Jalan Besar introduces fire safety 'kakis' for seniors

With seniors making up about 60 per cent of residents in Jalan Besar GRC, getting them to safety in a fire is a concern.

- Judith Tan

Addressing the concern, the Jalan Besar GRC grassroots organisations (GROs) have launched a new community volunteer initiative to help evacuate the elderly and vulnerable in the event of a fire in their home or block.

With the Jalan Besar Fire Safety Kakis, the GROs will have a network of neighbours who are able to keep an eye out for older residents and those with mobility issues.

The fire safety kakis are required to:

• Teach residents during house visits about fire prevention, how to use safety equipment and evacuation procedures.

• Conduct regular fire safety checks in the neighbourhood and, as first responders, alert SCDF to potentially trapped residents.

• Help with evacuation by maintaining a register of vulnerable residents for quick identification of missing persons, conducting headcounts, coordinating safe evacuations during emergencies and providing direct help when needed.

There are currently four fire safety kakis. The GROs are hoping to recruit at least 80 for the whole GRC.