Hampshire Fire Service Cheers Volunteers After Covid Battle
At the kick-off of Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has hailed its army of volunteers for their vital role during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 100 volunteers from diverse backgrounds dedicate their time to ramping up community services. From Fire Cadets to Prince’s Trust schemes and local events, these helping hands keep the service ticking.
Volunteers’ Vital Work During Pandemic
Even when volunteer activities paused at the start of the pandemic, they soon returned with a bang. Volunteers helped deliver thousands of Safe and Well referral postcards to more than 40 vaccination centres across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
These postcards promoted free Safe and Well home fire safety visits tailored to those most at risk. The campaign sparked over 700 extra referrals, boosting support for vulnerable residents in their own homes.
Fire Crew Step Up as Vaccinators and More
HIWFRS firefighters and staff didn’t stop there. Over 20 took on roles as Covid vaccinators nationwide. Another 27 joined intensive care units in hospitals across Hampshire, while some even helped by driving ambulances, working shoulder to shoulder with NHS teams.
On the streets of portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth, volunteers backed a groundbreaking initiative to vaccinate rough sleepers. Using the Service’s Community Contact Point vehicle, volunteer Graham Urwin managed the outreach, taking vaccines directly to those in need. He said:
“It was a pleasure to support this fantastic community initiative which was a real team effort. This stands out as a highlight for me because this project gave an immediate feeling of making a real difference to people’s lives. I would say to anyone thinking of volunteering that this is a rewarding activity and a great opportunity to give something valuable back to the community.”
Volunteers’ Week: A Huge Thank You
Lee Joss, HIWFRS Volunteer Co-ordinator, summed it up:
“Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity for us to give thanks to our valued team of volunteers. They dedicate so much time and effort to the service and help us to better support and protect members of our community.”
From frontline fire crews to community champions, these volunteers have been the unsung heroes keeping Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer throughout the pandemic and beyond.
