The fire service job aiding vulnerable Oxfordshire residents

Her role as a Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue community safety officer has become a lifeline during the pandemic.

The 25-year-old used to work for the county council’s social and health care team on their helpdesk but after shadowing a safety officer two years ago she knew it was the job for her.

She is now one of five in the job who have visited more than 100 vulnerable people in their own homes since mid-March.

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It ranges from fitting smoke alarms and giving advice about fire safety, to managing more complex situations, such as assisting alcohol and drug users, and residents with mental health problems.

She primarily advises and supports from a health and safety perspective but regularly works alongside social workers, trading standards, environmental health, and housing officers.

Visiting some of the county’s most vulnerable residents has become even more critical during the coronavirus lockdown. But the challenge Ms Clarke and the team faces is how to enter homes without the risk of infection.

She said: “I’m almost unrecognisable. I sometimes arrive in a respirator mask – the type firefighters use when wearing breathing apparatus is not necessary. I could also be wearing an apron, gloves and glasses."

Tara Clarke

She added: “In many cases, I hardly see the resident. They’ll stay in a separate room while I’m fixing their smoke alarm or removing anything that’s a fire or hygiene risk. But some people are desperate for company. I am the first face they’ll have seen for months.”

She cites one particular case when she recently visited a woman with dementia.

She said: “This poor lady was placing orders for groceries but forgetting to put food in the fridge or freezer. It was heart-breaking when I entered, the smell of rotting meat and fruit.

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“They craved for company too, having not seen anyone in months, other than the food delivery guy."

She added: "I made sure she was comfortable in her armchair, then I hovered by the living room door, chatting at a safe distance.

“I left that property feeling I’d made a real difference to someone’s life. The decaying food removed. Equally importantly, I’d brightened a lonely resident’s day, providing that missing human contact she’d yearned for.”

Her respirator mask and other PPE are essential in her job, and although she wears a less dramatic face mask when going to the supermarket, she never lets down her guard.

She said: “I can’t risk getting Covid-19. My role involves helping others. If I had to quarantine, that would be one less person to visit vulnerable residents across Oxfordshire.

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“I always remind family, friends and colleagues of the importance of regularly washing your hands, following social distancing, and wearing a face mask."

Anyone concerned about a vulnerable resident should phone 01865 895999 so the safety team can investigate. Alternatively visit the website 365alive.co.uk/cms/content/safe-and-well.