Partnership Encourages Residents to be ‘Alarmed and Ready’ for Fire Safety

The Provincial Government today announced efforts to encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to use and maintain smoke alarms in homes and cabins throughout the province. The Alarmed and Ready Challenge will allow community fire departments to embark on a door-to-door campaign to check existing home smoke alarms and provides firefighters with free smoke alarms and batteries to distribute as necessary. The campaign was announced today in Portugal Cove-St. Philips as part of Fire Prevention Week.

“We are pleased to join forces with our community partners to make working smoke alarms a high priority,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services. “We all need to take an interest in our own safety. The Provincial Government’s new Fire Protection Services Act came into effect this summer, and with it, a mandatory requirement for working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each sleeping area. It’s our hope this campaign will educate residents and improve fire safety throughout the province.”

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has committed funding to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services (NLAFS) for the purchase of smoke alarms and batteries to supply to community fire departments. The Provincial Government, through Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador, and NLAFS have committed to the distribution of the supplies and the promotion of the program.

“The Alarmed and Ready Challenge has a simple message: smoke alarms save lives,” says Bill Adams, Vice President, Atlantic with IBC. “IBC is proud to work with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on this initiative. This program will help ensure everyone has working smoke alarms in their home, as they can give occupants the precious seconds needed to escape a fire emergency.”

Fire departments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are encouraged to sign on to the Alarmed and Ready Challenge and undertake a door-to-door initiative to ensure residents are equipped to survive the potentially devastating effects of fire.

“Smoke alarms are the first line of defense in residential home fires and provide advanced notice to get out safely,” said Vince MacKenzie, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services. “We are encouraging fire departments to get involved in the Alarmed and Ready Challenge and are appreciative of the opportunity to partner with the Provincial Government and IBC. This program will give our firefighters important tools to advance public education on the ground in our communities.”

Since 2000, there have been more than 60 fire-related deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador. Minister O’Brien indicated the number of unnecessary tragedies is simply too high.

“Smoke alarms save lives,” noted Minister O’Brien. “The Provincial Government, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the Provincial Fire Services Association want to ensure the continued safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and are committed to working together with our community fire departments to protect residents and their families.”

All partners have committed to promoting the Alarmed and Ready Challenge to members. Further information on the campaign can be found through IBC at www.getintheknow.ibc.ca/Alarmedandready

Information and applications for the program can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/fes and through the NLAFS website at www.nlfireservices.com

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Photo: Insurance Bureau of Canada's Bill Adams, Municipal Affairs Minister Kevin O'Brien and Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services launch the Alarmed and Ready Challenge with members of the Portugal Cove-St. Philips fire department, October 10, 2012.

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2012 10 10             2:10 p.m.