Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, together with Pembrokeshire County Council, have been nominated for an APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Award for their innovative collaboration. The project involved the provision of targeted home fire safety checks for over 2,300 people who are receiving some form of care support. Head of community safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue, group manager Karen Jones said: "Pembrokeshire's Community Fire Safety team in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council have succeeded in providing this valuable service to those who need it most in the county and its fitting that the hard work has been recognised by this nomination." In order to deliver the safety checks, eight temporary positions were created to augment the work already being undertaken by Fire and Rescue Service teams and partner agencies. Pembrokeshire County Commander Steve Bryant said: "I am extremely proud of the innovative approach my community safety team have taken to complete this project ahead of target. There were some unique staffing and logistical challenges which the Pembrokeshire Community Safety team overcame by utilising some ground-breaking approaches which are now being utilised as models of good practice in other areas of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service." Angela Watwood, head of Community Health and Social Services for Pembrokeshire County Council, added: "Through clear thinking and positive action, a valuable service has been delivered to our citizens. There were a number of challenges to overcome in the early stages of the project which were resolved by the excellent joint working between the adult services team and the Pembrokeshire Community Fire Safety team. The outcome is that over 2,000 people are safer in their homes." Angela added: "Pembrokeshire County Council has also benefited from specific training provided by the local community fire safety manager to the domiciliary care forum and housing officers. This will ensure that the project maintains momentum and protects Pembrokeshire's communities in the future." The APSE Awards will be held in London in September - where the team will find out if they have been successful in their award category. Free home fire safety checks, which include the fitting of smoke detectors are available to all members of the public; to register your interest please contact Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 169 1234 or alternatively visit http://www.freesmokealarm.co.uk">www.freesmokealarm.co.uk