A new Emergency Response Vehicle is being launched by the Red Cross in the Scottish Borders.
Every year hundreds of families and individuals in the UK suffer damage to their homes following a major fire or flood and are in dire need of practical support.
Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS) volunteers will be able to use a new purpose-built and specially equipped van to help people. The vehicle will provide immediate safe shelter, clothing, food and shower facilities for those in crisis circumstances.
Based at the Galashiels Fire Station, the van will be available for use all across the Borders region.
The FESS team work closely with local fire services across the UK and will also be on-hand at the scenes of major incidents within 90 minutes of a call-out. Having the FESS team on-site allows fire and rescue crews to focus on the immediate incident.
The first FESS unit was deployed in Edinburgh four years ago and has responded to 39 emergency situations this year.
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