FireAngel supports international fire safety initiative in Nepal

Building on more than a decade’s worth of operational experience in the region, FIRE AID deployed a team of volunteers to deliver a targeted programme combining the provision of fire detection equipment with fire safety education and training.

As part of the initiative, FireAngel supplied smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms, enabling installations across four Area Welfare Centres run by The Gurkha Welfare Trust Nepal, with further roll-out planned across the Trust’s wider network of 21 locations. These hubs provide vital support for Gurkha veterans and their families, while also acting as focal points for wider community engagement.

Alongside the installations, fire safety awareness sessions were delivered through the Area Welfare Centres, supported by practical demonstrations on alarm testing and maintenance, as well as guidance around safe evacuation and reducing fire risks in the home. Fire safety materials and audit templates were also distributed to reinforce learning and support ongoing engagement.

Elevated fire risk

Communities in Nepal face a combination of elevated fire risk and limited access to early warning systems. Fires are commonly caused by electrical faults, LPG gas leaks and open flames, while densely built housing and remote locations can allow incidents to escalate rapidly and delay emergency response. As a result, early fire detection and prevention measures are critical.

By introducing detection technology within homes and community infrastructure, the initiative is helping to provide earlier warning of fire, affording building occupants more time to respond, while also embedding a longer-term culture of awareness and preparedness.

John Monaghan, project manager at FIRE AID, commented: “By working with trusted partners and installing smoke alarms in community hubs as well as homes, we are helping to ensure that people have the earliest possible warning of fire. That gives them the time they need to act.”

FIRE AID has worked in Nepal for over ten years, delivering support across both fire safety and Search and Rescue through a peer-to-peer model that connects UK firefighters with international partners. The organisation works closely with in-country stakeholders to identify specific needs and develop tailored interventions rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Extending awareness

Daniel Tweddle, account manager for FireAngel, observed: “We’re proud to support initiatives that extend fire safety awareness and protection into communities where access to early warning systems can be limited. Working alongside organisations such as FIRE AID, which combine local knowledge with hands-on training and education, helps to ensure that fire safety solutions are not only provided, but also properly understood and used.”

*Further information about FireAngel and the company’s advanced range of fire and CO safety solutions is available online at www.fireangel.co.uk/trade

**Access more detail concerning FIRE AID and its global Fire and Rescue aid-focused initiatives by visiting www.fire-aid.org/