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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
July 18, 2019

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37 newly elected MEPs sign fire safety pledge

MEPs from 21 countries have backed the #Together4FireSafety campaign launched by Fire Safe Europe, whose members include researchers, firefighters, European associations and manufacturers of fire protection products.

In total 37 newly elected MEPs pledged to support the campaign’s goal of improving fire safety in buildings across the bloc during their five-year parliamentary term.

Launched in the European Parliament in February, the #Together4FireSafety campaign urged MEP candidates to work in concert with the construction industry, architects, fire safety engineers, firefighters and building owners. Some 98 MEP candidates signed the pledge and 38 other stakeholders supported the campaign.

Eleven people die in fires and 190 people are hospitalised every day across Europe. Fire-related losses cost 1% of global GDP per year and fires pollute air, soil and water supplies.

“Fire safety has to be a priority for European institutions and European Member States,” said Brando Benifei, an Italian MEP and member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

“I believe fire safety should be addressed at the European level because we should all have the same standard of protection, and I will continue my fight to protect European citizens from fires in any way I can” said Zeljana Zovko, a Croation MEP and member of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats).

Fire Safe Europe is recommending that Members of the European Parliament:

  • Ensure that fire safety is taken into account in relevant European policy areas such as tourism, consumer protection, education, sustainable buildings, etc (related tweets are being sent with the hashtag #ThinkFireSafety)
  • Work on a European Fire Safety Strategy enabling EU countries to set common goals for fire safety
  • Continue to support the work of the European Commission’s Fire Information Exchange Platform

Juliette Albiac, managing director of Fire Safe Europe, said: “We thank all the candidates who pledged to improve fire safety for their support and congratulate the new MEPs on being elected. We look forward to working with them in this Parliamentary term to significantly improve fire safety in buildings for people and communities across the EU.”

2023 Fire Safety eBook – Grab your free copy!

Download the Fire Safety in 2023 eBook, keeping you up to date with the biggest news and prosecution stories from around the industry. Chapters include important updates such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and an overview of the new British Standard for the digital management of fire safety information.

Plus, we explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.

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