The fire and emergency support service (FESS) is made up of the British Red Cross and Fife Fire and Rescue Service, and is based in fire service headquarters in Thornton.

Using a specially adapted vehicle, highly trained Red Cross volunteers will attend emergency scenes such as fire or flood, and provide shelter, clean clothing, toilet and hot shower facilities for stricken householders and their families.

The FESS vehicle cost more than £30,000 to buy and adapt, and funding was provided by Tesco, who have an ongoing partnership with the Red Cross and other local charities in Fife.

Volunteers are also trained to provide emotional support and practical advice on what to do next, as well as help to find temporary accommodation and look after children and pets.

David Miller, Red Cross operations director for Fife, said: "This service will be invaluable in assisting the fire service to support people who are struggling to cope with the devastating aftermath of a domestic emergency.

"Often people have lost everything, with their only possessions being the clothes they stand up in.

"Sometimes they need practical help - sorting out insurance or somewhere temporary to stay. In other cases people may just need somewhere quiet and a reassuring presence to help them recover."

The vehicle and crew will be on call from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. during the week and round the clock at the weekend.

Fife Chief Fire Officer Jimmy Campbell said he is delighted to have entered into the partnership with the British Red Cross.

He added: "Using a specially adapted vehicle, this unique service will see highly trained Red Cross volunteers called to the scene of domestic emergencies across Fife to provide practical help and emotional support to people evacuated from their homes due to fire, floods or other incidents."

Ten existing Red Cross volunteers from the Kingdom have signed up to the new service, and the charity is keen to hear from more people interested in getting involved.

Mr Miller said: "Our first FESS vehicle in Scotland has been operating successfully in Lothian and Borders for over two years and has helped more than 200 people during this time. The Red Cross is keen to see this service provided across the whole of Scotland."

For more information contact the Fife branch by calling (01383) 724816.