Proposals to improve fire safety

New proposals by the fire service to make Suffolk a safer place are going before councillors.

The Suffolk Fire and Rescue strategy aims to see increased use of sprinklers in homes, businesses and schools with more fire safety checks as well.

The Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2009/2010 will go before Suffolk County Council's cabinet on Tuesday.

Joanna Spicer, the council's public protection spokeswoman, said the aim was to improve the prevention of fires.

"Improving home fire safety checks means that we would target the most vulnerable people in our communities, such as older people, and help them to improve fire safety in their homes, including fitting smoke detectors," she said.

"Improving the use of sprinklers is an effective way of reducing the impact of fires in houses, commercial properties and schools - a single sprinkler head can extinguish a fire and save lives."

The plan also aims to improve the way building regulations consultations are dealt with, establish plans for new training facilities and improve the way retained duty system fire stations are supported.