AceNewsDesk – Fire and Rescue NSW commander Paul Dorin was a full-time carer for his mother with dementia when he realised there was a serious threat facing elderly residents.

Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: Oct.17: 2023: ABC News: TELEGRAM Ace Daily News Link https://t.me/+PuI36tlDsM7GpOJe

Vulnerable residents living without basic fire safety equipment in their houses like fire blankets and working smoke alarms were at risk.

“Fifty per cent of New South Wales residents don’t have working smoke alarms. It’s alarming,” Mr Dorin said.

The experience prompted him to create a QR code that residents and carers could use to notify Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) that a resident needed a safety check-up.

“In all the recent house fires [locally], none of the houses had working smoke alarms,” Mr Dorin said.

The program will provide free in-home fire safety visits for vulnerable residents across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and Southern Highlands with the view to eventually roll it out statewide.

“Home carers are in the homes of so many vulnerable people in the community, and they have the network to contact firefighters to get in and do an important visit,” he said.

Early warning

Mr Dorin said hundreds of smoke alarms, which have a life expectancy of about 10 years, had been replaced since the program launched.

He said e-batteries, hoarders, and overloaded power boards were areas of concern.

“We’re seeing more fires from e-batteries, so it’s important to have a smoke alarm for early warning,” Mr Dorin said.Loading…

FRNSW recommended working smoke alarms in any room where a battery was charged.

“We provide residents with fire safety advice and recommend better safety systems,” he said.

The program aims to bridge the gap between vulnerable residents and fire crews.

“The carer might be the only person they see all week, so it’s a good opportunity to have a chat and meet residents as well,” he said.

Piece of mind for coming decade

Participating carers are given sheets and stickers containing the QR code which can be placed inside diaries and client folders, encouraging routine fire safety conversations.

Wollongong CatholicCare aged care team leader Natasha Hristovska supported the program and said it was easy to use.

“It’s the small things we miss as carers, so having a clear mind for 10 years, knowing they will have a working smoke alarm, helps us know our parents and loved ones will be safe,” Ms Hristovska said.

“A lot of our clients aren’t fire safe aware, so we try to remind them of the risks when we do our visits.”

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