Miss-Delectable
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IF fire breaks out in your home, the smoke detector is the early warning which could save your life.
But imagine you are deaf and the conventional high- pitched noise of a smoke detector is useless.
Time is the vital factor in escaping from a fire, and Moray firefighters trained in the use of sign language are pioneering a new fire safety programme for deaf people.
That includes the installation of new smoke alarms which have a flashing light and vibrator pad placed under the pillow, which alerts people in the event of a fire.
Forres couple Robin and Karen Leach were among the first deaf people to receive a visit this week from fire safety officers Harry Officer and Jim McPherson, who are both based at Elgin.
They went through a comprehensive fire safety check using sign language.
Both firefighters were among a number of Elgin personnel who completed the level one British Sign Language (BSL) course.
However, they have since moved on to more advanced sign language, and are currently the only two firefighters in Grampian trained to level two standard.
In conjunction with Moray Council social services, they are offering to fit the new smoke detectors free of charge in the homes of deaf people.
"We will be going out into the deaf community, who are at higher risk (from fire) because they are unable to hear conventional alarms," said Mr McPherson.
"We are getting more comfortable with the sign language. On our first home visit we were very nervous, but we got good feedback from the people," he added.
They have been taught by Mary Whittaker, a local BSL tutor who runs a local deaf club which has more than 35 members.
With at least twice that number of deaf people across Moray, the firefighters hope to roll out the programme over the next few months.
Mrs Leach welcomed the advice from the signing firefighters.
"It is really excellent," she said, signing through Mr McPherson. "I feel a lot more reassured now that the firefighters know sign language, and I appreciate them being able to sign. It is fantastic."
If the programme is successful in Moray, it could be rolled out across Grampian, with more firefighters being taught sign language.
The fire service also provides safety information in a number of foreign languages, including Polish, although as yet none of the firefighters has been trained in a foreign language.
Any deaf person who would like a free home fire safety visit and smoke detector can contact Elgin fire station by text at 61611 or by e-mail at info@grampianfrs.org.uk
Free fire safety advice is also available to the wider community on 01343 549060.
IF fire breaks out in your home, the smoke detector is the early warning which could save your life.
But imagine you are deaf and the conventional high- pitched noise of a smoke detector is useless.
Time is the vital factor in escaping from a fire, and Moray firefighters trained in the use of sign language are pioneering a new fire safety programme for deaf people.
That includes the installation of new smoke alarms which have a flashing light and vibrator pad placed under the pillow, which alerts people in the event of a fire.
Forres couple Robin and Karen Leach were among the first deaf people to receive a visit this week from fire safety officers Harry Officer and Jim McPherson, who are both based at Elgin.
They went through a comprehensive fire safety check using sign language.
Both firefighters were among a number of Elgin personnel who completed the level one British Sign Language (BSL) course.
However, they have since moved on to more advanced sign language, and are currently the only two firefighters in Grampian trained to level two standard.
In conjunction with Moray Council social services, they are offering to fit the new smoke detectors free of charge in the homes of deaf people.
"We will be going out into the deaf community, who are at higher risk (from fire) because they are unable to hear conventional alarms," said Mr McPherson.
"We are getting more comfortable with the sign language. On our first home visit we were very nervous, but we got good feedback from the people," he added.
They have been taught by Mary Whittaker, a local BSL tutor who runs a local deaf club which has more than 35 members.
With at least twice that number of deaf people across Moray, the firefighters hope to roll out the programme over the next few months.
Mrs Leach welcomed the advice from the signing firefighters.
"It is really excellent," she said, signing through Mr McPherson. "I feel a lot more reassured now that the firefighters know sign language, and I appreciate them being able to sign. It is fantastic."
If the programme is successful in Moray, it could be rolled out across Grampian, with more firefighters being taught sign language.
The fire service also provides safety information in a number of foreign languages, including Polish, although as yet none of the firefighters has been trained in a foreign language.
Any deaf person who would like a free home fire safety visit and smoke detector can contact Elgin fire station by text at 61611 or by e-mail at info@grampianfrs.org.uk
Free fire safety advice is also available to the wider community on 01343 549060.