The City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) has wrapped six Metrobuses with vinyl branding to heighten awareness about domestic fire prevention and safety. The initiative, due to be launched soon, will see the six branded Metrobuses driving around City streets covered in vinyl stickers that display the EMS’s fire prevention and safety messages, including graphics that explain how to prevent domestic fires.
The vinyl wraps advertise services provided by various EMS units, such as the Public Information Education and Relations (PIER) unit, Proactive Services, and courses offered at the Commercial Training Academy.
Vinyl branding uses materials such as vinyl decals or vinyl wraps to brand or advertise a product, service, or business. Vinyl branding can be applied to various surfaces, such as vehicles, storefronts, or signage, and can be a cost-effective way to create visual impact and promote brand awareness.
Andries Mucavele, the Acting Chief of EMS says his directorate is deploying this fire prevention strategy for the first time in history and is extremely excited to launch the unique programme this week.
Mucavele says the partnership with Metrobus, the municipal owned bus entity will raise awareness about the increased need for residents to be fire cautious and conscious.
“The EMS had to think outside the box in order to market fire safety and prevention to the communities it serves,” Mucavele says.
He points out that the educational awareness campaign complements the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (COGTA) white paper chapter on public safety, which seeks to make fire safety and prevention core elements of fire service functions.
“This is done to prevent fires and ensure that precautionary measures are implemented to reduce the likelihood of domestic fires, prevent the loss of life, injuries, property damage, and environmental damage caused by fires,” Mucavele explains.
When compared to static signage or billboards, Metrobus’ transit advertising will reach more consumers, locations, and more foot traffic.
Mucavele believes the Metrobus transit advertising platform is a fantastic opportunity to promote EMS programmes through mobile billboards that crisscross the City.
Every year, the Metrobus transports over 11 million commuters.
“This is a captive audience that commutes daily, which means we can constantly repeat the fire prevention and safety message. The EMS will benefit greatly from this because it cannot reach that many residents in a year with its current resources.”
The branded buses will serve areas with the highest number of domestic fires, as well as other parts of Johannesburg. The EMS hopes that by advertising in transit, people will be able to access critical information wherever they are, resulting in fewer domestic fires and a more informed society.
Domestic fires are those that start in a home or in a residential setting. Cooking accidents, heating equipment malfunctions, electrical faults, smoking, unattended candle lights, and even arson can all cause these fires.
Domestic fires are especially dangerous because they spread quickly and are difficult to escape, especially if there are no working smoke alarms or fire suppression systems.
Mucavele believes fire prevention is critical to lowering the risk of domestic fires.
“Never leave candle lights or paraffin cooking stoves unattended, and keep flammable materials away from heat sources,” he warns.
He says the branding on the buses will include similar messages messaging.
“The goal of our fire prevention and safety strategy is to educate the public on precautions to take to prevent domestic fires, enforce codes and relevant legislation. “It is a proactive method of reducing fires, as well as the associated damage and loss of life,” Mucavele emphasises.
Written by Puleng Tladi
14/02/2023