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UK Power Networks has joined forces with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to identify vulnerable households who would benefit from additional support during power cuts.
The two organisations are undertaking a combined home-visit exercise to identify households who qualify for the network’s priority services register in the West Sussex area.
The priority services register provides free additional help, support and advice during a power cut to those deemed vulnerable for reasons such as age or health.
UKPN and West Sussex Fire and Rescue will be joined on a bus travelling the area today by colleagues from Trading Standards and Crawley Wellbeing, a preventative health unit in an effort to support “safe, strong and resilient communities”.
UKPN director of customer services Matt Rudling said: “We are excited about our new partnership with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, which will help bring information to people who may be eligible to apply for extra support in a power cut.
“All sorts of people can feel vulnerable without electricity and this new way of working will help us spread the word about the additional free services we can provide to those on our priority services register.
“This new approach, working shoulder to shoulder with the fire service, is a tremendous boost to our work and we’re extremely grateful for their backing in West Sussex.”
Deputy chief fire officer and director of public protection Lee Neale said: “We believe this is this first time any combined home-visit exercise has been carried out in this way.”
“We will be looking closely at the results of this pilot to see if similar partnership work can be carried out to help residents in other areas.”
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