BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FIRE AND RESCUE OFFICERS on St. Kitts took to action Monday (Jan. 4) and were successful in executing a rescue mission from the third floor of a burning building.
The operation was part of a simulation/Drills Display that took place at the Basseterre Fire Department Monday afternoon, which is a component of the entity’s week of activities commemorating its 10th year of existence separate and apart from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
As explained to SKNVibes by Fire Sub-Station Officer (FSSO) Everson Belle, who is also Station Officer for the Basseterre Fire Department, during the simulation, an individual who possibly could not walk was trapped in the building and needed to be rescued.
“We did a rescue from the drill tower where there was a fire on the third floor. The Fire and Rescue Services was called out, and on arrival there we realised someone was inside who was possibly suffering from smoke inhalation and possibly couldn’t walk. We have to rescue them from the third floor and bring back to the floor in a basket stretched.”
FSSO Belle recalled that before the conclusion of the drills display – which was held before a small audience - three other demonstrations were conducted, which included an extrication exercise.
“We did an extrication from an accident scene where we imitated that we had an accident where one person was trapped inside the vehicle while another was trapped under the vehicle. We used what is known as the ‘lift bag’ to lift the vehicle from the person who was under it and then we used what is known as the ‘jaws of life’ to make an opening in the vehicle to get the person out.
“We also did a full-turn-out drill where we simulated that we had to respond to a house fire. We did a one-man drill where one man had to respond to the scene of a fire and perform all the duties that would have been performed should a full crew respond.”
Asked specifically about the one-man drill and its relevance, the FSSO indicated that while it is highly unlikely that this would ever happen, it demonstrates to the public that fire officers are trained in the event that is does.
The fire officer explained that the reason for putting on the display is two fold: firstly to exhibit their skills to the public and, secondly, to encourage members of the public to join the service.
“The main purpose for having the drills display is to enhance the public’s perception of the Fire Service. Long time ago the Fire Services was regarded as a dumping ground for the police force. That’s when we were under the same umbrella, and so it had a stigma on it. Now that we have separated, we have taken onboard the rescue part of it and so we try to enlighten the public as to what we do as an entity.”
A similar exercise was conducted in Nevis at the Vance Amory Fire Hall on the same day.
