Bonfire Hit Squads put safety first
Published Friday, 26 October 2012
Our bonfire hit squads are all set to kick off their annual campaign of putting safety first on November 5.
From Thursday 1 November, as well as acting on information from the public, the hit squads will actively seek out stockpiled materials whilst liaising with police and community wardens to target known 'hot spots'.
Our teams are dedicated to dismantling and removing all potentially dangerous bonfires on council land to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Bonfire night
Councillor Hamish Stewart, the chair of the council's Community Services Committee, said: "To help us as much as possible, members of the public who have concerns over bonfires in their community should call our 24-hour hotline number - 0800 242024 - and our bonfire hit squads will investigate."
"This annual bonfire initiative, along with our fireworks programme, has become an important annual campaign for us.
"It really is important that we get the message across that although November 5 is a night of fun and celebration, the use and abuse of bonfires and fireworks bring a series of very real dangers which can turn fun into tragedy.
"Working closely with the Fire & Rescue Service and the Police, we aim to reach out to communities across South Lanarkshire to ensure that this fun time is enjoyed by all but with safety in mind.
"Our campaign is about putting safety first and allowing everyone to enjoy this time of the year without accident or incident."
Each of the council's four areas will have its own squad, with access to a wide range of tools and vehicles to ensure that bonfires, which could constitute a danger, are removed swiftly and safely.
