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overall, and in relation to each other, will depend on the specific context of each informal settlement. In practice, these aspects may also be


relevant for more than one stage. Finally, the disaster cycle stages and fire safety aspects can be considered at different scales, and by stakeholders at each of these scales. The rings in the framework represent the different scales at which action to improve fire safety should be considered (household, community, city). Improvements in fire safety may be realised


through direct investments in fire risk reduction or as co benefits from investments in informal settlements more broadly. The greatest benefits will be realised through holistic consideration of the physical and social nature of fire risk.


Social issue


Attention is most commonly focused on the physical aspects of fire, but fire is equally a social issue. People’s personal experiences of fire, their cultural beliefs and related perceptions of fire risk all influence their behaviour and how likely they are to invest in fire safety measures. Competing needs and risks, such as the


risks to personal security, may also have knock on effects on fire safety. For example, in some informal settlements, residents may lock their doors more frequently to protect themselves from intruders. By locking the door, they are prioritising their family’s security, but it may be


at the expense of their fire safety – for example, a more vulnerable person such as a child, may not be able to escape independently if there is a fire. Strategies to reduce fire risk should respect


the wide range of competing needs, risks and challenges facing communities and should leverage the organisational structures and capacities of communities and other stakeholders. In particular, fire safety awareness campaigns and training can empower individuals and communities to identify hazards in their own community and take action to improve fire safety.


Call to action


This framework is the first step, allowing NGOs, aid organisations and governments to understand fire risk in all its complexity, and develop initiatives that will allow them to both prevent fires and reduce the consequences of fires that do happen. It is intended to support further research, encourage knowledge sharing and promote investments in fire risk reduction in global informal settlements. There is a need to consider fire within holistic


strategies for the resilience of communities and cities in the face of multiple hazards. As such, we hope that this framework will also support the incorporation of fire safety within wider disaster planning. We are exploring opportunities to develop robust, holistic and accessible tools that


www.frmjournal.com MARCH 2019 45


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