Dear Editor,
I must comment on the Rose Hall Fire Brigade’s poor attempt to control the burning house in Miss Phoebe on Saturday morning. I noticed smoke in the air at about 6:50 am as I was making a phone call and securing my dogs in their pen.
At about 6:55 am my neighbour called me over the fence to see a snake in the yard. When I went across my yard I noticed the smoke becoming more intense. We then went to investigate and found the burning house. At 7 am, a phone call made to the Fire Brigade. The Fire Brigade came but turned up at the wrong location. By this time, 7:30 am the upper floor was severely engulfed in flames and it collapsed and the fire spread downstairs. Finally, the Fire Brigade turned up at the scene.
I was horrified to see what transpired. It was clear to anyone observing the activity of the fire officers that they lack basic training.
- The driver had difficulties in reversing the fire truck.
- The fire hose compartment was opened by one officer, and the hoses were removed carefully one by one and laid beside each other on the ground while the other officers looked on.
- Minutes later the suction hose was pulled out but could not reach the canal. The driver then reversed the truck but still could not reach the water with the short suction hose.
- The officer had to use a wooden picket to open the drain to get water.
- There was no equipment to aid the fire officers.
- There was no protective clothing seen on the officers. One officer had some form of protection but helmet unstrapped, coat unbuttoned, trousers leg hanging out of his boots.
- Fire officers were dousing the fire singly. No other officer to help him or watch out for him- this is a dangerous practice.
- The equipment used was faulty, an officer had difficulty in removing the valve, refitting the outlet; opening the valve – it appears as if there was no servicing of the equipment.
- The hose was kinking with no one to help or observe this; or free the hose.
- Officers had to jump over a seven-foot fence, no equipment.
- No direction was given to the officers, the officers were all working separately, no team work.
- A) It was absolutely clear that those officers need more and continuous training, equipment needs to be checked and serviced on a regular basis and recorded.
- Officers need protective clothing and equipment.
- Officers need appropriate equipment for cutting and lifting
- Officers need training in team building and leadership.
Once again I can only comment on the job those officers do, but please, please offer them the appropriate training and give them the equipment/tools to do the job. Oh, also the person taking reports of fire needs to take and give clear and precise information.
Yours faithfully,
John Kamaluddin