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Posted: Saturday 30 August, 2014 at 10:35 PM

Social Security fire drill… other businesses encouraged to follow suit

The E. St. John Payne Annex which currently houses the Social Security Board staff.
By: Terresa McCall, SKNVibes.com

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SCORES of Social Security Board staffers scurried from their desks to the outside of their office building on Thursday (Aug. 28) after the fire alarm was activated signalling that there may have been an emergency in the building.

     

    Thankfully, there was no real emergency but the alarm was activated as part of a fire drill, which was overseen by the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Department.

     

    While speaking with this publication, Acting Fire Chief Everette O’Garro explained that this recent exercise is part of his Department’s thrust to engage in more fire-prevention activities while maintaining its regular fire-fighting measures.

     

    As one of the main components of this thrust, a Fire Prevention Unit was established earlier this year, that has “been working on standardised presentations which are used when we visit the businesses to teach them about fire-prevention and relative topics. This way, we are all sending the same message no matter what business we go to…

     

    “We are trying to be more proactive as a modern fire service. No longer do we sit around and wait for the bell to ring, but we are going out there and educating about fire prevention. Prevention forms a large part of what we do on a daily basis now. And the Fire Prevention Unit is one of the vehicles that we have been using.”

     

    O’Garro said the Department is encouraging as many businesses, community groups, schools etc to test their fire-prevention and fire-response readiness by making contact with the Fire Department – in writing - and requesting their assistance. He explained that once that is done, the Department would initiate the education programme and sometime thereafter, the drill would follow.

     

    As part of the drill, he further explained, an official of the Department would be on the business’ compound – known only to management of the establishment - during the process of activation fire alarm and evacuation. And that officer would be charged with the responsibility of assessing that business’ readiness.

     

    “People might ask why drills are necessary. They are a vital part of preparing in the event of emergencies because it is ok to teach people things in theory but putting them into practice is another thing. And that is what drills do; they help in identifying what needs to change show you what needs to be changed.

     

    He said he has seen what happens when companies – and even individuals – forsake fire safety and fire prevention.

     

    “It is always better to invest time, energy etc in fire-prevention teachings, tools and exercises because in many cases, they help save lives and property. The worse thing to have happen is neglecting fire-prevention and then become a victim of fire when it could have been prevented.”

     

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