| London Fire Brigade launches its new fire safety campaign: 'Keep Your Community Safe and Sound.' |
Actor Cliff Parisi, who plays ‘Minty' in EastEnders, joined London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson and the Vice Chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Cllr Liaquat Ali to launch the ‘Keep Your Community Safe &Sound' campaign.
The new campaign is encouraging all Londoners to become ‘fire safety champions' by making sure that they, their families and neighbours are safe from fire.
Born and bred in London, Cliff is best known for his role as car mechanic Minty, but has swapped his overalls to become a fire safety champion and help spread vital fire safety messages as part of the Brigade's new fire safety drive.
Speaking at the launch Cliff told Londoners: "I've always lived in London, and have always known that the fire brigade was there in an emergency, but when I learnt about the causes of fire I was really keen to support the London Fire Brigade's fire prevention campaign. 'Keep Your Community Safe & Sound' is as easy as it sounds, checking that you, your family and neighbours are safe from fire really could mean the difference between life and death. Over the next year I'm going to be doing all I can to spread the message that everyone, living, working and enjoying the capital can be a fire safety champion."
| Cliff Parisi, who plays Minty in EastEnders, is backing the campaign |
Following the campaign launch at Brigade headquarters a series of events and activities will be held throughout the year to raise fire safety awareness and remind people that fitting a smoke alarm and taking a few simple fire precautions could save their lives. This will culminate in the first ever London Fire Brigade Safety Week in September.
London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson added: "We know our fire safety messages are beginning to get through but last year we were called to over 130,000 incidents and 39 people died in fires. One fire death is one too many, and so many of the fire deaths we see could easily have been avoided if people were more aware of how to protect themselves and their families. We know there is still work for us to do and we need the help of Londoners to do it. That is why we are asking everyone to become a fire safety champion by making sure that they, their family and neighbours are safe from fire."
Vice Chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Cllr Liaquat Ali added: "Fire prevention has been a crucial part of the Brigade's work for many years now. It is making a difference but people shouldn't still be dying. Our research and experience tell us that certain behaviours and social circumstances put some Londoners at a higher risk of fire than others."
"This campaign will help us to get our message across and target those people so that we get to them before it's too late."