BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A prank call sent members of the St. Kitts/Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Department rushing to the Joseph N. France General Hospital (JNF) yesterday (Oct. 2) to deal with what was later deemed a fabricated emergency.
Acting Fire Chief Everette O’Garro is reporting that at about 9:48a.m., a report was received by the Fire Department which indicated that JNF was on fire.
He said within two minutes, a unit was dispatched to the JNF compound but when it arrived, there was no sign of a fire.
After inquiries were made at the reception area and the entire compound searched ward by ward and department by department, no sign of a fire was found.
O’Garro said that after the extensive search, it was determined that the call was a prank and Hospital Administrator Adams was informed.
With the Fire Department receiving an average of eight – 10 prank calls per month, the Fire Chief (Ag) issued “a strong appeal to the public to desist from the practice of making prank calls, especially when important institutions like a hospital is involved. These prank calls can disrupt the delivery of important services. They can also place a great deal of pressure on the resources of the Fire Services in terms of wasted time and fuel.
“Another thing to consider is that prank calls can prevent legitimate callers with legitimate emergencies from receiving the assistance they would need at that particular time.”
