FIRE! Deaf alerted at House of Commons!

The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce, Liberal Democrat MP, today welcomed guests to Portcullis House, House of Commons for the launch of DMS (Deaf Message Service) - a NEW fire safety product that informs deaf or hard of hearing people when the fire alarm sounds in a public place like a supermarket, shopping centre or library.

DMS also helps service providers and employers compliance with elements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), allowing deaf and hard of hearing people the freedom to move around buildings without worry of missing an emergency situation.

Clare Chilton, an assessor for Level One British Sign Language exams and a TV presenter on deaf issues, herself profoundly deaf, spoke about some of her own experiences said “Hearing people take everyday audio warnings of danger for granted. Deaf people can feel very vulnerable when they are out and about, especially to any kind of emergency that produces an audible alarm or public address announcement, particularly in public buildings.

Deaf people are active members of society, with jobs and disposable incomes to spend - so it’s only right that businesses should provide for all their special needs, especially by ensuring that they are safe and secure whilst on their premises.

DMS is such a brilliant idea. And by using text messaging (SMS) to let you know a fire alarm is sounding… it’s using something deaf people use all the time!”

The DMS unit can be easily installed in under half an hour, and when the fire alarm sounds a text message (SMS) is sent to the mobile phone of connected users to let them know the fire alarm is sounding.

The user’s mobile is connected to DMS by sending one text with the relevant location code, they are then connected under that location and will be sent a text should the fire alarm sound.