Why Have A Community Fire Safety Plan?
Each year throughout Greater Manchester fire breaks out in approximately 5000 dwellings, kills around 25 people & injures 2000 more. The fire service does all that it can to respond quickly and minimise the impact of a fire.
However, it would be better for all concerned if the fire did not occur in the first place. Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service supports the principle of 'prevention rather than cure.' It is through this proactive approach to the prevention and control of fire, that the risk to the community is effectively managed.
The most significant way of achieving this is through 'community fire safety education.' To ensure that all members of the community are educated about fire, a 'community fire safety for life' strategy has been developed. This incorporates a number of initiatives that are aimed at specific groups within the community identified as being 'at risk.' These range from nursery school children to senior citizens, thus allowing resources to be deployed in areas where the greatest impact could be achieved & examples are listed below.
Initiatives
Welephant - Delivering fire safety messages to
children up to 7 years old. Click on him to see.
Primary School Project - Working with teachers utilising a specially created
workbook to teach fire safety to year 4 & 5 children (ages 8 to 10)
Learn Not To Burn - A series of workbooks for use in schools where the attendance of a fire safety officer is not required. They are designed to provide teachers with a resource that can be incorporated into the national curriculum and provide pupils with an understanding of fire safety. The materials in the pack are designed to suit the needs of three particular groups. Key Stage I (5 to 7 years of age), Key Stage II (7 to 11 years of age),
Key Stage III (11 to 14 years of age).
Adopt A Watch - A scheme to promote better relations between schools & firefighters. A watch (a working shift of firefighters) from a fire station establish a personal link with pupils.
Carers Awareness Training - Specialist fire safety officers delivering on going training to carers who work with older people with the aim of raising awareness of fire safety & provide a risk based approach to safety.
Kitchen Fire Safety - Demonstration units showing the effect of trying to
use water to extinguish a cooking oil fire. This
gives a live practical demonstration to
highlight the hazards found in kitchens and
the dangers from cooking.
Other Areas Of Activity - Community fire safety officers are involved in a variety of activities county wide throughout the year covering seasonal campaigns, fire safety demonstrations & specific events. Operational fire crews attend open days, garden fetes & carnivals with the fire engine, integrating with the general public & giving out fire safety advice.
