NLIS 3
May 29, 2000
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Fire safety awareness

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and minister responsible for firefighting services in the province, today joined a number of partners at the Froude Avenue Community Centre in St. John�s to introduce a series of pamphlets aimed at fire safety awareness. The pamphlets offer information in both official languages on many areas of fire safety, directed at people of all ages. They will be available through the 302 fire departments throughout the province and from the partners in this educational campaign; the Office of the Fire Commissioner; the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters; and North Atlantic Petroleum.

The minister said that these type of awareness programs do work and referred to a program of several years ago involving the department and a corporate sponsor, called Now You�re Cookin, which addressed the problem of fat fires. "While we still have some fat fires, we have thankfully not had a death due to fat fires in the past four years," said the minister. "I think this program demonstrates the positive effect this type of campaign can have and I look forward to the day when we can offer similar statistics as a result of this campaign which we are announcing today."

The minister noted that there have been two fire deaths in the province this year and there were nine in 1999. Financial costs associated with fires in the province over the last 10 years were approximately $250 million.

Fire commissioner, Fred Hollett, also said that educational campaigns like this one work and spoke of the merit of the project. "We have come here today to launch a very important public awareness initiative which affects everyone, in every community throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Hollett. "If we save even one life as a result of this awareness campaign it will have been worth it."

The minister commended the partners in the campaign for their community-minded generosity and for helping to bring public attention to this very important initiative. She also encouraged citizens to take advantage of this free information which could save lives and properties.

The minister also referred to the launching of a Canada-wide fire safety awareness campaign in St. John�s last week. "The Bytown Fire Brigade started their cross Canada tour right here in St. John�s and will drive to Victoria B.C., stopping along the way in 80 centres to bring the message of fire safety," said the minister. "Every time we reach someone with the message of fire prevention we have the chance to save a life."

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

2000 05 29                                                     2:00 p.m.