Disaster recovery teams are being based alongside firefighters in a new initiative to provide a fast recovery service to victims of fire and flood

Disaster recovery teams are being based alongside firefighters in a new initiative to provide a fast recovery service to victims of fire and flood.

Merseyside fire and rescue service is the first in the UK to invite specialist commercial disaster recovery teams to be stationed alongside their frontline firefighters.

ISS damage control will base their technicians alongside fire teams at St. Helens community fire station.

According to Government figures three quarters of all business which suffer a major fire never recover.

“Knowing how devastating fire can be to commercial properties, Merseyside fire and rescue service entered into a partnership with ISS Damage Control and we are particularly pleased to offer them this new opportunity.

John McCormack, Merseyside fire and rescue service district manager for St Helens

ISS Damage Control will have two fast response vehicles and three personnel stationed at St Helens Fire Station where two fire appliances and 50 firefighters and support staff are based.

John McCormack, Merseyside fire and rescue service district manager for St Helens, said: “The refurbishment of St Helens community fire station has given Merseyside Fire and Rescue an exciting opportunity to strengthen its links with partner organisations.”

“Knowing how devastating fire can be to commercial properties, Merseyside fire and rescue service entered into a partnership with ISS damage control and we are particularly pleased to offer them this new opportunity.

Shaun Doherty, managing director of ISS damage control said: “This is the first time any commercial recovery team has been stationed alongside firefighters. It is a bold and innovative step forward by Merseyside fire and rescue service which will result in an extremely valuable service to the community.”