Home Fire Safety Visits by the Fire and Rescue Service: a qualitative study of the perspectives of firefighters, advocates and service leaders

Sarah Hampton; Helen Anderson; Arabella Scantlebury; Joy Adamson

doi:10.1186/s12889-025-24429-x

Home Fire Safety Visits by the Fire and Rescue Service: a qualitative study of the perspectives of firefighters, advocates and service leaders

Sarah Hampton^*
, Helen Anderson
, Arabella Scantlebury
, Joy Adamson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Background
The UK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) routinely deliver Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) in people’s homes. HFSVs offer support with fire safety and a range of health-related issues. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of those delivering and designing the HFSV service.

Methods
Twenty eight members of the FRS who deliver HFSVs and service leaders involved in HFSV service-design were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically.

Results
Participants described a cultural shift within the FRS from response to prevention and public health work. Most felt positively about this change, though some reported difficulty adjusting to their new role. Working with other services was seen as integral to the HFSV service due to the links between fire risk and other facets of health. However, participants felt the FRS were expected to plug gaps in other services, despite not always feeling equipped to do so. Challenges were identified in reaching and supporting underserved groups (e.g. mental health issues and dementia).

Conclusions
HFSVs could address a range of health-related needs. However, whether the FRS should be expected to fill gaps in other services needs further exploration. Supporting underserved groups via HFSVs is important and warrants further investigation.

Original language	English
Article number	3196
Number of pages	6
Journal	BMC Public Health
Volume	25
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24429-x
Publication status	Published - 30 Sept 2025

Bibliographical note

We would like to thank the interviewees who participated in this study, the wider FIREFLI study team and the participating Fire and Rescue Services for their support.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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Cite this

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title = "Home Fire Safety Visits by the Fire and Rescue Service: a qualitative study of the perspectives of firefighters, advocates and service leaders",

abstract = "Background The UK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) routinely deliver Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) in people{\textquoteright}s homes. HFSVs offer support with fire safety and a range of health-related issues. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of those delivering and designing the HFSV service. Methods Twenty eight members of the FRS who deliver HFSVs and service leaders involved in HFSV service-design were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically. Results Participants described a cultural shift within the FRS from response to prevention and public health work. Most felt positively about this change, though some reported difficulty adjusting to their new role. Working with other services was seen as integral to the HFSV service due to the links between fire risk and other facets of health. However, participants felt the FRS were expected to plug gaps in other services, despite not always feeling equipped to do so. Challenges were identified in reaching and supporting underserved groups (e.g. mental health issues and dementia). Conclusions HFSVs could address a range of health-related needs. However, whether the FRS should be expected to fill gaps in other services needs further exploration. Supporting underserved groups via HFSVs is important and warrants further investigation.",

author = "Sarah Hampton and Helen Anderson and Arabella Scantlebury and Joy Adamson",

note = "We would like to thank the interviewees who participated in this study, the wider FIREFLI study team and the participating Fire and Rescue Services for their support.",

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doi = "10.1186/s12889-025-24429-x",

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T2 - a qualitative study of the perspectives of firefighters, advocates and service leaders

AU - Hampton, Sarah

AU - Anderson, Helen

AU - Scantlebury, Arabella

AU - Adamson, Joy

N1 - We would like to thank the interviewees who participated in this study, the wider FIREFLI study team and the participating Fire and Rescue Services for their support.

PY - 2025/9/30

Y1 - 2025/9/30

N2 - Background The UK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) routinely deliver Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) in people’s homes. HFSVs offer support with fire safety and a range of health-related issues. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of those delivering and designing the HFSV service. Methods Twenty eight members of the FRS who deliver HFSVs and service leaders involved in HFSV service-design were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically. Results Participants described a cultural shift within the FRS from response to prevention and public health work. Most felt positively about this change, though some reported difficulty adjusting to their new role. Working with other services was seen as integral to the HFSV service due to the links between fire risk and other facets of health. However, participants felt the FRS were expected to plug gaps in other services, despite not always feeling equipped to do so. Challenges were identified in reaching and supporting underserved groups (e.g. mental health issues and dementia). Conclusions HFSVs could address a range of health-related needs. However, whether the FRS should be expected to fill gaps in other services needs further exploration. Supporting underserved groups via HFSVs is important and warrants further investigation.

AB - Background The UK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) routinely deliver Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) in people’s homes. HFSVs offer support with fire safety and a range of health-related issues. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of those delivering and designing the HFSV service. Methods Twenty eight members of the FRS who deliver HFSVs and service leaders involved in HFSV service-design were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically. Results Participants described a cultural shift within the FRS from response to prevention and public health work. Most felt positively about this change, though some reported difficulty adjusting to their new role. Working with other services was seen as integral to the HFSV service due to the links between fire risk and other facets of health. However, participants felt the FRS were expected to plug gaps in other services, despite not always feeling equipped to do so. Challenges were identified in reaching and supporting underserved groups (e.g. mental health issues and dementia). Conclusions HFSVs could address a range of health-related needs. However, whether the FRS should be expected to fill gaps in other services needs further exploration. Supporting underserved groups via HFSVs is important and warrants further investigation.

U2 - 10.1186/s12889-025-24429-x

DO - 10.1186/s12889-025-24429-x

M3 - Article

SN - 1471-2458

VL - 25

JO - BMC Public Health

JF - BMC Public Health

M1 - 3196

ER -

Home Fire Safety Visits by the Fire and Rescue Service: a qualitative study of the perspectives of firefighters, advocates and service leaders

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

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Cite this