Bajan Fire Fighters Blog

The Bajan Fire Fighters' Network is blessed with committed volunteers, dedicated fans, supportive communities and a talented, caring Administrative staff. Our heartfelt thanks to our members and everyone who played a part in providing (or helping us to provide) assistance to those we supported in 2014. We wish you all a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

According to Geneva-based Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives this year's number of crashes at 111 is down from 139 last year, says the bureau, which defines an air accident as "any event where aircraft suffered such damage that it is not in a position to be used anymore and that it is removed from service." See:  http://www.baaa-acro.com/

The Administration and Trustees would like to extend our very best wishes to our members and fans of the Bajan Fire Fighters' Network. Your dedication, commitment and contribution to our organisation is very much appreciated.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .

My fellow Barbadians, visitors and investors in Barbados, on behalf of the members of the Barbados Fire Service, I sincerely wish you, your families and employees a happy and safe holiday season and a productive and prosperous 2015. Safety, as you know, is the number one priority of the Barbados Fire Service and we stand committed to providing everyone with excellent customer service through efficient emergency care. With each passing year, we remind you of the importance of adopting proper fire safety practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and this year is no different as we continue to urge persons to be ever mindful of the danger of fire and offer tips on how to avoid and in some cases eliminate the chance of an emergency occurring. This year, regrettably, has seen the Fire Service being summoned to numerous emergencies, especially in the form of private dwelling house fires. In 2013, there were 80 recorded house fires, whereas for the year to date, the...

Anyone thinking of making fire-fighting a career choice must be willing to learn, and more importantly, be prepared to give of their service to their country. No longer is the job characterised by simple bush and grass fires, but now requires those who enter its ranks to be well-rounded academically, technologically and physically. No one knows this better than retiring Chief Fire Officer at the Barbados Fire Service (BFS), Wilfred Marshall, as he reflected on how the profession has evolved since he joined in 1975. Officially retiring in January, Marshall is of the view that the selection process for the Fire Service needs to be broadened and deepened. See more:  BGIS Media

Acting Chief Fire Officer with the Barbados Fire Service (BFS), Errol Maynard, stated that this year’s 16.25 per cent increase in house fires, strengthened the fact that the message of fire safety urgently needed to reach “every alley, avenue, terrace, village, development and community across Barbados”. A total of 80 house fires were recorded for 2013, while there are 93 on record so far for this year.  “With each passing year, we remind you of the importance of adopting proper fire safety practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and this year is no different, as we continue to urge persons to be ever mindful of the danger of fire and offer tips on how to avoid, and, in some cases eliminate, the chance of an emergency occurring,” he said. One area of particular concern for fire officials is persons leaving their stoves unattended – one of the main contributing factors to the spike in house fires across the island. See more:  BGIS Media

Fire Officer Natasha Forde (Barbados Fire Service) at a Career Showcase held on December 9 at the Lester Vaughan School, Cane Garden, St. Thomas. (Images: Lester Vaughan School)

The National HIV/AIDS Bank is in dire need of your assistance with donations of non-perishable food items. We are encouraging everyone to join us and render support to the National HIV/AIDS Food Bank. This very worthy cause deserves your generous support. Contact us: info@bajanfirefighters.org

The holiday season is the festive time of year when decorative lights brighten our homes and families get together to enjoy the holiday spirit. It is also the time when the risk of fire increases. We offer these helpful hints that everyone can use to keep the season fire free. We urge you to take a moment to read the following tips. • ALWAYS turn off tree lights before going out or to bed. • ALWAYS erect your Christmas tree away from heat sources. • NEVER use combustible decorations on your tree. • NEVER place lights with damaged electrical cords on your tree. • NEVER use staples or nails to hang up light sets, this can damage cords (shock hazard). • NEVER overload electrical circuits by hanging too many lights. • NEVER hang lights outdoors that are not specified for external use. • ALWAYS inspect your decorative lights for defects before hanging them up. • ALWAYS unplug decorative lights when leaving home. • ALWAYS secure plugs from water when using outdoors. ...

International Volunteer Day 2014 - "Make Change Happen" International Volunteer Day (IVD) - (December 5) is an international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions - at local, national and international levels. See more:  http://www.unv.org/what-we-do/intl-volunteer-day.html

We urge homeowners to take precautions to ensure the safety and protection of your family and property. Contrary to popular belief, fire safety is not expensive. The following measures can go a long way towards improving safety in your home. Install smoke detectors, they provide adequate early warning in the event of a fire. Smoke detectors are readily available from most hardware stores and are not expensive. Purchase a fire extinguisher for your home. ABC fire extinguishers are multi-purpose and are essential hand-held devices to combat fires in their early stages. Create and practice exit drills with the occupants in your home. Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is important to ensuring the safety and well-being of your family members.   Finally, if you can afford home insurance it is highly recommended that you obtain adequate insurance coverage for your home and contents.  If you require further information or assistance with your fire safety plann...

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. The 2014 theme for World AIDS Day is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” Read more: http://www.worldaidsday.org/

Two fire tenders from the Bridgetown Fire Station under the command of Station Officer Gordon Boxill responded to a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of this morning. The accident occurred near the Glebe, St. George just after 1 a.m. and resulted in a pedestrian being struck and pinned under a vehicle. The pedestrian died at the scene of the accident.

IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY - "When a man or woman becomes a firefighter the greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he or she does after that is all in the line of duty" ~ Edward F. Croker.