Multi agency Operation to reduce incidents of glass and forestry fires in Caerau
The Safer Bridgend Community Partnership yesterday carried out continued activities as part of Operation Air Strike, which is a multiple agency initiative to tackle grass and forestry fires, at known problematic locations throughout the Borough of Bridgend.
The operation by the Bridgend Community Safety Partnership involved the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, South Wales Police, and the Forestry Commission, who are working collectively to provide a highly visible and flexible response to incidents. Furthermore a strong emphasis has been placed on reducing grass and forestry fires, via community engagement, and the delivery of fire safety information.
A key part of the ongoing operations include the use of the South Wales Police Air Support Unit Helicopter, which today carried out patrols in the MaestegValleys, and landed near to the Croeserw Workingman's Club. Maesteg Fire Fighters, Neighbourhood Policing Officers, along with Forestry Commission Woodland Managers, who were all on hand to talk to the locals, and answer any questions, joined the police helicopter in the Croeserw area.
The local community also had the opportunity to see the multiple agency resources that are used to tackle grass and forestry fires that included police vehicles, fire trucks, and the Forestry Commission Unimog. In addition local youngsters were given a talk by South Wales Police Air Support Unit Inspector Steve Flynn, on the role of the police helicopter in the operation.
South Wales Police Air Support Unit Inspector Steve Flynn stated "Operation Air Strike is a good example of partnership working to tackle grass fire incidents, that was traditionally a job for the fire service. The collective working between the emergency services along with the Forestry Commission clearly shows the range of tactical options used to prevent incidents, and apprehend offenders."
Maesteg Fire Fighter Andrew Daye stated "The initiative will increase the youngsters understanding of the dangers of grass and forestry fires, and will also bring to their attention the wider implications, that include emergency service resources being drawn away from urban areas, to tackle geographically remote deliberately started fires."
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Partnerships Officer Neil Brown, who led Operation Air Strike, stated "This multiple agency operation has provided a visible presence in known repeat incident areas of grass and forestry fires. Furthermore it will allow engagement with the valley's communities with the delivery of fire safety information, and will also prevent incidents via regular air patrols by the police helicopter."
