Further easing of lockdown restrictions across England got under way on Monday.

And while that has given many people the chance to go and have a meal inside at their favourite restaurant, catch-up with a friend in a pub or even go on a foreign holiday, for the fire service, it has meant an opportunity to turn on some of the services that have been switched off for more a year.

As of Monday, Lancashire's firefighters and personnel will:

  • Restart home fire safety visits
  • The fire cadet programme will resume at Covid secure off-site locations
  • Firefighters will resume reviews of community and firefighter risks
  • Face-to-face business safety advice meetings will resume
  • Business safety advisors will restart unwanted fire signal inspections
  • The risk based inspection programme will fully recommence
  • Combined Fire Authority meetings will be held face-to-face although they will still be streamed live on the fire service YouTube channel
  • The reception at the fire service headquarters will be open during office hours

Chief Fire Officer, Justin Johnston said: "Over the last few weeks, we have been reviewing all of the government guidance and regulations to ensure that the activities and services that we have turned back on, today, are carried out in a Covid secure environment.

“We will, of course, monitor and assess the local and national picture with the new variants that have been identified and we will take action if it is required.

“Over the next few weeks, will be working on the final services that we offer which have still not been switched back on, these include welcoming visitors to our fire stations and carrying out schools visits.

“It is pleasing to see the light at the end of tunnel is getting brighter.

"It is important, however, that we continue to follow the guidelines, have regular tests and get vaccinated when it is your turn as this is our best chance of beating Covid-19 and lifting all final restrictions."