BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services is reporting that it has recorded an almost 30 percent reduction in the number of fire calls it responded to in 2016 when compared with the figure for the previous year.
Fire Chief Everette O’Garro told SKNVibes that in 2016, there were 462 fires, 185 less than 2015’s 647
The Chief said the Department is pleased with the reduction but it is working to continue to drive the number of fires downward. He attributed the 29 percent reduction to the Department’s fire prevention programmes. These include the Summer Fire Safety Camp which saw an increase in attendance of near 50 percent in 2016.
He explained that in 2015, March was the most active month in terms of number of fires recorded, particularly brush/wildland fires.
“We made a strong effort to reduce these incidents by targeting alleged culprits. We spread information of the dangers involved in the lighting of careless fires and encouraged and admonished alleged perpetrators to desist from such a practice. We met with personnel involved in the coal business and provided them with useful fire safety tips with regards to the setting up of coal pits. As enquiries into a large number of the wildland fires lead to information indicating that they originated from coal pits that were set up in the area.”
The initiative bore fruit and as was reported by O’Garro, March 2016 saw the largest percentage reduction in fire calls: in Basseterre, it was down by 69.7 percent; down by 89.1 percent in Tabernacle; 69.7 percent in Sandy Point; and in Charlestown, the instances were down 64.4 percent.
He said there was also a 32 percent reduction in house fires. Instances of fires involving children were down to zero in 2016 and the Fire Chief also informed that fatal fires have remained at zero for the past five years.
“The strengthening of our Fire Prevention Unit in terms of personnel and equipment in order that the delivery of our fire prevention message was more effective also contributed to the positive results…We are quite satisfied with the downward trend and will continue to place great emphasis on our Fire Prevention Programmes throughout the communities in the various Fire Districts.
“A big part of our strategy is to continue to strengthen our pre-fire planning by identifying and eliminating fire hazards. The continuation of established fire prevention programmes with businesses and institutions throughout the federation. Continue educating, monitoring and inspecting to make sure that appropriate and adequate measures are in place at these facilities that would help to prevent fires. “
