"Learn Not To Burn" program launched

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Minister responsible for fire fighting services in the province, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters (NLAFCF). This MOU is aimed at improving the effectiveness of fire prevention, fire and rescue services and other related services throughout the province. In keeping with the MOU, the minister also launched a new "Learn Not To Burn" program aimed at fire safety awareness, and committed $50,000 to allow the hiring of a provincial coordinator for the program.

The program is aimed at elementary school students but offers information about fire safety for people of all ages. "I think this program has proven itself in the past and I think it will save lives in the future," said the minister. "Therefore, I am committing $50,000 to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters to allow the hiring of a provincial coordinator for the "Learn Not To Burn" program." The association will also look to the private sector for a partner to offset the cost of the program and a number of potential partners have already expressed an interest.

The minister said she was pleased that this program will be brought to children in their classrooms throughout the province. The "Learn Not To Burn" program was developed by the National Fire Protection Association, and has been designed to encourage at-home and community participation to strengthen the knowledge that the children gain in the classroom. It is aimed at elementary school students but offers information about fire safety for people of all ages. Many of the schools throughout the province already have the required materials, and others will receive them through the implementation of this program.

The "Learn Not To Burn" program follows other initiatives designed to raise fire safety awareness. Earlier this year, a series of informational pamphlets was distributed through fire departments all over the province. They demonstrated many different ways to be fire safety conscious and were directed at people of all ages. Several years ago, another successful awareness program called "Now You�re Cookin", addressed the problem of fat fires. "All fire fighters in our province are strong advocates of the "Learn Not to Burn" program because it is created for children, who make up a large percentage of the fire deaths and injuries� statistics in Canada," said Rod Clarke, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters. In this province, child deaths due to fires has decreased from seven in 1992 to a total of seven from 1993 to 1999. While these programs are working, the obvious goal is to eliminate all deaths through fire safety awareness.

The minister commended the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters and the Fire Commissioner�s Office for their continued efforts in bringing public attention to the very important issue of fire safety. She also thanked the Department of Education for allowing the "Learn Not To Burn" program to be offered to children through the school system. In closing, the minister encouraged parents and teachers to support this program at home and in the classroom. She said everyone could benefit from the "Learn Not to Burn" program to save lives and prevent injuries.

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

2000 12 11 3:20 p.m.