The ineffectiveness of the Linden Fire Service

May 24, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Invariably after a calamity or tragic event, people become frantic, stimulated and consumed in discussions, castigation and examination of the event/situation from every possible angle of what should have been or could have been avoided and endless questions, suggestions and comments.
But as is is expected, as always, those on the spot post mortem, comments/suggestions done in a frenzy are ephemeral and fleeting, soon forgotten until there is another such occurrence.
And so it was with the recent fire that destroyed the long standing and once prominent and popular building, “Venus Fashion Store” that was occupied by two businesses: Digicel outlet and a garment/gadget store, bringing yet again under the microscope the ineffectiveness of the Linden Fire Service.
Indeed, this loss once more stirred the ire of Lindeners with the Fire Service coming in for much flak, low ratings and ridicule, and justifiably so.
For a long time now the performance of the Linden Fire Service has not been a commendable one, its sporadic victory in containing/putting out fire whenever it manages to arrive on time does not qualifies it as efficient/effective, and not until it can improve its level of performance whereby it is seen as a real fine fire fighter, responding as promptly as possible and well prepared will it be given deserving respect by Lindeners.
For too long, ever so often, Lindeners have become riled up, having to stand and watch a building razed by fire while a wounded and hopeless fire tender stands in a corner/middle nearby.
Why should we have a nice looking recently built Fire Station and so poor service? Are they using faulty and obsolete equipment? Or are they badly trained workers?
There is every need to urgently address this entire fire service scenario, if not the cost in losses would be astronomical.
The relevant authority needs to see the wisdom and necessity in reactivating or replacing fire hydrants. Mr. Editor, I feel the need to look at what the fire service used to be like in the community, as I made mention of a long time back.
The former Constabulary Fire Service that was managed by the Bauxite Company was quite efficient and “vibrant”, though it served a much smaller community, but there was a fine network of fire hydrants strategically placed at vantage points in and around the community interconnecting water flow.
The company kept a well trained work force-fire fighters – and fire engines regularly servicing them and flushing out hydrants to ensure reliability, always freshly painted in conspicuous silver and red.
Then there was the regularity in which fire men could be seen visiting buildings; hospitals, stores, cinema, clubs, libraries, places where people frequented ensuring that extinguishers, sand buckets and escape exits were all in place and functional.
But those were long gone days, the town has expanded tremendously, Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward are two huge schemes, then there is West Watooka and behind Alumina Plant along with those original/existing places: Wismar Flat and Mackenzie, Blue Berry Hill, Silvertown, Christianburg, Wismar Hill Scheme, One Mile and Half Mile, Retrieve, Old Kara Kara and New Kara Kara Scheme, Industrial Area, Rainbow City. Constabulary Compound, Watooka, Richmond Hill Fairs Rust, Noitgetacht, etc.
Definitely there is need for another fire station – at least one should be placed on the Wismar shore, how come the authorities cannot figure that out!? We need larger fire tenders that can accommodate enormous amount of water.
Other burning issues/questions: why are we continuing to build housing schemes without any room or infrastructure for fire hydrants/water tines? This is ridiculous and unacceptable, or do we control events of tomorrow.
Lastly I need to question an observation that was made during the fire: A number of persons who were on the scene when the fire started and as was reported by SN reporter, pleaded with the police to have the doors of both stores broken down, since the fire was not yet in a raging stage and which could have resulted in a large quantity of items/goods being saved, but they were denied, since permission had to be given by the fire service, the fire service in turn, it was rumoured refused to break into the Digicel compartment because it was insured and any looting would have prevented Digicel from full insurance coverage.
Is this so? Is there such a law that permission must be granted to break into a building on fire if is occupied by a business that is insured so as not to jeopardize insurance coverage; no matter how much the fire threatens other buildings, as was the case with the Regional Democratic Council building? Really is there such a law?
Frank Fyffe

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