Firefighters boost health

The change is part of a new scheme to help improve people’s health and safety.

The South Yorkshire Hot Spots scheme is a partnership between the fire brigade, primary care trusts, councils, the Pension Service and the South Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.

It involves employees from each organisation identifying vulnerable people on home visits and asking if they want referred to other agencies.

Community nurses visiting patients or firefighters carrying out home fire safety risk assessments will be among those on the frontline who will identify people who could benefit from extra help.