The fire service cannot stop anyone using evac chairs as long as the plan is suitable and sufficient, the chair is subject to routine checks and staff are trained As for leaving persons in the refuge area. I would like to know which fire service allows this as it is plainly wrong. The Resp person must make plans to protect relevant persons. the Resp person must appoint persons to assist him, but that does not include relying on the local fire service!!

I was a fire service Station Officer twenty years ago and would always offer advice when requested. If there was a reason for me to say no to something I would aleays offer an alternative. I do that now as a health and safety advisor. These days the fire service appear to be instructed to not give advice in case they come unstuck. They use the fso as an excuse to shy away from responsibility, they won't even offer guidance on carrying out your fire risk assessment. They want to see what you have and if they consider it unacceptable they will tell you - full stop. That's the way it is and we have to get on with it. Regarding a refuge if that is the best way to protect a disabled person in a fire situation then make sure all possibilities are covered. A refuge must be of fire resisting construction otherwise it is not a refuge. It must be suitably signed as such. There should be a means of communication with whoever is in charge of the evacuation and there should be regular checks with the person/s in the refuge. Position a couple of fire extinguishers inside the refuge and just keep fingers crossed that they never have to be used. There should be a plan to remove people from the refuge when safe to do so, this could be once the majority of able persons have evacuated, if safe to do so, and the fire service officer on the first attendance should be informed that there are persons in the refuge. Then see if he/she refuses to undertake rescuing the person/s in the refuge.

I've just written on another similar thread that fire appliance attendance times have increased recently, especially where I live, changes of shift pattern, reduced manpower etc. It is important to realise you cannot rely on the fire brigade to rescue your disabled so make sure your plan is a good one. Right first time!