Khadija, 34 years old, a Syrian community member and focal point for safekeeping of the fire extinguisher stands in front of her tented home at a tented settlement in Bar Elias, the Bekaa Valley on the 13th of June 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
“Our family is deeply appreciative as we now possess a fire extinguisher within our community. The knowledge we gained from the session is tremendously valuable and practical for us” says Khadija.
The Bekaa Valley is home to a large population of Syrian refugees who have fled their homes to escape the conflict in Syria. The Valley is prone to fires during the summer season, which poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of these communities residing in overcrowded tented settlements made from plywood and plastic sheets. As such, the distribution of fire extinguishers, and conducting fire awareness and prevention measures for the community members living in tented homes is imperative to mitigate the risk of fires and safeguard individuals living at the informal settlements.
In Lebanon, the peak fire season typically begins in late June and spans approximately fourteen weeks. This intense season presents a notable danger, particularly for refugees who fled their home countries and are currently residing in informal settlements, established as temporary shelters. The tented settlements, typically made of plywood and plastic sheets in an overcrowded setting, face numerous challenges and vulnerabilities, making them extremely prone to fire hazards.
Nader, Medair’s distribution assistant conducts a brief fire awareness session on the use of fire extinguishers at a tented settlement in Bar Elias, the Bekaa Valley on the 13th of June 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
On a distribution visit to the informal settlements with my colleague Nader, Medair’s distribution officer in the Bekaa Valley, I learned some incredibly valuable information about the use of fire extinguishers and fire prevention measures. Fire awareness programs play a crucial role in educating community members about fire prevention measures and promoting a safety-conscious mindset among the population. This is part of a project funded by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF).
Once arriving at the informal settlement, prior to the distribution of fire extinguishers, Nader would typically ask the “Shawishes”, otherwise known as the community leaders, to gather around the other community members residing at the informal settlement to participate in the session on the use of fire extinguishers. The session will also conclude with a brief talk on fire awareness prevention measures. As the members gather around, Nader introduces himself and Medair before starting the session. The session includes instructions on using a fire extinguisher, including a ‘how to guide’ on how to unclip the hose, where to press, and where to direct the powder. Nader also shows people the pressure gauge to ensure that the fire extinguisher remains functional.
Conducting an instructional session on the use of firefighting equips community members with the essential skill to control small fires and contain potential disasters before they escalate.
Nader, Medair’s distribution assistant highlighted during the brief fire awareness session to the community members, where the clip is located that needs to be removed to enable users to utilize the fire extinguisher in Bar Elias, the Bekaa Valley on the 13th of June 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
The “how-to guide” session is followed by a brief session on fire awareness, risks, and prevention. These initiatives empower community members to take proactive measures in minimizing fire hazards, for example, keeping children away from sources of ignition and being mindful of cooking practices around flammable materials. Equipping them with this knowledge significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental fires, thereby protecting lives and preserving their homes and their belongings. Khadija, a 34-year-old, Syrian community member and a focal point to safeguard the fire extinguisher at one of the informal settlements’ shares, “Today, we participated in a training session focused on fire extinguisher usage and fire awareness. Our family is deeply appreciative as we now possess a fire extinguisher within our community. The knowledge we gained from the session is tremendously valuable and practical for us. Personally, I have never encountered a situation where I needed to use a fire extinguisher, and I sincerely hope I never will. Nevertheless, it is vital that our community is equipped with the knowledge of how to operate one in the event of a fire. I feel significantly more secure. With these skills, I have a greater sense of peace, knowing that I can safeguard my family, if, God forbid, a fire occurs.”
Additionally, as the session is concluded, as a reminder of fire safety measures, Nader will share with the focal points a video Medair prepared on fire awareness and on fire prevention measures. This video shared with the community members through WhatsApp serves as a reminder of fire mitigation measures and how to use the fire extinguisher.
Nader, Medair’s distribution assistant highlighted during the brief fire awareness session to the community members, where the clip is located that needs to be removed to enable users to utilize the fire extinguisher in Bar Elias, the Bekaa Valley on the 13th of June 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.
