|
THE NORTH West Branch of the IFE and the Access Association North West Region jointly presented a seminar and debate at Chorley Town Hall, Lancashire, on 15 November. The event was held to raise awareness of the emotive issue of disabled emergency egress, and the venue was chosen specifically because of the work undertaken there to provide access and escape facilities for disabled people.
The morning session started with a one-minute silence in memory of the four Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service personnel who died on duty at the Atherstone on Stour warehouse blaze. This was followed by an opening address given by Michael Hagan, president of the IFE’s North West Branch.
The first speaker was Su Peace, a consultant for Qequality, who gave an excellent overview of the topic, including the relevant legislation relating to access for disabled people in buildings and the options available for assisting with their escape. Ged Smyth, access assistant for Wirral Council, then gave a presentation on personal emergency evacuation plans. Cindy Dancer, manager of the National Register of Access Consultants, who is herself hearing impaired, closed the morning session with a personal insight into disabled escape. She stressed how important she felt it was for people to communicate with disabled people.
The afternoon debate was chaired by John Judd, chairman of the IFE Board of Directors. The panel consisted of: Doreen Pollitt, cabinet member for equality and diversity for Lancashire County Council; Rob Bracewell, access officer for Lancaster City Council; Adrian Hay, director of Tenos Fire Safety Engineering; and Mark Hutton, fire safety officer, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. Many issues and subjects were discussed during a lively debate. These included the problems that designers and design teams face; the difficulties of ensuring access statements are adhered to; the enforcement issues faced by fire safety enforcers with regard to evacuation and refuges; evacuation etiquette; and potential legal problems which may arise following injury.
This event was the first of its kind and proved a great success. Hopefully, the partnership between the Access Association and the IFE will continue to develop in the future. Due to the interest shown (entry was closed several weeks before), and the success of the event, it is to be repeated on 13 March 2008 at the same venue.
Duncan Emmett MIFireE
Lancashire Group Committee Member
Further details of the next event – taking place at Chorley Town Hall on 13 March – are available from Suzanne Simpson on tel: +44 (0)1772 866 976; or e-mail: suzannesimpson@lancsfirerescue.org.uk
|