussex Fire & Rescue and The British Red Cross. This service is designed to meet the needs of people who have suffered damage to their home following the devastating results of fire, flood or similar incidents.

The service is delivered by specially trained British Red Cross volunteers who use an adapted vehicle based at Haywards Heath fire station to assist them in providing practical and emotional support to the victims of incidents throughout West Sussex. The service is also available in East Sussex via a similar partnership between The British Red Cross and East Sussex Fire Brigade

What type of support is available?

• Immediate temporary shelter in the Fire Victim Support Service vehicle.
• Assistance in seeking temporary accommodation.
• Emotional Support
• Sign-posting to other organisations
• Support with the care of children and pets
• Use of shower and toilet facilities
• Provision of toiletries
• Warm dry clothing
• Light refreshments
• Use of telephone
• Use of a camera to assist with insurance claims
• Advice on what to do next
• First Aid
  

When can the service be delivered?

The Fire Victim Support Service complements existing statutory service arrangements particularly out of 'normal working hours' and is available at night, weekends and bank holidays.

The Fire Victim Support Service will arrive at the scene of an incident within 90 minutes of being called by the Services Command & Mobilising Centre (CMC) at Chichester, providing that the unit is not committed at another incident.

  Who is responsible for the delivery of the service?

The Fire Victim Support Service is delivered by trained British Red Cross volunteers who work in co-operation with the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

The volunteers will attend the scene of the fire or similar incident only in response to a request from the Service. They will be alerted by pagers, which will be activated by CMC.

What does it cost?

The Fire Victim Support Service is free to the people receiving the service; all costs are met by voluntary donations to the British Red Cross Society.