November 2002

Award for fire safety program

An innovative fire safety program devised by the Office of Housing’s Emergency Branch with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade has won a national Australian Safer Communities award.

The program, designed for people living in public housing, took out the Pre-disaster Category award, after winning the right to represent Victoria earlier in the year.

The program initially targeted inner suburban high rise estates but has since extended to outer suburban and country areas.

Tenants receive written fire safety information—translated into 16 community languages to support the cultural diversity of the State’s communities.

The written material is supported by a video, shown at information sessions throughout the State.

These sessions provide the opportunity for tenants to ask questions and have practical demonstrations in the use of fire blankets.

Interpreters are arranged where necessary.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade’s Community Education Bus, fitted out with various examples of the right way to make a home fire-safe, adds another dimension to sessions it attends.

Other states are now showing interest in the program, which can be adapted to suit their communities.

Chris Tasic of the Emergency Branch and representatives of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade accepted the national award in Canberra.

The earlier Victorian award was accepted by Housing Services Director Paul Smith, Chris Tasic, Lisa Bright and Mick Kelly.