In an Australian first, Victorian firefighters have launched a new online learning module to help at-risk people prevent, detect and escape from home fires.
The Prevent, Detect, Escape – Home Fire Safety for people at higher risk module from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) aims to support older people and people living with disabilities plan for fire emergencies in the home.
Acting Chief Officer of CFA, Gavin Thompson said that on average, 18 people died in residential house fires in Victoria every year, and people were at higher risk if they had difficulties identifying that a fire had started or if they were slower or unable to escape from a fire.
A/Chief Officer Thompson said the new course focussed on three main elements to reduce risk.
“Prevention is key, and this module looks at the many ways people can reduce the chance of a fire starting,” A/Chief Officer Thompson said.
“However, if there is a fire, early detection is crucial, and the importance of working smoke alarms is a big part of this module,” he said.
“Finally, this module helps people understand how to make an escape plan that is right for their individual needs.”
FRV Commissioner Ken Block said high-risk people were over-represented in fatal fire statistics, with national statistics showing that 62 per cent of people who died in preventable house fires lived with a disability.
“This module has been created to help us reduce the number of fatalities, injuries and the number of fires that occur,” Commissioner Block said.
“The development of this e-learning module has been a truly collaborative effort,” he said.
“It has been designed to be user friendly and has been adapted to suit different learning styles with elements such as videos, audio, subtitles, and quizzes.”
The Prevent, Detect, Escape – Home Fire Safety for people at higher risk e-learning module can be accessed at this PS News link.
