Council staff praised by fire service for saving resident’s life

Mandy Blackford and Liz Watts from the Council’s Homeline team, and Shenay O’Flynn and Flo Hedger from the Council’s Control Room, sprung into action earlier this month after receiving an alert from a resident’s pendant alarm - a device on a necklace that, when pressed, alerts the team when the person has had a fall or other accident.

Once Mandy and Liz were on the way to the resident, who does not wish to be named, Shenay received a further call from the service user and could hear the smoke alarm in the background.

After speaking calmly to them, Shenay learned that a candle had also fallen and had set fire to the carpet. Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service were called and Shenay continued talking to the resident, who was unable to move, and helped her remain calm, while the fire was growing bigger.

Mandy and Liz arrived before the fire brigade and found the flat was filled with smoke, thankfully they managed to get them out safely and the fire was extinguished once crews arrived.

Following the incident, Mandy said: “We are so grateful that we were able to respond as quickly as we did and ensure the resident made it out of the house fire before the situation worsened.

“We never know what we are going to find when we turn up to a call, but our job is to help anyone who is in distress as quickly as we can.”

Liz added: “I’m just so glad this story had a happy ending, but it is a good example of how our Homeline service can help support vulnerable people in Swindon, who are living independently in the community.

“We are so proud to be part of the team and the difference we make to people’s lives. It is nice to be recognised for the work we do.”

Tim Elliott, Station Manager at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This incident could have had a very different outcome without the swift and selfless actions of Liz Watts and Mandy Blackford, who entered the smoke-logged property and brought the resident to safety.

“This meant that firefighters could focus on extinguishing the fire and limiting the damage, with the confidence that a life was no longer in danger. This was a great intervention from the Homeline team.”

Councillor Janine Howarth, Swindon Borough Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “It’s amazing to think that these are the people who work for the Council. Their selfless acts helped saved a life and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

“While Mandy and Liz arrived on the scene, if it wasn’t for Shenay and Flo in the Control Room the fire service would have arrived too late and the outcome could have been a lot worse.

“A really big well done to the four of them and I wish the resident all the best following such a serious incident.”