‘City must tackle role in fire safety “- Internal Administration

Town government lead

The Security Council on Friday approved recommendations of Fire Netherlands to improve fire safety in the Netherlands. Firemen Netherlands advocates an integrated approach to fire safety by municipalities. “The primary responsibility for fire safety lies with citizens and businesses,” says project leader Elie van Strien of the Board of Fire and Fire Service Commanders Netherlands. “But the church is the first responsible government. Municipalities have a central position in the network and the many facets of fire and link them together. Think of the policy planning, the environment, welfare and housing. “

No amendment necessary

To fill that role does the law not to be modified, Van Strien notes. Article 3A of the Security Regions Act is already the mayor and aldermen is responsible for the organization of the fire services, including the prevention, reduction and control of fire, limiting fire hazards and the prevention and mitigation of accidents fire and everything relevant matters.

Fire Policy facet policy

“Not the security, but the town is mainly responsible. That is sometimes forgotten. “Fire Safety Policy facet policy, says Van Strien. There are many parties involved and each does its own facet. Our cri de coeur is: make facet policy. The Security Council was this nods of agreement. If you do not pay attention namely, the policy is diffuse and we must not fall between the cracks. “

Region-rise times

Another important aspect of the report is shift from object-oriented to area-arrival times. Now the law requires that the fire department must be within a certain number of minutes in a hospital, home or business. “That way, we should leave. The station is in a fixed position, so it is better to determine what the average risk of fire is in an area. The setting of a fire, largely determines the risk of a fire. “

Three levels of risk

The report identifies three risk levels. The highest risk is in the old city. Since the first water tender must be within the 4 and 9 minutes. The risk is lowest in rural areas. There is the rise time between 12 and 18 minutes and self-reliance are very important. “Within a region the risks are different. We look at where the barracks are and what the risk in the region or neighborhood is. So we have more room for customization. This approach better reflects the current situation.

Required smoke alarms

Essence of Rembrandt project that is not only on the rise times zooms. Half of all home fires burning and there are also the most casualties. Therefore, the report mentions a whole range of (preventive) measures to increase fire safety, including smoke detectors mandatory for all housing and safety of furniture. It wants the fire departments assist with the development of national model for fire risk. “There is no single model. We’ll have to speak the same language here. If it’s somewhere safety 6, we need to know what that means. “

Social aspects important

It is important also to social Aspects of an area to watch. “In some areas are greater risks. In the Bijlmer in Amsterdam are many kitchen fires, because that is prepare the meals in some way important. In the center you have to deal with illegal hotels and tourists. “With the fire risk to firefighters better prepare and deliver custom. “Of course, the average fireman this long standing on a beer coaster, but a model you can use it everywhere. You’re no longer dependent on the opinion of the local fireman.