MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE has introduced the Dawns Glaw Engagement Vehicle to highlight the risks of grass fires.
Since 2013, the fire services in Wales have attended on average 2,286 grass fire incidents. Recognising the impact deliberate grass fires have on the community, Operation Dawns Glaw was established by the three fire and rescue services in Wales in collaboration with an array of partners and with support from Welsh Government.
Last year, Welsh Government provided funding for a vehicle that would encourage engagement activities across communities within mid, west and south Wales. The Dawns Glaw Engagement Vehicle provides the opportunity for the arson reduction team to engage with members of the public to highlight the risks and consequences of wildfires and also the impact that they have on the environment and communities. Wildfires can quickly endanger the lives of people and animals and threaten homes and businesses. The Dawns Glaw Engagement Vehicle provides a presence in the community, including the information on what to do if a someone needs to report illegal fire setting or wild fires.
Mydrian Harries, Corporate Head of Prevention and Protection for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Task Force Lead for Operation Dawns Glaw, said: “Deliberate wildfires cost the Welsh economy millions of pounds each year with each wildfire incident costing, on average, £2,000 to the Fire & Rescue Service.
“Engaging with our communities is at the heart of our valuable arson prevention work and this new vehicle will enable us to deliver a wider range of messages across our vast service area. We are extremely grateful to the funding support from Welsh Government to help us progress our arson reduction work.”
Steve Richards, Arson Manager for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This vehicle will allow us to provide a far more engaging intervention to our communities and those identified has high risk.
“Equipped with the latest virtual reality education as well as a pop-up education facility this vehicle will take our arson education work to a whole new level. Thanks to this funding, we are now in a position to help further reduce the incidence of grass fires across Wales; the primary requirement of Operation Dawns Glaw.”
Setting illegal grass fires is a serious crime and could leave you with a Criminal Record. If you see anyone setting fires, please call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
To find out more about Operation Dawns Glaw, the Joint Arson Group and the Wales Arson Reduction Strategy, please visit: www.mawwfire.gov.uk
