James Griffiths was nine years old when his family home in Ivanhoe, New South Wales, caught fire.
Key points:
- Sixty-two percent of people who die in Victorian home fires have a disability
- The CFA and FRV have launched a program to help people at risk prepare for and respond to home fires
- James Griffiths, who lost his sight as an adult, says the course is “extremely valuable.”
There were no visible signs of a fire, but remember that the smell of smoke grew stronger before the family decided to leave the house.
“When we came out the front, we could see the smoke coming out from under the house,” Mr. Griffiths said.
“We saw flames and heard cracks and it wasn’t long after the house burned down.”
It was only twenty minutes before the old fibro house, which stood on stilts, burned to the ground.
“It was like a matchbox: once it started, it went up and didn’t stop,” Griffiths said.
“I had never seen or seen a fire in my house before.
“I was amazed at how quickly an entire house could catch fire.”
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“Different in reality” danger
Eighteen years ago, Mr. Griffiths lost his sight due to an illness, which drastically changed the way he prepared for and responded to emergencies.
“When I was little I was very independent, and then when I went blind I had to ask for a lot more help and a lot more help,” he said.
“I have to trust everyone else, [particularly] in case of emergency.
“Knowing what had happened then and how quickly it happened, I make sure to prepare.”
Michelle Young says the course covers key aspects of fire safety. (Supplied by: FRV)
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) along with Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) has launched an online learning module to do just that.
The Prevent Detect Escape course is aimed at members of the community at risk, including those living with a disability, to help them better plan fire emergencies in their home.
“We often see people overestimating their ability to escape a fire or cope with a fire,” said Michelle Young, FRV’s deputy community safety commissioner.
“When they really face each other [a fire]it’s quite different from reality. “
Gavin Thompson says the course will help vulnerable people prepare for life-threatening situations. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Callum Marshall)
“Extremely valuable” course
On average, 18 people die each year in residential home fires in Victoria.
Of these, 62% have a disability.
“While everyone is at risk for a house fire, there are obviously people at higher risk,” said Gavin Thompson, CFA’s acting director.
“The training is really aimed at people with disabilities and the elderly, and also people who support and care for them.”
The course takes about 40 minutes to complete online.
“It’s extremely valuable for those who haven’t thought about emergency preparedness,” Griffiths said.
“For me, it was a great refreshment, and for those who haven’t thought about the fires yet and what they should do in a house fire, that would be a good eye opener.
“It’s very easy to read, it’s good for the visually impaired, it’s good for a lot of the disabled – there are movies, there are games, you can stop it and learn at your own pace.”
The course is aimed at people aged 65 and over, people living with disabilities, mental illness and other at-risk groups, including people with drug or alcohol dependence, but is accessible to all members of the community.
“We recognize that everyone could do a little extra education in this area … so they can estimate their ability to cope and escape a fire properly,” Ms. Young said.