Bajans Urged To Be ‘Fire Smart’
The number of fire incidents in Barbados continues to skyrocket, with 237 fires being reported since Acting Chief Fire Officer, Lloydson Phillips, made an appeal to the public to be “fire smart” just 11 days ago.
As of yesterday, the Barbados Fire Service have recorded a total of 879 fire calls for the year in comparison with 140 during the same period last year. Of these, 587 were grass fires – a massive increase over last year’s 35, private dwelling stands at 18 as opposed to 13 in 2009 and 90 cane fires have been tended compared to 22 last year.
Malicious false alarm calls stand at 33 as compared to last year’s figure of nine. Phillips told Barbados TODAY that the next highest figure for the same period within the last five years was 2008, when 261 calls were recorded.
“These statistics are of great concern to the Barbados Fire Service since the resources ... are stretched to the limits, to respond to these fires, but there is an economic cost as well. When an appliance responds to a fire call, it burns diesel, uses water which is a precious commodity especially in this dry season, and there is general wear and tear on the vehicles as well,” he said.
“Just one spark ... can transport fire from a localised area and start a bigger fire in a greater area, or the fire can spread rapidly what is burning to the un-burnt grasslands and canes. We are
appealing to members of public to desist from burning fire in the open at this time”, added Phillips.
Sub Officer (Ag.) and Deputy Officer of the Fire Prevention Unit, Henderson Patrick, noted “what we have suggested to the general public is to bag materials that they would normally burn and work in conjunction with the Sanitation Authority to have that material moved from their homes. Persons also tend to burn open lots which may have rodents in them and pose a security problem and these persons can be assisted by the Ministry of Health who can have the area excavated. People do not have to resort to burning to get the problem fixed, there are other agencies that can help.”
Source: www.barbadostoday.bb
As of yesterday, the Barbados Fire Service have recorded a total of 879 fire calls for the year in comparison with 140 during the same period last year. Of these, 587 were grass fires – a massive increase over last year’s 35, private dwelling stands at 18 as opposed to 13 in 2009 and 90 cane fires have been tended compared to 22 last year.
Malicious false alarm calls stand at 33 as compared to last year’s figure of nine. Phillips told Barbados TODAY that the next highest figure for the same period within the last five years was 2008, when 261 calls were recorded.
“These statistics are of great concern to the Barbados Fire Service since the resources ... are stretched to the limits, to respond to these fires, but there is an economic cost as well. When an appliance responds to a fire call, it burns diesel, uses water which is a precious commodity especially in this dry season, and there is general wear and tear on the vehicles as well,” he said.
“Just one spark ... can transport fire from a localised area and start a bigger fire in a greater area, or the fire can spread rapidly what is burning to the un-burnt grasslands and canes. We are
appealing to members of public to desist from burning fire in the open at this time”, added Phillips.
Sub Officer (Ag.) and Deputy Officer of the Fire Prevention Unit, Henderson Patrick, noted “what we have suggested to the general public is to bag materials that they would normally burn and work in conjunction with the Sanitation Authority to have that material moved from their homes. Persons also tend to burn open lots which may have rodents in them and pose a security problem and these persons can be assisted by the Ministry of Health who can have the area excavated. People do not have to resort to burning to get the problem fixed, there are other agencies that can help.”
Source: www.barbadostoday.bb
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