NSW Fire Brigades and McDonald's restaurants join forces in fire prevention initiative

Published: 18th March 2009

The NSW Fire Brigades, in partnership with McDonald's NSW restaurants, today launched a fire prevention education initiative targeting children and families. The launch, held at Daceyville Public School highlighted how educating children and families can help reduce the risk of fire in the home.

Under a three year partnership agreement, McDonald's will assist the NSW Fire Brigades in its delivery of community fire awareness and prevention education programs. McDonald's will also be supporting the NSW Fire Brigades' Community Fire Units whose members are volunteers trained and equipped to protect their own neighbouring properties from ember attack in the event of a bushfire.

NSW Fire Brigades' Chief Superintendent, Steven Pearce, says he is thrilled about the partnership and the chance to work together to deliver fire safety education programs to the community.

"McDonald's and the NSW Fire Brigades share some common goals, including supporting and giving back to their local communities," Chief Superintendent Pearce said. "This partnership is the perfect way for us to join forces to reach families and children with vital fire safety information."

Tony Favotto, McDonald's Licensee and Community Fire Unit member, believes the partnership will allow the two organisations to combine forces with the same goal in mind; to provide much needed education and support to the community on fire safety.

 "As a Community Fire Unit member, I have seen the commitment the NSW Fire Brigades has towards the community and how many of their values align with McDonald's. The partnership between the NSW Fire Brigades and McDonald's is a natural alignment, bringing together our best practice services to develop initiatives that assist the wider community," said Mr Favotto.

"McDonald's is a community hub that serves millions of people every week. This is another way restaurants across NSW can assist in providing vital community education and awareness support to one of our State’s most trusted brand in the NSW Fire Brigades," Mr Favotto concluded.

In 2009, McDonald's will help the NSW Fire Brigades to build awareness of the key seasonal fire risks through the promotion of Fire Prevention Week, encourage kids to become aware of fire safety in the home with the launch of the Brigades Kids CD and associated web based tools and support the outstanding work of the 391 Community Fire Units.