Special Attention on Persons with Disabilities During Fire Awareness Week

Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week has been officially launched, with a focus on persons with disabilities (PwDs).

The Week will be observed from October 23 to 29, under the theme ‘Preserving the Nation through Life Safety and Fire Prevention’.

This year, the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) will be targeting the vulnerable community of persons with disabilities for partnership in the exchange of life-saving fire and emergency information.

“The theme is very timely. It is one we believe will seek to reinforce a community-centred approach to fire prevention and at the same time engender a sense of collective responsibility which we all must share. There has to be a cultural change in how we view fire safety in this country if we are to prevent further loss of lives, especially among our vulnerable population,” Commissioner of the JFB, Stewart Beckford, said.

He was addressing the Press Launch of Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week, on October 19, at the Police Officers Club on Hope Road in St. Andrew.

Noting that children, senior citizens and PwDs are often the innocent victims of fires that are sometimes preventable, Commissioner Beckford appealed to the public to partner with the JFB in public education.

“I encourage Jamaicans from all walks of life to take the time to participate in the activities being staged throughout the Week. We implore you to think safety first and develop safety habits as we remain your Jamaica Fire Brigade committed to carrying out our mandate of saving lives and protecting property,” he said.

For her part, Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Christine Hendricks, emphasised the importance of partnership.

In her message, read by representative of the Council, Ms. Carol Collins, the Executive Director said the Council endorses the activities to increase awareness.

“Let us keep the partnership and dialogue going to ensure that persons with disabilities are included and can actively participate. We have made considerable progress as a country but still have a long way to go. Let us all continue to work for progressive realisation in ensuring an inclusive, barrier-free society that is preserving our nation through safety and fire prevention,” she added.

Activities planned for Fire and Life Safety Week will centre around educating PwDs, caregivers and firefighters on the dynamics of the communities and their needs where fire safety and prevention is concerned.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade will also be targeting Children’s Homes, Homes for the Aged and Infirmaries, particularly those with PwDs, to provide inspection services and assistance with emergency evacuation plans.

The agency has been observing Fire and Life Safety Week for 26 years in the last week of October, when the message of fire prevention and safety information is taken to the population.