Public Safety
October 10, 2014
Promoting Fire Prevention to Make Communities Safer
Third Phase of Alarmed and Ready Campaign Delivers Message of Fire Safety
The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the launch of Phase Three of the Alarmed and Ready Challenge for the province. This fire prevention and public awareness campaign is made possible through a partnership involving the Provincial Government, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services.
“The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Test Yours Every Month and the Alarmed and Ready Challenge will play a significant role in sustaining that message. The Department of Public Safety is a proud partner in this initiative which enables fire departments and volunteers throughout the province to continue promoting the critical message that smoke alarms save lives. I would like to congratulate and thank the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services and the Insurance Bureau of Canada for continuing with its third phase.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
The Alarmed and Ready Challenge was first piloted in 2012, and the Provincial Government announced the launch of the second phase of the Challenge in September 2013. The first two phases of the program have resulted in firefighters visiting more than 7,000 homes in over 140 communities and distributing approximately 4,000 smoke detectors.
"IBC is proud to work with our partners in Newfoundland and Labrador to deliver smoke alarms and replacement batteries. Our renewed commitment to the Alarmed and Ready campaign brings IBC's contribution to fire safety in the province to $45,000. Fire departments have worked hard to distribute the smoke detectors, and this campaign in general makes us all aware that smoke alarms save lives.”
- Amanda Dean, Regional Vice-President, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Phase Three of the Alarmed and Ready Program is being funded by a $15,000 contribution from the Insurance Bureau of Canada and will see even more smoke alarms and batteries distributed to residents in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The Alarmed and Ready campaign has proven to be extremely successful in our province, especially in reaching rural, and sometimes isolated communities. Through this program our firefighters engage in a grassroots level of community outreach to promote the message of working smoke alarms. Ultimately this campaign is saving lives through prevention.”
- Vince MacKenzie, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services
This phase of the Alarmed and Ready Challenge will be administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, which will distribute smoke alarms and batteries to fire departments throughout the province. Once received, members of those fire departments are then tasked with visiting homes to engage and educate residents about the legal responsibility to have a working smoke alarm on all levels and in all sleeping areas of a home, cottage or cabin.
The new Department of Public Safety is committed to ensuring that our residents and our communities are as safe as possible and fire prevention plays a significant role in achieving that goal. Budget 2014 committed more than $5 million towards fire protection services and the purchase of fire equipment and vehicles across the province.
QUICK FACTS
- Phase Three of the Alarmed and Ready Challenge for Newfoundland and Labrador was launched today at the Corner Brook Fire Department with a $15,000 contribution from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
- Alarmed and Ready is a fire prevention and public awareness campaign made possible through a partnership between the Provincial Government, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services.
- Through the first two phases of the Alarmed and Ready Challenge, firefighters throughout the province visited over 7,000 homes in approximately 140 communities and distributed approximately 4,000 smoke alarms.
- More information about the Alarmed and Ready program, including application forms can be found at: www.gov.nl.ca/fes/alarmed_and_ready.html
- It is the legal responsibility of residents to have a working smoke alarm on all levels and in all sleeping areas of a home, cottage or cabin.
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Media contacts:
| Luke Joyce Director of Communications Department of Public Safety 709-729-6985, 725-4165 lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca |
Celyeste Power Manager, Media Relations Insurance Bureau of Canada 416-362-2031 ext. 4312 (office) 647-384-9872 (after hours) cpower@ibc.ca |
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Vince MacKenzie President Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services 709-489-0431 firechief@grandfallswindsor.com |
2014 10 10 11:05 a.m.