Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller launched the security measures at Fire Headquarters together with Bedfordshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Katherine Govier.
All equipment on fire appliances and at stations will be protected with the SmartWater solution, which carries a DNA-style forensic signature, linking equipment with its owner. The liquid is simply painted on and the manufacturers say it is “virtually impossibl”e to remove.
“Valuable fire equipment has been stolen from fire appliances and stations in other parts of the country, and attempts have been made to steal some of ours,” Fuller said.
“Such equipment is not only worth considerable sums of money, but more importantly is needed in life saving situations. We must protect it.”
Firefighters trained
SmartWater experts are training firefighters in how to mark equipment with the chemical, which is invisible to the naked eye but shows up under UV lighting.
Bedfordshire Police and other Police Forces across the UK now routinely scan suspects and stolen goods for signs of SmartWater to ascertain if they have been at the scenes of crime or in contact with stolen goods.
The idea was originated by area manager Dave Fothergill when he was involved in a partnership community safety activity in Houghton Regis. There firefighters helped police to promote the SmartWater scheme locally to protect householders’ property.
“I thought this would be a great idea for us to use in BLFRS,” Fothergill said.
“The loss of any of the equipment we use on a daily basis to save lives could be catastrophic, and any system that can deter thieves and help catch and convict criminals who look to steal this vital kit can only benefit the community.
“SmartWater is a tried and tested method already widely used by the Police to deter and prosecute criminals, and adapting it for use in the Fire and Rescue Service seemed a logical way forward to ensure the valuable kit we use is safe.”
Used at home
As part of the arrangement, all BLFRS firefighters and staff will also be able to use SmartWater on property within their homes, helping the police to promote the crime prevention benefits of the scheme.
ACC Govier from Bedfordshire Police said: “SmartWater makes life too difficult for thieves. They cannot sell on stolen goods to a fence because the items will be too easily identified.”
SmartWater chief executive Phil Cleary said: “SmartWater is in talks with other fire brigades about rolling the scheme out across the UK, but Bedfordshire is leading the way.”
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