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The Fire and Rescue Association of Asia (FARA), reported on in
September 1998, held a training camp for youngsters during my visit to Thailand
,
writes Emily Hough.
Held
at the 11th Infantry for the King's Guard barracks, youngsters took
part in
a number of activities
designed to reinforce safety knowledge and discipline, as national television
networks reported on the events.
While the children,
supervised by adult volunteers and their parents, abseiled, marched and played,
adults were taught safe driving techniqueby
Vasan Anuchareepitak,
an experienced rally
driver and safety driving instructor.
.
I spoke
to one mother, who proudly pointed out her son marching up and
down the square.
"It is amazing how much self confidence
he has developed since he joined FARA
eight months ago,"
she said, "now
he is much more outgoing and willing to socialise. He also lectures me
regularly on fire safety," she commented wryly.
Such
activities are gaining national recognition in Thailand and FARA is becoming a strong pressure group, campaigning
for greater safety measures.
The Permanent Secretary
and the Director of the NSCT (The National Safety Council of Thailand)
both told me how
valuable FARA's work is in contributing
towards safety in Thailand.
Dr Prasit
Damrongchai, Permanent Secretary, said:
"We fully support the work of
this association because of its role in educating young people.
It is so laudable to get people
to do volunteer work on fire prevention.
And these children go on to educate
their parents! The NSCT supports FARA
and regularly joins in its activities
and seminars, often letting the association
use its
Government premises for lectures,
etc."
During my interview with
Deputy Prime Minister Suwit Khunkitti, he told me how important
public awareness programs are to promulgate safety,
and of FARA's essential role in this:
"FARA is training the children, the younger generation,
giving them greater awareness of dangers and
how
to handle them. I hope that the youngsters can tell their parents and school
friends. and even their teachers, about potential dangers.
When
they grow up they will be more aware of dangers of fire and
will then be able to help
the Government advocate
greater fire safety and
public awareness."
In fact, Tom Kanathat , President of FARA, says that hopefully the fire safety message
may be spread wider quite soon.
"When
some of these older members go to university,
FARA
will be funding them to start their own safety clubs.
We are planting an oak tree,
taking the long term view."
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Emily Hough
Editor of The Fire International, March 1999
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