Roland
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘I well know the fear one feels when the fire alarm rings.’
Roland lived in a high-rise building in the city for many years.
When the fire alarm sounded one time, a loud speaker message told residents to ‘urgently leave the building via the fire stairs’. It warned them not to use the lifts ‘under any circumstances’.
Roland has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair. He told the Royal Commission he requires two support workers to get him out of bed in the morning, shower, toilet and dress him and put him in his wheelchair. Another support worker comes in the evening to put him in bed.
When the alarm sounded Roland and his wife were alone. All she could do was say goodbye, leaving him for ‘what felt like hours’ wondering what might happen next.
Roland said he wasn’t the only resident in the building unable to escape via the fire stairs. Some were vision impaired, used walking frames or had recently had hip or knee surgery.
It turned out the alarm sounded because of a technical fault and no-one needed to evacuate the building.
Recently Roland spent a few months in a respite facility while his wife was away. He was staying on the first floor and noticed a sign warning people not to use the lift if there was a fire.
‘So, I asked the manager what her advice was for people like me who couldn't walk. And what about all the people in hospital beds? She said, “Oh don't worry, the fire station is only ten minutes away”.’
Roland wasn’t comforted. He said the lives of people with disability who live in many types of buildings are at ‘considerable risk’ if there is a fire, earthquake, building collapse or other type of emergency.
He proposes governments develop a strategy to protect the lives of people with disability who live in multistorey buildings. He suggests people with disability develop a personal emergency plan that can be registered with emergency services.
The current situation is ‘totally unsatisfactory’ Roland said, and deserves the Royal Commission’s ‘urgent attention’.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.