Firefighters are using a new interpreting service to help them communicate with people who don't speak English.

All Kent Fire and Rescue Service appliances now carry a special language identification card which allows non-English speakers to identify their language.

Then fire crews can call a freephone telephone number which will provide them with the relevant language interpreter.

The service can interpret in over 170 languages and is open to all KFRS staff who need to have phone or face-to-face contact with non-English speaking members of the community.

It can be accessed from a home owner’s telephone line, without any cost, and is supposed to be used if there is no one nearby to translate for them.

Assistant director of community safety Steve Griffiths said: “When firefighters first arrive at the scene of a blaze or a road traffic collision, it is important to quickly establish the facts and let members of the public know what is happening.

“This service means an interpreter is available in less than 60 seconds which will help in circumstances when our crews or are having difficulties talking to people with a limited knowledge of the English language.”

David Elgar from Language Line, the company behind the translation service, said: “Language Line is proud to be forging relationships with Kent Fire and Rescue Services and helping to meet their ambitious community initiative objectives.”