Working Together to Prevent Fire Accidents and Deaths Rona Bissell, Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, Christine Davidson, Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist and Kevin Phillip, Community Fire Fighter References: Crawford, N. & O’Regan, E. (2013), Occupational Therapy within Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Presentation, Robert Gordon University. Scottish Community Fire Safety Study, (2009) Scotland Together: A Study Examining Fire Deaths and Injuries in Scotland. Background Vulnerable people are known to be particularly at risk of fire accidents and deaths. The Scotland Together Report (2009) examined this problem and how the risks might be better managed and thus reduced. A key feature of this report was partnership working across agencies. As a result of this recommendation NHS Tayside and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) developed a new method of joint service delivery. The Community Mental Health Team for Older People (CMHTOP) Occupational Therapy Service and an identified SFRS Link Worker have worked together to develop joint service delivery. The aim is to reduce the occurrence of fire, resultant injury and loss of life and property damage. Method At initial assessment for Occupational Therapy, each person is offered a Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) regardless of the fire risk associated with that individual. The referral for a HFSV is made electronically. The SFRS Link Worker accesses these referrals via the Fire & Rescue mailbox on a daily basis. A home visit is arranged either independently, or jointly with the referring health care professional, where requested. Carers may also be invited, if appropriate. These visits provide the opportunity for both the health worker, the SFRS link worker, the person themselves and any carers to identify and discuss risk. All parties can then be fully involved in problem solving and necessary action can be agreed during the visit. Once the fire safety work has been completed the SFRS link worker can finalise the electronic referral and caseload managers are informed. A component of the joint service development was to explore the potential role of the Occupational Therapist within the SFRS and specifically community fire safety. Two occupational Therapy students, a 3 rd and a 4th year, from Robert Gordon University completed a practice placement across the SFRS and the CMHTOP Occupational Therapy service. These students identified areas within the SFRS community safety department, which an Occupational Therapist may be able to positively contribute. Results  Acceptance of referrals for HFSV is increased when health care staff are able to support the process  Both SFRS and NHS staff have developed an increased understanding of the others’ role and how these roles may compliment each other with regard to fire safety/risk management  Risk management and problem solving is shared with all those involved in the assessment, including the individual being assessed. This allows for increased user involvement, an increased variety of accessible resources and the tailoring of any interventions suggested  All parties are aware of the action plan, any on-going risk and how this may be managed  One off visits and longer term interventions are possible by both services where appropriate. Conclusion The strengthened links between health care and fire service staff providing these interventions increased referrals to the SFRS for HSFV and have positively impacted on risk management within the community. The joint service delivery model between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Tayside will continue to be developed, to continue to positively impact on the number of fire deaths and accidents in vulnerable adults. Further occupational therapy practice placements following this model of joint service delivery are planned. Key individuals identified to continue to drive partnership working forward Joint training for SFRS and NHS staff in fire risk management and mental health conditions Future Options