Drop in Centre fire… Poor management, lack of policies led to deaths - Harmon

Drop in Centre fire… Poor management, lack of policies led to deaths – Harmon

Jul 28, 2016 News

Preliminary findings into the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the fire that killed two young brothers at the Hadfield Street Drop In Centre, have revealed that there was a lack of fire prevention strategies and other systematic problems at the institution.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon speaking at a post-cabinet news briefing, yesterday, said that the CoI which is being conducted by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Retired Woman Colonel Windee Algernon, found that there was poor collaboration between entities that managed the affairs of the Drop In Centre.
The Minister said, “There were no drills for emergencies such as fires. In general, (the report) pointed to systematic problems we have to address.”
He added that the Government will address the issues of fire codes and building standards not only at the Drop In Centre but at other government facilities.
Harmon said that in some places, even in schools there are no fire points. He stressed the need for these safety practices to be re-implemented to ensure a safe country and communities.
Minister Harmon had said that the government would await the report of the inquiry to decide on compensation for the parents of Joshua George and his brother, six-year-old Antonio George.
The remains of the siblings were found among the debris shortly after fire fighters extinguished the blaze which started around 12:05 hrs on June 8, last.
Commissioner Algernon is tasked with investigating and examining the causes, conditions and circumstances that led to the deaths of the two brothers who were in the care and control of the state.
The Commissioner will also have to determine the nature of injuries sustained by all children at the centre and the dangers (if any) to which the children and staff were exposed.
Col Algernon will also have to determine whether the conduct of the staff at the Drop in Centre was in conformity with the required obligation of the state and standard operating procedures.
She will have to decide on whether there was failure on the part of state officials to deal with matters that gave rise to the loss of lives and whether there were unsafe or improper arrangements for care, custody and welfare of the children.
She is expected to interview the staff at the centre, the children who were accommodated there, the staff at the Ministry of Social Protection and the parents of children along with any other individual who may have information about the disaster.
A full report is expected by August 15.

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Drop in Centre fire… Poor management, lack of policies led to deaths – Harmon

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