Nearly three-quarters of UK households don’t have a fire extinguisher, leaving communities vulnerable to small fires that can quickly escalate. For emergency services, that means responding to incidents that might otherwise have been contained at source. At The Emergency Services Show, Paul Jameson, Chief Commercial Officer at LifeSafe Technologies, spoke about the role of portable extinguishers in empowering both frontline responders and the communities they serve. “Within a 25-year cycle of living in a property, every single person will have a fire at some point. It could be really small, but it could also be devastating,” he said, highlighting the importance of being prepared for incidents of any scale. LifeSafe has spent the past decade developing extinguishing solutions for modern fire risks – from kitchen fires to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries in devices such as laptops, phones and tablets. Compact and intuitive, the units are designed for rapid use under pressure, based on research into how people naturally react in stressful situations. Paul explained that the extinguisher can be operated in any direction, allowing quick deployment when seconds count. “The faster you can get a capable tool to the fire, the quicker it can be contained, reducing risk for both people and property,” he said. The session explored how these tools could be integrated into emergency response operations. Officers, paramedics and rescue personnel can carry the lightweight extinguishers in their kits, tackling small fires immediately in vehicles, workplaces or community settings before the situation escalates. Drawing on his experience in social housing, Paul also discussed community safety programmes that equip vulnerable residents with portable extinguishers. Real-world feedback shows the difference this can make: in one instance, a resident used a unit to stop an oven fire before it spread. Beyond domestic settings, LifeSafe continues to develop products to address emerging fire risks, including those linked to lithium-ion batteries and outdoor or industrial environments. These tools are intended to complement, not replace, traditional firefighting methods – giving responders more options to manage evolving hazards safely. “We’ve kept on developing,” Paul said. “We even have a product that can prevent the thermal build-up in a battery so the battery will never catch on fire.” For emergency services, the discussion reinforced that early, rapid response can prevent minor incidents from developing into major emergencies. Portable, easy-to-use extinguishers can enhance operational resilience, whether integrated into response vehicles, community programmes or workplace safety plans. Paul emphasised that the tools are designed for anyone to use: “It’s really simple, highly effective, and safe. People can pick it up and act immediately.” As fire risks evolve, practical tools that enable fast intervention remain vital. By combining public education with accessible equipment, both communities and emergency services can act quickly, reduce preventable damage and strengthen overall safety. Watch the full interview here.
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