Derbyshire fire engine wrapped to spread mental health awareness message

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has partnered with Derbyshire County Council to unveil the latest fire engine to be wrapped in support of a community cause.

The colourful wrap has been designed to encourage people to have open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, while also raising awareness of where to find support and wellbeing information via QR codes.

Fire engines are a common sight within the community so make an excellent billboard for raising awareness of local issues. The Service currently has several other appliances wrapped including one in rainbow colours in support of LGBT+, as well as many more to promote on-call recruitment, organ donation and a joint message with police to support anti-knife crime.

Speaking at the unveiling of the fire engine at Chesterfield Fire Station, Station Manager Darren Perrott said: “Suicide impacts Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service in many different ways, from those that have lost friends, loved ones and colleagues to the incidents involving suicides and attempted suicides that we attend.

“This is why we are proud to be supporting our partners in Public Health to show that mental health matters. We have a valuable role to play in our communities and by talking to each other we can better cope with life’s ups and downs.”

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has seen an 80% increase in the number of suicide incidents attended since 2019 and is supported by partner agencies in its response to such events.  

Ellie Houlston, Director of Public Health, Derbyshire County Council, said: "Good mental health and suicide prevention are key priorities in Derbyshire. We are proud to work closely with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to normalise conversations about our mental health and suicide prevention. This collaboration will take messaging into the heart of our communities.”

When life is difficult, Samaritans are available – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo @ samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Today and for 24 hours every day, the Fire Fighters Charity Crisis line is also open for any past or present member of UK fire and rescue service personnel experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Available on 0300 373 0896, the line offers immediate and ongoing suicide and mental health crisis care.

You can find more information on support services available in Derbyshire by visiting this link.