A campaign for fire extinguishers
Published:Monday | January 4, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
While most persons were getting in from parties and resting in bed on January 1, 2010, fire-fighters were at Mountain View Avenue, desperately attempting to save a two-storey house. Most fortunately, the house was saved with reparable damages effected. The firefighters must be lauded for their prompt response and work to mitigate the likelihood of any other resulting fire.
Whilst horrified in watching from the safety of my home, en face de fiery furnace, I thought, 'why didn't they have a fire extinguisher?
Thinking rationally and realistically, most Jamaican homes are without fire extinguishers and most fires start small and can be quelled with a small fire extinguisher.
Start a campaign
The fire brigade must go on a campaign for persons to acquire these necessary items. Though they attract a small fee for annual recharging, are most persons willing to rebuild a house than to spend a small amount to secure their house for another day, month or year?
The Government is apparently unable to increase the fleet detailing of the national fire brigade, instead why not pass legislation to facilitate persons to acquire these practical and useful items. Civic groups, or even the fire brigade, can have sessions on how to properly use fire extinguishers.
It may be a small cost, but it's a cost I am willing to accommodate if it saves me from staring once more at a house, a home for a family, a place of safety, given to a fire of unquenchable thirst.
I am, etc.,
TIMOTHY CAWLEY
Kingston