On 15^th April 2016, the UN General Assembly adopted a wide-ranging resolution calling on the international community to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda on road safety as well as the Decade of Action for Road Safety – both of which are contributed to by FIRE AID members and their projects around the world.

On 15^th April 2016, the UN General Assembly adopted a wide-ranging and detailed resolution calling on the international community to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda on road safety as well as the Decade of Action for Road Safety – both of which are contributed to by FIRE AID members and their projects around the world.

The “Improving Global Road Safety” resolution, tabled by the Russian Federation, received strong support in the UN General Assembly with 55 governments co-sponsoring the resolution. Among key decisions, the resolution reaffirms adoption of the Sustainable Development Goal targets on road safety outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: SDG target 3.6, which aims to reduce global road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2020 and SDG target 11.2, which aims to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all by 2030.

The resolution acknowledges their importance and calls for action to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries as a pressing development priority – something FIRE AID members fully endorse and work towards via donations of rescue equipment to emergency services less equipped to respond to emergencies, including road traffic collisions. The new resolution also endorses the outcome document of the 2nd Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety – the “Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety” – held in Brazil in November 2015 which was attended by FIRE AID’s Chair and Deputy Chair who both spoke at several events. Read More.

Jim talking about the Global Forum for Road Safety Legislators in NYC

Chair of FIRE AID, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, promoted the work of FIRE AID and the importance of effective post-crash response at the two global events – speaking both at the Brasilia Conference in November 2015 and attending the preliminary events ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York in April 2016. 

At the Brasilia Conference, Mr Fitzpatrick spoke at a session on ‘Post-Crash Response’ organised by the World Health Organisation urging delegates to give serious consideration to capacity building for fire & rescue services in order to save more lives. In many countries fatality rates at the scene of a crash are unnecessarily high due to a lack of equipment, vehicles and training for road crash response. Also at the Brasilia Conference, the Global Forum for Road Safety Legislators was established with the FIRE AID Chair contributing as a founding member of the initiative.  The forum which is hosted by the Towards Zero Foundation aims to provide a global platform for legislators serving in national and regional parliaments, city, and local authorities responsible for road safety strategies and laws to share priorities and exchange best practice in road injury prevention.

In New York, Jim further promoted both the Legislators’ Network for Road Safety and the major role played by the UK in improving emergency response globally. Our Chair’s involvement provided a global voice for FIRE AID and its members, stimulating many new discussions and initiatives.