At the International Safety Education Seminar (ISES) in Antwerp, we came in touch with the Firefighters Plus Project. This project trains and supports firefighters around the world on how to use their trustworthy profession to promote fire safety in the most vulnerable groups. Firefighters can do even more for their community than taking care for (fire) safety!
The Firefighters Plus Project
“Firefighters Plus” inspires firefighters to do something for the community in addition to their repressive task. By utilizing their strong position, a contribution can be made to a society in which everyone participates. During ISES 2019 we experienced which successful results this has already led to. We were particularly inspired by the story of Zouhair Jbyeh, fire watchman at safety region Amsterdam-Amstelland.
Zouhair has encouraged young people to go home visiting in their own neighbourhood in Amsterdam East. During the home visits they gave information about fire prevention, they did a home check and they hung up a smoke detector. In this way the fire brigade was able to start the conversation with difficult to reach and vulnerable target groups.
Online platform
The Zouhair story is just one example of the great practical examples that were created in collaboration with Firefighters Plus. In the Netherlands, the IFV and the safety regions of Groningen, Fryslân, Kennemerland and Amsterdam-Amstelland are currently hooked up. The best practices of these parties are also presented on the Firefighters Plus online platform. The e-platform also offers free tools and training for firefighters, which inspire them to play a more meaningful role in fire prevention.
European Fire Safety Award
During the European fire safety week, the Firefighters Plus project was named the best common fire safety project of 2019. Because of this exposure, we expect that many more parties worldwide will join in on this great initiative.
Want to know more about the Firefighters Plus project? Then take a look at the e-platform here!
