Barbados Fire Service reporting rise in activity
Fri, 06/10/2016 - 12:00am
The Barbados Fire Service is experiencing an increase in activity in almost all of the categories of emergency to which they respond.
During the period January 1 to June 8, 2016, the Department responded to a total of 1 252 fires when compared to 1 129 for the same period last year.
According to Chief Fire Officer (Ag) Errol Maynard, grass fires increased from 609 last year to 681; motor vehicle fires from 21 to 28; rubbish fires from 154 to 197; and other structural fires which include containers, workshop and sheds moved from 11 to 17, whereas dwelling house fires increased from 38 to 39.
Addressing the launch of the 2016 Fire Safety Handbook at the Bridgetown Fire Station yesterday, he said that residential fires are of great concern to the Department, as the effects are far reaching, especially when they occur in densely populated areas such as St. Michael. He observed that 17 out of the 39 residential fires that occurred for the year were located in St. Michael, while the others were distributed across the other parishes.
“It should also be especially noted that two of the residential fires that occurred this year were as a result of direct burning from grass fires; one structure was completely destroyed and the other extensively damaged.”
“This means that we are not keeping around our properties clean. If we keep around our homes clean it is impossible for there to be direct burning from grass onto our homes,” he stressed, also appealing to those who burn grass and rubbish to avoid doing so.
The Fire Chief is also sending a stern warning to those dumping illegally. He made it clear that illegal dumping is not an alternative to burning of rubbish and garbage.
“This is itself is a fire hazard and an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Just recently we had to commission a task force to address such a problem in a north western district.”
Maynard also pointed out that the Fire Service does not only respond to fires, but also to non-fire emergencies. So far this year, the Department responded to 37 motor vehicle accidents, an equal number for the same period for 2015 and responded to 94 such incidents for that year.
“These accidents resulted in much damage, death and carnage. You are therefore encouraged to exercise a little more care,” he said. (TL)