Fire station safe spaces


Fire station ‘safe spaces’ – in partnership with the British Red Cross

As a fire and rescue service, we are a trusted and visible emergency service placed in the heart of our local communities. We are often called upon to provide help to people who present on a fire station or at an incident and we have a statutory responsibility and duty of care to assess incidents and report safeguarding concerns.

From April 2025, all our community fire stations will have ‘safe spaces’ for any member of the public escaping harm or a threatening situation such as domestic abuse or hate crime, or someone who is distressed and has lost contact with their friends or family.

The initiative builds on an existing relationship between GMFRS and British Red Cross volunteers who provide support following operational incidents.

If someone presents on one of our fire stations during a moment of vulnerability or crisis, crews will carry out a quick risk assessment then support the person by providing a comfortable space and allowing them to relax and feel safe, while a volunteer from the British Red Cross is contacted to attend and take over the care.

Fire crews and station-based staff are trained to ensure they are able to provide initial support.

If someone presents at a fire station needing help and the crew are out attending an emergency situation or carrying out fire prevention education work and there is nobody else on station, members of the public can scan the QR code on the space spaces sticker on the station door to access information and support services.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Support services

Greater Manchester Police

The GMP Live Chat service is available 24/7 to report a crime or get advice and information – visit GMP (external website)

Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service on 18001 101.

In an emergency call 999.

Wellbeing and suicide

Whatever you’re going through, contact Samaritans 24/7 by calling 116123.

Greater Manchester Shining a Light on Suicide (external website) – Support for those feeling suicidal, concerned for others, or bereaved by suicide.

Contact mental health charity Mind for support and advice – visit Mind (external website)

Greater Manchester charity 42nd Street offers support to young people – visit 42nd Street (external website)

Greater Manchester Victims’ Service

If you’ve been a victim of any crime or have been affected by crime committed against someone you know, specialist advisers can help you find the strength to deal with what you’ve been through. The GM Victims’ Service is provided by Catch22 (external website) are is free and available to everyone, regardless of whether or not the crime has been reported or when it happened.

Calling the helpline on 0800 876 6155

  • Monday 8am – 6pm
  • Tuesday 8am – 6pm
  • Wednesday 8am – 8pm
  • Thursday 8am – 6pm
  • Friday 8am – 6pm 
  • Saturday 9am – 5pm 
  • Sunday – Closed

Serious violence

Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit (external website) has a range of advice and support services Contacts and Support (external website)

Fearless (external website) is a service that allows young people to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously.

Crimestoppers (external website) is an independent charity that gives you the power to speak up to stop crime, 100% anonymously – Phone 0800 555 111

Stalking and harassment

Visit GMP’s website Stalking and harassment page (external website)

Domestic abuse

Talk, Listen, Change (TLC) – A Relationships Charity (external website) – For support in relation to domestic abuse and healthy relationships.

Women's Aid (external website) – Working together against domestic abuse.

Rape and sexual assault

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted contact St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, 24 hours a day – call 0161 276 6515, or visit the website St Mary's Centre (external website)

Visit the NHS website Help after rape and sexual assault - NHS (external website)

Modern slavery and human trafficking

Visit GMP’s website modern slavery page (external website)