Fire Service Getting An Ease
This year started out as a tough one for members of the Barbados Fire Service, as their human resources were stretched due to an upsurge in grass, cane and house fires in the months of January and February. Reports indicated that these blazes were having a negative impact on firefighters, since they were “going almost the complete period of the tour of duty without rest”.
However, while speaking to the Barbados Advocate yesterday, Acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox noted that of late the Fire Service has seen a reduction in fires. But, he is still appealing to the public to exercise caution and engage in fire prevention strategies as Barbados is still undergoing a period of drought, and the situation is further compounded each time the Fire Service has to send out tenders to respond to any fire.
“We are not having as many fires as we had during the first two months of the year. We have seen a reduction daily and I would encourage all Barbadians to continue to ensure that we don’t have these fires going in Barbados, because we already know what is happening to our water resources. That has been expressed many times and even the farmers now are telling us what effects the number of grass fires are having on their ability to produce milk etc. And hence I would encourage all Barbadians to desist from lighting fires outdoors,” Cox remarked.
He is urging persons to desist from the practice of indiscriminate or backyard burning during this dry spell. Cox revealed that the Fire Prevention and Community Relations Unit will be embarking on a special programme to hone in on problem areas.
“We are planning to target those areas which present us with the greatest challenges. The Fire Prevention Unit will be targeting these areas to take the message directly into the communities and help to reduce the amount of fires we are having,” he said.
The acting chief fire officer also had a message for persons who are constantly affected by those who burn in the open air, but who are not aware of the assistance they can get in such a circumstance.
“Every time there is fire, the Fire Service should be called,” he stated.
Source: www.barbadosadvocate.com
However, while speaking to the Barbados Advocate yesterday, Acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox noted that of late the Fire Service has seen a reduction in fires. But, he is still appealing to the public to exercise caution and engage in fire prevention strategies as Barbados is still undergoing a period of drought, and the situation is further compounded each time the Fire Service has to send out tenders to respond to any fire.
“We are not having as many fires as we had during the first two months of the year. We have seen a reduction daily and I would encourage all Barbadians to continue to ensure that we don’t have these fires going in Barbados, because we already know what is happening to our water resources. That has been expressed many times and even the farmers now are telling us what effects the number of grass fires are having on their ability to produce milk etc. And hence I would encourage all Barbadians to desist from lighting fires outdoors,” Cox remarked.
He is urging persons to desist from the practice of indiscriminate or backyard burning during this dry spell. Cox revealed that the Fire Prevention and Community Relations Unit will be embarking on a special programme to hone in on problem areas.
“We are planning to target those areas which present us with the greatest challenges. The Fire Prevention Unit will be targeting these areas to take the message directly into the communities and help to reduce the amount of fires we are having,” he said.
The acting chief fire officer also had a message for persons who are constantly affected by those who burn in the open air, but who are not aware of the assistance they can get in such a circumstance.
“Every time there is fire, the Fire Service should be called,” he stated.
Source: www.barbadosadvocate.com
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