THE ISLE of Wight's Fire and Rescue service is joining forces with the British Red Cross to pilot a scheme that aims to help victims of fire, flood and other tragedies.
The six-month pilot project - dubbed the Fire and Emergency Support Service - plans to provide emotional support and practical care for Island residents whose lives have been blighted by unexpected events.
Councillor Barry Abraham Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet member for safer communities said: "While in operational terms, a small fire or flood can be described as a minor incident dealt with in minutes by our firefighters, that incident could make someone's home uninhabitable and the practical and emotional impact of that can last for many, many months.
"FESS will be a helpful way of addressing these problems, and helping people get the assistance they need."
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