Fire safety focus at Melbourne Disability Expo

Sharing important fire safety advice

 

CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) proudly attended the Melbourne Disability Expo on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of participation.

 

This ongoing commitment reflects the shared strategy of the fire services to engage with people with disability — a group at higher risk of home fire fatalities. In fact, 62 per cent of home fire deaths across Australia involve people with a disability.

Our stall was strategically located opposite the coffee cart and seating area, ensuring a steady stream of visitors. Conversations focused on home fire safety essentials, including the importance of working smoke alarms and specialised alarms for the deaf community.

The new Auslan videos about smoke alarms were a major drawcard, sparking interest and discussion about how these alarms work and the subsidies available to make them more affordable.

We met Terri, a wheelchair user living alone, who was surprised to realise her smoke alarms were more than 15 years old. We explained why replacing them was essential for her safety. 

Rachel’s smoke alarms — 23 years old — offered another striking example of how easily these devices can be overlooked, underscoring the importance of conversations like those at the Expo. Meanwhile, Mary, who charges multiple lithium-ion battery-powered devices including her wheelchair, in her garage, agreed to install smoke alarms there to add an extra layer of protection.

Disability service providers were another key audience. These professionals are well-placed to assess the fire safety needs of their clients and support them in upgrading alarms and implementing other measures. Many were surprised to learn that our fire safety online learning modules and resources are free.

After four years of attending this Expo, it was encouraging to hear comments shift from “Why are the fire services here?” to “It’s great to see you again — this is so important” and “I need to tell you what I’ve done since last year.” These conversations show the community is taking ownership of fire safety.

Looking ahead, Wednesday 3 December marks International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). One in six people in our community live with a disability. Watch this film featuring this year’s six IDPwD ambassadors to learn more.

CFA and FRV remain committed to improving fire safety for people with disability. To learn more about this work, email communityprograms@cfa.vic.gov.au. 

 

Submitted by	Angela Cook