Background

In January 2006, the Government announced £11.4 million grant funding for fire and rescue authorities in England over the period April 2006 to March 2008 to support fire prevention work, including community fire safety, arson reduction and work with children and young people.

The funds are designed to support the achievement of the national PSA targets on accidental fire deaths in the home and on arson reduction, with a particular focus on reducing inequality in the impact of fire and meeting the floor target (no fire and rescue authority to have accidental fire deaths more than 1.25 times the average by 2010).

There is an expectation from Ministers that authorities will focus available resources on projects delivering effective risk reduction through working with vulnerable groups, in particular:

• Older people
• Children and young people
• Ethnic minorities or faith groups
• People with learning or physical disabilities
• People with mental illness, alcohol or drug abuse problems
• People in temporary accommodation or other poor housing

Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority has been allocated a total of £255,773 for 2006-08
(£127,887 grant in 2006/07 and £127,887 grant in 2007/08).