United Nations needs to act on climate change and fire

U

Increased funding for fire research and infrastructure upgrades is needed to help tackle new fire challenges created by climate change.

Fire Protection Associations in the Asia Pacific region through their Confederation (CFPA-Asia) have today published a communiqué to world leaders calling for fire and emergency management to be considered in their deliberations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.

Chairman of CFPA-Asia, Rob Llewellyn said there is a need to better equip our emergency service sector in the region, particularly in developing countries. “The issue of under resourced agencies needs to be given priority as the region is not properly equipped to deal with the increased number of fires and emergencies that are predicted as a consequence of climate change,” said Mr Llewellyn.

“The use of drinking water to combat fires is also an area needing an immediate injection of research funding. There are evolving fire fighting techniques that need to be further developed and trialed that limit the use of drinking water. International funding is needed for this work,” he said. Other new challenges identified by CPFA – Asia include fire suppression in alternate energy power generators such as wind turbines and solar systems and evacuation and fire suppression in proposed floating cities.

For more information please contact Rob Llewellyn, Chairman Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Asia on telephone +61 400 566 081 or email [email protected]
�

About the author

By cfpaa