Stop Burning Stuff!

Brush fires have stretched the Barbados Fire Service to the limit.

And Acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips is appealing to Barbadians to stop indiscriminate burning.

Phillips said: “At the beginning of 2010 we are faced with an abnormally high number of fires as they rage in every section of the Island and have placed a very heavy demand on the resources of this department.

“Where at the end of January 2009 we had 13 grass fires, at the end of the corresponding period [this year] we have had 304.”

The statistics also showed there were 36 cane fires at the end of January, compared to just five the previous year, while rubbish fires stand at 38 as opposed to last year’s 15. Particularly troubling is the hike in false alarm calls to the fire service from six in 2009 to 17 in 2010.

“Persons light fires and cause open burning for many different reasons. Whatever the reason there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action,” Phillips said.

Pointing to the negative economic impact that the fires have on the island “at a time when we can ill afford it”, Phillips stressed “every time a commercial building fire takes place some jobs are lost and as recovery time increases more jobs are lost. Every acre of grass burnt means that domestic and commercial farmers have to buy more feed. The products of combustion from fires are impacting the health of our citizens more adversely because we cannot tell what is in the pastures when there is illegal dumping”.

“These factors, coupled with the drought we have been experiencing for the past 12 months, and the current economic recession is a good enough basis on which to appeal to the general public to revert to or adopt a level of responsible behaviour which will help rather than hurt at this time,” he stated.

“We have limited resources and will not be able to achieve these goals without the fervent support of every member of the public. Stop lighting the grass and sugar canes. Stop indiscriminate burning it is the dry season and outside is quite windy” Phillips insisted. “Exercise greater vigilance at home and in the work place. Ensure that children and the elderly are constantly supervised.”

Meanwhile, fire officer Glyne Alleyne has also asked Barbadians to be aware of the impact fires were having on persons who suffer with respiratory ailments.

“Like the rest of Barbados, we are concerned about indiscriminate burning and there are a number of persons who have called the department complaining that they are asthmatic and that the smoke from their neighbours’ fires is causing them complications,” Alleyne said.

“It is a serious problem, the fire department makes provision for instances of rodent infestation and where cow itch is causing a problem. In these cases, we, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture will conduct a controlled burning to minimise the effect of this discomfort to persons,” he added.

Alleyne suggested that there were other viable options that could be explored before resorting to burning. “Outside is dry, we understand that, but persons may try mulching. Take the leaves and dry grass – use it in your garden,” the fire fighter said.

Alternately, householders may look into neatly packing garbage and arranging to have it picked up by the Sanitation Service Authority or a private company and/or seek a company which offers recycling services for reusable items.

“I find however, in Barbados, it is a common practice – almost cultural that we burn. This is not necessary, but it has become a habit of the local community where people burn on a daily basis – regardless of the hour of the day.”

Furthermore, Alleyne added that often persons do not have the means to extinguish the fire, resulting in the fire service being called to control the situation. “This is the kind of irresponsible behaviour that is happening in this country on a daily basis. It is a problem,” he continued, citing incidents where persons burned rubbish and the fire got away and destroyed their neighbour’s house.

“I am not aware, in my 13 years at the fire service, of an instance where someone who accidentally destroyed their neighbours house had to financially compensate them... and many of the residential homes in Barbados are not insured. The financial loss, the displacement – it is tragic,” he added.

Source: www.barbadostoday.bb