Identification of obstacles to strengthened fire protection for particularly at-risk and suggestions for ways forward
The national zero vision for fire protection states that no one should be seriously injured or die in fires. Most people who die in a fire can be described as vulnerable. The reasons for the vulnerability vary, but consistently is that the person had a reduced ability to detect, handle and evacuate a fire. If the development continues and no special fire protection measures are implemented, the forecasts show that the number of fatalities who are 80 years of age or older will increase by approximately 30 percent by the year 2030. This is because the population is getting older and living at home to an increasing extent. Even the Fire Protection Association’s strategy for fire-safe housing points out that new prevention solutions are required for vulnerable groups, but concrete solutions are lacking.