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Safety Campaign Brings Prestigious Gong for Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service

A campaign to help fire engines get to the scene of an emergency more quickly has won a clutch of prestigious national gongs.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s I Need My Space campaign educated motorists on how to drive and park in a way that won’t hinder emergency services vehicles trying to get past.

The public were a key part of the campaign’s success and shared the life-saving messages on social media with just a few posts on Facebook reaching more than a million people.

Firefighters and the press also had a massive impact in highlighting the importance of the campaign which was recognised at the UK Social Media Communications Awards and the Public Service Communications Excellence Awards.

Head of Communication, Administration & Inclusion Paul Breakwell said: “Our work is all about helping to save lives.

“The success of this campaign is due to the overwhelming response from the public, the efforts of our fantastic crews and support from the local press.

“The impact has been felt by frontline firefighters and has undoubtedly caused a change in the behaviour of some drivers.

“I am also delighted to see the team recognised for their hard work, creativity and dedication.”

The service beat off competition from specialised digital consultancies and corporate giants such as Adidas, Disney and Marks and Spencer to win an award at The UK Social Media Communications Awards.

I Need My Space was crowned Best Social Media Campaign in the country at a ceremony in London on Wednesday.

The same night the service also won two silver gongs at the Public Service Communications Excellence Awards for the I Need My Space campaign and for FireFlash – an internal video which provides a monthly round-up of the service’s work.

HFRS was up against some of the largest organisations in the public sector at the event in Leeds.

The service’s Media and Communications department is currently the holder of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Award for Team of the Year.

Visit the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service website at www.hantsfire.gov.uk

Image shows one of the pictures used in the campaign.