FIREFIGHTERS in Keighley and across West Yorkshire are to be asked to perform ‘Safe and Well’ visits for the most vulnerable residents in place of traditional home fire safety checks.

As part of a new West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) Safer Communities strategy, crews will be given in-depth training to provide advice on topics such as preventing falls, social isolation, crime and how to stop smoking.

The new visits are to be phased in over a two-year period, but union bosses have claimed that WYFRS has “shot off at 100mph” without sufficient training in place.

A newly-introduced ‘risk filter’ means householders will now be assessed about their home and lifestyle before receiving a face-to-face visit.

Home visits will be prioritised for the “most vulnerable”, with householders deemed to be low-risk signposted to a new online education package.

Chris Kirby, WYFRS area manager for fire safety, said: “A new Safer Communities strategy is aiming to improve overall wellbeing.

“Fire safety will always remain at the heart of what we do, but our traditional home fire safety checks will evolve to become Safe and Well visits.

“This will require closer working with our partners in the health sector and we will be able to identify people who are vulnerable to health and wellbeing issues, offer basic advice and make referrals to specialist services where necessary."

But David Williams, regional secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said he was concerned.

“The brand we have opens doors that others can’t,” he said.

“We are welcomed into people’s homes more so than some other authorities.

“Widening the role map is being discussed nationally, but the brigade has shot off at 100mph and rushed ahead to implement it."