Hot off the press

Our Alarm Ambassadors campaign has been making headlines across the country as our team continues to help protect vulnerable households

It’s been heartening to see the wealth of coverage that our Alarm Ambassadors campaign has earned in print, online and even in video over the past two months.

Since its launch on 4 February, the goodwill initiative has seen Members recognised for their work as they install free heat, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms for vulnerable householders identified by the Care and Repair charity. The campaign, which is sponsored by Aico, initially made a big splash in the national trade press, with prominent articles in titles including Build Scotland, Project Scotland, Scottish Construction Now and Scottish Business News.

Individual installs subsequently hit the headlines in the mainstream media, with stories about Member firms appearing in the Daily Record and local titles including The Peeblesshire News and Aberdeen Business News.

As well as appearing in print, social media has been buzzing with the campaign, which attracted the attention of MPs, with the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) tweeting: “What a fantastic initiative!”

Their interest led to SELECT, Aico and Care and Repair appearing at an online meeting of APPCOG on 10 March, delivering an in-depth update on the campaign.

The previous day, Paul Erasmuson of Member firm Techni-Call Electrics helped keep up the promotion of the initiative when he was filmed carrying out an installation in Edinburgh, coordinated by Membership Representative Elaine Gilchrist.

Paul, who is also Vice-Chair of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Branch, was shown installing a heat, smoke and CO system in a specially commissioned Aico film. He told the video’s presenter, Aico Relationships Manager Tony Boyle: “This is an extremely important campaign because it gives people access to the contractors and kit they need to get their home up to scratch from a fire safety point of view.”

Householder Paul Harries is filmed expressing his thanks for the installation too, adding: “I wouldn’t have been able to afford to do it myself.”

The video – which is now on SELECT’s YouTube channel and Aico TV – also features SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson, who tells viewers: “The Alarm Ambassadors scheme has proven the importance of providing that safety net for customers across Scotland and we’re keen to provide as much support as we can.”

The video came hot on the heels of other installations, during which Member firms ensured vulnerable householders met the new standard and understood how to operate their system.

Keith Johnstone from Member firm J H Johnstone & Sons was among those who went above and beyond, installing additional alarms and an Aico Smartlink Module at a property in Borgue, Dumfries-shire.

Fellow Member Electrical Solutions Network Ltd also went the extra mile in Prestwick, Ayrshire, with the company donating a free alarm controller to help the householders manage their devices on the high ceilings.

Craig Wallace of Westmuir Electrical handed over a similar controller to elderly householder Margaret Kinnear when he carried out her installation in Dundee.

And in Inverness, the alarms were fitted and demonstrated in a home by apprentice Damian Brown, under the watchful eye of dad Allan, who owns Browns Electrical Services.

As CABLEtalk went to press, Alarm Ambassador installations were continuing across Scotland, with contractors continuing the good work of their fellow Member firms.

As well as raising the profile of SELECT and its Members, the resulting coverage will continue to reinforce the vital message to use a qualified electrician and compliant products.

A full round-up of all the installations will appear in the next issue – in the meantime keep your eyes peeled online and in your local paper as SELECT Members continue to make the news.

Watch the video now at bit.ly/aico-vid