Fire Service promotes accessible 999 service for British Sign Language users

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is promoting a new service launched to make the 999 emergency number more accessible for people who use British Sign Language (BSL).

The service, 999 BSL, connects BSL users to an interpreter for callers to report emergencies.

999 BSL can be downloaded as a free smartphone app on iOS and Android and can also be used online at www.999bsl.co.uk.

You can learn more about 999BSL and how it works here: https://youtu.be/FqSa0Yv7iOI

Paul Pemberton, Inclusive Prevention and Partnership Manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’re excited to see the launch of the 999 BSL service and are proud to champion its accessible service.

“Essex has one of the highest numbers of sensory impaired communities across the country outside of Metropolitan areas and it’s important that we recognise that people with different accessibility needs might need to contact us in different ways.

“Our goal is to make Essex a safe place to live, work and travel for everybody and we welcome innovative ways we can use to help keep people with different accessibility needs safe.”

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service offers a free home visit to all Essex residents where staff visit your home to give safety advice on how to prevent a fire. 

When booking your visit, a member of the team will ask a series of questions to understand your level of vulnerability to a fire and to see if you need smoke alarms fitted at the property.

The Fire Service recommends you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and can supply and fit smoke alarms as well as sensory smoke alarms for free if required. 

If you want to book a free home fire safety visit for yourself or someone you know, please call 0300 303 0088 or visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book.