MFB commander John Rampling says Brimbank’s migrant community may have suffered more than the longer-established population from an unusually high incidence of house fires.
Mr Rampling said 129 fires in Brimbank caused more than $5.5 million of damage in 2012, compared to Moreland’s $3.5 million damage bill caused by 126 fires.
“There is evidence to suggest that CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse communities) are more at risk,” he said. “There are huge language barriers with fire education in the area. To combat these barriers, the MFB in Brimbank has an onsite multicultural liaison officer and interpreters who run programs to reduce the risk of fire among migrants.”
Officers also visited English language schools with the MFB’s ‘Flames’ program to teach migrants about the benefits of having a smoke alarm installed at home.
More details: mfb.vic.gov.au/Community-Safety.html
