Fire and Rescue Services intensifies “Comprehensive Fire Safety Programme”
By Terresa McCall
Reporter – SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services is taking an even more proactive approach to fire prevention through the intensification of its Comprehensive Fire Safety Programme instituted over a year ago.
Fire Station Officer Everette O’Garro told SKNVibes that the programme constitutes an all-inclusive approach to fire prevention. He explained that with this programme, the Fire Department is more involved in the preventative process and encourages businesses and schools to become more active in it.
In a more detailed explanation of the programme, O’Garro said, “Sometime last year, we embarked on a comprehensive fire safety programme that includes some of the major companies and schools in St. Kitts and Nevis. We go to the companies and schools and do an inspection and make recommendations and give advice in connection with occupational health and safety for the said area.
“The process involves an inspection, a fire prevention presentation and afterwards we would give the company a comprehensive report on the way forward and what measures they need to put in place to enhance the safety of staff and students.”
O’Garro said the Fire Department knows, all too well, the meaning of the axiom “On ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” and explained that the Department is seeking to spur others along the path of understanding its relevance.
“We realise that it is better to prevent fires than having to react to them. Prevention is better than cure. The whole programme is geared towards the prevention of fires and as well as reducing the amount and minimizing the effects that fires would have on the public.”
Since the implementation of the programme, the Fire Department has visited the Royal Bank of Canada, TDC, St. Kitts Breweries, St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank, the St. Kitts-Nevis Cooperative Credit Union and a number of schools.
Fire Station Officer O’Garro revealed to SKNVibes that plans are in the pipelines to visit other businesses where, “we will continue to stress the importance of prevention and the implementation of a fire safety plan.”
