A FIRE brigade has pledged to be dementia friendly.

The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has signed up to a charter sealing its commitment to improving how it engages with those living with the condition.

Chief fire officer Stuart Errington and Councillor Michele Hodgson, chair of the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority, signed the charter today (Friday, February 12).

From Monday (February 15), there will be “safe and wellbeing” visits on offer across the area. To book a visit, call 0845-223-4221 or visit ddfire.gov.uk.

Mr Errington said: “The number of people affected by dementia is steadily increasing so it is important that we all learn as much as we can about it and found out the best way to help and care for those living with the condition.”

Andrew Ball, the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Action Alliance project manager, said: “In signing our charter, the service has become the first of its kind in the region to officially demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of those affected by dementia – a condition more than 34,000 people across the North-East are living with.”