Justice and Public Safety
October 5, 2015
Promoting Fire Safety to Save Lives
Minister Highlights Initiatives to Launch Fire Prevention Week
The Provincial Government reminds all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of the importance of fire safety during this year's Fire Prevention Week, which takes place October 4-10. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, kicked off Fire Prevention Week today at the Gander Fire Hall by announcing government's continued support of key fire safety initiatives.
"The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week is Hear the Beep Where You Sleep, an important reminder to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every separate sleeping area, and on each level of your home. Smoke alarms double your chance of surviving a home fire, and that is why the Provincial Government is proud to continue its support of the Alarmed and Ready campaign and the Learn Not to Burn program."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
The Provincial Government supports a number of programs that encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to be fire safe.
- The Alarmed and Ready campaign provides smoke alarms to families that need one through a partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services (NLAFS), and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
- The Learn Not to Burn program teaches children in Kinderstart through Grade 1 how to prevent fires and escape a fire safely.
Details regarding these programs are included in the backgrounder below.
"Smoke alarms save lives, everyone needs one. That's why Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is proud to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the NL Association of Fire Services. It is these partnerships and the direct involvement of homeowners that help promote the importance of smoke alarms and in turn, keep Newfoundlanders and Labradorians safe."
- Amanda Dean, Vice President Atlantic, Insurance Bureau of Canada
From Budget 2003 to the end of 2014-15, the Provincial Government has contributed close to $1.5 million to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services with more than $750,000 of that amount being used to support key fire safety initiatives. Budget 2015-16 allocated $60,000 for the Learn Not to Burn program.
"Hear the Beep Where You Sleep underscores the importance of smoke alarms that are properly installed, maintained, and which haven't been tampered with. Parents are encouraged to research new smoke alarm technologies that help make upkeep easier, such as tamper-proof designs, 10-year sealed lithium battery models, and additional safety features such as talking alarms for the bedroom"
- Carol Heller, Home Fire Safety Expert with Kidde Canada
This year, the NL 911 Bureau is also providing $10,000 in sponsorship for the Learn Not to Burn program as part of an overall partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services. The funding will go toward the purchase of a new Hazard House, an interactive teaching tool that tours classrooms throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The partnership will also enable the NL 911 Bureau to promote the new province-wide service to school children.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit the Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador website: www.gov.nl.ca/fes/fireprotection/firesafety.html
QUICK FACTS
- Fire Prevention Week takes place October 4-10 this year and the theme is Hear the Beep Where you Sleep.
- The Provincial Government is continuing its support of the Alarmed and Ready and Learn Not to Burn programs.
- From Budget 2003 to the end of 2014-15, the Provincial Government has contributed close to $1.5 million to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services. Of that amount, more than $750,000 has been used to support key fire safety initiatives.
- Budget 2015-16 allocates $60,000 for the Learn Not to Burn program.
- The NL 911 Bureau is also purchasing a $10,000 sponsorship of the Learn Not to Burn program as part of an overall partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services. The partnership will also enable the NL 911 Bureau to promote the new province-wide service to school children.
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Media contacts:
|
Ryan Crocker
Public Relations Specialist Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857, 690-1810 ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca |
Conrad Galambos
Campaign Communications Council of Canadian Fire Marshalls 905-979-7039 |
|
Celyeste Power
Manager, Media Relations Insurance Bureau of Canada 416-362-2031 ext. 4312 cpower@ibc.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Province Supports Key Fire Safety Initiatives
Alarmed and Ready
- The Alarmed and Ready campaign is a fire prevention and public awareness campaign made possible through a partnership involving the Provincial Government, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services (NLAFS), and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
- To date, this campaign has distributed more than 5,500 smoke alarms to residents of close to 220 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Learn Not to Burn
- The Learn Not to Burn program is a fire prevention initiative of the Canadian Council of Fire Marshalls that teaches children in Kinderstart through Grade 1 how to prevent fires and escape a fire safely.
- Students learn how to recognize the sound of a smoke alarm, what to do when they hear it, and the importance of a home fire escape plan.
- The program is recommended by Curriculum Services Canada and supported by provincial Fire Commissioners across Canada, including this province. Parents and teachers can download free Learn Not to Burn lessons at the Power Hour website: www.safeathome.ca/lntb
- This year the program culminates with the Great Canadian Smoke Alarm Test at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. To participate, homeowners simply download, follow and confirm the completion of a simple four-step checklist available at the Learn Not to Burn website: www.safeathome.ca/powerhour
2015 10 05 10:35 a.m.