7 LAKH PUNEKARS TO BE FIRE-SAFE THIS NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE WEEK
· Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation join hands to raise fire safety awareness
· Weeklong citywide awareness drive to feature fire safety procedures from Honeywell’s Safe Kids at Home fire safety curriculum during National Fire Service week
Pune, April 12, 2018: On the launch of National Fire Service Week 2018, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) fire departments collaborated with Safe Kids Foundation, a global not-for-profit organization, for a citywide fire safety awareness drive. Fire safety procedures from the Honeywell-sponsored Safe Kids at Home curriculum will be used during the week.
Safe Kids at Home is a home safety program to help prevent and reduce burns and scalds among children under 14 years old, and was created in partnership with Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation, supporting the company’s corporate citizenship initiatives. Backed by extensive market research, the program deploys cutting-edge, experiential, and fun educational tools on fire safety and has already reached 425,000 students and 250,000 parents in Pune. To date, the program also helped create 300 model fire safe schools and 100 model fire safe communities that are equipped to deal with fire emergencies.
Prashant Ranpise, Chief Fire Officer, Pune Fire Department, said, “We continue to create fire safety awareness among Punekars, and equip them to deal with fire emergencies. While our department is always at the forefront in responding to every fire situation with urgency, disaster preparedness will ensure growth and sustainability. Therefore, for the last three years, we have been encouraging fire safety practices among city residents, especially children.”
Kiran Gawade, Chief Fire Officer, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, said, “Owing to rapid urbanization and the increasing consumption of plastic in industries and residences, fire hazards are on rise. It is important to reduce the use of combustible materials to make cities safer and environment friendly.”
A citywide awareness drive has been planned as part of National Fire Service week from April 14 – 20 that will feature interactive activities such as rallies, street plays, exhibitions, workshops on fire safety, carnival for kids, mall events, and model and poster-making competitions. In addition, Safe Kids Foundation and the fire departments will induct 150 Agni Suraksha Mitras who will assist the fire departments during fire emergencies in the city.
Dr. Cinthia Pinto, Program Director, Safe Kids Foundation, said, “We are pleased to see an increased participation from Punekars every year and believe that this year’s awareness drive will benefit more than 700,000 citizens. We are thankful to PMC and PCMC fire departments for acknowledging our Safe Kids at Home program and proud to partner with them on this awareness drive.”
Vikas Chadha, President, Honeywell India, said, “Honeywell brings decades of fire safety experience, our global connected technologies, and local understanding to keep homes and families safe. We are proud to support the Safe Kids at Home program, which is transforming community knowledge, behaviors and attitudes towards safety.”
National Fire Service Week is observed every year in remembrance of fire service personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and serves to raise public awareness on fire safety.
Safe Kids Foundation became a member of Safe Kids Worldwide in 2006 and works in close collaboration with Safe Kids Worldwide to improve the lives of children in India. Safe Kids Foundation works with non-profit organizations, governments and schools to promote awareness and teach that accidental deaths and injuries are preventable. Safe Kids Foundation has done extensive and commendable work in the field of road safety. Safe Kids’ ‘Walk This Way’ pedestrian safety program, sponsored by FedEx, was launched in Mumbai in 2007 to address pedestrian-related injuries to children. The program has expanded to two additional cities, Delhi in 2009 and Ahmedabad in 2010. From 2007 through 2016, more than 3000 schools and nearly 4.5 million children have been reached through education activities, playing a critical role in improving road safety for children in these cities. ’Safe Kids at Home’ program, sponsored by Honeywell was launched in Pune, in November 2015, to ensure the safety of children, particularly in Pune, from the dangers of burns and scalds. The program has reached to 425,000 children and 250,000 parents till March 2018.
