This week, our Foundation, in partnership with the Educational and Methodological Center for Civil Defense and Life Safety of the Kherson Region, conducted a practical training session on fire safety for condominium association heads in Kherson.
The training was part of the "Safe Home" cycle, which is implemented for condominiums of the city that are in a zone of increased danger due to constant shelling and proximity to the front line.
During the training, the participants worked on key issues of fire safety in apartment buildings and shelters, in particular:
- the leading causes of fires in residential buildings;
- the algorithm of actions of residents in the event of a fire;
- the principles of organizing a safe and controlled evacuation;
- the rules for using fire extinguishers with a practical demonstration.
Special attention was paid to evacuation plans, which are critically important for the frontline Kherson, where fires often occur as a result of shelling, and there is almost no time to make decisions.
During the discussion, the trainer also emphasized the panic factor. According to statistics, in emergency situations, a significant part of the victims die not directly from the fire, but due to disorientation, incorrect actions, and lack of basic knowledge. That is why the training of responsible persons in buildings is of crucial importance.
The participants actively participated in the training, asked questions, and shared their own experiences. Among those present were individuals who had already experienced fires in their homes and had adverse outcomes, which made the discussion even more practical and meaningful.
The training was conducted by Yurii Omelchenko, a teacher at the Kherson territorial courses of civil defense and life safety of the II category.
During the training, real-life examples from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine units' practice were also presented, including fires in apartment buildings and shelters that resulted from short circuits and violations of electrical network operating rules. The trainer analyzed typical mistakes made by residents during emergencies, explained how incorrect or untimely actions complicate the work of rescuers and lead to additional risks to the lives of both residents and SES employees. Situations were separately discussed in which timely evacuation and the correct use of primary fire extinguishing agents allowed for minimizing the consequences of fires even before the arrival of emergency response services.
In May, we already held a separate meeting for heads of condominium associations with representatives of the State Emergency Service, the police and the Educational and Methodological Center for Civil Protection and Life Safety of the Kherson Region, where the problem was clearly outlined: a significant part of residents does not know how to properly provide home medical care, does not know the basic rules of fire and mine safety.
Over the course of four months, we will provide 20 Kherson condominiums with basic safety equipment, including first-aid kits, tourniquets, and fire extinguishers, and conduct a series of practical training sessions on fire, mine, and pre-hospital safety.
This initiative will enhance the preparedness of over 1,000 community residents, including many elderly individuals, those with limited mobility, and internally displaced persons.
The project is being implemented with the support of the international humanitarian organization ZOA and funded by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
.png)