During a small electrical fire at Hyde High School, Manchester, England in November 2024, 16-year-old Lucas Vezza-O’Brien, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was asked to remain in a safe area when other staff and students left the building. The school did not have access to specialist evacuation equipment. This experience has led to a nationwide campaign for better emergency evacuation measures in schools, with The Emergency Group stepping in to support Lucas and raise awareness about the need for accessible evacuation solutions, including evacuation chairs.
“I was told I had to stay upstairs. Then I smelled the smoke. I was petrified,”
Lucas, who was in a lesson when the electrical fire started, was told by staff to stay in the classroom. “I was told I had to stay upstairs. Then I smelled the smoke. I was petrified,” Lucas recalled. Thankfully, the fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was harmed, but Lucas’s experience ignited a passion for fire safety for disabled students and accessible emergency evacuation.
Following the incident, Lucas – an extremely confident, funny, and determined young man -launched the #NoStudentLeftBehind campaign. He is passionate about ensuring that all students, regardless of physical ability, have the right to specialist evacuation equipment, and evacuation chair training in all schools.
Lucas, who is in Year 11, and is due to sit his GCSEs in the coming weeks, has big plans for the future. After completing his exams, he hopes to attend Future Skills College in Media City, where he plans to pursue a career as a sports journalist. Lucas has already demonstrated a natural flair for communication and public engagement skills. His ability to rally support, gain media attention and create a meaningful campaign reflects a maturity and determination well beyond his years.
“Even though I’ve had my challenges, I’ve always tried to make people laugh, and I’m determined not to let anything stand in my way,” Lucas said. “I want to use my voice to make a difference, and this campaign is just the beginning.”
The campaign has already gained significant traction, with over 1,000 signatures on his petition, and Lucas’s message is being heard. To support his cause, The Emergency Group has donated four evacuation chairs to Hyde High School and they are providing staff training to ensure these emergency escape chairs are used effectively in case of a fire or other crisis. The company is also working closely with Lucas to raise awareness about evacuation chair regulations and push for legislative changes requiring all schools to be equipped with disabled evacuation solutions.
Nick Cox, Director at The Emergency Group, said:
“We are glad to support Lucas and Hyde High School after this incident and we are pleased to be donating evacuation equipment and offering training for staff on how to use the equipment in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, many businesses and schools do not have access to specialist evacuation equipment.
Evacuation Chairs (also known as Evac+Chairs) are an affordable solution that allows a single operator to safely move a passenger down stairs with minimal manual handling.
Accessibility is improving worldwide, but we must also consider emergency egress for disabled individuals. Lucas is on the right path, and we’re committed to helping him educate others about their legal and social responsibilities. We’ll be working toward legislative change to ensure no student is left behind. #NoStudentLeftBehind”
As part of their partnership, Lucas has agreed to become an ambassador for The Emergency Group, where he and Nick plan to advocate for safer, more accessible schools. Their shared goal is to push for policy changes ensuring all schools have evacuation chairs for disabled students and proper emergency evacuation training.
“Having the support of The Emergency Group and working alongside Nick is an incredible opportunity,” said Lucas. “Together, we can make a difference.”
The Emergency Group is proud to be working with Lucas to ensure that these vital safety measures are implemented in schools across the country. The company’s commitment goes beyond just providing equipment – it’s about raising awareness and pushing for policies that will protect vulnerable students and staff during emergencies. Hyde High School has expressed pride in Lucas’s determination and is fully supportive of his campaign. The school is delighted to be working with The Emergency Group and is grateful for their donation of evacuation chairs and staff training, which will strengthen their emergency readiness and inclusivity.
