At Evacusafe, our mission has always been clear: no one should be left behind during an emergency. That belief has taken on even greater meaning thanks to the bravery and determination of 16-year-old Lucas Vezza-O’Brien, a student at Hyde High School, who is now leading a vital national conversation about school safety and emergency preparedness for disabled students.
Lucas, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, found himself in a deeply concerning situation during a small electrical fire at his school in November 2024. While other pupils and staff were evacuated from the building, Lucas was told to remain in a designated ‘safe area’ on the first floor — because the school did not have the necessary evacuation equipment to assist him.
Thankfully, the fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was harmed. But for Lucas, the experience was frightening — and simply unacceptable.
Rather than let that experience define him, Lucas chose to act. He launched the #NoStudentLeftBehind campaign, which calls for all schools and colleges in the UK to be legally required to provide evacuation chairs and ensure staff receive proper training in their use. His goal is to reach 10,000 signatures on his petition — the threshold required to receive an official response from the UK government.
A Campaign Driving Real Change
When our team at Evacusafe and The Emergency Group heard Lucas’s story, we knew we had to get involved. We partnered with Lucas and donated several of our Evacusafe evacuation chairs to Hyde High School, ensuring that no student would ever be left behind again in an emergency.
We also provided comprehensive training for staff, equipping them with the confidence and practical skills to assist pupils with mobility impairments during an evacuation. The school’s response — and Lucas’s reaction — have been overwhelmingly positive.
Our evacuation chairs are designed to enable a safe, efficient, and dignified evacuation for anyone with mobility issues. With minimal handling and requiring just one operator, they provide a practical and cost-effective solution for multi-storey buildings across the education sector and beyond.
Lucas: An Advocate for Equality and Safety
Lucas is not only a bright and determined young man — he’s a natural leader and communicator. His ability to galvanise support, capture media attention, and speak passionately about disability rights is inspiring to all of us who have had the pleasure of working alongside him.
We are proud to support Lucas in his role as a Campaign Ambassador for The Emergency Group. Alongside our director, Nick Cox, Lucas is helping to raise awareness and push for vital policy changes that will ensure all schools are properly equipped to evacuate every pupil safely.
“This campaign is about more than just me,” says Lucas. “It’s about every student who might be left behind. That should never happen — and with the right equipment and training, it doesn’t have to.”
How You Can Support #NoStudentLeftBehind
We are encouraging everyone — parents, teachers, school leaders, local authorities, and members of the public — to back Lucas’s campaign. Signing the petition takes just a moment, but your support could help bring about long-term, meaningful change.
Sign the petition: Every school & college to be obliged to have an evacuation chair & training
Help spread awareness: Use the tag #NoStudentLeftBehind on social media
