"Safe Return": Transitioning from Information to Practical Behavior in Schools
Major General Muhammad Al-Gharib, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at the General Fire Force, confirmed that the “Safe Return” campaign continues its awareness activities in Ministry of Education schools, coinciding with the start of the academic year. The campaign aims to strengthen safety and prevention culture among students and teaching staff, and to instill correct behaviors for handling various emergency situations.
Al-Gharib explained to Al-Rai newspaper that the campaign is part of the General Fire Force’s preventive and awareness efforts, emphasizing the importance of reaching students in schools and familiarizing them with security and safety procedures. He noted that prevention begins with disseminating accurate information and transforming it into practical behaviors that students can apply in schools, at home, and in public places.
Major General Al-Gharib added that the lectures also raise students’ awareness of the importance of fire prevention in homes and schools, proper handling of alarm systems and safety equipment, avoiding the use of elevators during fires, and contacting the relevant authorities to request assistance when necessary. These measures contribute to protecting lives and minimizing risks.
Al-Gharib stated that the campaign will continue throughout the designated period of the awareness program, coinciding with the start of the academic year. It includes a number of Ministry of Education schools, as well as public and private universities, and students in special education schools, aiming to reach the largest possible number of targeted students. He affirmed that the General Fire Force is coordinating with the Ministry of Education and other relevant entities to ensure the program’s success and achieve its awareness objectives.
He praised the supporting and cooperating entities, foremost among them the Ministry of Education, for their cooperation in organizing lectures and delivering awareness messages to students and teaching staff. He emphasized that partnerships between government institutions are a fundamental factor in the success of preventive programs and in raising community awareness levels.
Al-Gharib pointed out that indicators of engagement with the campaign reflect a clear interest from students in the information provided, particularly regarding how to act during fires and emergencies. He noted that engagement, asking questions, and participation in awareness activities are among the key indicators of the success of these programs, as the goal is not limited to providing information but transforming it into daily practices and behaviors.
Al-Gharib affirmed that the General Fire Force places great importance on school awareness, considering students a fundamental segment in building a society aware of security and safety requirements. He explained that a student who learns today how to prevent fires and act correctly during emergencies can transfer this knowledge to their family and surroundings, thereby transforming the awareness message from the school to the home and the broader community.
He stressed that the “Safe Return” campaign is not limited to the back-to-school season, but is part of a continuous system of awareness programs and activities implemented by the General Fire Force throughout the year. The goal is to promote a culture of prevention and reinforce the concept that safety is a shared responsibility, beginning with awareness and ending with adherence to correct behavior.
