Research: there are fewer fires per person in remote areas than the average

The Centre of Applied Social Sciences (CASS) of the University of Tartu studied the organization of fire safety supervision, preventive and rescue work and the efficiency of various measures in remote areas. The research revealed that the number of fires per person in remote areas is no higher than the average of other areas.

The research completed by CASS analyzes how the approximately 90,000 people living in remote areas in Estonia, i.e. in settlements which take the national rescue brigade more than 15 minutes to reach, are ensured the provision of rescue services. The analysis of the statistics on rescue events performed in the course of the research indicates that the number of fires per person occurring in remote areas is lower than the average and the numbers of those deceased or injured in fires are lower as well. “The result is not surprising for the experts in the area of rescue work. According to them, the residents of remote areas are generally more careful, because they know that it takes more time for help to arrive in case of an accident,” said Uku Varblane, one of the conductors of the research, about the results.

The research determined what can be done and what is reasonable to do to increase fire safety in remote areas. “Avoiding fire accidents is most important, and thus, the volume of preventive activities should be increased,” continued Varblane. According to Varblane, it is also important to explain how to act in case of a fire and to increase the primary fire extinction abilities of the people living in remote areas. It appears that, in addition to preventive activities, volunteer work and more active cooperation between various partners – local government representatives, social workers, volunteers – also play an important role.

According to Martin Lambing, adviser of the Rescue and Crisis Management Department of the Ministry of the Interior, the research provided the ministry with information about the activities that more attention should be paid to. “The research indicated the preventive activities that have a superior effect on ensuring fire safety in remote areas,” added Lambing, admitting that the results of the research can mainly be used to plan various preventive activities in the future. “Even though there are fewer fires per person in remote areas than the average, those areas must not be considered less important. The preventive activities that have a positive impact on the residents must be sustainable,” Lambing commented.

The research report can be found on the website of the CASS of the University of Tartu.

Further information: Uku Varblane, CASS Project Manager, conductor of the research, tel.: 737 6378, e-mail: [email protected].