The Elements of a Community Approach to Fire Safety

When we stop to consider how a fire could impact a neighborhood and how we need to better protect ourselves as a community, we may feel a bit overwhelmed.  Where are we supposed to start? What do we need to do to prevent fires from breaking out in the places where we work and live? Even if you are vigilant in your own fire protection practices, you still are at risk if your neighbors are a little less proactive.  We are only as strong as our weakest link, right? Today we are going to talk about a community approach to fire prevention and safety.

For a community to experience a high level of protection from fire, everyone who is a participant in the community must be involved on some level, even if it’s just protecting his or her own home or workplace. When people who live and work together make a choice to be proactive in protecting their community – people like residents, first-responders, business owners, city planners, etc. – everyone is safer and can make a difference in a stronger circle of protection for the entire area.

You might be wondering what sort of things should be considered when thinking about reducing the risks of fires in a particular area or neighborhood. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are  5  Es of Community Risk Reduction that should be implemented within a community. If you and other stakeholders in a neighborhood come together and discuss these 5 Es and come up with a plan to implement, then you’ve already moved toward a safer community and one that is better protected from fire.  According to the NFPA, these 5 Es are:

1. Enforcement: Would passing, strengthening and enforcing laws or rules impact risks and create a safer community?
2. Engineering: Are there technology solutions and materials available that could reduce the risks of a fire?
3. Emergency Response: Does your community need to add or enhance emergency response in order to provide better protection?
4. Economic Incentives: Would offering certain incentives motivate people to engage in safer behaviors and habits?
5. Education: Would providing education for the public about fire risks affect their knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and behaviors in a positive way?

While community risk assessments and subsequent action plans can be a long road, these questions are a great first step. If a few people would get on board with spearheading a committee to address these concerns, the benefits would certainly become visible. (And if you feel like you are that person to get it going, the NFPA has many resources available!)

Here at NYC Flameproofing, we know how vital a community approach is. It’s in all of our best interest to strengthen every link in the chain of fire protection and safety. We are proud of the fact that our flameproofing services offer an important service to our community here in New York City and the Greater Metro area. Through flameproofing, a fire can be held in check, and greater damage can be minimized, which preserves both property and lives.

If your business is in need of flameproofing treatments, please call us today. We would be happy to answer your questions and provide a free, no-obligation quote: (800) 291-0904.