Inclusive and Accessible Services
Strategy 5 External Communication
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the MFB commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities in all planning and service provision, through accessible communication and information provided for the public.
The MFB will:
- Establish a register of organisations and people with disability expertise to consult with, on MFB’s services and engagement with people with disabilities
- Work towards achieving AAA standard conformance for MFB’s website as per Victorian Government accessibility standards and develop a checklist for publications and other communication processes for their accessibility
- Review all avenues of communication used by each Department for their inclusion and welcoming of people with disabilities – using audit checklist developed. This will include promotion about availability of TTY service and relay service
- Promote MFB services and fire safety issues in publications of disability services and networks
Strategy 6 Physical Environment
OBJECTIVE
To ensure MFB buildings and facilities are physically accessible with safe emergency egress, and to take account of the informational and signage needs of MFB staff and all members of the public, including those with a range of different disabilities.
The MFB will:
- Incorporate physical accessibility in plans for all building upgrades and new stations
- Develop a master plan which incorporates physical access and disabled-user requirements which is fully compliant with Building Code of Australia and best practice. This Master Plan should include a short term action plan to deal with major non compliance issues linked to the current overall and critical area plans
- Continue working with the Department of Human Services to identify gaps in safety issues for older people and people with disabilities and develop programs / strategies or advocate for new technologies to address these gaps
Strategy 7 Community Engagement and Services
OBJECTIVE
To foster partnerships between MFB and disability peak bodies, user groups and individuals.
The MFB will:
- Conduct an annual roundtable with services for people with disabilities and individuals with disabilities and others with specific expertise to gauge their views on the MFB’s approach and progress on disability accessibility and inclusion
- Develop local profiles on disability services and disability communities relevant to each station
- Maintain a watching brief through research and development agencies, on technologies for early warning and addressing fire safety issues for people with disabilities
- Continue the strong education program about prevention of fires and fire safety which is tailored for special schools and other groups of people who have disabilities
- Commission professional literature review to ascertain research information available about behaviour of people, especially those with particular disabilities, with a threat of fire
- Determine strategies for the MFB to implement based on the outcomes and learnings from the literature review
- Include fire safety training content for Basic Home Safety in the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council qualifications review across Australia
- (Continue to) identify particular groups with fire safety issues and facilitate processes to determine actions, including advocacy, to address the issues
- Develop a ‘package’ for local fire station staff to enable them to:
- audit local venues and public facilities for accessibility and egress of the staff and public - which may include people with a range of disabilities, in emergency situations
- Facilitate development of an agreement between Local Councils and MFB to roll out a local safety program using the materials of the package developed e.g., through Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)