AN EMERGENCY interpreting service "has the potential to save lives" in Kent's most multicultural region, according to a diversity trainer.

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service has introduced a new service meaning Gravesend firefighters can now tackle potential language barriers when working in the community.

All Kent fire engines now carry a language identification card which allows people with limited English to identify their language.

Through a freephone telephone number, crews can then use a telephone interpreting service to communicate.

The chairman of the Santi Vanaram Buddhist Association, which runs diversity and inclusion training with Kent police, has voiced his support for the new scheme.

Harry Smith said: "Gravesend has Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Mormons and many more.

"Many of these people speak many different languages.

"This new scheme has the potential to save lives and so it can only be a good thing.

"Although the Government would prefer people to learn English, this is a very good back-up."

The service can interpret in more than 170 languages and is open to all fire staff who come face-to-face with members of the community who have trouble communicating.

It can be accessed free from a home owner's telephone line and is designed to be used if a there are no English-speaking friends or relatives available to help out.

Jagdev Singh Virdee is a member of a committee which runs Gravesend's Sikh Gurdwara temple in Clarence Place.

He said: "Gravesend is the area with the largest range of backgrounds of people compared with the rest of Kent.

"This service will be particularly useful for elderly people. Many live in extended families but their relatives go out to work during the day leaving them at home alone, and many of them do not speak much English.

"I think it should be useful, not just for the Asian community, but for the eastern European communities.

"There are hundreds of people whose English is not very good."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service's assistant director of community safety Steve Griffiths said: "When firefighters first arrive at the scene of a blaze or a road traffic collision, an interpreter is available in less than 60 seconds.

"We hope this service will further strengthen our relationship with residents of all backgrounds by allowing our staff to continue carrying out an excellent job."